Abstract: An electrical generating system is driven by a variable speed prime mover through a constant speed drive. A speed control, as a proportional integrator responsive to frequency error, controls the constant speed drive. Stability and speed of response of the system are improved by the inclusion of one or more of the following in the speed control: a lead/lag filter between the output of proportional integrator and the constant speed drive; an adaptive gain circuit for the frequency error signal ahead of the proportional integrator; an adaptive integrator for delaying integrator operation on occurrence of a load current change; a nonlinear gain circuit in parallel with the proportional integrator to increase the control signal as the error signal increases; or load current or input speed bias signals added to the control signal to reduce the range of integrator output.

Abstract: A supplementary heating system particularly suitable for an automotive vehicle comprises a step down transformer coupled to the stator windings of the vehicle's alternator and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity heater electrically connected intermediate the stator windings and the transformer in parallel with the transformer. Due to the presence of the transformer the voltage regulator causes the alternator to operate at a higher than customary voltage to provide the conventional 14.4 volts for the vehicle's normal electrical loads with the high voltage used to energize the heater. The heater can be in the form of a so-called "honeycomb" having a plurality of parallely extending passages or cells disposed in the air stream going from the main heater into the passenger compartment and can be either a multiphase, single phase or direct current type.

Abstract: A thermoelectric energy converter incorporates thermocouples in a circuit carrying A. C. current via capacitors which provide electrical coupling but obstruct heat transfer between hot and cold junctions. The cyclic current oscillations through the capacitors are diverted by special circuits so as to be rendered asymmetric as current oscillations through the thermoelectric junctions. One such circuit includes the use of a diode configuration regulating current flow through different thermoelectric junctions spaced apart in the thermal gradient. Another involves the action of a unidirectional magnetic field having a polarizing effect on a three-metal thermoelectric junction.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for effecting battery management in a battery powered electronic stimulating device, with the stimulating device particularly illustrated being a transcutaneous nerve stimulating (TENS) device for effecting suppression of pain by nerve fiber stimulation. The output power is in the form of biphasic constant current output pulses generated at one or more biphasic output stages. Each output stage receives high voltage, derived from the battery, along with microprocessor generated control pulses. Battery management is effected by detecting predetermined voltage levels and responsive thereto decrementing the output power to maintain the battery voltage at a selected lower level with termination of operation occurring when such decrementing can no longer maintain the lower battery voltage. A battery warning indicator is also provided for advising of battery condition.

Abstract: An engine driven generator having an engine, a three-phase synchronous generator to be driven by the engine, a direct current power supply for actuating the engine, a direct current/alternating current power supply converter for converting a direct current power of the direct current power supply to an alternating current power and supplying the alternating current power to the three-phase synchronous generator:(1) characterized in further comprising a full-wave rectifier for rectifying an output of the three-phase generator and supplying the thus rectified output to the direct current/alternating current power converter; a switching unit for switching output terminals of the direct current/alternating current power converter to terminals of an outer device or output terminals of the synchronous generator; a rotor position detector for detecting a position of a rotor of the synchronous generator; and(2) characterized in that during the period when the three-phase synchronous generator performs the power gener

Abstract: A battery charger having positioning and support apparatus for aligning batteries of varying sizes is disclosed. A recess in the battery charger housing has tapering sides which produce a charging pocket wider toward the front of the charger than toward the rear. Batteries of varying thickness have sloping sides which conform to the angle of taper of the battery charger. Rib members on the tapering sides engage slots in the batteries such that the batteries upon insertion into the charging pocket are initially guided by the tapering sides and then accurately positioned by the rib members.

Abstract: An idling engine speed controlling apparatus for an engine having a generator driven by an engine to charge a battery, a switching means for controlling the supply and interruption of an exciting current to a field winding for the generator so that a voltage generated from the generator or a voltage of a battery becomes a predetermined level, a continuous detecting means for detecting a total excitation time of the field winding during each rotational time period, and a regulator means having a control unit responsive to an output of continuous detecting means for adjusting a quantity of intake air supplied to the engine by detecting an excitation time of the field winding for each time period of the engine.

Abstract: A battery charger device and method including a charging circuit having a source of charging energy and connections for installing one or more batteries to be charged, the device having a controllable switch associated with each battery to be charged and a microprocessor for controlling the switches to establish a charging sequence of distinct repeated charging periods for each battery, a display device associated with each battery under control of a microprocessor for individually indicating the charging status of each battery, the microprocessor having inputs at which various parameters with respect to the batteries being charged are applied such as battery voltages, ambient temperatures and charging currents, the microprocessor being programmed to terminate a voltage charging operation with respect to any one or more of the batteries if the measured difference between the charging and non charging voltage of any one or more of the batteries during succeeding charging periods exceeds some predetermined valu

Abstract: A peak hold circuit and a sample-and-hold circuit are provided for accurately and immediately detecting variations in a load connected to a generator. The peak hold circuit holds a peak voltage of a waveform voltage signal having an amplitude corresponding to the magnitude of the load. The peak hold circuit is responsive to a reset signal from a reset circuit to be reset during a time interval between a point after the peak of the waveform voltage signal and a point before a subsequent peak of the waveform voltage signal, so that the peak hold circuit is reset, thereby renewing the peak voltage held in the peak hold circuit. When the sample-and-hold circuit receives a sampling instruction signal from a sampling instruction circuit during a time interval between a point after the peak of said waveform voltage signal and a point before said reset signal is outputted, the sample-and-hold circuit operates in a sampling mode to sample the peak voltages outputted from the peak hold circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging and testing a rechargeable battery is adapted to determine certain conditions, including defects and characteristics, of the battery. The apparatus detects defects caused by sulfated cells, short circuited cells, and mismatched cells, and determines battery voltage, capacity and charge acceptance capability.

Abstract: A universal battery charger and recharger for electric batteries having different charging characteristics. The battery charger includes a microprocessor receiving inputs from current, voltage and temperature sensors for controlling the battery charging profile. A replaceable memory may be included to provide an appropriate charging profile for the battery to be charged. The supply current is varied responsively to the voltage across the battery which is measured when the supply current reaches a predetermined level or after a predetermined time.

Abstract: Automated charging systems for vehicles having rechargeable batteries are in common use today. Such systems typically have exposed contacts or the need for additional circuitry to move the contacts. The subject system includes circuitry which allows the charge receiving member to be only connected to the battery during charging. The charging system produces a charging signal in response to a low battery. A microprocessor receives the charging signal and responsively produces a "pulse" signal. A second transistor switch receives the "pulse" signal and responsively energizes a charging contactor coil. In response to the charging contactor coil being energized, contacts controllably block power from the battery to the motor and pass power from the receiving member to the battery.

Abstract: The present invention is a battery charging system that provides automatic oltage selection, short circuit protection, and delayed output to prevent arcing or pitting. A second embodiment of the invention provides a homing beacon which transmits a signal so that a battery powered mobile robot may home in on and contact the invention to charge its battery. The invention includes electric terminals isolated from one another. One terminal is grounded and the other has a voltage applied to it through a resistor connected to the output of a DC power supply. A voltage scaler is connected between the resistor and the hot terminal. An On/Off controller and a voltage mode selector sense the voltage provided at the output of the voltage scaler. The On/Off controller provides an output whenever V.sub.a <V.sub.H <V.sub.b, where V.sub.a is a reference voltage, V.sub.H is a voltage across the terminals, and V.sub.b is a reference voltage. The voltage mode selector provides an output whenever voltage V.sub.

Abstract: A universal battery charger circuit has polarized capacitors disposed in the input a-c lines to a bridge-connected rectifier. A voltage clamping circuit is connected to the d-c terminals of the bridge and diodes are connected in parallel with each of the polarized capacitors to define a circuit for the flow of charging current. Regulation circuits are provided for both battery voltage and charging current so that any battery of given voltage output can be charged from different input voltage sources.

Abstract: A noise filter for the zero crossing detector of a digitized sine wave signal uses an adjustable noise integrator. The noise integrator incorporates a counter. The integration characteristic of the counter is adjustable by selecting a count rate or a count limit from a microprocessor memory.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power supply device includes an alternator drivable by an engine mounted on a motor vehicle, a battery chargeable by electric energy generated by the alternator, a capacitor connected to the alternator and the battery, and a charging speed varying circuit arrangement connected between the capacitor, and the alternator and the battery, for varying the speed at which the capacitor is charged. The charging speed varying circuit arrangement is controlled to vary the speed at which the capacitor is charged, depending on the operating condition of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A battery booster apparatus includes a portable support structure on which are mounted a battery, jumper cables for connecting the battery in parallel with an external battery that is in a low charge condition, an AC-powered charger for charging the battery, and a solar panel for charging the battery when the charger is not powered. The apparatus may include components for switching between the charger and the solar panel so that the solar panel is connected to the battery when the charger is not powered and disconnected when the charger is powered. The switching components may operate automatically and include a relay electrically connected to the charger so that the relay operates when the charger is powered.

Abstract: A circuit for charging a battery from a source of AC power. The disclosed circuit provides over voltage protection, reverse battery protection, current limiting, and over frequency protection. These protections are provided through the use of an SCR, a zener diode, a current sense resistor, a voltage reference, and several voltage comparators.

Abstract: The mechanism for the electrical appliance, especially for a hair cutting device, for line voltage or battery-powered operation comprises a tool portion with a rechargeable battery and an adapter, which is easily connected by a cable with a current source and which has means for easy maintenance and for easy connection and disconnection with the tool portion. The electrical appliance may also have a holder for the tool portion in which the tool portion can be held with the adapter connected. The tool portion may be easily detachable from the adapter held in the holder during battery powered operation or alternatively the tool portion with the adapter connected may be easily removed from the holder when the tool portion is energized by the line voltage.

Abstract: A cordless electrical tool has a housing forming a pair of battery mounts, an electrical motor in the housing, respective batteries removably carried in the mounts, and circuitry connecting the batteries in series with each other and across the motor. A cutoff switch is connected in series between the batteries and the motor and can open to electrically disconnect the motor from the batteries. Respective control circuits detect the charge levels of the batteries and open the cutoff switch when the respective charge level drops below a predetermined threshold. Respective light-emitting diodes are provided to indicate which of the batteries is below its permissible charge.