Abstract: Prior variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) generating systems which utilize an inverter to derive constant frequency power from variable frequency power developed by a generator driven by a prime mover have controlled system output voltage by controlling the excitation of the generator. Such a control technique, however, does not provide voltage regulation of individual phases and minimize undesirable distortion in the system output. In order to overcome the foregoing problem, a control for a VSCF system having a generator and an inverter which receives DC power from a rectifier coupled to the generator controls switches in the inverter to maintain the voltage of the AC power developed by the inverter at a desired level and controls the power applied to an exciter of the generator to maintain the voltage of the DC power at a particular level relative to the voltage of the AC power developed thereby. Distortion in the inverter output is thereby minimized.

Abstract: A reliable technique of predicting the available reserve time remaining to a selected end voltage of a discharging battery is based on an adaptive state-of-charge algorithm that is active in real time to respond to changing conditions of a battery system. The adaptive state-of-charge algorithm is based on measured discharge characteristics of the battery whose reserve time is to be predicted which have been reduced to two parameters plotted as a single curve with a linear and an exponential region. These discharge characteristics are combined with dynamic parameters of the battery system which are monitored and processed in real time to provide a continuous evaluation and reevaluation of the reserve time remaining under changing conditions. As the discharge proceeds there is a continual improvement in the prediction of reserve time available.

Abstract: A three-stage rapid charging process for maintenance-free lead storage batteries with a fixed electrolyte, which produces consistently recurring full charging of both electrode polarities even under cyclic loading, includes a first charging stage which proceeds at a constant current of the magnitude of a four-hour to eight-hour current until a temperature-dependent charging voltage is reached, a second charging stage which then continues at this temperature-dependent charging voltage for a limited time, and which is continuously adjusted to the battery's temperature, and a third charging stage which is again time-limited and which constitutes a secondary charging which proceeds according to an I/V characteristic curve with an initial charging current limited to between 0.05 and 0.5 times a ten-hour current and a battery voltage which is limited to between 2% and 8% above the temperature-dependent charging voltage.

Abstract: A device for powering a number of different electrical loads, especially on bicycles with or without auxiliary motors. The device includes a generator, a drive means for the generator (on a bicycle to cooperate with a wheel of the bicycle), transmission gear means connected in advance of the generator, an accumulator, and switching means for switching between powering of the loads by the generator and accumulator and for constant charging of the accumulator by the generator. The generator, transmission gear means, accumulator and switching means are arranged in a common closed housing. The transmission gear means is connected to the drive means by a flexible shaft. An adaptor is provided by which the rotary motion of a wheel is taken up and transferred by the flexible shaft to the transmission gear means.

Abstract: A variable speed, constant frequency starter generator system is provided with a dynamoelectric machine, electrically connected to a multiple-phase bus and pair of multiple-phase rectifiers for producing a DC voltage on a pair of link conductors. An inverter converts the DC voltage to floating AC voltage which is further converted to a ground-referenced AC voltage by a transformer. During generator operation, the output voltage of the machine is rectified by at least one of the rectifiers to produce a DC voltage on the link conductors which is converted to a constant frequency AC voltage by the inverter. During starter operation, an externally supplied AC voltage is applied to the transformer. The transformer converts the externally applied AC voltage to a pair of phase-displaced AC voltages which are rectified by the pair of multiple phase rectifiers to produce twelve-pulse rectified DC voltage on the link conductors. This reduces the harmonic content of the current supplied by the external power source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-contacting power supplying apparatus (10), which couples electrical power to a portable power receiving apparatus (50) that is positionable on the top of the power supplying apparatus (10). In the disclosed embodiments, a power supplying coil (18) of the power supplying apparatus (10) is in spaced-apart juxtaposition with a power receiving coil (54) of the portable power receiving apparatus when the power receiving apparatus (50) is in a predetermined position relative to the power supplying apparatus (10). An electrical signal frequency is induced in the power supplying coil (18) by a frequency converter (16) and is coupled to the power receiving coil (54). A rectifier/filter circuit (56) connected to the power receiving coil (54) supplies a signal for charging a rechargeable battery (58).

Abstract: A vehicle mounted engine generator system is disclosed for supplying electricity to external electrical appliances and equipment used inside a camping car or outdoors in the camping site, which comprises a secondary water-cooled internal combustion engine of relatively small size and an engine generator electrically connected to the engine. The secondary engine has its cooling jacket connected to a cooling line supplying it with cooling water for engine cooling. Also, the cooling line is connected to a radiator connected to the main internal combustion engine of water-cooled type so that the heated cooling water through the secondary engine is cooled by the same radiator as for the main engine. Also, the secondary engine is electrically connected to the battery for the main engine in such a manner that the battery can be recharged from the secondary engine as well.

Abstract: A variable inertia energy storage system for storing large amounts of mechanical energy for an extended period of time on land or on a mobile vehicle includes a fly wheel having a rotating hub with spoke appendages each having an associated mass the center of which can be controllably changed with respect to the hub axis of rotation. The energy storage system also includes motor/generator elements for providing rotation forces to input mechanical energy to the flywheel or for generating electrical power for use on demand by a subsystem or the like.

Abstract: A motor-generator set for producing, within a predetermined range, a constant volts/hertz output from the generator. An engine drives an AC generator, the engine having an electronic speed regulator including a first potentiometer for adjusting a speed setting for the engine. The generator has a voltage regulator including a second potentiometer for setting the output voltage of the generator. The first and second potentiometers are ganged for simultaneous adjustment whereby adjusting the potentiometers in one direction increases the speed of the engine and the output frequency and voltage of the generator while adjusting the potentiometers in the other direction decreases the speed of the engine and the output frequency and voltage of the generator.

Abstract: A battery charging device is operable in conjunction with a battery heater to simultaneously heat and recharge the battery of an aircraft which has been stored under cold weather conditions. A thermostat energizes a power supply when the ambient air temperature drops below a given value. A transformer is connected with a power supply to produce an output voltage and a pair of transistors are connected with the transformer for converting the transformer output voltage to a given charging voltage which is supplied to the battery. A voltage control device including a rheostat and a voltage regulator is connected in a feedback circuit with the first and second transistors to control the transistors to produce a constant charging voltage. Thus as the battery is heated, the charging voltage supplied to the battery recharges the battery to full capacity.

Abstract: A circuit for regulating the amount of electrical re-charging current supplied to a battery is disclosed. The circuit includes a first generator for generating a signal representing the desired amount of the re-charging current, a second generator for generating a signal representing the actual amount of the re-charging current, and a comparator responsive to the desired and actual current signals for controlling the actual amount of the re-charging current to correspond to the desired amount. The desired signal generator includes a plurality of individual current signal sources. Each of the individual current signal sources is separately controlled by a microprocessor to selectively generate individual current signals. All of the individual current signals are summed together to provide the desired current signal.

Abstract: A power feeding system for a rotor comprises an inverter for converting a d.c. voltage into an a.c. voltage, a primary winding connected to an a.c. output terminal of the inverter, a secondary winding magnetically coupled with the primary winding during rotation and a rectifier for rectifying an a.c. output from the secondary winding to produce a d.c. voltage which is applied to a field winding.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly for a hand-held radio is disclosed. The battery assembly has electrical terminals through which the battery may supply energy and be charged. Further, the battery assembly has retractable plug prongs through which the battery may be charged from a conventional 120VAC receptacle. Provision is made to prevent hazardous voltages and currents from being present at the battery electrical terminals.

Abstract: A regulator for a vehicle charging system senses when it applies and terminates excitation to the field winding of the charging system's alternator. When the excitation is applied to the field windings, the output of the alternator is connected to an input filter in the regulator so that the regulator can sense the alternator's output. When the excitation is terminated, the input filter is disconnected from the alternator's output to isolate the filter from voltage steps induced in the alternator's output by the turn-on and turn-off of the field excitation.

Abstract: A superconducting energy storage device for storing electric power in superconducting magnets in the form of magnetic energy. The superconducting magnets are include a superconducting toroidal magnet and a superconducting solenoid magnet arranged to be inscribed in the inside of the superconducting toroidal magnet, the magnets being connected electrically in series to each other. Further, the superconducting magnets include a plurality of units, each of which is formed as a combination of the aforementioned toroidal and solenoid superconducting magnets, the units being piled up in the axial direction of the superconducting solenoid magnet. In the thus arranged device, electromagnetic force generated in the superconducting magnets can be supported without the necessity of firm bed rock, thereby eliminating the limitation in conditions of location of the energy storage device. Further, the plurality of energy storage units can be arranged effectively so that space can be saved.

Abstract: A small engine suitable for hand-held work machines such as cleavers and chain-saws in which the engine is started by driving a self-starting motor with the electromotive force of a secondary battery and wherein the size and weight of the engine is reduced by eliminating the use of a generator since the secondary battery is charged by utilizing the electromotive force of a magnet in reverse direction that is not normally used for igniting the engine.

Abstract: The generator set comprises an internal combustion engine (5) driving a three-phase generator (6). The latter is surmounted by a casing (7) containing a converter (8) which is supplied with power by the generator (6) and provides a current of 42 V at 200 Hz at the socket (11).

Abstract: A battery charge state monitor has a charging circuit (40) for charging nickel cadmium cells. An integrating (80) generates a saw-tooth waveform during charging and discharging of the cells, the frequency of which is proportional to the rate of charging and discharging of the cells. The saw-tooth waveform is converted into a train of pulses by a pulse shaping circuit (120), the pulses being counted by a counter (140). During initial calibration, the number of pulses generated for an exact known quantity of charge is stored in a microprocessor (160). During subsequent use and charging of the cells, the counter (140) counts in one direction during charging and in the opposite direction during discharge. Since the frequency of pulses generated during charging and discharging is exactly proportional to the rate of charging and discharging the count of the counter (140) provides an exact indication of the state of charge of the cells.

Abstract: A flux-coupled, iron directed battery charger charges a battery while avoiding physical contact between the charger and the battery and uses a control circuit that substantially reduces the flow of charging current to the battery when said battery is fully or nearly fully charged.

Abstract: A power supply system for developing electrical power from variable-speed motive power produced by a prime mover includes a differential speed summer having a first shaft coupled to the prime mover and further having second and third shafts coupled to first and second generators, respectively, a power conditioner coupled to the second generator for conditioning the power developed thereby and means for regulating the conditioned power developed by the second generator so that the first generator develops constant-frequency AC power.