Abstract: An optical power distribution system for supplying power to low power electrical devices includes an electrically powered source of optical radiation the output of which is applied to a photovoltaic cell array arranged on the device to be powered and electrically connected thereto.

Abstract: A battery charger comprises a self-oscillating inverter with saturable transformer means in its positive feedback circuit. The saturation flux density of the magnetic material used in this saturable transformer means determines the frequency of inverter oscillation. A permanent magnet is rotatably mounted adjacent the saturable transformer means and is used by way of cross-magnetization to adjustably affect the saturation flux density of the magnetic material, thereby correspondingly to adjust the frequency of oscillation: the more cross-magnetizing flux provided to the magnetic material from the permanent magnet, the smaller the saturation flux density and the higher the frequency of oscillation.The battery charging current is attained from the inverter's squarewave voltage output by way of a series-excited parallel-loaded tuned L-C circuit, thereby providing for a battery charging current of magnitude dependent upon the frequency of inverter oscillation.

Abstract: A charging rack for charging an auxiliary battery from the electrical system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The rack is connected to the electrical systems of the internal combustion engine and a module which houses the battery to be charged. The charging rack is intended for use with a vehicle internal combustion engine which includes a battery and an ignition switch. The charging circuit includes a diode and a switch connected across the diode which in operation enable the battery to be charged to its full nominal voltage which may be equal to the nominal voltage while preventing discharge of the battery to be charged into the electrical system of the internal combustion engine, particularly when the engine is being started. Use of the system is applied to portable hand lights is also described.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a battery charging generator for use in a vehicle in which a voltage regulator for regulating the output of the generator is controlled by a reference voltage generating unit in response to a signal representing acceleration (an operating state) for gradually changing the output voltage of the generator until the output voltage is below the battery terminal voltage so that the vehicle's engine runs smoother and changes of intensity in a lighting device included in the load occur gradually and are not visually noticeable.

Abstract: An alternator control system for controlled charging of a secondary battery such as a lead-acid battery, the invention allows manual selection of alternator output current. The control system of the invention is connected to the alternator field terminal in parallel to the voltage regulator. The selected alternator output current is essentially constant to allow estimation of the time necessary to charge a given number of ampere hours. The present control system also incorporates a voltage sensing cutoff circuit which disconnects the control system from the alternator when the battery has reached full charge, when the selected charging current becomes excessive as the battery approaches full charge, or when a charging current is selected which is excessive for the capacity of a given battery.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit, which can charge storage batteries upto the required voltage level, and prevent them from being overcharged by use of a thyristor, a temperature sensor and a current regulation means. The circuit uses a regulated switched B.sup.+ supply which is controlled by a transistor which is switched on and off by control of the thyristor. The circuit of the present invention consequently can protect not only the storage batteries themselves, but also the electronic circuits and instruments, which use the storage batteries as their power sources, from being damaged due to overcharging.

Abstract: A battery charger of the type which provides a constant current charge for charging batteries which may be used to charge batteries having a wide range of voltages and capacities. The charging circuit of the constant current battery charger of the present invention includes a conventional voltage source, three terminal regulators, fast and float charging rate resistors, a resistive divider for sensing battery voltage and integrated circuit means for providing drive current for a switching relay and for providing hysteresis. The circuit provides ready and complete adjustability of voltage range, fast and float current ranges and switching hysteresis range wherein these ranges are defined by linear relationships and may be changed by substituting passive components such as resistors.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle alternating current generator comprising a switching device operable in response to the detection of an operating state temperature to control the field current of the generator independently of another switching device performing a field current control based on the output voltage of the generator, thereby to limit the output current of the generator.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is presented which is useful in controlling the recharging of the battery of a walk-behind lawn mower. The battery is used as an energizing source for cranking the piston engine of the mower. Once the engine is running it drives a small alternator whose rectified output is a low power capacity pulsating DC voltage capable of recharging the battery. To prevent overcharging of the battery, a voltage regulator module is introduced between the alternator output and the input to the battery. The voltage regulator includes a ripple smoothing capacitor shunted across the output of the alternator, a 3-terminal positive voltage regulator packaged in integrated circuit form having a voltage input terminal, a voltage output terminal and an output voltage adjustment terminal. A solid state diode placed in series between the voltage output terminal of the regulator and the positive input terminal of the battery prevents battery discharge through the regulator module when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A photo electric charger device includes a solar-electric panel for generating a charging current for a chargeable battery. Mounted on a common support member with the solar-electric panel are a pair of electrical contacts connected to receive the voltage output of the panel therebetween. These contacts are mounted on a pair of support arms which support a battery powered device having chargable batteries and a charging circuit for such batteries. A support bracket is provided for this device, the bracket having contacts which mate with and provide electrical contact with the contacts carrying the output of the solar panel which are on the support arms. Thus when the battery powered device is suspended on the support arms, current from the solar panel will feed through the contacts to charge the battery.

Abstract: Prior types of generating systems for producing AC and DC output power have utilized integrated drive generators for producing the AC power and means for rectifying the AC power developed by the drive generator to produce the DC power. However, such types of systems encounter various disadvantages, including less than desirable reliability of the DC power, distortion in the AC power caused by rectification thereof to produce the DC power and reduced efficiency. In order to overcome these problems, a hybrid generating system according to the present invention comprises an AC power generating section driven by a prime mover for generating AC output power and a DC power generating section independent of the AC power generating section, also driven by the prime mover for generating the DC output power wherein each of the AC and DC power generating sections includes a permanent magnet generator.

Abstract: A self-oscillating power supply circuit for charging a battery in which energy is stored in a transformer (Tr) during the so-called forward intervals. This energy is applied as a charge current to the battery (6) during the flyback intervals. To prevent overcharge of the battery, the circuit includes a battery voltage protection circuit (10) receiving its power supply from the battery. A fraction of the battery voltage is applied to this circuit by means of a voltage divider (R.sub.3, R.sub.4) connected across the battery by means of a switch (S.sub.1) during the flyback intervals. To prevent the voltage drop across the internal resistance of the battery from influencing the measurement of the battery voltage, the battery voltage is measured after the end of a flyback interval and before the commencment of the next forward interval. This is achieved by short-circuiting the inputs (11, 12) of the protection circuit (10) by means of two diodes (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) during the flyback intervals.

Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer comprises a circuit for measuring and displaying the temperature of a portion being measured, a secondary battery for supplying electric power to the circuit, rectifier means connected to the secondary battery, a power receiving coil connected to the rectifier means for inducing a voltage in response to a change in an external magnetic field applied to the power receiving coil, and a hollow bar-shaped casing housing the circuit, the secondary battery, the rectifier means, and the power receiving coil. The secondary battery can be charged efficiently through the power receiving coil in response to the change in the external magnetic field. An apparatus for charging the electronic clinical thermometer comprises container means having a cylindrical cavity for accommodating a plurality of electronic clinical thermometers, a power transmitting coil disposed around the cylindrical cavity, and a.c.

Abstract: A balance vehicle speed at which mean charging current and mean discharging current are balanced is obtained. A charge stop vehicle speed corresponding to the balance vehicle speed is decided as a reference value. An actual vehicle speed is compared with the charge stop vehicle speed to produce a charge stop signal, when the actual vehicle speed is lower than the charge stop vehicle speed. A charging regulator is responsive to the charge stop signal for disabling the regulator so as to stop the charging of a battery.

Abstract: An electrical battery is provided which includes a current sensing resistor situated in series with a plurality of battery cells located within a housing. The respective ends of the plurality of cells are coupled to positive and negative contacts on an external surface of the battery. The respective ends of the current sensing resistor are coupled to first and second sensing contacts on the external surface of the battery. A battery structure is thus provided which is capable of supplying electrical energy while permitting sensing of the magnitude of electrical current drawn from the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a generator for a vehicle for limiting the output current of the generator by controlling the field current of the generator having an operating state detector for detecting the operating state of the vehicle, a reference clock generator, a modulator for modulating the reference clock pulses for generating reference clock pulses in response to the output of the operating state detector to sequentially vary the field current.

Abstract: In a generator charging a battery on an automobile with output voltage thereof, a voltage regulator has a constant voltage source; first and second voltage dividers dividing the voltage of the constant voltage source; a series circuit consisting of a thermo-sensitive element and a resistor and being connected to the middle point of the first voltage divider; a first diode having an anode connected to the middle point of the first divider; a second diode having an anode connected to the middle point of the second voltage divider; and a third diode having a cathode connected to both the cathodes of the first and the second diode and supplying a reference voltage, wherein the output voltage of the generator is compared with the reference voltage, thereby, the output voltage of the generator is regulated to the reference voltage.

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 portable electrical power source to provide electrical energy to movable carriages of mobile storage systems during an electrical power failure, a malfunction of motor control circuitry and/or safety related controls and movement of movable carriages during installation of mobile storage system before standard control system has been installed.

Abstract: An automotive battery charging circuit with a generator having a field winding and a plurality of stator windings, the output of the stator windings being connected to the battery through a plurality of SCR's each having individual potentiometer control means responsive to a voltage differential of the associated stator winding and the battery voltage.