Abstract: A fault indicating circuit for an automobile alternator battery charging system is disclosed. The charging system comprises an alternator providing a rectified battery charging signal in response to alternator field coil excitation which is controlled by a voltage regulator that senses battery voltage. The fault indicating circuit comprises a low voltage detector circuit which provides constant DC excitation for an indicator lamp in response to low alternator output voltage and a high voltage detector circuit which provides intermittent excitation for the lamp in response to an excessively high alternator output voltage, the lamp being maintained in a de-energized state in response to the normal alternator output voltage.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit for continuously charging a back-up battery is disclosed. A switch conducts a charging current to the battery in response to a temperature variable resistor. The charging current is a function of both the temperature and the battery voltage such that the charging current is matched to the charging characteristics of the battery. Additional features include the establishment of a minimum charging current and the capability of testing the battery under load conditions.

Abstract: A detector monitoring the voltage ripple in the rectified electrical output signal of an alternator in a multiphase alternator battery charging system is disclosed. A circuit monitors the undulating alternator output signal and produces a signal level in response. To correct the detector operation for various magnetic phenomena present in the alternator, a first circuit measures the rotational speed of the rotor and produces a proportional signal. A second circuit determines the excitation current supplied to the field coil. The measurement and determination are separately weighted and combined to form a corrected comparison threshold value. A variable threshold circuit combines the signal proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor and the determined field coil excitation current to produce a combined signal level.

Abstract: A solid state control circuit is connected to the output of an engine or motor driven alternator to provide a direct current output primarily for welding purposes. The control circuit includes gate controlled thyristors (SCRs) which are gated on at precise times within each cycle in order to provide an output having desired characteristics, such as constant current or constant voltage. Synchronizing windings associated with the alternator provide signals used to control the time of gating for the SCRs. Circuit means are included to insure that the control signals will be unaffected by any disturbances generated within the synchronizing signals due to the operation of the SCRs, and one such means includes an amplifier having a feedback circuit providing a hysteresis greater than any voltage change in the synchronizing signal caused by the operation of the SCRs.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating electrical current in which electron beams are discharged through a succession of elongate electron beam channels arranged in a parallel array while a magnetic field is imposed on the array with flux directed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the channels. Beams are directed successively through channels spaced one from another in a direction generally perpendicularly to both the axes of the channels and the magnetic flux. Electrical energy for operating the apparatus is derived from a suitable low current source such as a photovoltaic or solar cell.

Abstract: A detector monitoring the operational status of the field coil circuit in a multiphase alternator and voltage regulator battery charging system is disclosed. Circuit means monitor a first signal at a first terminal of the field coil circuit. Means generate sampling intervals on a repetitive basis. Circuit means interrupt the excitation signal supplied to the field coil by the voltage regulator during the sampling intervals. A second signal is measured during sampling intervals at a second terminal of the field coil circuit. Comparator means compare the first and second signals and produce an output signal when the comparison varies from a predetermined value.

Abstract: A locking device includes a housing, a plunger slidably supported in the housing for displacement in a first direction between two end positions and an electromagnet disposed in the housing and having a solenoid and an armature displaceable in a second direction by the force of a magnetic field generated upon energization of the solenoid and a coupling arrangement for operatively connecting the armature with the plunger for affecting the position of the plunger dependent upon the position of the armature. The coupling arrangement comprises a switch-over device which has two stable end positions and which is force-transmittingly connected to the plunger.

Abstract: Auxiliary windings wound in close juxtaposition to the respective phase windings of a three-phase alternator are connected in series with the star-connected phase windings at one end and at the other end to the diodes of a separate rectifier bridge for the current supplied to the exciter winding of the alternator. This makes possible operation of the exciter winding at higher voltage and lower current than in the case where the excitation voltage is generated only by the main phase windings of the alternator. Since the excitation windings carry only the exciter current, they may be made of finer wire than the main phase windings, but they should be wound close to the main phase windings so as to be cut in the same way by the lines of force of the rotating field.

Abstract: Magnetic system making it possible to obtain from a pulsed electron beam supplying bunches of electrons of density d.sub.o, a pulsed beam formed from electron groups of density k d.sub.o, said result being obtained by converting the variation of the momentum of the electrons emitted during the time .DELTA. t of the pulse into a length variation of the paths of said electrons, resulting in regrouping or rearrangement of the electrons within the bunch. This magnetic system has at least one electromagnet equipped with several pairs of pole pieces A, B, D defining a succession of air gaps in which are created, by means of at least one annular coil disposed therein, magnetic fields of different values.

Abstract: A method for controlling the charging of fast discharge and recharge type propulsion battery components of engine-electric hybrid drive systems for road vehicles, wherein the control objectives are to, minimize discharge of gas through battery cell vents, minimize fuel use, allow employment of a small battery, and provide for long discharge-recharge cycle life, and the control method consists in the steps of,1--providing so that, if not earlier terminated as a result of operator termination of braking, or a drop in vehicle speed, termination of regenerative braking will be initiated at a point in time determined by a control system generated indication of state of charge just prior to initiation of braking, and the subsequent history of cell current,2--providing so that, following a partial battery discharge, when and as motor speed allows, supplementary engine implemented battery charging will take place prior to the next advent of regenerative braking, with charge termination made responsive to attainment o

Abstract: A highly efficient battery charging system in which the ampere-hour discharge of the battery is sensed for controlling the battery charging rate. The battery is charged at a relatively high charge rate during a first time period proportional to the extent of battery discharge and at a second lower rate thereafter.

Abstract: A CMOS inverter is used to compare pacemaker battery voltage to a referenced voltage. When the reference voltage exceeds the measured battery voltage, the inverter changes state to indicate battery depletion.

Abstract: A charger, which is useful to power a variety of compact type electronic appliances such as an electronic wristwatch, includes one or more solar batteries as a primary battery, and a sealed type silver oxide battery as a secondary battery. Both the amount of charging current amplitude and of charging voltage are limited to protect the sealed silver oxide battery from its own expanse phenomenon.

Abstract: A battery charging system designed to charge a battery, especially a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery from a lead acid power supply without overcharging, and to charge uniformly a plurality of batteries in parallel. A non-linear resistance is utilized and is matched to the voltage difference of the power supply battery and the batteries being charged.

Abstract: The disclosed semiconductor voltage regulator comprises an NPN power transistor connected to a field coil of a battery charging AC generator and turned on and off through an NPN control transistor under the control of a Zener diode, a suppression diode for the field coil, and passive elements. The transistors especially including the power transistor and diodes without or with resistors form an integrated semiconductor element on a semiconductor substrate while the passive elements form a hybrid thick film integrated circuit on a ceramic substrate. The integrated element may be disposed on the ceramic substrate underlaid with a heat sink or directly on the heat sink.

Abstract: A motor vehicle electrical system having a charge mode of operation wherein the motor vehicle battery receives charging current at a temperature compensated voltage from an engine-driven generator, and a float mode operation wherein the battery charging current is reduced to a low value, sufficient only to prevent self-discharge of the battery. The charge and float modes of operation are alternately engaged as a function of the battery state of charge. During the charge mode of operation, a sufficiently high state of charge is detected as a function of the magnitude of the charging current, and during the float mode of operation, a depleted state of charge is detected as a function of the battery voltage. A timer provides a periodic return to the charge mode of operation to sample the battery state of charge.

Abstract: An AC generator charges a storage battery through a full-wave rectifier. The battery energizes a field generator coil through an indication lamp and two Darlington-connected transistors in their conducting state due to a flow of base current through them via a base resistor connected to the battery until a voltage across the generator reaches a predetermined magnitude. At that time, a Zener diode conducts to turn the two transistors off. The field coil is also connected to an intermediate voltage rectifier output terminal to be energized with a voltage from that terminal even if the filament of the charge indicating lamp is broken.

Abstract: A new method of charging a vehicle battery is disclosed. The proposed method employs electronically controlled data processing device, which controls battery charging condition in accordance with temperature, battery electrolyte, external electric load as well as battery voltage. As a result, voltage drop due to over loading may be prevented and a stable battery charging voltage may be obtained.

Abstract: Changes in temperature during charging are sensed and the charging current increased when temperature rises and decreased when temperature falls. Charging continues to a potential limit which is independent of temperature.

Abstract: A generation control apparatus for a vehicle generator detects the output voltage of an excitation current supplying rectifier circuit of the generator. When the output voltage is lower than a predetermined value, a switching element is turned on and a current for operating an indicator lamp is caused to flow through a resistor connected to the switching element, thus detecting a break in the generator circuit.