Abstract: DC power for low power loads is provided for vehicles such as snowmobiles where the electrical system includes primarily AC power. DC voltage is provided for gauges and similar loads even though the peak value of the AC is below a desired level. Rectification and regulation of some energy from the alternator is used for supplying the DC power at a desired DC voltage that is above an alternator zero to peak value. A capacitor and a diode are connected in parallel from the alternator with rectifying circuit portions for supplying power to the DC load. A DC voltage monitor senses the DC voltage supplied to the DC load and prevents the DC voltage from rising above the desired voltage by controlling the first rectification, the second rectification, or both.

Abstract: An electrical system for supplying a DC voltage regulated to a desired level to a DC load is provided, wherein power is obtained from an AC waveform that under some conditions has a peak value below the desired level of eth DCC voltage. The AC waveform is connected to the AC load through a first solid state switch, wherein the magnitude of the DC voltage is controlled by a second solid state switch. Monitoring and control circuitry is provided to ensure that the first solid state switch is not turned off unless the second solid state switch is turned on. As a result, the electrical system may produce a nominal 12 volts DC output of sufficient current to desirably operate a multifunction gauge which otherwise might operate at varying voltage levels based on engine rpm variations.

Abstract: DC power for low power loads is provided for vehicles such as snowmobiles where the electrical system includes primarily AC power. DC voltage is provided for gauges and similar loads even though the peak value of the AC is below a desired level. Rectification and regulation of some energy from the alternator is used for supplying the DC power at a desired DC voltage that is above an alternator zero to peak value. A capacitor and a diode are connected in parallel from the alternator with rectifying circuit portions for supplying power to the DC load. A DC voltage monitor senses the DC voltage supplied to the DC load and prevents the DC voltage from rising above the desired voltage by controlling the first rectification, the second rectification, or both.

Abstract: Switching devices control the rectification and flow of alternating current power from a source such as an alternator to a load such as a battery in response to both the voltage of the battery and a minimum selected time period that is selected to eliminate or reduce an imbalance between various phases or polarities in possible current carrying paths. The selected time period may be constant or a predetermined function of variables such as the speed of the alternator.

Abstract: Switching devices control the rectification and flow of alternating current power from a source such as an alternator to a load such as a battery in response to both the voltage of the battery and a minimum selected time period that is selected to eliminate or reduce an imbalance between various phases or polarities in possible current carrying paths. The selected time period may be constant or a predetermined function of variables such as the speed of the alternator.

Abstract: Switching devices control the rectification and flow of alternating current power from a source such as an alternator to a load such as a battery in response to both the voltage of the battery and a minimum selected time period that is selected to eliminate or reduce an imbalance between various phases or polarities in possible current carrying paths. The selected time period may be constant or a predetermined function of variables such as the speed of the alternator.

Abstract: A solid state control circuit controls handlebar heaters on a snowmobile or similar responding loads. Circuit is supplied by AC voltage with variations in frequency and waveform of the AC input. A portion of this input is rectified and compared with a rectified portion of the output voltage. The difference between these two signals is used to supply two amplifying devices. A control signal to a switching device selectively connects one polarity of the AC to the load. The circuit is adapted to be disabled by the application of an external voltage typically from a brake light switch and bulb. The opposite polarity of the waveform is controlled from the AC to the load by sensing the DC component across the load and using a second switching device to drive this DC value to a negligible value. Components are incorporated that are sensitive to temperature and also waveform to produce higher output heating at high vehicle speed and lower operating ambient temperatures or airflows.

Abstract: A system for rectifying and regulating the flow of electrical power from a multi-winding alternator to a load such as a vehicle battery automatically changes the effective connection of the alternator windings to obtain maximum output power over a wide speed range of the alternator. When applied to an alternator of the type commonly used on vehicles such as snowmobiles, this system can approximately double the output current at maximum engine speed without reducing the output at minimum engine speed.

Abstract: A solid state control circuit controls handlebar heaters on a snowmobile or similar responding loads. Circuit is supplied by AC voltage with variations in frequency and waveform of the AC input. A portion of this input is rectified and compared with a rectified portion of the output voltage. The difference between these two signals is used to supply two amplifying devices. A control signal to a switching device selectively connects one polarity of the AC to the load. The circuit is adapted to be disabled by the application of an external voltage typically from a brake light switch and bulb. The opposite polarity of the waveform is controlled from the AC to the load by sensing the DC component across the load and using a second switching device to drive this DC value to a negligible value. Components are incorporated that are sensitive to temperature and also waveform to produce higher output heating at high vehicle speed and lower operating ambient temperatures or airflows.

Abstract: An automated control system for controlling lights and other electrical loads in a motor vehicle is operable with an engine-driven alternator and responsive to the operation of the engine for turning on the load whenever the engine is operating or above a selected engine speed. The vehicle loads are switched on and off automatically by the sensing of alternator output voltage, either alone or in combination with alternator frequency or sensing battery voltage, or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to regulation techniques for alternators typically permanent alternators as might be used on recreational vehicle engines. The regulation techniques previously known under some conditions produce undesirable high direct current components or unbalanced currents in the alternator winding on the alternator. The invention reduces these unbalanced currents thus eliminating the unnecessary source of heating of components and the waste of power. Alternator regulators of the type commonly used on AC systems on snowmobiles typically have a negative temperature coefficient which produces excessive voltage at low temperatures which further adds to effectively increased voltage at the lamps caused by the reduction in wiring resistant at low temperature. The invention produces a selected positive temperature coefficient of a true RMS AC regulator and allows more accurate calibration of that regulator.

Abstract: An electrical system for supplying power from a source of alternating current to a gauge system functions as a half wave rectifier below a selected current level. The system prevents the rise of current above the selected current level and once that selected level is reached, reduces the time that the current flows to approximately one-fourth of the waveform of the alternating current.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching on and off vehicular electrical loads. The switching of these loads is controlled automatically by sensing alternator output voltage either alone or in combination with alternator frequency and or vehicle battery voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical power system adapted to receiving power from a source of alternating current, typically a small alternator and supplying a direct potentially to a load. This power system contains protective circuits which control or shut off a portion or all of the electrical power system in response to abnormally high or low voltage conditions. The high voltage protection circuit short circuits the alternator in response to abnormally high load voltage. A second high voltage sensing circuit, locks out the main regulation and rectification circuit for a selected period of time after the over voltage sensing point is exceeded. The low voltage protection circuit abruptly reduce output to zero once the output voltage decreases to a minimum level. This voltage then remains at zero until the circuit is reset by an external signal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for operating a combustion engine by controlling the spark ignition voltage to said engine. Said control is created by the application of two opposing currents to the input of an amplifying device which is used to selectively shunt a constant current source away from the control electrode of a second amplifying device connected to control the formation of said ignition voltage.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for operating a combustion engine by controlling the spark ignition voltage to said engine. Said control is created by the application of two opposing currents to the input of an amplifying device which is used to selectively shunt a constant current source away from the control electrode of a second amplifying device connected to control the formation of said ignition voltage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blocking oscillating converter for transferring energy from a source of power, such as a vehicle battery, to a storage means, such as an energy storage capacitor in a capacitor discharge ignition system. A novel control and feedback circuit incorporated in the blocking oscillator allows the drive level to the switching transistor to be controlled in response to the peak current in said transistor as well as the output voltage of the blocking oscillator. Furthermore the control circuit allows the blocking oscillator to be turned off during the short period of time after each spark discharge that is needed for turnoff of a switching device used to control that discharge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blocking oscillating converter for transferring energy from a source of power, such as a vehicle battery, to a storage means, such as an energy storage capacitor in a capacitor discharge ignition system. A novel control and feedback circuit incorporated in the blocking oscillator allows the drive level to the switching transistor to be controlled in response to the peak current in said transistor as well as the output voltage of the blocking oscillator. Furthermore the control circuit allows the blocking oscillator to be turned off during the short period of time after each spark discharge that is needed for turnoff of a switching device used to control that discharge.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for operating a combustion engine by controlling the spark ignition voltage to said engine. Said control is created by the application of two opposing currents to the input of an amplifying device which is used to selectively shunt a constant current source away from the control electrode of a second amplifying device connected to control the formation of said ignition voltage.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for operating a combustion engine by controlling the spark ignition voltage to said engine. Said control is created by the application of two opposing currents to the input of an amplifying device which is used to selectively shunt a constant current source away from the control electrode of a second amplifying device connected to control the formation of said ignition voltage.