Abstract: A constant current regulator that receives an AC input current from a source provides a constant AC current to a load. The regulator includes first, second, third, and fourth electronically controllable switches, a transformer coupled to the switches, and a controller connected to the switches. An output of the first switch is electrically connected to an input of the second switch and one input of the transformer primary winding. An output of the third switch is electrically connected to an input of the fourth switch and another input of the transformer primary winding. The controller provides a trigger signal to each of the switches. The controller adjusts a duty cycle of the trigger signals based on a comparison between an actual current value and a reference current value to provide a constant AC current to the load.

Abstract: An electric assist steering system comprises a steering torque sensor and an electric assist variable reluctance motor operatively connected to a steering member. A motor control signal is provided in response to a value of the torque signal for control of the assist motor. A motor speed sensor senses speed of the power assist motor and a vehicle speed sensor senses the vehicle speed. A control circuit modifies the motor control signal in response to the sensed motor speed and the sensed vehicle speed signal so as to provide damping that is functionally related to both the motor speed and the vehicle speed for vehicle yaw rate control.

Abstract: A battery plant is described which features magnetic circuit means for balancing the electrical current flow through a pluraliircuitbattery strings which are connected electrically in parallel. The magnetic circuit means is associated with the battery strings such that the conductors carrying the electrical current flow through each of the battery strings pass through the magnetic circuit means in directions which cause the electromagnetic fields of at least one predetermined pair of the conductors to oppose each other. In an alternative embodiment, a low voltage converter is associated with each of the battery strings for balancing the electrical current flow through the battery strings.

Abstract: An industrial plating system operative from a relatively high voltage, 60 Hz, three phase a-c source for providing a relatively low voltage pulsed d-c for delivering currents above around 1,000 amperes to plating load and including amplitudes of 3,000 to 5,000 amperes, and including a controlled rectifier operative with the a-c source to provide a rectified d-c output voltage of a preselected high amplitude, an inverter operative with the controlled rectifier and situated at substantially the same physical location for providing a pulsed a-c output of a preselected width and a-c frequency, the a-c frequency being from around 300 Hz to 3000 Hz, a high frequency rectifier operative with the inverter for providing plating loads with a rectified pulsed d-c having d-c amplitude and a preselected pulsed d-c frequency, the pulsed d-c frequency being greater than the preselected a-c frequency, the high frequency rectifier having a high frequency step down power transformer and a pair of high speed diodes operative in

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a cooling liquid to the heat exchanger in a storage battery mounted on a vehicle for driving the vehicle, wherein the liquid is to be supplied to the battery at an inlet temperature which varies in a time-based relationship. The liquid to be cooled is obtained from the battery itself in a recirculative system located generally outside the vehicle. In accordance with this method and apparatus, the liquid returned from the vehicle mounted storage battery is divided into first and second portions, the first of these portions is cooled at a preselected cooling rate, thereafter, the cooled first portion and the uncooled or bypassed second portion are recombined to provide the liquid supplied to the battery heat exchanger. The ratio of the first and second portions is adjusted in accordance with a time-based relationship wherein the temperature within the battery is intentionally changed during a charging cycle.

Abstract: A metal halogen battery construction, with the improved combination comprising, at least one cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode for contact with aqueous electrolyte containing the material of said metal and halogen, sump means wherein the electrolyte is collected, store means wherein halogen hydrate is formed and stored as part of an aqueous material, circulation means for transmitting electrolyte through the battery, conduit means for transmitting halogen gas formed in the cell to hydrate forming means associated with the store means, fluid jet pump means operative to cause circulation of gases from the sump including hydrogen and halogen to contact a reactor means whereby hydrogen and halogen are combined and returned to the sump, and valve means sensitive to gas pressure in the sump means whereby when sump pressure drops below a desired setting of said valve means, the valve opens and permits halogen gas from the store to be transmitted to the electrolyte circulation means.

Abstract: In a control system for an electric powered vehicle of the type including a D.C. motor drivingly connected to roadway engaging drive wheels, there is provided an improvement. A control system for this type of vehicle has a controller for operating the D.C. drive motor with a voltage having a pre-selected magnitude, a first storage battery supported on the vehicle and having a charging mode and a discharging mode with a voltage rating during both of the modes being generally equal to the pre-selected magnitude, a circulation pump associated with the first storage battery for activating this battery, also driving the circulation pump during the discharge mode of the first storage battery. The improved control system in this type of an environment includes a second storage battery, a manually actuated starting switch for allowing the D.C. motor to be driven by the first storage battery, the second storage battery also driving the circulation pump for limited time after manual actuation of the starter.

Abstract: In a system for controlling the flow rates in a storage battery of the type having at least one pump driven at a controlled speed by a motor driven at a speed determined by the average applied voltage and the load experienced by the pump, which system includes a circuit for applying an average voltage to the motor and means for generating a reference signal for controlling the general magnitude of the average applied voltage to drive the pump at the desired speed, there is provided an improvement.

Abstract: A trigger system and method for use in a line commutated power converter as used in either a rectification or an inversion mode of operation and more particularly a trigger system and method for a static converter for accurately controlling the firing angles for controlled rectifiers for converting between multiphase a-c power and d-c power by use of digital signal having magnitudes which are varied for varying firing angles for providing a converted output having a regulated voltage and/or current.

Abstract: A load management system utilizing a three phase solid state inverter for applying a ripple signal on a high voltage line with the system having means (a) for conducting backfeed current from the line through a portion of the inverter, (b) for balancing the current and phase distribution through an isolation transformer, (c) for selectively sequentially connecting and disconnecting the transmission of the ripple signal from the high voltage line, (d) for providing a wide angle of conduction to assure conduction of the solid state devices over a wide time period to avoid current imbalance and core saturation.