Abstract: An electric power generating system comprising: a generator including an alternator and regulator, the regulator including a normal field control and a redundant field control with a default field command and a selector for selecting between the normal field control and the redundant field control. Further disclosed, is a method of providing excitation to an alternator, comprising: receiving a field default signal indicative of an inoperative normal field control and a normal field command responsive to the normal field control, indicative of a desired duty cycle command to a field coil of an alternator. The method further includes determining if a supply voltage is greater than a selected value and formulating a default field command; transmitting a field drive responsive to the default field command to a field coil of the alternator if the field default signal is asserted.

Abstract: An electric power generating system comprising: a generator including an alternator and regulator, the regulator including a normal field control and a redundant field control with a default field command and a selector for selecting between the normal field control and the redundant field control. Further disclosed, is a method of providing excitation to an alternator, comprising: receiving a field default signal indicative of an inoperative normal field control and a normal field command responsive to the normal field control, indicative of a desired duty cycle command to a field coil of an alternator. The method further includes determining if a supply voltage is greater than a selected value and formulating a default field command; transmitting a field drive responsive to the default field command to a field coil of the alternator if the field default signal is asserted.

Abstract: A generator wake-up system that transitions the voltage regulator from a low power, sleep mode to full voltage regulation mode when the wake-up system detects and confirms a valid frequency of rotation of the generator. The wake-up system includes a control circuit to filter, amplify, and detect the proper threshold of an input waveform; and an assessing device that implements a control algorithm to measure and validate the input waveform.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for control of a vehicle generator. The voltage regulator is selectably responsive to a voltage representing the generator output voltage at the alternator output terminal, or to an external voltage sensed at a load or source point on the vehicle. The voltage regulator determines the relationship between these two sensed voltages and in response thereto chooses one of the sensed voltages for use in controlling the generator output by controlling the field excitation current input thereto. Certain conditions also cause the voltage regulator to latch in a mode where it is controlled only by one of the alternator output terminal voltage or the external voltage. Manual resetting may be required to discontinue the latched operational mode.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for control of a vehicle generator. The voltage regulator is selectably responsive to a voltage representing the generator output voltage at the alternator output terminal, or to an external voltage sensed at a load or source point on the vehicle. The voltage regulator determines the relationship between these two sensed voltages and in response thereto chooses one of the sensed voltages for use in controlling the generator output by controlling the field excitation current input thereto. Certain conditions also cause the voltage regulator to latch in a mode where it is controlled only by one of the alternator output terminal voltage or the external voltage. Manual resetting may be required to discontinue the latched operational mode.

Abstract: A generator wake-up system that transitions the voltage regulator from a low power, sleep mode to full voltage regulation mode when the wake-up system detects and confirms a valid frequency of rotation of the generator. The wake-up system includes a control circuit to filter, amplify, and detect the proper threshold of an input waveform; and an assessing device that implements a control algorithm to measure and validate the input waveform.

Abstract: A catalytic converter of an engine, such as might be found in an automotive engine system, is capable of being quickly and electrically heated in order to reduce pollution emissions during critical cold start conditions. During cold start conditions, i.e. upon starting the engine, for a predetermined period of time the catalytic converter directly receives electrical power via a quick heating path connecting a catalyst power switch to the catalytic converter. Following the predetermined period of time after which the catalytic converter has been electrically heated, the catalyst power switch is connected to a junction block, such as a starter motor assembly, of the automotive engine system via a normal path.