Abstract: A method of developing a charging profile for charging a lithium-ion battery. A first phase of charging is at a constant current level, with the constant current level selected on the basis of battery resistance during charging and differential voltage (dV/dQ) analysis. A switch point is selected on the basis of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery when dV/DQ values increase. Next is an increasing voltage charging phase, with the voltage rate selected on the basis of charge acceptance and charge time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for voltage regulation of high voltage direct current systems are provided. In certain embodiments, a system includes a generator that generates alternating current (AC) voltage. The system further includes a power converter that converts the AC voltage into regulated direct current (DC) voltage. Also, the system includes a voltage regulator. In additional embodiments, the voltage regulator includes an AC voltage regulator that regulates the AC voltage generated by the generator. Also, the voltage regulator includes a DC voltage regulator that regulates the DC voltage produced by the power converter. Moreover, the voltage regulator includes a regulator selector that selectively activates one of the AC voltage regulator and the DC voltage regulator based on a current from the power converter and at least one of a voltage of the generator and a voltage of the power converter.

Abstract: The disclosure refers to a method for providing a frequency response for a combined cycle power plant connected to an electric grid. The combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbine engine and a steam turbine engine. The steam turbine engine includes a boiler, a steam turbine, a pump, a condenser, a bypass for the steam turbine, a steam admission control valve. The steam turbine engine operates with the bypass closed or at least partly open to supply steam from the boiler to the condenser bypassing the steam turbine, and/or with the steam admission control valve at least partly open. The method comprises regulating the output load of the combined cycle power plant by regulating the steam admission control valve and/or by regulating the steam flow through the bypass in response to a frequency change of the electric grid. The output of the gas turbine can also be adjusted, such that steam generated by the boiler is sufficient to achieve the target load for the steam turbine.

Abstract: An output voltage controller for an AC vehicle generator is proposed. The output voltage controller can easily suppress variation in rectified output voltage due to a switching surge without using a slope generation circuit in a voltage adjustment circuit. An excitation circuit that excites a field coil 13 includes a circulation element 31, a semiconductor switch element 33, an inductor 35, and transient voltage absorption means 40. The circulation element 31 is connected in parallel to the field coil 13. The semiconductor switch element 33 is connected in series with the field coil 13 and turned on and off by a voltage adjustment circuit 60. The inductor 35 is connected in series with the field coil 13 and the semiconductor switch element 33. The transient voltage absorption means 40 absorbs a transient voltage generated in the inductor 35 in association with the switching of the semiconductor switch element 33 between ON and OFF.

Abstract: The alternator comprises a wound rotor and a stator with a number of phases connected to a rectifier bridge equipped with switches (7) in the form of MOS type transistors, such as MOSFET type transistors, characterised in that the transistors (7) are voltage-rated to work by avalanche effect or linearly in the case of a load dump.

Abstract: A circuit for regulating power is disclosed. The present invention provides circuits and methods for current sensing variations, static droop settings, mismatched phase outputs, and temperature variations in a multiphase power regulator. The circuits may include a calibration controller that senses and regulates both a current sensing circuit and the droop in a power regulator over a range of temperatures thus equalizing phase outputs. The present invention includes the schematic organization and implementation of the circuit, the circuit's calibration, its use, and implementation. This invention advantageously provides circuits and methods to properly power a processor or IC chip according to the unique power specifications of the processor or chip.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for controlling a vehicle electrical generator. A regulator for controlling a generator in response to an input signal received from a control module suitably includes a discriminator module, a processing module and a switching circuit. The discriminator determines whether the regulator is operating in voltage or torque control mode. If the input signal is a voltage control, the output generator produces a modulation signal to produce a desired voltage between two battery terminals. If the input signal is a torque control, the output generator produces one or more modulation signals (e.g. pulse width modulation signals) to control the torque of the generator. The modulation signals are applied across a field coil or other controllable element of the generator by a switching circuit that applies positive and/or negative voltage from the battery terminals as appropriate.

Abstract: A brushless AC/DC starter generator for use with aircraft engines, the starter generator capable of both providing motive force to start the engine, and generate AC and DC power for aircraft systems. The apparatus includes a main generator, an exciter generator, and a permanent magnet generator.

Abstract: A regulator circuit for regulating the voltage delivered by an alternator for charging an associated battery, the alternator including an excitation winding and the regulator circuit controlling the current flowing through said excitation winding by switching between a first state in which excitation current increases and a second state in which excitation current decreases, said current being controlled as a function of a voltage value delivered by said alternator, wherein the circuit comprises:(a) detection means for determining whether the time during which the regulator circuit is in its first state is greater than a threshold time;(b) means for generating a speed signal representative of the speed of rotation of the alternator;(c) means responsive to a signal provided by the detection means to periodically compare said speed signal with a predetermined relationship establishing admissible decrease in the speed of rotation of the alternator as a function of time; and(d) means for temporarily switching sai

Abstract: A charging control apparatus for a vehicle, which controls a power generation of an AC generator for charging a battery, comprises: a switching circuit connected in series to a field winding of the generator; a comparator for detecting a voltage of a battery and comparing the battery voltage with a sawtooth wave of a predetermined period; a memory device for storing a value regarding a duty factor of an output of the comparator at the same period as the predetermined period of the sawtooth; a control value increasing/decreasing circuit for increasing or decreasing a control value as an output, thereby making the stored value coincide with the control value; and an AND circuit to calculate AND of the control value and an output of the comparator.

Abstract: A regulator provides a control signal for controlling a generator which is providing an electrical output. The electrical output includes an output voltage and an output current applied to a load. The regulator comprises a microprocessor, voltage sensing inputs and current sensing inputs which cooperate with the microprocessor to sense a parameter of the electrical output applied to the load and a first memory for storing predetermined parameters. The microprocessor compares the sensed parameter to its corresponding predetermined parameter stored in the first memory and generates an output signal representative of the comparison. The regulator further comprises a second memory for storing instructions for controlling operation of the microprocessor and generates the control signal as a function of the output signal from the microprocessor.

Abstract: The problems of minimizing size and weight in aircraft and avoiding requirements for custom design are minimized in a digital voltage regulator circuit (120).The circuit (120) includes a programmed processor circuit (124) having a memory circuit (138), and a drive circuit (132) operatively coupled with the processor circuit (124) for developing an exciter control signal.This circuit (120) is manufactured using custom very large scale integration (VLSI) technology to reduce size, weight, life cycle costs and improve reliability.

Abstract: A charging generator for a vehicle including a field winding rotated by the rotation of an engine so as to generate a rotating magnetic field; an armature winding responsive to the rotating magnetic field to generate a current and charge a battery via a rectifier; a comparison circuit for comparing a voltage of the battery or a voltage of the rectifier with a predetermined value; a current control circuit for controlling a field current to be supplied to the field winding on the basis of output of the comparison circuit; a voltage change value detection circuit for detecting a change value in the battery voltage or the rectifier voltage; and a load response control circuit for suppressing a rise in the field current to be supplied to the field winding on the basis of an output of the voltage change value detection circuit.

Abstract: A regulator device for charging a battery from an alternator that delivers a rectified voltage including a ripple component. The device is of the type including a regulator circuit acting on the mean value of the rectified alternator voltage and includes a circuit for obtaining the main value, a threshold comparator, a time delay circuit, and a power stage for controlling the current flowing through the excitation winding of the alternator. According to the invention, the device includes a negative feedback circuit between a point downstream from the time delay circuit, and the input to the circuit for obtaining the mean value. The device also shifts the mean value downwards during periods when the excitation current is decreasing. The device is particularly applicable to increasing the frequency of regulation under a heavy load.

Abstract: In a circuit (20) for use in controlling a battery-charging process and producing an output (S) which has one of two distinct levels (S1, S2), these levels are independently adjustable by adjusting variable resistors (R1, R2). Switching between the two levels is effected by transistors (T1, T2) in response to a varying input signal (X).The input signal (X) is derived from a hydrogen/oxygen recombinator (40, FIG. 4, not shown) with a thermoelectric transducer which produces an abrupt change in output when the battery is fully-charged. To ensure a gradual switch-over to a lower battery-charging rate, the output of the transducer is passed via an integrator (41) to the circuit (20). The switch means for one of the resistors (R2) may be omitted (FIG. 1 not shown).

Abstract: In a charging control apparatus for a vehicle for controlling generation of electric power from a vehicle's generator charging a battery, the rate of increase in the field current of the generator is increased when an electrical load is connected to the generator. A switch is connected in series with the field winding, and a mean conduction rate detector detects the mean conduction rate of the switch and generates an output signal having a value which is a function of the mean conduction rate of the switch. A maximum signal generator generates an output signal having a value larger by a predetermined value than that of the output signal of the mean conduction rate detector, and a comparator is enabled to operate while the maximum signal generator is generating the maximum signal. The comparator is preferably enabled again when the value of the mean output signal of the conduction rate detector exceeds a preset value.

Abstract: A voltage regulator (4) for a generator (1), particularly for use in motor vehicles, is provided which produces an average field current in the exciting winding (2) of the generator (1) by switching on and off the field current by a controlled semiconductor switch in cooperation with a recovery diode in such a way that the generator voltage remains approximately constant independently of the load and the speed. The voltage regulator (4) contains an integrally acting component for compensating for load-dependent and speed-dependent errors, which component is produced by a nonlinearly working integrator for the relative turn-on period of the current through the exciting winding (2) and is fed back into the regulating circuit of the voltage regulator (4).

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle AC generator provided with a rectifier and a battery connected to the latter comprises a voltage regulator with a switching element connected to the field coil of the generator, to adjust the output voltage of the generator to a predetermined value in which a field current is controlled to eliminate a load torque which otherwise occurs immediately after the start of the engine, to stabilize the rotation of the engine, and to prevent the production of belt slip noises at low temperatures. Further, when the generator output is restored, the production of a belt slip noise is prevented, and the decrease in the speed of rotation of the engine is prevented.

Abstract: An alternating current generator for vehicles in which the exciting current flowing in the field winding (2) is detected and the current thus detected is suppressed not to exceed the maximum exciting current under the hot condition by the field current limiting circuit (5) for aiming at eliminating the generation of the maximum output under the cold condition to reduce the size of a pulley to result in a reduced vehicle weight and preventing the variation of the maximum output characteristic under the hot condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling field current in an alternator maintains the alternator output voltage at a defined level and substantially suppresses transients in the event the alternator is disconnected from a load. A pair of MOS Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (MOSIGBT's) are connected one in series and one in parallel with the alternator field winding and current is provided to the field winding through the series connected regulator transistor as needed to maintain the alternator output voltage. The field current is auto-commutated through the parallel connected transient suppression transistor when the regulator transistor is off. When the alternator is disconnected from a load, both transistors are switched off in a controlled manner to discharge the field winding energy at a high voltage and at an accelerated rate within the parallel connected transistor.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for generators is proposed which, compared with a voltage regulator known, for example, from DE-PS 27 38 897, is supplemented in such a manner that an integral component corresponding to the relative operating time of the field current is formed and this component is fed into the actual control loop. The relative operating time of the field current in this arrangement can be obtained more or less directly from the switching characteristic of the switching transistor (20) for the field current or by means of a sensing resistor (33) in series with the exciter winding (21).

Abstract: A switchable filter has characteristics (e.g., time constant) that are changed by a low offset, bipolar switch that is turned off and on to periodically connect/disconnect an additional circuit element to the filter. The preferred embodiment is specially designed for use in an automotive voltage regulator.

Abstract: A charging generator 1 has armature windings 101 and a field winding 102, a voltage reducing circuit 5 for reducing the output voltage of the generator, a battery 4 to be charged by the output voltage of the voltage reducing circuit, a voltage regulator 31 for regulating the output of the generator by controlling a field current supplied to the field winding, and a control circuit 6 for controlling a voltage reducing ratio in the voltage reducing circuit.

Abstract: A regulator for a vehicle charging system senses when it applies and terminates excitation to the field winding of the charging system's alternator. When the excitation is applied to the field windings, the output of the alternator is connected to an input filter in the regulator so that the regulator can sense the alternator's output. When the excitation is terminated, the input filter is disconnected from the alternator's output to isolate the filter from voltage steps induced in the alternator's output by the turn-on and turn-off of the field excitation.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit for an AC generator is disclosed which comprises a holding circuit for holding the power transistor, which is coupled in series with the field winding of the generator, in the non-conductive state after the Zener diode of the voltage detecting circuit is turned off, and a releasing circuit for releasing the holding action of the holding circuit periodically at a predetermined interval. The holding circuit includes a pair of transistors turned on and off in phase and in antiphase with the power transistor, respectively, the transistor in antiphase, when conductive, holding the power transistor in the non-conductive state. The releasing circuit, on the other hand, includes a pulse generator for generating trigger pulses periodically at a predetermined interval, and a transistor which is turned on by these trigger pulses to turn off the transistor in antiphase holding the power transistor in the non-conductive state. The interruption frequency of the excitation current, i.e.

Abstract: Integrated circuit voltage regulator (60; 81; 91) is provided for use in a battery charging system (10) for providing excitation current to a field coil (13) of an alternator (11). The integrated circuit voltage regulator includes a transistor (70) which is selectively switched on and off to implement the prior art diesel diode (26) functions of providing initial field coil excitation current while preventing undesired current flow from an alternator voltage supply terminal (20) during subsequent field coil excitation current. The transistor (70) is provided as part of an integrated circuit and, therefore, eliminates the need for a diesel diode (26) external to the integrated circuit. In addition, use of the switched transistor (70) minimizes voltage drop loss when providing initial field excitation current. Constructing the transistor (70) as a PNP vertical substrate transistor minimizes integrated circuit area and simplifies integrated circuit topology.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for a diesel engine driven alternator includes speed dip control permitting engine recovery, and a voltage signal circuit and a speed signal circuit producing a linear volts per hertz signal for controlling the RMS voltage of the alternator. A speed sensor is connected to the output of the permanent magnet generator. The signal is a filtered square wave with an accurate 50% mark-to-space ratio and converted to a pulse train coincident with the zero crossovers. A ramp circuit followed by a threshold detector and filter produces a linearly increasing voltage with decreasing speed. A level amplifier produces an output at a selected level. A rate amplifier responds to a derivative of the speed signal and clamps the level amplifier off at speed changes below a selected rate. A large and rapid speed change creates an output signal coupled to the reference side of an error amplifier to unload the alternator. The degree and rate of unloading is limited.

Abstract: A voltage regulation system for automotive charging generator comprising an armature winding, a field winding for supplying magnetic fluxes to the armature winding, a diode rectifier for converting the AC output of the armature winding linearly, a power MOS FET switching element connected in series with the field winding for turning on and off the field current, a storage battery charged by the output of the diode rectifier, and a voltage detection circuit for detecting the voltage applied to the storage battery to turn on the power MOS FET switching element when the detected voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage and to turn off the switching element when the voltage applied to the storage battery is higher than the predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A voltage regulator supplies excitation current both in addition and in subtraction, since supplied current can vary not only in intensity, but also in direction depending on the signal given by a control device, which regulates the conduction of the regulator both as far as intensity and direction are concerned, according to a comparison between a reference voltage and the voltage of the alternator itself, or, in any case, a part of it (123), said addition or subtraction been performed by electric or magnetic means. According to a preferred form of execution, the electronic device has bidirectional conditions consisting of a TRIAC (210) which feeds an auxiliary winding in one direction or the other; the TRIAC is triggered, in turn, by a control circuit which sends out a triggering signal being in relation to the voltage of the alternator and to a reference voltage.The TRIAC can be replaced by two controlled diodes or by two transistors or similar means, being connected to each other in inverted parallel.

Abstract: A brushless generator exciter employs a hybrid full-wave rectifier in which at least some of the rectifying diodes are controllable according to an external signal for adjusting the total exciter power fed to the generator rotor. An optical transmission technique is employed for communicating gate and sync signals between stationary and rotating components.

Abstract: Instead of controlling an output voltage of a charging generator with a fixed value in a voltage regulator which turns a current flowing through a field coil of the charging generator on and off, the output voltage level of the generator can be adjusted by signals from external sensors, so that the generator can be subjected to fine control dependent upon the conditions under which a car carrying the generator is run, and the conditions under which the storage battery is being charged by the charging generator.

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 switching circuit that utilizes an N-channel field effect transistor. The circuit can be used in a generator voltage regulator wherein the drain and source of the transistor are connected in series with the field winding of the generator. The circuit includes a capacitor that is repetitively charged and discharged. At the end of the charge period a gate bias voltage is developed that is applied to the gate of the transistor. The magnitude of the gate bias voltage that is developed is the sum of the capacitor voltage and the voltage of a voltage source. The capacitor is allowed to discharge until the gate bias voltage decreases to a value that is high enough to maintain the transistor conductive whereupon the discharge period is terminated and the capacitor is recharged.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for regulating the output voltage of a diode-rectified alternating current generator that supplies the electrical loads on a motor vehicle including the storage battery. The voltage regulator has an up-down counter which is incremented when the output voltage of the generator is below a desired regulated value and is decremented when the output voltage of the generator is above the desired regulating value. The magnitude of the count in the counter is repeatedly sampled and used to determine the on time of a semiconductor switch that is connected in series with the field winding to thereby control the duty cycle of the field voltage pulses. The counter is incremented at a lower rate when the speed of the engine that drives the generator is below a predetermined speed than it is when the speed of the engine is above the predetermined speed. When the generator is not rotating, the up-count of the counter is limited to a predetermined value that provides a minimum field voltage duty cycle.

Abstract: A voltage regulating system for an automotive vehicle having a switching transistor connected to a field winding of an alternating current generator and a regulator for comparing a battery voltage with a reference value and for driving the transistor into a conductive state when the battery voltage is lower than the reference value. A current limiting circuit is provided for limiting the field current when the switching transistor is going to be driven into the conductive state over a predetermined interval, so that a maximum charging current can be obtained and an unfavorable heating of the switching transistor can be avoided.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for use with a source, such as a generator, and a load, such as a battery for limiting the current delivered by the source to the load at one of a plurality of selectable current limit levels. The regulator comprises a regulation circuit, an over voltage protection circuit and a current limiting circuit. The current limiting circuit includes a shunt resistor to sense the current flowing between the source and the load and a switch to permit selection of a single limit level from the plurality of limit levels. The switch may be manually or automatically controlled. The current is limited by generating an over current signal to the over voltage circuit which, in response, reduces the output of the source.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit for a three phase AC generator includes an integrator circuit which integrates the voltage across each negative half cycle of generator output and compares it to a reference voltage to adjust the phase angle of an SCR circuit which provides the power to the exciter field of the generator. A bypass circuit is provided for bypassing the regulating circuit at low generator speeds, the bypass circuit including a FET which directly connects the anode and gate of the SCR in the exciter field power supply to directly apply the generator output voltage to the exciter field at low generator speeds and output voltage. A pair of transistors are latched as the output voltage reaches a preselected minimum value to de-energize the FET and enable the regulator circuit to take over control.

Abstract: In a voltage regulator for a generating system having a main generator and an exciter, the exciter providing field current to the main generator, it is desirable to provide a maximum current limit on the generator output which also allows the voltage regulator to maintain excitation during a fault condition. The voltage regulator of the present invention includes a maximum current limit circuit which detects not only a high current condition, but also the number of phases in a polyphase generator output in a fault condition. The voltage regulator thereby limits the maximum current each type of fault can produce, thus providing highly desirable system characteristics for clearing faults, tripping circuit breakers and prolonging generator life.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for a generating system having a main generator and an exciter for providing field current to the main generator includes means coupled to the main generator for sensing at least two operating parameters thereof. Means are coupled to the sensing means for generating pulse width modulated (PWM) signals based upon the first and second sensed operating parameters. Means are coupled to the first and second PWM signals for comparing the pulse widths thereof. The PWM signal having the narrower pulse width is coupled to a switch for controlling the current delivered to the exciter. The exciter current is therefore controlled in accordance with one of the sensed parameters at any particular time.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for controlling electric power generated by an alternator coupled to a vehicle engine is disclosed. The regulator comprises a switching circuit for regulating an output voltage from the alternator or a voltage for charging the battery of the vehicle to a predetermined value by controlling a current flowing through the rotor coil of the alternator, a comparator for detecting ON-state of the switching circuit, a smoothing circuit for detecting the average ON duty of the switching circuit by smoothing the output of the comparator, and a reference-voltage generating circuit for generating and issuing a reference voltage in response to the average ON duty to the switching circuit. The voltage regulator detects the load condition of the alternator from the average ON duty of the switching circuit and regulates the output voltage of the alternator or the voltage for charging the battery of the vehicle in accordance with the load condition to charge the battery in proper condition.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is described adapted for use controlling the output of an AC generator. A voltage control field-winding excitation control circuit supplies direct current to the generator field in response to a driver. The driver, in turn, is operated in response to a switching regulator. A frequency sensing means generates a voltage proportional to the frequency of the generator. This frequency sensitive voltage is combined with a reference voltage to drive an asynchronous switching regulator. The switching regulator produces a train of output voltage control signals to operate the driver. Preferably power MOSFETs are used to control the flow of current to the generator field. Loss of voltage and high current protection features are included.

Abstract: A battery charging control system for automobile, wherein a voltage regulator for regulating the output voltage of an AC generator for charging the automobile battery is controlled by detecting changes of the output voltage. When the output voltage of the generator changing with ripples is reduced with an increase of load current, the minimum value of the output voltage is detected, while when the output voltage increases with an increase of the generator rotational speed, an average value of the output voltage is detected. In accordance with these values, the voltage regulator is controlled to compensate for the changes of the output voltage of the generator.

Abstract: An electric generating device of the self-excited, self-regulated, brushless, synchronous type includes an alternator-exciter for producing an electrical output and an adjusting means for adjusting or setting the output voltage of the alternator-exciter substantially independently of the winding arrangement thereof to control the no-load or light load voltage of the electrical output. A deactivating device deactivates the adjusting control when maximum field current is demanded by a load.

Abstract: An alternator regulator utilizes a non-linear, stepped ramp for use by a comparator which compares the ramp voltages with the alternator output and controls the switching of the excitation current accordingly. The non-linearity allows for tight control at low and normal alternator load levels, but also prevents a loss of accurate control at higher loads. A D/A converter makes the non-linearity possible, thus preventing the loss of control pulses at high loads, which loss can cause a large ripple component and excessive drop in average voltage output.

Abstract: A microprocessor based, power systems stabilizer operating through excitation control wherein all required stabilizing information is derived from sampled values of voltage and current taken from potential and current transformers. The instantaneous values of terminal voltage and current are processed using algorithms in the accelerating power signal digital processor portion of the microprocessor to thereby develop a value of instantaneous internal voltage, the value of slip frequency of such voltages in relation to rated frequency and a digitally filtered value of electrical power. The accelerating power is calculated from the rate of change of slip and electrical power. The values of accelerating power are processed with digital algorithms in a stabilizing signal compute section of the microprocessor to yield a stabilizing signal which provides the desired modulating action for damping the machine oscillations of the synchronous generator.

Abstract: A control system for a generator for regulating the field current received from an exciter includes a phase control regulator circuit which produces an output voltage having a duty cycle which is proportional to the generator output signal. An oscillator circuit is responsive to the output signal of the phase controlled regulator circuit and produces a pair of controlled circuit pulses whose duty cycle varies accordingly. Control circuit pulses from the oscillator circuit are coupled via a coupling transformer to a rotating current control circuit which controls the generator field current supplied from the exciter in accordance with the oscillator control pulses.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for aircraft generators controls generator output voltage by controlling exciter field current. Exciter field current sensors and generator output voltage sensors produce control signals which are proportional to exciter field current and generator voltage. These signals are combined and compared with a reference voltage signal by a comparator. A current controller regulates exciter field current in response to the comparator output.

Abstract: An output voltage of an AC generator is produced through a full-wave rectifier and converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter. This digital signal is compared with a reference signal, and in accordance with the difference therebetween, the firing angle of a thyristor is controlled to regulate the field current. Synchronous point detectors detect a synchronous point of the output voltage of the AC generator. A microprocessor computes a firing angle of the thyristor in accordance with the difference between the digital signal and the reference signal and produces a signal representing the computed firing angle upon detection of the synchronous point. The thyristor is fired at the firing angle computed by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A charging system for amplifying AC output voltages induced in at least one stator winding of an alternator by residual magnetism from a low carbon steel rotor to self-excite the charging system by means of the residual magnetism at low engine RPM. An electronic voltage regulator is responsive to small AC output voltages from the stator winding, even below voltage levels required to forward bias a silicon semiconductor junction, to fully energize the field winding of the alternator. Since the voltage regulator is responsive to alternator signal developed at low engine RPM, the regulator can also be used as a sensor to indicate an operative engine condition, such as start up.