Abstract: A power conversion system for driving a load is provided. The power conversion system comprises a power transformer having at least one primary winding circuit and at least one secondary winding circuit, the primary winding circuit being electrically connectable to an AC power source. The system further comprises at least one power cell, each of the at least one power cell having a power cell input connected to a respective one of the at least one secondary winding circuit. Each power cell also has a single phase output connectable to the load. An SCR arrangement including a gate drive and at least one SCR is connected to the power cell input and a DC bus. An SCR controller is connected to the SCR arrangement and the power cell input. The power cell also has a PWM output stage having a plurality of PWM switches connected to the DC bus and the single phase output. A local modulation controller is connected to the PWM output stage.

Abstract: An architecture for a post regulator control circuit that utilizes an advance trigger signal to trigger the post regulator ramp. This advance trigger signal anticipates the beginning and end of a power cycle, and can be used to drive all of the secondary rectifier switches with optimal timing to minimize both cross conduction and body diode conduction. The architecture can be used to cascade an arbitrary number of post regulators. The present invention provides to the auxiliary outputs the full range of regulation available to the main output even in light load conditions. Rather than sensing the beginning or end of the power cycle, the present invention anticipates the beginning and end of the power cycle using the pulse train generated by the feedback loop for the main output. This allows the circuit to prepare the switches for the beginning of the power cycle and avoids problems encountered with inherent propagation delays in the circuit.

Abstract: An electric supply system comprising two or more phases (R2, S2, T2), one rectifier (101, 103, 105) for each phase, the second primary terminals of said rectifiers (101, 103, 105) being interconnected, also comprises an Artificial Neutral Point (ANP) creating means (A2) for creating an artificial neutral point (NA2) in the electric supply system, connected in parallel with said rectifiers. The ANP means (A2) short-circuits the zero sequence voltage component of the system but does not affect the positive and negative sequence components. The ANP means (A2) includes magnetic components of such a kind that the vector sum of the phase voltages is zero. According to a first embodiment, the ANP means (A2) comprises one transformer (113, 115, 117) for each phase, the primary winding of each transformer connected to the respective phase (R2, S2, T2) in a star configuration, the secondary windings serially connected and the interconnection point of the primary windings forming an artificial neutral point.

Abstract: A double control apparatus capable of saving power and a power control method thereof are provided.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement to a multi-level, multi-phase power supply. Typically, in such power supplies, each of the phases has one or more power cells providing a pulse width modulated output. In such a configuration, when the transition of the pulse width modulated outputs of corresponding power cells in different phases occurs simultaneously, a double step in voltage is observed on the output of the power cell. This invention is an improvement over the prior art wherein the transitions of the outputs of the power cells are controlled to avoid simultaneous transitions.

Abstract: An AC-to-DC converter obtains phase and amplitude signal information from a displacement transducer that is excited by an AC excitation signal and provides an AC sensor signal indicative of transducer position. The converter includes a first rectifier circuit that receives and sums the AC excitation signal and the AC sensor signal, and rectifies the sum to provide a rectified summed excitation and input signal indicative thereof. A second rectifier circuit receives and rectifies the AC excitation signal, and provides a rectified excitation signal indicative thereof. A summing circuit computes the difference between the rectified summed excitation and input signal and the rectified excitation signal, and provides a signed DC signal indicative of displacement transducer position.

Abstract: A nine-phase AC to DC power converter system may exhibit current unbalance problem among bridges due to two reasons: slight voltage magnitude difference among different sets of three-phase supplies and pre-existing voltage harmonics in the power supply lines. Since the unpredictability of the pre-existing harmonics and manufacturing uncertainty of the nine-phase power supply (it is usually a three to nine phase transformer), all devices in the rectifier bridges are required to carry much higher than necessary current magnitude and have to be designed oversize, as much as 100% up. Here we describe various topologies of harmonic blocking reactors to combat this problem. The described topologies can significantly improve this situation and thus avoid the over-sizing exercise (cost) when such converter system is built. The principle can be easily extended to any multi-phase AC to DC or DC to AC power conversion system of more than nine phases.

Abstract: A series-parallel rectifier system and methodology, employing multiple parallel rectification paths is disclosed. The system includes a dual winding AC power supply and a rectifier apparatus coupled to the AC power supply. The rectifier apparatus is comprised of rectifier legs interconnected in a parallel circuit relationship, where each leg comprises several rectifiers including a connection in series and oriented to conduct current from a negative DC bus to a positive DC bus. Bypass legs comprising two rectifiers including a connection in series and oriented so as to conduct current from said negative DC bus to said positive DC bus are added in place of redundant rectifier legs and interconnected with the AC power supply.

Abstract: A multiple-power supply traction system capable of operating under a single-phase AC power supply and under a DC power supply, wherein a common set of capacitors is used when operating under either kind of power supply. The present invention also relates to a method of implementing such a multiple-power supply traction system.

Abstract: A multi-output converter having a transformer with several windings, a first winding being connected to a first switching element the duty cycle of which is controlled by a control circuit. A second winding is connected to a rectifying means and to a first filtering means, including a first inductance, in order to produce a first regulated output voltage. A second output voltage, corresponding to an auxiliary output, is generated and regulated by a fourth switching element connected to a second filtering means, including a second inductance magnetically coupled to the first inductance. A control circuit controls the switching of the fourth switching element by means of a control signal obtained from a voltage present on the second winding.

Abstract: A power supply or converter has an AC-voltage source to which a number of rectifiers are connected, with at least one of the rectifiers having a switching stage by which, in a feedback mode, energy can be fed back to the AC-voltage source from a DC-voltage terminal and/or from a capacitor of the rectifier. Such an arrangement achieves an energy symmetry among a number of connected users, e.g. back-feeding output stages, with low losses and low cost in terms of circuitry.

Abstract: A high power motor drive converter includes: a five level hybrid NPC output power conversion stage including three NPC phase bridges having switches and coupled in a wye configuration through a converter neutral point, each NPC phase bridge receiving power on a respective direct current bus; three isolated split series-connected DC capacitor banks each coupled in parallel to a respective one of the three NPC phase bridges; and a controller for selecting switch positions with active control of neutral voltages. The controller is adapted to select switch positions using feedforward sine-triangle modulation with third harmonic injection, zero sequence injection, and/or discontinuous modulation injection.

Abstract: Circuit arrangement for controlling several output voltages of a converter, in which the output voltages increase in approximately the same proportion as the voltage potential adjacent to the control element of a control unit. The target value of the voltage potential dropped at the variable transistor is thereby determined dependent on the load current by means of a measurement shunt.

Abstract: Converter equipment has two double converters (SR1, SR2), the ac terminals of which are connected to separate secondary windings (T11, T12) of a transformer (T1) and the dc terminals of which are connected to separate direct-voltage networks (LN1, LN2). Each double converter has a rectifier bridge (LR1, LR2) and an inverter bridge (VR1, VR2). Each secondary winding is connected to an inverter bridge in one double converter and to a rectifier bridge in the other double converter.

Abstract: An anode voltage of a diode for reverse current prevention provided in each power supply module is output to a current balance control terminal via a resistor. The current balance control terminals of the respective power supply modules are mutually connected, and an average level of the anode voltages in the reverse current prevention diodes of the respective power supply modules is applied to the current balance control terminals as a reference voltage level. By executing the switching control for the power MOSFET in each power supply module so as to make the anode voltage of the reverse current prevention diode in each power supply module equal to the reference voltage, the output current values of the respective power supply modules are set to be equal.

Abstract: Autoranging power supply apparatus may comprise a power output section having a plurality of pairs of output terminals, each of which has a maximum voltage and current rating. A switching network associated with the power output section connects and disconnects the plurality of pairs of output terminals to the external load. A control system connected to the switching network operates the switching network in response to changes in the impedance of the external load to connect and disconnect to the external load selected ones of the plurality of pairs of output terminals of the power output section to compensate for impedance variations in the external load and to prevent from being exceeded the maximum voltage and current ratings for each of the plurality of pairs of output terminals.

Abstract: A no-battery information storage medium has a radio communication function of receiving power while receiving an externally transmitted radio wave as modulated data, and transmitting data outside the medium. One transmission/reception antenna coil performs transmission/reception. A first full-wave rectifying circuit is constituted by four rectifying elements connected to each other by bridging connection and connected to the two terminals of the transmission/reception antenna coil. A second full-wave rectifying circuit is constituted by four rectifying elements, including two shared rectifying elements of the four rectifying elements constituting the first full-wave rectifying circuit, connected to each other by bridging connection and connected to the two terminals of the transmission/reception antenna coil. A power generating section is connected to the output of the first full-wave rectifying circuit to generate power to be used inside the information storage medium.

Abstract: The AC-DC converter comprises a first rectifier circuit having a three-phase input and an output in DC. A compensating device is connected between the input and output of the first rectifier circuit to compensate the stray disturbances generated by a current flowing in said first rectifier circuit. The compensating device makes a compensation current flow between the three-phase input and the DC output. Said compensating circuit comprises a second rectifier circuit with controlled rectifiers connected to the three-phase input, a step-up circuit connected between the second rectifier circuit and the DC output, and a control circuit to control the step-up circuit and the second rectifier circuit.

Abstract: For use with a DC power supply having first and second output rectifying circuits couplable in alternative configurations to provide dual voltages at an output of the DC power supply, an adaptive voltage controller and a method of adaptively controlling the output voltage. In one embodiment, the adaptive voltage controller includes: (1) a configuration determination circuit, coupled to the output, that generates a configuration signal that is a function of a configuration of the first and second output rectifying circuits, (2) a voltage feedback circuit, coupled to the configuration determination circuit, that develops a voltage feedback signal based on the configuration signal and (3) a voltage control circuit, coupled to the voltage feedback circuit, that receives the voltage feedback signal and controls an output voltage of the DC power supply as a function thereof.

Abstract: A power converter for converting three phase input power to DC output power and a method of effecting such conversion. The power converter includes: (1) three single phase DC converters, each having outputs, that receive the three phase input power, (2) a DC/DC converter coupled to the outputs of the three single phase DC converters and (3) a converter selection circuit, associated with the three single phase DC converters, that selects a selected subset of the three single phase DC converters as a function of an electrical characteristic of each phase of the three phase input power to conduct a portion of the three phase input power to the DC/DC converter, the converter selection circuit permitting the power converter to operate on the three phase power with less than three DC/DC converters.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing a power supply system having a redundant power supply switchover circuit, which maintains a remotely regulated output voltage when the power supply system switches over from the primary power supply to the secondary power supply. The power supply system comprises a secondary power supply that is connected in parallel to a primary power supply. The two power supplies are OR-connected to a load through two diodes, with the primary power supply connected to the diode via a monitor. During normal operating conditions, the primary power supply delivers most of the current because it operates in a "remote sense" configuration which provides a voltage output that is higher, by a diode voltage drop, than that of the secondary power supply, which operates in a "local sense" configuration.

Abstract: A power distribution system, having distributed intelligence, includes a controller in communication with a plurality of rectifiers/power conversion units (PCUs). The controller and rectifiers/PCUs communicate with each other to generate system level current limit via a single control point, where system level current limit is accomplished by controlling the individual current limits of the rectifiers/PCUs. The system level current limit operating in combination with ambient temperature sensors, battery temperature sensors, load current sensors, and battery re-charge current sensors to control the operation of the system. The above sensors are also used in combination with a system level voltage control.

Abstract: An inexpensive DC power source apparatus is provided which realizes a countermeasure against high frequency and redundant operation for improving reliability by using a simplified circuit construction to thereby reduce the number of parts. An input voltage follow type current controlled boosting chopper and a current feedback type self-running inverter are used in combination, and output voltage stabilization is accomplished by utilizing the voltage stabilizing function of the boosting chopper and current balance during parallel operation is accomplished by self-balance due to an impedance drop in the self-running inverter, thereby realizing the inexpensive power source apparatus in which the number of parts is reduced.

Abstract: The invention is a rectifier assembly (10) having reduced mass and high rigidity permitting operation at high rotational speeds. The rotating rectifier includes a rotator shaft assembly (12), a first conductive diode carrier (18), a second conductive diode carrier (20), first and second electrical conductors (40 and 44) connected to the first and second diode carriers and to one end of the rectifier assembly to provide a first DC output and a second DC output and first, second and third diode groups (37, 37', 37"). Each conductive diode carrier has an inner annulus (24) including first, second and third diode receiving surfaces (26, 28 and 30) disposed at spaced apart locations on the inner annulus of the diode carrier and an outer periphery which engages an inner annulus of the rotor shaft assembly. Each diode group comprises at least two diodes (38).

Abstract: A power supply system for a subsystem in a weapons system, having a filtering arrangement divided into three stages, the first stage providing coarse filtering for the subsystem, a second stage providing filtering for each of a plurality of sub-areas of the subsystem for filtering signals to individual devices within a given subarea.

Abstract: A power factor corrected rectifying circuit is disclosed. The invention may be implemented using only passive elements and, in such an embodiment, achieves a power factor of about 80%. The invention comprises two rectifying circuits for providing two rectified current paths from an AC input port to an output port. The coupling of current along one of the rectified current paths is delayed. As the sum of the delayed and undelayed currents, the input current pulse is widened to approximate a sinusoid, thereby increasing the power factor.

Abstract: In a capacitor charging system having multiple rectified outputs of secondary (transformer) windings, the rectified outputs are connected in parallel for enhanced charging of an energy-storage capacitor below a threshold voltage, and are connected in series above the threshold voltage. In the parallel mode, forward biased diodes connected from rectifier-to-rectifier effect the parallel connection. In the series mode, a switch closure effectively connects the rectifiers in series, which reverse biases the diodes. For switching two or more rectified outputs, the number of switch closures required is one less than the secondary windings. Multiple windings (and rectifiers) can be paired and switched, and two or more thresholds can be employed.

Abstract: A power converter comprises a power stage including a transformer, a pulse width modulator (PWM) for controlling the power stage, multiple output circuits providing individually regulated voltages, including switches for coupling the output circuits sequentially and cyclically to the power stage, and feedback circuitry for supplying respective feedback signals, each for a respective output circuit, as a control signal to the PWM synchronously with the coupling of the output circuits to the power stage, so that a single PWM and power stage serve for multiple output circuits. The converter can be a dc to dc converter or a four-quadrant switching amplifier. The PWM operates in current mode in conjunction with a current sensing resistor or transformer.

Abstract: A power supply for a television apparatus, comprises a first source of unregulated DO run voltage operable only in a run mode of operation and a second source of unregulated DO voltage operable in a standby mode and in the run mode of operation. A first regulator responsive to the first source unregulated DO run voltage produces a first regulated voltage. A second regulator responsive to the second source of unregulated DO voltage produces a second regulated voltage. First and second integrated circuits are energized respectively by the first and second regulated voltages. At least one of the integrated circuits has a signal output coupled to a signal input of the other of the integrated circuits. A controller is operable in the run mode and responsive to variations of one of the regulated voltages for adjusting the other of the regulated voltages to follow the variations. Each of the regulators may comprise a series pass transistor and a control transistor coupled to a base of the series pass transistor.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a plurality of motors at different variable speeds. The apparatus includes a rectifier for supplying direct current power to a dc bus circuit. A plurality of inverters are connected to the dc bus circuit and each inverter drives a respective motor. Each inverter is controlled by an individual controller connected thereto for controlling the frequency of the output of the inverter to thereby control the speed of the associated motor. The inverters are preferably mounted on a common heat sink to reduce electrical and mechanical complexity. The apparatus permits the rectifier and the dc bus circuit to be sized to handle a maximum rating of less than the sum total of maximum loads of each of the motors. The dc bus circuit also serves to distribute energy generated by a slowing motor, for example, to other motors driven from the bus circuit. A chopper resistor may be included and switched across the dc bus circuit to provide braking to the motors.

Abstract: A power supply for use with a musical amplifier includes two user-selectable rectifiers for variously enhancing sound generated by a musical instrument such as a guitar, or by recorded musical material which in either case consists of electrical signals applied to a vacuum tube amplifying apparatus. The first of two rectifiers comprises one or more thermionic vacuum tube devices, depending upon power needs, while the second rectifier is comprised of solid-state silicon diodes. A switch circuit enables the user to select which of the two rectifier devices is better suited to the contemporaneous use of the amplifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply device adapted for various electric or/and electric instruments. The present invention generates lower voltages during a standby mode except for power to a microcomputer, using a frequency-dividing circuit and provides the normal output voltages in operation mode to minimize the power consumption without a relay circuit.

Abstract: High efficiency, post regulation of auxiliary outputs in multiple output-power supplied is provided by connecting a regulating switching device in parallel with a filter inductor connected in the current path from the rectifiers to the output terminal. For minimum output power for that auxiliary output, the switching device is held off at all times. When increased power is required, the switching device is turned on for a short period during each cycle of the inductor voltage. The switching system may be configured to conduct current from the output end of the inductor to the input end of the inductor or vice versa or either one selectively, in accordance with the particular regulation scheme chosen. Efficiency is maximized since current flows in the switching device for only a small portion of each cycle of the inductor voltage.

Abstract: A fault tolerant power supply comprises a first rectifier and a second rectifier with a boost circuit for correcting line current harmonics. The second rectifier, the boost circuit and output diodes are connected in parallel with the first rectifier. A capacitor circuit is charged through the second rectifier and boost converter when a 240 volt line input is present, but the circuit is charged through the first rectifier when a 120 volt line input is present. With failure of the boost converter circuit or with removal of the boost converter circuit from the system, the capacitor circuit is charged through the first rectifier.

Abstract: A fault tolerant power supply comprises a first rectifier and a second rectifier with a boost circuit for correcting line current harmonics. The second rectifier, the boost circuit and output diodes are connected in parallel with the first rectifier. A capacitor circuit is charged through the second rectifier and boost converter when a 240 volt line input is present, but the circuit is charged through the first rectifier when a 120 volt line input is present. With failure of the boost converter circuit or with removal of the boost converter circuit from the system, the capacitor circuit is charged through the first rectifier.

Abstract: Flyback converters can generate multiple voltage levels by rectifying and filtering multiple windings on a single power transformer. Different voltages should be related by the turns ratio of the respective windings. Transformer leakage inductance causes leading edge voltage spikes on some windings causing the filters to peak charge to a higher value than expected. The addition of a small coupled inductor between two or more windings will block the leading edge spike allowing the filter to charge to the correct voltage. The turns ratio of the coupled inductor is selected to cancel the leading edge voltage spike on the desired winding. The coupled inductor can be used to correct the voltage of a winding used for feedback purposes as well as improving the cross regulation between multiple converter outputs.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus has a switching device for converting a D.C. input to a high-frequency power; power conversion device for converting the high-frequency power into a plurality of D.C. output powers, a voltage maintaining device for sending a feedback signal to the switching device based on the value of one of the plurality of D.C. output powers thereby controlling the switching frequency and the duty ratio of the switching device in such a manner as to maintain the voltage of the one of the plurality of D.C. output powers constant, and a hysteresis device for varying the amount of the feedback in accordance with the load current on the D.C. output power used for the feedback so as to impart a predetermined hysteresis to the voltage change caused by a change in the load current.

Abstract: A primary winding of a transformer is coupled to a source of input voltage and to a controllable switch. The switch is responsive to a first control signal for generating output pulses in the transformer secondary windings. A supply circuit is responsive to the output pusles and generates a first supply voltage. A capacitor charging circuit includes a thyristor that is coupled to one of the transformer secondary windings. The thyristor receives the output pulses for providing charging pulses to the capacitor for generating a second supply voltage. A control circuit is coupled to the thyristor for varying the number of output pulses occurring relative to a given number of charging pulses to regulate the second supply voltage.

Abstract: A transformer rectifier unit is provided for developing regulated DC output power from first and second sources of unregulated DC power. The transformer rectifier unit includes a transformer having a primary winding connectable to a source of AC input power and first and second secondary windings. The first secondary winding develops AC power at a first level and the second secondary winding develops AC power at a second level lower than the first level. First and second rectifier circuits are respectively coupled to the first and second secondary circuits for rectifying the AC power therefrom to DC power having corresponding first and second DC levels. A switch is coupled between an output of the first rectifier circuit and an output of the second rectifier circuit and is operable in first and second switching states to provide DC output power from one of the rectifier circuits to a load.

Abstract: A resonant power converter has a plurality of transformers, each having a primary winding and a secondary winding coupled thereto; the primary windings of all of the plurality of transformers are connected in series. The plurality of transformer secondary circuits are effectively connected in parallel, for current addition. a relatively small portion of the resonance capacitor is placed across each primary winding to insure a low impedance which causes the secondary-winding-connected rectifiers to commutatively switch substantially independently and share the entire output current substantially equally. A plurality of lower power transformers are thus utilized to replace a single high power transformer, so that leakage inductance is reduced and a higher operating frequency can be maintained.

Abstract: In a protective power supply, several isolated D.C. voltages are generated by separate inductive transformers, the primary windings of which are arranged in parallel in the diagonal branch of a bridge circuit which has electronic switches controlled in push-pull manner and arranged in two bridge arms. The transformer windings for the protective power supply provided for transistor pulse converters have a low coupling capacity and a small resistance.

Abstract: A single-ended flow converter which is clocked at the primary winding side and which is provided with a controller and monitor and comprises a plurality of switched power packs that are connected by secondary windings and are each composed of an electronic switch, a storage inductor, a free wheeling diode and a smoothing capacitor for supplying power to a DC user. The flow converter is compact and has high efficiency and has at least one secondary winding (T3 III) which has a further switch power pack (2) associated to it such that one electronic switch (V19) has its storage inductor (L2a) connected to the end of one winding of the secondary winding (T3 III) and has a second electronic switch (V18) which has its storage inductor (L2b) connected at the other end of the secondary winding (T3 III) and at least one of the free wheeling diodes (V7, V8) and the smoothing capacitors (C4 and C5) have at least one terminal connected to ground.

Abstract: A switched-mode power supply having at least two output terminals for supplying at least two different voltages and capable of operating in an alternate state in which some of the voltages are reduced. The power supply includes at least two controllable voltage sources coupled, respectively, to the output terminals and at least one voltage regulating circuit coupled to control inputs of the voltage sources for reducing the output voltages of both voltage sources proportionately when the voltage on the output of a first one of the voltage sources exceeds a preset reference level. The power supply further includes a circuit for selectively coupling a second one of the voltages sources to the regulating circuit.

Abstract: A multiple output DC power supply having a single closed loop control system for two or more power amplifiers which provide matched DC outputs. The control system is responsive to the sum of the DC signals output from the power supply to derive an average error signal. A switching logic circuit compares signals representing the unregulated AC power driving the power amplifiers to a reference signal in order to generate a set of control signals for each of the amplifiers, the average error signal biasing the reference signal so as to vary the time of occurrence of the control signals and regulate the DC outputs.

Abstract: A method of operating a high voltage DC transmission system with any number of transformer stations. Transformer stations which operate as rectifier stations operate with voltage regulation having a current dependent control input. In the range from 1 per unit to 1-.delta. per unit of rated voltage, a hard current limit is in effect, and in the range from 1-.delta. per unit to 1-.delta.-.epsilon. per unit rated voltage, the current limiting value is reduced to a minimum current, where .delta. and .epsilon. are preselected fractions. Transformer stations which operate as inverter stations principally operate with current regulation and in the voltage range from 1 per unit to 1-.delta. per unit of rated voltage, the maximum desired current value is reduced from rated current value down to zero.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an improved converter for converting one direct current voltage to another.A plurality of phased square wave voltages are provided from a ring counter (14) through amplifiers (A.sub.O1 -A.sub.O6) to a like plurality of output transformers (TO). Each of these transformers has two windings, and S.sup.1 winding and an S.sup.2 winding. The S.sup.1 windings are connected in series, then the S.sup.2 windings are connected in series, and finally, the two sets of windings are connected in series. One of six SCRs (SCRs 1-6) is connected between each two series connected windings to a positive output terminal (22) and one of diodes (D1-D6) is connected between each set of two windings of a zero output terminal (0). By virtue of this configuration, a quite high average direct current voltage is obtained, which varies between full voltage and two-thirds full voltage rather than from full voltage to zero.

Abstract: A single phase AC to DC power converter is provided which accepts a single AC line input voltage and provides a DC output voltage. Input current feedback is used to control the converter and to provide high quality sinusoidal line currents in phase with the applied line voltage. In another embodiment, a three phase AC to DC converter is realized as a delta connection of three isolated single phase AC to DC converters. Reduction in peak transistor currents of the switching transistor in each single phase converter is accomplished by the introduction of third harmonics to each of the single phase AC to DC power converters. Each of the three single phase AC to DC converters are synchronized so that the current pulses at the outputs of the three AC to DC converters are staggered in time reducing the amount of filtering required at the load.

Abstract: A multi-winding a-c electric power supply is connected to a d-c load circuit via a power rectifier assembly comprising at least two legs connected in parallel across the load circuit. Each leg has at least four serially interconnected unilaterally conducting devices. A first one of the power supply windings is connected between the two rectifier legs at points between first and second devices thereof, and a duplicate winding (voltages of both windings are in-phase and of equal amplitude) is connected between the legs at points between third and fourth devices thereof, whereby the windings are effectively connected in parallel. The respective junctures of the second and third devices in all of the rectifier legs are interconnected by switching means which, upon switching to a closed circuit state, short circuits these junctures and thereby changes the connection of the windings from parallel to series.

Abstract: In an output stage for switching regulated power supply, including a step down transformer and a full wave rectifier, significantly increased power output and a small, compact size are achieved by reducing the length of the path through which electrical power must flow in the power supply, by symmetrically arranging all electrical paths within the power supply, and by utilizing single turn windings, each associated with a diode rectifier element. Two groups of diodes are respectively mounted on two heat sinks which are arranged in parallel co-planar relationship under a circuit board on which the transformer is mounted. In a first embodiment, the first group of diodes is forwardly mounted on the heat sink, that is, with their anodes exposed, while the other diodes are reversely mounted on the other heat sink. In a second embodiment, all diodes are forwardly mounted on the heat sinks.

Abstract: To supply intermittently required high-power loads, such as heater applications in an automotive vehicle, a dual armature winding three-phase alternator has a first or main winding connected to a first or main rectifier bank to supply power to vehicular loads, for example at 12 V nominal level; an auxiliary winding is connected to a rectifier which can be switched to operate as a half-wave rectifier, in parallel with the main winding and main rectifier to supply the ordinary loads when high-power loads are not connected; or to be switched in a full-wave bridge rectifier configuration to provide additional power at elevated voltage, added to the voltage of the rectifier receiving current from the main windings, for example providing 16.multidot..sqroot.3=28 V added to the nominal supply voltage of 12 V=40 V voltage to the heater load.