Regulator Control Circuit and Method

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.

1 . A system for rectifying and regulating a flow of power, the system comprising: 
 a direct current load;    an alternator having windings providing a source of alternating current power;    a switching circuit having at least two solid state switches, the switching circuit rectifying and regulating a flow of power from the source of alternating current power to the direct current load, wherein the at least two solid state switches include a control input terminal, and wherein conduction through at least one of the at least two solid state switches can cause under at least some operating conditions sufficient phase shift in the windings of the alternator such that at least one of the at least two solid state switches conducts continually; and    circuitry including one circuit portion detecting the continual conduction and another circuit portion interrupting the continual conduction.    
   
   
       2 . A system for rectifying and regulating a flow of power, the system comprising: 
 a direct current load;    an alternator having windings providing a source of alternating current power;    a switching circuit having at least two solid state switches, the switching circuit rectifying and regulating a flow of power from the source of alternating current power to the direct current load, wherein the at least two solid state switches include a control input terminal, and wherein conduction through at least one of the at least two solid state switches can cause under at least some operating conditions sufficient phase shift in the windings of the alternator such that at least one of the at least two solid state switches conducts continually; and    circuitry for preventing the continual conduction.    
   
   
       3 . A system for rectifying and regulating a flow of power, the system comprising: 
 a direct current load;    an alternator having windings providing a source of alternating current power;    a switching circuit having at least two solid state switches, the switching circuit rectifying and regulating a flow of power from the source of alternating current power to the direct current load, wherein the at least two solid state switches include a control input terminal, and wherein conduction through at least one of the at least two solid state switches can cause under at least some operating conditions sufficient phase shift in the windings of the alternator such that at least one of the at least two solid state switches conducts continually; and    circuitry for interrupting the continual conduction.    
   
   
       4 . A system for rectifying and regulating a flow of power, the system comprising: 
 a direct current load;    an alternator having windings providing a source of alternating current power;    a switching circuit having at least two solid state switches, the switching circuit rectifying and regulating a flow of power from the source of alternating current power to the direct current load, wherein the at least two solid state switches include a control input terminal, and wherein conduction through at least one of the at least two solid state switches can cause under at least some operating conditions sufficient phase shift in the windings of the alternator such that at least one of the at least two solid state switches conducts continually;    means sensitive to a voltage on the direct current load for controlling the switches by supplying a signal to the control input terminal for modifying a direct current voltage thereto to a desired level; and    circuitry including one circuit portion detecting the continual conduction and another circuit portion interrupting the continual conduction.    
   
   
       5 . A system for rectifying and regulating a flow of power, the system comprising: 
 a direct current load;    an alternator having windings providing a source of alternating current power;    a switching circuit having at least two solid state switches, the switching circuit rectifying and regulating a flow of power from the source of alternating current power to the direct current load, wherein the at least two solid state switches include a control input terminal, and wherein conduction through at least one of the at least two solid state switches can cause under at least some operating conditions sufficient phase shift in the windings of the alternator such that at least one of the at least two solid state switches conducts continually;    means sensitive to a voltage on the direct current load for controlling the switches by supplying a signal to the control input terminal for modifying a direct current voltage thereto to a desired level; and    circuitry for detecting the continual conduction.    
   
   
       6 . A system for rectifying and regulating a flow of power, the system comprising: 
 a direct current load;    an alternator having windings providing a source of alternating current power;    a switching circuit having at least two solid state switches, the switching circuit rectifying and regulating a flow of power from the source of alternating current power to the direct current load, wherein the at least two solid state switches include a control input terminal, and wherein conduction through at least one of the at least two solid state switches can cause under at least some operating conditions sufficient phase shift in the windings of the alternator such that at least one of the at least two solid state switches conducts continually;    means sensitive to a voltage on the direct current load for controlling the switches by supplying a signal to the control input terminal for modifying a direct current voltage thereto to a desired level; and    circuitry for interrupting the continual conduction.