Alternator control circuit and related techniques

A method for controlling an alternator having an alternating current (ac) voltage source, an output voltage controllable by a field current thereof and having a rectifying circuit including a switched mode rectifier, the method comprising:

• sensing an event synchronized with an angular rotor position of the ac voltage source;
• generating a controlled pulse sequence in response to sensing the event;
• and
• providing said controlled pulse sequence to control the switched mode rectifier.

A rectifier circuit for a multi-phase alternator having at least one phase winding output, the rectifier circuit comprising:

• at least one connection for receiving the respective at least one phase winding output;
• a positive output terminal;
• at least one first diode having a cathode connected to said positive output terminal and an anode connected to a respective one of said at least one phase winding outputs;
• at least one second diode having a cathode connected to the respective one of said at least one of said phase winding outputs and an anode connected to a reference potential;
• and
• at least one reactive device having a first port connected between a respective one of the at least one phase winding outputs and having a second port coupled to a second connection such that conduction times for said first and second diodes are modified resulting in increased output power.

A rectifier circuit for a multi-phase alternator having an alternating current (ac) voltage source, a neutral leg and at least one phase winding output, the rectifier circuit comprising:

• a plurality of connections for receiving the at least one phase winding output;
• a positive output terminal;
• a first diode having a cathode connected to said positive output terminal and an anode connected to the neutral leg;
• a second diode having a cathode connected to neutral leg and an anode connected to a negative output terminal;
• and
• at least one reactive device having a second port coupled to the neutral leg and a first port in selective electrical communication with a respective at least one reference potential.

A rectifier circuit for a multi-phase alternator having a neutral leg and at least one phase winding output, the rectifier circuit comprising:

• a plurality of connections for receiving the at least one phase winding output;
• a rectifier having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, coupled to said ac voltage source;
• a controller so as to provide a controlled pulse sequence;
• a first switch having a first terminal coupled to the neutral leg and having a second terminal coupled to a first reference potential;
• and
• wherein said first switch is coupled to said controller, such that the controller activates and deactivates said first switch.

A rectifier circuit for a multi-phase alternator having an alternating current (ac) voltage source, a neutral leg and at least one phase winding output, the rectifier circuit comprising:

• a plurality of connections for receiving the at least one phase winding output;
• a rectifier having an output voltage port, at least one first diode and at least one second diode, a cathode of the at least one first diode coupled to an anode of a respective at least one second diode;
• a circuit coupled to the output voltage port, said circuit comprising:
• at least one reactive device having a first port and a second port coupled to coupled to an anode of the respective at least one second diode;
• at least one switch having a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to the first port of a respective at least one reactive device and a second terminal coupled to a reference potential;
• a controller having an input terminal coupled to an output of a sensor, adapted to control said at least one switch such that a respective at least one reactive element can be selectively coupled between each of a respective phase winding output and the reference potential when said ac voltage source reaches a predetermined rotational speed, such that conduction times for the plurality of first and second diodes are modified resulting in increased output power.