Regulated voltage source

A voltage source comprising in combination:

• first and second charge storage means;
• a signal source having a terminal, at which a voltage ranging between first and second levels may be obtained, connected to one terminal of said first charge storage means;
• a first diode, connected to a second terminal of said first charge storage means, said first diode poled to be reverse biased whenever said signal source voltage is at said first level;
• means for transferring charge from said first to said second charge storage means during intervals when said first charge storage means is not being supplied charge, thereby developing an output voltage across said second charge storage means;
• a feedback element;
• and
• a voltage controlled switch having a conduction path for selectively completing a series connection including said first diode and said first charge storage means between said signal source terminal and a point at a reference potential, said voltage controlled switch having a control electrode connected to a point at said output voltage by said feedback element;
• said switch inhibiting the charging of said first charge storage means whenever the magnitude of said output voltage is greater than a predetermined level and enabling the charging of said first charge storage means whenever said magnitude of said output voltage is less than said predetermined value.

A circuit for deriving an output voltage level from a source of spaced unipolarity signals comprising, in combination:

• an input terminal to which said source may be connected and an output terminal;
• a first capacitance connected at one terminal to said input terminal
• first and second diode means, the first connected in the forward direction relative to signals supplied by said source between the other terminal of said capacitance and a circuit node, and the other connected in the reverse direction relative to said signals between the other terminal of said capacitance and said output terminal;
• a second capacitance connected between said output terminal and a point at a reference potential;
• and
• means responsive to the voltage at said output terminal for closing the path between said circuit node and a point at said reference potential, whenever said voltage is lower than a given value, whereby said first capacitance charges in response to said spaced signals and discharges into said second capacitance during the periods between said signals, and for opening said path whenever said voltage reaches said given value.

In an a-c to d-c conversion circuit of the type including

• first and second charge storage means, each having respective first and second terminals;
• means for applying a a-c voltage, as referred to a reference potential, to the first terminal of said first charge storage means,
• unidirectionally conductive means for selectively completing a connection between the second terminal of said first charge storage means and said reference potential such that said first charge storage means is supplied charge by excursions of said a-c signal in a sense to be conducted by said unidirectionally conduction means;
• and means for transferring charge from said first to said second charge storage means during intervals when said first charge storage means is not being supplied charge, thereby developing an output voltage across said second charge storage means, the improvement wherein:
• said unidirectionally conductive means include a voltage controlled switch responsive to control signal applied thereto, and
• wherein said voltage source further includes feedback means, responsive to said output voltage for generating said control signal.