Two level constant voltage float charge rectifier and battery surveillance apparatus

A current limiting, two-level constant voltage float charge rectifier and battery surveillance apparatus having full-time battery and circuit operation surveillance, and adapted for connection at its input to a source of alternating current electrical energy and at its output to an electrical load in parallel with a storage battery, for supplying electrical energy to said load when said source of electrical energy is connected and for constant voltage float charging said battery at a first voltage level and for battery re-charging and equalization at a second voltage level higher than said first voltage level;

• comprising:
• controllable synchronous switch means having a control coil, for controlling the rate of electrical energy input to an electrical load in parallel with a storage battery to which said apparatus is connected, and for constant voltage float charging said battery and constant voltage electrical energy input to said load at a first voltage level, except when otherwise under control of a first, adjustable timing circuit;
• said first, adjustable timing circuit being adapted for setting a predetermined period of time and for controlling a battery re-charging and equalization program, including a constant voltage charging at a second voltage level higher than said first voltage level, during said predetermined period of time;
• and for automatically returning to said constant voltage float charging and electrical energy supply program at the end of said predetermined period of time;
• adjustable fail-safe voltage sensing means;
• regulated fail-safe current limit sensing means;
• timer control cut-off means;
• and,
• general failure alarm circuit means for detecting at least failure of said apparatus or of the source of alternating current electrical energy to said apparatus, and for generating a signal upon such failure;
• said regulated fail-safe current limit sensing means including a zener diode in series with a diode and a potentiometer;
• said timer control cut-off means being such as to initiate a battery re-charging and equalization program so as to equalize the operating and sensed parameters of said apparatus following a predetermined delay after disconnection of said apparatus from said source of alternating current electrical energy, or failure thereof;
• and,
• said adjustable fail-safe voltage sensing means driving shunt regulator means in parallel to said control coil;
• said shunt regulator means driving said control coil of said controllable synchronous switch means by controlling the operating period of said control coil.