Electric power system

An electrical system, said system comprising:

• a source of alternating current power, the frequency, voltage and waveform of which fluctuate with respect to time and having an impedance to limit the maximum current available therefrom;
• first circuit means coupled to said source and containing at least one device normally nonconductive in a given direction of current flow, and which may be rendered conducting in said direction responsive to a control signal applied thereto;
• means for supplying said control signal to said device until the voltage output of said first circuit means reaches a desired level, and removing said control signal when said first circuit means output rises above said level;
• an active, low pass filter with a feedback loop set to a desired direct current voltage, and with said input terminal coupled to the output of said first circuit means, the output of said active, low pass filter adapted to supply direct current to said load;
• and wherein
• said means for supplying said control signal includes a voltage divider connected effectively across the output voltage of said first circuit means, said divider including a first resistor, a second resistor and a solid state switch connected in series, the input of said solid state switch connected to be sensitive to the output of said active, low pass filter, so that said solid state switch is turned on when said output of said filter exceeds a predetermined level, the output of said voltage divider connected to control said control signal of said first circuit means as a multiple of said output voltage of said filter when the output of said filter is at or above said predetermined level.

A system for controlling power transfer from a source of alternating current to a direct current load, said system comprising:

• a first regulator stage and a second regulator stage, the output of said first regulator stage supplying the input of said second regulator stage and the output of said second regulator stage supplying power to said load;
• means for controlling the output of said first regulator stage to a selected multiple of the output of said second regulator stage when the output of said second regulator stage is at or above a selected level;
• and
• means for allowing an output of said first regulator stage to become higher than said multiple when the output of said second regulator stage is below said selected level.

An electrical system for charging a battery from a permanent magnet alternator, said system comprising:

• a normally open solid state switch having first, second and third terminals, said solid state switch being capable of conducting current from said first to said second terminal when a control signal is applied to said third terminal, said switch connected to control the flow of power from said alternator to said battery;
• a reference and amplification circuit sensitive to the voltage of said battery to supply said control signal when said battery voltage is below a desired level, and containing a circuit element with an input terminal, an output terminal, and a common input/output terminal;
• a resistive divider effectively connected to provide, when said battery is connected in a reverse polarity, a divider output equal to a selected percentage of the sum of the voltages of said battery and said alternator;
• and
• means to effectively connect the difference between said divider output and said battery to said input and common input/output terminals to prevent formation of said control signal below a selected alternator to battery voltage ratio, when said battery polarity is reversed.