Remotely switched voltage converter
AssigneeDennis G. Ewald
InventorsDennis G. Ewald, William F. McKenna
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Abstract
A motor-driven alternator including an improved remote on/off switch closure detection system capable of detecting closure of solid-state switches. Such switches are typical of appliances, tools, or other electrical load devices. A sensing signal is provided by a higher voltage ac or pulsating dc signal for overcoming the forward breakdown voltage of semi-conductors typical of such switches. A detection circuit is included which comprises an opto-isolator circuit for isolation of the power and sensing circuits.
Claims20
A voltage converter including an on-off control sensor for use with a switched load device, comprising:
- an alternator means for generating an ac voltage;
- motor means for driving the alternator means;
- an electrical power source for operating said motor means;
- means for supplying the ac voltage to the switched load device;
- an ac sensing voltage source;
- means for selectively passing at least a portion of the sensing voltage via said voltage suppying means to said switched load device;
- means for detecting a load on said sensing voltage source;
- means, responsive to said detecting means, for connecting the electrical power source to said motor means.
The converter of claim wherein said electrical power source is a battery, further including means for detecting a condition of low battery terminal voltage.
A voltage converter, comprising:
- an alternator;
- a motor for driving said alternator;
- a power source for said motor;
- a switched load device adapted to be connected to said alternator, said switched load device having a solid state switch;
- and
- means for sensing closure of said solid-state switch, comprising:
- a. a low current source of ac sensing voltage;
- b. means for passing at least a portion of said sensing voltage to said load device;
- c. means for detecting a current drain on said sensing voltage source;
- and
- means, responsive to said detecting means, for connecting said power source to said motor.
A voltage converter for use with an ac load device having a solid-state on/off switch control characterized in the on condition by a high-impedance non-conducting state or a low-impedance conducting state when the applied voltage exceeds the forward breakdown voltage level of the solid-state switch, comprising:
- motor-alternator means for generating a high current ac voltage;
- a battery for powering the motor-alternator means;
- a low current ac voltage source;
- means for supplying the generated high current ac voltage to said ac load device via said solid-state switch;
- means for selectively passing at least a portion of the low current ac voltage via said supplying means to said ac load device;
- means for detecting a load on said low current ac source;
- and
- means, responsive to said load detecting means, for electrically connecting said motor-alternator means to said battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.