US 5,311,106 AGranted

Pulse width modulated electronic slot car controller

OwnerMark E. Hazeninventor

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Abstract

A controller for slot cars on either or both domestic and/or commercial track. A programmable pulse width modulation circuit, using at least one integrated circuit to produce an output of variable duty cycle, is provided. This modulation circuit drives transistorized power switches to deliver a DC pulsation of same duty cycle as that of the modulator. The duty cycle is programmed with the use of a simple resistive network array mounted on a small board designed to plug into the rest of the device. Full power bypassing the modulator, transistorized power switches, and filter with another alternative, regenerative braking, are additional features. This controller is revolutionary in design replacing the old wire-wound power resistor technology with modern electronic technology offering the advantages of cool efficient operation and full programmability to match any slot car motor, track, or user.

Claims1

Dependent claims

A device comprising;

a programmable pulse width modulating means with a first output for varying the duty cycle of said first output,
power switching means with an input for producing a second output voltage and current of same said duty cycle with said input taken from said first output,
filtering means associated with a third output for smoothing to DC power said second output of said power switching means, and for sending said DC power to said third output,
full power means for circumventing said pulse width modulating means, said power switching means, and filtering means,
means for regenerative braking having means for shorting the third output with all said DC power simultaneously removed from said third output,
plug-in module means with an array of resistors for programming of said device to have a variable level of power to said third output to accommodate any slot car motor, and
whereby said programming for variability of control of power of the third output of said device may be quickly modified by exchange of said plug-in module means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.