System and method for electric current and power monitoring and control of a generator

A method for controlling a vehicle electrical system, said system comprising a generator, said method comprising:

• (a) generating a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across a conductor included in the generator and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential;
• and
• (b) at least one of limiting and ceasing the total electrical output current, via a generator output power controller, according to the first signal.

A control device for a generator, said generator comprising a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential, said control device comprising:

• a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor;
• wherein said processor is configured to measure the first signal, via a first line, and to apply a control signal to a generator output power controller to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a control line, according to the first signal.

A control device for a generator, said generator comprising (i) a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential, and (ii) means to generate a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor, said control device comprising:

• a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor,
• wherein said processor is configured to measure the first and second signal, via a first and second line, and to apply a control signal to the generator output power controller to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a control line, according to at least one of the first and second signal.

A method for controlling a generator, said generator comprising a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential, said method comprising:

• (a) measuring the first signal, via a first line;
• and
• (b) applying a control signal to a generator output power controller to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a control line, according to the first signal.

A method for controlling a generator, said generator comprising (i) a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential, and (ii) means to generate a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor, said method comprising:

• (a) measuring the first signal, via a first line;
• (b) measuring the second signal, via a second line;
• (c) applying a control signal to a generator output power controller to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a control line, according to at least one of the first and second signal.

A method for communicating a total electrical output current generated by a generator, said generator comprising (i) a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein the total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential, and (ii) means to generate a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor, said method comprising:

• (a) measuring the first signal, via a first line;
• (b) measuring the second signal, via a second line;
• (c) generating a communication signal indicative of the total electrical output current, via a communication line, according to at least one of the first and second signal.

A vehicle electrical system comprising:

• (a) a generator comprising a conductor, said conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape and operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential;
• and
• (b) a control device responsive to the first signal and operative to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a generator output power controller, according to the first signal.

A control device for a generator, said generator comprising a conductor, said conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape and operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential said control device comprising:

• a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor;
• wherein said processor is configured to measure the first signal, via a first line, and to apply a control signal to a generator output power controller to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a control line, according to the first signal.