US 8,283,810 B2 · System and method for generator phase signal monitoring and control of electrical current distribution

Abstract

An electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to control electrical current through the electrical system via a switch module. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. Specifically, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and operates to control electrical current distribution throughout the electrical system, via one or more switch modules, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value. The control device may be further configured to sense average magnitudes of the electrical current in either direction between two electrical components, coupled with a switch module, and switch on/off the electrical current in either direction, via the switch module, to insure that the average magnitude of electrical current between the electrical components in either direction does not exceed one or more default average magnitudes.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A vehicle electrical system comprising:

(a) a generator comprising two or more phase windings associated with one or more stators, said two or more phase windings operative to generate two or more alternating phase signals;
and
(b) a control device responsive to the two or more alternating phase signals and operative to determine a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals, and to control electrical current through the vehicle electrical system, via a switch module, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value.

A control device for a vehicle electrical system including a generator, said generator comprising two or more phase windings associated with one or more stators, said two or more phase windings operative to generate two or more alternating phase signals, said control device comprising:

(i) a switch module;
and
(ii) a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor, coupled with the two or more phase windings and the switch module;
wherein said processor is configured to:
(a) measure the two or more alternating phase signals, via two or more lines;
(b) determine a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals;
and
(c) apply a control signal to the switch module to control electrical current through the vehicle electrical system, via a control line, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value.

5 more elements

A method for controlling electrical current through a vehicle electrical system including a generator, said generator comprising two or more phase windings associated with one or more stators, said two or more phase windings operative to generate two or more alternating phase signals, said method comprising:

(a) measuring the two or more alternating phase signals, via two or more lines;
(b) determining a first and second average values of two of the two or more phase signals;
and
(c) applying a control signal to a switch module to control the electrical current through the vehicle electrical system, via a control line, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for generator phase signal monitoring and control of electrical current distribution

Life of this patent

System and method for generator phase signal monitoring and control of electrical current distribution

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25