Overvoltage protection system and method

摘要

An electrical system for use with an alternator that supplies electrical power, an internal combustion engine including such an electrical system, and related methods of operation are disclosed. In one example embodiment, such an electrical system includes a first circuit portion configured to govern whether the power is communicated from the alternator system to a terminal associated with a battery and/or a load, and a second circuit portion configured to determine whether a voltage is elevated above a predetermined threshold and to provide a first signal upon determining that the voltage is so elevated. The electrical system also includes a third circuit portion coupled at least indirectly to the other two circuit portions. The third circuit portion is configured to provide a second signal upon receiving the first signal, the second signal being configured to cause the first circuit portion to cease allowing communication of the power to the terminal.

主权项

1. An electrical system for use with an alternator system that supplies electrical power, the electrical system comprising:
a first circuit portion configured to govern whether the electrical power is communicated from the alternator system to a terminal associated with both of a battery and a load; a second circuit portion configured to determine whether a voltage is elevated above a predetermined threshold and to provide a first signal upon determining that the voltage is elevated above the predetermined threshold, wherein the voltage is either a first voltage at the terminal or a second voltage based at least indirectly upon the first voltage; and a third circuit portion coupled at least indirectly to each of the first and second circuit portions, wherein the third circuit portion includes at least one comparator circuit portion configured to make a determination as to whether an additional voltage is below or equal to a charge set point, wherein the third circuit portion is connected electrically at least indirectly in between the second and first circuit portions and configured to provide a second signal for receipt by the first circuit portion upon receiving the first signal from the second circuit portion, wherein the third circuit portion also is configured to provide the second signal for receipt by the first circuit portion upon the determination being made by the at least one comparator circuit portion that the additional voltage is not below or equal to the charge set point, and wherein the second signal is additionally configured to cause the first circuit portion to cease allowing communication of the electrical power to the terminal.