Patent ID: 6028416
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: H02J,H02P,Y02T

Abstract:
A method for controlling operation of an alternator by controlling a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal applied to the alternator, wherein the signal is applied by controllably turning ""ON"" and ""OFF"" a port of a controller operably associated with said alternator, said method comprising the steps of:a) setting a running sum value to zero;b) defining a time interval;c) determining a desired duty cycle value for said PWM signal needed to be applied to said alternator;d) adding said desired duty cycle to said running sum value;e) determining if said running sum value is less than a predetermined value and, if so, then causing said controller to turn ""OFF"" said port to thereby interrupt said signal to said alternator for said time interval;f) determining if said running sum value is greater than or equal to said predetermined value and, if so, then causing said controller to turn ""ON"" said port to thereby apply said signal to said alternator for said time interval and subtracting said predetermined value from said running sum value; andg) after the expiration of said time interval, repeating steps d), e) and f).