Patent ID: 7129678
Filing Date: 2006-10-31
Classification: H02M,H03K

Abstract:
1. An automotive alternator voltage regulator comprising: an alternator rotor coil having a first terminal connected to ground and a second terminal; a power MOSFET having a source connected to the second terminal of the alternator rotor coil, a drain connected to a power supply terminal, and a gate forming a first node; a first BJT transistor having a collector-emitter path connecting a second node to ground, and having a base; a second BJT transistor having a collector-emitter path connecting the first node to ground, and having a base; an inductor connecting the power supply terminal to the second node; a diode connecting the first node to the second node; a capacitor connecting the first node to ground; an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) configured to provide a clock signal to the gate of the first transistor, and to provide a base control signal to the base of the second transistor to selectively turn on and off the second transistor.