US2209051A

US2209051A - Regulating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2209051A
Application number: US188645A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold H Clayton
Original assignee: R B M Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: R B M Manufacturing Co; R-B-M MANUFACTURING Co
Priority date: 1938-02-04
Filing date: 1938-02-04
Publication date: 1940-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1957-07-23

Description

y 1940. H. H. CLAYTON 2,209,051

REGULATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 4, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1- K4 CU 47 57 a2 ,1 A 55 h m u; U Z? ii}: I fi L a5 61 EYHH: J

ir fi 75 r /Z g; 22 B:

0 a O O O O y 23, 1940- H. H. CLAYTON 2,209,051

EEGULATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 4, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedJuly23,

high end. 1-

OFFICE 1 A o f f}, 2,209,651 GU- AT A Q lilarld n; chi-mansio ind, adulatio- R..-;B-M Manufacturing Company, Logansport, Y [I -X8 rr v mm?! Application-sl ebruary 4, :19 aa 1seria1 no. 188,645

11:.ac1m: Q

1 The present. inventionrelates to regulating apparatus for electrical systems,"land -aims-primarily, to, provide an improved regulating system iand apparatusaior use association'with the derstood ;that some of; the improvements of the inventionv are also applicableto tother types of regulated electrical systems" or other-types 01 regulators." w

. One of the. objects of the :invention is to provide an improvedconstruction :of' regulator'which will give more.uniform'regulation at difierent generator, speeds, as illustrated by the fact that the output curve hasa relativelyxflat form, with less droopat the lowendzand lessri'se at" the Another. object of the invention is to-provide an improved regulator in which'the vibrating contact. will havea relatively highfrequency' of vibration. In this regard, it is one of the objects of the invention .to 1 provide an improved regu lator :in a which a counter-magnetomotive force is utilized to accelerate the operation oi the armature, thereby impartingahigher frequency to thevibratingcontact.- According to the-pre ferred embodiment of :the invention herein disclosed; this is accomplished by providing the reguator, electro-magnet with a second winding which is energized by thetopening oi the regulator contacts, this second winding creating a magnetomotive iorce which opposes the mag quickly neutralizing a substantial-part oitheiiux which has, attracted the armature and consequently permitting. a more .rapid return of -1the armature. vAs'above remarked;.-this featureaids insecuring a higher frequency of vibration-oi the movablecontact;

\ Another'object of .theinventiontis to provide an improved; regulator in. which the vibrating contact is subjectedto the interaction or "beat frequency of two cooperating vibratoryelements. According tothe preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the armature constitutes onevibratory'element or system,v anda vibratory reed mounted on said armature and carrying the movablecontact constitutes another vibratory element .or system. .The two vibratory systems, preferably have diiferent natural pe riods of vibration,;.-and consequently themov able contactgissubjectedto or tends to assume a a beat frequency resulting iromtherinteraction of these two vibrating. systems. I s;-3 1- .Another object of -,the invention is: to provide a regulator characterized by improved tempera-- ture correction or compensation.;-In this regard, it is one of the objects'oi', the invention to provide improved temperature correction means :which will vary the flux density acting on the armature as aiunction of the temperature; and :it is also an'object of the invention to provide improved temperature compensating means which will impose additional spring tension on the armature at relatively low temperatures.

These two features cooperate to give a charging -or output'curve which is relatively flat at all or- :dinary working temperatures, but which is peaked or' s'tepped up to a considerably higher charging rate at' relatively low temperatures, at which time the internal resistance of the battery is high.

cludes current regulators and combined current and'voltage regulators as well; In'current regulators 'andin'combined current and voltage regulators only some of the foregoing features may be used.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will' -appear from the following detail description of one preferred embodiment thereof. In the "accompanying drawings illustrated such embodiment:

"Figure 1 -is-a circuit diagram of the regulatin'g'embodiment of my invention; Figur'e 2 is a plan view of the control unit embody'ing myimproved regulator;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the unit;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the unit;

fl igure 5 is a'front elevational; view of the Same? 1).

Figure-6 is a perspective view of the armature assembly? #Figure 7 is an elevational view of one of the voltage armature parts;

flFigure' dis a similar view of the secondary reed of the armature;

"Figures Sand 9A-are diagrammatic or approximate representations'of the wave iorms obtained with prior regulators;

*Figures'lO and-=10Aare approximate illustrations of the wave forms obtained by my improved regulator;

- Figure 11 illustrates comparative voltagespeed curves of my improved regulator and oiotherwell-known regulators;

"Figure 12- illustrates different typical temperature compensation curves obtainable with difierent embodiment of my invention; and

Figure 13 is a circuit diagram of the current regulating embodiment of my invention.

PI Referring first to Figure 1, the generator G isshown asbeingof the two brush type, but the invention isalso applicable to a third brush type of generator. The shunt field winding of said generator is indicated at F. Connected across this field is a non-inductive shunt resistor 1' which dissipates the relatively high reactive or transient voltages which are set up in the shunt field F when the regulator contacts open. Said non-inductive resistance 1' is preferably incorporated in the generator structure, although this specific location is not essential. The voltage regulator or relay is indicated in its entirety at VR, the cutout relay is indicated in its entirety at C0, and the battery is indicated at B. To facilitate tracing circuit connections, I have illustrated the system as having the negative side grounded, but theoperation is the same where the positive side is grounded.

The voltage regulator VR comprises an electromagnet II consisting of a core I2, a conventional main winding I3 and a bucking or neutralizing winding I4, the latter being wound or energized in the reverse direction to said main winding and serving, upon its intermittent energization, to oppose or neutralize the flux created by the main winding. The armature I5 which responds to this electro-magnet carries the vibratory contact I6 which cooperates with the stationarycontact I1. I

The cutout relay CO comprises the electromagnet 2| consisting of a core 22; a voltage coil 23 and a current coil 24. The armature 25 carries two

contacts

26 and 28 which are adapted to engage the stationary contacts 2! and 29 respectively.

The voltage regulator VR and the cutout relay C are arranged in a unit assembly, and the latter is provided with three connector terminals 3|, 32, and 33 marked G, F, and B, respectively.

The G terminal 3| is connected through conductor 34 with the generator G, the F terminal 32 is connected through conductor 35 with the field F of the generator, and the B terminal 33 is connected through conductor 36 with the battery A. A suitable fuse 31 is interposed in the conductor 35. It will be seen from the circuit diagram that the connector terminal 3| is connected tosupply current to the vibratory contact I6 of the voltage regulator; also to one end of the main coil I3 and to one end of the neutralizing coil I4 of said regulator. In addition, said connector terminal 3| is connected to supply current to the

movable contacts

26 and 28 of the cutout relay; also to one end of the voltage winding 23 of said relay. The opposite end of the main winding I3 of the voltage regulator is connected to ground, and the opposite end of the neutralizing winding I4 of said regulator is connected to one end of a resistance 4|. The circuit through this resistance is completed to the connector terminal 32, as is also the circuit through the stationary contact II of the voltage regulator. Referring to the cutout relay, the opposite end of the of the voltage winding 23 is connected to ground, and the current winding 24 has one end connected to the two stationary contacts 2! and 29 and has the opposite end connected to connector terminal 33, which leads to battery B.

The circuit diagram above described affords a general disclosure of the operation of the regulating apparatus, aside from the feature of having the vibratory contact I6 vibrate at a beat.

frequency and aside from the features of temperature correction and of temperature compensation, which features will be described later. It will be seen from the circuit diagram that when the regulator armature I is in its raised or retracted position with the contacts I6 and I! in engagement, as illustrated, a direct shunt is established through said contacts across the sistance 4|. shunt field F is compelled to pass through the series connected neutralizing winding I4 and resistance 4|, so that there is no appreciable current flow through said winding and resistance. That is to say, the full potential then being generated by the generator G is effective on the shunt field F of the generator.

The armature I5 will remain in this closed contact position so long as the generated voltage remains below the predetermined maximum voltage which the regulator is set to maintain. When the voltage reaches this predetermined maxi mum, the flux created by the potential winding I3 of the regulator reaches sufficient intensity to attract the armature I5, thereby opening the contacts I6, I! and breaking the shunt across the series connected neutralizing winding I4 and re- Thereupon, all current reaching the combined resistance of the neutralizing winding I4 and resistance element 4|, with the result that the field intensity in the generator is diminished and the voltage is consequently lowered. The decrease in voltage decreases the density of the flux which is created in the regulator core I2 by th voltage winding, such flux being diagrammatically represented by the full line arrows in the core. The diminution or decay of this flux occurs very rapidly upon the lowering of the generator potential, but nevertheless for improved performance I have found it desirable to accelera'te such action in order to obtain a higher frequency of operation of the armature I5. This I accomplish by the counter magnetomotive force of the neutralizing winding I4. Such winding is energized instantly upon the opening of the contacts I6, I1, thereby creating an opposing fiux, diagrammatically indicated by the dotted line arrows in the core, which opposing flux neutralizes a substantial proportion of the flux created by the main winding l3, with the result that the armature I5 has a more rapid return motion to return contact I6 to closed position. Thus, a much higher frequency of the armature can be obtained. The neutralizing eifect of the winding I4 can be made of any desired degree by relative proportioning of the number of turns of the two coils I3 and I4. I have found that very satisfactory results can be obtained when the neutralizing or trimmer coil I4 has about 40 turns and the main coil I3 has about 1360 turns. To establish the necessary resistance for inclusion in the field circuit, I find it more expedient to employ the resistance 4| as a separate element, but it will be understood that such separate resistance element might be dispensed with by including an equivalent amount of resistance within the trimmer winding I4. The element 4| preferably has a resistance of approximately 25 v absorbing the relatively high transient voltages intermittently established in the field winding, such shunt resistance prevents the transient voltages from reaching a point where they might affeet the magnetic permeability of the field coil Also, by dissipating or core material. This non-inductive shunt resistance rpreferably has a resistance of approximately two to four times the resistance of the field winding F; for example, I have satisfactorily employed a shunt resistance of approximately 10 ohms bridged across a field of approximately 2.5 ohms resistance, and in other instances I have satisfactorily employed a shunt resistance of. approximately '7.5 ohms bridged across a shunt field of approximately 2.3 ohms resistance.

With the exception of the double contacts 26-2I and 28-29, the cutout relay CO is conventional and its operation is well understood. The movable contact 28 is carried by the armature through a very flexible leaf spring, and the contacts are so arranged that their engagement and disengagement is in staggered sequence, i. e., the contacts 28-29 engage before the contacts 26-21, and the contacts 26-2! disengage before the contacts 28-29. The purpose of this is to prevent the armature 25 from opening the circuit to the battery in the event that a sudden high current surge drops the voltage affecting the cuton relay shunt coil 23 to such a point that the armature momentarily opens. The flexible contact 28 permits such small movements of the armature without disturbing the current circuit.

Referring now to the structural features of the invention, the regulator VR and the cutout relay C are both mounted side by side on a raised box-like base 44 which is preferably constructed as a metallic stamping. Apertured attachment lugs 45 project outwardly from the ends of the base for mounting the unit. Ordinarily the unit will be mounted on the dash or partition wall at the front side thereof, i. e., in the engine compartment. The relay structures are enclosed by a. removable cover indicated in dotted lines at 46 in Figure 5, this cover seating on the top surface of the base and being secured thereto by apertured ears 41 extending from the ends of the cover and receiving attachment screws 48 which thread into the base. Secured to the upper side of the top wall of the base are a metallic plate I and a sheet of insulating material 52 (Figure 4); secured to the underside of this top wall of the base is a sheet of insulating material 53 (Figure 3); and riveted to the frcnt margin of the base is a strip of insulating material 54 (Figure 5).

The voltage regulator VR comprises a U-shaped frame 56 Figure 4) between the

vertical legs

51 and 58 of which is mounted the electro-magnet II. The core I2 of said electro-magnet is anchored in place by a threaded member 59 which extends down through the U-shaped frame 56 and through the supporting base 44 and receives a nut 6| thereon at the underside of the base (Figure 3). The threaded member 59 may be formed integral with the core, or may consst of a bolt or stem passing through the core. The

core 22 of the cutout electro-magnet 2| is simi-,- larly anchored in place by a threaded member, 59 and nut BI.

- 3 I, 32, and 33 extend into the hollow underside of The three connector terminals the base through the insulating strip 54 and fIOIj lt wall of the base. As shown in Figure 3, the connector terminal 3| which is connected to the generator G is of L-shaped formation, as indicated at 3Ia, and the threaded members 59 and 59' are clamped to said connector terminal by their respcctive nuts 6|, 6|. Thus, the U-shaped frames 56 and 56 of the voltage and cutout relays have continuous electrical connection with the generator, which electrical connection extends to the armatures I5 and 25 of both relays.

The upwardly extending front leg 58 of the U-shaped frame 56 serves to support a plate 64 disposed on the inner side of said leg, and a bracket 65 disposed on the outer side of said leg. A rivet 66 passes through all three members, and the bracket member 65 is insulated from the frame leg 58 by a strip of insulation 6! interposed betwcen said bracket member and frame leg and by an insulating washer 68 under the head of the rivet 66. The inner plate 64 has two laterally spaced upwardly extending arms H and I2 (Figure 5) which incline forwardly to form bendable supports or points of reaction with which portions of the armature assembly engage, as will be later described. The outer bracket member 65 has an upper portion of reduced width which extends upwardly between the bendable arms H and I2 (Figure 5) and the upper end of this bracket member is bent inwardly and is' provided with a threaded aperture for receiving the screw I? which carries the stationary contact I! at its inner end, this screw being held in different adjusted positions in the threaded aperture by the lock nut I3. Secured to the inner end of the rivet 66 is a sheet metal terminal lug I4 to which the inner ends of the windings l3 and I4 are connected, such inner ends being thereby connected through the frame 56 and threaded member 59 to the connector terminal 3 I. The other end of the main winding I3 has grounded attachment to a lug I6 which is punched up from the plate 5|, as shown in Figure 2, and the other end of the neutralizing winding I4 has connection to a terminal clip 11. A screw post I8 (Figure 3) extends upwardly through the supporting base, in insulated relation thereto, and threads into the terminal clip 18. A similar screw post I9 extends up through the supporting base adjacent to the front edge thereof, and also in insulated relation thereto, this post threading into a terminal lug 8I which is formed integral with the base portion of the bracket 65 and which projects laterally therefrom, as illustrated in Figure 2. The post I9 passes through and establishes electrical connection with the connector terminal 32 which is adapted for connection with the field winding F of the generator. Mounted within the hollow underside of the base 44 and connected between the screw posts I8 and I9 is the resistance element 4| which is intermittently connected in series with the generator field winding during the operation of the regulator. This resistance element is wound on a mica strip 82 which is supported on the screw posts I8 and I9. The connector terminal 33 which is adapted for connection with battery B is curved laterally and provided with an upwardly extending end which projects upwardly through the base and has connection with one end of the current coil 24 of the cutout relay.

The U-shaped frame 56, and particularly the rear leg 5'! thereof, completes the magnetic circuit from the lower end of the core I2 up to the vibrating armature I5. This frame is preferably composed of a silicon steel that does not age and tend to become a permanent magnet.

\ Referring now to the temperature responsive correction means which varies the flux density acting on the armature I5 in accordance with changes of temperature, such means consists of a flux shunting plate 85 which extends between the upper portion of the core I2 and the upper portion of the rear frame leg 51. This shunt plate has a circular aperture at "its front end which fits snugly over the upper portion of the core 12, and has its rear margin notched out and abutting firmly against the inner surfaceof the frame leg 51, the notched formation leaving short lugs 85 at the corners of the plate, these lugs embracing the side edges of the frame leg 51. Said shunt plate is preferably composed of an alloy, the permeability of which has a negative temperature coeflicient, i. e., it loses permeability as the temperature increases. I find that best results are obtained when this shunt plate is composed of Carpenters alloy," which has such characteristic of losing permeability as the temperature increases, this characteristic continuing up to a point in the neighborhood of 250 F. when the permeability becomes substantially zero. The approximate composition of Carpenters alloy is:

I Per cent Carbon .05 Manganese .41 Silicon .29 Phosphorus .14 Sulfur"; .015 Nickel 32.45

Iron 66.645

However, it will be understood that other alloys or materials having this same general property may be employed. Said magnetic shunt substantially balances the variations in magnetomotive force which arise with changes of temperature in the coil I3. That is to say, at relatively low temperatures, this main coil I 3 has greater conductivity and the resulting higher current flow therethrough creates a greater flux density. However, at this same temperature, the permeaability of the magnetic shunt 85 is relatively high, and hence a substantial proportion of said flux is shunted between the core l2 and leg 51 of the frame, whereby the shunted flux is not effective on the armature 15. Conversely, at

. relatively high temperatures, the conductivity of the winding 13 is reduced, so that there is a lesser magneto-motive force for creating flux, but at this same temperature the magnetic shunt has a lower permeability and hence less .flux is shunted out of the armature path. By proper proportioning of the magnetic shunt with reference to the winding l3, the voltage regulator VR can be made tolimit the voltage to thesame predetermined maximum value for all ordinary working temperatures of the regulator.

Referring now to the armature IE, it will be seen from Figures 4 and 6 that it comprises a primary vibratory element which is preferably in anchored. to a supporting flange 89 bent rearwardly from the leg 51 of the frame 56. Fastening screws 89 pass down through a metallic strap 9| and through openings in the reed and thread into tapped holes in the flange 88. As shown in Figure 7, the reed is of L-shaped formation, and comprises a forwardly extending side portion 81?) which bears at its outer end on the arm 1| of the plate 64. This arm 1| is adapted to be bent upwardly or downwardly for adjusting purposes by the application of an appropriate tool thereto, and said arm is so adjusted that a continuous upward spring pressure is established in the reed, tending to hold the contacts l6, l1 in engagement, as shown in Figure 4. An armature plate 93a. The main portion 93b of said secondary reed is rigidly secured to the main portion 81a of the primary reed by rivets 94 which pass down through aligned apertures in the top strap 95, main portions 93b and 81b of the two reeds and 'in the armature plate 92. The tongue portion 93a of the secondary reed occupies a position spaced above thearmature plate 92 so that it can vibrate relatively thereto.

Referring now to the improved temperature compensating device which imposes additional spring pressure on the armature 15 at relatively low temperatures, this device consists of a bi-metallic strip 91 carried by the armature assembly and extending substantially parallel to the forwardly extending portion 81b of the main reed at the other side of the armature assembly. The rear end of this thermostatic element is riveted under the raised end 95 of the top strap. Upon downward flexure of the thermostatic strip with lowering temperatures, the outer end thereof is adapted to bear against the arm 12 of the plate 64. This arm is also adapted to be bent upwardly or downwardly for adjusting purposes by the application of an appropriate tool thereto, similarly to the arm 1|. At ordinary operating temperatures, the end of the thermostatic strip 91 is spaced out of contact with the arm 12, or bears relatively lightly thereon. In relatively cold winter temperatures when the engine compartment is cold, the bi-metallic strip is caused to iiex downwardly, which brings its end to bear against the arm 1|, or increases the pressure of said strip against said arm. Thus, additional upward spring pressure is imposed on the armature during these relatively low temperatures, whereby a higher voltage is required in the main coil I3 in order to actuate the armature and separate the contacts l6, 11. By proper proportioning of the parts, the temperature correction afiorded by the magnetic shunt 85, and the cooperating temperature compensation afforded by the bi*metal-' lic strip 91 can be arranged to give any desired form of voltage-temperature curve. For example, as illustrative of typical desired values, the temperature correcting function of themagnetic shunt 85 can be made sufficien'tly critical and accurate that throughout a temperature range of from approximately 70 to 200 F, the voltage curve will not vary more than .2 to .3 of a volt from a mean of say 7.5 volts. Approaching the lower end of the temperature range, the

temperature compensating function of the bi-v metallic strip 91 can be made to gradually boost the voltage up to approximately 9 volts at F.

battery circuit are not susceptible to damage from higher voltages, or are not used during the charging operation, the voltage boost can be made higher than the approximate voltage given above.

Referring now to the beat frequency which is set up in the armature assembly and which is effective on the vibratory contact 16,1 have found that regulators utilizing this principle of operation afford more accurate control of the regulated voltage at different generator speeds. That is to say, a curve plotted against regulated voltage and against generator speeds (impressed voltage) has a flatter form, with less droop at the low speed end and less rise at the high speed end when the regulator operates on the principle of a beatfrequency than when not so operating. In a construction which I have found to give very satisfactory performance, the primary vibratory element 81 is constructed to have a natural period of approximately 800 to 1,000 vibrations per second, and the secondary vibratory element 93 is constructed to have a natural period of approximately 600 vibrations per second. The beat frequency imparted to the contact i appears to vary from approximately 2'75 to approximately 350 vibrations per second, depending upon the speed at which the generator is running. It will be understood that the above frequencies are merely explanatory of but one embodiment of the regulator and are not limitative of the invention,

The following explanation of the action of the beat frequency and why it gives a better per formance curve, takes into account all known factors having to do with the operation of the system, although other relevant factors may exist which are not now known or which have not been conclusively determined to date. Such hypotheses as may be advanced in explanation of the action appear to be supported by visual observation based on oscillograph readings and also on audible observation based on tones detected through headphones. In the operation of the regulator, the main vibratory element 81 apparently vibrates in its natural frequency range of from 800 to 1000 vibrations per second, depending on the generator speed, as evidenced by the high pitched 800 to 1000 cycle note or tone of said armature detected through headphone tests. Considering the fact that the impetus received from the electromagnet Ii is of the much lower frequency range of from approximately 275 to 350 interruptions of the circuit per second, the relatively high frequency of said main vibratory element 81 is apparently a harmonic or multiple of the lower frequency of the circuit interruptions. It can be assumed, from analogy to other vibratory systems, that the beat frequen cy is substantially the difference between the frequency of the primary element 81 and the natural period or frequency of the secondary element 03. Accordingly, since this secondary element has a natural period of approximately 600, it follows that when the main vibratory element has a frequency of 800 the beat frequency should be 800 minus 600 or 200 vibrations per second, and that when the main vibratory element has a frequency of 1,000 the beat frequency should be 1,000 minus 600 or 400 vibrations per second. It is very significant from the assumptions made above that when the frequency of the main vibratory element is increased from 800 to 1,000, this increase of 200 vibrations per second represents an increase in frequency of only 25%, whereas the resulting increase in the beat frequency from 200 to 400 vibrations per second represents an increase in frequency of 100%.

Accordingly, assuming that the change of fre-' quency of the main vibratory element 81 is more or less proportional to the change of generator speed (impressed voltage), it follows that a 25% variation in generator speed causes a 100% variation in the beat frequency. This disproportionate relation between generator speed and beat frequency causes a disproportionately higher frequency of circuit interruptions at the higher generator speeds and a disproportionately lower frequency of circuit interruptions at the lower generator speeds.

It should also be noted that the apparent reactance of the generator field and armature windings varies with the speed, viz., at low generator speeds the time for the field flux to build up to produce a predetermined armature voltage is considerably longer than at higher generator speeds. This, of course, is due to the fact that the generator voltage is a function of speed and field flux strength. The action of the neutralizing or trembler coil I4 is more pronounced at lower speeds, so that the armature of the regulator tends to vibrate at a lower beat frequency. This is due to the higher field current at lower speeds and, therefore, higher reactive voltages in the field coil when the contact points of the regulator open. The increase in beat frequency of the regulator is so proportioned and related that it corrresponds directly with the decrease in field excitation necessary for maintaining a constant voltage with increase in generator speed. The neutralizing or trembler coil id is an important element of the combination in determining this characteristic. As before remarked, the use of this winding enables a higher frequency of flux variations to be obtained, with consequent higher frequency of the armature assembly. The more turns that are included in this winding the higher is the frequency of the primary vibratory element 81 and hence the higher is the beat frequency.

Figures 9 and 9A are rather general approximations of the wave forms obtained with prior constructions of regulators in which the movable contact is rigidly mounted directly on the armature. Figure 9 represents a light load condition and Figure 9A a heavy load condition. In these prior constructions, it is difficult to vary the time that the contacts are closed in proportion to the generator speed and voltage. There is a slight increase in frequency as the generator speed increases.

Figures 10 and 10A are rather general approximations of the wave forms obtained with my improved construction of regulator utilizing the beat frequency principle of operation. Figure 10 represents a light load condition and Figure 10A a heavy load condition. This beat frequency established through the secondary vibratory element 93 causes the breaking up of the impulses so that the voltage control becomes fairly flat or constant. The frequency of the above figures is determined by the oscillograph sweep frequency.

Figure 11 illustrates typical voltage-speed curves showing the comparative performance of my improved voltage regulator with respect to certain well-known regulators of the prior art. Curve A is a typical curve of my improved regulator so constructed as to have a beat frequency of from approximately 275 to 350 vibrations per second. Curve B is that of a regulator in which the vibration frequency is from approximately 80 to 1'70 per second. Curve C is that of a wellknown regulator having a vibration frequency of from approximately 500 to 600 per second, and

curve D is that of another well-known regulator having a vibration frequency of from approximately 35 to 75 per second, the latter regulators having the conventional prior construction in which the movable contact is rigidly mounted directly on the armature so that no heat frequency is present. It will be observed from curve A that my improved regulator avoids the continuous voltage droop toward the low speed end, characteristic of the other regulators, whereby the regulated voltage level is more quickly attained on acceleration, and is retained longer on deceleration. It will also be observed that the regulated voltage level of curve A has a smaller upward slope toward the high speed end than the other curves. Thus, thevariation of the regulated voltage is kept within relatively narrow limits throughout the entire operating range. This secures better charging performance, more uniform functioning of the lights and such other accessories as may be connected with the battery, and also prevents objectionable vibration or swinging of the ammeter pointer.

Figure 12 illustrates different typical temperature compensation curves attainable with different embodiments of my invention. Curve A shows the temperature compensation or correction obtainable with one of the Carpenters alloy shunts 85, and curve B shows the compensation obtainable when using two of these shunts, in the latter construction the two shunts being disposed one above the other, or a single shunt being employed of greater thickness than the shunt in Figure 4. Curve C shows the compensation or correction resulting from the use of one bimetallic strip 91, and curve D shows the use of two of such bi-metallic strips, in the latter construc- .tion the two bi-metallic strips being disposed in parallel relation, or a single strip being employed of greater thickness than the strip 91 in Figure 6. Curve E shows the combined compensation or correction resulting from the use of one magnetic shunt 85 and one bi-metallic strip 91. My invention comprehends the use of these magnetic shunts and bi-metallic strips either singly or in difierent combinations, depending upon the desired operating characteristics for the particular installation.

Where it is desired to have the regulator also serve the purpose of reducing the voltage when the current begins to increase, in order to protect the generator armature against the possibility of overload, the current coil 24 of the cutout relay CO is provided with one or more loops extended to pass around the electromagnet I l of the regulator. The arrangement is such that relatively large or increasing current flow in such loop or loops creates a flux which assists the flux created by the voltage coil 13, so that the regulator thereupon lowers the regulated voltage level.

In Figure 13, I have illustrated the invention embodied in a current regulator which is designated CR in its entirety. The circuit arrangement is generally similar to that shown in Figure 1, except that all of the current flow to the load circuit of the battery B is conducted through the current coil 99 which is wound on the core I2 of the electromagnet II. In this embodiment, the neutralizing coil l4 may or may not be employed, as desired, the latter not being shown, but should it be desired to use that coil its connection in the circuit is the same as shown in Figure 1. It is possible to dispense with said neutralizing coil in this embodiment, while still retaining a high frequency of operation, because the reversals of current flow through the current winding 9Q result in quickly neutralizing the major portion of the flux which has attracted the armature. That is to say, when the contacts l6, l1 separate to include the resistance 4| in series with the shunt field F, the generated voltage momentarily drops to a value below the battery potential and hence there is a reverse current flow through the current winding 99, which reverse flow quickly neutralizes the major portion of the flux which has attracted the armature. Such reverse current flow occurs for such short intervals and with such rapidity that it does notdisturb the cutout relay CO. In this regard, the current regulator is preferably constructed to be more sensitive or to have less inertia than the cutout relay.

I preferably employ all of the aforementioned features in this current regulator CR. That is to say, the magnetic shunt 85 is employed for temperature correction; the bi-metallic strip 91 is employed for temperature compensation; and the armature assembly comprises the two vibratory elements for imposing a beat frequency on the movable contact I6. However, the employment of all of these features is not essential in either embodiment of my invention.

The invention can also be incorporated in combined devices or apparatus which serves to regulate both the voltage and the current fiow. Such will be apparent from the foregoing description of the voltage regulator and of the current regulator embodiments.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that such are merely exemplary, and that numerous modifications and rearrangements may be made therein Without departing from the essence of the invention.

I claim:

1. A regulator of the class described comprising contact means adapted to perform a circuit controlling function, vibratoryqneans including an armature adapted to actuate said contact means, said vibratory means comprising a plurality of relatively movable members having different natural periods of vibration, and an electro-magnet adapted to vibrate said armature comprising means energized in timed relation to the opening and closing of said contact means for creating reversing magnetomotive forces in said electro-magnet, whereby to obtain a relatively high frequency of vibration of said armature.

2. In a regulated system including a source of current supply and a load circuit, the combination of a voltage regulator comprising an electromagnet including a voltage coil responsive to the voltage of said load circuit, contact means operatively connected to control the voltage transmitted to the load circuit, and vibratory means including an armature responsive to said electromagnet and serving to operate said contact means, said vibratory means comprising two relatively vibratable members cooperating to create a beat frequency which is transmitted to said contact means.

3. In a regulated system including a generator and a load circuit having a battery therein, the combination of a voltage regulator comprising an clectro-magnet including a voltage coil responsive to the voltage of said generator, contact means comprising stationary and movable contacts operatively connected to control the voltage transmitted to said battery, and vibratory means including an armature responsive to said electromagnet and serving to operate said contact means, said vibratory means comprising a primary reed member having a relatively high natural period of vibration, and a secondary reed member mounted thereon and having a lower naturalperiod of vibration, said reed members transmitting a beat frequency to the movable contact of said contact means.

' 4. In a regulated system including a source of current supply and a load circuit, the combination of a regulator comprising an electro-magnet adapted to be energized during the operation of the system, contact means operative to perform a regulating function on said system, and vibratory means including an armature responsive to said electromagnet and serving to operate said contact means, said vibratory means comprising relatively movable means for establishing a beat frequency which is transmitted to said contact means.

5. In a regulated system including a generator and a load circuit comprising a battery, the combination of a voltage regulator comprising an electro-magnet including a voltage coil responsive to the voltage of said generator, vibratory means including an armature actuated by said electromagnet, contact means responsive to said vibratory means and operative to control the field of said generator to control the voltage transmitted to said load circuit, and a neutralizing coil associated with said electro-magnet and adapted to be effectively energized upon the opening of said contact means for neutralizing a portion of the flux created by said voltage coil, said armature comprising a primary vibratory element having a relatively high natural period of vibration, and a secondary vibratory element mounted thereon and having a lower natural period of vibration, said vibratory elements transmitting a beat frequency to said contact means.

6. In a regulated system including a source of current supply and a load circuit, the combination of contact means operative to perform a regulating function on said system, vibratory means including an armature for actuating said contact means, and an electro-magnet for actuating said vibratory means including a coil operative to create a counter magnetomotive force in said electro-magnet upon the separation of said contact means, said vibratory means comprising two relatively vibratable members adapted to impart a beat frequency to said contact means.

7. In a regulated system including a shunt field generator and a load circuit having a battery therein, the combination of a voltage regulator comprising an electro-magnet including a voltage coil responsive to the voltage of said generator, vibratory means including an armature responsive to said electro-magnet, contact means comprising stationary and movable contacts, said vibratory means comprising two relatively vibratable members cooperating to create a beat frequency which is transmitted to said movable contact, a neutralizing coil associated with said electro-magnet and adapted upon energization to exert a neutralizing effect on the flux created by said voltage voil, a resistor, said neutralizing coil and said resistor being connected in series with the shunt field of said generator when said stationary and movable.contacts separate, and a resistance connected in shunt relation to said field for for absorbing reactive voltages developed in said field and for steadying the operation of said regulator.

8. In a system of the class described including a generator having a field winding and a field resistance, the combination therewith of a regulator for regulating the output of said generator by intermittently placing said resistance in cirsuit with said field winding, said regulator comprising contact means, vibratory means including an armature for actuating said contact means, said vibratory means comprising two relatively vibratable members cooperating to create a beat frequency which is transmitted to said contact means, and an electromagnet for actuating said armature including a first winding which is responsive to one of the electrical values generated by the generator and a second winding which is connected and arranged to create a higher frequency of operation of said armature than is attainable by said first winding alone.

9. In a system of the class described including a generator having a field winding and a field resistance, the combination therewith of a regulator for regulating theoutput of said generator by intermittently placing said resistance in circuit with said field winding, said regulator comprising an electromagnet, contact means, and vibra ory means including an armature responsive to said electromagnet and adapted to actuate said contact means, said vibratory means comprising two relatively vibratable members cooperating to create a beat frequency which is operative to cause said contact means to vibrate at a frequency which increases disproportionately to an increase of speed of said generator.

10. In a system of the class described, the combination of a generator adapted to supply a load circuit, and regulating apparatus comprising electromagnetic means responding to the output of said generator, circuit controlling means responsive thereto and operative to cause variations in a control circuit of said generator, and vibratory means responsive to said electromagnetic means for actuating said circuit controlling means, said vibratory means comprising two relatively vibratable oscillatory members operative to cause the variations in said generator control circuit to change at a different rate than the rate of change in the speed of said generator.

11. In a regulated system of the class described including a generator having a field winding and a field resistance, the combination therewith of a regulator for regulating said generator by intermittently placing said resistance in circuit with said field winding, said regulator comprising an electromagnet having a main coil energized by said generator, contact means, a neutralizing coil operative to create a counter magnetomotive force in said electromagnet upon separation of said contact means, and vibratory apparatus including armature means responsive to said electromagnet operative to actuate said contact means, said vibratory apparatus comprising means for causing said contact means to operate with a frequency which increases disproportionately to an increase of speed of said generator.

12. A regulator of the class described comprising an electromagnet, a first coil adapted to establish a magnetomotive force in one direction in said electromagnet, a second coil adapted to establish a magnetomotive force in the other direction in said electromagnet, contact means controlling the energization of one of said coils, and vibratory apparatus including an armature responsive to said electromagnet for actuating said contact means, said vibratory apparatus including two relatively movable members operative to transmit a beat frequency to said contact means.

HAROLD H. CLAYTON.