Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (300) for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit, the system (300) comprising:
an AC source (313);
a DC source (301);
a regulator rectifier circuit comprising a plurality of controlled rectifiers (305) placed within plurality of terminals, wherein each of the plurality of controlled rectifiers (305) is connected to one of the phases of the AC source (313); and
a detection circuit (309) configured to detect a reverse polarity connection of the DC source (301) connected to the regulator rectifier circuit;
wherein the regulator rectifier circuit comprises a feedback and control circuit (307) electrically connected to the plurality of controlled rectifiers (305) and the detection circuit (309),
wherein the feedback and control circuit (307) is configured to:
receive a detection signal from the detection circuit (309), wherein the detection signal indicates the reverse polarity connection of the DC source, and
control the plurality of controlled rectifiers (305) to divide a reverse polarity current (I) into the plurality of terminals.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein to divide the reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals, the feedback and control circuit is configured to:
switch ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers to provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current, through the plurality of terminals.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection circuit comprises a diode of low current rating, and wherein the diode is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an output DC capacitor configured to filter a rectified output voltage to smooth DC voltage; and
a fuse configured to fail in response to detecting the reverse polarity current from the plurality of terminals.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the AC source includes an AC Generator (ACG) or magneto, and wherein the DC source includes a battery.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprises:
a protection circuit comprising a diode, electrically connected to the feedback and control circuit, and the protection circuit is configured to protect the feedback and control circuit from the reverse polarity connection of the DC source.
7. A reverse polarity protection circuit (320), comprising
a detection circuit (321) configured to detect a reverse polarity connection of a DC source connected to a regulator rectifier circuit;
a control circuit (323) electrically connected to a plurality of controlled rectifiers of the regulator rectifier circuit and the detection circuit,
wherein the control circuit (323) is configured to:
control the plurality of controlled rectifiers to divide a reverse polarity current (I) into a plurality of terminals in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source connected to the regulator rectifier circuit.
8. The reverse polarity protection circuit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the detection circuit comprises a diode of low current rating, and wherein the diode is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source.
9. The reverse polarity protection circuit as claimed in claim 7, wherein to divide the reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals, the control circuit is configured to:
switch ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers to provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current, through the plurality of terminals.
10. A method (600) for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit, the method (600) comprising:
detecting (601) a reverse polarity connection of a DC source connected to a regulator rectifier circuit; and
controlling (603) a plurality of controlled rectifiers to divide a reverse polarity current into a plurality of terminals, wherein the plurality of controlled rectifiers are placed within plurality of terminals.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein controlling the plurality of controlled rectifiers comprises:
switching ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers to provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current, through the plurality of terminals.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the detection of the reverse polarity connection is effectuated by a diode of low current rating, and wherein the diode is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source.

Dated this 30th Day of December 2021


Agent for the Applicant
IN/PA-1454
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of the invention:
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REVERSE POLARITY PROTECTION OF REGULATOR RECTIFIER CIRCUIT

APPLICANT:
Varroc Engineering Limited.
An Indian entity having address as:
L-4, MIDC Waluj,
Aurangabad-431136,
Maharashtra, India

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure generally relates to field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit.
BACKGROUND
A regulator rectifier is a crucial component of a vehicle charging system in two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Regulator device is used to regulate output voltage of an AC source and to charge battery of a vehicle. The regulator rectifier derives input from an alternator in an automotive system. The input can be single/three phase with varying amplitude and frequency.
During maintenance of a vehicle, there is a possibility that the battery or dc supply of the vehicle may be connected in reverse polarity in the vehicle system by the service personnel inadvertently. Without added protection, the reverse polarity current from the battery may cause damage to the regulator rectifier.
Fig. 1(a) illustrates a prior art technique for protecting the regulator rectifier against a battery connected in reverse polarity. The technique is implemented by adding a protection diode D1 at the output in reverse direction along with a fuse as shown. If the battery is connected in reverse polarity, D1 is forward biased and a high current flow through the protection diode D1. When I²t value is greater than the fuse rating, the fuse blows.
However, the protection diode D1 used in fig.1 (a) should be capable of withstanding high current for a few tens of milli second. Such high rating devices are expensive, and the designer is often forced to select a diode which is not recommended for such a use due to cost constraints. Thus, the implementation of the above technique is not reliable.
Fig. 2 illustrates another prior art technique for protecting the regulator rectifier against the battery connected in reverse polarity. In this technique, a switch circuit 215 is added in series with the output DC capacitor ‘C’ for protecting capacitor during reverse polarity connection of battery. The feedback and control circuit senses reverse polarity of DC source and turns off the switch so that no reverse voltage is applied across the output DC capacitor ‘C’. Diode ‘D2’ protects the feedback and control circuit in case of reverse polarity connection of battery.
However, the switch circuit 215 based technique as shown in fig. 2 requires more hardware components for detection of reverse polarity and control of the switch circuit 215, which in turn increases the cost and the size of the system. Further, the switch circuit 215 adds a finite low resistance to the capacitor C's Effective Series Resistance (ESR) which can impact the peak voltage during capacitor charging and degrade the overall performance of the system.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art to provide a technique which overcome the above-mentioned problems and to provide an inexpensive and an efficient technique for protection of regulator rectifier circuit against the reverse polarity connection of the DC supply source.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure overcomes one or more shortcomings of the prior art and provides additional advantages discussed throughout the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit is disclosed. The system comprises an AC source, a DC source, and a regulator rectifier circuit comprising a plurality of controlled rectifiers placed within plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of controlled rectifiers is connected to one of the phases of the AC source. The system further comprises a detection circuit configured to detect a reverse polarity connection of the DC source connected to the regulator rectifier circuit. The regulator rectifier circuit comprises a feedback and control circuit electrically connected to the plurality of controlled rectifiers and the detection circuit. The feedback and control circuit is configured to receive a detection signal from the detection circuit, the detection signal indicating the reverse polarity connection of the DC source and control the plurality of controlled rectifiers to divide a reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals.
In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, to divide the reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals, the feedback and control circuit is configured to switch ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers to provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current, through the plurality of terminals.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection circuit comprises a diode of low current rating, and wherein the diode is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the system further comprises an output DC capacitor configured to filter a rectified output voltage to smooth DC voltage and a fuse configured to fail in response to detecting the reverse polarity current from the plurality of terminals.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the AC source includes an AC Generator (ACG) or magneto, wherein the DC source includes a battery.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the system further comprises a protection circuit comprising a diode, electrically connected to the feedback and control circuit, and the protection circuit is configured to protect the feedback and control circuit from the reverse polarity connection of the DC source.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a reverse polarity protection circuit is disclosed. The reverse polarity protection circuit comprises a detection circuit configured to detect a reverse polarity connection of a DC source connected to a regulator rectifier circuit and a control circuit electrically connected to a plurality of controlled rectifiers of the regulator rectifier circuit and the detection circuit. The control circuit is configured to control the plurality of controlled rectifiers to divide a reverse polarity current into a plurality of terminals in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source connected to the regulator rectifier circuit.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection circuit comprises a diode of low current rating, and wherein the diode is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, to divide the reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals, the control circuit is configured to switch ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers to provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current, through the plurality of terminals.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a reverse polarity connection of a DC source connected to a regulator rectifier circuit and controlling a plurality of controlled rectifiers to divide a reverse polarity current into a plurality of terminals. The plurality of controlled rectifiers are placed within plurality of terminals.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, controlling the plurality of controlled rectifiers comprises switching ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers to provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current, through the plurality of terminals.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection of the reverse polarity connection is effectuated by a diode of low current rating, and the diode is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Fig. 1 (a) illustrates a prior art technique for protecting the regulator rectifier against the battery connected in reverse polarity;
Fig. 1 (b) illustrates a three phase AC source connected to the regulator rectifier circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 illustrates another prior art technique for protecting the regulator rectifier against the battery connected in reverse polarity;
Fig. 3 (a) shows a block diagram illustrating a system for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 3 (b) shows a block diagram illustrating a reverse polarity protection circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 4 illustrates a circuit for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 5 illustrates a circuit for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagram herein represents conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, system or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Present disclosure describes method and system for reverse polarity protection of a regulator rectifier circuit. The system comprises an AC source, a DC source, a regulator rectifier circuit comprising a plurality of controlled rectifiers placed within plurality of terminals. Each controlled rectifier is connected to one phase of the AC source. The system further comprises a detection circuit configured to detect a reverse polarity connection of the DC source connected to the regulator rectifier circuit. The system comprises a feedback and control circuit configured to receive a detection signal from the detection circuit and control the plurality of controlled rectifiers to divide a reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminal. The detection circuit comprises a diode of low current rating which is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity. Thus, the system facilitates an efficient and inexpensive technique for reverse polarity protection of a regulator rectifier circuit.
Fig. 1 (b) illustrates a three phase AC source 120 connected to the regulator rectifier circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the regulator rectifier circuit may be connected to the three phase AC source 120. The AC source 120 may comprise R phase, Y phase, and B phase connected to the respective terminal of the regulator rectifier circuit. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the AC source may be an alternating current generator (ACG) or a magneto of a vehicle. However, the AC source is not limited to above example and a person skilled in the art may use any other AC source known to a person skilled in the art.
Fig. 3 (a) shows a block diagram illustrating a system 300 for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system 300 may comprise a DC source 301, an output DC capacitor 303, a plurality of controlled rectifiers 305, a feedback and control circuit 307, a detection circuit 309, a fuse 311, and an AC source 313 electrically coupled or connected with each other. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of controlled rectifiers 305 and the feedback and control circuit 307 may form a regulator rectifier circuit. The feedback and control circuit 307 may comprise at least one processor or a controller. However, the feedback and control circuit 307 is not limited to above example and a person skilled in the art may use any other hardware component for implementing the functionality of the feedback and control circuit 307. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the output DC capacitor 303 may comprise a plurality of capacitors parallelly connected with each other.
The DC source 301 may comprise a battery or any other DC source known to a person skilled in the art. The AC source 313 may be an ACG or Magneto as discussed in fig. 1(b). The plurality of controlled rectifiers 305 of the regulator rectifier circuit may be placed within the plurality of terminals and each of the plurality of controlled rectifiers 305 is connected to one of the phases of the three phase AC source 313.
The detection circuit 309 may be directly connected to the feedback and control circuit 307. The detection circuit 309 may be configured to detect a reverse polarity connection of the DC source 301 connected to the regulator rectifier circuit. The detection circuit 309 may communicate the reverse polarity connection of the DC source to the feedback and control circuitry 307 through a detection signal.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection circuit 309 may comprise a diode of low current rating. The diode is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source. The feedback and control circuit 307 may be then configured to receive the detection signal from the detection circuit 309 and control the plurality of rectifiers 305 to divide a reverse polarity current (I) into a plurality of terminals. The reverse polarity current (I) is generated due to reverse connection of the DC source to the rectifier circuit.
The plurality of controlled rectifiers 305 may comprise silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR). In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the controlled rectifiers 305 are not limited to above example and a person skilled in the art may use any other type of controlled rectifiers known to a person skilled in the art.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, to control the plurality of controlled rectifiers 305 for dividing the reverse polarity current (I) into plurality of terminals, the feedback and control circuit 307 may be configured to switch ON or turn ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers 305. The switching ON of the plurality of controlled rectifiers 305 may provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current (I). The reverse polarity current (I) is divided into plurality of terminals of the plurality of rectifiers. The division of reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals reduces the stress on the plurality of controlled rectifiers 305, thereby enabling reliable operation of the regulator rectifier circuit.
The division of the reverse polarity current (I) into plurality of terminals prevents development of reverse polarity voltage across the output DC capacitor 303, thereby protecting the output DC capacitor 303. Thus, the use of low current rating diode as a detection circuit 309 along with the feedback and control circuit 307 dividing the reverse polarity current (I) facilitate reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit without any additional expensive hardware component, thereby providing an efficient and cost effective solution against the high reverse polarity current (I).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output DC capacitor 303 of the system 300 may be configured to filter a rectified output voltage to smooth DC voltage. The system 300 may further comprise a fuse 311 configured to fail in response to detecting the reverse polarity current (I) from the plurality of terminals. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the reverse current (I) from the plurality of terminals may combine and cause the fuse 311 to fail. The fuse 311 may be easily replaced after failing.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the system 300 further comprises a protection circuit (not shown). The protection circuit comprises a diode and is electrically connected to the feedback and control circuit 307. The protection circuit is configured to protect the feedback and control circuit 307 from the reverse polarity connection of the DC source. In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the protection circuit may be optional and the feedback and control circuit 307 may be protected by the detection circuit 309.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the regulator rectifier circuit of the system 300 may comprise one or more additional components apart from the plurality of controlled rectifiers and feedback and control circuit for implementing the necessary functionality of the regulator rectifier circuit. The system 300 may perform normal operation of the regulator rectifier circuit when the DC source is not connected in reverse polarity.
Fig. 3 (b) shows a block diagram illustrating a reverse polarity protection circuit 320, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The reverse polarity protection circuit 320 may comprise a detection circuit 321 and a control circuit 323 electrically connected with each other. The control circuit 323 of the reverse polarity protection circuit 320 may be electrically connected with a plurality of controlled rectifiers of a regulator rectifier. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the control circuit 323 may be integrated into feedback and control circuit 307 of the regulator rectifier circuit.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection circuit 321 may be configured to detect a reverse polarity connection of the DC source connected to a regulator rectifier circuit. The control circuit 323 may be configured to control the plurality of controlled rectifiers to divide a reverse polarity current (I) into a plurality of terminals in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source connected to the regulator rectifier circuit. The plurality of controlled rectifiers are placed within the plurality of terminals.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, to divide the reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals, the control circuit 323 may be configured to switch ON or turn ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers to provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current, through the plurality of terminals. The division of reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals reduces the stress on the plurality of controlled rectifiers, thereby enabling reliable operation of the regulator rectifier circuit.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection circuit may comprise a diode of low current rating and the diode is forward biased in response to detecting the reverse polarity connection of the DC source. Thus, the use of low current rating diode as the detection circuit 321 along with the control circuit 323 dividing the reverse polarity current (I) facilitate reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit without any additional expensive hardware component, thereby providing an efficient and a cost effective solution against the high reverse polarity current (I) that flows into the controlled rectifiers and against the reverse voltage that develops across the output DC capacitor in case the DC source is connected in reverse polarity.
Fig. 4 illustrates a circuit 400 for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The circuit 400 for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit may comprise an AC power source (not shown) having three phases connected to the R phase, Y phase, and B phase, respectively. The circuit 400 may comprise a regulator rectifier including a plurality of controlled rectifiers 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411. The number of controlled rectifiers is not limited to present example and the number of controlled rectifiers may vary based on a type of application.
The circuit 400 may comprise a detection circuit 415 connected to a feedback and control circuit 413 of the regulator rectifier. The circuit 400 may also comprise a diode D2, a battery 419 and a fuse 417. If the battery 419 is connected in reverse polarity to the regulator rectifier, then a reverse polarity current (I) may flow from the battery 419.
The detection circuit 415 may detect the reverse polarity voltage and may provide a detection signal to the feedback and control circuit 413. The detection circuit 415 may comprise a low current rating diode, which is forward biased on sensing the reverse polarity current (I). However, the detection circuit 415 is not limited to above example, a person skilled in the art may replace the low current rating diode with a cheaper alternative.
The feedback and control circuit 413 may turn ON all the controlled rectifiers 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, and 411 in response to receiving the detection signal. The controlled rectifiers 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, and 411 in ON condition provide three short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current (I).
Thus, the reverse polarity current (I) is divided into plurality of terminals in which the controlled rectifiers 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, and 411 are placed. The division of current between the plurality of terminals (three short circuit paths) prevents the development of reverse voltage across the output DC capacitor, thereby protecting the output DC capacitor from the reverse polarity voltage. Further, the division of reverse polarity current between the plurality of terminals reduces the stress on the plurality of controlled rectifiers, thereby enabling reliable operation of the regulator rectifier circuit. Thus, the circuit 400 facilitates reverse polarity protection of the regulator rectifier.
The divided current from the plurality of the terminals may again combine together and may cause the fuse 417 to fail. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the diode D2 may act as a protection circuit that protect the feedback and control circuit 413 from the reverse polarity connection of the battery 419.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the regulator rectifier of the circuit 400 may comprise one or more additional components for carrying out the functions of a normal regulator rectifier. In another non-limiting embodiment, the circuit 400 may perform all the functions of the regulator rectifier, which are known a person skilled in the art.
Fig. 5 illustrates a circuit 500 for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
The circuit 500 comprises an AC source (not shown) having three phases connected to the R phase, Y phase, and B phase, respectively. The circuit 500 comprises a regulator rectifier including a plurality of controlled rectifiers 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511. The number of controlled rectifiers is not limited to present example and the number of controlled rectifiers may vary based on a type of application.
The circuit 500 may also comprise a feedback and control circuit 513, a detection circuit 515, an output DC capacitor C, a fuse 517, and a battery 519 as a DC source. The circuit 500 may perform all the functionality similar to that of circuit 400 as discussed in above embodiments.
The circuit 500 does not comprise a protection diode D2 for the protection of the feedback and control circuit 513 against the reverse polarity voltage. The functionality of the protection diode D2 is carried out through detection circuit 515 comprising a low current rating diode. The detection circuit 515 along with feedback and control circuit 513 provides reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier by dividing the reverse polarity current (I) through the short circuit path.
Thus, the removal of the protection diode D2 from the regulator rectifier further reduces the number of hardware components required for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier and the circuit 500 facilitates an efficient and a cost effective solution against the high reverse polarity current (I) that flows into the controlled rectifiers and against the high reverse voltage that develops across the output DC capacitor in case the DC source is connected in reverse polarity.
Fig. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 601 for reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
At block 601, a reverse voltage supply connected to a regulator rectifier is detected using a detection circuit. The detection circuit may comprise a low current rating diode and the detection circuit may generate a detection signal in response to detecting that a DC source is connected in reverse polarity with the regulator rectifier.
The diode of the detection circuit is forward biased on sensing the reverse polarity current (I). However, the detection circuit is not limited to above example, a person skilled in the art may replace the low current rating diode with a cheaper alternative.
At block 603, a plurality of controlled rectifiers are controlled to divide the reverse polarity of current through a plurality of terminals within which the controlled rectifiers are placed. The controlling is based on the detection of the reverse voltage supply or DC supply being connected to the regulator rectifier. The controlling is carried out using the feedback and control circuit or the control circuit as discussed in above embodiments.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, controlling the plurality of rectifiers to divide the reverse polarity current into the plurality of terminals may comprise switching ON or turning ON the plurality of controlled rectifiers to provide a plurality of short circuit paths to the reverse polarity current, through the plurality of terminals.
Thus, the use of low current rating diode for reverse polarity detection and controlling the plurality of controlled rectifiers to facilitate reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier without any additional hardware components provide an efficient and cost effective solution against the high reverse polarity current (I) that flows if the DC source is connected in reverse polarity.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the steps of method 600 may be performed in an order different from the order described above.
The illustrated steps are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments.
The feedback and control circuit 307, 413, 513 and control circuit 323 may include, but are not restricted to, a general-purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), microprocessors, microcomputers, micro-controllers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.
Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer- readable medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., are non-transitory. Examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.
Suitable processors include, by way of example, a processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state machine.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides reverse polarity protection of regulator rectifier circuit without any additional expensive hardware component.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an efficient and a cost effective solution against the high reverse polarity current (I) that flows into the controlled rectifiers and against the reverse voltage that develops across the output DC capacitor in case the DC source is connected in reverse polarity.