Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #08362
To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Dave Hrynkiw dave@solarbotics.com
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 04:13:04 -0700
Subject: [alt-beam] Solarbotics Miller Engines
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Hi all.
In the rapid explosion of SE growth going on lately, here's our little =
contribution. We recently licensed this solarengine design from the Mr. =
Andrew Miller of AM Innovations. Simple and effective, we hope you enjoy it=
!
This circuit is available for private use only, and any commercial use must=
=
be approved by us, the license holder.
Regards,
Dave Hrynkiw
Instructions:
The Solarbotics MILLER ENGINE (under license from AM Innovations)
The Miller Solarengine (MSE) is a simple, effective Type-1 solarengine with=
=
a configurable discharge time that can drive both inductive and =
non-inductive loads. The advantage of this solarengine is that it can allow=
=
for frequent very high level bursts of energy that last for only a set =
period of time, rather than letting stored power run completely out as with=
=
traditional 3904/3906 type solarengines. Originally designed by Andrew =
Miller in 1995, this Solarengine design has been distilled to this most =
optimum layout.
The 1381 drives a power transistor or FET via it=92s CMOS output for a peri=
od =
determined by the value of the time discharge capacitor, C2.
The diode D1 is any standard signal diode (i.e.:1N914), which adds =
approximately 0.7V to the trigger value of the 1381 selected (ie: C trigger=
=
is 2.2V trigger plus 0.7 =3D 2.9V trigger voltage). More diodes can be adde=
d =
in series to further increase the trigger voltage in 0.7V steps (for =
standard signal diodes).
C1 should be a high value capacitor, along the lines of a 0.33F 2.5V =
Panasonic Gold AL capacitor. If voltages required are higher than the cap =
value, placing two in series is advisable (2 x 0.33F caps in series =3D 1 c=
ap =
0.167F at 5V maximum rating).
C2 sets the hysterisis value (the on time) by keeping the voltage the 1381 =
sees above it=92s shut-off voltage. The value of C2 is highly dependant on =
the drive component selected. For FETs, values of 0.1=B5F to 10=B5F give pu=
lses =
0.4 to 4 seconds long. When using BJT (standard) transistors, the capacitor=
=
value should range anywhere from 47=B5F to 1000=B5F, giving pulses duration=
s =
between 0.4 to 2 seconds long. Experimentation is required based on your =
device load.
Current limiting resistor R1 is only really necessary for designs using =
transistors, and are optional for FET variations. 2.2k being standard, =
other values of 470 ohm to 10k are quite suitable depending on your =
application.
If low-voltage (lower than the 1381C set at 2.9V) operation is required, a =
germanium diode can be used instead of the standard 1N914, which will lower=
=
the voltage step from 0.7V to 0.4V. This means a 1381C setup will activate =
at approximately 2.6V rather than the 2.9V using a standard silicon diode.
For even lower voltage use, substitute a wire for the diode, and place a =
20k resistor (R2) between the ground leg of the 1381 after C2 and the =
ground rail. C2 will have to be raised appropriately, as it will now =
discharge through the 1381 and the resistor.
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"Um, no - that's H,R,Y,N,K,I,W. No, not K,I,U,U, K,I,_W_. Yes,
that's right. Yes, I know it looks like "HOCKYRINK." Yup, only
2 vowels. Pronounciation? _SMITH_".
http://www.solarbotics.com
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8363 Sat, 18 Dec 1999 04:57:50 -0700 [alt-beam] Re: Solarbotics Miller Engines beam@sgiblab.sgi.com Jean auBois Uh, Dave, you can only license _patented_ electronic circuits, at least as
far as the US court system is concerned. Andrew doesn't have a
patent. Ergo, any attempt to enforce your license will certainly fail
unless he obtains such a patent which is unlikely at this late a date.
If he does have a patent, then you'll certainly have a basis on which to
take people to court if they use the circuit whether privately or
commercially. I rather doubt, however, that you'd obtain anything better
than a Pyrrhic victory.
Zoz
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