Abstract: A brushless starter-generator system is contained within a single housing. The housing has a first end with an opening to receive a drive spline from a motive source and an opposing second end. A brushless, rotating machine is located adjacent the first end and is kinetically connectable to the drive spline. A power control unit is adjacent the second end and electrically coupled to the brushless, rotating machine. The brushless, rotating machine is selected from the group consisting of a synchronous machine, a permanent magnet machine, and an induction machine. Electrical and mechanical interfaces are identical to a like-rated brushed version for a true “drop-in” replacement capability to facilitate replacements and up-grades.

Abstract: A brushless starter-generator system is contained within a single housing. The housing has a first end with an opening to receive a drive spline from a motive source and an opposing second end. A brushless, rotating, machine is located adjacent the first end and is kinetically connectable to the drive spline. A power control unit is adjacent the second end and electrically coupled to the brushless, rotating machine. The brushless, rotating machine is selected from the group consisting of a synchronous machine, a permanent magnet machine, and an induction machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power and start system for use with an aircraft engine having a shaft, systems requiring AC power and systems requiring DC power. The system includes an AC/DC starter/generator mechanically coupled to rotate in response to rotation of the engine shaft while the engine is operating in generate mode. Rotation of the starter/generator produces AC and DC power and operates to rotate the shaft of the engine when the engine is in start mode. The system includes a generator control unit which is electrically coupled to the AC/DC starter generator. The generator control unit is also electrically coupled to the systems requiring DC power. A start inverter is configured to be coupled to a DC power source. The start inverter is coupled to the AC/DC starter/generator to provide power for start mode operation. The disclosed system provides multiple levels of redundancy when in the event of a failure to any one or combination f components.

Abstract: A brushless AC/DC starter generator for use with aircraft engines, the starter generator capable of both providing motive force to start the engine, and generate AC and DC power for aircraft systems. The apparatus includes a main generator, an exciter generator, and a permanent magnet generator.

Abstract: The invention comprises a retarder system for use with road vehicles. The retarder system discloses an improved vehicular retarder which incorporates the use of a PMG Gear ratio which permits use of a permanent magnet generator on a secondary shaft that is coupled by the gear ratio to a drive train.

Abstract: The invention comprises a retarder system for use with road vehicles. The retarder system discloses two improvements. The first is a system incorporating a self-excited electromagnetic and hydraulic retarder combination. The second is a retarder system incorporating the use of a PMG Gear ratio which permits use of a permanent magnet generator on a secondary shaft which is coupled by the gear ratio to a drive train.

Abstract: A deicer for an air gap between the rotor and stator of a rotating machine having a rotor and stator combination includes a heating assembly preferably disposed in the stator adjacent the air gap to heat the air in the air gap. Heating assembly includes an electrically powered resistive heating element wound through armature slots of the stator. The disclosed device and method have principal applications in emergency-type devices like Ram Air Turbines (RAT) and other power conversion devices such as Hydraulic Motor Generators (HMG) and Electric Motor Pumps (EMP).

Abstract: The invention comprises a retarder system for use with road vehicles. The retarder system discloses two improvements. The first is a system incorporating a self-excited electromagnetic and hydraulic retarder combination. The second is a retarder system incorporating the use of a PMG Gear ratio which permits use of a permanent magnet generator on a secondary shaft which is coupled by the gear ratio to a drive train.

Abstract: The invention comprises a retarder system for use with road vehicles. The retarder system can combine an electromagnetic retarder with up to four functions: 1) a brushless DC alternator; 2) a brushless DC starter; 3) an active damper that replaces the vehicle's flywheel and smooths out residual torque pulsations; and, 4) a transmission-synchronizing inertia brake; and, 5) a transient engine booster to offset the lag associated with turbo-charged engines. The device may be integrated within the engine or within the transmission, preferably using the vehicle heat exchanger for its cooling system.

Abstract: A regulated permanent magnet generator incorporating a “tapered” or conical design for improved voltage regulation. The tapered faces of the rotor and stator are axially displaced from one another as the demand for voltage changes. In addition, this design allows for the stator and rotor to be used as a braking mechanism when placed into frictional contact with one another such as to prevent windmilling. This design offers better space efficiency when used with certain engine applications.

Abstract: A permanent magnet generator is described. The generator includes a shaft which defines a longitudinal axis. A rotatable magnetic field assembly is mounted on the shaft and adapted for rotation about the shaft. The magnetic field assembly includes a plurality of axially magnetized magnets which are retained in a cavity about the shaft for generating an axial magnetic flux. A plurality of vanes are mounted on the magnetic field assembly housing for rotating the magnetic field assembly about the shaft when a fluid flows past the vanes. A stationary armature assembly is also located around the shaft in a position axially spaced from the magnetic field assembly. The armature assembly generates AC power when the magnetic field assembly is rotated. The stationary armature assembly includes an armature housing. An axial bore is formed through the armature housing for receiving the shaft. The armature housing defines a cavity about the axial bore in which a plurality of laminated bars are retained.

Abstract: A ring-shaped bearing failure sensor constructed of insulation and electrically conductive material utilizing printed circuit board technology. Because of its construction, high dimensional tolerances can be achieved and the ring can be easily assembled as a component of a generator. Further, the bearing sensor is equipped with a resistor so that the operational readiness of the sensor can be monitored.

Abstract: A modular rotating rectifier assembly for use with a brushless self-excited, liquid cooled, dynamo electric device such as a generator. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned in a rotating hollow shaft of the generator and is coupled with a coolant circulating system for transferring heat from the rectifier assembly to the coolant flowing therethrough. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned inside the shaft in close proximity to a central axis, longitudinally extending through the shaft, thereby minimizing the centrifugal forces induced on the diode components of the rotating rectifier assembly.

Abstract: A switch is used to disable electrical generation by causing a short circuit in a rotating main generator field of a brushless, synchronous generator to protect against transients voltage spikes during start-up. The switch is located inside of a hollow rotor shaft of the generator. In one embodiment the switch is activated by a solenoid assembly. In a second embodiment, the switch is activated by a alternate or redundant method by oil flow through the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A modular rotating rectifier assembly for use with a brushless self-excited, liquid cooled, dynamo electric device such as a generator. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned in a rotating hollow shaft of the generator and is coupled with a coolant circulating system for transferring heat from the rectifier assembly to the coolant flowing therethrough. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned inside the shaft in close proximity to a central axis, longitudinally extending through the shaft, thereby minimizing the centrifugal forces induced on the diode components of the rotating rectifier assembly.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric device operable as a generator for generating electricity and as a starter motor for starting an associated primary engine in a vehicle. The generator provides 270 Volt DC power during a generating mode while the primary engine is operating and may be used to restart the primary engine in the event that the primary engine is disabled. The dynamoelectric apparatus includes a main generator having a main generator field and a main generator armature. An exciter generator is included which has an exciter armature and an exciter generator field. A rectifier assembly is coupled between the exciter armature and the main generator field. A field shorting switch is coupled to the rectifier assembly and the main generator field for selectively coupling and uncoupling the rectifier assembly during a start-up mode to protect the rectifier assembly against high voltages and voltage spikes.

Abstract: An air-cooled ac generator arrangement is rearranged to take advantage of otherwise wasted space within the generator. The permanent magnet generator is moved to the drive end of the rotor where it is placed under the drive end side winding of the main armature. The permanent magnet generator field now obstructs the passage of air to the drive end bearing so a comparatively small air impeller is added in the otherwise void space between the permanent magnet generator and the main field. Ports are also added to the permanent magnet generator field hub to provide for the required air flow.

Abstract: The problem of providing field power to a stationary main generator field winding (22) is addressed such that it can be used as a motor. A dynamoelectric machine (12) is operated as both a generator and a motor. An AC-AC exciter (14) is controlled by an exciter inverter (42) to operate as an exciter generator in a generate mode, and as a rotary transformer in a start mode. The exciter inverter (42) supplies low frequency power to an exciter field winding (28) in a generate mode of operation, and supplies high frequency AC power to the generator field winding (28) in the start mode of operation.

Abstract: The problem of providing field power to a stationary main generator rotor is addressed such that it can be used as a synchronous or brushless dc motor. To that end, a dynamoelectric machine performs the dual-functions of an exciter generator and a rotating transformer integrated into a single unit (14). The heads (64) of the stator salient poles (60) include pole slots (68) for a primary transformer winding (34) for the rotating transformer, while the rotating armature winding (36) serves as the transformer secondary. To assist in starting the engine (10), external ac power (42) is applied to the primary transformer windings (34), coupled to armature windings (36), and rectified (44) to develop dc field power for the main generator (12).

Abstract: A starting system for an aircraft propulsion engine. An electrical motor (62 or 122) is mounted within a case (14) in which first and second hydraulic units (102, 104) are operated as part of a constant speed drive transmission. The electric motor accelerates a motor-generator set (24) to a velocity near the synchronous speed. The motor-generator set is coupled to the drive shaft (20) by operation of the hydraulic units as a variable torque link. The electric motor functions both as a heat source of hydraulic fluid contained within the hydraulic pump and motor case during extreme low temperature conditions at which point the starting torque of the motor is initially insufficient to cause rotation of the output shaft and to further accelerate the motor-generator set up to a rotational velocity at which the motor-generator set may be operated synchronously at which the motor-generator set is coupled to the drive shaft (120) by operation of the hydraulic units as a variable torque link to rotate the engine.