Abstract: In a vehicular rotary electric machine, a switching section includes a bridge circuit having plurality of upper arms and plurality of lower arms. The arms include switching elements. A diode is connected in parallel to each switching element. One end of the switching element of each of the upper arms is connected to a positive terminal of a battery and one end of the switching element of each of the lower arms is connected to a negative terminal of the battery via a vehicle body. The switching section rectifies induced phase voltage of an armature winding. A section sets ON-timing of the switching elements. A section sets OFF-timing of the switching elements. When the switching element of each lower arm is OFF, a detector detects an energization period in which current flows to the diode. A calculator calculates a rotation frequency based on the detected energization period.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling the speed of a motor driving a load that is electrically connected to a generator driven by an engine, through use of a first control feedback loop configured to control the rotor flux of the motor by controlling the field excitation of the generator, and a second control feedback loop configured to control the speed of the motor by controlling the throttle position of the engine.

Abstract: A starting apparatus for an engine has a plurality of cylinders and an output shaft. The apparatus includes a power supply, an inverter having a switching element, a motor generator, an ECU, A crank angle sensor. The motor generator is coupled to the output shaft and connected to the power supply through the inverter. The ECU energizes the motor generator by controlling the inverter when the engine is started. The ECU causes ignition to occur in a specific cylinder that contains air-fuel mixture and is in an expansion stroke in an engine stopping state. The crank angle sensor indirectly detects a rotational speed of the motor generator. After the ignition caused, the ECU prohibits the motor generator from being energized until the rotational speed detected reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. As a result, the apparatus curbs an excessive increase in the temperature of a switching element.

Abstract: There is provided a generator system for internal combustion engines, which can produce power efficiently at all times irrespective of the engine speed even for use in an internal combustion engine operated at variable speeds such as a vehicle engine. An AC generator electronic control unit (ACG.ECU) 3 determines a rotation speed N2 of a rotating electromagnetic field to be generated by a rotor 1R based on a mechanical rotation speed N1 of the rotor 1R in an alternator 1 such that the relative speed N of the rotating magnetic field to a stator 1S agrees with the maximum efficiency speed of rotation Nx. Then the ACG.ECU 3 sends the determined value to a rotating electromagnetic field controller 2a. The rotating electromagnetic field controller 2a controls phases of AC power to be supplied to a three-phase coil 11 of the rotor 1R to generate a rotating electromagnetic field with the rotation speed N2.

Abstract: A planetary gear arrangement, which provides a starting device for a power transmission, has an electrically biased reaction member. The reaction member is operatively connected with an electric motor/generator that is selectively controlled to establish a braking force at the reaction member. A fluid operated friction brake is disposed in parallel with the motor/generator to provide a selective fully engaged brake to establish the reaction, or a slipping brake to assist the generator in establishing the reaction at the planetary gear arrangement. A fluid operated clutch is also associated with the planetary gear arrangement to provide a selective 1:1 ratio within the planetary gear arrangement. The planetary gear arrangement cooperates with the park mechanism in the transmission and the motor/generator to provide an engine cranking mechanism which is useful during engine start.