Abstract: A mean vehicle speed Va and a mean variation .DELTA.Va are factors reflecting a current driving condition and an expected driving condition of a vehicle, which relate to a charge-discharge amount of a battery. A target state SOC* of the battery is calculated from the mean vehicle speed Va and the mean variation .DELTA.Va. The charge-discharge amount of the battery increases with an increase in mean vehicle speed Va and mean variation .DELTA.Va. The lower charging state of the battery results in the higher charge-discharge efficiency. The structure of the present invention sets the target state SOC* of the battery and controls the actual state of the battery to the target state SOC*, thereby enhancing the charge-discharge efficiency of the battery and ensuring a sufficient supply of electric power required for driving the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is adapted to provide a method for dynamically determining optimal governor dynamics, i.e., gains, for a fuel control system supplying fuel to an engine. The method determines a mode of the engine, then determines the governor gain in response to the engine mode. The mode or condition of the engine includes a transmission mode, a throttle mode, and a cruise control mode. The governor gains are determined by determining the current engine mode, selecting the appropriate gain look-up table in response to the engine mode, and responsively selecting a gain value from the look-up table in response to at least one of the desired and actual speed. The gain maps are determined using empirical data and classical control system design methods, and storing the results in gain maps, or tables. The governor gain values are used in a forward and a feedback path PID control algorithm.

Abstract: An engine operated generator is arranged to constantly respond to a change in the load with a margin of power. The output current of the generator 1 driven by an engine 2 is rectified by a converter 3 composed of a thyristor bridge structure. A direct current released from the converter 3 is converted by an inverter 4 to an alternate current at a commercial frequency and connected to a load 5. A thyristor driver circuit 9 controls the conduction of thyristors so that the voltage at the input of the inverter 4 is constant. A fuel flow controller 10 detects the conduction angle of the thyristors and the revolution of the engine 2 is controlled so that the conduction angle is converged on a target conduction angle. Since the target conduction angle is set within a predetermined range smaller than the maximum conduction angle, the generator is maintained with margins of its output and can thus provide a stable level of voltage and respond quickly to a change in the load.

Abstract: Various forms of energy, such as mechanical, electrical, and/or heat energy are produced by an energy conversion mechanism which includes a spool, the spool including a shaft on which a compressor and turbine are mounted. A generator is operably connected to the energy conversion mechanism for converting mechanical energy thereof into electrical energy. Fuel and air are supplied separately to the compressor. A regenerator type heat exchanger has a cold side for conducting compressed air traveling from an outlet of a compressor to an inlet of the microturbine, a hot side for conducting hot waste gas from the energy conversion mechanism, and a rotary core movable sequentially through the cold and hot sides for absorbing heat in the hot side and giving up heat in the cold side. A catalytic combustor combusts the fuel at a location upstream of the turbine. During start-up, the catalytic combustor is preheated independently of the heat exchanger by an electric heater.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain comprises an internal combustion engine 10 and an electric motor 14 capable of producing driving or braking torque for the vehicle. The exhaust system for the engine 10 includes a catalytic converter 22. A control unit 18 monitors the temperature of the catalytic converter 22 using a sensor 32 and controls the driving or braking torque produced by the electric motor 14 so that the load on the engine produces exhaust gases of a suitable temperature to keep the catalytic converter within its optimum operating temperature range while maintaining the desired total output of torque from the powertrain.

Abstract: In an electrical power generation unit with a prime mover having an output shaft rotating at a speed .omega. which determines an output power function having at each value of .omega. an output-power/.omega. slope M.sub.d, and a generator developing electrical power responsive to shaft rotation, a generator electrical impedance is selected to provide a generator output-power/.omega. slope M.sub.g to approximate the M.sub.d slope, so that .omega. can be controlled to maximize efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a diesel electric traction vehicle of the type including a synchronous generator driven by a diesel engine for producing alternating current (AC) electric power, the AC electric power being converted to direct current (DC) electric power and transferred over a DC link to a plurality of DC to AC inverters, and each of the inverters being coupled to transfer controlled frequency power to at least one AC electric traction motor coupled in driving relationship to at least one wheel-axle set of the vehicle. A computer-based control system controls operation of the engine, generator and inverters in response to a power command signal. The control system computes power supplied by the generator from calculated torque developed by the AC traction motors and electric power losses in the inverters and other circuit elements coupling power from the generator to the motors.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system including an engine and an electric motor at least one of which is operated as drive power source to drive a motor vehicle in a selected one of different operation modes. The system is adapted to prevent concurrent operations to change the operation mode and the speed ratio of a power transmitting device or the ratio of torque distribution to front and rear drive wheels, or concurrent operations to change the operation mode and switch the power transmitting device from a non-drive state to a drive state, for avoiding a shock due to a torque variation which would arise from the concurrent operations. The system is alternatively adapted to cut a power transfer from the drive power source to the power transmitting device, or hold the output of the drive power source substantially constant, when the power transmitting device is switched from the non-drive state to the drive state.

Abstract: A secondary power system for an aircraft utilizes a variable frequency electrical distribution system that provides power to one or more loads that can tolerate distortion components. In addition, a DC distribution system is coupled to the variable frequency distribution system and is isolated from a fixed frequency electrical distribution. Distortion caused by rectification for the DC system is isolated from the fixed frequency system, thereby improving the power quality in the fixed frequency system.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to carry out control and enable an engine to output a desired power, thereby preventing unexpected charge or discharge of storage battery means. A power output apparatus of the present invention sets energy Pe to be output from an engine, in order to cancel a deviation .DELTA.Pb of a charge-discharge electric power Pb of a battery from its target value Pb* , and controls operation of the engine to output the energy Pe. The energy Pe output from the engine is subjected to torque conversion by means of a clutch motor and an assist motor and output to a drive shaft as a required power. In case that the converted energy is not equal to the required power, the battery is charged with the surplus electric power or is discharged to supplement the shortage of electric power. Namely regulation of the energy Pe results in controlling the charge-discharge electric power Pb of the battery.

Abstract: An enhanced charging system for a motor vehicle includes an alternator, a voltage regulator, and an engine controller. The voltage regulator and engine controller are connected by two circuits. One of the circuits provides the engine controller with a measure of the torque about to be applied to the engine by the alternator. The other circuit allows the engine controller to command the target voltage at which the voltage regulator is to control the alternator. The engine controller determines the target voltage based on intake air temperature, a measure of the temperature of the air at the intake of the engine. The engine controller then modifies the target voltage based on (1) whether the throttle of the engine is near wide-open-throttle; (2) whether the brakes of the vehicle are applied; and (3) whether the alternator is about to apply an increased torque to the engine.

Abstract: An operation control system for an internal combustion engine includes a first current detector for detecting a value of electric current flowing in a field winding of an AC generator of the engine, and an ECU responsive to the detected value of electric current for determining a control amount by which the operation of the engine is to be controlled, and for changing output torque of the engine in response to the determined control amount. A second current detector, preferably, a Hall element, detects a value of electric current flowing from the AC generator to electrical loads on the engine. The ECU detects a transient state of the electrical loads, based upon the detected value of electric current from the second current detector. The ECU is operable when the transient state is detected, for determining a transient correction amount of the determined control amount, in response to the detected value of electric current from the first current detector.

Abstract: An assembly for stabilizing engine operation in an engine-generator set includes a fuel supply and fuel lines to first and second banks of engine cylinders. A fuel valve is positioned in the fuel line to the first bank of cylinders and is controlled by a normally open switch and a normally closed switch. In the closed position of the fuel valve the cylinders in the first bank act as a load on the cylinders in the second bank. The assembly includes a voltage sensor for sensing voltage generated by the engine-generator set. Once voltage exceeds a predetermined level, the sensor terminates fuel flow to the first bank. The assembly also includes a load sensor for sensing load imposed on the engine-generator set. Once the load increases above a first predetermined level, the load sensor allows flow of fuel to the first bank of cylinders and all cylinders are working.

Abstract: A hybrid power system comprises a first energy converter operating on a closed Rankine cycle and including a vapor generator for vaporizing an organic working fluid in response to heat furnished from a heat source associated with a vapor generator, a turbo-generator responsive to vaporized working fluid for generating electrical power, and a condenser responsive to vapor exhausted from the turbo-generator for converting said vapor to a condensed liquid which is returned to the vapor generator. The system also includes a second energy converter including a thermo-electric generator having a junction, a heat source for heating said junction whereby said thermo-electric generator generates electrical power, and a heat pipe for conveying heat from said last mentioned heat source to the vapor generator of the first energy converter and to the junction.

Abstract: A hybrid power system comprising a pair of energy converters operating on a closed Rankine cycle, each energy converter having a vapor generator for vaporizing a high molecular weight working fluid in response to heat furnished from a burner associated with the generator, a turbo-generator responsive to vaporized working fluid for generating electrical power, a condenser responsive to the exhaust vapors from the turbo-generator for converting such vapors into a condensed liquid, and means for returning the condensed liquid to the vapor generator; sensors for sensing the electrical output of the turbo-generator of each converter; and a control system responsive to the sensors for controlling the burners in the converters so that each converter furnishes about half the electrical load on the system in normal operation thereof; one of the converters, termed the primary converter, operating with a working fluid having a higher boiling point than the working fluid in the other converter which is termed the seconda

Abstract: In a marine power plant which has an rpm-regulatable heavy gas turbine, a propulsion generator driven by the turbine, a propulsion motor driven by the generator and a fixed propeller driven by the motor, the turbine rpm is regulated as a function of the propeller rpm to obtain a delivered turbine output which lies above the minimum output limit of the turbine.

Abstract: A fuel system for an engine has a pump which supplies fuel to the engine and an actuator for controlling the pump output. The actuator is controlled by a control circuit to which are fed electrical signals representing demanded engine speed, actual engine speed and pump output. The control circuit sets the slope of the pump output versus speed curves of the engine, and speed-sensitive means operates below a predetermined engine speed for modifying this slope to make it shallower and so produce a smaller change in pump output for a given change in speed.

Abstract: A fuel system for an engine, particularly a compression-ignition engine, has a pump supplying fuel to the engine and a control member for determining the output of the pump, the control member being itself controlled by a control circuit receiving parameters one of which is measured by transducer means. The transducer means is designed so that if it fails, the fuel system fails safe. In another arrangement, in which failure of the transducer means results in an output which would increase fuel, then the failure is detected and action is taken.

Abstract: A revolution control circuit for an internal combustion engine comprising a speed voltage generator for generating a speed voltage in accordance with the number of revolutions of the engine, an oscillator circuit which starts to oscillate when the speed voltage becomes higher than a predetermined value, a transistor circuit for causing electrical semiconductor elements to be turned on and off intermittently in accordance with the oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuit, and a control element for increasing and decreasing the quantity of fuel injected in synchronism with the on and off operations of the transistor circuit.