Plural Electrical Conditions Patents (Class 322/24)
  • Patent number: 7863766
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a turbine to generate mechanical energy from kinetic energy, a generator coupled to the turbine to receive the mechanical energy and to output multiple isolated supply powers, and multiple power stages each coupled to the generator. Each of the power stages may receive at least one of the isolated supply powers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company
    Inventors: Mehdi Abolhassani, Thomas Keister, Haran Karmaker, Ryan Edwards, Enrique Ledezma, Alex Skorcz
  • Publication number: 20100327584
    Abstract: A method for controlling a converter of a wind energy installation. The converter is connected to a rotor of a doubly-fed asynchronous generator for feeding electrical power into an electrical grid and comprises a generator-side inverter, a grid-side inverter, and at least one converter regulator for regulating and/or controlling currents emitted from at least one of the inverters to at least one of the generator and the electrical grid. The method includes detecting a change in electrical voltage present in at least one of emitted real currents and emitted reactive currents at one of the inverters, determining whether the detected change corresponds to a predetermined change, and changing nominal values of at least one of real currents to be emitted and reactive currents to be emitted from the other inverter if the detected change corresponds to the predetermined change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: REPOWER SYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Jens Fortmann
  • Patent number: 7859230
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for reducing alternating current ripples in direct current electrical power generation systems with one or more regulated permanent magnet machines. Ripple suppression is achieved, in one aspect, by modulating the control current of a regulated permanent magnet machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Kevin A. Dooley
  • Patent number: 7847427
    Abstract: To shorten a startup interval to reach a synchronizing condition, a phase difference and an amplitude difference between the grid voltage and the stator voltage of one phase of a winding are obtained. The difference in amplitude is decreased prior to or in parallel to synchronizing the stator voltage with the grid voltage. The calculated compensation phase compensation value is used as an initial value for synchronizing at the next synchronizing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Hiromitsu Sakai
  • Publication number: 20100301815
    Abstract: An electric vehicle having a generator includes a body, an electric machinery, an electric machinery controller, a battery and a generator. The generator generates electricity to the battery and provides power supply to the electric machinery through the electric machinery controller for driving wheels of the body to advance. The electric vehicle further includes a control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Side DAI
  • Patent number: 7839008
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a wind energy plant with a double-fed asynchronous generator which has a mode of operation as a phase shifter, in which reactive power is fed into the electric power supply grid, the method having the following steps: the stator of the asynchronous generator is short-circuited, the asynchronous generator is run-up to a predetermined rotational speed from a working rotational speed range via a converter after running up, the short-circuit in the stator is cancelled, the double-fed asynchronous generator is synchronized with the electric power supply grid, and it is driven for the generation of reactive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Woldmann, Kay Richter
  • Patent number: 7830127
    Abstract: An electric power generator system or a motor comprising a doubly-fed asynchronous generator or motor comprising a stator and a rotor, a transformer having a first winding and a second winding, the first winding having a first end and a second end; and wherein the stator and the transformer are connectable in series with an electric power distribution grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Wind To Power System, S.L.
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Corcelles Pereira, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Amenedo, Santiago Arnaltes-Gómez
  • Patent number: 7812469
    Abstract: A vehicle system that includes an engine control apparatus which regulates engine idling speed incorporates a battery current detection apparatus which acquires information expressing the value of field current of an engine-driven electric generator and detects a condition of high electrical load as occurrence of a battery discharge current exceeding a threshold value, and responds to that condition by notifying the engine control apparatus of a higher value of field current of the electric generator than the actual value, to thereby effect a rapid increase in engine speed and so rapidly increase the output power of the electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Asada
  • Patent number: 7812468
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle has an engine control unit for an engine and a generator control unit for a power generator driven by the engine. The engine control unit calculates a permissive power generation torque, which is permitted to be used by the power generator, in accordance with a response delay of the engine. The generator control unit calculates a command power to be generated by the power generator so that a battery voltage variation and an engine speed variation are suppressed to be less than respective allowable variation limits, when a power difference is caused between a required power and a permissive power generated by the permissive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kuroda, Naoyuki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7786708
    Abstract: A control circuit for a generator has a control function that monitors the voltage across a bus capacitor. The circuit delivers excess voltage back to associated stator windings if an unduly high voltage is detected across the bus capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Vijay K. Maddali, Kevin Dooley
  • Patent number: 7755209
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter that can be used to interface a generator (4) that provides variable voltage at variable frequency to a supply network operating at nominally fixed voltage and nominally fixed frequency and including features that allow the power converter to remain connected to the supply network and retain control during supply network fault and transient conditions. The power converter includes a generator bridge (10) electrically connected to the stator of the generator (4) and a network bridge (14). A dc link (12) is connected between the generator bridge (10) and the network bridge (14). A filter (16) having network terminals is connected between the network bridge (14) and the supply network. A first controller (18) is provided for controlling the operation of the semiconductor power switching devices of the generator bridge (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Converteam UK Ltd
    Inventors: Rodney Jones, Paul Brian Brogan, Erik Grøndahl, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Publication number: 20100123439
    Abstract: An alternator comprises a regulator configured to control the electric current to a field coil. The regulator includes a field driver circuit, the field driver circuit configured to deliver the electric current to the field coil at a switching frequency. The regulator further includes a controller configured to vary the switching frequency of the field driver circuit between a plurality of different switching frequencies. The alternator further comprises a sensor configured to detect a predetermined alternator condition, and the controller is configured to adjust the switching frequency of the field driver circuit in response to the sensed predetermined condition such as, for example, a rotor speed, a pulse width from the field driver circuit, an efficiency of the alternator, a temperature within the alternator, a temperature outside of the alternator, or magnetic noise of the alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert R. Steele, JR., Jack D. Harmon, Mingshe Zhou
  • Patent number: 7692413
    Abstract: A power control system comprises a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the prime mover and the generator wherein the control device ascertains a power level of the generator and varies an output power of the prime mover according to the power level. The control device measures a duty cycle of a generator output power controller to ascertain the generator power level and generates a signal to a prime mover controller so that the generator duty cycle remains within a pre-determined range. The power control system may include a transmission wherein the control device operation may be conditioned on a state of the transmission. The power control system may include a speed converter coupled with the prime mover wherein the control device converts a speed of the prime mover according to the generator power level. The control device may operate to control an output power of the generator concurrently with controlling the output power of the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: Issam Jabaji, Shadi Jabaji
  • Patent number: 7692325
    Abstract: In a wind power generation system, an AC input of a unit for coping with system faults is connected to an excitation converter and a DC port of the unit for coping with system faults is connected to a DC port of a converter through resistors. A plurality of energy consumptive circuits each constructed of a resistor and switching units are provided for the DC port of the unit for coping with system faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Hiromitsu Sakai
  • Patent number: 7663348
    Abstract: A distributed generation system that can suppress a voltage fluctuation caused by a distributed generation by an apparatus of a small power capacity in the distributed generation itself and stabilize the power system voltage without inserting interharmonic voltage or current into the power system and without interference among a plurality of distributed generations. Parameter ?(t) varying with time is estimated based on fluctuating component ?P of the active power P generated by the distributed generation and the voltage fluctuating component ?V attributable to the distributed generation developed at the point of connection between the distributed generation and power system. The distributed generation produces reactive power Q=??P or Q=???P, to thereby suppresses only the voltage fluctuation of the power system attributable to the distributed generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Oohara, Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Mitsugu Matsutake, Shoji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7656134
    Abstract: An Improved Automotive All Silicon Voltage Regulator (I-ASVR) for use in the automotive components re-manufacturing and original equipment alternator product. Particularly this device improves the electrical connections, prevents failures related to poor connections and heat variations, and eliminates failures from transient voltage surges that effect electronic devices. The device may be replacement regulator for re-manufacturing or an original equipment regulator to improve quality and durability. It is comprised essentially of four significant changes to a standard voltage regulator: an addition to the electronics of a transient suppression for the loads; a connection for the battery connection (B+) through a fixed terminal that connects and is sandwiched under the battery stud of the rectifier bridge; the elimination of the soldered B+ terminal that was susceptible to corrosion and failure; and, an improved grounding connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Justin B. Lybbert
  • Publication number: 20100019739
    Abstract: A device for damping control of mechanical torsional oscillations of an electrical alternating current generator connected to a multi-phase power supply system, includes a controllable converter of an HVDC installation connected to the power supply system, a measurement and filter device for detection of a frequency-dependent signal in a frequency range of the torsional oscillations of the alternating current generator and a correction apparatus for correction of a control signal for the converter for the HVDC installation. The correction apparatus includes a single phase correction filter for correction of a phase frequency response of the frequency-dependent signal. The control signal is formed by a current nominal value of a current regulator of the converter or a triggering angle of the nominal valve and with the phase correction filter is configured to take a transfer function of the current regulator into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jürgen Rittiger
  • Patent number: 7638893
    Abstract: Wind power installations were initially always erected in the form of individual units and it is only in recent years that, caused also by administrative and building regulations, wind power installations are frequently installed in wind parks. In that respect a wind park in its smallest unit is an arrangement of at least two wind power installations, but frequently markedly more. By way of example mention may be made of the wind park at Holtriem (East Frisia) where more than 50 wind power installations are set up in an array. It is to be expected that the number of units and also the installed power of the wind power installations will also increase greatly in the forthcoming years. In most cases the wind potential is at its greatest in regions of the power supply networks with a low level of short-circuit power and low population density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 7629705
    Abstract: A method for operating an electrical machine includes coupling the electrical machine to an electric power system such that the electric power system is configured to transmit at least one phase of electric power to and from the electrical machine. The method also includes configuring the electrical machine such that the electrical machine remains electrically connected to the electric power system during and subsequent to a voltage amplitude of the electric power system operating outside of a predetermined range for an undetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sidney A. Barker, Anthony Klodowski, John D'Atre, Einar Larsen, Goran Drobnjak
  • Patent number: 7629776
    Abstract: A control and power module for a rotating electrical machine comprising a power circuit containing a number of branches, and a control circuit designed for controlling the power circuit when the machine operates in a nominal mode. The inventive module is characterized in that the control circuit is also designed for monitoring an output voltage from the power circuit and blocking at least one branch of the power circuit in a conduction state when the output voltage reaches an at least first threshold value so that the machine functions in a degraded mode. The invention is for use in an alternator starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Equipments Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Michael Chemin, Francois-Xavier Bernard, Frederic Leroux
  • Patent number: 7608937
    Abstract: A power generation system and a method for storing electrical energy are provided. The method includes generating a first AC voltage from a wind turbine generator and converting the first AC voltage to a first DC voltage, utilizing a rectifier. The method further includes routing the first DC voltage through a DC voltage bus to an inverter of the power converter, and converting the first DC voltage to a second AC voltage utilizing the inverter and outputting the second AC voltage to an electrical grid in response to a first control signal from a power converter controller. The method further includes receiving the first DC voltage from the DC voltage bus at a DC-DC converter operably coupled to the DC voltage bus, and storing electrical energy from the first DC voltage in a battery storage unit utilizing the DC-DC converter in response to a second control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Markus Altenschulte
  • Patent number: 7609035
    Abstract: A power generation control device enables to conduct appropriate charge control and load limitations even if a technique (charge control technique) for restricting power generation by a generator in an accelerating state of a movable body is adopted in a movable body such as a vehicle in which a technique (load limiting technique) for imposing limitations on a power supply when a quantity of suppliable electricity decreased has been adopted. The power generation control device for controlling a generator for a movable body which stores electric power in a battery comprises a unit for restricting power generation by the generator based on a battery suppliable current which can be taken out of the battery, a quantity of electricity generated by the generator, an essential supply current consumed by an electric load to which electric power must be supplied and a load working current consumed by an electric load which does not necessarily require a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventor: Kazuhi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7605569
    Abstract: An acquisition circuit for providing a first and a second validation signal based on an alternator output signal has a coupler being adapted for receiving the alternator output signal and for providing a coupling signal having information on the phase of the alternator output signal, the coupler having a capacitive element for coupling the alternator output signal and the coupling signal, the coupler having a resistive element for coupling the coupling signal and a reference signal. The acquisition circuit further has a detector adapted for receiving the coupling signal and for providing the first and second validation signals, wherein the relation between the validation signals is based on the information on the phase of the output signal, wherein the frequency of the alternator output signal is derivable from the validation signals and the validity information is derivable from the relation between the validation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Martin Kaltenegger, Alexander Mori
  • Patent number: 7592784
    Abstract: An electrical power generator includes a controller for making a full power capacity of the generator available for consumption by at least one intelligent load coupled to an output of the generator. The controller obtains data from which both a present output power of the generator and a power capacity of the generator can be determined. The controller then provides the intelligent load with data indicative of both the present output power and the power capacity of the generator for use by the load in controlling its power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Wei Qi, Michael Rubbo, Richard Wainwright
  • Patent number: 7583062
    Abstract: A method for protecting voltage regulator driver circuitry during a short circuit condition of an alternator field coil includes passively detecting a drop in field coil voltage during an on-portion of a duty cycle of the field coil voltage, wherein the passive detection of the drop in field coil voltage signifies an interrupt event. Responsive to the interrupt event, a logical state of a driver enable control signal is changed so as to deactivate driver circuitry associated with a switching device used to pass field current through the field coil, wherein the driver circuitry, when deactivated, prevents the switching device from passing current regardless of the state of a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal applied to the driver circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Reny International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack D. Harmon, Mingshe Zhou, Jim Phillips
  • Patent number: 7576519
    Abstract: A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: Nisvet Basic, Ciaran Patterson, Mahmood Pourkermani
  • Patent number: 7573243
    Abstract: A generator control arrangement for an electrical power generator, the arrangement comprising a controller arranged to regulate output voltage from a generator to a target value, the controller including a voltage comparator for comparing a presented voltage with a desired output voltage, the presented voltage derived in a transfer comparator by combination of a reference voltage value and an error value between a reference electrical current value and a measured electrical current value subject to a processor gain whereby the processor gain can be specifically set at zero to enable control by voltage or the processor gain can be specifically set at greater than zero to enable control by electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: David R Trainer, Lihua Hu, Michael P Hirst
  • Publication number: 20090195223
    Abstract: A power generation controlling device for vehicle includes a communication controlling circuit, a power generation voltage and excitation current controlling circuit, and a communication frame processing circuit. The communication controlling circuit communicates with an ECU using a communication frame. The power generation voltage and excitation current controlling circuit controls power generation based on power generation control information in the received communication frame. The communication frame processing circuit decodes contents of power generation control information (i.e., signal switching data) included in the communication frame based on a signal switching bit in the same communication frame. Two types of contents or more that are switched based on the signal switching bit are assigned to the power generation control information in the communication frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fuyuki Maehara
  • Patent number: 7570028
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying interactions between an electrical generator and a nonlinear load is described. One illustrative embodiment receives a main control signal at a control input of an engine of the electrical generator, the main control signal controlling at least one of output power, output current, and output voltage delivered by the electrical generator to the nonlinear load, the engine being one of a power amplifier and a converter; measures the impedance of the nonlinear load; and feeds to the electrical generator a compensation signal corresponding to the measured impedance, the compensation signal rendering a transfer function of the output power of the electrical generator with respect to the main control signal substantially insensitive to variations in the impedance of the nonlinear load to stabilize the output power of the electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gideon van Zyl
  • Patent number: 7571045
    Abstract: In a gas-turbine engine control system having a first control channel inputting the outputs of sensors to calculate and output a first command value indicative of a quantity of fuel to be supplied to the engine and a second control channel inputting the outputs of the sensors to calculate and output a second command value similarly indicative of the quantity of fuel, the second control channel calculates and outputs the second command value using the first command value so long as the instruction to switch the outputs is not generated, while calculates and outputs the second command value, without using the first command value, when the instruction to switch the outputs is generated. With this, immediately after switching to the second command value, the second command value is made substantially equal to and not greatly different from the preceding first command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Muramatsu, Yukinobu Sugitani
  • Patent number: 7570027
    Abstract: An electric power generation control apparatus is connected to an external controller composed of a vehicle interface circuit capable of generating and transferring a power switch-on signal to the electric power generation control apparatus. When receiving the power switch-on signal, the electric power generation control apparatus initiates its operation. The electric power generation control apparatus has a receiving terminal, a control signal receiving circuit, an electric power source circuit, and an electric power generation control circuit. The control signal receiving circuit receives the power switch-on signal through the receiving terminal regardless of the circuit type of the vehicle interface circuit. When the control signal receiving circuit receives the power switch-on signal, the electric power supply circuit initiates to supply the electric power to the electric power generation control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyo Teramoto, Tadatoshi Asada
  • Patent number: 7566982
    Abstract: A method for controlling and adjusting a wind power installation having a nacelle displaceable by an azimuth angle, at least one rotor blade displaceable about its longitudinal axis and a power supply in a spinning mode, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a control unit determines an angular position for the nacelle from measured values (v) of wind velocity and wind direction and one or more displacement angles for the at least one rotor blade upon a measured wind velocity exceeding a predetermined speed value (v1*, v2*), at least one azimuth drive fed by the power supply sets the nacelle into the angular position (?) determined by the control unit, and at least one pitch drive fed by the power supply sets the at least one rotor blade into the angular position (?) determined by the control unit, wherein the at least one rotor blade rotates in the set position at a rotational speed within a predetermined range of rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Eberhard Voss
  • Patent number: 7545123
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular AC generator analyzes, at least, a “HIGH” logic continuation time, a “LOW” logic continuation time and the pulse width duty of an external signal, for the external signal pulse inputted from an external unit. In a case where the “HIGH” logic or “LOW” logic of the external signal pulse has continued for a predetermined time period, the control apparatus controls a generator control voltage as either of adjustment voltages consisting of the two values of an ordinary voltage and a voltage lower than the ordinary voltage. On the other hand, in a case where the “HIGH” logic or “LOW” logic of the external signal pulses are iterated within a predetermined time period, and where the pulse width duty of the external signal falls within a predetermined range, the control apparatus controls the generator control voltage as a multistage or linear adjustment voltage which is the function of the pulse width duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Sumimoto
  • Patent number: 7545052
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a converter system of a wind turbine, wherein the converter system includes converter modules capable of converting electric power produced by a generator to electric power applicable to a utility grid. The converter modules include generator inverters and grid inverters. The method determines the enabling/disabling of the converter modules in response to a parameter related to the variable amount of electric power being produced by the generator. Advantages of the present invention are optimisation of power efficiency of the converter modules and improved reliability of the converter modules. Another advantage is the capability of fast enabling and disabling of the converter modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.
    Inventors: José Ignacio Llorente González, Björn Andresen, Jens Birk
  • Patent number: 7545122
    Abstract: When drive control of a generator is performed, PWM control of a switching circuit comprising an FET and a diode connected to the opposite ends of a winding is performed. In the vicinity of a moment in time Lmax where the winding has a maximum inductance L, an alternating mode for repeating a supply mode and a reflux mode alternately is performed through PWM control. After the alternating mode is performed, the reflux mode is performed temporarily in order to increase the quantity of current, and then a regenerative mode is performed. The regenerative mode is performed by increasing the current level as much as possible when the reflux mode is started while suppressing the brake force of the rotor in the alternating mode. From a position advancing in angle by a time Tah from the moment in time Lmax where the winding has a maximum inductance L, a first alternating mode C1 for repeating the supply mode P and the reflux mode Q alternately is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7538521
    Abstract: An arrangement for electrically powering an aircraft comprises at least one first generator driven by an engine of the aircraft, an electricity network on board the aircraft receiving the voltage produced by the first generator, at least one second generator driven by the motor, and an engine electrical network distinct from the on-board network for powering equipment of the engine of its environment, the engine network comprising: at least one DC electrical voltage distribution bus for the electrical equipment; and a power supply circuit having a first input connected to the on-board network, a second input connected to the second generator to receive the electrical voltage supplied thereby, a voltage converter connected to the second input, and a selector circuit for delivering a voltage on the distribution bus, the voltage being supplied from that received on the first input or from that supplied by the converter depending on the amplitude of the voltage supplied by the second electricity generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Inventor: Serge Berenger
  • Patent number: 7538522
    Abstract: This device is A Specially Improved Automotive Replacement Voltage Regulator for use in the automotive components remanufacturing and original equipment alternator product. Particularly this device has additional transient suppression means for the loads; “high side drive” of the rotor field to eliminate corrosion from the low side short condition; full passivation around the monolithic chip; and a monolithic chip that contains both the power and control devices which permits a simplified heat sink for thermal dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Taditel US, Inc
    Inventor: Justin B. Lybbert
  • Patent number: 7535203
    Abstract: An alternator comprises: an output rectifier converting AC voltage produced in an output armature winding into DC and supplying the DC electric power to a rechargeable battery and a current consumer; an excitation rectifier which is electrically separated from the output rectifier to convert AC voltage produced in an excitation armature winding into DC; and a power generation control unit. The power generation control unit compares the output voltage of the output rectifier or the terminal voltage of the battery with a predetermined reference voltage and controls current supplied to an excitation winding to which the DC voltage outputted from the excitation rectifier is applied, based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7531992
    Abstract: In a control system for controlling a power generator based on a command value associated with a control parameter, a receiver receives the command signal, a detector detects the command value included in the received command signal, and a determiner determines whether a duration of the detected command value being invariant within a predetermined range exceeds a predetermined allowed duration. In the control system, a controller controls an output of the power-generator based on a predetermined default value within the predetermined range in place of the command value when it is determined that the duration of the detected command value being invariant within the predetermined range exceeds the predetermined allowed duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Inokuchi, Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7528583
    Abstract: In the m phase brushless generator, n (n<m) phase magnet coil groups are provided with magnetic sensors, while the remaining (m?n) phase magnet coil groups are not provided with magnetic sensors. The regeneration control circuit utilizes the sensor outputs of the n magnetic sensors to generates n sets of regeneration control signals for the n phase magnet coil groups. The regeneration control circuit further generates (m?n) sets of regeneration control signals for the (m?n) phase magnet coil groups not associated with the n magnetic sensors, using one or more of the sensor outputs of the n magnetic sensors in generation of each of the (m?n) sets of regeneration control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kesatoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7521904
    Abstract: In a device for detecting errors in a charging line, the device detects an error in the charging line connecting the vehicle generator and an on-board battery. The device includes a bias circuit, a charging line error detecting means, and a warning means. The bias circuit biases a voltage of an external terminal receiving the power generation instruction signal in the vehicle power generation controller with a voltage of an output terminal of the vehicle generator. The charging line error detecting means detects the error in the charging line based on a voltage of an output terminal of the power generation instructing means that is provided within the external controller and generates the power generation instruction signal and a terminal voltage of the on-board battery. When the charging line error detecting means detects the error in the charging line, the warning means performs a warning operation to give notification of the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Ko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7521906
    Abstract: An electromechanical power transfer system that transfers power between a prime mover and a direct current (DC) electrical power system, comprises: a permanent magnet machine (PMM) that has a permanent magnet (PM) rotor coupled to the prime mover, a stator with a multiphase alternating current (AC) winding coupled to an AC bus and a control coil with a winding that has a configuration to generate a magnetic field with flux that varies the reactance of the stator winding with the application of control coil current; a control coil current regulator system to regulate the control coil current; wherein the control coil current regulator system generates a level of the control coil current that regulates current in the stator to a desired level in response to a control coil current feedback loop that comprises a control coil current signal and a DC bus potential feedback loop that comprises a DC potential feedback signal and in a generating mode the main active rectifier system maintains a constant potential on t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Kevin Dooley
  • Patent number: 7521903
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling an alternator circuit in an alternator regulator charging system. The integrated circuit includes a first circuit for performing core regulation functions; a second circuit having a mask selectable operation circuit that allows the integrated circuit to select an operational mode thereof, the mode being selectable from one of a stand-alone mode, a remote controlled mode wherein the first circuit is controlled by an external circuit, and a combination of the stand-alone mode and the remote controlled mode; and a third circuit having an output driver circuit for controlling a field winding of the alternator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: ASBU Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Renehan, Peter Sommerfeld, Franz Grabowski, Andreas Mersmann
  • Publication number: 20090085531
    Abstract: The stator of the vehicle-mounted alternator includes a stator core formed with a plurality of slots located along a circumferential direction thereof, and first and second multi-phase windings wound in the slots, the first and second multi-phase windings being spaced from each other by a predetermined electrical angle. An output of the first multi-phase winding is rectified by a first rectifier device, and an output of the second multi-phase winding is rectified by a second rectifier device. The second rectifier device is constituted by a plurality of switching devices. The vehicle-mounted alternator includes a control device to perform on/off control on the switching devices such that a phase angle difference between an output of the first rectifier device and an output of the second rectifier device is varied depending on a rotation speed of the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tooru Ooiwa
  • Patent number: 7511459
    Abstract: A feedback control circuit and method for a control system used to control an electrical power generating source that comprises a free piston Stirling engine driving a linear alternator. A switching mode rectifier connects the alternator winding to an output circuit that includes an electrical energy storage means and is controlled by a pulse width modulator that controls the rectifier switching duty cycle and phase. The control system controls the pulse width modulator. The improvement computes a voltage across a virtual tuning capacitor and uses the computed voltage to control the switching mode rectifier so that the switching mode rectifier is switched in a manner that makes the alternator circuit operate as if a tuning capacitor were actually present and so that the control system controls the piston of the Stirling engine to maintain balance of the mechanical power generated by the Stirling engine and the electrical power absorbed from the engine by the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sunpower, Inc.
    Inventor: Ezekiel S. Holliday
  • Publication number: 20090079399
    Abstract: A control system for an electrical power generation system (EPGS) provides overload protection without disconnecting a generator of the EPGS from an excessive electrical load. Available engine power and current levels of the electrical load are continuously measured. A command voltage is calculated that corresponds to a voltage required to sustain with the maximum available power. Output voltage of a generator of the EPGS is controlled at the calculated command voltage so that a power limit of the engine is not exceeded during electrical overload conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: EVGENI GANEV, Louis C.H. Cheng
  • Patent number: 7501798
    Abstract: A method for the active damping of a drive train in wind energy plant, with the following steps: the actual value of the generator rotational speed is acquired and amplified via an oscillatory delay element, the oscillatory delay element has a predetermined natural oscillation frequency (?E), which is smaller than the smallest natural frequency of the drive train, and a difference between the actual value of the rotational speed and the amplified value for the rotational speed is connected to a controller as actuating variable, which determines a correction moment for a generator control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Malte Laubrock, Thomas Paul Woldmann, Soren Bilges
  • Patent number: 7498775
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for monitoring a rotating synchronous electric machine (9), which comprises a rotor having a rotor winding and a stator having a stator winding. The method comprises the steps of determining the stator winding current, determining the stator winding voltage, determining the rotor winding current, and estimating the temperature in at least two positions in the electric machine (9) using a model of the electric machine and the determined current and voltage values. An apparatus according to the invention is provided for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: E.On Sverige AB
    Inventors: H{dot over (a)}kan Swahn, Bertil Svensson
  • Patent number: 7495399
    Abstract: A coordination control device of a power output apparatus includes a coordination control unit. The coordination control unit calculates an intermediate value between the maximum value and minimum value among voltage controls for a first motor generator, and voltage control from an AC voltage control generation unit to generate an AC voltage across neutral points of first and second motor generators, and outputs a value that is each phase voltage control for the first and second motor generators minus the calculated intermediate value to a signal generation unit as the final voltage control for the first and second motor generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Katsuhiro Asano, Yoshitoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7486052
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle AC generator that allows the aging test time of a CMOS logic circuit to be reduced is provided. The controller includes a specified signal detecting circuit connected to a third external terminal to detect a specified signal, a voltage selector circuit that generates a voltage selector signal in response to the detection output of the specified signal detecting circuit, and a power supply circuit connected to the first external terminal to output, as internal power supply voltage, first power supply voltage in a first state in which the specified signal is not input to the third external terminal and second power supply voltage higher than the first power supply voltage in a second state in which the specified signal is input to the third external terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Sumimoto