Patents by Inventor Bob McConnell

Bob McConnell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Dual-purpose converter/startup circuit for a microturbine power generating system
    Patent number: 6147414
    Abstract: A microturbine power generation system includes an electric generator, a rectifier for rectifying an output of the electric generator, and an inverter for up-chopping an output of the rectifier. The inverter can also be controlled to provide an excitation current to windings of the electric generator. The excitation current causes the electric generator to operate as a motor. The electric generator can be operated as a starter motor for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Bob McConnell, Bob Nims
  • Microturbine power of generating system including a battery source for supplying startup power
    Patent number: 6064122
    Abstract: A microturbine power generating system includes a battery source for providing startup power. Dc power provided by the battery source is converted to three-phase ac power, and the three-phase ac power is supplied to stator windings of an electrical generator of the system. The three-phase ac power causes the electrical generator to operate as a starter motor. An up chopper may be used to reduce the required voltage of the battery source. A down chopper may be used to charge the battery source during normal operation of the microturbine power generating system. The down chopper can allow the battery source to supply backup power in the event the electrical generator experiences a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Bob McConnell