Abstract: A power controller controls the turbine of a turbine powered generating system regardless of the load on the system to maximize the efficiency of the turbine and maintains the turbine at a substantially constant temperature during a system load change by using an energy storage device to provide power to the load while the turbine is changing speed to meet the new load demand.

Abstract: A system and method for pre-charging the DC bus of a utility connected power converter. In one embodiment, a full-wave rectifier circuit is coupled to the utility grid through an isolation transformer and circuit protector. The rectifier circuit output is connected to the DC bus of the power converter to provide a pre-charging current to the DC bus capacitors. The output from the rectifier circuit also supplies power to the control circuit power supply for the converter. When the control circuit closes the contactor of the converter system and activates the converter, the voltage across the DC bus capacitors is increased above the level of the rectified power grid voltage provided at the output of the pre-charge circuit. This reverse-biases the rectifier diodes, placing the pre-charge circuit into an inactive state. The impedance of the isolation transformer limits the in-rush current into the DC bus capacitors during the pre-charge.

Abstract: A power controller controls the turbine of a turbine powered generating system regardless of the load on said system to maximize the efficiency of the turbine and maintains the turbine at a substantially constant temperature during a system load change by using an energy storage device to provide power to the load while the turbine is changing speed to meet the new load demand.

Abstract: A power controller controls the turbine of a turbine powered generating system regardless of the load on the system to maximize the efficiency of the turbine and maintains the turbine at a substantially constant temperature during a system load change by using an energy storage device to provide power to the load while the turbine is changing speed to meet the new load demand.

Abstract: A turbogenerator system including a recuperator and a catalytic combustor employs a preheater located between the turbine outlet and the recuperator low-pressure inlet to heat the low-pressure turbine exhaust. Heat from the turbine exhaust is transferred to a cool high-pressure flow in the recuperator. A recirculation loop employs valves downstream of the recuperator low-pressure outlet to divert the recuperator low-pressure exhaust into the compressor to be recirculated through the recuperator high-pressure side and the catalytic combustor. Reduced start-up times and emissions are achieved by raising the combustor catalyst to its light-off temperature in a shorter period of time.

Abstract: A turbogenerator is controlled by a temperature loop that provides fuel to the combustor to maintain a desired turbine exhaust temperature, and by a speed control loop that controls the speed of the turbogenerator to provide a desired power output. When the desired power output is reduced, the turbogenerator speed is reduced accordingly, and the desired turbine exhaust temperature is increased temporarily to maintain sufficient fuel flow to the combustor to prevent combustor flame-out.

Abstract: A power controller controls the turbine of a turbine powered generating system regardless of the load on said system to maximize the efficiency of the turbine and maintains the turbine at a substantially constant temperature during a system load change by using an energy storage device to provide power to the load while the turbine is changing speed to meet the new load demand.

Abstract: A power controller provides a distributed generation power networking system in which bi-directional power converters are used with a common DC bus for permitting compatibility between various energy components. Each power converter operates essentially as a customized bi-directional switching converter configured, under the control of the power controller, to provide an interface for a specific energy component to the DC bus. The power controller controls the way in which each energy component, at any moment, will sink or source power, and the manner in which the DC bus is regulated. In this way, various energy components can be used to supply, store and/or use power in an efficient manner. The various energy components include energy sources, loads, storage devices and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A turbogenerator system including a compressor rotationally coupled to a turbine and a bleed valve connected to the compressor discharge to vent a portion of the compressed air when the turbogenerator speed is within a preselected range to prevent the compressor from stalling. The turbogenerator speed is controlled to provide a required amount of power, and the turbine exit temperature is controlled in accordance with different functions of turbogenerator speed and ambient conditions to maintain an air flow that will prevent compressor from stalling, the function selected in accordance with whether the bleed valve is open of closed.

Abstract: A power generation system for a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a fuel source, a turbogenerator coupled to the fuel source, and a power controller. The power controller is electrically coupled to the turbogenerator, and includes first and second power converters. The first power converter converts AC power from the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus, and the second power converter converts the DC power on the DC bus to an operating DC power on output lines. The power controller regulates the fuel to the turbogenerator, independent of DC voltage on the DC bus. The system further includes an electric motor, a drive control unit coupled between the output lines and the electric motor, and a traction battery. The traction battery is coupled across the output lines, and provides an additional source of current, upon demand, to the electric motor.

Abstract: A turbogenerator is controlled by a temperature loop that provides fuel to the combustor to maintain a desired turbine exhaust temperature, and by a speed control loop that controls the speed of the turbogenerator to provide a desired power output. When the desired power output is reduced, the turbogenerator speed is reduced accordingly, and the desired turbine exhaust temperature is increased temporarily to maintain sufficient fuel flow to the combustor to prevent combustor flame-out.

Abstract: A turbogenerator system including a recuperator and a catalytic combustor employs a preheater located between the turbine outlet and the recuperator low-pressure inlet to heat the low-pressure turbine exhaust. Heat from the turbine exhaust is transferred to a cool high-pressure flow in the recuperator. A recirculation loop employs valves downstream of the recuperator low-pressure outlet to divert the recuperator low-pressure exhaust into the compressor to be recirculated through the recuperator high-pressure side and the catalytic combustor. Reduced start-up times and emissions are achieved by raising the combustor catalyst to its light-off temperature in a shorter period of time.