Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.

Abstract: A generator system configured to be connected in parallel with other generators is disclosed. The generator system includes an alternator having a stator with an output winding and a quadrature winding and a rotor with a three-phase winding. The rotor of the alternator is rotatably driven by an engine having a controller to regulate the engine speed. An inverter receives power from the quadrature winding and generates an AC voltage for the rotor winding. The inverter receives an input corresponding to the voltage on the output winding of the stator and also receives an input corresponding to the phase angle of a second AC voltage produced by another power source. The inverter controls the frequency of the AC voltage for the rotor winding such that the phase angle of the voltage on the output winding of the stator is synchronized to the phase angle of the second AC voltage.

Abstract: A system for connecting a single-phase generator in parallel with an inverter is disclosed. A signal corresponding to the angular position of the rotor in the generator is provided to the inverter, for example, from an angular position sensor connected to the rotor in the generator. Because variations in the load applied to the generator cause variations in the frequency of the power output by the generator, the inverter synchronizes the phase angle of the voltage output by the inverter to the angular position of the rotor.

Abstract: A system for connecting a single-phase generator in parallel with an inverter is disclosed. A signal corresponding to the angular position of the rotor in the generator is provided to the inverter, for example, from an angular position sensor connected to the rotor in the generator. Because variations in the load applied to the generator cause variations in the frequency of the power output by the generator, the inverter synchronizes the phase angle of the voltage output by the inverter to the angular position of the rotor.

Abstract: A generator system configured to be connected in parallel with other generators is disclosed. The generator system includes an alternator having a stator with an output winding and a quadrature winding and a rotor with a three-phase winding. The rotor of the alternator is rotatably driven by an engine having a controller to regulate the engine speed. An inverter receives power from the quadrature winding and generates an AC voltage for the rotor winding. The inverter receives an input corresponding to the voltage on the output winding of the stator and also receives an input corresponding to the phase angle of a second AC voltage produced by another power source. The inverter controls the frequency of the AC voltage for the rotor winding such that the phase angle of the voltage on the output winding of the stator is synchronized to the phase angle of the second AC voltage.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a permanent magnet motor are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment receives a torque command and a flux command; receives information corresponding to a direct current (DC) bus voltage and a motor speed; computationally determines feedforward direct-axis current information and feedforward quadrature-axis current information from a plurality of parameters associated with the permanent magnet motor; determines a current signal (idq*) based upon at least the requested torque command, the flux command, the DC bus voltage, the motor speed, the feedforward direct-axis current information, and the feedforward quadrature-axis current information; and controls a power inverter that converts DC power into alternating current (AC) power that is supplied to the permanent magnet motor, such that the permanent magnet motor is operated in accordance with the determined idq*.

Abstract: A system, method and article for detecting a polarity of a rotor in a motor and/or a generator. In one embodiment, a rotor polarity detection signal is applied and a response thereto is evaluated to determine whether an estimated position of the rotor is correct.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a permanent magnet motor are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment receives a torque command and a flux command; receives information corresponding to a direct current (DC) bus voltage and a motor speed; computationally determines feedforward direct-axis current information and feedforward quadrature-axis current information from a plurality of parameters associated with the permanent magnet motor; determines a current signal (idq*) based upon at least the requested torque command, the flux command, the DC bus voltage, the motor speed, the feedforward direct-axis current information, and the feedforward quadrature-axis current information; and controls a power inverter that converts DC power into alternating current (AC) power that is supplied to the permanent magnet motor, such that the permanent magnet motor is operated in accordance with the determined idq*.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for use in an electric motor or generator where the mass of the rotor assembly is reduced with respect to conventional rotor assemblies. In addition, the rotor assembly is configured to be scalable to different sized electric motors. Within the rotor assembly, the rotor hub, the shaft, and the permanent magnets can independently or collectively be modified to have a reduced mass. In one aspect, a portion of the rotor hub adjacent to the shaft is configured with passages and spokes. In another aspect, an intermediate hub with lightening holes is provided between the shaft and the rotor hub. In yet another aspect, a large diameter hollow shaft replaces a portion of the rotor hub. In yet another aspect, the permanent magnets are configured to have an arc-shape, which permits the thickness of the magnets to be reduced without reducing the efficiency of the magnets.

Abstract: A closed-loop permanent magnet motor control method and system optimally partitions torque and flux-weakening currents to produce a desired torque without exceeding the capability of the DC source. A maximum limit for allowable torque current and a minimum threshold for the maximum torque current are determined, and the flux current is varied based at least in part on whether the maximum torque current limit is above or below the minimum threshold while operating in a flux-weakening region to compensate for the variability of the DC source voltage.

Abstract: A closed-loop permanent magnet motor control method and system optimally partitions torque and flux-weakening currents to produce a desired torque without exceeding the capability of the DC source. A maximum limit for allowable torque current and a minimum threshold for the maximum torque current are determined, and the flux current is varied based at least in part on whether the maximum torque current limit is above or below the minimum threshold while operating in a flux-weakening region to compensate for the variability of the DC source voltage.