Abstract: A method of controlling an inverter power generation apparatus adapted to stop an operation of an inverter by stopping supplying a drive signal to a switch circuit of the inverter when an overload continuation time exceeds a first setting time in the state where a load current detected by a load current detector is equal to or more than a first overload judgment value and equal to or less than a second overload judgment value, to stop the operation of the inverter when the overload continuation time exceeds a second overload judgment value set in accordance with an output voltage of the inverter in the state where the load current exceeds the second overload judgment value and the output voltage of the inverter is higher than a short circuit judgment value and to stop the operation of the inverter immediately when the load current exceeds the second overload judgment value and the output voltage of the inverter is equal to or less than the short circuit judgment value whereby the inverter can be positively pr

Abstract: A system for battery-based activation of a voltage regulator has a voltage detection circuit that measures the voltage produced by a battery, for example, an automotive system battery. The system further includes a voltage regulation unit, which is activated when the voltage that the battery produces is below a threshold value indicative of an attempt to start an engine. To begin regulation, a field current signal of a generator is strobed to create a battery voltage signal that exceeds the minimum reference value. If the battery voltage signal is above a minimum reference value, the battery voltage signal will be analyzed to ensure that neither voltage spiking nor a no load change condition caused the anomaly. Once these safety checks are complete, the battery voltage signal can be regulated.

Abstract: An electric power system provides a coordinated and controlled intercommunication and operation of power engineering equipment and converters, e.g., rotating AC machines, power electronic converters and transformers as well as power grids in order to enhance electric power produced by renewable facilities. As viewed from the power grid and its stakeholders' perspective, enhanced renewable facilities are more stiff than conventional renewable facilities, and produce power that is as commercially valuable and fungible as electric power produced by traditional plants such as fossil fuel power plants, hydroelectric plants, nuclear plants and the like. xMs and SMs, or more generally yMs, fulfill the demands of stiffness and reduced variability, which have conventionally limited the commercial usefulness of a large scale use of renewables delivering power to a power grid.

Abstract: A grid-type engine generator apparatus which can prevent reduction in the operational efficiency due to the stop motion of an engine at the cancellation of the interconnection and minimize loads exerted on the startup device for the engine. A network protector is provided for generating a fault signal when detecting a fault on the network source. Upon receiving the fault signal, an interconnection relay is opened to cancel the interconnection and simultaneously, a timer is started. The cancellation permits the engine to run with no load. When the fault signal is maintained until the setting duration of the timer is timed up, a time-out signal is released to stop the engine. On the other hand, when the fault signal is eliminated by canceling the cause of the fault before the setting duration of the timer is passed, the interconnection relay is closed to establish the interconnection again and the timer is reset.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the acceleration of an armature of an electric drive by generating a high quality acceleration error correction signal z, the system comprising an accelerometer for obtaining a measured armature acceleration value bm, which is equal to the product of a true armature acceleration &agr;, and an acceleration measurement transfer function Fg(p), and means for obtaining a measured acceleration signal, bEm, which is generated from a measured substitute acceleration signal bE·bm and bEm are scaled such that the relationship of bm=&agr;·Fg(p)=bEm·Fg(p) is satisfied. The measured armature acceleration signal bm is filtered with a first filter transfer function of FT(p), and the measured acceleration signal bEm is filtered with a second filter transfer function of FH(p). The first and second filter outputs are combined to form the partly synthesized high quality acceleration error correction signal z=bm·FT(p)+bEm·FH(p).

Abstract: An exciter circuit for firing one or more igniter plugs in an aircraft ignition system. The exciter circuit includes an input node capable of receiving an alternating-current (AC) voltage with a variable frequency and amplitude, a pair of tank capacitors used as energy storage devices, a charging circuit for charging the tank capacitors, a discharge circuit for providing spark energy from the capacitors to two igniters, and a spark gap to initiate the discharge once the capacitors have been charged to a sufficient voltage. The charging circuit includes a step-up ferro-resonant transformer network and a full-wave rectifier. The transformer network includes a saturating transformer, a choke coil in series with the transformer primary, and one or more tuning capacitors connected to a center tap on the primary.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for detecting the occurrence of an islanding condition in the connection of a distributed power generation source to an electrical power system or utility. In accordance with the present invention, a voltage or current signal is injected into the system, and the resulting system impedance is determined. The resulting determination is used as an indicator of the islanding condition. The detection arrangement allows the detection of islanding conditions even when the load is well matched to the generated power.

Abstract: Several sets of magnetic sensors are provided in a magneto motor to sense rotary pole variation of the rotor magnet. One set of magnetic sensors lets the stator portion and the rotor portion generate armature reaction of stronger magnetic flux density, and another set of magnetic sensors corresponds to rotary pole variation of the permanent magnet of the rotor portion in advance to let the motor generate weak magnetic control phenomenon so that the stator portion and the rotor portion generate armature reaction of weaker magnetic flux density. The torsion coefficient KT will decrease to increase the rotation speed of the rotor portion. A motor can be designed to have a larger KT. When the motor needs to operate at higher rotation speeds, a magnetic detection selection circuit will output a detection output signal letting the motor generate a lower KT to increase the rotation speed of the magneto motor.

Abstract: According to the invention, an apparatus for automatically detecting a motor vehicle's generator type is proposed, in which the characteristic voltage course is measured at a terminal (DF) of the generator (1) and compared with values stored in memory. Via an interface (3), a control unit (5) is connected to the controller (2) or generator (1) and evaluates the voltage change (&dgr;DF) upon a load change. To that end, the voltage at the terminal (DF) is measured and evaluated before the electrical load (8) is turned on, after it is turned, and after it is turned off. By means of this apparatus, advantageously not only the generator type (A, B) but also incorrect installations can be ascertained.

Abstract: A method and system to automatically restart a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor when a fatal fault is detected. The automatic restart logic includes time constraints and limitations on the number of iterations, and is useful regardless of whether the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is in a grid connect mode or a standalone mode, and regardless of how the fault originates or is detected. Additional control logic is utilized to handle grid transients and over load conditions to prevent a fatal fault from occurring by using time constraints and an iterative process, together with a brake resistor to control DC bus voltage.

Abstract: A ballast load control system and method is presented that regulates the output electrical power supplied by a turbo-generator such that appropriate turbine loading may be achieved. Such enables the use of a turbo-generator having an expansion turbine to be used to provide a controlled, required amount of cooling to a thermal control system. By effectively varying the coupled electrical load, the loading provided to the expansion turbine may be controlled while maintaining output power requirements to connected electrical utilization equipment. Use of a common system controller for both the cooling system and ballast trim load system of the present invention ensures coordinated operation between the required amount of cooling and electrical power quality supplied to the coupled utilization equipment.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing protection to a generator are disclosed. A reference is determined out of rated capability of the generator. Based on the reference, and field current and output conditions of the generator, there is determined a drop in generator performance due to a temperature condition of the generator. Accounting for the drop in generator performance, operation of the generator may be modified to a generator output limit mode.

Abstract: An electric power system provides a coordinated and controlled intercommunication and operation of power engineering equipment and converters, e.g., rotating AC machines, power electronic converters and transformers as well as power grids in order to enhance electric power produced by renewable facilities. As viewed from the power grid and its stakeholders' perspective, enhanced renewable facilities are more stiff than conventional renewable facilities, and produce power that is as commercially valuable and fungible as electric power produced by traditional plants such as fossil fuel power plants, hydroelectric plants, nuclear plants and the like. xMs and SMs, or more generally yMs, fulfill the demands of stiffness and reduced variability, which have conventionally limited the commercial usefulness of a large scale use of renewables delivering power to a power grid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the position of a rotating component of a claw pole machine (1), which is operated in the R-S-T-system and whose regulation requires the transformation of the stator values from the R-S-T-system into the d, q-system and vice versa. The claw pole machine (1) as an overall system (15) is divided into a non-detectable subsystem (18) and a detectable subsystem (19), which contains a filter element (20). The filter element (20) contained in the detectable subsystem (19, 29) supplies the output values (17).

Abstract: A system for monitoring maintenance information in a hydroelectric power generation facility comprises sensors coupled to a controller. The sensors detect actual levels of operating parameters for a desired operating period at an operating condition. The detected parameters include a stressor capable of affecting a life span, or mean time between failures, of the turbine or one of its components. The controller determines the amount of the life span used up. A method for monitoring maintenance information in a power generation facility includes the steps of monitoring levels of operating parameters including a stressor for a desired operating period at an operating condition. The stressor affects the life span of the turbine or one of its components, and the amount of the life span used up over the operating period is calculated.

Abstract: An electrical machine (10) suitable for use as a starter/alternator for an automotive vehicle, has an inverter circuit (12), a rectifier circuit (14), and a stator circuit (16) that couples the inverter circuit (12) to the rectifier circuit (14). In addition, a switch circuit (18) having a first switch, switch A, and a second switch, switch B, is used to couple inverter circuit (12) to rectifier circuit (14). By controlling the operation of switch circuit (18) so that in a start up mode the switches are closed and in a generating mode the switches are open, a high output torque may be obtained from the electrical machine while a wide operating speed range may be also achieved.

Abstract: A system for deriving electrical power from an engine includes a current inducing module that supplies current to a load such as a chargeable power source. The current inducing module preferably includes a magnet and coil arrangement. The magnet is associated with a rotating element of the engine such that the magnet passes by the coil as the engine element rotates. The current that is induced in the coil is handled using current regulating components to control the amount of power supplied to the chargeable power source. The invention provides a way to electrically power components associated with devices that do not have a battery.

Abstract: A method of controlling an inverter power generation apparatus adapted to stop an operation of an inverter by stopping supplying a drive signal to a switch circuit of the inverter when an overload continuation time exceeds a first setting time in the state where a load current detected by a load current detector is equal to or more than a first overload judgment value and equal to or less than a second overload judgment value, to stop the operation of the inverter when the overload continuation time exceeds a second overload judgment value set in accordance with an output voltage of the inverter in the state where the load current exceeds the second overload judgment value and the output voltage of the inverter is higher than a short circuit judgment value and to stop the operation of the inverter immediately when the load current exceeds the second overload judgment value and the output voltage of the inverter is equal to or less than the short circuit judgment value whereby the inverter can be positively pr

Abstract: An integrated system for comprehensive control of an electric power generation system utilizes state machine control having particularly defined control states and permitted control state transitions. In this way, accurate, dependable and safe control of the electric power generation system is provided. Several of these control states may be utilized in conjunction with a utility outage ride-through technique that compensates for a utility outage by predictably controlling the system to bring the system off-line and to bring the system back on-line when the utility returns. Furthermore, a line synchronization technique synchronizes the generated power with the power on the grid when coming back on-line. The line synchronization technique limits the rate of synchronization to permit undesired transient voltages.

Abstract: Method and processor for accommodating speed sensor faults in a locomotive are provided. The method allows for providing predefined operational functions in the locomotive. The functions may be based on one or more speed sensor signals from a plurality of speed sensors in the locomotive. The method further allows for continuing to provide the operational functions even in the presence of faults in some of the speed sensors.

Abstract: A controlled rectifier bridge for a generator having a plurality of phase windings and one exciter winding is constructed as a self-controlled rectifier bridge with MOS field effect transistor. To allow the use of such a rectifier bridge upon a fast load reduction with an attendant load-dump voltage, a voltage protection circuit is employed that feeds the energy, stored in the exciter winding upon a fast shutoff, back into the battery, thus deexciting the exciter winding. Upon a fast load reduction, the generator windings are short-circuited by suitable triggering of the low- or high-side transistors.

Abstract: This can prevent declination in the operational efficiency due to the stop motion of an engine at the cancellation of the interconnection and minimize loads exerted on the startup device for the engine. A system protector 138 is provided for generating a fault signal when detecting a fault on the system source. Upon receiving the fault signal, an interconnection relay 135 is opened to cancel the interconnection and simultaneously, a timer 39 is started. The cancellation permits the engine 11 to run with no load. When the fault signal is maintained until the setting duration of the timer 39 is timed up, a time-out signal is released to stop the engine 11. On the other hand, when the fault signal is eliminated by canceling the cause of the fault before the setting duration of the timer 39 is passed, the interconnection relay 135 is closed to establish the interconnection again and the timer 39 is reset.

Abstract: A control voltage is set to an acceleration control voltage which is higher than a battery voltage V by a predetermined voltage difference &Dgr;V1 within a range and delayed by a predetermined time &Dgr;T1 during acceleration at low speeds. During acceleration at low speeds, the rotational speed is less than a predetermined value and the rate of increase in rotational speed is equal to or greater than another predetermined value. The range of voltage is higher than battery voltage V and lower than the steady state control voltage of 14.5V.

Abstract: The generator having two pairs of differential PWM outputs (11-12, 21-22), comprises

Abstract: In order to make the output voltage of the alternating current generator to be controllable even when a malfunction is produced on the negative electrode side of the magnetic field coil, the voltage control circuit for controlling the output voltage of the alternating current generator is provided on the negative electrode side of the magnetic field coil of the alternating current generator for charging a battery and, on the positive electrode side of the same, the overvoltage protection circuit for controlling the output voltage of the alternating current generator is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating, consistent with variations in cooling conditions, protection and limit functions of a generator. Limits of the capability curve of the generator, including the overexcited region, underexcited region and region limited by stator current heating, are modified in response to changes in coolant pressure or temperature depending on the type of generator being compensated. Feedback signals and setpoints being provided to fixed protection and limit functions are intercepted and modified in accordance with the relationship between generator rated values and generator performance in view of altered coolant conditions. Protection and limit functions are automatically coordinated. As a result, overall generator performance is improved.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying power to a motor vehicle electrical system (3) by means of a motor driven vehicle generator (1) and a solar generator (2). To efficiently save fuel, for power generation the arrangement compares the output or energy balance of the solar generator (2) relative to the vehicle generator (1) and reduces the vehicle generator output in proportion to the solar current supplied when a positive energy balance exist in favor of the vehicle generator (1) and separates the vehicle generator (1) from the vehicle engine (13) when a positive energy balance exists in favor of the solar generator (2).

Abstract: An excitation control system for a generator includes an SCR bridge for providing an excitation voltage to the input of the generator; a regulator for regulating the excitation voltage; and a sensing sub-system for providing an electrical signal, such a generator current or generator watts, which is related to the output of the generator. The generator includes a circuit breaker for the one or more alternating current phases output by the generator. An output of the circuit breaker has a signal with a true state when the circuit breaker is closed and the generator is on-line and with a false state when the circuit breaker is open and the generator is off-line. A comparator provides a validation signal when the generator electrical signal is greater than a predetermined signal, such as minimum generator current or minimum generator watts, respectively. An OR gate qualifies the signal of the output of the circuit breaker with the validation signal and provides a qualified signal therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating, consistent with variations in cooling conditions, protection and limit functions of a generator. Limits of the capability curve of the generator, including the overexcited region, underexcited region and region limited by stator current heating, are modified in response to changes in coolant pressure or temperature depending on the type of generator being compensated. Feedback signals and setpoints being provided to fixed protection and limit functions are intercepted and modified in accordance with the relationship between generator rated values and generator performance in view of altered coolant conditions. Protection and limit functions are automatically coordinated. As a result, overall generator performance is improved.

Abstract: A generator set controller includes a dead bus sensor producing a dead bus signal indicative of a power failure on a power bus that is an input to the controller on a digital input channel. The controller also receives a voltage signal from a phase of a power bus.

Abstract: An inductor-alternator provides highly efficient conversion between mechanical and electrical energy. The inductor-alternator produces increased output by providing armature coils in a single air gap formed between two halves of a toothed rotor. In preferred embodiments, field coils of a magnetic circuit are energized with DC drive current that creates homopolar flux within the rotating rotor. Airgap armature coils are mounted with the field coils to form a stationary assembly that is placed within the single air gap in the rotor so that the changing flux density (due to the rotating teeth) induces an output voltage in the armature coils. The rotor and stationary assembly are mounted in a housing by bolts that may also be used as terminals for the armature coils to reduce assembly complexity and production cost. The combined assembly provides high energy and power density because tip speed of the rotor is maximized and the use of air gaps is minimized.

Abstract: A regulator for a brushless synchronous alternator that includes a rotary exciter having a stationary excitation inductor. The regulator includes, in combination, a power stage connected to the alternator, an analog regulator circuit connected to the power stage to regulate a plurality of parameters, a digital regulator circuit connected to the power stage to regulate a plurality of parameters, and a control circuit designed to enable the regulator unit to operate in two modes: a normal mode in which the regulation function is performed by the digital regulator circuit and a fault mode in which the regulation function is performed by the analog regulator circuit. The digital regulator circuit is isolated from the alternator, in particular mechanically and/or magnetically, and is connected to the control circuit via insulated electrical connections.

Abstract: A shoot-through protection system for an electric power generating system including a synchronous generator, a bridge rectifier coupled to an output of the generator for converting alternating current (AC) from the generator to direct current (DC) at a rectifier output, and at least one inverter coupled to the rectifier output for converting the DC output to a controlled frequency AC output for application to a load. The generator has a separately excited field winding in which the magnitude of field excitation controls the voltage output of the generator. A microprocessor-based controller regulates generator field excitation in a manner to control the DC output of the rectifier. The generator is protected from a shoot-through in the inverter by detecting a sustained voltage drop in the rectifier DC output and reversing generator field excitation in response to such a voltage drop to rapidly drive generator output voltage to substantially zero volts.

Abstract: A method for charging an electric storage cell, in particular a lead acid battery, as the starter battery in a motor vehicle, involves the generator voltage being controlled, using the charge state of the accumulator as a controlled variable, the charge state being derived from a measurement of the no-load voltage of the storage cell at the instant of the zero crossing of the current flowing in the storage cell. The measurement of the no-load voltage is carried out within a period of from 0.1 ms to 1 ms after a zero crossing of the current in the storage cell.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit utilizes the fault current sensing capabilities of a differential protection circuit in combination with a shunting circuit to protect a power generating system against an overvoltage condition. The circuit offers the combined advantage of protecting attached load equipment from the harmful effects of an overvoltage condition while also ensuring rapid deexcitation of a generator.

Abstract: A controller for a starter/generator used with an aircraft engine, includes means for monitoring field return current in a generator field winding; means for monitoring generator voltage; and microprocessor control means for adjusting generator field current as a function of the field current and voltage and field return current. The field return current and output voltage monitoring functions allow for open field, field integrity, over voltage, field weakening and torque limiting functions to be realized in an integrated programmable system configuration.

Abstract: A conventional full wave diode bridge of an alternator is replaced with a full wave controlled rectifier bridge having controlled switches in place of diodes and the rectifier bridge is controlled in response to a third harmonic of the voltage generated by the alternator to synchronize the rectifier bridge with the alternator and to increase output power from the alternator. The alternator includes a rotor having a field winding receiving a field current which is controlled up to a maximum field current for partial control of the output power produced by the alternator. Power produced by the alternator is also controlled by introducing a phase angle between the phase voltages at the three output connections of the stator winding and the third harmonic up to a maximum or optimum phase angle. To increase power output from the alternator, preferably the field current is increased up to a maximum before any phase angle is introduced between the phase voltages and the third harmonic.

Abstract: An electrical generator damage protection apparatus is provided. The protection apparatus includes a circuit breaker which opens and closes an electrical circuit in response to a breaker control signal. A controller is operatively coupled to the circuit breaker to generate the breaker control signal based upon periodically sensed current magnitudes output by a generator. This breaker control signal controls total current output by the generator over a predetermined time span to less than a generator damage curve. The generator damage curve corresponds to a maximum amount of total current which can be generated by the generator over the predetermined time span without damaging the generator. In addition, a electrical generator system having the protection apparatus is provided. Also, a method for protecting an electrical generator from damage with a breaker control signal which controls total current output by the generator over a predetermined time span to less than a generator damage curve is provided.

Abstract: The duty ratio range of a duty signal DCN transmitted from a high-voltage load controller 12 to a field current controller 103 is divided into several subranges, which are assigned to zones, such as a normal voltage control zone, high-voltage control zone, and power generation stop and failure signal zone. The duty signal of a duty ratio in each zone is transmitted to the field current controller 103 for controlling the power generation mode of a generator 2. When a failure in a high-voltage circuit 16 is detected, the duty signal of a duty ratio in the power generation stop and failure signal zone causes power generation of the generator to stop and a pilot lamp 10 to go on for warning. The pilot lamp 10 is also used to warn the operator to a power generation error of the generator 2.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a primary side circuit, a transformer, a secondary side circuit and a control circuit. The secondary side circuit includes a first output unit and a second output unit. The battery charges a main battery and an auxiliary battery. The first output unit, which is connected to a main battery, includes an integrated rectifier-converter and a smoothing circuit. The integrated rectifier-converter is formed using MOSFETs. When charging the auxiliary battery with power from the main battery, power from the main battery is converted by the integrated rectifier-converter to AC power which induces power in an output winding of a transformer connected to the auxiliary battery.

Abstract: An electrical supply system with two power generators and several items of electrical equipment has a processor that controls disconnection of the equipment if demand should exceed supply. The processor has a hardware switch controlled by outputs from the generators. The processor runs two different programs at the same time but the switch supplies only one of these to the output. When equipment needs to be disconnected, the switch changes to supply the results of the other program to the output and this effects the disconnection. When sufficient supply is restored, the switch changes back to its original state to supply the results of the first program to the output of the processor.

Abstract: A protection circuit for a brushless excitation system is provided which directly monitors the output voltage of the diode bridge rectifier of the system. The protection circuit includes a reference signal generator subcircuit which provides a reference signal which tracks the dc output voltage of the diode bridge. The reference signal can vary as the system voltage is varied under certain circumstances. The protection circuit also provides for the calculation of a predetermined percentage of the reference signal voltage to create a tolerance band for testing the actual output voltage of the diode bridge rectifier. The percentage represents an acceptable limit of the ratio of a peak-to-peak ripple of the reference signal to the dc voltage of the reference signal. Using the reference signal and the percentage value to create a tolerance band, a comparator is used to test the actual output voltage of the diode bridge to determine if the output voltage is within the tolerance band.

Abstract: A shorted rectififing diode protection system for a synchronous generator having a stationary exciter field which induces a voltage in a rotating exciter armature when energized by an exciter drive current, the voltage being rectified by a plurality of rotating rectifiers and applied to a rotating field winding to induce an output voltage in a plurality of main stator output phase windings, the output voltage being controlled by a voltage regulator having peak excitation current protection means, comprises a circuit for detecting actuation of the excitation current protection and generating a field protection monitor signal, a circuit for discriminating a shorted exciter field and generating a protection lock-out signal, and a logic circuit responsive to the field protection monitor signal and the protection lock-out signal for generating a shorted rectifying diode protection signal.

Abstract: In a system for limiting torque occurring in a turbine-generator shaft when a three-pole short circuit is switched off, one pole of a switch that switches-off the short circuit is opened first, and both of the other poles are then opened after the passage of a predetermined delay period.