Combined Diverse Generator Controls Patents (Class 322/45)
  • Patent number: 10490366
    Abstract: A power switching control device includes a unit to measure a power-supply-side voltage of a circuit breaker, a unit to calculate a current that flows through a resistor after a switch is turned on and before a circuit breaking unit is turned on, and to calculate an interelectrode voltage of the circuit breaking unit after the switch is turned on and before the circuit breaking unit is turned on, a unit to determine a target closing time point for the circuit breaking unit so that a target turn-on phase for the circuit breaking unit becomes a phase that is set in accordance with the capacitor, and to output a control signal such that the circuit breaking unit is closed at the target closing time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohito Mori, Aya Yamamoto, Daisuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10340819
    Abstract: A torque system includes a DC power device, a polyphase electric machine, a contactor pair, a power inverter module (PIM), and a controller. The PIM connects to the power device via the contactor pair and directly connects to the electric machine. The controller executes a method to control a fault response under a fault condition resulting in opening of the contactor pair and a polyphase short condition. The controller calculates a back EMF of the electric machine and transmits switching control signals to semiconductor switches of the PIM to transition from the polyphase short condition to a polyphase open condition only when the calculated back EMF is less than a calibrated value and a voltage rise on a DC side of the PIM is less than a calibrated voltage rise. A vehicle includes the DC power device, road wheels, electric machine, PIM, and controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Berry, Wei D. Wang, Bon Ho Bae, Brian A. Welchko, Wesley G. Zanardelli, Melissa R. McNeely
  • Patent number: 8928291
    Abstract: An alternator has rectifying module groups. The rectifying module groups form a bridge circuit. The rectifying module groups have a load dump protection judgment section for monitoring an output voltage of rectifying module groups. When the monitored output voltage exceeds a first threshold voltage, the load dump protection judgment section provides to a control section an instruction to turn on MOS transistors in a lower arm of the bridge circuit at a time when a predetermined delay time has elapsed. When a second threshold voltage is lower than the first threshold voltage and the monitored output voltage becomes less than the second threshold voltage after the monitored output voltage exceeds the first threshold voltage, the load dump protection judgment section provides to the control circuit an instruction to turn on the MOS transistors in the lower arm after the MOS transistors are turned off during a predetermined time length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshinori Maruyama, Masaya Nakanishi, Asaka Kimura, Takatoshi Inokuchi
  • Patent number: 8570004
    Abstract: The vehicle generator includes a rotor wound with a field winding, a stator wound with a stator winding, rectifier modules respectively connected to corresponding output terminals of the stator winding, and a power generation control device to control a power generation voltage of the vehicle generator formed from outputs of the rectifier modules by controlling an excitation current flowing through the field winding. Each of the rectifier modules includes a pair of a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor series-connected between positive and negative terminals of a battery. The rectifier modules are connected with one another through a communication line. The rectifier modules exchange data regarding control of the first and second MOS transistors of the rectifier modules by a pulse train signal transmitted on the communication line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadatoshi Asada, Harumi Horihata
  • Patent number: 8532834
    Abstract: A control system for a combined power generation and metallurgical plant facility integrates generator-side and load-side control to provide coordinated operation of the two processes. The power generation facility includes one or more generator units and the metallurgical plant facility includes one or more controllable loads. Operating characteristics of the one or more loads are fed back to the one or generator units through a master controller to determine input control parameters for the one or more generator units. Similarly control signals and operating characteristics of the one or more generators are fed forward to the one or more loads through the master controller to determine input control parameters for the one or more loads. Using feed-forward as well as feed-back loops to exchange generator output and load set-point information, power balance between the generator units and controlled loads is maintained within an operating envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Garth Delong, Ruairi Hynes, Jakob Janzen
  • Patent number: 8421423
    Abstract: A generator (100) includes a generator winding (103) and an excitation winding (104), and a field winding (102). To converge an output voltage of the generator winding (103) to a target, a field current is varied by increasing/decreasing an energization duty ratio of a switching device (110) connected to the field winding (102). In a duty ratio zero determination unit (2) and a duty ratio zero continuation determination unit (3), when an output duty ratio continues for a predetermined time with duty ratio zero, a duty ratio increase amount restriction unit (4) restricts an upper limit of the duty ratio to a predetermined upper limit when the field current increases. A duty ratio restriction unit (21a) for restricting the duty ratio by a maximum value determined based on a voltage of a smoothing capacitor (113) in place of the determination of the duty ratio being zero may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakada, Minoru Maedako, Kenji Kamimura
  • Patent number: 8193783
    Abstract: A permanent magnet generator assembly has a permanent magnet generator with magnetic flux control windings, a passive rectifier, and a passive control element. The passive control element electrically connects an output of the passive rectifier to the magnetic flux control windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
  • Patent number: 8093772
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, Dave E. Williams, Charles Y Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 8035357
    Abstract: A permanent magnet machine (PMM) has a kinetic portion electrically coupled to a power conversion portion. Motive power is provided to the kinetic portion by a torque applied to a motive shaft coupled to a prime mover, such as an aircraft engine or an automobile engine. A sensor is effective to detect a fault condition in the kinetic portion. When a fault is detected, the sensor applies a voltage to a winding within the kinetic portion generating an opposing directional counter torque to the motive shaft. A combination of the torque and counter torque exceeds a fracture yield strength of the motive shaft. The fault condition is then rendered safe while the prime mover may continue normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Stanley C. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20110175580
    Abstract: The vehicle generator includes a rotor wound with a field winding, a stator wound with a stator winding, rectifier modules respectively connected to corresponding output terminals of the stator winding, and a power generation control device to control a power generation voltage of the vehicle generator formed from outputs of the rectifier modules by controlling an excitation current flowing through the field winding. Each of the rectifier modules includes a pair of a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor series-connected between positive and negative terminals of a battery. The rectifier modules are connected with one another through a communication line. The rectifier modules exchange data regarding control of the first and second MOS transistors of the rectifier modules by a pulse train signal transmitted on the communication line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadatoshi Asada, Harumi Horihata
  • Patent number: 7944185
    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 maybe 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: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: Issam Jabaji, Shadi Jabaji
  • Patent number: 7944186
    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 maybe 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: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: Issam Jabaji, Shadi Jabaji
  • Patent number: 7915867
    Abstract: Synchronous control for an output of a generator is disclosed. A desired output level at the output of the generator is received. An off time to achieve the desired output level is determined. A timing for the off time is determined. One or more coil outputs are caused to switch off for the off time at the determined timing for the off time. The one or more coil outputs contribute to the output of the generator in the event that the one or more coil outputs are switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Bulthaup, John Lewis, Michael O'Hara
  • Patent number: 7733066
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus and method includes an AC energization synchronous generator, a switching device which connects to a network disposed on a stator side of the AC energization synchronous generator, an energizing device which applies a variable frequency AC to a secondary winding of the AC energization synchronous generator, and a first voltage detection unit which detects a voltage of the switching device on the stator side. A rotational frequency of the AC energization synchronous generator is estimated or calculated based on a frequency of a stator side voltage of the switching device, while the switching device is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Shinya Oohara, Kazuhiro Imaie, Mitsugu Matsutake
  • 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: 7692414
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a static excitation system for a superconducting rotor that comprises multiple brushes (12) in contact with the superconducting rotor winding (6), normally via collector rings and field leads. A power conditioning device (16) is connected to the brushes (12), and an energy storage device (18) is linked to the power conditioning device (16). The power conditioning device provides power from the energy storage device to the superconducting rotor when required, and when power to the superconducting rotor is not required, the power conditioning device takes excess power from the superconducting rotor and stores it in the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7646178
    Abstract: A brushless generator with permanent-magnet multi-pole rotor disks and coreless stator winding disks includes integral electronics to efficiently generate regulated DC current and voltage from shaft input power over a broad speed range. Its power rating is scalable, and it incurs no cogging torque, or friction from gearing. Integral power control electronics includes high-frequency pulse-width-modulated boost regulation, which provides regulated current at requisite voltage over its broad speed range. A main embodiment to produce DC power at widely variable speeds includes signal processing so output power varies according to the third power of speed. A version for use with vertical-axis wind turbines has a relatively large diameter to facilitate a large number of poles. Combined boost-regulation, zero cogging torque, and no gearing, enable a wide speed range, for better power quality and higher wind energy yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Richard B. Fradella
  • 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: 7550952
    Abstract: An electric power control apparatus outputs output from a power generation apparatus to a power system has a power converter that converts power output from the power generation apparatus and a power storage apparatus that stores output from the power generation apparatus or output from the power converter as well as discharges stored electric power as necessary detects an amount of electric power generated at the power generation apparatus within a predetermined time period, sets an output pattern of the electric power control apparatus in a next predetermined time period based on the amount of electric power of each predetermined time period, and controls the output of the electric power control apparatus in accordance with the output pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kurokami, Nobuyoshi Takehara
  • 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: 7498777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit for producing electricity, the circuit comprising: a first rectifier comprising inputs and an output; a second rectifier comprising inputs and an output, the inputs of the first and second rectifiers being for connection to an alternator so that phases of the alternator are connected in series with the inputs of the first and second rectifiers; at least one switch for short-circuiting the output of the second rectifier or at least a part of the inputs of the second rectifier; and a control unit for controlling the switching of the at least one switch so as to regulate the rectified voltage delivered by the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Moteurs Leroy-Somer
    Inventor: Christian Andrieux
  • Patent number: 7453242
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus and method includes an AC energization synchronous generator, a switching device for connecting to a network disposed on a stator side of the AC energization synchronous generator, an energizing device for applying a variable frequency AC to a secondary winding of the AC energization synchronous generator, and a first voltage detection unit for detecting a voltage of the switching device on the stator side. A rotational frequency of the AC energization synchronous generator is estimated or calculated based on a frequency of a stator side voltage of the switching device, while the switching device is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Shinya Oohara, Kazuhiro Imaie, Mitsugu Matsutake
  • Patent number: 7439715
    Abstract: A power generating system provides high voltage AC power and low voltage DC power using a single generator. The generator includes a rotor and a stator that is wound with a first winding and a second winding. The first winding has a greater number of turns than the second winding and generates high voltage AC power in response to the rotating magnetic field created by the rotor. The second winding generates low voltage AC power in response to the rotating magnetic field created by the rotor. The low voltage AC power is converted to low voltage DC power by a rectifier. The low voltage DC power is further controlled by a DC-DC converter to generate controlled DC power. A controller monitors the DC power generated by the DC-DC converter, and generates pulse width modulation signals that are provided to the DC-DC converter, selectively increasing or decreasing the controlled DC power provided by the DC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Mahesh J. Shah, Alan E. King
  • Patent number: 7400117
    Abstract: An electromechanical power transfer system that transfers power between a prime mover and a direct current (DC) electrical 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 sensor for generating a control coil current signal that is representative of the level of electrical current in the control coil; an electrical current sensor for generating a DC bus current signal that is representative of the level of DC current through the DC bus; an electrical potential sensor for generating a DC bus potential signal that is representative of the level of DC potential on the DC bus; a fixed pattern active rectifier and inverter system coupled between the AC bu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Vijay K. Maddali, Kevin Dooley
  • Patent number: 7365521
    Abstract: A permanent magnet starter/generator subsystem configured in a fault tolerant architecture is described herein for small engine applications. The system allows for lighter system weight, improved system reliability, higher performance capability and reduced maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Stanley C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7352157
    Abstract: This invention discloses a vehicle electrical system voltage regulator with improved electrical protection and warning means that discerns and responds to regulator, generator, or vehicle electrical system operation and malfunctions. The regulator includes monitoring, control, and protection circuits with a phase signal monitor, a field switching circuit that operates the field coil in response to electrical power demands, and a field enable switch in series with the field regulating switch. The phase monitor and protection circuit ascertains and transmits generator rotational motion for use by the monitoring and control circuit in discerning the various operating conditions. The monitoring and control circuit operates on the field switching circuit to meet the electrical power demands and provide multi level fault protection to include field switching circuit reconfiguration to continue operating under various fault conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Issam Jabaji
  • Patent number: 7332894
    Abstract: In a power generation apparatus equipped with an AC energization synchronous generator, when energization of a secondary winding starts to conduct connecting to the network of the AC energization synchronous generator to a network voltage, energization of the secondary winding starts at a fixed frequency and a slip frequency is calculated from a difference between a frequency of the network voltage and a resultant stator voltage frequency. Thereafter, energization starts at the calculated slip frequency and a voltage having a frequency generally coincident with the network frequency is output to the stator to incorporate the generator to the network. A phase is adjusted to make zero a phase difference when the rotation speed changes or the phases become different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Shinya Oohara, Kazuhiro Imaie, Mitsugu Matsutake
  • Patent number: 7327123
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira S. Faberman, Stewart C. Koch, Charles Y. Lafontaine, Dave E. Williams, Harold C. Scott
  • Patent number: 7292011
    Abstract: A generator system includes a generator control for providing electrical power to a main generator. The main generator is mechanically coupled to an electrical power source that provides electrical power to the generator control during operation of the main generator. An arc fault device in electrical communication with the electrical power source electrically isolates the power source from the generator control when an arc fault within the generator control is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce D. Beneditz
  • Publication number: 20070200535
    Abstract: Generators 12a are for a distributed generation system. A control system 32a receives information about network faults 14a. In normal conditions, the control system 32a controls the field current in the field coils of the generator 12a, to maintain generator output voltage at the rated value. At the onset of fault conditions, the control system 32a changes the manner in which field current is controlled, in order to reduce the fault current put onto the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: David R. Trainer, John J.A. Cullen, John R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7245111
    Abstract: An improved regulator system is disclosed for controlling a field winding of an alternator to regulate the charging of a battery. The improved regulator system comprises an internal regulator mounted onto the alternator. The internal regulator has an internal regulator control circuit for monitoring the battery and for controlling the field winding. An electrical connector actuates the internal regulator to regulate the output of the alternator in accordance with the internal regulator. The electrical connector enables an external regulator to be connected to the alternator thereby bypassing the internal regulator to regulate the output of the alternator in accordance with the external regulator. The improved regulator system facilitates the connection of an upgrade external regulator with the internal regulator functioning as a reserve regulator in the remote event of a malfunction of the external regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ballard Commercial Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William G Montgomery, Jr., Michael D. Eddy, Gary E. Morrissette
  • Patent number: 7242167
    Abstract: A permanent magnet starter/generator subsystem configured in a fault tolerant architecture is described herein for small engine applications. The system allows for lighter system weight, improved system reliability, higher performance capability and reduced maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Stanley C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7233129
    Abstract: A wind powered turbine with low voltage ride-through capability. An inverter is connected to the output of a turbine generator. The generator output is conditioned by the inverter resulting in an output voltage and current at a frequency and phase angle appropriate for transmission to a three-phase utility grid. A frequency and phase angle sensor is connected to the utility grid operative during a fault on the grid. A control system is connected to the sensor and to the inverter. The control system output is a current command signal enabling the inverter to put out a current waveform, which is of the same phase and frequency as detected by the sensor. The control system synthesizes current waveform templates for all three-phases based on a sensed voltage on one phase and transmits currents to all three-phases of the electrical system based on the synthesized current waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Erdman, Kevin L. Cousineau, Amir S. Mikhail
  • Patent number: 7224148
    Abstract: The vehicle power-generation control unit includes a voltage detecting circuit detecting a generation voltage of a vehicle generator driven by a vehicle engine, a switching device allowing an exciting current to flow into an exciting winding of the vehicle generator when the switching device is in an on state, an average duty ratio detecting circuit detecting a temporal average duty ratio of the switching device on the basis of the generation voltage, an enhanced duty-cycle signal generating circuit generating an enhanced duty-cycle signal having a duty ratio equal to the temporal average duty ratio added with a supplementary duty ratio determined depending on at least one of vehicle state information and vehicle generator state information, and a driver circuit driving the switching device with the duty ratio of the enhanced duty-cycle signal when the generation voltage detected by the voltage detecting circuit is lower than a predetermined target voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Watanabe, Tadatoshi Asada
  • Patent number: 7218500
    Abstract: In a high-voltage generator including a CW circuit (high-voltage circuit), where the CW circuit generates a high voltage through booster circuits that are provided for boosting an input voltage and connected to one another in multiple stages, a conductive shielding member for shielding electric circuit parts used for the CW circuit from an electrical discharge that occurs outside or inside the high-voltage generator is provided between the electrical circuit parts. Accordingly, the electric circuit parts are prevented from being damaged and/or burnt by the electrical discharge and the high-voltage generator is miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeto Adachi
  • Patent number: 7161329
    Abstract: The operation of a generator and the loads placed on the generator are controlled in response to measuring the loads and generator operating parameters and controllably altering the operating conditions in response to comparison of the measurements to respective set points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Toh K. Meng
  • Patent number: 7116082
    Abstract: A control concept for large pulsed power applications that use multiple pulsed alternators to generate high-energy current pulses. Pulsed alternators produce a large reaction torque during discharge, but paired pulsed alternators are characterized by equal and opposite torque which result in a negligible reaction. However, it is necessary to synchronize the pulsed alternators prior to discharge to ensure that the load current will share equally and large transient and unequal torque reactions will not occur. The present control system utilizes closed loop feedback control to synchronize two or more pulsed alternators at the discharge speed and maintain synchronization before discharge and between multiple discharges in a burst pulse mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Electro-Mechanical Corporation
    Inventor: Gary E. Baumgart
  • Patent number: 7116083
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for overload and fault current protection of a permanent magnet generator. The system comprises a permanent magnet machine, a DC link, an inverter, coupled between the permanent magnet machine and the DC link, and a controller adapted to provide a linear decrease in voltage for the DC link when the permanent magnet machine is in at least one of an overload and fault current condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gabor Kalman, Colin E. Huggett
  • Patent number: 6995545
    Abstract: A fault handling algorithm processes a plurality of fault status signals from a sputtering system in a period of time to generate at least one command signal for affecting the operation of a power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Tracy, Jesse N. Klein
  • Patent number: 6930471
    Abstract: A power generation plant comprising a power generating unit that includes at least one first generator, such as an induction generator, coupled to at least one synchronous generator having a rotor with a superconducting (SC) coil. The induction generator and the SC synchronous generator are coupled so that the SC synchronous generator supplies the induction generator with reactive power. Sufficient reactive power is preferably generated by the SC synchronous generator to meet the demand of the induction generator for VARs, as well as permit the induction generator to have a relatively large airgap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kiruba Sivasubramaniam, Yu Wang, Konrad Weeber
  • Patent number: 6900553
    Abstract: A gas turbomachinery electricity generation apparatus includes a gas turbomachinery arrangement having an associated rotary drive take-off, an electricity generating arrangement which includes a first generator stage including a first generator rotor and generator stator arrangement; a second generator stage including a second generator rotor and generator stator arrangement, at least of the first and second generator stage rotors is driven by the rotary drive take-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Julius Gozdawa
  • Publication number: 20040212353
    Abstract: A power system (8) comprising an electrical generator (12) connected to a transmission/distribution system (15) via a circuit breaker (14). The circuit breaker (14) further comprises a shorting element (20) and an impedance (22) in parallel thereto. The impedance (22) is closed immediately prior to closure of the shorting element (20), thereby inserting the impedance (22) into the circuit to reduce the switching transients caused by an out-of-phase condition between the current generated by the electrical generator (12) and the current carried by the transmission/distribution system (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6794855
    Abstract: A voltage stabilization control method for controlling a voltage of a power system that is connected to an adjustable speed machine includes detecting an active power change of the power system; outputting a control signal indicative of the amount of adjustment when the adjustment of the active power of the adjustable speed machine is required on the basis of the active power change; and receiving a steady operation command value with respect to the adjustable speed machine, generating a stabilization control signal resulting from adding the control signal to the steady operation command value and outputting the stabilization control signal to the adjustable speed machine. The present invention also resides in a voltage stabilization control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Shimomura, Yuou Xia
  • Patent number: 6741067
    Abstract: In a power generator, a start of rotor rotation is detected by utilizing a small AC voltage in a stator winding generated by a remaining magnetic flux. A leak current which flows to the power generator from a battery is passed to a negative terminal of the battery through a resistor temporarily connected in series so that a small amplitude of the AC voltage will not be masked by DC drifting component arising from the leak current. Further, periodically connecting the resistor to the negative terminal upon an increase in the leak current reduces an amplitude of the AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Taniguchi, Koji Tanaka, Tomoya Okuno
  • Patent number: 6717387
    Abstract: A generator apparatus such as in a cogeneration system has a controlling power supply energized with its generator output with giving no adverse effect on the waveform of its output. An inverter 13 is provided for converting an alternating current output of the engine generator 10 into a direct current and returning back by the action of its inverter circuit 133 to an alternating current of a predetermined frequency which is then connected to a power supply system 14. While the engine 11 remains not actuated, a power received from a joint between the inverter 13 and the power supply system 14 is rectified by a rectifier 141 and transferred to the controlling power supply 140. When the engine 11 is started, the power at the input of the inverter circuit 133 is transmitted to the controlling power supply 140.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kotani, Tomoki Fukushima, Tsutomu Wakitani
  • Patent number: 6175217
    Abstract: A hybrid generator set comprises an engine/generator or another controllable electrical source which provides a variable voltage electrical output, this output is rectified and fed to a DC to DC converter, the output (VDC) of which is monitored by a control circuit. This output serves as an intermediate DC output, which typically is used to power an inverter to generate an AC output which supplies an external load. The use of the DC to DC converter isolates the intermediate DC output from the generator output, and allows the generator set to operate efficiently over a wide engine/generator speed range, according to load demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventors: Manuel Dos Santos Da Ponte, Lech Grzesiak, Wlodzimierz Koczara, Pawel Pospiech, Andrzej Niedzialkowski
  • Patent number: 6130523
    Abstract: A generator transfer function regulator incorporating two control loops. The first control loop produces a first generator excitation control signal (U) which varies to compensate for variations in the magnitude of the generator output voltage (V.sub.1) . The second generator loop produces a second generator excitation control signal (U.sub.e) which varies so as to maintain substantially constant the response of the generator system to variations in the generator output. The two control signals are combined and applied to a conventional generator exciter circuit (2). As a result, the generator terminal voltage (V.sub.1) control performance achieved by the AVR under open circuit conditions is effectively maintained when the generator is loaded over its range of operation, irrespective of the power system which the generator feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Rolls Royce Power Engineering Plc
    Inventors: Frank Michael Hughes, Mohammad Sadegh Ghazizadeh
  • Patent number: 5754033
    Abstract: A system (30) for providing electrical-power to remote communities (34) widely distributed over an extended geographical area (38) includes a generating station (32) located proximate each of the communities, each generating station supplying only that community to which it is proximate. The generating stations are in electronic communication with a central computer (40). Each generating station includes a plurality of generators (54-56). Each of the generators is controlled by a microprocessor based controller (64). Each controller is arranged to operate the generating station cooperatively with the other controllers associated with other generators in the station, and to assume a supervisory role in doing so by a mutual arbitration procedure among the controllers. Each controller is also arranged to monitor important generator operating parameters and to communicate these parameters to the central computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Alaska Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Thomson
  • Patent number: 5587647
    Abstract: An electric power starter generator system comprises a synchronous generator and an induction motor/generator mutually coupled to a shaft being driven to an external prime mover. The synchronous generator and the induction motor/generator are driven by the shaft at the same speed. The system includes a rectifier/inverter having ac terminals coupled to the output of the induction motor/generator, and dc terminals coupled to a dc bus. This rectifier/inverter allows bi-directional power flow to effectuate both power generation as well as electric start of the prime mover. The synchronous generator is excited by a commonly driven permanent magnet generator and a modulated exciter field control. The induction motor/generator is self-exciting through the rectifier/inverter once a voltage is established on the dc bus. The establishment of this voltage may be accomplished by a battery, or by connection of the synchronous generator's output to the input of the rectifier/inverter through a poly-phase contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Madan L. Bansal, Jayant G. Vaidya
  • Patent number: 5583419
    Abstract: A power supply system for controlling supply of power to several inductive loads has a power monitor and a processor that determines when power consumed exceeds the capacity of the system. When overload is detected, hardware rapidly disconnects loads of low priority. A software register is loaded with software controlling staggered reconnection of the loads when power capacity becomes sufficient again. If capacity is sufficient, all the loads may be reconnected at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Jeremy P. Haller