With Excitation Winding And/or Circuit Control Patents (Class 322/59)
  • Patent number: 7633272
    Abstract: An electric generator is operated under conditions in which rapid off-loading may occur. A generator control unit (GCU) employs a detector to detect rates of change of output of the generator. In response to a rapid change of output, e.g. an off-loading, an overvoltage protection system is activated. Excess energy stored in an excited winding is directed into an impedance circuit thus precluding overvoltage that may have been produced by the excess energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Yao, Wally A. Malicki, Randy J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7602153
    Abstract: A device for providing a regulated, limited generator excitation current to a generator to acquire a regulated output voltage of the generator, the device including a combiner for weighted combining a first system deviation on the basis of a setpoint voltage and of the regulated output voltage, and a second system deviation on the basis of a predefined current value and of the regulated generator excitation current so as to acquire a combination signal based on the combination of the first system deviation and the second system deviation, a provider for providing a actuating variable on the basis of the combination signal and a regulation specification, and a provider for providing the regulated, limited generator excitation current to the generator on the basis of the actuating variable, so that the regulated output voltage may be provided by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Manfred Steiner
  • Publication number: 20090251020
    Abstract: A permanent magnet (PM) dynamoelectric machine with directly controllable field excitation control comprises: a drive shaft; a PM rotor assembly with multiple PMs arranged around an outer axial periphery of the rotor assembly; a stator assembly comprising a ferromagnetic stator yoke, multiple ferromagnetic stator teeth mounted to the stator yoke with distal ends proximate the outer axial periphery of the rotor assembly separated by an air gap and multiple stator coils mounted between the stator teeth; multiple saturable ferromagnetic shunts, each shunt coupling adjacent distal ends of the stator teeth to shunt air gap magnetic flux ?g generated by the PMs across the air gap through the distal ends of the stator teeth; and multiple saturation control coils, each saturation control coil wrapped about a saturable region of an associated one of the shunts; wherein application of a control current Ic to the control coils at least partially magnetically saturates the shunts to reduce shunting of air gap magnetic fl
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacek F. Gieras, Gregory I. Rozman
  • Publication number: 20090237037
    Abstract: An alternator system includes a field circuit, a regulator that regulates a field circuit electrical flow through the field circuit, and an output current sensor that detects an actual current output from the alternator system. The alternator system further includes a controller that communicates with the regulator to vary the field circuit electrical flow based on the actual current detected by the output current sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Martin
  • Patent number: 7592785
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling an exciting current of a field winding type dynamo-electric machine having an exciting winding so as to obtain a demanded output thereof comprises an exciting current detecting circuit being configured to detect an exciting current of the field winding type dynamo-electric machine, a rotation speed detecting circuit being configured to detect a rotation speed of a rotor of the field winding type dynamo-electric machine, an output estimating circuit being configured to estimate an output of the field winding type dynamo-electric machine, an exciting current control circuit being configured to correct the exciting current of the field winding type dynamo-electric machine so as to obtain the demanded output and to supply the corrected exciting current to an exciting winding of the field winding type dynamo-electric machine considering a multi-valued functionality of the output of the field winding type dynamo-electric machine with respect to the exciting current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Norihito Kimura, Katsunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7592786
    Abstract: A rotor resistor and switch combination may cause a starter/generator device to function as an asynchronous device when in a start mode. Thus, starting torque may result. A starter/generator device may include an exciter rotor winding, a main rotor winding, and a resistor and switch combination positioned between the exciter rotor winding and the main rotor winding to control a flow of current in the main rotor winding during a start mode of the starter/generator device. A method of optimizing starting torque of a starter/generator device without a start controller unit during a start mode may include providing a main rotor winding of the starter/generator device, and providing a control to control a flow of current in the main rotor winding during the start mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mingzhou Xu, Cristian E. Anghel, Wayne T. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20090225608
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for a power generator system. A power generator system ay comprise at least one control device including control logic. The at least one control device may be configured to receive at least one control signal and output an upper reference voltage and lower reference voltage. The at least one control device may be further configured to vary a magnitude of at least one of the upper reference voltage and the lower reference voltage. The power generator system may also comprise a power generator operably coupled to the at least one control device and configured to receive the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage. The power generator may be further configured to output a voltage that greater than or equal to the first reference voltage and less than or equal to the second reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: George F. G. Carey, Brian P. Callaway
  • Patent number: 7586203
    Abstract: The vehicle-use generator includes a rotor rotatably mounted on a shaft and having a field coil wound therearound, a stator having stator winding wound therearound and fixedly disposed so as to form a gap with the rotor, a cooling fan mounted to the rotor, a pulley belt-driven by a vehicle engine and coupled to the shaft through an overrunning clutch provided therein, and a power generation control device controlling an excitation current flowing into the field coil. The overrunning clutch is configured to idle when a rotational speed of the pulley is lower than a rotational speed of the rotor to inhibit torque transmission from the pulley to the rotor, and the power generation control device is configured to forcibly increase the excitation current on a temporary basis when an upshift operation of a transmission of the vehicle is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shigenobu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7554301
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: David R Trainer, John J A Cullen, John R Smith
  • Patent number: 7554302
    Abstract: A system and method for providing constant-frequency electrical power from variable-speed mechanical power are disclosed. The system includes a wound-rotor induction machine generator (WRIMG), a first power converter, e.g., an inverter or a bridge rectifier, that provides power from the stator assembly of the WRIMG to the load, and a second power converter, e.g., an inverter or a bridge rectifier, that provides power from the rotor assembly of the WRIMG to the load. A controller controls the output stator-current based on comparisons between measured DC load bus data and a reference DC load bus voltage value, measured machine shaft angular position and reference rotor frequency data, and measured stator-current data that is fed-back to the stator-current controller by the power converter device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: SATCON Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Colin David Schauder
  • Publication number: 20090153106
    Abstract: With an aim of minimizing excitation losses in electric machines having electrically excited and displaceable secondary parts, bi-directional inductive transmission of energy is carried out by a rotating inductive transmission device. An associated electronic system for the bi-directional transmission of power and/or energy, is provided. Advantageously, super-conductive inductance is present wherein the flow is introduced. It is possible to excite by supplying energy to the stator and to also de-excite by removing energy without converting the power into heat on the rotor by applying a bipolar tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Jan Weigel
  • Publication number: 20090121482
    Abstract: A variable speed power generator system, includes a primary power induction generator (12), a secondary control induction (14), each of the induction generators having a rotor (22, 24) mounted so as to be rotated by a common shaft (16) of a variable speed prime mover (20), an inverter (50) connected to the stator (15) of the secondary control induction generator, a controller (30) connected to the inverter controls the output of the inverter, output of the primary induction generator is connected to the grid (51), controller provides output signal to the inverter based on selected inputs to the controller so that the output of the primary induction generator matches the active and reactive power requirements of the grid. An induction machine which includes a rotor having laminations and insulated cage bars, the bars being electrically isolated from on another as well as electrically insulated from the laminations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Varispeed Electric Motors Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Justin Roald Rickard
  • Publication number: 20090125176
    Abstract: A method for operating a reversible polyphase rotating electrical machine (2) in a motor vehicle which consists in performing the high-level and low-level management of the machine with a remote-control unit (1), which exchanges physical data, via a plurality of links (3) with a power module (20) integrated in or immediately proximate the machine (2). The method and electrical machine may be an alternator-starter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Christophe Louise
  • Patent number: 7531992
    Abstract: In a control system for controlling a power generator based on a command value associated with a control parameter, a receiver receives the command signal, a detector detects the command value included in the received command signal, and a determiner determines whether a duration of the detected command value being invariant within a predetermined range exceeds a predetermined allowed duration. In the control system, a controller controls an output of the power-generator based on a predetermined default value within the predetermined range in place of the command value when it is determined that the duration of the detected command value being invariant within the predetermined range exceeds the predetermined allowed duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Inokuchi, Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7528585
    Abstract: The vehicle-use power generation control apparatus regulates an output voltage of a vehicle generator driven by a vehicle engine at a set value by on/off controlling an excitation current flowing through an excitation winding of the vehicle generator The vehicle-use power generation control apparatus includes a rotation detecting circuit detecting a rotational speed of the vehicle generator, and an excitation current control circuit reducing, when the rotation detecting circuit detects decrease of the rotational speed, the excitation current at a rate depending on a rate of the decrease of the rotational speed detected by the rotation detecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Fuyuki Maehara
  • Patent number: 7521903
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling an alternator circuit in an alternator regulator charging system. The integrated circuit includes a first circuit for performing core regulation functions; a second circuit having a mask selectable operation circuit that allows the integrated circuit to select an operational mode thereof, the mode being selectable from one of a stand-alone mode, a remote controlled mode wherein the first circuit is controlled by an external circuit, and a combination of the stand-alone mode and the remote controlled mode; and a third circuit having an output driver circuit for controlling a field winding of the alternator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: ASBU Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Renehan, Peter Sommerfeld, Franz Grabowski, Andreas Mersmann
  • Patent number: 7501799
    Abstract: An electromechanical power transfer system that transfers power between a direct current (DC) electrical power system and a prime mover, comprises: a permanent magnet machine (PMM) comprising a permanent magnet (PM) rotor that rotates a drive shaft of the prime mover, a stator and a control coil; that an inverter/rectifier system for converting DC power from the DC power system to multiphase alternating current (AC) power on an AC bus; a control coil current regulator system for regulating current through the control coil; wherein the inverter/rectifier system responds to a position reference signal, a current load feedback signal and a current load reference signal to regulate acceleration of the PMM; wherein the control coil current regulator system responds to a control coil current reference signal and a control coil current feedback signal to regulate current in the PMM; and wherein the power transfer system starts in an open loop mode, and the first and second speed switches respond to a closed loop ena
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Matthew L. Wilhide, Arthur A. Pershall
  • Publication number: 20090045784
    Abstract: A rotor resistor and switch combination may cause a starter/generator device to function as an asynchronous device when in a start mode. Thus, starting torque may result. A starter/generator device may include an exciter rotor winding, a main rotor winding, and a resistor and switch combination positioned between the exciter rotor winding and the main rotor winding to control a flow of current in the main rotor winding during a start mode of the starter/generator device. A method of optimizing starting torque of a starter/generator device without a start controller unit during a start mode may include providing a main rotor winding of the starter/generator device, and providing a control to control a flow of current in the main rotor winding during the start mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: MINGZHOU XU, Cristian E. Anghel, Wayne T. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20080309084
    Abstract: In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine including a field winding being coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, a battery for selectively providing a starting current during a starting mode of the electrical power system, and an inverter receiving the starting current for driving the synchronous machine and generating an inverter current, a circuit and method for reducing a voltage being developed across the field winding is described. The circuit includes a current conditioner for conditioning the inverter current and a parallel circuit interposed between the inverter and the current conditioner comprising a first branch including a resistance and a second branch including the field winding of the synchronous machine so that the parallel circuit is isolated from a voltage developed across the current conditioner during cranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Mohan Murugesan, Rajeev Verma, Charles Earl Cooper, Bret Dwayne Worden
  • Publication number: 20080309296
    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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Robert J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7466109
    Abstract: An electrical generation system comprising a generator. The generator including, a stator portion, and a rotor portion, and a variable frequency generator (VFG) exciter. The VFG exciter including, a first converter, operative to convert DC current to AC current connected to a DC link and a second converter, operative to convert DC current to AC current connected to the DC link. The system including a first switch operative, when closed, to connect the first converter to the stator portion while the generator is operating in a starting condition, wherein the first switch is open while the generator is operating in a running condition. The system including second switch operative, when closed, to connect the first converter and the second converter in parallel to the rotor portion while the generator is operating in a running condition, wherein the second switch is open while the generator is operating in the starting condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, James Michael Fogarty, Cyrus David Harbourt
  • Publication number: 20080303490
    Abstract: A generator system is configured to supply two phase excitation current from an exciter rotor to a main generator rotor. When driven by a variable speed prime mover, the generator system provides relatively constant frequency AC power by independently controlling the main rotor flux rotational speed. The generator system includes an exciter stator that induces current in the exciter rotor windings at a desired frequency and phasing. The exciter rotor windings are electrically connected to the main rotor windings to provide two-phase excitation current to the main rotor windings. Excitation is supplied to the exciter stator from an exciter controller, which controls the frequency and phasing of the exciter excitation, based on the rotational speed of the generator, to maintain a constant output frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: MINGZHOU XU, CRISTIAN E. ANGHEL, WAYNE T. PEARSON
  • Publication number: 20080303280
    Abstract: A starter-generator system may be used to supply sufficient starting torque to start an aircraft main engine. The main starter-generator stator winding may be connected to a constant frequency (CF) power source to create a rotating field in the main starter-generator air gap. This rotating field, in turn, may induce current on the main rotor winding, which may be a closed circuit formed by main rotor field winding and exciter armature winding. The interaction between the main rotor current and the air gap flux may give rise to the starting torque to start the main engine. Adjusting the voltage supplied to the exciter stator field winding can modify the induced voltage and current on the rotor circuit to control the rotor current and starting torque. The starter-generator system may also be used to start an aircraft main engine by directly connecting the main stator winding to a power source without powering the exciter stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: MINGZHOU XU, CRISTIAN E. ANGHEL, WAYNE T. PEARSON
  • Patent number: 7459889
    Abstract: Conventional electric power generation system employ a solid state electronically controlled IM that may be capable of self-start motoring and power generation, but, when the DC bus voltage collapses upon a failure, an additional external source of DC voltage is not available for IM excitation. The present invention provides an internal bus that does not collapse when the main DC bus is shorted. This internal or auxiliary bus may be used to excite the IM to provide generation function. The power generation systems of the present invention may play a significant role in the modern aerospace and military industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Evgeni Ganev, Leroy A. Fizer
  • Patent number: 7443143
    Abstract: A controller of a generator for a vehicle in the invention includes a battery voltage detecting circuit and an output terminal voltage detecting circuit of an AC generator. A value of a detected voltage of the output terminal voltage of the AC generator is set to be higher than a value of a detected voltage of the battery voltage. A diagnosis alarm signal is outputted when the detected voltage of the battery voltage is lower than the set value while the detected voltage of the output terminal is higher than the set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Junya Sasaki, Katsuyuki Sumimoto
  • Publication number: 20080211448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrically magnetized synchronous machine comprising an electrically magnetized rotor, and electrically supplied sator windings, whereby it further comprises non-linear means, optionally controllable, such as rectifying means in a series with three sator phase windings, whereby a rotor field winding is arranged to be fed from said non-linear means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: FORSKARPATENT I SYD AB
    Inventor: Mats H.A. AF Klercker Alakula
  • Patent number: 7408327
    Abstract: The output voltage generated by permanent magnet generator (PMG) is regulated by controlling a buck/boost voltage applied to selected sub-coils within the PMG. The PMG includes a number of stator coils that are each divided into a number of sub-coils. A buck/boost voltage source generates a buck/boost voltage, and a controller connected to monitor the output voltage generated by the PMG selectively applies the buck/boost voltage to selected sub-coils based on the monitored output voltage. In this way, the controller is able to regulate the output voltage by selectively controlling the buck/boost voltage applied to the selected sub-coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Mahesh J. Shah, George H. Seffernick
  • Patent number: 7394229
    Abstract: A Switched Reluctance (SR) generator having improved efficiency at low and high speed is disclosed. The SR generator includes a step-up converter for controlling an excitation voltage of an excitation capacitor capable of providing a phase winding with an excitation current. Therefore, the SR generator can control the excitation current, and can provide a phase winding with a sufficient excitation current, thereby improving efficiency. The step-up converter is arranged between a battery capable of storing generated power and the excitation capacitor, boosts a voltage of the battery, and provides the excitation capacitor with the boosted voltage. Therefore, the SR generator does not include an additional power-supply unit for a boosting function, resulting in simplification of an overall structure and reduction of a production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-young Lim, Yong-won Choi
  • Patent number: 7375499
    Abstract: A fault-tolerant synchronisation source for excitation control of a three-phase generator system that combines point of regulation (POR) signals representing parameters comprising voltage and current for each phase at the POR to generate a fault-tolerant synchronisation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Vijay K. Maddali, Michael J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 7365519
    Abstract: An excitation system that includes an exciter for generating a field voltage for a rotor, a first automatic voltage regulator and a second automatic voltage regulator. The first regulator receives an output voltage of the power generation system as an input, and the second regulator receives the field voltage as an input. An output of the first regulator is provided as a second input to the second regulator. The first regulator is in selective electrical communication with the exciter through a first line conductor having first separable contacts such that an output of the first regulator may be selectively provided as an input to the exciter. The second regulator is in selective electrical communication with the exciter through a second line conductor having second separable contacts such that an output of the second regulator may be selectively provided as an input to the exciter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Basler Electric Company
    Inventors: Irving A. Gibbs, Charles R. Mummert
  • 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: 7345457
    Abstract: A brushless exciter for a synchronous generator or motor generally includes a stator and a rotor rotatably disposed within the stator. The rotor has a field winding and a voltage rectifying bridge circuit connected in parallel to the field winding. A plurality of firing circuits are connected the voltage rectifying bridge circuit. The firing circuit is configured to fire a signal at an angle of less than 90° or at an angle greater than 90°. The voltage rectifying bridge circuit rectifies the AC voltage to excite or de-excite the field winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Luis Jose Garces, Robert William Delmerico, Patrick Lee Jansen, John Harold Parslow, Harold Copeland Sanderson, Gautam Sinha
  • Patent number: 7332895
    Abstract: A regulator for eliminating noises generated by an automotive power generator is composed of a front-end circuit, a semiconductor power element, a resistor, and a capacitor. The front-end circuit includes a plurality of electronic components for offering control signals generated therefrom. The semiconductor power element is electrically connected with a field coil of the power generator, including a gate electrically connected with the front-end circuit for receiving the control signals that switch ON/OFF the gate. The resistor is electrically connected in series between the gate and the front-end circuit. The capacitor includes an end connected with the gate and the other end thereof grounded. Thus, the semiconductor power element can slow down the ON/OFF switching to be further low-cost and simple-circuit for enhanced quality of the output voltage of the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Mobiletron Electronics, Co.
    Inventor: Chen-Ku Wei
  • Patent number: 7315149
    Abstract: The vehicle generator includes a rotor around which a field winding is wound, a stator around which an armature winding is wound, a rectifier rectifying an AC voltage induced in the armature winding to generate a DC output current. The rectifier has a plurality of rectifying elements mounted to a current path section thereof, the DC output current flowing through the current path section to reach an output terminal of the vehicle generator. The vehicle generator further includes a first voltage detector circuit detecting a voltage difference between two points of the current path section located along a direction in which the output current flows, and an output current calculating circuit calculating a value of the output current on the basis of the voltage difference detected by the first voltage detector circuit and a resistance value between the two points of the current path section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kizawa, Toshinori Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7304455
    Abstract: The power generation controller includes a control command receiving section receiving a control command transmitted from an external control unit for controlling an internal combustion engine, a control command holding section holding the control command received by the control command receiving section, and an excitation current control section controlling an excitation current of a generator driven by the internal combustion engine on the basis of the control command held by the control command holding section. The excitation current control section is configured to control the excitation current on the basis of a control command transmitted from the external control unit when the internal combustion engine is in a stopped sate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Okahara, Tadatoshi Asada
  • Patent number: 7301311
    Abstract: A starter-generator system supplies a controllable torque to a gas turbine engine, to thereby assist in starting the gas turbine engine, by independently controlling excitation frequency and/or voltage magnitude. The starter-generator includes a multi-phase exciter stator, a rotationally mounted multi-phase exciter rotor, a multi-phase main stator, a rotationally mounted multi-phase main rotor, and an exciter controller. The rotationally mounted multi-phase exciter rotor has a plurality of exciter rotor windings wound thereon that, upon excitation thereof with a rotating electromagnetic exciter flux generated by the exciter stator, have non-rectified excitation currents induced therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingzhou Xu, Dwayne M. Benson
  • Patent number: 7276882
    Abstract: Switching devices control the rectification and flow of alternating current power from a source such as an alternator to a load such as a battery in response to both the voltage of the battery and a minimum selected time period that is selected to eliminate or reduce an imbalance between various phases or polarities in possible current carrying paths. The selected time period may be constant or a predetermined function of variables such as the speed of the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventors: Floyd M. Minks, Jeffrey K. Minks
  • Patent number: 7271500
    Abstract: Because of the necessity of resolver for detecting a rotating position, which is very expensive, and noise suppression of the rotating position signal line on a doubly-fed machine, cost increase of the generator and reduced reliability due to possible failures are inevitable. In order to solve such problem, a generation system in the present invention is equipped with an exciter that estimates the slip frequency of the doubly-fed machine from each primary current I1 and voltage V1 and secondary current I2 and voltage V2 of the doubly-fed machine and excites the secondary of the doubly-fed machine at the estimated slip frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Kimura, Motoo Futami, Masaya Ichinose, Kazumasa Ide, Kazuhiro Imaie
  • Patent number: 7268522
    Abstract: A wound field synchronous (WFS) dynamoelectric machine comprises: a rotor assembly; an exciter generator section comprising a stationary multiphase exciter stator winding for receiving excitation power from a multiphase alternating current (AC) source to generate an exciter stator magnetic field, a multiphase exciter rotor winding in the rotor assembly for generating multiphase AC excitation power as it cuts through the exciter stator magnetic field and a rotating rectifier assembly in the rotor assembly for converting the multiphase AC excitation power to direct current (DC) excitation power; a synchronous machine section comprising a DC main rotor winding in the rotor assembly for generating a main rotor magnetic field and a stationary multiphase main stator winding for receiving a multiphase AC control signal to generate a rotating main stator magnetic field that interacts with the main rotor magnetic field to rotate the rotor assembly; and an impedance that selectively connects one phase of the exciter st
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Donal E. Baker
  • Patent number: 7265463
    Abstract: A rotary electric apparatus, such as on-vehicle three-phase AC generator (i.e., alternator) comprises a main rotary unit, a semiconductor power converter, and an air cooling mechanism. The main rotary unit is provided with a rotor and an armature disposed as a stator around the armature. The armature has armature windings wound therearound. The semiconductor power converter is disposed together with the main rotary unit. The air cooling mechanism cools down the semiconductor power converter. This mechanism comprises a fan motor driven in response to an AC (alternating current) excitation by current coming from the armature windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Sin Kusase, Takuzou Mukai, Kazushige Okumoto
  • Publication number: 20070194763
    Abstract: Right after a system operation start but before a smoothing capacitor has been sufficiently pre-charged, conversion voltage control is executed to control a voltage boosting converter so that a system voltage is first raised to a target value. After the smoothing capacitor has been pre-charged, the conversion voltage control is changed over to conversion power control to control the output power of the voltage boosting converter, so that the output power of the voltage boosting converter is brought into agreement with a command value. While the conversion power control is being executed, system voltage control by operating the input power to the MG unit is prohibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneyuki Egami, Keiichi Kawakami, Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7253591
    Abstract: An electric power generation control apparatus has a bridge circuit, a voltage detection circuit, an electric generation control circuit, and an operation mode setting circuit. The bridge circuit has power transistors and diodes through which a field current is supplied to a vehicle alternator driven by a vehicle engine. The voltage detection circuit outputs an instruction signal regarding ON and OFF of supply of the field current so that the output voltage of the vehicle alternator becomes an adjusting voltage. The electric generation control circuit controls the ON and OFF of the power transistors according to the instruction signal from the voltage detection circuit. The operation mode setting circuit selects one of a field wheeling mode and a regenerative mode based on the OFF state of one power transistor, and also selects the regenerative mode when receiving a generation halt instruction form an ECU in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7245112
    Abstract: There is provided an energy discharge apparatus for dissipating a quantity of stored magnetic energy in a generator field coil of a brushless generator. The apparatus includes an exciter regulator responsive to an output signal of the generator and which provides an exciter field signal, and an exciter field coil responsive to the exciter field signal and which provides an exciter magnetic field, and an exciter armature coil responsive to the exciter magnetic field and which provides an exciter armature signal. The apparatus further includes a control circuit responsive to the exciter armature signal, and a variable impedance in series with the generator field coil and responsive to the control circuit. The variable impedance serves to dissipate the quantity of stored magnetic energy. In another embodiment the apparatus includes a positive feedback circuit responsive to the exciter armature signal and operable to dissipate the quantity of stored magnetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Teleflex Canada Incorporated
    Inventors: Aleks Velhner, Neil Garfield Allyn, Terry Moreau
  • Patent number: 7242105
    Abstract: An electrical starter-generator system includes a first starter-generator and a second starter-generator. A single drive controls both the first starter-generator and the second starter-generator such that their electrical current and power inputs are minimized and balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Byron R. Mehl, Donal Baker
  • 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: 7239113
    Abstract: An electrical power generation system is provided, and a method of reducing undesired currents therein. The method includes the steps of delivering current via at least one variable frequency switching means, and adjusting a switching frequency of the at least one variable frequency switching means based on the power output of the system. The system may further include an electronic controller having a control algorithm recorded thereon, the control algorithm including means for adjusting the variable frequency switching means based on a power output of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: James P. Johnson
  • 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: 7224147
    Abstract: A voltage regulation system maintains the output voltage of a permanent magnet generator at an essentially constant level. The stator coils located within the permanent magnet generator are divided into a number of sub-coils. A buck/boost voltage can be applied to selected sub-coils such that the output voltage generated by the permanent magnet generator is increased or decreased. A number of switches are connected to the sub-coils to allow the sub-coils to be connected in a number of different configurations. Connecting the sub-coils in a particular configuration and applying a buck/boost voltage to selected sub-coils based on the monitored output voltage allows the voltage regulation system to maintain an essentially constant output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Mahesh J. Shah, George H. Seffernick
  • Patent number: 7215100
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating a transient response of an output signal of an electrical generator. The apparatus comprises a tapped output winding means for providing a first AC signal and a second AC signal. The first and second AC signals have respective RMS values. The RMS value of the first AC signal is greater than the RMS value of the second AC signal. An AC switching means for selecting between the first AC signal or the second AC signal, and thereby providing a switched AC signal which has a duty cycle. A rectifier means for rectifying the switched AC signal and providing a rectified DC signal. The rectified DC signal has a DC signal component, a square wave signal component and a ripple signal component. The square wave signal component has a duty cycle. The duty cycle of the square wave signal component is equal to the duty cycle of the switched AC signal. A filter means for filtering the rectified DC signal and for providing the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Teleflex Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Aleks Velhner, Neil Garfield Allyn, Terry Moreau
  • Patent number: 7196497
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted electrical generating system has a first voltage system which operates from a high supply voltage and a second voltage system which operates from a low supply voltage that is substantially constant, and an electrical generator for supplying power to operate the first voltage system at a voltage determined by the level of field current of the generator, with the field current being derived from the low supply voltage of the second voltage system. The specifications of the field winding of the electrical generator can thereby be optimally established irrespective of the value of the high supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tooru Ooiwa