Plural Armature Circuits Or Windings Patents (Class 322/90)
  • Patent number: 6995478
    Abstract: A rotating electrical machine, such as an aircraft starter-generator, that may be operated in either a motor mode or an generator mode. The machine includes a main rotor that is selectively configurable as an M-pole rotor or an N-pole rotor. The machine can also include DC brushes that are selectively moveable into, and out of, electrical contact the main rotor, to thereby electrically couple and decouple a DC power source to and from, respectively, the rotor windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingzhou Xu, Wei Chen, Michael W. Duddeck, Wayne T. Pearson, William M. Scherzinger
  • Patent number: 6967417
    Abstract: An electric generator is disclosed having a high efficiency over wide ranges in rotor speed and power output requirements. Output voltage control is achieved by providing the power output windings with variable adjustment. This variable adjustment determines the number of turns that are used for the power output on the power output windings themselves. When excess voltage is generated, turns used on the power output windings are reduced thereby reducing output voltage and increasing efficiency by lowering the power output winding resistance. When the voltage generated is low, more turns on the power output windings are activated thereby increasing the voltage of the generator itself. This voltage control occurs prior to any voltage modification outside of the generator. A sensor and feedback mechanism is used to automatically adjust the power output windings thereby attaining maximum efficiency at the desired voltage and power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
  • Patent number: 6946750
    Abstract: A wind power installation having external and/or internal redundancy derived by multiple, independent power generating systems arranged in parallel, but switchably interconnected to allow substantial continued operation in the event of a critical component failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 6903477
    Abstract: An electric machine selectively operates as a generator mode or a motor mode. The electric machine includes a stator core, a multi-phase armature winding, a field coil, a moving core having a plurality of salient poles so as to move relative to the stator core to cross the magnetic field. Field current is supplied to the field coil differently according to operation mode. A portion of the armature winding is short-circuited to form an additional magnetic field that has a phase different from the magnetic field of the field coil. Therefore, the rotary core moves relative to the stator core when the operation mode is in the motor mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Kusase, Tsutomu Shiga
  • Patent number: 6864667
    Abstract: An electrical generator having a stator, a rotor, two windings, and a rectifying circuit. The stator has a first winding arranged in a wye configuration and a second winding arranged in a delta configuration. The wye winding is wound in a full pitch pattern around three stator teeth while the delta winding is wound in a short pitch pattern around two stator teeth, or vice versa. The wye and delta windings are connected to a single bridge rectifying circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Joseph Buening, Ronald John Krefta
  • Patent number: 6812585
    Abstract: Methods and systems for cutting off the supply of fuel to an engine in response to engine turn-off. A fuel cutoff solenoid or functionally equivalent device is connected to a source of electrical power in response to detection of conditions representing engine turn-off. One method for cutting off the supply of fuel to the engine comprises the following steps: detecting whether ignition pulses are present; and then activating a device for cutting off the supply of fuel to the engine in response to detecting the cessation of ignition pulses. The fuel cutoff device is activated by connecting it to either a battery or an output of a generator being driven by the engine. In the latter case, the rotor is grounded and a bipolar transistor is bypassed in response to detection of conditions representing engine turn-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Renner
  • Patent number: 6626138
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (E) includes a crankshaft (5), and a bearing cap (8) supporting the crankshaft (5) for rotation. Permanent magnets (20) serving as magnetic field creating members are attached to the balance weights (W1a to W6a) formed integrally with the webs (W1 to W6) of the crankshaft (5). Coils (21) are attached to the bearing cap bodies (A1 to A4) of the bearing cap (8). The permanent magnets (20) and the coils (21) form electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6). A small gap can be formed and maintained between the permanent magnets (20) and the corresponding coils (21) with reliability without entailing substantial increase in the size of the internal combustion engine. The electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6)are controlled according to the operating mode of the internal combustion engine so as to serve as electric motors or generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sayama, Takatoshi Ogami, Yoshio Yamamoto, Hiromitsu Sato, Kazuyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 6624618
    Abstract: A method of operating an alternator of a motor vehicle includes the steps of monitoring an amount of stored electrical energy available to operate the vehicle, estimating a vehicle electrical load, and regulating an output of the alternator based at least in part on the amount of electrical energy available to the vehicle and the estimated vehicle electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew James Kernahan, David Chronowski, Mark Allen Halseth, Roger William Maynard
  • Publication number: 20030173935
    Abstract: Slowly rotating electrical machines, for example ring generators, as are used in the wind power installations from Enercon of types E-33, E-40, E-12 and E-66, require very great excitation power. The excitation power required rises in that respect with the number of poles, with a rising air gap and with the level of the reactive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 6555992
    Abstract: A three-phase alternating-current winding is constructed by forming winding phase portions into a Y connection. The winding phase portions are divided into first and second winding divisions. Outputs from the first winding divisions are rectified and output by a first rectifier, and outputs from the second winding divisions are rectified and output by a second rectifier. In addition, a magnetizing electric current supplied to a field winding is adjusted by a voltage regulator such that the output from the second rectifier becomes constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihito Asao, Katsumi Adachi
  • Patent number: 6504346
    Abstract: A rotary electric machine has two sub-windings shifted by 30 degrees from each other. Each sub-winding is connected to an individual bridge which has MOS transistors on the ground sides. It is possible to supply a charging current even at a low rotational speed by switching the MOS transistors at a high-frequency. The basic components of magnetic force are canceled because of the shifted sub-windings. The switching components of the magnetic forces generated by the switching operation are canceled by switching two groups of the MOS transistors in opposite states. As a result, it is possible to decrease the magnetic noise significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenobu Nakamura, Atsushi Umeda, Masatoshi Kohmura
  • Patent number: 6476571
    Abstract: In a multiple power source system of the present invention that has an inverter connected to a reactance, such as three-phase coils in a motor, a high voltage battery is connected with a low voltage battery via one transistor (Tr2) and one diode (D2) included in the inverter and one phase coil (U-phase coil) of the three-phase motor. The transistor Tr2 is turned on to make the electric current flow from the low voltage battery to the U-phase coil. The transistor Tr2 is subsequently turned off at a preset timing, so that the electric energy accumulated in the reactance, that is, the U-phase coil, flows through the diode D1 into the high voltage battery and thereby charges the high voltage battery. This arrangement enables the charging process from the low voltage battery to the high voltage battery without any complicated circuit structure for the voltage step-up. The three-phase motor may be unipolar driven with transistors connected to one side of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shoichi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6407476
    Abstract: An a.c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6392348
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system for supplying a first load with a first direct current voltage and for supplying a second load with a second direct current voltage lower than the first direct current voltage is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 6373230
    Abstract: An alternator generates output power at two or more independent voltages. The alternator has two independent output windings configured to generate the power needed for each output. Each output voltage is sensed by a regulator that controls switching rectifiers to supply the current needed to satisfy the electric power demand of the loads connected to each output. After both output load demands are satisfied, the regulator switches off the alternator field. When power demand from either load rises, the alternator field is switched on along with the respective switching rectifier to satisfy the power demand. The output voltage grounds and control signals may be electrically isolated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Issam Jabaji
  • Patent number: 6333622
    Abstract: A synchronous generator is disclosed having main power windings and auxiliary power windings, where the auxiliary power winding is coupled to a variable frequency drive system. The variable frequency drive causes the generator to function as a motor and turn a drive shaft to start a gas turbine. Switching circuits are used to connect and disconnect the auxiliary windings of the generator with the variable frequency power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Michael Fogarty, Brian Ernest Baxter Gott, John Russell Yagielski
  • Patent number: 6275012
    Abstract: An alternator generates output power at two or more independent voltages. The alternator has two independent output windings configured to generate the power needed for each output. Each output voltage is sensed by a regulator that controls switching rectifiers to supply the current needed to satisfy the electric power demand of the loads connected to each output. After both output load demands are satisfied, the regulator switches off the alternator field. When power demand from either load rises, the alternator field is switched on along with the respective switching rectifier to satisfy the power demand. The output voltage grounds and control signals may be electrically isolated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Issam Jabaji
  • Patent number: 6259233
    Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Light Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Ramon A. Caamaño
  • Patent number: 6154013
    Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Light Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Ramon A. Caamano
  • Patent number: 6124702
    Abstract: Electrical machine cycloconverter devices are provided that produce output signals in which the frequency, amplitude and phase are independent of rotor speed. The cycloconverters produce highly efficient increased output by providing multi-tap armatures that include multiple armature coils arranged such that at least two coils may be connected in series to an electrical load. Such configurations produce output signals that include multiple distinct voltage amplitude steps. In preferred embodiments, either rotating permanent magnets or field coils in conjunction with rotating steel teeth induce a voltage in the armature coils. The level of induced voltage is determined by the switching sequence of one or more armature coils that are switched ON and OFF in series, parallel, or series and parallel by semiconductor switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Active Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Pinkerton, David B. Clifton
  • Patent number: 6066941
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling AC power from the stator of an alternator in which groups of windings have various numbers of turns and various numbers of poles per winding can be connected in series to achieve optimum power generation at one RPM and in parallel to achieve optimum power generation at another RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. French
  • Patent number: 6049197
    Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Light Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Ramon A. Caamano
  • Patent number: 6049198
    Abstract: The voltage supply device for the motor vehicle electrical system includes e.g. a self- or separately-excited generator having stator windings (10,11,12) and an excitation coil (E); a main bridge rectifier device connected to the stator windings having a first connector (B+) at which a first voltage (UB+) is delivered; an exciter bridge rectifier device connected to the stator windings; an exciter voltage regulator device connected between the exciter bridge rectifier device and the excitation coil (E) for regulation of an excitation current passing through the excitation coil; an additional rectifier device connected to the stator windings (10,11,12) having a second connector (B2+) at which a second voltage (UB2+) is tapped and a device for regulating a load current delivered by the generator to the first connector (B+) or the second connector (B2+) that includes a thyristor (Th0,Th4) connected to the first or second connector and a triggering device (A) whereby the generator has an optimal power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Schenk
  • Patent number: 6020725
    Abstract: An asynchronous alternating current motor/generator having an armature winding which includes interspersed energy coils and reflux coils which are electrically and inductively isolated from each other, but which are paramutually inductively coupled through the rotor. Each reflux coil is positioned at 90 electrical degrees to the adjacent energy coil and is tuned to minimize the inductive reactance of the motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Lifeline Enterprises L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gary Dean Roberts
  • Patent number: 5977645
    Abstract: A secondary power system for an aircraft utilizes a variable frequency electrical distribution system that provides power to one or more loads that can tolerate distortion components. In addition, a DC distribution system is coupled to the variable frequency distribution system and is isolated from a fixed frequency electrical distribution. Distortion caused by rectification for the DC system is isolated from the fixed frequency system, thereby improving the power quality in the fixed frequency system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Timonthy F. Glennon
  • Patent number: 5818117
    Abstract: A turboalternator and air flow control assembly for mounting on a combustion air intake of an internal combustion engine comprises a body having an inlet and an outlet defining an air flow path, a nozzle carrier in the body defining a plurality of turbine nozzles spaced arcuately about and generally parallel with a central axis, the nozzles having inlet and outlet ends and forming a portion of the air flow path, a rotor mounted in the body on bearings for rotation on the central axis, the rotor driving an electric generator and including a turbine wheel having blades axially adjacent and radially aligned with said nozzles, a bypass passage in the body and connecting the inlet and outlet separately from the nozzles, and a bypass valve in the bypass passage and operable to control air flow through said bypass passage. Various embodiments including concentric or parallel bypass passage arrangements and having axial or radial gap alternators with permanent magnet rotors are featured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Mark G. Voss, Gregory E. Peterson, William O. Harvey, Randall L. Perrin
  • Patent number: 5764036
    Abstract: A multiple output synchronous generator in accordance with the instant invention comprises a stator having a first stator winding having a number of poles p and a second stator winding having a number of poles 2*p*n where p and n are any whole numbers, the first and second stator windings being wound utilizing a 60.degree. phase belt winding configuration such that the first stator winding is magnetically decoupled from the second stator winding preventing interaction therebetween. The generator additionally comprises a rotor rotatably disposed within the stator defining an airgap therebetween. The rotor has a first field winding of a first polarity and a second field winding having a second number of windings wound thereon for generating a flux across the airgap such that the flux induces a voltage in the first and second stator windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jayant G. Vaidya, Madan L. Bansal, Hassan Mansir
  • Patent number: 5739676
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical generating system for a motor vehicle includes a first alternator and a second alternator. The first alternator includes a first plurality of electrical power output windings, a first field winding in electromagnetic communication with the first plurality of electrical power output windings and a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator further includes an electrical driver coupled to the first field winding to control a current through the first field winding. The second alternator includes a second alternator further including a second plurality of electrical power output windings and a second field winding in electromagnetic communication with the second plurality of electrical power output windings. The said second field winding is coupled to the electrical driver for control of electrical current through the second field winding by the electrical driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Alan Francis Judge, Brent S. Williams
  • Patent number: 5694027
    Abstract: On a stator core, there are wound T-connection primary generating windings such that the second and third single-phase windings are respectively arranged at positions electrically orthogonal to the first single-phase winding. The winding number of the first single-phase winding is 31/2 times that of the second single-phase winding or the third single-phase winding. The stator excitation windings are also wound on the stator core, which are connected to the center taps of the primary generating windings through a control rectifier. A plurality of field windings are wound on a rotor core. The field windings are arranged at positions where they are magnetically coupled with both the odd-order spatial higher harmonic components of armature reaction magnetic fields produced by currents flowing in the primary generating windings and the static magnetic fields produced by current flowing in the stator excitation windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Satake, Kenji Inoue, Yukio Onogi, Hideo Yamashita, Yukio Hosaka
  • Patent number: 5681495
    Abstract: An alternator power-supply type electric heating control apparatus, comprising (1) a switch for switching an output of an alternator including a field coil, a stator coil, and a rectifier to a first state where the output is connected to a battery and vehicle-mounted electrical load side or a second state where the output is connected to an object to be heated which is heated by current conduction; (2) a controller which performs an output control of the alternator by a duty control of a field current that is supplied to the field coil, performs the switching of the switch, detects a failed state, and causes a display unit to display the failed state to warn a driver; and (3) an object to be heated voltage control unit for controlling the duty control of the field current by a rectification wave of one phase of an output voltage of the alternator, rectified by the rectifier, so that a voltage of the object to be heated does not exceed a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Tsuchiya, Toru Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5625276
    Abstract: A generator according to the disclosure includes a control system for regulating the output of the generator. The generator, such as a permanent magnet generator, includes multiple windings. For high current applications, the windings are connected in parallel. For high voltage applications, each three-phase set of windings is connected in series. The various windings may be selectively and individually activated by the control system to achieve a desired output current or voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Coleman Powermate, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, William Anderson
  • Patent number: 5606244
    Abstract: A mobile AC power source is described for generating AC electrical power that is powered by any rotational energy source such as a vehicle engine. The output of the mobile generator is sinusoidal but could have other shapes as well and is stable with variations in load and engine RPM. The AC output can vary in voltage from approximately 100 to 500 VAC RMS and in frequency from approximately 40 to 400 Hz. The mobile AC power source employs an alternator driven by the vehicle engine or any other rotational source and incorporates two stator windings and one rotor, or two stators, four windings and two rotors on a common shaft. The stator windings are insulated electrically from each other. AC output voltage is held constant by using the voltage produced by the alternator as feedback and controlling the alternator rotor current. A voltage step up circuit boosts the voltage from the alternator if it is below a threshold value as occurs at low engine RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Ofer Energies Ltd.
    Inventor: Victor Migdal
  • Patent number: 5606247
    Abstract: A mechanical gear drive system capable of generating electric power comprises a plurality of gears having a plurality of teeth separated by a tooth gap, a U-shaped core having two legs separated by at least one tooth gap, and a yoke. This core is positioned in close proximity to the teeth of the gear. A coil is wound on the yoke, and a converter selectively couples and decouples this coil from a dc power source. The converter has at least a first and a second switch and at least a first and a second diode for cross-coupling the coil to the source to allow current flow back when the switches are disabled. The converter enables the switches prior to alignment of the teeth of the gear with the legs of the core. This couples the coil to the source of dc power and allows dc current to flow from the source through the switches and the coil. When the converter disables the switches after alignment of the teeth with the legs, the coil is decoupled from said source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Sutrina
  • Patent number: 5576613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC control circuit for a main motor-generator set, in which a main motor includes an auxiliary shunt field winding. The control circuit includes a current follower motor that is driven by the armature current of the main motor and which drives an auxiliary generator to constitute a feedback unit. Electric energy produced by the auxiliary generator is applied to the auxiliary field of the main motor-generator set. The auxiliary field of the main motor-generator set may be excited with the same polarity as the main motor-generator set field winding to increase the field as the main motor-generator armature current increases, or with opposite polarity to reduce the field in response to main motor-generator current increasing. A control interface controls output voltage or output impedance from the auxiliary generator and selects a type magnetizing of aforesaid auxiliary field of the main motor-generator set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 5510696
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively rectifying one of a pair of output voltages associated with one of a a pair of output winding sets of a polyphase alternating current generator has a single controlled bridge rectifier selectively coupled to one of the winding sets. The bridge rectifier is selectively coupled in accordance with a predetermined rotational speed of the rotor. Transitions between the two winding sets is caused to occur at zero current conditions of the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Malakondaiah Naidu, James C. Erskine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5506492
    Abstract: A high output alternator and regulator for generating electrical power in a motor vehicle having a storage battery for providing stand-by power at a predetermined voltage. The alternator is a mechanically driven generator having stator windings across which a three-phase AC voltage is produced at an amplitude determined by the amount of current fed through a field winding. A first rectifier is for rectifying the three-phase AC voltage to provide a DC battery voltage to supply other DC voltage loads and a second rectifier rectifies the three-phase AC voltage and inputs into a voltage multiplier circuit which amplifies the rectified voltage. The voltage multiplier circuit inputs the amplified voltage into a voltage regulator having inputs which sense the battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Ronald R. Harris
  • Patent number: 5455500
    Abstract: An alternating current generator having a first Y-form three-phase connecting circuit including three first windings connected with each other in a Y-form, a first rectifying circuit for rectifying currents output from output terminals of the three first windings, a second Y-form three-phase connecting circuit including three second windings connected with each other in a Y-form, and a second rectifying circuit for rectifying currents outputted from output terminals of the three second windings. The three first windings are inserted in slots of a stator core so that the three first windings have phase differences of approximately 120 degrees from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiya Shichijyo, Shin Kusase
  • Patent number: 5449962
    Abstract: A stator coil of a rotary electric machine includes a three-phase Y-form connection circuit including first windings Y1, Y2 and Y3, which are connected in Y-form, and a three-phase delta-form connection circuit including second windings .increment.x3, .increment.y3 and .increment.z3 which are connected in delta-form, wherein the second windings .increment.x3, .increment.y3 and .increment.z3 are sequentially inserted in slots of a stator core to have a phase difference of 120.degree. therebetween, and each of the first windings Y1, Y2 and Y3 is divided into two windings, and the divided first windings are separately inserted in the slots, in which the second windings .increment.x3, .increment.y3 and .increment.z3 have been inserted, so that the resultant composite voltage vector of each pair of the divided first windings is shifted by 30.degree. in phase from the voltage vector of one of the second windings .increment.x3, .increment.y3 and .increment.z3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiya Shichijyo, Shin Kusase, Hiroaki Kajiura, Atsushi Umeda
  • Patent number: 5444355
    Abstract: A charging generator for a vehicle comprises a three-phase a.c. generator in which first and second armature windings are provided so that the waveforms of the a.c. voltages produced in the first and second windings have a phase difference of 30.degree. in electrical angle, each of the output voltages are rectified in each rectifier, and the output side of the rectifiers are connected in parallel so that the output voltages are composed, whereby the height of ripple of the produced d.c. voltage can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Kaneyuki, Shinji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5444214
    Abstract: An engine-driven, multiple-phase, alternator-powered SCR rectified arc welding power supply using a single synchronizing winding within the alternator providing signals to a synchronizing digitizer which masks noise for most of each cycle of the alternator. The synchronizing circuitry prevents spurious synchronizing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: The Lincoln Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward M. Crouse, Denis M. Osowski
  • Patent number: 5436509
    Abstract: An electrical power supply for motor vehicles including an alternator arranged to receive a rotational driving input from a vehicle engine and control and switching means operative to automatically switch from operation in an alternator mode of operation to operation in a generator mode of operation in response to disconnection of the alternator from a vehicle battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Energator Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Victor Migdal
  • Patent number: 5418401
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus for a vehicle includes an alternator for generating an output voltage for charging a first battery and a second battery having a higher voltage than the first battery. The output voltage of the alternator is controlled by a voltage regulator in accordance with the rotational speed of the alternator. When the rotational speed is in a low speed range, the voltage regulator controls the output voltage of the alternator to a first value suitable for charging the first battery. When the rotational speed is in a high speed range, the voltage regulator controls the output voltage of the alternator to a second value higher than the first value and suitable for charging the second battery. The output voltage of the alternator is switched between the first value and the second value at a rotational speed at which the output power of the alternator at the first output voltage equals the output power at the second output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Kaneyuki
  • Patent number: 5416401
    Abstract: A dual voltage supply circuit for vehicles is disclosed, in particular for vehicles with a dual circuit electrical braking system. The circuit contains a starter battery and an auxiliary battery, each supplying an electrical braking circuit. The two batteries are charged from a three phase generator which has power diodes and excitation diodes. The auxiliary battery is charged via an electrical path from the excitation diodes. A monitoring module, which includes a charge monitoring system and a time delay, is connected in series between the excitation diodes and the auxiliary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: WABCO Standard GmbH
    Inventor: Detlev Neuhaus
  • Patent number: 5334926
    Abstract: An electric power system for an automotive vehicle is provided with a generator to which a 48-volt battery, a blower motor and a DC--DC converter are connected in parallel. An output terminal of the converter is connected to a load which is constituted by a 12-volt battery, a head lamp, a vehicle speed sensor and a resistance to which a switch is connected in series. The system is further provided with a voltmeter for detecting a voltage value of the 12-volt battery and an ammeter for detecting a load current applied to the load, a controller for controlling the converter and the switch. The controller controls the converter to start operation and the switch to be turned on when the voltage value detected by the volt-meter is lower than a first predetermined value and the load current detected by the ammeter is smaller that a second predetermined value. Accordingly, an operating period of the converter is shortened and therefore an energy loss generated in the system is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 5334927
    Abstract: In the case of the multiphase switching system (1), each (for example L.sub.3) of the phase conductors is arranged in the course of a generator output line (2), which is arranged between a generator (7) and a network transformer (8), together with a switching apparatus, in encapsulation (5) which is insulated by air gaps, in a manner isolated from the other phase conductors.The switching system is intended to allow virtually all the switching, protection, and measurement functions occurring in a generator arrangement to be executed despite a compact and space-saving construction.This is achieved by the switching apparatus (three-position interrupter switch 10) having at least two switching positions. A first of these two switching positions is arranged between the generator (7) and an output of the switching system (1) which acts on the network transformer (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventor: Leonhard Widenhorn
  • Patent number: 5323102
    Abstract: A power source unit for an automotive vehicle comprises an alternator, a rectification unit for converting an alternating current output of the alternator to a direct current, and outputting same through first and second output sections, a first power accumulation unit connected in parallel with a first load, for receiving a power supply through the first output section, a second power accumulation unit connected in parallel with a second load, for receiving a power supply through the second output section, an alternator output control unit for adjusting an output of the alternator depending upon a terminal voltage of the first power accumulating unit, to maintain the terminal voltage of the first power accumulating unit at a predetermined level, and a voltage control unit responsive to a drop in a terminal voltage of the second power accumulation unit to predetermined level, to permit a power supply to the second power accumulation unit through the rectification unit to thus maintain the terminal voltage of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koshi Torii, Yoshihiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 5321231
    Abstract: An electrical system for supplying power to an electrical resistive heater that heats the catalyst of a catalytic converter. The electrical system includes an alternating current generator that has an output winding and a field winding that is carried by the rotor of the generator. The rotor is driven by an engine on a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle loads, including a storage battery are supplied with current by a first bridge rectifier that is connected to the output winding of the generator. The resistive catalyst heater is supplied with current by a circuit that includes a step-up transformer connected between the output winding of the generator and a second bridge rectifier that feeds the heater. The system can be operated in a high power mode for supplying a higher level of power to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Truman T. Schmalzriedt, Paul A. Battiston, David R. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 5287518
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided, for use in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine (10) and a battery (38), for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy for charging the battery, the apparatus being disposed within the engine crankcase (22). The apparatus includes a stator (14), disposed within the engine crankcase (22), having a plurality of teeth (34). Each tooth on the stator has a coil (36) wound thereabout electrically connected to the battery (38). The apparatus also includes a crankshaft (12) disposed within the engine crankcase (22) for rotation relative to the stator (14). The crankshaft (12) includes a plurality of lobes (30.sub.1-4), which periodically move into close proximity with the stator teeth (34) upon rotation of the crankshaft, thereby inducing a current in the coils (36) for charging the battery (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John M. Miller, Roy E. Diehl
  • Patent number: 5281905
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid AC/DC power source for aircraft power generation and aircraft engine starting. The power source employs an induction motor/generator and a converter for converting high frequency AC power into separate DC and low frequency AC power for use by aircraft electrical systems. The subject invention contemplates the provision of a driver for the motor/generator comprising a circuit for providing excitation to the motor/generator when it is operating as a generator, the circuit also converting AC power produced by the generator into the high frequency AC power for use by the converter. The converter comprises a first rectifier which produces the DC power and a second rectifier and an inverter which together produce the low frequency AC power. The generator produces uncontrolled frequency AC power. Bidirectional switches operate within the circuit to invert DC excitation power to produce power for the AC excitation and to rectify output of the generator into DC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: P. John Dhyanchand, Vietson Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5274322
    Abstract: In the alternating current generator for vehicle, an armature coil comprises a Y-connected first three-phase armature coil and a delta-connected second three-phase armature coil whose phase windings are inserted into same slots respectively. Each of the three-phase armature windings is provided with rectifying means for converting respective a.c. output into a direct current. The direct currents are summed to provide an output of the generator. It is effective to use a plurality of rotary magnet poles provided on a shaft of the generator for a compact a.c. generator in which the radial dimension of the rotary magnet poles is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Hayashi, Masato Hanai, Toshiaki Hotta, Keiichiro Banzai