With Excitation Winding And/or Circuit Control Patents (Class 322/59)
  • Patent number: 11927102
    Abstract: An aircraft electric power generation and start system (EPGSS) includes a main machine, a starter permanent magnet generator (PMG), a generator PMG, and a carrier injection sensorless (CIS) system. The main machine selectively operates in a start mode or a generator mode. The starter PMG includes a first PMG stator and a first PMG rotor and is configured to rotate along with the shaft. The generator PMG includes a second PMG stator and a second PMG rotor configured to rotate along with the shaft. The CIS system determines one or both of a PMG voltage and a PMG current corresponding to the first PMG during the start mode, and determines a rotational position of the main rotor based on one or both of the PMG voltage and the PMG current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dhaval S. Patel, Andreas C. Koenig
  • Patent number: 11264845
    Abstract: A rotary electrical machine includes a switch for supplying power to a field winding and a controller. A ratio of an on-time to a switching cycle of the switch, i.e., a duty ratio which is larger than the duty ratio corresponding to the field current that gives the maximum reduction amount of the inductance of the field winding with respect to an increasing amount of the field current in a range that the field current can take and which has a predetermined value less than 100%. The controller calculates the duty ratio on the condition that an upper limit of the duty ratio is set as the predetermined value and turns on/off the switch based on the calculated duty ratio, and sets the predetermined value to be larger as a rotation speed of a rotor is higher, or as a d-axis current flowing through an armature winding is larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11156207
    Abstract: The present invention relates to operation of a wind turbine using a power storage unit, such as a rechargeable battery, to power a group of power consuming units during grid loss. The wind turbine comprises a number of power consuming units being grouped into at least a first group and a second group, a first electrical converter for connecting the generator to the electrical grid, and a second electrical converter for connecting the electrical generator to the power storage unit. Upon detecting an occurrence of the grid loss, the generator is operated to ensure sufficient power of the power storage unit to operate the first group of power consuming units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Torben Møller Hansen, Niels Erik Danielsen, Tusitha Abeyasekera, Lars Helle, Ghada Ali Diaa Hillawi, Laurids Givskov Jørgensen, Paw Rosenvard
  • Patent number: 10826371
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating, storing and/or distributing electric power are disclosed. The system may include two or more direct current battery subsystems, a direct current motor/alternating current generator combination, an electric power distribution network, and battery recharging elements. One battery subsystem may power an alternating current generator while the other battery subsystem charges using a portion of the generated power. Excess power may service other electric loads. The roles of the battery subsystems may be switched periodically between charging and powering, repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Energy Producing Systems of America LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Featherly, Rudolph M. Tonchich, Jay Cholost
  • Patent number: 10598085
    Abstract: A hybrid turbocharger includes a first power conversion unit to convert direct-current power into alternating-current power to be output to a generator motor, a smoothing capacitor between direct-current buses, and a control unit that controls the first power conversion unit so as to cause actual generator motor speed to comply with an engine speed command of the generator motor input from an upstream controller during a motoring operation of the generator motor. The control unit changes the engine speed command to a value which is equal to or greater than the actual generator motor speed if the engine speed command of the generator motor is less than the actual generator motor speed and a direct-current bus voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value during the motoring operation. Accordingly, the direct-current bus voltage can be prevented from increasing during the motoring operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD
    Inventors: Yukio Yamashita, Musashi Sakamoto, Yoshihisa Ono, Keiichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 10417077
    Abstract: A system and method that detects hardware and software errors in an embedded system that includes detecting or measuring an operating state; causing one or more computation engines to operates in group synchrony; causing one or more active monitors that monitor the computation engines to an automotive integrity level to operate in group synchrony; synchronizing the communication between and from the plurality of computation engines and the plurality of active monitors, respectively; and arbitrating the output generated by the computation engines and the active monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher William Lewis Hobbs, Kerry Wayne Johnson
  • Patent number: 10193429
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Boulder Wind Power, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Smith, Matthew B. Jore, Michael A. Kvam, David Samsel, Charles Perry Butterfield, Jr., Brian J. Sullivan, James David Duford
  • Patent number: 10097123
    Abstract: A synchronous machine and related systems include a stator and rotor separated by an air gap. The rotor includes a rotating DC power supply coupled to exciter windings disposed adjacent the air gap. Power from air gap harmonics, including air gap slot harmonics induce current in the exciter windings, which is rectified and supplied to the rotor field windings. In operation, a desired current level in the rotor field windings can be achieved through control of the DC power supply or superposition of harmonics into the stator winding current which induces the prescribed current in exciter windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Ghanshyam Shrestha, Darren Tremeling, Waqas Arshad, Wen Ouyang, Jan Westerlund
  • Patent number: 9960659
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a protection system with a protection relay and at least one measurement sensor to protect a permanent magnet generator having a plurality of stator windings, each of said stator windings having a first end and a second end. If the stator windings are connected in a wye coupling, they are, in a set of three stator windings, commonly coupled in a star point at the first end of the windings, or if the stator windings are connected in a delta coupling, they are, in a set of three stator windings, commonly connected in a ring to each other. In addition, the at least one measurement sensor is arranged for measuring current through at least one of the stator windings at the star point side or within the ring connection and for communicating with the protection relay. The invention also relates to a method of protecting a permanent magnet generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Torben Werge Møller
  • Patent number: 9871479
    Abstract: A generator control unit (GCU) includes a fault detection system configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage signal based on a difference of a DC-equivalent voltage between the positive and negative exciter gate drive signals. The fault detection system further outputs a fault detection signal indicating the fault status of the gate drive integrated circuits based on a comparison between the DC average voltage signal and a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas P. Joyce, Art Beneditz
  • Patent number: 9435683
    Abstract: A method to determine inertia of components of a rotating shaft system. The shaft system includes a shaft coupling a turbine to drive the rotation and a load to be driven by the rotation. The method includes steps to: apply a feedback to a forcing input to the shaft system; measure resonant frequency of the shaft; iterate steps 1.a) and 1.b) for different feedbacks; plot resonant frequency squared against gain; and determine inverse of gradient from the plot to give inertia of the turbine. Also a method to determine shaft stiffness using the inertia of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Marko Bacic
  • Publication number: 20150115904
    Abstract: A vehicle AC generator control apparatus, the rotor of an vehicle AC generator 1 of which is coupled through a torque transfer member with the output axle of an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, is provided with a magnetic-field current control system that can control the value c of a magnetic-field current flowing in a magnetic-field winding 3 of the vehicle AC generator 1 so that the magnetic-field current value c coincides with a magnetic-field current command value b; it is made possible to make the rotation torque of the vehicle AC generator 1 depend only on the rotation speed and to stabilize control of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junya Sasaki, Katsuyuki Sumimoto, Keiichi Komurasaki
  • Publication number: 20150091534
    Abstract: A field current limiting section includes a field current limitation instructing section for, when a field current limitation determining section determines that a determination value has reached a predetermined determination threshold value, generating a field current limiting instruction to a field current control section so as to limit field current to be equal to or smaller than a predetermined permissible value during a predetermined field current limitation time Tlim. A field current limitation releasing section outputs a field current limitation releasing instruction to the field current limiting section so as to release limitation of the field current during a predetermined field current limitation release time TC. When having received the field current limitation releasing instruction from the field current limitation releasing section, the field current limiting section releases limitation of the field current during the predetermined field current limitation release time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Akita, Masato Mori, Mitsunori Tabata
  • Patent number: 8975876
    Abstract: A generator system includes a generator having a stationary portion and a rotating portion. An exciter field winding and a main armature winding are disposed on the stationary portion. An exciter armature winding and a main field winding are disposed on the rotating portion. A frequency demodulator is configured to extract a frequency modulated control signal from the exciter armature winding and to demodulate the frequency modulated control signal to generate a demodulated control signal. The generator includes a main field rotating power converter to selectively control current in the main field winding in response to the demodulated command signal. The generator system includes a generator control unit in electrical communication with the generator to monitor the output voltage at the main armature winding and to output an exciter current including the frequency modulated control signal to the exciter field winding based on the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Steven J. Moss
  • Publication number: 20150054472
    Abstract: A self-excited alternator for generating electrical energy. The alternator includes a stator, a rotor, and an exciter. The rotor includes conductors which are integrated within the rotor via one of a casting process, a welding process, or a fastening process. The exciter includes a magnet producing a static magnetic field, and a rotatable conductive member coupled to the shaft and electrically coupled to the one or more conductors. The rotatable conductive member is operable to output the direct current to the one or more conductors upon rotation within the static magnetic field, thus exciting the alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Adam Larson
  • Patent number: 8963510
    Abstract: A self-excited alternator for generating electrical energy. The alternator includes a stator, a rotor, and an exciter. The rotor includes conductors which are integrated within the rotor via one of a casting process, a welding process, or a fastening process. The exciter includes a magnet producing a static magnetic field, and a rotatable conductive member coupled to the shaft and electrically coupled to the one or more conductors. The rotatable conductive member is operable to output the direct current to the one or more conductors upon rotation within the static magnetic field, thus exciting the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Adam Larson
  • Publication number: 20140368171
    Abstract: A vehicle power generation control device receives a first limit value related to restriction of an excitation current, which flows to a field winding of a vehicle power generator, when the first limit value is transmitted from an external device. By the vehicle power generation control device, a second limit value related to restriction of the excitation current is determined to be a control value for the excitation current. The second limit value is held in an own vehicle power generation control device. By the vehicle power generation control device, the first limit value is determined to be the control value, instead of the second limit value being the control value, when the first limit value is received. Based on the control value, the vehicle power generation control device controls the excitation current flowing to the field winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Fuyuki MAEHARA
  • Patent number: 8866449
    Abstract: A new and useful electrical machine includes a stator including a stator winding and a primary transformer coil. A rotor is operatively connected to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor includes a plurality of embedded permanent magnets. An excitation coil is wound on the rotor and is operatively connected to form a rotating transformer with the primary transformer coil. An inverter/active rectifier component is operatively connected to the stator winding and the primary transformer coil to control the stator winding based on excitation in the stator winding from the excitation coil and permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Jacek F. Gieras, Steven J. Moss
  • Patent number: 8860383
    Abstract: A control device for a separately excited rotor winding (LR) of a synchronous machine is described, which comprises a voltage source (2) connected to the rotor winding (LR) and intended for transmitting electrical energy (E) from a power supply (4) to the rotor winding (LR), in such a way that said rotor winding is caused to rotate by a rotating field on the stator side. According to the invention, the control device furthermore comprises a consumer (3) connected to the rotor winding (LR) and intended for transmitting electrical energy (E) from the rotor winding (LR) to the power supply (4). Furthermore, a method for controlling a separately excited rotor winding (LR) of a synchronous machine is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: BRUSA Elektronik AG
    Inventor: Axel Krause
  • Publication number: 20140266080
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine and a method of magnetizing a rotor of a brushless rotating electric machine are disclosed, the method including forming a stationary magnetic field, rotating a rotor of a magnetizing machine in the stationary magnetic field for producing alternating current, rectifying the alternating current with a controllable bridge situated in the rotor, receiving control instructions wirelessly to the rotor, controlling a magnitude of current with the controllable bridge based on the control instructions, and feeding the controlled current to the magnetizing winding of the rotating electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Eino Silander
  • Patent number: 8823334
    Abstract: A method for starting an electric motor, the motor having a main machine, exciter, and permanent magnet generator (PMG), each having a stator and a rotor, with each rotor mounted to a common shaft, the method comprising starting the main machine in an asynchronous mode by applying a starting current to the stator of the main machine to induce a damper current in a damper winding of the main rotor to generate a starting torque that initiates the rotation of the common shaft, and then running the main machine in synchronous mode by supplying running current from the exciter rotor to the main machine rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Hao Huang, Xiaochuan Jia
  • Patent number: 8823332
    Abstract: A fault tolerant electric drive system includes an alternator, a motor controller and an electric motor, wherein the alternator and motor each have a plurality of corresponding independent phase windings, the motor controller having a plurality of independent phase drives corresponding to the phase windings, and a plurality of independent electric drive phases is defined by connecting each corresponding phase winding of the alternator and motor to a corresponding phase drive of the motor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Controls and Data Services Limited
    Inventor: Peter Douglas Smout
  • Publication number: 20140210426
    Abstract: An on-vehicle power generation control unit includes current detecting unit; communication unit; holding unit; maximum current determining unit; and current control unit. The current detecting unit detects the excitation current at the field winding. The communication unit communicates with an external equipment to receive a first upper limit. The holding unit holds a second upper limit. The maximum current determining unit determines a maximum current to be the second upper limit when the first upper limit has not received by the communication unit or when the received first upper limit is more than or equal to the second upper limit. Further, the maximum current determining unit determines the maximum current value to be the first upper limit when the received first upper limit is less than the second upper limit. The current control unit controls the detected excitation current to be within the maximum current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Kengo TERADA, Kenji SUGIURA
  • Publication number: 20140176087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternator to be electrically connected to a load, the alternator including a rotor including: a rotary field, an excitation winding, a dissipative component and a switchover system allowing the rotary field to be connected selectively to the excitation winding or to the dissipative component, and a controller controlling the switchover system so as to regulate the current in the rotary field and, in response to a reduction in the load applied to the alternator, connects the dissipative component to the rotary field to dissipate the inductive energy that has built up in the rotary field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: MOTEURS LEROY-SOMER
    Inventors: Emile Mouni, Samuel Moser
  • Patent number: 8749205
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicle AC generator, a voltage control includes target voltage adjusting means for adjusting a target voltage value in response to a target change command from an external control unit and a gradual excitation control circuit that controls an excitation duty to increase according to an excitation duty control characteristic when a vehicle load increases and when the target voltage adjusting means varies the target voltage value to a lower value. The gradual excitation control circuit includes duty characteristic varying means for varying the excitation duty control characteristic. The duty characteristic varying means varies a rate of increase of the excitation duty in a predetermined region of the excitation duty control characteristic in comparison with its other region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Junya Sasaki, Katsuyuki Sumimoto
  • Patent number: 8749206
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first half bridge including a first controllable semiconductor switch and a first diode. The first controllable semiconductor switch is coupled between a first constant supply potential and a center tap of the first half bridge. The first diode is coupled between the center tap and a constant reference potential. A second half bridge includes a second diode and a second controllable semiconductor switch. The second diode is coupled between a second constant potential higher than the first potential and a center tap of the second half bridge. The second controllable semiconductor switch is coupled between the center tap and the constant reference potential. Driver circuitry controls the conducting state of the first and the second semiconductor switch thus controlling the current flow through a field connectable between the center taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Benno Koeppl, Michael Scheffer, Frank Auer
  • Patent number: 8736235
    Abstract: A power-generation motor control system is a control system that controls a power-generation motor provided with an armature and a magnetic-field winding, and is characterized in that when the power-generation motor is operated as a motor, before a power source energizes the armature, a preliminary excitation current, with the value of which the induction voltage across the armature does not exceed the voltage of the power source, is applied to the magnetic-field winding in accordance with the rotation speed of the power-generation motor so that preliminary excitation of the power-generation motor is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsunori Tabata, Masato Mori, Kenji Nakajima, Kenichi Akita
  • Patent number: 8686581
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine when a grid fault with a voltage drop occurs. The turbine has a rotor with a rotor blade having an adjustable blade pitch angle, a generator connected to the rotor for generating power for a power grid and a converter connected to the generator and the power grid. The grid fault is identified and a present value of a turbine variable representing a power is detected and a hold setpoint for the variable representing a power of the turbine is preset. A maximum and/or minimum permissible setpoint for the variable of the turbine is determined. The setpoint is increased or reduced once the hold time has elapsed. The turbine is driven with a setpoint preset which corresponds to the rotational speed. A presetting of the maximum permissible setpoint is ended when the rotational speed-dependent setpoint is lower than the maximum permissible setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Harms, Malte Laubrock
  • Patent number: 8680819
    Abstract: A field winding type rotary electric machine includes a motor generator; a field current detection unit; a field current control unit which controls a field current; a field current limiting determination section which calculates a field current integration value and determines whether or not the field current integration value reaches a predetermined field current integration threshold value; and a field current limiting command section which, when it is determined that the field current integration value reaches the predetermined field current integration threshold value, outputs a command which sets the field current to be lower than or equal to a predetermined field current limiting value to the field current control unit during a predetermined limiting time, and outputs a command which changes the predetermined limiting time depending on the field current. Accordingly, a temperature rise of the machine is suppressed and limiting of the field current can be released as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Akita, Masato Mori, Kenji Nakajima, Mitsunori Tabata
  • Patent number: 8624563
    Abstract: A static exciter of a field winding includes a rectifier connected to an electric grid and to the field winding; a unidirectional electronic switch connected in series with the rectifier; a capacitor bank; and a further switch disposed between the unidirectional electronic switch and the capacitor bank. Exciter also includes a control unit connected to the further switch and configured to close the further switch when a grid voltage drops below a first prefixed voltage value so as to connect the capacitor bank to the field winding and configured to open the further switch when the grid voltage exceeds a second prefixed voltage value so as to disconnect the capacitor bank from the field winding and so as to supply energy to the field winding from the capacitor bank for a time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Constantin Ginet, Luis Diez-Maroto
  • Publication number: 20130300380
    Abstract: A shaft-driven generator system has a generator connected to a converter. An inverter supplies an AC voltage on a network side. The converter and the inverter are linked via a DC link circuit. The inverter has at least two phase modules, which each have an upper and a lower valve branch, which each have a plurality of two-pole sub-systems connected electrically in series. Each sub-system has a unipolar storage capacitor, to which a series circuit of two gate-controlled turn-off semiconductor switches is connected electrically in parallel. Each semiconductor switch has a diode connected antiparallel therewith. Thus, a shaft-driven generator system is obtained that has a DC-link converter as a static frequency converter for complying with the required network feedback and for managing transient operating states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Brunotte, Marc Hiller, Rainer Sommer
  • Publication number: 20130292941
    Abstract: An electromagnetic machine, comprising: a first stator winding having a first number of pole pairs; a second stator winding having a second number of pole pairs which is different to the first number of pole pairs; and, a modulator having a plurality of pole pieces arranged relative to the first and second stator windings so as to modulate the electromagnetic fields produced by the first and second stator windings, thereby matching harmonic spectra of the first and second stator windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Stephen J. Mountain, Ellis FH Chong
  • Patent number: 8493038
    Abstract: The vehicle-use power generation control apparatus includes a first section to control an excitation current of a vehicle generator driven by a vehicle engine such that a power generation voltage of the vehicle generator is kept at a first set value, a second section to perform gradual excitation control in order to gradually increase the excitation current, a third section configured to inhibit the gradual excitation control when the power generation voltage falls below a second set value lower than the first set value while the gradual excitation control is performed, a fourth section to detect a rotational speed of the vehicle engine or the vehicle generator, a fifth section to determine a limit value of the excitation current based on the detected rotational speed, and a sixth section configured to limit the excitation current below the limit value when the power generation voltage falls below the second set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tsukasa Kikuchi, Tomomi Tsuzuki, Liang Song
  • Patent number: 8487592
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first half bridge including a first controllable semiconductor switch and a first diode. The first controllable semiconductor switch is coupled between a first constant supply potential and a center tap of the first half bridge. The first diode is coupled between the center tap and a constant reference potential. A second half bridge includes a second diode and a second controllable semiconductor switch. The second diode is coupled between a second constant potential higher than the first potential and a center tap of the second half bridge. The second controllable semiconductor switch is coupled between the center tap and the constant reference potential. Driver circuitry controls the conducting state of the first and the second semiconductor switch thus controlling the current flow through a field connectable between the center taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Benno Koeppl, Michael Scheffer, Frank Auer
  • Patent number: 8456138
    Abstract: A programmable system includes a first level protection circuit comprised of discharge tube CR1/ CR2 and piezoresistor MOV1/MOV2 in series; a second-level protection circuit comprised of the series arm of capacitor C1 and resistor R1 in parallel with a transient voltage suppression diode TVS1, and inductors L1/L2 connected to the ends of first level and second-level protection circuits respectively. A control circuit includes a PWM driver module and a SCM. The PWM driver module is connected to the PWM control port of the SCM and its output is connected to an IGBT module. The control circuit is also connected to a series communication module and to a user interface. The features of the invention are: strong-shock resistance; a wide range of load adaptability; and ability of accurately and steplessly regulating and adjusting with high frequency and high power load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: MacMic Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Luxtech 360 LLC.
    Inventors: Xishe Lei, Xiao Bao Wang
  • Patent number: 8432137
    Abstract: A method for generating and controlling power by means of at least one controlled permanent magnet machine (PMM) with a permanent magnet (PM) rotor and a stator with a magnetic flux diverter circuit for controlling the output of the PMM, comprises the steps of: rotating the PM rotor at a velocity sufficient to develop a high frequency alternating current (HFAC) power output from the stator; transforming the HFAC output to produce a desired non-HFAC power output; sensing desired power output parameters; generating a control signal responsive to the sensed parameters; and applying the control signal to the magnetic flux diverter circuit to control the desired power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Vietson M. Nguyen, Jacek F. Gieras, Sastry V. Vedula
  • Patent number: 8423160
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling electronic circuitry. A system can include at least a first controller and a second controller and at least one power electronic circuitry module. The first controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a first high-speed serial link (HSSL). The second controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a second HSSL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jordan Brantley Casteel, William Robert Pearson, Mark Eugene Shepard, John Andrew Leonard, Douglas Gregg Fowley, John Robert Booth
  • Patent number: 8378641
    Abstract: A method of startup of an electric start electrical power generating system (EPGS) is provided. The EPGS includes a generator configured to power a direct current (DC) load via a DC bus. The method includes: disconnecting the DC load from the DC bus; connecting a battery to a boost converter, the boost converter being connected to the generator; powering the generator using the battery via the boost converter; when the generator reaches a minimum speed: disconnecting the battery from the boost converter; deactivating the boost converter; and activating a synchronous active filter, the synchronous active filter being connected to the DC bus; bringing up a voltage on the DC bus by the generator; and when the voltage on the DC bus reaches a predetermined level, connecting the DC load to the DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Steven J. Moss
  • Patent number: 8334680
    Abstract: Provided is a field winding type generator-motor capable of minimizing cost increase and structure modification while preventing a failure due to a temperature rise, without mounting a temperature sensor. The field winding type generator-motor according to the present invention includes: a dynamo-electric machine that has a field winding; a field current detecting section for detecting field current; a field current restriction deciding section for deciding whether or not the decision value has reached a predetermined decision threshold value by calculating a decision value based on the field current detected by the field current detecting section; and a field current controller for controlling the field current flowing in the field winding so that the field current is restricted to a predetermined permissible value in a case where the field current restriction deciding section decides that the decision value has reached the predetermined decision threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Akita, Kenji Nakajima, Masato Mori
  • Patent number: 8319481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method generate electric current within a specified frequency range from a rotor operating within a broad range of rotational speeds by reducing the number of poles of the generator at higher rotational speeds. At higher rotational speeds, the generator circuit is altered so that a flow of current through half of a plurality of windings is reversed and the polarity in the said half of the windings is reversed. Two adjacent windings with the same polarity create a single pseudo pole, which effectively reduces the number of poles in the generator by half, and reduces the frequency of the electric current produced by the generator. Thus, the generator is operable to produce current within a specified frequency range from a rotor operating within a broad range of rotational speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn C. Lemmers, Darin R. Morman
  • Publication number: 20120293139
    Abstract: A field winding type rotary electric machine includes: a controller; a field current integration portion provided in the controller to calculate an integral value by integrating an excessive field current exceeding a field current threshold; a field current limiting portion provided in the controller and carrying out limiting processing to limit a field current to or below a predetermined value when the integral value reaches an integral value threshold defined as a reference value at or above which the field current is limited; a controller power supply connection switch switched ON and OFF for power feeding to the controller; a controller power supply connection determination portion switching ON and OFF the controller power supply connection switch; and a power feeding ON state maintaining portion maintaining an ON state of the power feeding to the controller from start to end of the limiting processing by the field current limiting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi AKITA, Kenji NAKAJIMA, Masato MORI, Mitsunori TABATA
  • Patent number: 8310212
    Abstract: This invention provides a control device for automobile battery-charging generators, adapted to supply a plurality of sets of specifications in a highly reliable and stable form by simple switching between electrical characteristics assigning and limiting functions so as to meet various needs of users. In accordance with a voltage of a battery B, a voltage control IC regulator 120 controls a field current flowing through a field winding FL. The voltage control IC regulator 120 has a plurality of functions for assigning electrical characteristics limits or electrical characteristics beforehand. The voltage control IC regulator 120 also has switch terminals SW1 and SW2 that switch the plurality of functions that assign the electrical characteristics limits or the electrical characteristics. Electric potential levels of the switch terminals SW1 and SW2 can be changed by cutting cutoff portions CP1 and CP2 of an intermediate terminal 150 or leaving these cutoff portions connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoju Masumoto, Hiroshi Yoneda, Makoto Hirama, Shuichi Kokubun
  • Patent number: 8305049
    Abstract: An electric power generation system has a synchronous machine, a starter excitation source and an exciter field driver. The starter excitation source is connected to the synchronous machine via multiple phase connections, and the exciter field driver is connected to the synchronous machine via a portion of the same phase connections. At least one of the phase connections is connected to each other phase connection via a transient voltage suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Vijay K. Maddali, Adrian E. Vandergrift, Deron J. Staas
  • Patent number: 8299642
    Abstract: A wind power generation system includes an excessive current consumption device, an AC input of which is connected between a generator rotor and an excitation converter on a system failure to detect a DC voltage ascent of the excitation converter and operate a shunt circuit on the system failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Hiromitsu Sakai, Kazuhiro Imaie
  • Publication number: 20120268082
    Abstract: A control device for a separately excited rotor winding (LR) of a synchronous machine is described, which comprises a voltage source (2) connected to the rotor winding (LR) and intended for transmitting electrical energy (E) from a power supply (4) to the rotor winding (LR), in such a way that said rotor winding is caused to rotate by a rotating field on the stator side. According to the invention, the control device furthermore comprises a consumer (3) connected to the rotor winding (LR) and intended for transmitting electrical energy (E) from the rotor winding (LR) to the power supply (4). Furthermore, a method for controlling a separately excited rotor winding (LR) of a synchronous machine is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BRUSA ELEKTRONIK AG
    Inventor: Axel Krause
  • Patent number: 8289005
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator, voltage regulator, electrical energy source, and control device. The generator provides electrical current to one or more electrical loads. Voltage variations are suppressed by storing electrical energy of the field coil of the generator in the electrical energy source, and by proving electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the field coil. The control device comprises a controller and a charging module operative to maintain the voltage of the electrical energy source at a predetermined voltage that is above the regulation voltage so as to reduce the generator output voltage variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Stoyan Borissov Bekiarov
  • Patent number: 8264209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating an asynchronous motor (1) with double feeds, having a stator (1a) connected to a grid and a rotor (1b) connected to an inverter (6), said inverter (6) being designed such that it impresses a target value for an electrical variable in the rotor (1b). In a method according to the invention, after detecting a transient grid voltage change, a target value for the electrical variable determined from at least the rotor flux and the stator flux is impressed in the rotor (1b) such that an active reduction in the torque occurring during the transient grid voltage change is achieved. The target value of the electrical variable is preferably determined from a suitable weighting of the stator flux, rotor flux, stator voltage, stator current, rotor current, and, if available as a measured variable, stator voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Woodward Kempen GmbH
    Inventor: Jörg Kretschmann
  • Patent number: 8207710
    Abstract: Provided is a regulator adapted to the various vehicle alternators of the present invention. The regulator particularly includes a coding circuit and a control circuit. The coding circuit is used to provide the different selectable codes. A laser trimming technology is introduced to form an open circuit over the coding circuit, in order to set a code. The control circuit is used to predetermine the various function selections in accordance with the various codes. The coding circuit includes an amplifier, a first input resistor, and a second resistor. The first input resistor is interconnected to a high-voltage end and an input end of the amplifier in series. The second input resistor is further interconnected to the input end and a low-voltage end in series. The open circuit is particularly formed on the first input resistor or the second input resistor for regulating the output voltage and setting a code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Actron Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Hsi-Chin Cheng
  • Patent number: 8198872
    Abstract: An electrical power system may comprise a main generator with a rotor having field windings and at least one embedded permanent magnet. A generator control unit (GCU) may be connected to receive excitation current produced by the main generator with flux from the at least one permanent magnet. An exciter generator may be connected to be provided with excitation from the GCU. The exciter generator may provide excitation current to the field windings of the main generator. The main generator may produce output current from flux from the field windings and the at least one permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Cristian Anghel, Wayne Pearson
  • Patent number: 8198871
    Abstract: A field current control circuit for an alternating current generator includes a first voltage source and a time lag reduction circuit, which further includes a generator field that is in selective electrical communication with an energy storage component that is in electrical communication with a time lag reduction voltage source. The time lag reduction circuit may include an electronic controller and be a part of an electric drive machine that receives an operator acceleration command and thereby controls the electrical communication between the energy storage component and the generator field of the time lag reduction circuit. When the energy storage component and generator field are in electrical communication, the current passing through the generator field increases from a starting current to a target current with a reduced time lag compared to predecessor generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Wild