Torque generation for salient-pole synchronous machine for start-up of a prime mover

• US 20040056487A1
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Sarlioqlu, Bulent, Huggett, Colin E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,791,204 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/52
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/268 Starting drives for the rotor , acting directly on the rotor of the gas turbine to be started
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/08 Control of generator circuit during starting or stopping of driving means, e.g. for initiating excitation

Abstract

A system and method to provide an improved power electronics starting system (100) in which starting torque is delivered by a salient pole synchronous machine (102), while associated power electronics (110) and (118) utilization is maximized by adjusting the Park vector of the armature (102A) phase current to remain in-phase with the Park vector of the armature (102A) terminal voltage, regardless of the level of saturation of the pole synchronous machine (102).

Claims

1. A method of starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics utilization, said method comprising:

controlling a plural phase inverter to apply a first modulated signal to a starter/generator, and in response, controlling said starter/generator to produce a torque output, and apply said torque output to a prime mover until said prime mover is substantially self-sustaining, said first modulated signal having a terminal voltage Park vector and a current Park vector comprising a q-axis and a d-axis current vector component; and

controlling a floating frame controller to generate a current Park control vector, and use said current Park control vector in said controlling said plural phase inverter during modulation of said first modulated signal to improve kVA utilization of said plural phase inverter.

2. A method of starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controlling said plural phase inverter further comprises:

maintaining a load angle at a first angle value, said load angle comprising an angle between said q-axis current vector component and said terminal voltage Park vector of said first modulated signal.

3. A method of starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first angle value is selectable to improve kVA utilization of said plural phase inverter.

4. A method of starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first angle value is selectable to maintain said q-axis current vector component substantially in-phase with said terminal voltage Park vector of said first modulated signal.

5. A method of starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first angle value is selectable to improve power factor control of said starter/generator.

6. A method of starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first angle value is selectable to operate in a field weakening mode, said mode comprising maintaining said q-axis current vector component slightly leading said terminal voltage Park vector of said first modulated signal.

7. A method of starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main starter/generator comprises a salient-pole synchronous generator.

8. An apparatus for starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics utilization, comprising:

a plural phase inverter, adapted to apply a first modulated signal to a starter/generator, said plural phase inverter electrically coupled to said starter/generator, and said starter/generator adapted to produce a torque output and apply said torque output to a prime mover until said prime mover is substantially self-sustaining, said first modulated signal having a terminal voltage Park vector and a current Park vector comprising a q-axis and a d-axis current vector component; and

a floating frame controller, adapted to generate a current Park control vector, and control said plural phase inverter during modulation of said first modulated signal using said current Park control vector to improve kVA utilization of said plural phase inverter, said floating frame controller electrically coupled to said plural phase inverter.

9. An apparatus for starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plural phase inverter is further adapted to maintain a load angle at a first angle value, said load angle comprising an angle between said q-axis current vector component and said terminal voltage Park vector of said first modulated signal.

10. An apparatus for starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first angle value is selectable to improve kVA utilization of said plural phase inverter.

11. An apparatus for starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first angle value is selectable to maintain said q-axis current vector component substantially in-phase with said terminal voltage Park vector of said first modulated signal.

12. An apparatus for starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first angle value is selectable to improve power factor control of said starter/generator.

13. An apparatus for starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first angle value is selectable to operate in a field weakening mode, said mode comprising maintaining said q-axis current vector component slightly leading said terminal voltage Park vector of said first modulated signal.

14. An apparatus for starting and operating a prime mover to improve power electronics as claimed in claim 8, wherein said main starter/generator comprises a salient-pole synchronous generator.