Induction generator power supply

• US 20040169497A1
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce H. Colley
• Original Assignee: Bruce H. Colley
• Inventors: Colley, Bruce H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,815,934 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/212
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/02 using a single network for simultaneous distribution of power at different frequencies; using a single network for simultaneous distribution of ac power and of dc power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1415 with a generator driven by a prime mover other than the motor of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1438 in combination with power supplies for loads other than batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/08 requiring starting of a prime-mover
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/4585 having a rectifier with controlled elements
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/06 using discharge tubes without control electrode or semiconductor devices without control electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2101/10 for water-driven turbines
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2101/15 for wind-driven turbines
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/46 Control of asynchronous generator by variation of capacitor

Abstract

An induction generator power supply comprises a prime mover, an induction generator operably connected to the prime mover and having a generator output, and a phase shift circuit, having a circuit input and a circuit output, the circuit input connected to the generator output. The power supply also comprises an AC to DC converter, having a converter input and a converter output, the converter input connected to the circuit output, and an energy reservoir having a reservoir input connected to the converter output.

Claims

1. An induction generator power supply comprising:

a prime mover;

an induction generator operably connected to the prime mover and having a generator output;

a phase shift circuit, having a circuit input and a circuit output, the circuit input connected to the generator output;

an AC to DC converter, having a converter input and a converter output, the converter input connected to the circuit output; and

an energy reservoir having a reservoir input connected to the converter output.

2. The power supply according to claim 1 wherein the prime mover comprises an internal combustion engine.

3. The power supply according to claim 2 wherein the internal combustion engine comprises a diesel engine.

4. The power supply according to claim 1 wherein the generator comprises first, second and third output lines.

5. The power supply according to claim 4 wherein the phase shift circuit comprises:

first, second and third phase shift lines connected to the first, second and third output lines;

first, second and third series capacitors situated along said first, second and third phase shift lines;

first, second and third magnetizing current lines connecting the first, second and third output lines to a common junction; and

first, second and third magnetizing current capacitors situated along the first, second and third magnetizing current lines.

6. The power supply according to claim 5 further comprising a magnetization assist circuit selectively electrically coupled to the phase shift circuit.

7. The power supply according to claim 5 further comprising a magnetization assist circuit connected across a chosen one of said first, second and third magnetizing current capacitors.

8. The power supply according to claim 7 wherein the magnetization assist circuit comprises a short circuit selectively placeable across one of the magnetizing current capacitors.

9. The power supply according to claim 4 wherein the phase shift circuit comprises:

first, second and third phase shift lines connected to the first, second and third output lines;

first, second and third series capacitors situated along said first, second and third phase shift lines; and

a delta arrangement of first, second and third magnetizing current capacitors, said delta arrangement comprising first, second and third junctions connected to the first, second and third phase shift lines.

10. The power supply according to claim 9 further comprising a magnetization assist circuit electrically coupled to the phase shift circuit.

11. The power supply according to claim 10 wherein the magnetization assist circuit comprises a voltage source selectively placeable across one of the magnetizing current capacitors.

12. The power supply according to claim 5 further comprising means for selectively temporarily short-circuiting said first magnetizing current capacitor during start up.

13. The power supply according to claim 1 wherein the AC to DC converter comprises a transformer coupled to a rectifier.

14. The power supply according to claim 1 wherein the AC to DC converter comprises a rectifier coupled to a DC to DC voltage converter.

15. The power supply according to claim 1 wherein the energy reservoir comprises a battery.

16. The power supply according to claim 1 wherein the energy reservoir is coupleable to a DC load.

17. The power supply according to claim 1 further comprising a DC to AC converter, and wherein the energy reservoir is coupleable to an AC load through the DC to AC converter.

18. A method for enhancing the operation of an electrical power supply comprising:

selecting a prime mover having a chosen power rating;

choosing an induction motor having a first power rating at a rated speed and a second power rating at an overspeed, said overspeed being at least about 25% greater than the rated speed;

said choosing step further comprising choosing the induction motor such that the second power rating is substantially equal to the chosen power rating;

driving the induction motor with the prime mover so that the induction motor acts as an induction generator; and

operating the induction generator at said overspeed.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the prime mover selecting step is carried out by selecting a diesel engine.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the driving step is carried out by directly driving the induction generator with the prime mover.

21. The method according to claim 18 wherein said choosing step is carried out so that the overspeed is at least about 50% greater than the rated speed.

22. The method according to claim 18 wherein said choosing step is carried out so that the overspeed is at least about 75% greater than the rated speed.

23. The method according to claim 18 wherein said choosing step is carried out so that the overspeed is about 25 to 300% greater than the rated speed.

24. The method according to claim 18 wherein said choosing step is carried out so that the overspeed is about 50 to 100% greater than the rated speed.

25. A method for enhancing the operation of an electrical power supply comprising:

selecting an induction generator power supply comprising;

a prime mover having a chosen power rating;

an induction motor operably connected to the prime mover so that the induction motor acts as an induction generator, said induction motor comprising a generator output, a first power rating at a rated speed and a second power rating at an overspeed, said second power rating being substantially equal to the chosen power rating, said overspeed being at least about 25% greater than the rated speed;

a phase shift circuit, having a circuit input and a circuit output, the circuit input connected to the generator output;

an AC to DC converter, having a converter input and a converter output, the converter input connected to the circuit output; and

an energy reservoir having a reservoir input connected to the converter output;

driving the induction generator with the prime mover; and

operating the induction generator at said overspeed.

26. The method according to claim 25 wherein said selecting step is carried out so that the overspeed is at least about 50% greater than the rated speed.

27. The method according to claim 25 wherein said selecting step is carried out so that the overspeed is at least about 75% greater than the rated speed.

28. The method according to claim 25 wherein said selecting step is carried out so that the overspeed is about 25 to 300% greater than the rated speed.

29. The method according to claim 25 wherein said selecting step is carried out so that the overspeed is about 50 to 100% greater than the rated speed.

30. A controlled induction generator power supply system comprising:

an induction generator power supply comprising;

a prime mover comprising a throttle and a prime mover output;

an induction motor operably connected to the prime mover output so that the induction motor acts as an induction generator, the induction motor comprising a generator output;

an energy reservoir having a reservoir input; and

a circuit electrically coupling the generator output with the reservoir input to provide the energy reservoir with energy;

a control module;

a transducer operably coupled to the induction generator power supply and to the control module, the transducer adapted to monitor the performance of the power supply and to provide the control module with a control parameter signal;

a servomechanism throttle control operably coupled to the control module along a throttle control line and to the throttle; and

the control module providing the throttle control with a throttle control signal along the throttle control line in response to the control parameter signal.

31. The system according to claim 30 wherein the induction generator is mechanically connected to the prime mover output.

32. The system according to claim 31 wherein the mechanical connection is a direct drive connection.

33. The system according to claim 30 wherein the control module comprises:

an isolator comprising an isolator input coupleable to a control signal source and an isolator output;

a voltage converter, having a converter input connected to the isolator output and a converter output, configured to convert a first voltage of a first signal at the isolator input to a second voltage of a second signal at the converter output, said first voltage having a first, expected maximum value, said second voltage having a second maximum value corresponding to the first maximum value, said second maximum value equal to a chosen control voltage; and

a diode having a diode input coupled to the converter output and a diode output, said diode output coupleable to a power supply control device.

34. The system according to claim 30 wherein the control module comprises:

an isolator comprising an isolator input coupleable to a control signal source and an isolator output;

an analog to digital converter, having a converter input connected to the isolator output; and

a microprocessor, having a microprocessor input connected to the converter output, said microprocessor output coupleable to a power supply control device.

35. A controlled induction generator power supply system comprising:

an induction generator power supply comprising;

a prime mover comprising a prime mover output;

an induction motor operably connected to the prime mover output so that the induction motor acts as an induction generator, the induction motor comprising a generator output;

an energy reservoir having a reservoir input; and

a circuit electrically coupling the generator output with the reservoir input to provide the energy reservoir with energy, said circuit comprising a DC to DC converter;

a control module operably coupled to the DC to DC converter by a control line;

a transducer operably coupled to the induction generator power supply and to the control module, the transducer adapted to monitor the performance of the power supply and to provide the control module with a control parameter signal; and

the control module providing the DC to DC converter with a control signal along the control line in response to the control parameter signal.

36. The system according to claim 35 wherein the control module comprises:

an isolator comprising an isolator input coupleable to a control signal source and an isolator output;

a voltage converter, having a converter input connected to the isolator output and a converter output, configured to convert a first voltage of a first signal at the isolator input to a second voltage of a second signal at the converter output, said first voltage having a first, expected maximum value, said second voltage having a second maximum value corresponding to the first maximum value, said second maximum value equal to a chosen reference voltage; and

a diode having a diode input coupled to the converter output and a diode output, said diode output coupleable to a power supply control device.

37. The system according to claim 35 wherein the control module comprises:

an isolator comprising an isolator input coupleable to a control signal source and an isolator output; and

an analog to digital converter, having a converter input connected to the isolator output a microprocessor, having a microprocessor input connected to the converter output, said microprocessor output coupleable to a power supply control device.

38. A method for enhancing the performance of an electrical power supply comprising:

selecting a prime mover having a chosen power rating;

choosing an induction motor;

operably connecting the induction motor to the prime mover so that the induction motor acts as an induction generator, said induction motor comprising a generator output, a first power rating at a rated speed and a second power rating at an overspeed, said second power rating being substantially equal to the chosen power rating, said overspeed being at least about 25% greater than the rated speed;

connecting a circuit input of a phase shift circuit to the generator output;

connecting a converter input of an AC to DC converter to a circuit output of the phase shift circuit; and

connecting a reservoir input of an energy reservoir to a converter output of the AC to DC converter;

whereby the induction generator may be driven by the prime mover and operated at said overspeed.

39. The method according to claim 38 wherein said choosing step is carried out so that the overspeed is at least about 50% greater than the rated speed.

40. The method according to claim 38 wherein said choosing step is carried out so that the overspeed is at least about 75% greater than the rated speed.

41. The method according to claim 38 wherein said choosing step is carried out so that the overspeed is about 25 to 300% greater than the rated speed.

42. The method according to claim 38 wherein said choosing step is carried out so that the overspeed is about 50 to 100% greater than the rated speed.