Control apparatus for a starter/generator system

• US 20050046398A1
• Filed: 08/27/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Anghel, Cristian E., Yue, Edwin
• Granted Patent: US 7,122,994 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 322/60
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators

Abstract

A control apparatus (202) for a starter/generator (110) of an aircraft electrical power system is provided. During a start mode of operation, AC power is provided by the control apparatus (202) to an exciter stator (114) of the starter/generator (110) which is combined with controlled AC power supplied by a start converter (106) to a main stator (116) of the starter/generator (110) to rotate and start an aircraft engine. Alternatively, during a generate mode of operation after engine start, the control apparatus (202) provides DC power to the starter/generator (110) to produce a regulated voltage output from the starter/generator (110).

Claims

1. A starter/generator system for an engine, comprising:

a starter/generator including an exciter generator with a DC winding; and

a controller, for providing AC power to said exciter generator during a start mode of operation and DC power to said exciter generator during a generate mode of operation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller provides the AC power during said start mode with a predetermined magnitude and frequency to energize an exciter stator in said starter/generator, and provides the DC power during said generate mode with a predetermined voltage level to produce a regulated voltage level output from said starter/generator.

3. The-system of claim 2, wherein said regulated output voltage is applied at a predetermined portion of an AC bus.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said starter/generator starts and maintain operation of an aircraft engine.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said starter/generator is synchronous and brushless.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a start converter for starting an engine in combination with said starter/generator.

7. A controller for a starter/generator, comprising:

a logic circuit for receiving input signals and generating output signals based on said input signals;

a switching circuit for providing AC power to an exciter stator of a starter/generator system during a start mode of operation and DC power to said exciter stator during a generate mode of operation based on said output signals.

8. The controller of claim 7, wherein said input signals include signals relating to a regulated voltage level being applied to a particular line portion of said starter/generator system.

9. The controller of claim 7, wherein said input signals include signals relating to the current level being applied to a predetermined portion of an AC bus.

10. The controller of claim 7, wherein said input signals include signals selectively enabling the start mode or generate mode of operation.

11. The controller of claim 7, wherein said switching circuit includes a full bridge arrangement of electronic switches for providing said AC and DC power to said exciter stator.

12. The controller of claim 7, wherein said full bridge arrangement includes at least four switches.