Direct turbogenerator

• US 20060146454A1
• Filed: 11/05/2003
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Railpower, LLC
• Original Assignee: Railpower, LLC
• Inventors: Donnelly, Frank Wegner
• Application Number:
  US10/533,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20060146454A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/20
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/10 Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/40 The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/271 from a three phase input voltage

Abstract

A transformerless direct turbogenerator for generating electricity is provided. Since the introduction alternator comprises multiple parallel windings, it allows elimination of the need for a transformer.

Claims

1. A turbogenerator comprising:

a) a turbine prime mover,

b) an induction alternator;

c) an excitation system for said induction alternator comprising a plurality of static capacitors and switches;

d) a cycloconverter connected to said induction alternator, and

e) a control circuit to control said excitation system and said cycloconverter

2. The turbogenerator of claim 1 wherein said induction alternator comprises a plurality of parallel windings thereby allowing elimination of a transformer.

3. The turbogenerator of claim 2 wherein said induction alternator comprises three parallel windings.

4. The turbogenerator of claim 1 further comprising an independent alternating current power source in circuit with said cycloconverter to permit starting of the prime mover using the induction alternator.

5. The turbogenerator of claim 1 wherein said cycloconverter is naturally commutated.

6. The turbogenerator of claim 5 wherein said cycloconverter comprises a plurality of switches.

7. The turbogenerator of claim 6 wherein said cycloconverter comprises a plurality of silicon controlled rectifiers.

8. The turbogenerator of claim 1 wherein said controller is a programmable logic controller.

9. A transformerless turbogenerator comprising:

a) a turbine prime mover;

b) an induction alternator comprising a plurality of parallel windings;

c) an excitation system for said induction alternator comprising a plurality of static capacitors and switches;

d) a naturally commutated cycloconverter connected to said induction alternator, and

e) a control circuit to control said excitation system and said cycloconverter

10. The turbogenerator of claim 9 further comprising an independent alternating current power source in circuit with said cycloconverter to permit starting of the prime mover using the induction alternator.

11. The turbogenerator of claim 9 wherein said induction alternator comprises three parallel windings.

12. The turbogenerator of claim 9 wherein said cycloconverter comprises a plurality of switches.

13. The turbogenerator of claim 12 wherein said cycloconverter comprises a plurality of silicon controlled rectifiers.

14. The turbogenerator of claim 9 wherein said controller is a programmable logic controller.