Alternator boost method
First Claim
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1. A propulsion system, comprising:
- (a) an engine system comprising;
an engine; and
an n-phase alternator operable to convert mechanical energy output by the engine into alternating current electrical energy, each phase corresponding to an armature winding;
(b) at least one traction motor in electrical communication with the alternator;
(c) a voltage boost circuit electrically connected with each of the n-armature windings of the alternator to boost the output voltage associated with each armature winding, wherein each armature winding provides an inductance for the voltage boost circuit.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a means of boosting the voltage output of an alternator utilizing the armature coils of the alternator as part of the boost circuit. This invention can enable refined control strategies for operating a plurality of engine systems during propulsion, idling and braking and is applicable to large systems such as trucks, ships, cranes and locomotives utilizing diesel engines, gas turbine engines, other types of internal combustion engines, fuel cells or combinations of these that require substantial power and low emissions utilizing multiple power plant combinations.
115 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A propulsion system, comprising:
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(a) an engine system comprising;
an engine; and
an n-phase alternator operable to convert mechanical energy output by the engine into alternating current electrical energy, each phase corresponding to an armature winding;
(b) at least one traction motor in electrical communication with the alternator;
(c) a voltage boost circuit electrically connected with each of the n-armature windings of the alternator to boost the output voltage associated with each armature winding, wherein each armature winding provides an inductance for the voltage boost circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A propulsion method, comprising:
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(a) in a first mode in which a switch is conducting, directing an output electrical current of an n-phase alternator along a first path through a first set of diodes, through the switch, and back to an armature coil of the alternator, thereby storing electrical energy in the armature coil; and
(b) in a second mode in which the switch is nonconducting, directing the output electrical current along a second path through a second set of diodes to a load, wherein the second path bypasses the switch. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. In a multi-engine vehicle, a propulsion method, comprising:
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(a) determining an operating voltage range for a direct current electrical bus;
(b) determining a power requirement to be provided to the direct current electrical bus by a plurality of engines;
(c) selecting at least a subset of the engines systems to provide the determined power requirement to the direct current electrical bus;
(d) determining a first magnitude of an operational parameter for each of the selected engine systems to provide, to the direct current electrical bus, the selected engine'"'"'s portion of the determined power requirement;
(e) setting each of the selected engine systems to the corresponding first magnitude of the determined operational parameter to provide the selected engine system'"'"'s portion of the determined power requirement to the direct current electrical bus;
(f) measuring an electrical parameter of each of the selected engine systems;
(g) comparing the measured electrical parameter of each of the selected engine systems to the corresponding portion of the determined power requirement; and
(h) if needed, adjusting at least one of (i) the first magnitude of the operational parameter of the selected engine system and (ii) the electrical parameter of the selected engine system to produce the corresponding required electrical power output for the selected engine system. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A propulsion system, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of prime power systems, each prime power system comprising;
a prime power source device; and
an energy conversion device operable to convert energy output by the prime power device into direct current electrical energy, wherein the prime power system is an engine and the energy conversion device is a mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion device operable to convert mechanical energy output by the engine into direct current electrical energy;
(b) a direct current bus connecting the plurality of prime power systems, the direct current bus being operable to carry the direct current electrical energy to and/or from the prime power systems;
(c) a voltage sensor for measuring a voltage level across the direct current bus;
(d) a plurality of current sensors, each current sensor measuring a direct current electrical energy outputted by a selected prime power system;
(e) a control system operable, based on the measured voltage level across the direct current bus and the respective measured direct current electrical energy into and/or out of each prime power system, to control an electrical parameter of the selected prime power system, wherein the electrical parameter is at least one of an output electrical voltage, an output electrical current, and output electrical power; and
(f) a voltage boost circuit for the selected engine electrically connected with each armature of an alternator corresponding to the selected engine to boost the voltage generated by each armature, wherein the armature of the alternator acts as an inductor in the voltage boost circuit.
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Specification