Power control system and method

• US 20070228735A1
• Filed: 04/03/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
• Original Assignee: C E Niehoff & Company
• Inventors: Becker, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,635,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/40.C
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2101/30 for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/0016 Control of angular speed of one shaft without controlling the prime mover
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/102 for limiting effects of transients
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/26 using discharge tubes or semiconductor devices H02P9/34 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/30 using semiconductor devices

Abstract

This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.

Claims

1. A power control system, comprising:

(a) a generator comprising;

(i) a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator;

(ii) a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed;

(b) a prime mover coupled with the generator and operative to drive the generator; and

(c) a control device coupled with the generator speed indicator and output power controller;

wherein said control device is configured to ascertain a change in speed of the generator, via the generator speed indicator, and to vary the output power of the generator, via the generator output power controller, according to said change.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the generator comprises at least one of a brushless alternator and a permanent magnet alternator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the generator output power controller comprises at least one of a voltage regulator, a field coil, a silicon controlled rectifier, and a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the generator speed indicator comprises at least one of a generator phase winding and a tachometer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the prime mover comprises at least one of an internal combustion engine, a turbine engine, an electrical motor, a hydraulic motor, and a pneumatic motor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to at least one of reduce and restore the generator output power when the change is above a threshold value.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control device is configured to reduce the generator output power when the algebraic sign of the change is negative.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said reduction is in proportion to the change.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said proportionality is obtained from a look up table.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said proportionality is obtained from a functional relationship.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the control device is configured to restore the generator output power when the algebraic sign of the change is positive.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device further comprises a voltage regulator capable of maintaining an output voltage of the generator substantially at a regulation voltage.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device further comprises a voltage regulator capable of maintaining an output voltage of the generator substantially at a regulation voltage and wherein the regulation voltage is varied according to said change.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the control device is configured to at least one of reduce and restore the regulation voltage when the change is above a threshold value.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control device is configured to reduce the regulation voltage when the algebraic sign of the change is negative.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the control device is configured to restore the regulation voltage when the algebraic sign of the change is positive.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for communicating system information.

18. A power control system, comprising:

(a) a generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator;

(b) a prime mover coupled with the generator and operative to drive the generator, said prime mover comprising a prime mover speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the prime mover speed; and

(c) a control device coupled with the prime mover speed indicator and output power controller;

wherein said control device is configured to ascertain a change in speed of the prime mover, via the prime mover speed indicator, and to vary the output power of the generator, via the generator output power controller, according to said change.

19. A power control system, comprising:

(a) a generator comprising;

(i) a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator;

(ii) a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed;

(b) a prime mover;

(c) a speed converter coupled with the prime mover and generator, said speed converter capable of converting a speed of the prime mover and operative to drive the generator; and

(d) a control device coupled with the generator speed indicator and output power controller;

wherein said control device is configured to ascertain a change in speed of the generator, via the generator speed indicator, and to vary the output power of the generator, via the generator output power controller, according to said change.

20. A power control system, comprising:

(a) a generator comprising;

(i) a shaft driven at a speed;

(ii) a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator;

(iii) a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed; and

(b) a control device coupled with the generator speed indicator and output power controller;

wherein said control device is configured to ascertain a change in speed of the generator, via the generator speed indicator, and to vary the output power of the generator, via the generator output power controller, according to said change.

21. A control device for a generator driven by a prime mover, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said control device comprising:

a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor, coupled with the generator output power controller and the generator speed indicator;

wherein said processor is configured to measure a change in speed of the generator, via a first line, and to vary the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

22. The control device of claim 21, wherein the speed-control signal comprises at least one of a phase modulated signal and step signal when the change is above a threshold value.

23. The control device of claim 22, wherein the speed-control signal comprises a phase modulated signal when the algebraic sign of the change is negative.

24. The control device of claim 23, wherein a duty cycle of the phase modulated signal is in proportion to the change.

25. The control device of claim 24, wherein said proportionality is obtained from a look up table.

26. The control device of claim 24, wherein said proportionality is obtained from a functional relationship.

27. The control device of claim 22, wherein the speed-control signal comprises a step signal when the algebraic sign of the change is positive.

28. The control device of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to measure an output voltage of the generator, via a third line, and apply a voltage-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a fourth line, to maintain the output voltage substantially at a regulation voltage.

29. The control device of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to measure an output voltage of the generator, via a third line, and apply a voltage-control signal to the generator output power controller, via the second line, to maintain the output voltage substantially at a regulation voltage, and wherein the regulation voltage is varied according to said change.

30. The control device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured to at least one of reduce and restore the regulation voltage when the change is above a threshold value.

31. The control device of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the regulation voltage when the algebraic sign of the change is negative.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured to restore the regulation voltage when the algebraic sign of the change is positive.

33. The control device of claim 21, further comprising means for communicating system information.

34. The control device of claim 33, wherein said communication means comprises a communication terminal, coupled with a computer system, capable of transmitting/receiving a communication signal indicative of said system information.

35. The control device of claim 33, wherein said communication means comprises a light emitting diode, generating a flashing light pattern indicative of said system information.

36. A control device for a generator driven by a prime mover, said prime mover comprising a prime mover speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the prime mover speed, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator, said control device comprising:

a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor, coupled with the generator output power controller and the prime mover speed indicator;

wherein said processor is configured to measure a change in speed of the prime mover, via a first line, and to vary the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

37. A control device for a generator driven by a speed converter, said speed converter coupled with the generator and a prime mover and capable of converting a speed of the prime mover, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said control device comprising:

a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor, coupled with the generator output power controller and the generator speed indicator;

wherein said processor is configured to measure a change in speed of the generator, via a first line, and to vary the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

38. A control device for a generator, said generator comprising a shaft driven at a speed, a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator, and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said control device comprising:

a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor, coupled with the generator output power controller and the generator speed indicator;

wherein said processor is configured to measure a change in speed of the generator, via a first line, and to vary the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

39. A control device for a generator, said generator comprising a shaft driven at a speed, a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator, and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said control device comprising:

a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor, coupled with the generator output power controller and the generator speed indicator;

wherein said processor is configured to sense two consecutive speeds a pre-determined time interval apart and determine a difference between the speeds to arrive at a change in speed, via a first line, and to vary the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

40. A method for controlling a power control system, said power control system comprising a prime mover coupled with a generator and operative to drive the generator, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said method comprising:

(a) ascertaining a change in speed of the generator via the generator speed indicator; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator, via the generator output power controller, according to said change.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of varying the output power comprises at least one of reducing and restoring the generator output power when the change is above a threshold value.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of varying the output power comprises reducing the generator output power when the algebraic sign of the change is negative.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said reduction is in proportion to the change.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said proportionality is obtained from a look up table.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein said proportionality is obtained from a functional relationship.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of varying the output power comprises restoring the generator output power when the algebraic sign of the change is positive.

47. The method of claim 40, further comprising maintaining an output voltage of the generator, via a voltage regulator, substantially at a regulation voltage.

48. The method of claim 40, further comprising maintaining an output voltage of the generator, via a voltage regulator, substantially at a regulation voltage and varying the regulation voltage according to said change.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the step of varying the regulation voltage comprises at least one of reducing and restoring the regulation voltage when the change is above a threshold value.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the step of varying the regulation voltage comprises reducing the regulation voltage when the algebraic sign of the change is negative.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the step of varying the regulation voltage comprises restoring the regulation voltage when the algebraic sign of the change is positive.

52. The method of claim 40, further comprising communicating system information.

53. A method for controlling a power control system, said power control system comprising a prime mover coupled with a generator and operative to drive the generator, said prime mover comprising a prime mover speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the prime mover speed, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator, said method comprising:

(a) ascertaining a change in speed of the prime mover via the prime mover speed indicator; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator, via the generator output power controller, according to said change.

54. A method for controlling a power control system, said power control system comprising a prime mover coupled with a speed converter capable of converting a speed of the prime mover, said speed converter coupled with a generator and operative to drive the generator, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said method comprising:

(a) ascertaining a change in speed of the generator via the generator speed indicator; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator, via the generator output power controller, according to said change.

55. A method for controlling a power control system, said power control system comprising a generator, said generator comprising a shaft driven at a speed, a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator, and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said method comprising:

(a) ascertaining a change in speed of the generator via the generator speed indicator; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator, via the generator output power controller, according to said change.

56. A method for controlling a generator driven by a prime mover, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said method comprising:

(a) measuring a change in speed of the generator, via a first line; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the speed-control signal comprises at least one of a phase modulated signal and step signal when the change is above a threshold value.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the speed-control signal comprises a phase modulated signal when the algebraic sign of the change is negative.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein a duty cycle of the phase modulated signal is in proportion to the change.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said proportionality is obtained from a look up table.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein said proportionality is obtained from a functional relationship.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein the speed-control signal comprises a step signal when the algebraic sign of the change is positive.

63. The method of claim 56, further comprising measuring an output voltage of the generator, via a third line, and applying a voltage-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a fourth line, to maintain the output voltage substantially at a regulation voltage.

64. The method of claim 56, further comprising measuring an output voltage of the generator, via a third line, and applying a voltage-control signal to the generator output power controller, via the second line, to maintain the output voltage substantially at a regulation voltage and varying the regulation voltage according to said change.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the step of varying the regulation voltage comprises at least one of reducing and restoring the regulation voltage when the change is above a threshold value.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the step of varying the regulation voltage comprises reducing the regulation voltage when the algebraic sign of the change is negative.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the step of varying the regulation voltage comprises restoring the regulation voltage when the algebraic sign of the change is positive.

68. The method of claim 56, further comprising communicating system information.

69. A method for controlling a generator driven by a prime mover, said prime mover comprising a prime mover speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the prime mover speed, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator, said method comprising:

(a) measuring a change in speed of the prime mover, via a first line; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

70. A method for controlling a generator driven by a speed converter, said speed converter coupled with the generator and a prime mover and capable of converting a speed of the prime mover, said generator comprising a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said method comprising:

(a) measuring a change in speed of the generator, via a first line; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

71. A method for controlling a generator, said generator comprising a shaft driven at a speed, a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator, and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said method comprising:

(a) measuring a change in speed of the generator, via a first line; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.

72. A method for controlling a generator, said generator comprising a shaft driven at a speed, a generator output power controller capable of manipulating an output power of the generator, and a generator speed indicator capable of generating a signal indicative of the generator speed, said method comprising:

(a) measuring two consecutive speeds a pre-determined time interval apart and determining a difference between the speeds to arrive at a change in speed, via a first line; and

(b) varying the output power of the generator by applying a speed-control signal to the generator output power controller, via a second line, according to said change.