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Variable reluctance alternating current generator

  • US 5,780,997 A
  • Filed: 10/03/1996
  • Issued: 07/14/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A switched reluctance generator for producing alternating current at a fundamental frequency independent of a rotational speed at which the generator is driven comprising:

  • a rotor having a plurality of salient poles disposed around a circumference and projecting radially outward from an axis of rotation;

    a stator having a plurality of salient poles disposed about an inner circumference and projecting radially inward toward the rotor;

    at least one stator phase winding wound on the stator for outputting the electrical power at the fundamental frequency;

    an exciter winding wound on the stator;

    an electrical load coupled to the at least one stator phase winding;

    a position detector for providing a rotor position signal representing a rotary position of the rotor;

    a first switching circuit, responsive to the position signal, for applying time varying excitation current containing the fundamental frequency to the exciter winding in a series of pulses of varying magnitude which define the fundamental frequency or a multiple thereof and are produced by current flow through the exciter winding by switching of the first switching circuit to cause the current flow in each current pulse and each pulse being timed in relation to an occurrence of a lowest reluctance rotary position of the salient poles of the rotor and stator during rotation of the salient poles of the rotor between adjacent salient poles of the stator so as to generate a pulse on the at least one stator phase winding in response to a pulse on the exciter winding and rotation of the rotor away from the low reluctance rotary position;

    a current sensor, coupled to the electrical load, for detecting a direction of current flow in the electrical load; and

    a second switching circuit, coupled to the at least one stator phase winding and to the electrical load and responsive to the current sensor for controlling a direction of current flow through the electrical load so that each pulse applied to the exciter winding produces a corresponding pulse in the electrical load without allowing a reversed current flow, thereby preventing motor operation.

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