Integrated starter alternator troller
First Claim
1. A propulsion system for a boat comprising:
- a. an electro-mechanical device operable as an electric motor or an electric generator, the electro-mechanical device having a rotor connected to a drive shaft;
b. an internal combustion engine having a rotatable crankshaft releasably connected to the drive shaft;
c. a clutch in communication with the drive shaft and the crankshaft, the clutch for releasably connecting the drive shaft to the crankshaft and disconnecting the drive shaft from the crankshaft;
d. a propeller operable to rotate when driven by rotation of the rotor and the drive shaft; and
e. a controller operable to control the electric currents flowing in the electro-mechanical device and thereby cause the electro-mechanical device to operate as (i) a generator when the internal combustion engine is running, (ii) a starter motor that provides power to crank the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is not running, or (iii) a trolling motor that provides power to rotate the drive shaft and the rotor.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A marine integrated starter alternator troller device (ISAT) includes a stator portion and a rotor portion connected to a drive shaft. The ISAT is incorporated into an engine assembly power train which includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft connected to an electric clutch. The electric clutch is operable to connect or disconnect the drive shaft and the crankshaft. Thus, the ISAT may be connected to or disconnected from the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. When connected to the engine by the electric clutch, the ISAT device is operable to receive electrical power from a battery and act as a cranking motor to provide starting torque to the internal combustion engine. The ISAT may also be driven by the internal combustion engine and act as a generator to provide power to re-charge the battery or drive other electrical devices. When disconnected from the engine by the electric clutch, the ISAT receives electrical power from the battery and acts as a trolling motor to drive a propeller. A transmission is connected between the ISAT and the propeller such that rotation of the ISAT spins the propeller at a number of forward and reverse speeds.
73 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A propulsion system for a boat comprising:
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a. an electro-mechanical device operable as an electric motor or an electric generator, the electro-mechanical device having a rotor connected to a drive shaft;
b. an internal combustion engine having a rotatable crankshaft releasably connected to the drive shaft;
c. a clutch in communication with the drive shaft and the crankshaft, the clutch for releasably connecting the drive shaft to the crankshaft and disconnecting the drive shaft from the crankshaft;
d. a propeller operable to rotate when driven by rotation of the rotor and the drive shaft; and
e. a controller operable to control the electric currents flowing in the electro-mechanical device and thereby cause the electro-mechanical device to operate as (i) a generator when the internal combustion engine is running, (ii) a starter motor that provides power to crank the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is not running, or (iii) a trolling motor that provides power to rotate the drive shaft and the rotor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a. determining a torque component of stator current; b. determining a flux component of stator current;
c. transferring the torque component of stator current and the flux component of stator current from a synchronous reference frame to a stationary reference frame using vector rotation equations; and
d. transferring the torque component of stator current and the flux component of stator current in the stationary reference frame from two-phase flux and torque quantities to three-phase stator current quantities using two-phase to three-phase equations.
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9. An electro-mechanical device for use with an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, the electro-mechanical device comprising:
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a. three phase stator windings;
b. a rotor having a rotor winding positioned across an air gap from the stator windings, the rotor having a drive shaft releasably connected to the crankshaft;
c. an active rectifier bridge connected to the three phase stator windings, the active rectifier bridge comprising a plurality of transistor switches;
d. a controller in communication with the active rectifier bridge, the controller operable to control the active rectifier bridge such that the electro-mechanical device operates in one of at least three modes, wherein i. a first of the at least three modes causes the electro-mechanical device to operate as a starting motor to crank the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is not in operation, ii a second of the at least three modes causes the electro-mechanical device to operate as a generator during operation of the internal combustion engine, and iii a third of the at least three modes causes the electro-mechanical device to operate as an electric motor to provide propulsion power for the boat. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
a. determining a torque component of stator current; b. determining a flux component of stator current;
c. transferring the torque component of stator current and the flux component of stator current from a synchronous reference frame to a stationary reference frame using vector rotation equations; and
d. transferring the torque component of stator current and the flux component of stator current in the stationary reference frame from two-phase flux and torque quantities to three-phase stator current quantities using two-phase to three-phase equations.
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17. A method of operating an electro-mechanical device having a rotor and an active rectifier bridge, the active rectifier bridge electrically connected to a battery and a controller, the rotor releasably connected to an internal combustion engine, the rotor also connected to a propeller, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. sending a first signal to the controller to operate the electro-mechanical device as a starting motor and, upon receipt of the first signal by the controller, controlling the active rectifier bridge such that the electro-mechanical device operates as a starting motor to crank the internal combustion engine;
b. sending a second signal to the controller to operate the electro-mechanical device as a generator, and upon receipt of the second signal by the controller, controlling the active rectifier bridge such that the electro-mechanical device operates as a generator driven by the internal combustion engine; and
c. sending a third signal to the controller to operate the electro-mechanical device as an electric motor, and upon receipt of the third signal by the controller, controlling the active rectifier bridge such that the electro-mechanical device operates as a propulsion motor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
a. determining a torque component of stator current; b. determining a flux component of stator current;
c. transferring the torque component of stator current and the flux component of stator current from a synchronous reference frame to a stationary reference frame using vector rotation equations; and
d. transferring the torque component of stator current and the flux component of stator current in the stationary reference frame from two-phase flux and torque quantities to three-phase stator current quantities using two-phase to three-phase equations.
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Specification