Magnetically influenced current or voltage regulator and a magnetically influenced converter

• US 6,933,822 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2002
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magtech AS
• Original Assignee: Magtech AS
• Inventors: Haugs, Espen, Strand, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): Poker, Jennifer A.
• Application Number:
  US10/278,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20030076202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 336/100, 336/83, 336/188, 336/223, 336/234, 336/214, 336/173, 336/180, 336/184, 323/331, 323/48, 323/49, 323/44, 323/50, 323/56, 296/021
• US Class Current: 336/100
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/32 using magnetic devices having a controllable degree of saturation as final control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2029/143 with control winding for generating magnetic bias
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 29/14 with variable magnetic bias amplitude modulation by means of variable impedance element H03C1/08 ; magnetic amplifiers H03F; circuits for automatic telephonic communication H04M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

A magnetically influenced current or voltage regulator includes a body of an anisotropic magnetisable material that provides a closed magnetic circuit. A first electrical conductor is wound around the body along at least a part of the close circuit for at least one turn which forms a first main winding. At least one second electrical conductor is wound around the body along at least a part of the closed circuit for at least one turn which forms a control winding. The winding axis for the main winding is at right angles to the winding axis for the control winding. Orthogonal magnetic fields are generated in the body when the first main winding and the control winding are excited. A characteristic of the anisotropic magnetisable material relative to a field in the main winding is controlled by means of a field in the control winding.

Claims

1. A magnetically influenced device, comprising;

a body comprising a closed magnetic circuit, the magnetic circuit comprising an anisotropic magnetisable material;

at least one first electrical conductor wound around the body along at least a part of the closed circuit for at least one turn which forms a first main winding; and

at least one second electrical conductor wound around the body along at least a part of the closed circuit for at least one turn which forms a control winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the main winding is at right angles to a winding axis for the turn in the control winding,

wherein orthogonal magnetic fields are generated in the body when the first main winding and the control winding are excited, and

wherein a characteristic of the anisotropic magnetisable material relative to a field in the main winding is controlled by means of a field in the control winding.

2. A device as indicated in claim 1, wherein the axis for the turn in the main winding is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the body,

wherein the turn in the control winding extends substantially along the magnetisable body, and

wherein the axis for the control winding is at right angles to the longitudinal direction.

3. A device as indicated in claim 1, wherein the axis for the turn in the control winding is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the body,

wherein the turn in the main winding extends substantially along the magnetisable body, and

wherein the axis for the main winding is at right angles to the longitudinal direction.

4. A device as claimed in one of claims 1-3, further comprising a third electrical conductor wound round the body along at least a part of the closed circuit for at least one turn which forms a third main winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the third main winding is parallel to the winding axis for the turn in the first main winding, and

wherein a transformer effect between the first and the third main windings results when at least one of the first main winding and the third main winding is excited.

5. A device as claimed in one of claims 1-3, further comprising a third electrical conductor wound round the body along at least a part of the closed circuit for at least one turn which forms a third main winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the third main winding is parallel to the winding axis for the turn in the first control winding, and

wherein a transformer effect between the third main winding and the control winding results when at least one of the first main winding and the third main winding is excited.

29. A frequency converter comprising the device of claim 1, wherein the frequency converter operates on a synchronous motor, and

wherein the frequency converter sums phase voltage components generated by a multi-pulse transformer for a plurality of motor phases.

30. A DC to AC converter comprising the device of claim 1, the device of claim 1 further comprising:

a third winding,

wherein an input signal is converted to an AC output signal at a randomly selected output frequency,

wherein at least one of a stored magnetic energy in a DC-fed first main winding and an inductance of a primary winding is varied by means of an orthogonal control field which influences the inductance,

wherein an AC voltage is generated in the third winding, and

wherein a frequency of the AC voltage equals a frequency of at least one of a flux variation and an inductance variation.

31. A reluctance controlled transformer comprising the device of claim 1, wherein the transformer is a component in an adjustable reactive power compensator,

wherein the transformer creates a linear variable inductance in connection with at least one known filter circuit,

wherein at least one condenser is also included as a circuit element, and

wherein the device is employed as an element in a compensator connection where at least one of a capacitance and an inductance are automatically coupled in and adjusted as required for reactive power compensation.

40. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the axis for the turn in the main winding is coincident with the longitudinal direction of the body.

41. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the axis for the turn in the control winding is coincident with a longitudinal direction of the body.

42. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the axis for the third main winding is coincident with the axis for the first main winding.

43. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the axis for the third winding is coincident with the axis for the control winding.

44. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the characteristic is a magnetic permeability.

6. A magnetically influenced device, comprising:

a first body and a second body each comprising a magnetic circuit, the magnetic circuit comprising an anisotropic magnetisable material, the said bodies being juxtaposed;

at least one first electrical conductor wound along at least a part of the magnetic circuit for at least one turn to form a first main winding; and

at least one second electrical conductor wound around at least a part of at least one of the first body and the second body for at least one turn to form a control winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the main winding is at right angles to a winding axis for the turn in the control winding,

wherein orthogonal magnetic fields are generated in at least one of the first body and the second body when the first main winding and the control winding are excited, and

wherein a characteristic of the anisotropic magnetisable material relative to a field in the main winding is controlled by means of a field in the control winding.

8. A device as indicated in claim 6, further comprising magnetic field connectors which together with the bodies form the magnetic circuit.

9. A device as indicated in claims 6, 7 or 8, further comprising:

a third electrical conductor wound for at least one turn to form a third main winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the third main winding is parallel to the winding axis for the turn in the first main winding, and

wherein a transformer effect between the first and the third main windings results when at least one of the first and third main windings is excited.

16. A device according to one of claims 6-8,

wherein the first and second bodies have a cross section comprising a shape that is selected from the group consisting of circular, square, rectangular, triangular and hexagonal.

7. A magnetically influenced device, comprising:

a first body and a second body, each comprising an anisotropic magnetisable material;

a first magnetic field connector;

a second magnetic field connector;

a closed magnetic circuit formed by a combination of the first and second magnetic field connectors and the first and second bodies;

at least one first electrical conductor wound around at least a part of at least one of the first body and the second body for at least one turn to form a first main winding; and

at least one second electrical conductor wound along at least a part of the closed circuit for at least one turn to form a control winding,

wherein the first and second bodies are juxtaposed,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the main winding is at right angles to a winding axis for the turn in the control winding,

wherein orthogonal magnetic fields are generated in at least one of the first body and the second body when the first main winding and the control winding are excited, and

wherein a characteristic of the anisotropic magnetisable material relative to a field in the main winding is controlled by means of a field in the control winding.

10. A device as claimed in one of claims 7 or 8, further comprising:

a third electrical conductor wound for at least one turn to form a third main winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the third main winding is parallel to the winding axis for the turn in the control winding, and

wherein a transformer effect between the third main winding and the control winding results when at least one of the third main winding and the control winding is excited.

11. A device according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the first and the second body are tubular in shape,

wherein at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor extend through the first and the second bodies, and

wherein the magnetic field connectors comprise apertures for the conductors.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the magnetic field connectors each comprise a gap that facilitates insertion of at least one of the first and the second conductors, and

wherein the gap interrupts a magnetic field path of at least one of the orthogonal magnetic fields.

13. A device according to claim 11,

wherein an insulating film is located between end surfaces of the first and second bodies, and the magnetic field connectors.

14. A device according to claim 11, wherein each of the first and second bodies comprise a plurality of core parts.

15. A device according to claim 14, further comprising an insulating layer arranged between the core parts.

17. A magnetically influenced device, comprising:

a first, external tubular body and a second, internal tubular body located concentric to each other around a common axis, each body comprising an anisotropic magnetisable material that provides a magnetic circuit;

at least one first electrical conductor wound round the tubular bodies for at least one turn to form a first main winding; and

at least one second electrical conductor provided in a gap between the tubular bodies and wound around the common axis for at least one turn to form a control winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the main winding is at right angles to a winding axis for the turn in the control winding,

wherein orthogonal magnetic fields are generated in the body when the first main winding and the control winding are excited, and

wherein a characteristic of the anisotropic magnetisable material relative to a field in the main winding is controlled by means of a field in the control winding.

19. A device according to claim 17, comprising:

a first magnetic field connector; and

a second magnetic field connector,

wherein a closed magnetic circuit is formed by the tubular bodies and the first and second connectors.

20. A device according to claims 17, 18 or 19, comprising:

a third electrical conductor wound for one turn to form a third main winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the third main winding is parallel to the winding axis for the turn in the first main winding, and

wherein a transformer effect between the first and the third main windings results when at least one of the first and third main windings is excited.

21. A device according to claims 17, 18 or 19, comprising:

a third electrical conductor wound for at least one turn to form a third main winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the third main winding is parallel to the winding axis for the turn in the control winding, and

wherein a transformer effect between the third main winding and the control winding results when at least one of the third main winding and the control winding is excited.

18. A magnetically influenced device, comprising:

a first, external tubular body and a second, internal tubular body located concentric to each other around a common axis, each body comprising an anisotropic magnetisable material;

a first magnetic field connector;

a second magnetic field connector,

a closed magnetic circuit formed by the tubular bodies and the first and second connectors;

at least one first electrical conductor provided in a gap between the tubular bodies, the first electrical conductor wound around the common axis for at least one turn to form a first main winding; and

at least one second electrical conductor wound round the tubular bodies for at least one turn to form a control winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the main winding is at right angles to a winding axis for the turn in the control winding,

wherein orthogonal magnetic fields are generated in at least one of the first body and the second body when the first main winding and the control winding are excited, and

wherein a characteristic of the anisotropic magnetisable material relative to a field in the main winding is controlled by means of a field in the control winding.

22. A magnetically influenced device, comprising:

a first, external tubular body comprising an anisotropic magnetisable material;

a second, internal tubular body comprising the anisotropic magnetisable material;

an additional tubular body which provides an external core which is mounted outside of and concentric with the first, external tubular body along a common axis;

at least one first electrical conductor wound round the tubular bodies for at least one turn to form a first main winding; and

at least one second electrical conductor mounted in a gap between the first and the second bodies and wound around the common axis for at least one turn to form a control winding,

wherein the tubular bodies each provide a closed magnetic circuit,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the main winding is at right angles to a winding axis for the turn in the control winding,

wherein orthogonal magnetic fields are generated in at least one of the first body and the second body when the first main winding and the control winding are excited, and

wherein a characteristic of the anisotropic magnetisable material relative to the field in the main winding is controlled by means of a field in the control winding.

24. A device according to claims 22 or 23, comprising:

a first magnetic field connector; and

a second magnetic field connector,

wherein the first and second magnetic field connectors together with the tubular bodies provide the closed magnetic circuit.

25. A device according to claims 22 or 23, comprising:

a third electrical conductor wound around the external core for one turn to form a third main winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the third main winding is parallel to the winding axis for the turn in the first main winding, and

wherein a transformer effect between the first and the third main windings results when at least one of the first and the third main winding is excited.

26. A device according to claims 22 or 23, comprising:

a third electrical conductor wound around the external core for at least one turn to form a third main winding,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the third main winding is parallel to the winding axis for the turn in the control winding, and

wherein a transformer effect between the third main winding and the control winding results when at least one of the third main winding and the control winding is excited.

27. A device according to one of claims 22 or 23, the external core comprising:

several annular parts,

wherein at least one of the first and the third main windings form an individual winding around each annular part.

28. A device according to one of claims 22 or 23, wherein the external core comprises:

several annular parts,

wherein at least one of the control winding and the third main winding form an individual winding around each annular part.

39. The device according to one of claims 22 and 23 wherein the closed magnetic circuit is an internal core.

23. A magnetically influenced device, comprising:

a first, external tubular body comprising an anisotropic magnetisable material;

a second, internal tubular body comprising the anisotropic magnetisable material;

an additional tubular body which provides an external core mounted outside of and concentric with the first, external tubular body along a common axis;

at least one first electrical conductor wound around the tubular bodies for at least one turn to form a first main winding; and

at least one second electrical conductor mounted in a gap between the first and the second bodies and wound round the common axis for at least one turn to form a control winding,

wherein the tubular bodies each provide a closed magnetic circuit,

wherein a winding axis for the turn in the main winding is at right angles to a winding axis for the turn in the control winding,

wherein orthogonal magnetic fields are generated in at least one of the first body and the second body when the first main winding and the control winding are excited, and

wherein a characteristic of the anisotropic magnetisable material relative to a field in the main winding is controlled by means of a field in the control winding.

32. A controllable magnetic structure comprising:

an anisotropic magnetic body comprising a closed magnetic circuit;

a main winding wound around a portion of the anisotropic magnetic body defining a first axis; and

a control winding in conjunction with the portion of the anisotropic magnetic body, said control winding wound about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis,

wherein a main field is generated by the main winding in the closed magnetic circuit in a high permeability direction when the main winding is energized,

wherein a control field, orthogonal to the main field, is generated by the control winding in the closed magnetic circuit in a low permeability direction when the control winding is energized, and

wherein the main field is controllable by the control field.

33. A current regulator comprising the controllable magnetic structure of claim 32.

34. A voltage regulator comprising the controllable magnetic structure of claim 32.

35. The magnetic structure of claim 32 wherein each of the main field and the control field are generated in substantially all of the closed magnetic circuit.

36. A method of employing a second field to control a first field in a closed magnetic circuit, the closed magnetic circuit comprising an anisotropic magnetic material, the method comprising the steps of:

generating the first field in the closed magnetic circuit in a high permeability direction;

generating the second field, orthogonal to the first field, in the closed magnetic circuit in a low permeability direction; and

adjusting the second field to control the first field.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of adjusting comprises adjusting a magnitude of the second field.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein both the first field and the second field are generated in substantially all of the closed magnetic circuit.