Method and system for managing an electrical output of a turbogenerator
First Claim
1. A method for managing an electrical output of a turbogenerator having a turbine in communication with exhaust associated with an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- detecting revolutions per unit time associated with the turbogenerator;
outputting electrical energy from a turbogenerator output through a rectifier to a direct current bus in a first mode where the detected turbogenerator revolutions per unit time meet or exceed a minimum threshold;
providing the outputted electrical energy from the direct current bus to at least one of an electric drive motor through an inverter and a direct current port in the first mode; and
outputting electrical power from a generator output of a secondary generator, distinct from the turbogenerator and mechanically driven by the internal combustion engine, to the direct current bus in a second mode where turbogenerator revolutions per unit time are less than the minimum threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system and method manages an electrical output of a turbogenerator in accordance with multiple modes. In a first mode, a direct current (DC) bus receives power from a turbogenerator output via a rectifier where turbogenerator revolutions per unit time (e.g., revolutions per minute (RPM)) or an electrical output level of a turbogenerator output meet or exceed a minimum threshold. In a second mode, if the turbogenerator revolutions per unit time or electrical output level of a turbogenerator output are less than the minimum threshold, the electric drive motor or a generator mechanically powered by the engine provides electrical energy to the direct current bus.
104 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for managing an electrical output of a turbogenerator having a turbine in communication with exhaust associated with an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
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detecting revolutions per unit time associated with the turbogenerator; outputting electrical energy from a turbogenerator output through a rectifier to a direct current bus in a first mode where the detected turbogenerator revolutions per unit time meet or exceed a minimum threshold; providing the outputted electrical energy from the direct current bus to at least one of an electric drive motor through an inverter and a direct current port in the first mode; and outputting electrical power from a generator output of a secondary generator, distinct from the turbogenerator and mechanically driven by the internal combustion engine, to the direct current bus in a second mode where turbogenerator revolutions per unit time are less than the minimum threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for managing an electrical output of a turbogenerator having a turbine in communication with exhaust associated with an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
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a first sensor for detecting revolutions per unit time associated with a shaft or a rotor of the turbogenerator; a direct current bus; the turbogenerator for outputting electrical energy from a turbogenerator output to feed the direct current bus through a rectifier in a first mode where the detected turbogenerator revolutions per unit time meet or exceed a minimum threshold; an electric drive motor for accepting the outputted electrical energy in the first mode from the direct current bus through an inverter; and a secondary generator, distinct from the turbogenerator and mechanically driven by the internal combustion engine, for outputting electrical power from a generator output to the direct current bus in a second mode where the detected turbogenerator revolutions per unit time are less than the minimum threshold. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for managing an electrical output of a turbogenerator having a turbine, in communication with exhaust associated with an internal combustion engine, and mechanically couple to a primary generator, the method comprising:
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detecting an electrical output level associated with the primary generator of the turbogenerator; outputting electrical energy from a turbogenerator output through a rectifier to a direct current bus in a first mode where the detected electrical output level meets or exceeds a minimum threshold; and providing the outputted electrical energy from the direct current bus to at least one of an electric drive motor through an inverter and a direct current port in the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system for managing an electrical output of a turbogenerator having a turbine in communication with exhaust associated with an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
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a first sensor for detecting an electrical output level associated with the turbogenerator; a direct current bus; the turbogenerator for outputting electrical energy from a turbogenerator output to feed the direct current bus in a first mode where the detected electrical output level during an evaluation time window meets or exceeds a minimum threshold; an electric drive motor for accepting the outputted electrical energy in the first mode; and a secondary generator, distinct from the turbogenerator and mechanically driven by the internal combustion engine, for outputting electrical power from a generator output to the direct current bus in a second mode where the detected electrical output level is less than the minimum threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A system comprising:
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an internal combustion engine; a turbogenerator having a turbine in communication with exhaust associated with the internal combustion engine wherein the turbine is mechanically coupled to a primary generator or alternator for generating electrical energy output; a secondary generator or alternator mechanically driven by the internal combustion engine; a sensor for inferring a rotational speed of a rotational member of the turbogenerator; a mode controller coupled to the sensor; a direct current bus for receiving power i) from the turbogenerator output in a first mode controlled by the mode controller if the sensor senses a condition above a threshold, and ii) in a second mode controlled by the mode controller if the sensor senses a condition below the threshold from at least one of a) the secondary generator, and b) an electric drive motor/generator. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification