Systems and methods for distributing loads

• US 7,573,155 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated, Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Remy Incorporated (BorgWarner Incorporated), Sure Power, Inc. (Oregon) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Politano, Guido, Lawahmeh, Ahmed, Brune, Christopher S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paladini; Albert W
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAPLAN, HAL IRA
• Application Number:
  US11/405,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20060232248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 307/47, 307/84, 322/22
• US Class Current: 307/47
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries

Abstract

Systems and methods for adjusting outputs of dynamoelectric devices, such as alternators, are provided. The outputs of the dynamoelectric devices may be balanced to facilitate load sharing among the devices. The outputs may be balanced by monitoring field signals associated with the dynamoelectric devices and controlling the field voltages of the devices. The outputs may also be adjusted to supply the load in dissimilar proportions.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first dynamoelectric device producing a first output and supplying a load;

a second dynamoelectric device producing a second output and supplying the load; and

a control module configured to independently balance the first and second outputs, such that the first and second dynamoelectric devices supply the load in similar proportions, by directly monitoring a first field signal associated with a rotor of the first dynamoelectric device and a second field signal associated with a rotor of the second dynamoelectric device, and adjusting both the first dynamoelectric device and the second dynamoelectric device to balance the first and second outputs.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first dynamoelectric device is a first alternator and the second dynamoelectric device is a second alternator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second alternators are embedded in a vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module determines a first duty cycle of the first dynamoelectric device from the first field signal and determines a second duty cycle of the second dynamoelectric device from the second field signal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the control module substantially balances the first and second outputs such that the first and second duty cycles are substantially balanced.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first field signal reflects a field voltage of the first dynamoelectric device and the second field signal reflects a field voltage of the second dynamoelectric device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first dynamoelectric device includes a first sense terminal and the second dynamoelectric device includes a second sense terminal, and wherein the control module substantially balances the first and second outputs by adjusting at least one of a first sense voltage at the first sense terminal and a second sense voltage at the second sense terminal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the control module adjusts at least one of the first and second sense voltages by decreasing at least one of a first resistance and a second resistance respectively coupled to the first and second sense terminals.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module substantially balances the first and second outputs by controlling a first field voltage and a first field current supplied to the first dynamoelectric device and a second field voltage and a second field current supplied to the second dynamoelectric device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first dynamoelectric device includes a first sense terminal and the second dynamoelectric device includes a second sense terminal, and wherein the control module controls the first and second field voltages and the first and second field currents by adjusting at least one of a first sense voltage at the first sense terminal and a second sense voltage at the second sense terminal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the control module adjusts at least one of the first and second sense voltages by decreasing at least one of a first resistance and a second resistance respectively coupled to the first and second sense terminals.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first field signal is monitored directly from a first rotor of the first dynamoelectric device and the second field signal is monitored directly from a second rotor of the second dynamoelectric device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first field signal is monitored via a first field monitor signal provided by a first regulator coupled to the first dynamoelectric device and the second field signal is monitored via a second field monitor signal provided by a second regulator coupled to the second dynamoelectric device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first field monitor signal directly corresponds to the first field signal and the second field monitor signal directly corresponds to the second field signal.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first field monitor signal is provided through a pull-push circuit and includes an inverse of the first field signal.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second field monitor signal directly corresponds to the second field signal.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module includes at least one microprocessor.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third dynamoelectric device producing a third output and supplying the load.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the control module is further configured to substantially balance the first, second, and third outputs, such that the first, second, and third dynamoelectric devices supply the load in similar proportions.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module substantially balances the first and second outputs such that the first output and the second output differ by less than 10 percent.

21. A method for balancing dynamoelectric machine outputs, the method comprising:

directly monitoring a first field signal associated with a rotor of a first dynamoelectric machine;

directly monitoring a second field signal associated with a rotor of a second dynamoelectric machine;

independently balancing a first output of the first dynamoelectric machine and a second output of the second dynamoelectric machine by controlling a first field voltage of the first dynamoelectric machine and a second field voltage of the second dynamoelectric; and

adjusting both the first dynamoelectric device and the second dynamoelectric device to balance the first and second outputs.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein monitoring the first field signal includes determining a duty cycle of the first dynamoelectric machine based on the first field signal.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein monitoring the first field signal includes monitoring a first field voltage of the first dynamoelectric machine.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein monitoring the second field signal includes determining a duty cycle of the second dynamoelectric machine based on the second field signal.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein substantially balancing the first and second outputs includes adjusting at least one resistance to control the first and second field voltages.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein substantially balancing the first and second outputs includes balancing the first and second outputs such that the first output and the second output differ by less than 10 percent.

27. A circuit for balancing dynamoelectric machine outputs, the circuit comprising:

a first variable resistance coupled to a first sense terminal of a first dynamoelectric machine;

a second variable resistance coupled to a second sense terminal of a second dynamoelectric machine; and

a control module, including;

a first input terminal for directly monitoring a first field voltage associated with a rotor of the first dynamoelectric machine;

a second input terminal for directly monitoring a second field voltage associated with a rotor of the second dynamoelectric machine; and

a processor for independently balancing a first output of the first dynamoelectric machine and a second output of the second dynamoelectric machine by adjusting the first and second variable resistances.

28. The circuit of claim 27, wherein the first and second dynamoelectric machines include alternators.

29. A system comprising

means for directly monitoring a first field signal associated with a rotor of a first dynamoelectric machine;

means for directly monitoring a second field signal associated with a rotor of a second dynamoelectric machine; and

means for independently balancing a first output of the first dynamoelectric machine and a second output of the second dynamoelectric machine by controlling a first field voltage of the first dynamoelectric machine and a second field voltage of the second dynamoelectric machine; and

means for adjusting both the first dynamoelectric device and the second dynamoelectric device to balance the first and second outputs.

30. A method for adjusting dynamoelectric machine outputs, comprising:

directly monitoring a first field signal associated with a rotor of a first dynamoelectric machine that supplies a load;

directly monitoring a second field signal associated with a rotor of a second dynamoelectric machine that supplies the load; and

adjusting outputs of the first dynamoelectric machine and the second dynamoelectric machine, such that the first dynamoelectric machine and the second dynamoelectric machine supply the load in dissimilar proportions, by controlling a first field voltage of the first dynamoelectric machine and a second field voltage of the second dynamoelectric machine.