Inverter

• US 7,609,010 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2004
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB (Dometic Group AB)
• Original Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB (Dometic Group AB)
• Inventors: Korssell, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US10/561,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20070096671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,952 Days
• Field of Search: 318/140, 318/153, 318/139, 318/701, 318/801, 318/400.03, 318/400.09, 290/36.R, 307/10.1, 307/10.6, 320/104, 320/116, 332/14, 332/19, 332/23
• US Class Current: 318/139
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1438 in combination with power supplies for loads other than batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 27/06 using dc to ac converters or inverters H02P27/05 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inverter and a method for converting direct current voltage to alternating current. The inverter comprises a first input arranged to be connected to the ordinary current supply system of a vessel, where the current supply system comprises a generator connected to a battery, and an output, and an output arranged to be connected to an alternating current motor, where, for at least a period of time, the alternating current motor requires a first torque M₁ in order to rotate. The inverter comprises, in addition, a regulating circuit arranged to measure a charging current from the generator to the battery and to measure the voltage level in the battery. The regulating circuit is, in addition, arranged to permit a certain output current from the vessel'"'"'s ordinary current supply system to the inverter which is higher than the charging current, in a first operating mode. The regulating circuit is, in addition, arranged to limit the output current while maintaining the torque for the alternating current motor, in a second operating mode.

Claims

1. An inverter for converting direct current voltage to alternating current voltage comprising:

a first input arranged to be connected to a vessel'"'"'s ordinary current supply system, where said current supply system comprises a generator connected to a battery, and

an output arranged to be connected to an alternating current motor, where, for at least a period of time, said alternating current motor requires a first torque M₁ in order to rotate,

wherein a regulating circuit is arranged to measure a charging current from said generator to said battery and to measure the voltage level in said battery,

said regulating circuit is, in addition, arranged to permit an output current from said vessel'"'"'s ordinary current supply system to said inverter which is higher than said charging current, in a first operating mode and said regulating circuit is arranged to limit said output current while maintaining the torque for said motor, in a second operating mode,

said regulating circuit is arranged to assume said first operating mode if said battery voltage is over a limit value for the battery voltage, and

said regulating circuit is arranged to assume said second operating mode when said battery voltage is below said limit value for the battery voltage, in order thereby to prevent said battery voltage from dropping further.

2. The inverter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inverter comprises a second input, on which second input a signal can be applied, said regulating circuit is arranged to assume said first operating mode when said signal assumes a first value, and said regulating circuit is arranged to assume said second operating mode when said signal assumes a second value.

3. The inverter as claimed in claim 2, wherein said regulating circuit is arranged to assume said first operating mode only if said battery voltage is above a limit value for the battery voltage.

4. The inverter as claimed in claim 2, wherein said signal can assume a number of values, with said signal value being proportional to a maximal output current level to which said regulating circuit limits said output current.

5. The inverter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said limiting of the output current is carried out by reducing the voltage and the frequency applied to said alternating current motor in such a way that the ratio between said voltage and frequency is constant, while the current to said alternating current motor is kept constant, in order thereby to reduce the power supplied to said alternating current motor without reducing said torque.

6. The inverter as claims in claim 1, wherein said limit value for said battery voltage is set in such a way that the function of other electronics that are supplied with power from said battery is guaranteed.

7. The inverter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said regulation circuit is arranged to measure said current output from said vessel'"'"'s ordinary current supply system, and said regulating circuit is arranged to limit said current output from said vessel'"'"'s ordinary current supply system to a limit value for an output current, if said current output exceeds said limit value for the output current.

8. The inverter as claimed in claim 7, wherein said regulating circuit measures said current output by measuring the magnetic field with a Hall element.

9. The inverter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery voltage is measured at said first input to said inverter.

10. The inverter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery voltage is measured at said battery.

11. The inverter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output current is measured by measuring the rotational speed of said generator.

12. The inverter as claims in claim 11, wherein the rotational speed of said generator is measured by measuring the ripple on said battery voltage.

13. A method for supplying current to an apparatus in a vehicle than has an ordinary current supply system, said ordinary current supply system comprising a battery which is charged by a generator, said vehicle comprising, in addition, an inverter that has an input connected to said ordinary current supply system and are output connected to said apparatus for supplying said apparatus with an alternating current, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring a charging current from said generator to said battery,

permitting an output current from said ordinary current supply system to said inverter during a first operating mode for supplying said apparatus with current,

limiting said output current from said ordinary current supply system to said inverter during a second operating mode, while retaining the torque to said apparatus, and

measuring the battery voltage, assuming said first operating mode if said battery voltage is above a limit value for the battery voltage, and assuming said second operating mode when said battery voltage is below said limit value for the battery voltage, in order thereby to prevent said battery voltage from dropping still further.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said limiting of the output current is carried out by reducing the voltage and the frequency of said alternating current that is applied to said apparatus so that the ratio between said voltage and frequency is constant while the current to said apparatus is kept constant, in order thereby to reduce the power applied to said apparatus without reducing said torque.