Method and system for managing an electrical output of a turbogenerator

• US 7,781,904 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2009
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Vuk, Carl Thomas, Stahlhut, Ronnie Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez; J C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas; Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US12/430,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20090224541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 290/40.C, 290/52, 180/65.4
• US Class Current: 290/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/26 Transition between different drive modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/13 using AC generators and AC motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/143 with multiple generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/00 Arrangements for controlling electric generators for the purpose of obtaining a desired output
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/48 Arrangements for obtaining a constant output value at varying speed of the generator, e.g. on vehicle H02P9/04 - H02P9/46 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

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.

Claims

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 current bus in a first mode where the detected turbogenerator revolutions per unit time meet or exceed a minimum threshold; 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 current bus in a second mode where the detected turbogenerator revolutions per unit time are less than the minimum threshold.

2. 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:

a first sensor for detecting revolutions per unit time associated with a shaft or a rotor of a turbogenerator;

a current bus;

the turbogenerator for outputting electrical energy from a turbogenerator output to feed the current bus in a first mode where the detected turbogenerator revolutions per unit time meet or exceed a minimum threshold; 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 current bus in a second mode where the detected turbogenerator revolutions per unit time are less than the minimum threshold.

3. 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:

a first sensor for detecting an electrical output level associated with the turbogenerator;

the turbogenerator for outputting electrical energy from a turbogenerator output to feed a current bus in a first mode where the detected electrical output level during an evaluation time window meets or exceeds a minimum threshold; 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 current bus in a second mode where the detected electrical output level is less than the minimum threshold.

4. A system comprising:

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 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 the secondary generator.