Electric power generation system with multiple alternators driven by a common prime mover
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine;
a first variable speed generator driven by the engine;
a second variable speed generator driven by the engine;
a first inverter to convert variable electric power from the first variable speed generator to provide a first controlled AC voltage at a first electrical output node;
a second inverter to convert variable electric power from the second variable speed generator to provide a second controlled AC voltage at a second electrical output node, the first inverter and the second inverter being electrically connected together with a common electrical node to provide a third controlled AC voltage across the first output node and the second output node greater than each of the first controlled AC voltage and the second controlled AC voltage; and
a switching device to receive the first controlled AC voltage, the second controlled AC voltage, and AC power from an external power source, wherein the switching device is structured to supply the first controlled AC voltage to the first electrical output node and to supply the second controlled AC voltage to the second electrical output node when AC power from the external power source is below a threshold value.
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a vehicular electric power generation system comprising a variable speed internal combustion engine, a first variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a second variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a first inverter to receive electric power from the first generator a provide a first controlled electric output, a second inverter to receive electric power from the second generator and provide a second controlled electric output, and a controller coupled to the engine. The controller is responsive to variation in electrical loading of the first inverter and the second inverter and a degree of electrical load imbalance between the first inverter and second inverter to provide one or more engine control signals. The engine is responsive to the one more engine control signals to change rotational operating speed to adjust for the variation in electrical loading and the degree of electrical load imbalance.
85 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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an internal combustion engine; a first variable speed generator driven by the engine; a second variable speed generator driven by the engine; a first inverter to convert variable electric power from the first variable speed generator to provide a first controlled AC voltage at a first electrical output node; a second inverter to convert variable electric power from the second variable speed generator to provide a second controlled AC voltage at a second electrical output node, the first inverter and the second inverter being electrically connected together with a common electrical node to provide a third controlled AC voltage across the first output node and the second output node greater than each of the first controlled AC voltage and the second controlled AC voltage; and a switching device to receive the first controlled AC voltage, the second controlled AC voltage, and AC power from an external power source, wherein the switching device is structured to supply the first controlled AC voltage to the first electrical output node and to supply the second controlled AC voltage to the second electrical output node when AC power from the external power source is below a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus, comprising:
- a motor coach, a trailer, a camper, a truck, a bus, or a watercraft including;
an internal combustion engine; a first variable speed generator driven by the engine; a second variable speed generator driven by the engine; a first inverter to convert variable electric power from the first variable speed generator to provide a first controlled AC voltage; a second inverter to convert variable electric power from the second variable speed generator to provide a second controlled AC voltage, wherein the first inverter and the second inverter are coupled together to provide a third controlled AC voltage greater than each of the first controlled AC voltage and the second controlled AC voltage; and a switching device to receive the first controlled AC voltage, the second controlled AC voltage, and AC power from an external power source, wherein the switching device is structured to supply the first controlled AC voltage to a first electrical output node and to supply the second controlled AC voltage to a second electrical output node when AC power from the external power source is below a threshold value.
- a motor coach, a trailer, a camper, a truck, a bus, or a watercraft including;
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11. A method, comprising:
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carrying an electrical power generation system with a vehicle, the system including an internal combustion engine with a drive shaft, a first variable speed electric power generator and a second variable speed electric power generator; driving the first generator and the second generator with the drive shaft to provide a first power output from the system at a first controlled AC voltage and a second power output from the system at a second controlled AC voltage greater than the first controlled AC voltage, and a third power output from the system at a third controlled AC voltage; propelling the vehicle with another engine; and supplying the first power output, the second power output, and the third power output when AC power from an external power source is below a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first variable speed electric power generator; a second variable speed electric power generator; a first rectifier connected to the first variable speed generator, a first DC bus connected to the first rectifier, and a first inverter connected to the first DC bus; a second rectifier connected to the second variable speed generator, a second DC bus connected to the second rectifier, and a second inverter connected to the second DC bus; at least one energy storage device electrically coupled to at least one of the first DC bus and the second DC bus; and means for boosting an electric power output from at least one of the first inverter and the second inverter with the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus, comprising:
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an internal combustion engine; a first variable speed generator driven by the engine; a second variable speed generator driven by the engine; a first inverter to convert variable electric power from the first variable speed generator to provide a first controlled AC voltage; a second inverter to convert variable electric power from the second variable speed generator to provide a second controlled AC voltage, wherein the first inverter and the second inverter are coupled together to provide a third controlled AC voltage greater than each of the first controlled AC voltage and the second controlled AC voltage; and a switching device to receive the first controlled AC voltage, the second controlled AC voltage, and the third controlled AC voltage, wherein the switching device is structured to supply the first controlled AC voltage, the second controlled AC voltage, and the third AC controlled voltage to one or more loads when AC power from an external power source is below a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification