Segmented waveform converter on controlled field variable speed generator

• US 10,063,097 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2016
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company, Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Frampton, Isaac S., Larson, Adam, Rotter, Terrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez Ramirez, Julio C.
• Application Number:
  US15/175,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20170110976A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 322 59, 322 44, 322 28, 322 89, 322 7, 180 6526, 180 65512, 290 40 C, 290 40 R, 56 148, 56 147, 56 101
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1492 by means of controlling devices between the generator output and the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/007 Plural converter units in cascade push-pull DC/DC converters with pre-regulator H02M3/3374; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC stage including a high frequency transformer H02M7/4807; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC conversion stage generating periodically varying voltages H02M7/4826
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0077 Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/126 using passive filters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/158 including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/297 for conversion of frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/219 in a bridge configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/30 using semiconductor devices
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus includes a controlled field alternator or utility source of electrical power, a segmented waveform converter, and a controller. The source of electrical power is configured to generate a polyphase signal. The synchronous inverter includes multiple switches connected between the polyphase signal of the source of electrical power and an output filter. The controller is configured to provide a control signal for the switches based on measured electrical quantities associated with the output filter and may provide a field control signal to the controlled field alternator. The apparatus may be applied to a vehicle, a lawnmower, a zero turn radius lawnmower, or another type of machine.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an alternator;

an output drive mechanism; and

at least one synchronous inverter including a plurality of switches connected between the alternator and the output drive mechanism,

wherein the at least one synchronous inverter includes a first synchronous inverter associated with a first wheel of a vehicle and a second synchronous inverter associated with a second wheel of the vehicle, wherein the first wheel or the second wheel is coupled to the output drive mechanism,

wherein a force from the first wheel causes power to flow from the first synchronous inverter to the second synchronous inverter to the second wheel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alternator is of a dual axis type including airgaps that are co-axially located on a common plane normal to an axis of rotation of the alternator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output drive mechanism is coupled with a mowing system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery, wherein the at least one synchronous inverter includes a supplemental synchronous inverter configured to charge the battery.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one synchronous inverter includes a synchronous inverter associated with a first wheel of a vehicle and a synchronous inverter associated with a second wheel of the vehicle, wherein the first wheel or the second wheel is coupled to the output drive mechanism.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein power associated with braking the first wheel is transferred to the battery through the supplemental synchronous inverter for charging the battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a direct current output of the at least one synchronous inverter configured to provide a field current to the alternator.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a utility bus configured to receive power from a utility for the at least one synchronous inverter.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the utility bus includes an inductive coil for wirelessly receiving power from the utility.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller configured to provide a control signal for the plurality of switches based on measured electrical quantities associated with an output and provide a field control signal to the alternator.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a plurality of combinations of available voltages through different settings for the plurality of switches, a connection configuration of the outputs, or the field control signal.

12. An apparatus comprising:

an alternator;

a first output drive mechanism;

a first synchronous inverter associated with a first wheel of a vehicle and including a first plurality of switches connected between the alternator and the first output drive mechanism;

a second output drive mechanism; and

a second synchronous inverter associated with a second wheel of a vehicle and including a second plurality of switches connected between the alternator and the second output drive mechanism,

wherein a force from the first wheel causes power to flow from the first synchronous inverter to the second synchronous inverter to the second wheel.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the alternator is of a dual axis type including airgaps that are co-axially located on a common plane normal to an axis of rotation of the alternator.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first output drive mechanism is coupled with a mowing system.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a battery; and

a supplemental synchronous inverter configured to charge the battery.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a direct current output of the first synchronous inverter configured to provide a field current to the alternator.