Power conversion system with bi-directional power converter having prime mover start capability

• US 5,015,941 A
• Filed: 10/30/1989
• Issued: 05/14/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Dhyanchand, P. John
• Primary Examiner(s): HICKEY, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/428,969
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 322/10, 322/11, 322/29, 290/38 R, 290/46
• US Class Current: 322/10
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2101/30 for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator

Abstract

A power conversion system utilizes a brushless generator driven by a prime mover when operating in a generating mode and drives the prime mover when operating in a starting mode. The system includes first and second bidirectional converter/inverter units, each of the bidirectional units being operable as either an AC to DC converter or a DC to AC inverter. A DC link couples the first and second bidirectional units. A transformer is connected to the second unit and the first unit is further connected to the armature windings, the transformer further being connected to the external power source. A control unit is connected to the first and second bidirectional units and causes the first bidirectional unit to operate as a converter and the second bidirectional unit to operate as an inverter when operating in the generating mode, and for causing the first bidirectional unit to operate as an inverter and the second bidirectional unit to operate as a converter when operating in the starting mode.

Claims

1. A power conversion system operable in a generating mode to convert motive power into electrical power and in a starting mode to convert electrical power into motive power utilizing an external power source and a generator having armature windings, comprising:

first and second bidirectional means, each of said bidirectional means being operable as either an AC to DC converter or a DC to AC inverter;

a DC link coupling said first and second bidirectional means;

transformer means connected to said second means;

said first bidirectional means further being adapted to be connected to said armature windings, and said transformer means further being adapted to be connected to the external power source; and

control means connected to said first and second bidirectional means for causing said first bidirectional means to operate as a converter and said second bidirectional means to operate as an inverter when operating in said generating mode, and for causing said first bidirectional means to operate as an inverter and said second bidirectional means to operate as a converter when operating in said starting mode.

2. The power conversion system of claim 1, wherein said transformer means is an autotransformer

3. The power conversion system of claim 1, wherein said transformer means operates as a step-up transformer when in said generating mode and operates as a step-down transformer when in said starting mode.

4. The power conversion system of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second bidirectional means comprises a plurality of diodes connected in a rectifier bridge arrangement, and a switching transistor connected in parallel with each of said diodes, said control means being connected to control operation of said transistors.

5. The power conversion system of claim 1, and further including means adapted to be connected to said external power source and to said generator for providing a field current to said generator when operating in said starting mode.