Engine induction air driven turbine-alternator incorporating speed control of the turbine in response to alternator output voltage
US5818117A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/72
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A turboalternator and air flow control assembly for mounting on a combustion air intake of an internal combustion engine comprises a body having an inlet and an outlet defining an air flow path, a nozzle carrier in the body defining a plurality of turbine nozzles spaced arcuately about and generally parallel with a central axis, the nozzles having inlet and outlet ends and forming a portion of the air flow path, a rotor mounted in the body on bearings for rotation on the central axis, the rotor driving an electric generator and including a turbine wheel having blades axially adjacent and radially aligned with said nozzles, a bypass passage in the body and connecting the inlet and outlet separately from the nozzles, and a bypass valve in the bypass passage and operable to control air flow through said bypass passage. Various embodiments including concentric or parallel bypass passage arrangements and having axial or radial gap alternators with permanent magnet rotors are featured. A battery charging system and method for voltage regulation of turbine and engine driven alternators combined in the system are also featured.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.