Patent · US Expired

Line power unit for micropower generation

US6128204A · kind A · utility

42Cited by
2References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 26, 1998
Grant dateOct 3, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 26, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02P9/08
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A line power unit controls electrical power delivery to a grid from a three phase permanent magnet generator. A line power unit controller receives a power level command and controls a main inverter that draws DC power from a DC bus to deliver the commanded power to a grid. The DC bus is fed DC voltage via a three phase permanent magnet generator and a rectifier. The inverter delivers power to the grid via a filter, transformer and main contactor. The line power unit controller also controls the main contactor to break the connection with the grid. A precharge circuit draws power from the grid to precharge the DC bus to a precharge voltage. Alternatives include a start inverter separate from the main inverter that permits simultaneous delivery of power to the grid and commutation of the permanent magnet generator as a motor to spin an engine connected thereto at a speed sufficient to permit engine starting. Another alternative utilizes a single inverter for engine starting and power delivery which does not permit these operations to be simultaneously performed. Further alternatives include eliminating the transformer by utilizing a high-voltage rated main inverter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.