Modular power supply with plural rectifier housings back of which contains rectifying devices, a transformer and fan means

Claim 2

An alternating to direct-current converter for large power applications comprising a plurality of individual rectifying units connected together to be responsive to a common source of alternating voltage and to develop a common direct current output, power control means operatively coupled between said source and said plurality of rectifying units, each of said rectifying units comprising at least a respective transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a respective rectifying circuit coupled in the output of said secondary winding and a respective circuit breaker means operatively coupled in circuit with said transformer means to selectively connect and disconnect its associated transformer to said power control means, and wherein each of said rectifying units further comprises a respective housing extending longitudinally in a generally horizontal direction and being constructed to define a confined path for airflow through said housing in a horizontal direction, an inlet at one end of said housing, an outlet at the other end of said housing and fan means mounted in each housing and adapted to establish a moving current of air through said housing along said path, a respective transformer and rectifying circuit being mounted in each housing so as to be disposed in said moving current of air.

Claim 3

An alternating to direct current converter for large power applications comprising a frame adapted to accommodate and support a plurality of substantially identical rectifying units, a plurality of rectifying units mounted in and supported by said frame, said rectifying units being electrically connected together to be responsive to a common source of alternating voltage and to develop a common direct current output, power control means operatively coupled between said source and said rectifying units, regulator means responsive to said common output and operatively coupled to said power control means to vary the power from said source to said rectifying units in accordance with variations in said common output, and a plurality of circuit breaker means each of which is operatively coupled between said power control means and a respective rectifying unit for selectively connecting and disconnecting its respective unit to and from said power control means, and wherein each of said rectifying units further comprises a modular housing having wall means defining a substantially confined path through said housing for cooling air, a cooling air inlet at one end of said housing, an outlet at the other end of said housing, fan means mounted in said housing and adapted to establish a current of moving air through said housing from the inlet thereof to the outlet thereof, a respective transformer mounted in each housing so as to be disposed in said path of cooling air therethrough and having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said primary winding being adapted to be electrically coupled to said power control means through a respective circuit breaker means, and a respective rectifying circuit mounted in said housing so as to be disposed in said path of cooling air therethrough and being electrically coupled between said secondary winding and said common output.

Claim 4

An alternating to direct current converter for large power applications comprising a frame adapted to accommodate and support a plurality of substantially identical rectifying units, a plurality of rectifying units mounted in and supported by said frame, said rectifying units being electrically connected together to be responsive to a common source of alternating voltage and to develop a common direct current output, power control means operatively coupled between said source and said rectifying units, regulator means responsive to said common output and operatively coupled to said power control means to vary the power from said source to said rectifying units in accordance with variations in said common output, and a plurality of circuit breaker means each of which is operatively coupled between said power control means and a respective rectifying unit for selectively connecting and disconnecting its respective unit to and from said power control means, and wherein each of said rectifying units further comprises a modular housing having wall means defining a substantially confined path through said housing for cooling air, a cooling air inlet at one end of said housing, an outlet at the other end of said housing, fan means mounted in said housing and adapted to establish a current of moving air through said housing from the inlet thereof to the outlet thereof, a respective transformer mounted in each housing so as to be disposed in said path of cooling air therethrough and having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said primary winding being adapted to be electrically coupled to said power control means through a respective circuit breaker means, and a respective rectifying circuit mounted in said housing so as to be disposed in said path of cooling air therethrough and being electrically coupled between said secondary winding and said common output.

Claim 5

The converter set forth in claim 2 wherein said common source is a three-phase source and said power control means comprises at least three pairs of rectifiers, at least one of said rectifiers in each of said pairs being a controlled rectifier having a control electrode operatively coupled to said regulator means to vary the power from said source in accordance with variations in said common output.

Claim 6

The converter set forth in claim 2 wherein said frame has a plurality of openings extending horizontally through said frame from the front of said frame to the rear of said frame and wherein each modular housing is removably mounted in a respective opening of said frame.

Claim 7

The converter set forth in claim 4 wherein said frame openings are generally rectangular, each housing extends longitudinally in a horizontal direction through said frame and has a transverse vertical cross section that is generally rectangular, each housing has a substantially closed top wall, a substantially closed bottom wall and substantially closed sidewalls, said top, bottom and sidewalls defining said path for cooling air through said modules, an inlet grill at a front end of each housing and an outlet grill at the rear end of each housing so that said path for cooling air is a substantially direct horizontal path from said inlet grill through said housing, over said transformer and said rectifying circuits, to said outlet grill.

Claim 8

The converter set forth in claim 4 wherein each circuit breaker means is mounted on said frame directly adjacent a respective opening in which an associated modular housing is supported.

Claim 9

The converter set forth in claim 4 wherein a first plurality of openings in said frame are arranged in a first vertical column, a second plurality of openings in said frame are arranged in a second vertical column with each opening in said second column in horizontal, side-by-side alignment with a respective opening in said second column, a first plurality of said modular housings supported in said frame openings in said first column and a second plurality of said modular housings supported in said frame openings in said second column.

Claim 10

The converter set forth in claim 2 wherein said rectifying circuits are mounted adjacent said inlet of their respective housings, said fan means are mounted adjacent said outlets of their respective housings, and said transformers are mounted in their respective housings between said fan means and said rectifying means.

Claim 11

The converter set forth in claim 1 wherein said rectifying circuits are mounted adjacent said inlet of their respective housings, said fan means are mounted adjacent said outlets of their respective housings, and said transformers are mounted in their respective housings between said fan means and said rectifying means.

Claim 12

A modular rectifying unit for use in an alternating-to-direct current converter having a plurality of such units, said rectifying unit comprising a housing having a substantially closed top wall, a substantially closed bottom wall and substantially closed sidewalls, an air inlet at one end of said housing, an air outlet at the other end of said housing, said walls extending longitudinally of said housing and defining a direct, generally straight line path from said inlet to said outlet for cooling air circulating through said housing, fan means mounted in said housing adjacent said outlet and adapted to establish a current of moving air along said path through said housing, rectifying devices mounted in said housing adjacent said inlet so as to be disposed in said cooling airpath and a transformer mounted in said housing longitudinally thereof between said rectifying devices and said fan means, said transformer having a secondary winding electrically connected to said rectifying devices.

Claim 13

A modular rectifying unit for use in an alternating-to-direct current converter having a plurality of such units, said rectifying unit comprising a housing having a substantially closed top wall, a substantially closed bottom wall and substantially closed sidewalls, an air inlet at one end of said housing, an air outlet at the other end of said housing, said walls extending longitudinally of said housing and defining a direct, generally straight line path from said inlet to said outlet for cooling air circulating through said housing, fan means mounted in said housing adjacent said outlet and adapted to establish a current of moving air along said path through said housing, rectifying devices mounted in said housing adjacent said inlet so as to be disposed in said cooling airpath and a transformer mounted in said housing longitudinally thereof between said rectifying devices and said fan means, said transformer having a secondary winding electrically connected to said rectifying devices.