US3974397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-phase rectifier system
Assignee: S&C Electric Co
•
Filing: 1975-04-01
•
Granted: 1976-08-10
•
Expires: 1995-04-01
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load from a plurality of high impedance AC electrical sources connected to a multi-source high voltage transmission system. The system comprises a parallel arrangement of high impedance AC current sources each connected in series with a respective bridge rectifier, the positive output terminals of all bridge rectifiers are connected in parallel to the positive side of a load. The negative output terminals of all bridge rectifiers are connected in parallel to the low side of the load. The individual high impedance AC current sources are completely isolated from one another through their series connected bridge rectifiers, making it possible to simultaneously supply current from more than one high impedance AC current source to the load without significant circulating currents among the sources. The parallel arrangement of high impedance AC current sources connected through bridge rectifiers to the load provides direct current electrical power to the load notwithstanding phase differences between various high impedance AC current sources. A multisource rectifier arrangement when connected to a high impedance AC current source, will yield a level of DC output power greater than what at first might be expected. Only one rectifier may conduct at any given time when voltage sources are used and when the load is resistive, for example, the rectifier conduction angle cannot exceed 120° (60° per half cycle). This is the result of forced commutation of the rectifier by the voltage source. When a current source, e.g. a high impedance AC current source, is used however, the conduction angle with a resistive load, for example, can increase theoretically to 360° (180° per half cycle) and several rectifiers can conduct simultaneously. Further, the failure of any number fewer than all of the high impedance AC current sources will not interrupt power to the load.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph R. Killough, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:50
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M7/00; H02M7/02; H02M7/04; H02M7/06; H02M7/08; H02J; H02J9/00; H02J9/04; H02J9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means aand said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means aand said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multi-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rectifier means comprises a plurality of bridge rectifiers each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A multi-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 2 wherein two rectifiers of each of said bridge rectifiers are oriented back-to-back in series and connected at their common terminal to said positive output terminal such that when an AC current is applied at the input terminals of a given bridge rectifier and the instantaneous amplitude of AC voltage applied at the first and second input terminals is greater than the instantaneous amplitude of voltage at the positive output terminal, a direct current flows from the positive output terminal of that bridge rectifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A multi-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 3, wherein at any given point in time one of the two back-to-back rectifiers connected at their common terminal to said positive output terminal is reverse biased and the other of the two back-to-back rectifiers is either conducting current to the positive output terminal or is reverse biased so that at all times the flow of current into the respective bridge rectifiers is limited to the reverse leakage current of the rectifiers used.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A multi-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rectifier means comprises a plurality of half-wave rectifiers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
192 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources comprising a plurality of step down transformers each connected in series through a high impedance to independent high voltage AC transmission lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
192 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources comprising a plurality of step down transformers each connected in series through a high impedance to independent high voltage AC transmission lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multi-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the high impedances of said high impedance AC current source are capacitors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multi-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the high impedances of said high impedance AC current source are resistors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multi-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said independent high voltage AC transmission lines are out of phase with respect to one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A multi-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the high voltage AC transmission lines comprise the three phase lines of a conventional three-phase high voltage AC transmission system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
218 words
A three-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load from conventional three-phase high voltage AC transmission lines, comprising: three high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; three rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, each one of said three rectifier means connected between a corresponding one of said three high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said three high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said three rectifier means and the positive and negative output terminals of each of said three rectifier means and the positive and negative output terminals of each of said three rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
218 words
A three-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load from conventional three-phase high voltage AC transmission lines, comprising: three high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; three rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, each one of said three rectifier means connected between a corresponding one of said three high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said three high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said three rectifier means and the positive and negative output terminals of each of said three rectifier means and the positive and negative output terminals of each of said three rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A three-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of said three rectifier means comprises a bridge rectifier having first and second input terminals, a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
A three-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 12 wherein two rectifiers of each of said bridge rectifiers are oriented back-to-back in series and connected at their common terminal to said positive output terminal such that when an AC current is applied at said first and second input terminals of a given bridge rectifier, and the instantaneous amplitude of AC voltage applied at said first and second input terminals is greater than the instantaneous amplitude of voltage at said positive output terminal, direct current is presented at said positive output terminal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
A three-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 13 wherein at any given point in time one of the two back-to-back rectifiers connected at their common terminal to said positive output terminal is reverse biased and the other of the two back-to-back rectifiers is either conducting current to said positive output or is reverse biased so that at all times the flow of current into the bridge rectifiers is limited to the reverse leakage current of the rectifiers used.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A three-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said three rectifier means each comprise half-wave rectifiers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
226 words
A three-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load from conventional three-phase high voltage AC transmission lines, comprising: three high impedance AC current sources, each having a stepdown transformer connected in series through a high impedance to one of the independent high voltage AC transmission lines of a conventional three-phase power transmission system; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; three rectifier means, said rectifier means each having input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said three rectifier means connected between each of said three high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said three high impedance AC current sources are connected to the input terminals of one of said three rectifier means and the positive and negative output terminals of each of said three rectifier means and the positive and negative output terminals of each of said three rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said said low common load terminal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
226 words
A three-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load from conventional three-phase high voltage AC transmission lines, comprising: three high impedance AC current sources, each having a stepdown transformer connected in series through a high impedance to one of the independent high voltage AC transmission lines of a conventional three-phase power transmission system; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; three rectifier means, said rectifier means each having input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said three rectifier means connected between each of said three high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said three high impedance AC current sources are connected to the input terminals of one of said three rectifier means and the positive and negative output terminals of each of said three rectifier means and the positive and negative output terminals of each of said three rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to a load connected between said high common load terminal and said said low common load terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A three-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said high impedance of at least one of said three high impedance AC current sources is a capacitor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A three-source rectifier system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said high impedance of at least one of said three high impedance AC current sources is a resistor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
198 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising at least one battery connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising at least one battery connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
198 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising at least one battery connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising at least one battery connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
199 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising at least one capacitor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising at least one capacitor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
199 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising at least one capacitor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising at least one capacitor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
199 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising at least one motor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising at least one motor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
199 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising at least one motor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising at least one motor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
217 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising a parallel combination of at least one capacitor and at least one motor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising a parallel combination of at least one capacitor and at least one motor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
217 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising a parallel combination of at least one capacitor and at least one motor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising a parallel combination of at least one capacitor and at least one motor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
217 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising a parallel combination of at least one capacitor and at least one resistor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising a parallel combination of at least one capacitor and at least one resistor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
217 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising a parallel combination of at least one capacitor and at least one resistor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising a parallel combination of at least one capacitor and at least one resistor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
217 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising a parallel combination of at least one battery and at least one resistor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising a parallel combination of at least one battery and at least one resistor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
217 words
A multi-source rectifier system for providing DC power to a load comprising: at least two high impedance AC current sources, said high impedance AC current sources each having first and second output lines; high and low common load terminals for carrying power to a load comprising a parallel combination of at least one battery and at least one resistor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal; rectifier means, said rectifier means each having first and second input terminals and positive and negative output terminals, one of said rectifier means connected between each of said high impedance AC current sources and said high and low common load terminals such that the said first and second output lines of each of said high impedance AC current sources are connected to the first and second input terminals of one of said rectifier means and said positive and negative output terminals of each of said rectifier means are connected respectively to said high and low common load terminals to provide direct current to said high and low common load terminals which in turn carry power to said load comprising a parallel combination of at least one battery and at least one resistor connected between said high common load terminal and said low common load terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2759140A
Cited
US3535603A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |