US4200831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compensated pulsed alternator
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1978-08-03
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Granted: 1980-04-29
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Expires: 1998-08-03
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an electromechanical energy converter with inertial energy storage. The device, a single phase, two or multi-pole alternator with stationary field coils, and a rotating armature is provided. The rotor itself may be of laminated steel for slower pulses or for faster pulses should be nonmagnetic and electrically nonconductive in order to allow rapid penetration of the field as the armature coil rotates. The armature coil comprises a plurality of power generating conductors mounted on the rotor. The alternator may also include a stationary or counterrotating compensating coil to increase the output voltage thereof and to reduce the internal impedance of the alternator at the moment of peak outout. As the machine voltage rises sinusoidally, an external trigger switch is adapted to be closed at the appropriate time to create the desired output current from said alternator to an external load circuit, and as the output current passes through zero a self-commutating effect is provided to allow the switch to disconnect the generator from the external circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Weldon
- 👤 Mircea D. Driga
- 👤 Herbert H. Woodson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:05
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K39/00; H02K55/00; H02K55/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E40/00; Y02E40/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A pulsed alternator for sequentially supplying short duration, high power pulses of electrical power to a load circuit, said alternator comprising a rotor; an armature coil mounted on the outer periphery of said rotor; a stator provided with polepieces, said polepieces positioned adjacent to said rotor; a plurality of stationary field coils coupled to said stator; means coupled to said rotor for rotating it at a desired speed; a conductive shield positioned between said stator and said rotor, said armature coil adapted to convert electrical energy therein as supplied by said field coils through said polepieces during the rotation of said rotor; a slip ring and brush means assembly for coupling said armature coil to said load circuit; and an external, trigger switch coupled between said armature coil and said load circuit, said switch adapted to be periodically and sequentially closed and opened to provide said pulses to said load circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A pulsed alternator for sequentially supplying short duration, high power pulses of electrical power to a load circuit, said alternator comprising a rotor; an armature coil mounted on the outer periphery of said rotor; a stator provided with polepieces, said polepieces positioned adjacent to said rotor; a plurality of stationary field coils coupled to said stator; means coupled to said rotor for rotating it at a desired speed; a conductive shield positioned between said stator and said rotor, said armature coil adapted to convert electrical energy therein as supplied by said field coils through said polepieces during the rotation of said rotor; a slip ring and brush means assembly for coupling said armature coil to said load circuit; and an external, trigger switch coupled between said armature coil and said load circuit, said switch adapted to be periodically and sequentially closed and opened to provide said pulses to said load circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The alternator set forth in claim 1, wherein said rotor is composed of laminated ferromagnetic material in order to minimize required field power at the expense of pulse speed and rotor core losses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The alternator set forth in claim 1, wherein said rotor is composed of nonconductive, nonmagnetic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The alternator set forth in claim 3, and further including a compensating coil securely affixed to said shield, said compensating coil being connected in series with said armature coil and wound in the opposite direction thereto, said compensating coil minimizing the internal inductance of said alternator at the point of maximum output in order to maximize the transfer of energy to said load circuit and also providing an increase in the alternator's output voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The alternator set forth in claim 4, wherein said shield is securely mounted to said stator and is thus stationary, and the compensating coil is provided with the same number of turns as said armature coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The alternator set forth in claim 4, wherein said alternator is a two-pole device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The alternator set forth in claim 4, wherein said alternator is a multi-pole device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The alternator set forth in claim 4, wherein said shield is spaced from said stator, and additional means is provided and is coupled to said shield for counterrotating it with respect to said rotor, and a second pair of slip rings and brush assemblies is provided for effecting the connection of said compensating coil in series with said armature coil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alternator set forth in claim 8, wherein said alternator is provided with multi-pole field coils to thus constitute a multi-pole device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The alternator set forth in claim 9, wherein said rotor and said conductive shield are separated flat facing disks with said armature coil and said compensating coil being mounted on the respective outer faces of said disks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The alternator set forth in claim 8, wherein said load circuit comprises a plurality of flashlamps connected in parallel with the output of said alternator through said trigger switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
The alternator set forth in claim 9, wherein said rotor and said shield are counterrotating cylindrical shells upon which said respective armature coil and compensating coil are mounted, said respective means for rotating said shells are hollow driving shafts, and further including a respective central, stationary solid ferromagnetic cylinder positioned within each of said hollow driving shafts, thereby reducing field power requirements and minimizing field fringing while at the same time eliminating core losses and reducing the inertia of the counterrotating shells.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-29 | 1983-10-29 | 1984-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-29 | 1987-10-29 | 1988-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-29 | 1991-10-29 | 1992-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |