Hybrid power system

Claim 2

A hybrid power system for providing electric power to first and second loads, comprising: a constant speed drive having an input coupled to a prime mover which develops variable-speed motive power, an output driven at a substantially constant speed and a speed compensation link which transmits motive trim power at a magnitude determined by the speed of the prime mover; a first generator coupled to the output of the constant speed drive; and a second generator coupled to the speed compensation link and driven by the motive trim power wherein the first generator develops constant frequency electric power for the first load and the second generator develops electric power for the second load at a frequency which varies in accordance with the magnitude of the trim power wherein the second load is outside of the speed compensation link.

Claim 3

The hybrid power system of claim 1, wherein the second generator is coupled to a power summing node of the speed compensation link and supplies at least a certain power magnitude to a load and a bidirectional power converter is coupled within the speed compensation link between the power summing node and the prime mover and wherein power flows through the power converter from the power summing node to the prime mover when the motive trim power magnitude is greater than that required to cause the second generator to supply the certain power magnitude to the load and wherein power flows through the power converter from the prime mover to the power summing node when the motive trim power magnitude is less than that required to cause the second generator to supply the certain power magnitude to the load.

Claim 4

The hybrid power system of claim 1, wherein the second generator is coupled to a power summing node of the speed compensation link and supplies power to a load and a unidirectional power converter is coupled within the speed compensation link between the power summing node and the prime mover and wherein power flows through the power converter from the power summing node to the prime mover when the motive trim power magnitude is greater than a certain magnitude and wherein substantially no power flows through the power converter when the motive trim power magnitude is less than the certain power magnitude.

Claim 5

The hybrid power system of claim 3, wherein the load is of variable magnitude and further including means for sensing a parameter of the power supplied by the second generator and means responsive to the sensing means for varying the magnitude of the load on the second generator in dependence upon the sensed parameter.

Claim 6

A hybrid power system comprising: a constant speed drive having an input coupled to a prime mover which develops variable-speed motive power, an output driven at a substantially constant speed and a speed compensation link which transmits motive trim power at a magnitude determined by the speed of the prime mover; a first generator coupled to the output of the constant speed drive; a second generator coupled to the speed compensation link and driven by the motive trim power wherein the first generator develops constant frequency power and the second generator develops output power at a frequency which varies in accordance with the magnitude of the trim power, wherein the second generator is coupled to a power summing node of the speed compensation link; and a control which selectively connects frequency insensitive loads to the first or second generator in dependence upon the magnitude of the motive trim power.

Claim 7

A hybrid power system comprising: a constant speed drive having an input coupled to a prime mover which develops variable-speed motive power, an output driven at a substantially constant speed and a speed compensation link which transmits motive trim power at a magnitude determined by the speed of the prime mover; a first generator coupled to the output of the constant speed drive; a second generator coupled to the speed compensation link and driven by the motive trim power wherein the first generator develops constant frequency power and the second generator develops output power at a frequency which varies in accordance with the magnitude of the trim power, wherein the second generator is coupled to a power summing node of the speed compensation link; and a control which selectively connects frequency insensitive loads to the first or second generator in dependence upon the magnitude of the motive trim power.

Claim 8

The hybrid power system of claim 5, wherein the constant speed drive develops a magnitude of motive output power which is converted by the first generator into electrical output power at a certain magnitude and wherein the control includes means for sensing the speed of the prime mover, means for estimating the magnitude of the motive output power from the magnitude of the electrical output power and means for calculating a desired magnitude of second generator output power from the sensed prime mover speed and the estimated magnitude of the motive output power.

Claim 9

The hybrid power system of claim 6, wherein the frequency insensitive loads are connected to buses and wherein the control further includes means for determining the power on each of the buses and a power relay control which is responsive to the calculating means and the determining means which selects which buses are connected to the second generator whereby the sum of the powers on the buses connected thereto does not exceed the desired magnitude of second generator output power.

Claim 10

The hybrid power system of claim 5, wherein the constant speed drive includes a differential speed summer having a first shaft coupled to the prime mover, a second shaft and an output shaft coupled to the first generator, a permanent magnet machine (PMM) coupled to the prime mover and a power conversion unit coupled between the PMM and the power summing node and wherein the second generator includes a motive power shaft coupled to the differential speed summer second shaft and electrical power windings coupled to the power summing node.

Claim 11

The hybrid power system of claim 5, wherein the constant speed drive includes a differential speed summer having a first shaft coupled to the prime mover, a second shaft and an output shaft coupled to the first generator, a hydraulic pump coupled to the prime mover and a hydraulic motor coupled between the pump and the power summing node and wherein the second generator includes a motive power shaft coupled to the power summing node and electrical power windings at which the output power is produced.

Claim 12

A hybrid power system, comprising: a constant speed drive having an input coupled to a prime mover which develops variable-speed motive power, an output driven at a substantially constant speed and a speed compensation link which transmits motive trim power at a magnitude determined by the speed of the prime mover; a first generator coupled to the output of the constant speed drive; a second generator coupled to the speed compensation link and driven by the motive trim power wherein the first generator develops constant frequency power and the second generator develops output power at a frequency which varies in accordance with the magnitude of the trim power, wherein a controlled regulator/rectifier is connectable to either the first or second generator; means for developing a power share command representing the desired power magnitude to be drawn from the second generator; means for connecting the regulator/rectifier to the second generator when such generator is developing sufficient power to supply the regulator/rectifier; and means for operating the regulator/rectifier in accordance with the power share command such that the desired power magnitude is drawn from the second generator.

Claim 13

A hybrid power system, comprising: a constant speed drive having an input coupled to a prime mover which develops variable-speed motive power, an output driven at a substantially constant speed and a speed compensation link which transmits motive trim power at a magnitude determined by the speed of the prime mover; a first generator coupled to the output of the constant speed drive; a second generator coupled to the speed compensation link and driven by the motive trim power wherein the first generator develops constant frequency power and the second generator develops output power at a frequency which varies in accordance with the magnitude of the trim power, wherein a controlled regulator/rectifier is connectable to either the first or second generator; means for developing a power share command representing the desired power magnitude to be drawn from the second generator; means for connecting the regulator/rectifier to the second generator when such generator is developing sufficient power to supply the regulator/rectifier; and means for operating the regulator/rectifier in accordance with the power share command such that the desired power magnitude is drawn from the second generator.