US5386184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for use with an electronically commutated electrical machine
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1993-07-23
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Granted: 1995-01-31
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Expires: 2013-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A modified inverter/converter unit electronically commutates a switched reluctance machine to provide multiple voltage levels for engine and aircraft applications. A set of power switching transistors apply an exciting current to windings in the switched reluctance machine to produce power at a first voltage level. Additional voltage levels may be provided by using the turns ratio from one or more transformers and the switching frequency from the power switching transistors. Alternatively, additional voltage levels may be provided by using windings of a plurality of transformers internal to the switched reluctance machine.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:26
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/40; H02P2101/00; H02P2101/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device, the method comprising the steps of: using an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine, the switched reluctance machine having internal first and second windings; inducing a voltage in the second winding of the switched reluctance machine to establish a first voltage level; using at least one power switching transistor to apply an exciting current to the first and second windings in the switched reluctance machine to generate power at at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device, the method comprising the steps of: using an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine, the switched reluctance machine having internal first and second windings; inducing a voltage in the second winding of the switched reluctance machine to establish a first voltage level; using at least one power switching transistor to apply an exciting current to the first and second windings in the switched reluctance machine to generate power at at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal first and second windings comprise windings with very tight electromagnetic coupling,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal first and second windings comprise a phase windings bifilar pair.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a transistor switch for regulating the at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 1 wherein magnitude of the at least one additional voltage level is a function of turns included between a tapped point of the internal second winding and a voltage reference point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 1 wherein closing of the at least one power switching transistor energizes the internal first winding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal second winding has almost unity magnetic coupling with the internal first winding.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device, the method comprising the steps of: using an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine, the switched reluctance machine containing at least one internal transformer having first and second windings; having a third winding internal to the switched reluctance machine; using at least one power switching transistor having a switching frequency to apply an exciting current to the first and second windings in the switched reluctance machine to produce power at a first voltage level; inducing a voltage in the third winding of the switched reluctance machine by opening the at least one power switching transistor to provide at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device, the method comprising the steps of: using an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine, the switched reluctance machine containing at least one internal transformer having first and second windings; having a third winding internal to the switched reluctance machine; using at least one power switching transistor having a switching frequency to apply an exciting current to the first and second windings in the switched reluctance machine to produce power at a first voltage level; inducing a voltage in the third winding of the switched reluctance machine by opening the at least one power switching transistor to provide at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the third winding is electrically isolated from output voltages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 8 wherein magnitude of the at least one additional voltage level is at a voltage level different from the first voltage level and is a function of a turns ratio of the third winding relative to the first and second windings for a given magnitude and frequency of switched current.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the internal first and second windings comprise a phase windings bifilar pair.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device, the method comprising the steps of: using an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine, the switched reluctance machine having internal first and second windings; having at least one transformer in the inverter/converter unit; using at least one power switching transistor to apply an exciting current to the first and second windings in the switched reluctance machine to generate power at a first voltage level; using a turns ratio from the at least one transformer and a switching frequency of the at least one power switching transistor to provide at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device, the method comprising the steps of: using an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine, the switched reluctance machine having internal first and second windings; having at least one transformer in the inverter/converter unit; using at least one power switching transistor to apply an exciting current to the first and second windings in the switched reluctance machine to generate power at a first voltage level; using a turns ratio from the at least one transformer and a switching frequency of the at least one power switching transistor to provide at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the at least one transformer is energized by the at least one power switching transistor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 12 wherein unidirectional current flows to loads supplied by the first voltage level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 12 wherein unidirectional current flows to loads supplied by the second voltage level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels from a single device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the internal first and second windings comprise a phase-windings bifilar pair.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |