US5479080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simultaneous multiple voltage level bridge-type inverter/converter unit for an electronically commutated electrical machine
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1993-07-23
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Granted: 1995-12-26
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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 a plurality of 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
- 👤 Arthur V. Radun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:37
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/40; F; F02; F02N; F02N11/00; F02N11/04; H02P2101/00; H02P2101/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels comprising the steps of: providing an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine; providing a first transformer having a turns ratio and a second transformer having a turns ratio; accessing an alternating voltage at points between secondary windings of the first and second transformers and diodes to permit operation of alternating current loads; using at least one power switching transistor having a switching frequency to apply an exciting current to windings in the switched reluctance machine to produce power at a first voltage level; using the turns ratio from the first and second transformers and the switching frequency from the at least one power switching transistor to provide at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels comprising the steps of: providing an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine; providing a first transformer having a turns ratio and a second transformer having a turns ratio; accessing an alternating voltage at points between secondary windings of the first and second transformers and diodes to permit operation of alternating current loads; using at least one power switching transistor having a switching frequency to apply an exciting current to windings in the switched reluctance machine to produce power at a first voltage level; using the turns ratio from the first and second transformers and the switching frequency from the at least one power switching transistor to provide at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of establishing a flux linkage in secondary windings of the first and second transformers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of establishing a flux linkage in secondary windings of the first and second transformers comprises the step of allowing current build up to occur in windings in the switched reluctance machine and in primary windings of the first and second transformers when the at least one power switching transistor closes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels as claimed in claim 1 wherein when the at least one power switching transistor opens, current decays in primary windings of the first and second transformers, inducing voltages in secondary windings of the transformers to establish at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels comprising the steps of: providing an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine, the switched reluctance machine including at least one transformer having windings; using at least one power switching transistor having a switching frequency to apply an exciting current to windings in the switched reluctance machine to produce power at a first voltage level; using the windings inside the switched reluctance machine to provide at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels comprising the steps of: providing an inverter/converter unit to electronically commutate a switched reluctance machine, the switched reluctance machine including at least one transformer having windings; using at least one power switching transistor having a switching frequency to apply an exciting current to windings in the switched reluctance machine to produce power at a first voltage level; using the windings inside the switched reluctance machine to provide at least one additional voltage level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels as claimed in claim 5 wherein the windings in the switched reluctance machine comprise a first winding and a second winding.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first winding is excited through the at least one power switching transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels as claimed in claim 6 wherein the second winding is excited through a magnetic coupling between the first and second windings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels as claimed in claim 6 wherein a second voltage level is determined by a turns ratio between the first and second windings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for providing multiple voltage levels as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the step of using a switch to provide voltage regulation of the second voltage level.
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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) | 1998-12-25 | 1999-06-26 | 1999-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-25 | 2003-06-26 | 2003-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-25 | 2007-06-26 | 2007-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |