US6445079B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling an induction machine
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 2001-01-20
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Granted: 2002-09-03
•
Expires: 2021-01-20
Abstract
Abstract An electrical machine ( 10 ) suitable for use as a starter/alternator for an automotive vehicle, has an inverter circuit ( 12 ), a rectifier circuit ( 14 ), and a stator circuit ( 16 ) that couples the inverter circuit ( 12 ) to the rectifier circuit ( 14 ). In addition, a switch circuit ( 18 ) having a first switch, switch A, and a second switch, switch B, is used to couple inverter circuit ( 12 ) to rectifier circuit ( 14 ). By controlling the operation of switch circuit ( 18 ) so that in a start up mode the switches are closed and in a generating mode the switches are open, a high output torque may be obtained from the electrical machine while a wide operating speed range may be also achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan Roy Gale
- 👤 Feng Liang
- 👤 Michael W Degner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:39
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
An electric machine having a power supply comprising: an inverter circuit; a rectifier circuit; a stator circuit coupling said inverter circuit to said rectifier circuit; a pair of switches selectively coupling said inverter circuit to said power supply so that in a starting mode said switches are closed and in a generating mode said switches are open.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electric machine having a power supply comprising: an inverter circuit; a rectifier circuit; a stator circuit coupling said inverter circuit to said rectifier circuit; a pair of switches selectively coupling said inverter circuit to said power supply so that in a starting mode said switches are closed and in a generating mode said switches are open.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said stator circuit comprises a plurality of windings having a respective tapped phase lead.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of windings are coupled in a wye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said stator circuit comprises a dual winding configuration wherein a first winding portion is electrically separated from, co-located with and magnetically coupled to a second winding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said electric machine comprises a starter alternator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said pair of switches are incorporated into said rectifier circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 6 further comprising a pair of diodes coupled between a respective switch and said inverter circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said rectifier circuit comprises a full wave rectifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electric machine having a power supply comprising: an inverter circuit; a rectifier circuit; a stator circuit coupling said inverter circuit to said rectifier circuit, said stator circuit having a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding coupled in a wye configuration; each winding having a phase lead coupled to said inverter circuit and tapped phase lead coupled to said rectifier circuit; and, a pair of switches selectively coupling said inverter circuit to said power supply so that in a starting mode said switches are closed and in a generating mode said switches are open.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electric machine having a power supply comprising: an inverter circuit; a rectifier circuit; a stator circuit coupling said inverter circuit to said rectifier circuit, said stator circuit having a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding coupled in a wye configuration; each winding having a phase lead coupled to said inverter circuit and tapped phase lead coupled to said rectifier circuit; and, a pair of switches selectively coupling said inverter circuit to said power supply so that in a starting mode said switches are closed and in a generating mode said switches are open.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 9 wherein said tapped lead having an effective winding turn count less than its respective winding.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 9 wherein said electric machine comprises a starter alternator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 9 wherein said pair of switches are incorporated into said rectifier circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 9 further comprising a pair of diodes coupled between a respective switch and said inverter circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 9 wherein said rectifier circuit comprises a full wave rectifier.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of operating an electrical machine having a power supply, stator winding circuit, an inverter circuit and a rectifier circuit comprises the steps of: in a starting mode of operation, directly coupling the power supply to the inverter circuit though a pair of switches; in a generating mode of operation, opening the pair of switches to decouple the inverter circuit from the power supply.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of operating an electrical machine having a power supply, stator winding circuit, an inverter circuit and a rectifier circuit comprises the steps of: in a starting mode of operation, directly coupling the power supply to the inverter circuit though a pair of switches; in a generating mode of operation, opening the pair of switches to decouple the inverter circuit from the power supply.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 15 wherein said diode bridge comprises a plurality of diodes, wherein said step of directly coupling comprises controlling the operation of said plurality of diodes to be non-conducting.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 15 wherein the step of opening comprises the steps of controlling the operation of said plurality of diodes to be conducting.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 15 wherein the step of directly coupling comprises controlling the operation of said plurality of diodes to be non-conducting.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 15 wherein the step of inducing a magnetic field in the stator windings so that power is supplied to the power supply.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrical machine as recited in claim 15 further comprising a capacitor coupled to the inverter circuit, wherein the step of opening comprises the step of maintaining or increasing the voltage level across the capacitor as a speed of the electrical machine increases.
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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) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |