U.S. patent application number 14/542981 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for two stage flux switching machine for an electrical power generation system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. Invention is credited to Andreas C. Koenig, Dhaval Patel, Todd A. Spierling.
Application Number | 20160141989 14/542981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54545017 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160141989 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel; Dhaval ; et
al. |
May 19, 2016 |
TWO STAGE FLUX SWITCHING MACHINE FOR AN ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION
SYSTEM
Abstract
An electrical power generation system includes a flux switching
machine (FSM) including an FSM rotor operatively connected to an
FSM stator, the FSM rotor operatively connected to a shaft, wherein
the FSM includes an electrical input/output (i/o) in electrical
communication with the FSM stator, and a permanent magnet machine
(PMM) including a PMM rotor operatively connected to a PMM stator,
the PMM rotor operatively connected to a the shaft, wherein the PMM
is electrically connected to the FSM.
Inventors: |
Patel; Dhaval; (Loves Park,
IL) ; Koenig; Andreas C.; (Machesney Park, IL)
; Spierling; Todd A.; (Byron, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54545017 |
Appl. No.: |
14/542981 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
322/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02P 9/302 20130101;
H02K 7/20 20130101; H02P 2101/30 20150115; H02P 9/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02P 9/30 20060101
H02P009/30; H02K 7/20 20060101 H02K007/20 |
Claims
1. An electrical power generation system, comprising: a flux
switching machine (FSM) including an FSM rotor operatively
connected to an FSM stator, the FSM rotor operatively connected to
a shaft, wherein the FSM includes an electrical input/output (i/o)
in electrical communication with the FSM stator; and a permanent
magnet machine (PMM) including a PMM rotor operatively connected to
a PMM stator, the PMM rotor operatively connected to the shaft,
wherein the PMM is electrically connected to the FSM.
2. The electrical power generation system of claim 1, wherein the
PMM stator is electrically connected to the FSM stator.
3. The electrical power generation system of claim 1, wherein the
PMM is electrically connected to the FSM through a controller.
4. The electrical power generation system of claim 3, wherein the
controller includes a rectifier for rectifying voltage between the
PMM and the FSM.
5. The electrical power generation system of claim 4, wherein the
controller includes a power converter operatively connected to the
rectifier for modifying the voltage and/or current of energy
between the PMM and the FSM.
6. The electrical power generation system of claim 5, wherein the
power converter includes a DC to DC converter for modifying
conditioning the voltage input to the FSM.
7. The electrical power generation system of claim 5, wherein the
controller includes a voltage regulator operatively connected to
the power converter for controlling the power converter voltage
output.
8. The electrical power generation system of claim 7, further
including a signal sensor operatively connected to the electrical
i/o of the FSM for sensing at least one characteristic of a signal
that is input or output from the FSM, wherein the voltage regulator
is connected to the sensor and is configured to control the power
converter based on the at least one characteristic of the
signal.
9. The electrical machine system of claim 1, wherein the PMM
includes an FSM with a permanent magnet.
10. The electrical power generation system of claim 3, wherein the
controller is stationary relative to the FSM rotor.
11. An electrical power generation system, comprising: a flux
switching machine (FSM) including an FSM rotor operatively
connected to an FSM stator, the FSM rotor operatively connected to
a first shaft, wherein the FSM includes an electrical input/output
(i/o) in electrical communication with the FSM stator; and a
permanent magnet machine (PMM) including a PMM rotor operatively
connected to a PMM stator, the PMM rotor operatively connected to a
second shaft, wherein the PMM is electrically connected to the
FSM.
12. The electrical power generation system of claim 11, wherein the
PMM stator is electrically connected to the FSM stator.
13. The electrical power generation system of claim 11, wherein the
PMM is electrically connected to the FSM through a controller.
14. The electrical power generation system of claim 13, wherein the
controller includes a rectifier for rectifying energy between the
PMM and the FSM.
15. The electrical power generation system of claim 12, wherein the
first shaft and the second shaft are mechanically coupled to each
other.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to electrical machines, more
specifically to motors/generators.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Traditional motors/generators utilize a rotor, which
contains a set of magnets or an electromagnet, disposed in an
stator containing a multi (typically three) phase winding such that
electromagnetic interaction between the rotor and the stator causes
the rotor to move relative to the stator or motion of the rotor
relative to the stator to induce a voltage in the stator. In some
cases, the magnets or electromagnet are installed in the stator and
the multi phase winding is installed in the rotor. In a system with
an electromagnet an excitation system is required to energize the
electromagnet.
[0005] In the case of aircraft generators, to be self-sustaining
and capable of shutoff, the rotor includes an electromagnet for
selectively creating a field to induce a voltage in the stator when
rotated; excitation energy can be supplied from a brushless exciter
drive. The brushless exciter drive includes a permanent magnet
generator (PMG), controller, and exciter operatively connected to
an engine. The flow of power is such that the PMG sources AC power,
which is rectified and conditioned by the controller, which sources
the exciter stator with DC power. The excitation energy is
converted by the exciter into AC power on the exciter rotor and
requires rectification via rotating diodes, prior to application to
the electromagnet on the rotor. The rotating diode is the most
likely component in the system to fail and therefore limits the
robustness of the system.
[0006] Such conventional methods and systems have generally been
considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there
is still a need in the art for improved electrical machines and
associated systems that are self-sustaining. The present disclosure
provides a solution for this need.
SUMMARY
[0007] In at least one aspect of this disclosure, an electrical
power generation system includes a flux switching machine (FSM)
including a FSM rotor operatively connected to a FSM stator, the
FSM rotor operatively connected to a shaft, wherein the FSM
includes an electrical input/output (i/o) in electrical
communication with the FSM stator. The FSM stator can include both
an electromagnet for creating a magnetic field and multi phase
winding to produce power. The FSM rotor can include a steel rotor,
which contains a number of rotor poles. The system can also include
a permanent magnet machine (PMM) including a PMM rotor operatively
connected to a PMM stator, the PMM rotor operatively connected to
the shaft, wherein the PMM is electrically connected to the FSM. In
certain embodiments, an FSM with fixed magnets can be substituted
in place of a traditional PMM.
[0008] The PMM stator can be electrically connected to the FSM
stator. The PMM can be electrically connected to the FSM through a
controller. The controller can include a rectifier for rectifying
energy between the PMM and the FSM.
[0009] The controller can include a power converter for modifying
the voltage and/or current of energy between the PMM and the FSM.
The power converter can include a DC to DC converter connected to
the rectifier for modifying the voltage input to the FSM.
Alternatively a controlled AC to DC active rectifier can be
included instead of the rectifier connected to the DC to DC power
converter. The controller can include a voltage regulator
operatively connected to the power converter for controlling the
power converter voltage output.
[0010] The system can further include a signal sensor operatively
connected to the electrical i/o of the FSM, wherein the voltage
regulator is connected to the sensor and is configured to provide
feedback to the power converter based on the at least one
characteristic of the signal. The controller can be stationary
relative to the FSM rotor.
[0011] In at least one aspect of this disclosure, an electrical
power generation system includes a flux switching machine (FSM)
including an FSM rotor operatively connected to an FSM stator, the
FSM rotor operatively connected to a first shaft, wherein the FSM
includes an electrical input/output (i/o) in electrical
communication with the FSM stator, and a permanent magnet machine
(PMM) including a PMM rotor operatively connected to a PMM stator,
the PMM rotor operatively connected to a second shaft, wherein the
PMM is electrically connected to the FSM. The first shaft and the
second shaft can be mechanically coupled or can be the same shaft.
The rectifier can be stationary relative to the FSM rotor.
[0012] These and other features of the systems and methods of the
subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject
disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use
the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue
experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail
herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of an embodiment of a two stage
flux switch power generation system in accordance with this
disclosure; and
[0015] FIG. 2 is schematic diagram of another embodiment of a two
stage flux switch power generation system in accordance with this
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects
of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and
illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an
embodiment of an electrical machine system in accordance with the
disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by
reference character 100. Another embodiment and/or aspects thereof
are shown in FIG. 2. The systems and methods described herein can
be used as electrical generators (e.g., for aircraft or other
suitable vehicles).
[0017] In at least one aspect of this disclosure, referring to FIG.
1, a two stage flux switch power generation system 100 includes a
flux switching machine (FSM) 101 including an FSM rotor 101a and an
FSM stator 101b. The FSM rotor 101a can be operatively connected to
a rotatable shaft 105 and the stator 101b can be stationary and
affixed to an external structure, however, it is envisioned that
the FSM stator 101b can be connected to the shaft 105 and the rotor
101a can be stationary relative to an external structure.
[0018] The FSM rotor 101a can include any suitable field switching
rotor such as, but not limited to, a solid metal rotor made of
ferrous material (e.g., iron, steel, etc.) having a suitable
plurality of poles extending therefrom. Magnets and or
electromagnets need not be included on the rotor 101a.
[0019] The FSM stator 101b can include armature coils 101c and
electromagnet 101d arranged in a suitable manner. In generator
mode, the armature coils 101c allow a voltage to be induced therein
by the rotation of the rotor 101a when the electromagnet 101d is
excited, creating a magnetic field, due to the operating principles
of a field switching machine. In motor mode, the armature coils
101c convert electrical current to a magnetic field in a manner
causing flux switching and rotor motion. The operation of the
electromagnet 101d is consistent between motor and generator
mode.
[0020] The FSM includes an electrical input/output (i/o) 101e in
electrical communication with the armature coils 101c of the FSM
stator 101b. In a generator mode, the i/o 101e can connect to any
suitable electrical system 300 (e.g., a battery, an aircraft
electrical system, a vehicle electrical system). In a motor mode,
i/o 101e can connect to any suitable motor controller 300.
[0021] The system 100 further includes a permanent magnet machine
(PMM) 103 including a PMM rotor 103a and a PMM stator 103b. The PMM
rotor 103a includes a permanent magnet. Armature coils 103c are
included on the stator 103b as shown, for converting a changing
magnetic field into electrical power. The system can also utilize a
PMM 103, where the magnets are included in the PMM stator 103b and
the armature coils are included in the PMM rotor 103a. Any suitable
type of permanent magnet machine is contemplated herein (e.g., a
brushless motor/generator, a field switching machine with permanent
magnet for field generators).
[0022] The PMM rotor 103a (or PMM stator 103b in some embodiments)
can be operatively connected to the shaft 105. The PMM 103 and/or
the shaft 105 are operatively connected to one or more engines 200
such that the engines 200 can drive and/or be driven by the PMM 103
and/or the FSM 101. While the PMM 103 is shown disposed on the same
shaft 105 as the FSM 101, it is envisioned that the PMM 103 can be
connected to a different shaft than the FSM 101 is connected to.
For example, referring to FIG. 2, system 400 can include a first
shaft 105a connected to a first engine 200a and a second shaft 105b
connected to a second engine 200b, the shafts 105a, 105b being
mechanically independent of each other. It is also contemplated
that the first shaft 105a and the second shaft 105b can be
mechanically coupled in any suitable manner to one or more engines
200.
[0023] The PMM 103 is electrically connected to the FSM 101 in any
suitable manner. In some embodiments, the PMM stator 101b can be
electrically connected to the FSM stator 110b. For example, the PMM
103 can be electrically connected to the FSM 101 through a
controller 107.
[0024] The controller 107 can include a rectifier 107a for
rectifying energy between the PMM 103 and the FSM 101. The
controller 107 can also include a power converter 107b for
modifying the voltage and/or current of energy between the PMM 103
and the FSM 101. The power converter 107b can include a DC to DC
converter for modifying the voltage input to the FSM 101. The
controller 107 can further include a voltage regulator 107c
operatively connected to the power converter 107b for controlling
the power converter 107b voltage output.
[0025] The system 100 can include a signal sensor 109 operatively
connected to the electrical i/o 101e of the FSM 101 for sensing at
least one characteristic (e.g., voltage, current, frequency, phase)
of a signal that is input or output from the FSM 101. The voltage
regulator 107c can be connected to the sensor 109 and can be
configured to control the power converter 107b based on the at
least one characteristic of the signal sensed by the sensor
109.
[0026] As opposed to existing electrical machine systems, the
herein disclosed embodiments allow the rectifier 107a to be
stationary relative to the FSM rotor 101a such that a deletion of
an exciter and rotating rectifier is realized over the prior art.
In general, it is contemplated that the controller 107 and/or any
component thereof can be stationary relative to the FSM rotor
101a.
[0027] In use, in generator mode, when the PMM rotor 103a is
rotated by an engine 200 relative to the stator 103b, the PMM 103
produces excitation electrical energy which can be passed through
controller 107 (e.g., for rectification and voltage control) and
can then be supplied to electromagnet 101d of the FSM 101 to create
the necessary magnetic field for the FSM 101 to produce electrical
energy from the rotation of FSM rotor 101a. In embodiments where
the PMM 103 and the FSM 101 are on the same shaft 105 or at least
mechanically linked to the same engine 200, the rotors 103a and
101a will rotate together creating a self-sustaining generator
system (as long as the engine 200 provides rotational energy to the
PMM 103 and the FSM 101).
[0028] Electrical energy can then be output from the FSM 101 via
electrical i/o 101e to electrical system 300. The sensor 109 can
sense the electrical energy going to the electrical system 300 and
provide feedback to the voltage regulator 107c to control the
voltage of power converter 107b, which controls the strength of the
field produced by the field magnets 101d, and ultimately controls
the power output of the FSM 101 as necessary. In some situations
(e.g., where an electrical fault is detected), the voltage
regulator 107c can cut the excitation energy off from the FSM 101
which prevents the FSM 101 from producing any energy, rendering the
generator system 100 fault safe.
[0029] In at least some embodiments, the system 100 can be
configured to operate as an electric motor system such that energy
can be taken from the electrical system 300 and one or both of the
FSM 101 and the PMM 103 can be used to drive engine 200. This can
be useful as a weight/complexity reducing means in many systems,
e.g., aircraft engine starters.
[0030] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as
described above and shown in the drawings, provide for electrical
machine systems with superior properties including safety during
fault conditions and self-sustaining flux switching machines. While
the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown
and described with reference to embodiments, those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may
be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the
subject disclosure.
* * * * *