Dual Source Power Generating System Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power generation systems face weight and cost issues due to the need for separate and large transformer-rectifier units or DC-to-DC converters to provide both high-voltage AC and low-voltage DC outputs, especially in high-power applications.
Innovation Solution
A dual source electric power generating system with separate windings for generating AC and DC outputs, utilizing a rotating portion with permanent magnets and armature windings, and a stationary portion with rectifiers and inverters to produce regulated outputs, eliminating the need for heavy transformer-rectifier units by using additional armature windings and non-isolated DC-to-DC converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a transformer-rectifier unit (TRU) is used to convert high-voltage AC to low-voltage DC, then the desired DC voltage is achieved, but the system weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power generation system into separate windings: main generator armature windings for high-voltage AC output and a dedicated PMG armature winding for low-voltage AC output. This segmentation allows each winding to be optimized for its specific function, eliminating the need for a heavy TRU while achieving both voltage levels independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The PMG armature winding serves multiple functions: it generates low-voltage AC directly for DC conversion and provides excitation current to the main generator field winding. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate excitation systems and reduces overall system weight while maintaining regulatory control.
2Reliability
If a DC-to-DC converter with galvanic isolation is used to convert high-voltage DC to desired DC voltage, then isolation between high-voltage AC and low-voltage DC outputs is achieved, but the system weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-isolated DC-to-DC converter as an intermediary between the PMG rectifier output and the main generator output. This converter provides the necessary voltage regulation and isolation functions without requiring heavy galvanic isolation components, reducing system weight while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate power generation and power conversion components are used, then high-voltage AC and low-voltage DC outputs are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the excitation system and power generation system by using the PMG armature winding to provide both low-voltage power output and excitation current to the main generator. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining dual output capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces weight and cost while maintaining regulation of both AC and DC outputs, improving efficiency and reducing the size of isolation components, making it suitable for high-power applications.
Implementation Method 1
The rotating portion includes permanent magnets (PM), exciter armature windings, a rotating rectifier, and a main generator field winding
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dual source electric power generating system (EPGS) (60, 108, 130, 170) provides both a regulated AC output and a regulated DC output. The EPGS includes a rotating portion (62, 132, 172) and a stationary portion (64, 110, 134, 174). The stationary portion includes a plurality of windings (permanent magnet generator (PMG) armature windings (78, 148, 196), an exciter field winding (84, 158, 204), and high-voltage main generator armature windings (86, 112, 114, 160, 206)), a voltage regulator (82, 152, 202), a rectifier (90, 116, 162, 208), an inverter (96, 164, 212), a point of regulation (POR) sensor (94, 170, 210). The high-voltage main generator armature windings generate a high-voltage AC that is converted to a regulated, high-voltage AC by the rectifier and the inverter. The stationary portion is further characterized by circuitry (92, 122, 152, 194) for producing the regulated DC output from AC voltage produced by a winding (88, 118, 120, 148, 196) other than the high-voltage main generator armature windings.