Reversible Generator Engine Start-Up Power Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing uninterruptible power supply systems face delays and reliability issues when starting internal combustion engines, particularly diesel engines, due to the need for starters and the presence of mechanical links that can fail, leading to concerns about maintaining uninterrupted power.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system that integrates a regulated power source with a synchronous machine and flywheel, where the electrical generator acts as a motor to accelerate the engine shaft during start-up, minimizing mechanical links and electronic controls, and avoiding battery dependency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a starter is used to start the internal combustion engine, then the engine can be started, but the start-up process is delayed and reliability is reduced due to mechanical link failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine start-up reliabilityVSAvoidengine start-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional starter motor and its associated mechanical linkages from the system. Instead, the electrical generator is made reversible and used directly to crank the engine during start-up, eliminating the need for a separate starter component and reducing mechanical failure points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical generator is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates electricity during normal operation and acts as a motor to crank the engine during start-up. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated starter motor, reducing component count and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional mechanical linkages are used to connect the starter to the engine shaft, then the engine can be started, but mechanical failures occur reducing system reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical linkage reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical linkage complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical linkage between a separate starter and the engine shaft. The reversible electrical generator is directly coupled to the engine shaft, removing intermediate mechanical components that could fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical starter system with an electromechanical system where the reversible electrical generator provides both the electrical field control and mechanical cranking function, reducing reliance on purely mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If batteries are used to power the starter, then the engine can be started, but the system becomes dependent on battery condition and adds complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart-up operation simplicityVSAvoidbattery dependency complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical generator serves dual purposes: generating power during operation and providing cranking power during start-up. This eliminates the need for a separate battery system dedicated to starting, simplifying the overall power architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own electrical generator to provide the power needed for starting the engine, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on external battery systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This system enables faster and more reliable engine start-up, reduces the risk of mechanical failures, and provides uninterrupted power by using the electrical generator as a motor to rotate the engine shaft, ensuring quick synchronization and reducing the risk of over-speed.

Implementation Method 1

the electrical generator acts as a motor to accelerate the engine shaft during start-up

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A power supply system that integrates a regulated power source with a synchronous machine and flywheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlywheel energy storage: Flywheel

Data Source

PatentUS10855141B2Power supply system for providing power to a load and for start-up of an internal combustion engine that provides power to such load

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 POTENCIA IND LLC

AI summary

A power supply system includes a regulated power source that has an a synchronous machine, a flywheel with the shaft connected thereto, an electrical generator electrically connected through a switch to the synchronous machine of the regulated power source, an engine having a main shaft coupled to the shaft of the electrical generator, a power supply, and a switch connected between the electrical generator, the power supply and the regulated power source. The switch transfers power from the regulated power source to the electrical generator so as to cause the electrical generator to rotate the shaft in order to rotate the shaft of the engine during engine start-up.