Patent ID: 6894455
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: F02N,H02K,H02P

Abstract:
1. An electric machine for use as both a starter and an alternator in an engine, the electric machine operable to run at various speeds including a cranking speed, an idle speed, and a winding reconfiguration speed, the electric machine comprising: a. a stator having three phase stator windings; b. a rotor disposed in proximity to the stator such that the rotor is in electromagnetic communication with the stator, the rotor operable to rotate the various speeds; c. a plurality of wye switches connected between the three phase stator windings such that closure of the wye switches will cause the three phase stator windings to be connected in a wye configuration; d. a plurality of delta switches connected between the three stator windings such that closure of the delta switches will cause the three phase stator windings to be connected in a delta configuration; e. a microprocessor in electric communication with the plurality of delta switches and wye switches, the microprocessor operable to communicate instructions to (i) close the delta switches during cranking of the engine, (ii) close the wye switches when the engine has started and the speed of rotor rotation is about equivalent to the idle speed, and (iii) close the delta switches when the speed of rotor rotation is about equivalent to the winding reconfiguration speed.