Patent ID: 6836028
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: F03D,F05B,H02K,H02P,Y02E

Abstract:
A segmented arc generator for converting mechanical power into electrical power comprising:a) a rotor comprising a plurality of salient poles disposed about a periphery of a rotor ring that comprises a support structure for maintaining the radial position of the salient poles when the rotor rotates as a result of being driven by a prime mover; b) a stator comprising a stator ring disposed radially about and in close proximity to the rotor ring, the stator ring comprising a plurality of stator coils wound on a ferromagnetic structure and having permanent magnets imbedded within the structure, and wherein relative motion between a rotor pole and a corresponding stator coil induces a coil voltage across that coil; c) a phase controlled converter in electrical communication with the stator coils for rectifying an output voltage of the coil by passing a variable portion of the coil voltage to approximate a D.C. voltage, and wherein a voltage controller monitors the D.C. voltage and controls the phase controlled converter to pass a portion of the coil voltage that maintains a relatively constant D.C. voltage; d) a pulse width modulated inverter in electrical communication with the phase controlled converter for converting the D.C. voltage output by the phase controlled converter to an A.C. voltage of controlled amplitude and phase relationship determined with respect to a voltage waveform present on a connected utility grid; and d) a switching matrix for selectively placing the coils in series or parallel or a combination of series and parallel connections with respect to one another in response to control signals that are based on present operating conditions of the generator.