Patent ID: 6064122
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: F02C,F02N,H02P

Abstract:
A microturbine power generating system comprising:a compressor including a compressor wheel;a turbine for converting gaseous heat energy into mechanical energy, the turbine including a turbine wheel;an electrical generator for converting the mechanical energy produced by the turbine into electrical energy, the electrical generator including a rotor and a stator, the rotor being mechanically coupled to the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel;a battery source for providing dc power; anda startup circuit including an inverter for converting the dc power to ac power, the inverter selectably connected to the stator;whereby the ac power causes the electrical generator to turn the turbine and compressor wheels during startup;wherein the startup circuit further includes an up chopper for boosting voltage of the battery source, an output of the up chopper providing the dc power to the inverter; andwherein the electrical generator provides ac power during normal operation of the microturbine power generating system, wherein the system further comprises a rectifier for rectifying the ac power generated by the electrical generator; and wherein the startup circuit further includes means for using the rectified power to charge the battery source during the normal operation of the microturbine power generating system.