Patent ID: 6037740
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B60L,H02J,H02P,Y02T

Abstract:
A switched reluctance electrical machine system having a switched reluctance machine, a rechargeable DC energy store and principal voltage terminals connectable to an external power source for charging of the energy store, wherein the switched reluctance machine includes a rotor, a stator and windings, said windings including at least two closely-coupled coils and a power converter for controlling current flow in said windings, said power converter having first and second circuit, said first circuit containing a first of said closely-coupled coils and said principal voltage terminals and said second circuit containing a second of said coils and said energy store, a first electronic switching arrangement being connected in series with the coil in said first circuit and a second electronic switching arrangement being connected in series with the coil in said second circuit, an electronic controller being operative to control said electronic switching arrangements of said power converter so that, in the first operational mode, current flows in one direction in the coils during normal machine operation, whereas, in the second operation mode, current flows in the coils in the opposite direction to charge the energy store from an external power source.