Patent ID: 6147414
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: F02N,Y02E

Abstract:
A microturbine power generating system comprising:(a) a turbine for converting gaseous heat energy into mechanical energy;(b) an electric generator including a permanent magnet rotor and stator windings, said stator windings including an electrical output, said rotor being driven by said mechanical energy from said turbine;(c) a rectifier coupled to said electrical output of the stator windings;(d) a source of dc power;(e) an inverter coupled to both said rectifier and said source, said inverter operable in both a startup mode and a conversion mode, said inverter chopping dc power from said source to apply an excitation current to said stator windings during said startup mode, said inverter converting dc power from said rectifier to ac power having a selected frequency during said conversion mode; and(f) a circuit coupled to said inverter for controlling said inverter to perform sensorless startup of said generator during said startup mode.