Abstract:
This invention is directed to enhanced electrical power supply systems with induction generators and related methods of operations. The invention is an enhanced prime mover system capable of converting the exergies of the prime mover system into energy input for the prime mover system to increase the overall efficiency of the prime mover and the overall efficiency of a generator. The enhanced prime mover system may enable a more economic generator system with greater flexibility of implementation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/971,557 filed Sep. 11, 2007, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is directed to enhanced electrical power supply systems with induction generators and related methods of operations. More particularly, the invention provides prime movers capable of converting the exergies of a prime mover system into energy input for a system, which may increase overall efficiency. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Historically, generators have absorbed some type of energy, whether that energy be mechanical, electrical, thermal, kinetic, or photovoltaic, from a reservoir and converted that energy into a usable form of exergy. However, the disadvantage of these types of conversions is that they may require large infrastructures and/or reservoirs of energy to maintain the inputs of energy. Also, these conversions have percentages of losses, and high percentages of inefficiencies. Because of this, there are problems arising from high energy consumption rates, and low energy usage efficiencies. Additionally, there may be large capital investments in infrastructure to maintain large reservoirs of capacity. 
         [0004]    Some generator systems are dependent on very specific factors and may only work in certain situations, which can be very limiting. For instance, some electrical power supply systems are weather dependent systems, which can be very unreliable, or are time of day dependent. Some examples of such systems are wind and solar generating systems. Additionally, some generation sites are very location dependent, such as wind farms and hydroelectric dams. For some other alternate power-generating systems, there are problems with fossil fuel emissions and nuclear generation waste by-products. 
         [0005]    An induction motor may be driven by a prime mover to act as an induction generator. See U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2005/0127880, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The prime mover may comprise any driving mechanism such as an internal combustion engine, or any of the weather or location dependent mechanisms such as wind, water, or solar power. However, such prime mover systems may result in the limitations discussed previously regarding size and inefficiency, and time and location dependency. Inefficiencies and limitations of a prime mover may translate to inefficiencies and limitations of the electrical power supply system. 
         [0006]    There is a need for an improved prime mover that is more efficient and does not require large infrastructures to maintain energy inputs, and that are not strictly limited by weather, time and location. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention provides improved prime mover systems and related methods of operation. Various aspects of the invention described herein may be applied to any of the particular applications set forth below or for any other types of energy output systems requiring a prime mover. The invention may be applied as a standalone system or method, or as part of a multi-input point energy output system. It shall be understood that different aspects of the invention can be appreciated individually, collectively, or in combination with each other. 
         [0008]    An aspect of the invention is directed to enhanced electrical power supply systems with induction generators and related methods of operations. For example, an enhanced prime mover system is provided that can convert the exergies of a system back into energy input for the prime mover system to increase the overall efficiency of the prime mover and the overall efficiency of a generator. The enhanced prime mover system may enable a more economic generator system with greater flexibility of implementation. 
         [0009]    The prime mover system in a preferable embodiment may include a binary induction electrical generator set, a binary induction electrical generator set platform, vibration/sonic isolators, and a controls and electrical components enclosure. The binary induction electrical generator set may consist of a motor and a motor generator. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment of the invention, the motor and motor generator may each have a sheave or pulley apparatus and may be connected to one another with a belt that goes around the sheaves. A starter may exert a force on the binary induction electrical generator set to start the prime mover system operation. For example, the starter force may be applied as a torque on the motor&#39;s rotor or may be applied directly to the belt itself to get it moving. The starter mechanism could vary, constituting anything from a battery/power source to a manual crank. The starter may be any sort of mechanism that may exert a force on the binary induction electrical generator set so that the prime mover system may start operating and may overcome the initial system inertia. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the invention, the motor and motor generator may be connected to one another with a direct drive. The direct drive may include a generator set torque converter or shaft. A starter may exert a force on the binary induction electrical generator set to start the whole system operation. For instance, the starter force may be applied as a torque on the motor&#39;s rotor or on the direct drive component. 
         [0012]    The prime mover system may include a controls or electrical components enclosure that may contain additional electrical components. For instance, the electrical components may include a push-pull piezoelectric microphone/converter, capacitors, and a light bulb or rectifier. 
         [0013]    The binary induction electrical generator set may rest on a platform. The controls and electrical components enclosure may also rest on the platform. The platform may be elevated by a supporting member that may act as vibration/sonic isolators, which may keep the platform elevated and isolated from the ground or any grounding surface. 
         [0014]    The advantages of this invention over previous systems are various and many. The prime mover&#39;s true power is a result of the constant reactive force to the system&#39;s useful exergies. Applications may include electrical generation, heating and cooling, modes of transportation, all known types of shaft work, and potentially many unfound uses for energy. This innovation is scalable and portable and can be applied to existing users of all types and forms of energy. 
         [0015]    The prime mover systems and methods herein of converting exergies into energy inputs currently has several forms of constructability, tailored to the required output of the user&#39;s energy needs. The operation of the system may be relative to the work-load versus energy requirements of the user&#39;s demand curve at full load versus the torque curve during the startup cycles and slowdown cycles. 
         [0016]    In a multi input-point system, such as an electric grid or fluid pumping route, the designs of a prime mover system may be tailored to be the input energy source to the drivers of those systems (i.e. electrical generators or pumps). In a stand alone operation, the innovation&#39;s system design may be tailored to the operation&#39;s characteristics required for optimum performance relative to energy usage. 
         [0017]    Another prime mover design provided herein may convert the byproducts of several exergies of the prime mover system into the prime mover. In doing so, individual efficiencies of the systems may be cumulatively converted into a work multiplier, thereby converting the effect of any loss associated with a rate of change in one of the systems into a function of the efficiencies of the remaining systems. 
         [0018]    For instance, the motor of the induction electrical generator set may produce exergy, which may be harnessed and add energy input back into the motor. When the motor operates, the act of the rotors turning may create electrical energy, the excess of which may be stored in the rotor and given a path through the rotor to add its own reactive force to the motor and may improve the motor efficiency. 
         [0019]    Also, in one embodiment of the invention, the belt of the prime mover system may also create exergy which may be converted to useful energy. The belt itself may take the exergies that may originate from vibrations, friction or slippage, or that may result from the mechanical turning of the device or from moving through the air and conduct the energy back into the system. DC derived from the belt may flow into both the motor and the motor generator. The motor may be configured so that the rotor may have the ability to store energy and act as a capacitor. 
         [0020]    The prime mover system may also utilize the system&#39;s exergies by using a push-pull piezoelectric microphone/converter, or a similar accelerometer-type device. The microphone/converter may act as a feedback system, and may create a sympathetic waveform and feed it back into the system. DC derived from the microphone/converter may flow into both the motor and the motor generator. The microphone/converter may be utilizing exergies that arise from sound and other vibrations, and may act as an additional inductor. 
         [0021]    Capacitors may be included in the prime mover system in order to act as electromagnetic storage and smooth out the different levels of power. They may be able to store energy from slight variations and smooth out the energy output. 
         [0022]    The prime mover system may also include a light bulb or rectifier, which may act as a heat exhaust or sink. The light bulb or rectifier may be able to remove heat while placing a relatively constant demand on the system, which may improve system efficiency. 
         [0023]    Other goals and advantages of the invention will be further appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. While the following description may contain specific details describing particular embodiments of the invention, this should not be construed as limitations to the scope of the invention but rather as an exemplification of preferable embodiments. For each aspect of the invention, many variations are possible as suggested herein that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A variety of changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0024]    All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The features and advantages of the invention may be further explained by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings that sets forth illustrative embodiments. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a top view and a side view of a prime mover structure with a belt drive. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a top view and a side view of a prime mover structure with a direct drive. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a motor including a magnetic harmonic amplifier/pump. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of a prime mover system. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a circuit diagram of a prime mover system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    While preferable embodiments of the invention are shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following describe exemplary methods and apparatus falling within the scope of the invention. 
         [0032]    Referring to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  shows a top view and side view of a prime mover structure with a belt drive. The prime mover structure may include a binary induction electrical generator set  10 , a binary induction electrical generator set platform  12 , generator set sheaves and belt  14 , vibration/sonic isolators  16 , and a controls and electrical components enclosure  18 . 
         [0033]    The binary electrical generator set  10  may include a motor  11  and a motor generator  13 . In one embodiment of the invention, the motor  11  and motor generator  13  may be connected to one another through generator set induction sheaves and a belt  14 . The motor  11  and motor generator  13  may each be connected to a sheave or pulley  15 , which may have one or more belts  17  that go around them. A starter mechanism may exert a force on this binary induction electrical generator set  10  and belt system  14  in order to get the system to start operating. 
         [0034]    The motor  11  and motor generator  13  may rest on the binary induction electrical generator set platform  12 . The controls and electrical components enclosure  18  may also rest upon the platform  12 . The platform  12  may be laminated. The platform  12  may have a supporting member beneath it, such as vibration/sonic isolators  16 . The supporting member may keep the prime mover system isolated from the ground or any grounding surface and elevated above it. In one embodiment of the invention, the vibration/sonic isolators may consist of rollers. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows a prime mover structure with a direct drive. The prime mover structure may include a binary induction electrical generator set  20 , a binary induction electrical generator set laminated platform  22 , a generator set torque converter or a shaft  24 , vibration/sonic isolators  26 , and a controls and electrical components enclosure  28 . 
         [0036]    The binary electrical generator set  20  may include a motor  21  and a motor generator  23 . In one embodiment of the invention, the motor  21  and motor generator  23  may be connected through some direct drive mechanism such as a torque converter or a shaft  24 . The direct drive mechanism may be configured so that the parts connected to the motor  21  and the motor generator  23  do not make direct contact. For example, the direct drive may use an indirect hydraulic/magnetic system to act in the torque conversion. A starter mechanism may exert a force on this binary induction electrical generator set  20  and direct drive system in order to get the system to start operating. 
         [0037]    The motor  21  and motor generator  23  with a direct drive system may rest on the binary induction electrical generator set platform  22 . The controls and electrical components enclosure  28  may also rest upon the platform  22 . The platform  22  may be laminated. The platform  22  may have a supporting member beneath it, such as vibration/sonic isolators  26 . The supporting member may keep the prime mover system isolated from the ground or any grounding surface and elevated above it. In one embodiment of the invention, the vibration/sonic isolators may consist of rollers. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows a motor  30  including a magnetic harmonic amplifier/pump. This harmonic amplifier/pump may be part of the motor arrangement so that the motor is more efficient and utilize some of the exergies from the motor action. 
         [0039]    The motor may include a rotor component  32  and current inductor  34 . The rotor  32  may operate as an electromagnetic amplifier, a variable voltage capacitor, a variable amplitude, and a kinetic energy capacitor. The current inductor  34  may be continuously adjustable and may function as a DC accumulator. 
         [0040]    The turning of the rotor  32  of the motor may create an exergy derived from the action of the rotor  32 . An electrical energy may be derived from this exergy and may be stored within the rotor  32 . The demand of the current inductor  34  may assist with the storing of the electrical energy. The rotor  32  and the current inductor  34  may be configured in such a way so that the excess electrical energy has a path through the rotor  32  in order to assist in the turning of the motor  30 , thereby allowing the system to utilize this exergy. 
         [0041]    The motor  30  may be connected to a sheave/pulley  36 , which may be connected to a belt drive. The belt drive may be able to function as a loop antenna collector by conducting the energy derived from turning the belt drive and accompanying vibrations, friction or slippage, or interactions with surrounding air and the compression of humidity. The belt drive may conduct this energy so that a DC may flow into the motor  30  and may contribute to the energy derived from the exergy converted by the rotor  32 , which may have a path for the current to flow inside the rotor  32  to add its own reactive force to the motor  30  and improve the system&#39;s efficiency. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of a prime mover system. The prime mover system may include a motor generator  40 , a motor  42 , a controls and electrical components enclosure, and a platform  44 . 
         [0043]    The motor generator  40  and motor  42  may each be connected to a sheave or pulley apparatus. In one embodiment, the sheaves  46  may be connected to one another with a belt drive  48 . The motor  42  may include a magnetic harmonic amplifier/pump as discussed in  FIG. 3 . The motor arrangement may enable the motor  42  to convert the exergies that may arise from the turning rotor  41  to electrical energy and may pass the energy through the rotor  41  to add to the energy input and allow the motor  42  to operate more efficiently. The stator portion of the motor may include a kinetic, induction, saturation, and averaging transformer with two or more phase winding. Such a transformer may be continuously adjustable and may enable binary DC induction with a single AC exovoltaic output. 
         [0044]    The belt drive connecting the motor  42  and motor generator  40  may also convert system exergies into electrical energy. The belt itself  48  may take the exergies that may be derived from vibrations, friction or slippage, and the compression of humidity that may result from the mechanical turning of the device or from moving through the air and convert the exergies by acting as a conductor that can add energy back into the system. By doing so, the drive belt  48  may function as a loop antenna. Additionally, the material of the belt may have some level of pliability so that the turning of the sheaves may exert a force on the belt so that part of it may be compressed and part of it may be decompressed. This compression and decompression of the belt and the resulting compression of humidity may contribute to the system exergies that may be converted to usable energy inputted back into the system. 
         [0045]    The prime mover system may also include controls and electric components that may be connected to the binary induction electrical generator set. The controls and electric components may include a push-pull piezoelectric microphone/converter  43  that may function as an EMP circuit exciter, a harmonic waveform regulator, or a continuously adjustable current inductor. The microphone/converter  43  may act as a feedback system, and may create a sympathetic waveform and feed it back into the system. The microphone/converter  43  may be feeding back energy derived from exergies that may arise from sound or other vibrations, and may act as an additional inductor by capturing sound. Thus, the microphone/converter  43  may act as another component to convert exergies of the prime mover system into a useful energy and improve efficiency. Other similar accelerometer-type devices may function in the same manner. 
         [0046]    The controls and electric components may also include capacitors  45  that may act as a reservoir for electromotive force (EMF) and may provide resistance. As an EMF reservoir, the capacitors  45  may act as electromagnetic storage and smooth out the different levels of power. They may be able to store energy from slight variations and smooth out the energy output. 
         [0047]    The controls and electric components may also include a light bulb or rectifier  47 , which may act as a heat exhaust. The light bulb or rectifier  47  may be able to remove heat while placing a relatively constant demand on the system, which may improve the efficiency of the system. 
         [0048]    The aforementioned arrangement of the prime mover system, including the motor and motor generator, and the controls and electrical components may rest on a platform. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  shows a circuit diagram of a prime mover system. The circuit diagram of the prime mover system may include circuitry for a motor  50 , a motor generator  51 , a drive belt and sheave set  52 , a light bulb or rectifier  53 , a potential relay  54 , a push-pull piezoelectric microphone/converter  55 , and a load  56 . 
         [0050]    In one embodiment of the invention, the motor  50  may be a single phase AC or AC/DC motor. The motor  50  may be connected to a motor generator  51 , which may be a three-phase wound rotor induction motor-generator. The motor  50  and motor generator  51  may be connected to one another with a drive belt and sheave set  52 . The drive belt  52  may be able to convert and conduct the exergies derived from the drive belt turning, which may cause it to act as an inductor. The drive belt action, where the drive belt  52  may be acting as a conductor, may cause DC to flow into the motor generator  51  and the motor  50 . In addition to the coupling between the motor  50  and motor generator  51  through the drive belt  52 , they may be connected electronically so that electricity generated by the motor generator  51  may feed into the motor  50 . The electricity to the motor  50  may pass through a capacitor  57 . Energy from the motor generator  51  may also feed into the controls and electrical components which may feed into the motor  50  and into a load  56 . 
         [0051]    The electrical energy flowing from the motor generator  51  to the controls and electrical components may go through a capacitor  58  which may that may act as an EMF reservoir and provide resistance. The current may then flow through a push-pull piezoelectric microphone/converter  55  or similar accelerometer-type device which may act as a feedback system which can input a sympathetic waveform back into the system. The microphone/converter  55  may act as an additional inductor by capturing and converting exergies derived from sound and other vibrations and creating the sympathetic waveform. DC derived from the microphone/converter  55  may flow into both the motor  50  and the motor generator  51 . Thus, the microphone/converter  55  may act as another component to convert an exergy of the prime mover system into a useful energy and improve efficiency. 
         [0052]    The electrical energy flowing from the motor generator  51  may also encounter a potential relay switch  54 , which may start in an open position before the system may start operating. When the prime mover system starts operating, an open potential relay switch  54  may allow the system to build enough potential to keep the motor running, and the relay switch  54  may close when enough potential has developed. 
         [0053]    The circuitry may also include connections to a load  56 . For example, the load  56  may be an induction generator system or other electrical power supply system that the prime mover may be driving. 
         [0054]    The controls and electrical components of the prime mover system may also include a light bulb or rectifier  53  which may include variable voltage rectifier and may act as a heat exhaust. The light bulb or rectifier  53  may be connected to the motor  50 . In one embodiment of the invention, the motor  50  may include a magnetic harmonic amplifier or pump to convert exergies of the system, such as those derived from the motor  50  or the belt drive  52 , and input them back into the system. 
         [0055]    The prime mover system may include leads wires, resistors, and other components that may assist with system implementation. In one embodiment of the invention, a connection between the motor  50  and motor generator  51  through the belt drive  52  and through the motor generator  51  and motor generator components may have passively induced DC. A wire  59 A connecting the motor generator  51  to the motor  50  through a capacitor  57  may have harmonically balanced AC. A wire  59 B connecting the motor generator  51  to a capacitor  58  before connecting to the microphone/converter  55  may have harmonically desaturated AC. 
         [0056]    It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular implementations have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto and are contemplated herein. It is also not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examples provided within the specification. While the invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the preferable embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. Various modifications in form and detail of the embodiments of the invention will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. It is therefore contemplated that the invention shall also cover any such modifications, variations and equivalents.