Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6507128?dq=456322
Timestamp: 2014-08-01 08:29:34
Document Index: 433005654

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 62', 'art 60', 'art 60', 'art 62', 'art 60', 'art 62']

Patent US6507128 - Low-energy storage fast-start uninterruptible power supply system and method - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsAn uninterruptible power supply system has standby and backup modes and can change to backup mode upon detection of a grid fault. In both modes an alternator rotates at synchronous-speed so that backup mode capability is ready. An energy storage unit through a DC-AC inverter remains coupled to the grid...http://www.google.com/patents/US6507128?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6507128 - Low-energy storage fast-start uninterruptible power supply system and methodAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6507128 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/681,697Publication dateJan 14, 2003Filing dateMay 23, 2001Priority dateMay 23, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2385706A1, CA2385706C, EP1261099A2, EP1261099A3, EP1261099B1, US7129593, US20020175660, US20030102672Publication number09681697, 681697, US 6507128 B2, US 6507128B2, US-B2-6507128, US6507128 B2, US6507128B2InventorsRobert Dean King, Gautam SinhaOriginal AssigneeGeneral Electric CompanyExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (10), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (19), Classifications (13), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetLow-energy storage fast-start uninterruptible power supply system and methodUS 6507128 B2Abstract An uninterruptible power supply system has standby and backup modes and can change to backup mode upon detection of a grid fault. In both modes an alternator rotates at synchronous-speed so that backup mode capability is ready. An energy storage unit through a DC-AC inverter remains coupled to the grid in standby mode so that it is charged, ready to supply power when changed to backup mode. In standby mode, first and third clutches are disengaged and engaged, transmitting alternator rotary motion to a flywheel but not therefrom to a heat engine. In backup mode, first and third clutch are engaged and disengaged to permit the alternator, via a second clutch, to overrun the flywheel and allow transmitting of flywheel torque to accelerate the heat engine to starting speed for driving the alternator to supply power to the grid after the engine is at operating speed and coupled to the alternator through a locked second clutch and an engaged third clutch.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a backup system for a utility power grid and, more particularly, is concerned with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system and method having a fast-start capability and a low-energy storage requirement.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system and method designed to satisfy the aforementioned need. The UPS system of the present invention has a fast-start capability that greatly reduces the duration of rated power required to be supplied by an energy storage unit and thus eliminates the need to use massive lead acid batteries in the energy storage unit of the UPS system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art UPS system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a prior art uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system, generally designated 10. The prior art UPS system 10 of FIG. 1 includes a heat engine 12, an alternator 14, a flywheel 16 mounted on a crankshaft 18 of the heat engine 12, a motion transmitting mechanism 20 disposed between the flywheel 16 and an alternator input shaft 22 and actuatable for coupling the flywheel to and from the input shaft 22 of the alternator 14, a starter or cranking motor 24, gearing 26 drivingly coupling the cranking motor 24 to the flywheel 16 and a cranking battery 28 connected to the cranking motor 24. The cranking battery 28, for example, can be a 12V or 24V battery.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a graph of a timing sequence of the UPS system 44 for understanding the operation thereof. At the moment the UPS system control 40 detects a power fault on the utility grid 38, a �Grid Power OK� signal transitions from a logic level 1 to a logic level 0, changing the UPS system 44 from the standby mode to backup mode. Uninterrupted power flows to a critical load on the utility grid 38 from the DC-AC inverter 32 using the power provided by the energy storage unit 54. Within tens of milliseconds of the detection of the power fault, the third clutch (C3) 52 is actuated to a disengaged condition by a command signal (logic level 1 to logic level 0 transition) received from the UPS system control 40, followed by actuation of the first clutch (C1) 48 to an engaged condition by another command signal (logic level 0 to logic level 1 transition) received from the UPS system control 40. In its engaged condition, the first clutch (C1) 48 transmits drive torque from the relatively high inertia flywheel 46 to the low inertia crankshaft 18 of the heat engine 12 such that the rotational speed of the crankshaft 18 of the heat engine 12 accelerates rapidly as the rotational speed of the flywheel 46 decreases below the speed of the input shaft 22 of the alternator 14, causing the inner annular part 62 of the second clutch 50 to overrun the outer annular part 60 thereof because during the entire starting sequence of the heat engine 12 the alternator 14 continues to rotate at the synchronous speed which is faster than the now decreasing speed of the flywheel 46. As a prescribed starting speed (1000 rpm in this example) of the heat engine 12 is reached, the fuel injector 42 is enabled by a command signal (logic level 0 to logic level 1 transition) received from the UPS system control 40 and the heat engine 12 starts and continues to accelerate toward the synchronous speed. When the speed of the heat engine 12 reaches the synchronous speed of the alternator 14, the second clutch 50 assumes its locked mode in which the outer annular part 60 of the second clutch 50 locks up with the inner annular part 62 thereof such that the outer annular part 60 is transmitting drive torque to the inner annular part 62 and thus they rotate in unison with one another. After approximately 0.9 seconds, the third clutch (C3) 52 is actuated to the engaged condition by receipt of a command signal (logic level 0 to logic level 1 transition) from the UPS system control 40 and the heat engine 12 is thus also drivingly coupled by the third clutch (C3) 52 to the input shaft 22 of the alternator 14 and the heat engine driven alternator 14 thereby provides the critical power to the, utility grid 38. After correction of the power fault is sensed (logic level 0 to logic level 1 transition of Grid Power OK) and the grid power has thus been restored, the UPS system 44 changes back to the standby mode in which the fuel injector 42 is disabled by a command signal (logic level 1 to logic level 0 transition) received from the UPS system control 40, followed by the UPS system control 40 sending a command signal (logic level 1 to logic level 0 transition) to the first clutch (C1) 48 to actuate it to the disengaged condition, causing the heat engine 12 to stop abruptly.
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No. 09/617,954 Filed Sep. 25, 2000 by Sinha, Entitled "A Starting System and Method for a Microturbine Power Generation Unit", Attorney Docket RD-28,038.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6710579 *Sep 27, 2001Mar 23, 2004Daimlerchrysler AgStarter-generator device for internal combustion engines and method for operating the deviceUS6777823 *May 21, 2001Aug 17, 2004Active Power, Inc.Integrated continuous power system assemblies having multiple nozzle block segmentsUS7042108Feb 6, 2004May 9, 2006Otto FarkasBackup power systemUS7088011 *Nov 21, 2003Aug 8, 2006Smith Raymond WMotor-generator system with a current control feedback loopUS7129593 *Nov 6, 2002Oct 31, 2006General Electric CompanyLow-energy storage fast-start uninterruptible power supply methodUS7253534 *Feb 18, 2005Aug 7, 2007Linda A. VasilovichMethod and apparatus for converting human power to electrical powerUS7489048Jan 9, 2006Feb 10, 2009General Electric CompanyEnergy storage system for electric or hybrid vehicleUS7504737Jul 3, 2007Mar 17, 2009Linda A. VasilovichMethod and apparatus for converting human power to electrical powerUS7567004Aug 1, 2006Jul 28, 2009Smith Raymond WMotor-generator system with a current control feedback loopUS7568537Jan 9, 2006Aug 4, 2009General Electric CompanyVehicle propulsion systemUS7573144 *Feb 7, 2008Aug 11, 2009Direct Drive Systems, Inc.Reconfigurable power system using multiple phase-set electric machinesUS7595597Dec 21, 2006Sep 29, 2009General Electric ComapanyVehicle propulsion systemUS7696642 *Feb 13, 2008Apr 13, 2010Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Cogeneration systemUS7780562Jan 9, 2006Aug 24, 2010General Electric CompanyHybrid vehicle and method of assembling sameUS7868512May 14, 2009Jan 11, 2011Smith Raymond WMotor-generator system with a current control feedback loopUS8013548Oct 14, 2008Sep 6, 2011General Electric CompanySystem, vehicle and related methodUS8037966Jul 1, 2008Oct 18, 2011Caterpillar Inc.Roof-mounted muffler for system for generating electric powerUS8680728Aug 3, 2012Mar 25, 2014Caterpillar Inc.Thermal shield for system for generating electric powerUSRE43956Feb 10, 2011Feb 5, 2013General Electric CompanyEnergy storage system for electric or hybrid vehicle* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification290/40.00C, 307/64, 322/4, 290/24International ClassificationH02J9/08, H02P9/08, H02J3/30, H02J9/00Cooperative ClassificationH02J9/08, H02J3/30, Y02E60/16European ClassificationH02J3/30, H02J9/08Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJul 15, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Jul 15, 2010SULPSurcharge for late paymentYear of fee payment: 7Apr 10, 2006FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4May 23, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, NEW YORKFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KING, ROBERT DEAN;SINHA, GAUTAM;REEL/FRAME:011596/0160Effective date: 20010518Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ONE RIVER ROAD SCHENECTADOwner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ONE RIVER ROADSCHENECTADYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KING, ROBERT DEAN /AR;REEL/FRAME:011596/0160RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google