Patent ID: 7064526

Claim:
A permanent magnet starter/generator system including: a permanent magnet generator (PMG) unit; and a power conversion unit (PCU) connected to the PMG, the PCU including; a plurality of converter modules connected to a power output bus, and a control module connected to the plurality of converter modules, the control module being configured to implement starter and generator modes of operation; wherein in the starter mode an AC excitation is generated in the PCU and applied to the PMG to cause a rotor assembly in the PMG to rotate and enable an engine start operation, and wherein in the generator mode an AC voltage is generated in the PMG when the rotor assembly is rotated by a prime mover driven by the engine, and the PCU converts the AC voltage to a desired voltage form; and wherein the power output bus is connected to at least one of a vehicle electrical load and a vehicle electrical power distribution system.