Turbogenerator with electrical brake

Patent 6784565 Issued on August 31, 2004. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 15, 2022. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Capstone Turbine Corporation

Application

No. 10077121 filed on 02/15/2002

US Classes:

290/52, TURBOGENERATORS290/7, ELECTRIC CONTROL290/14With generator

Examiners

Primary: Ponomarenko, Nicholas
Assistant: Addison, Karen

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

Foreign Patent References

3634328 DE 04/01/1987
19704662 DE 08/01/1998
0 472 294 EP 02/01/1992
0 679 800 EP 11/01/1995
0 837 231 EP 04/01/1998
0 901 218 EP 03/01/1999
1453862 FR 04/01/1965
2395316 FR 01/01/1979
52-60924 JP 05/01/1977
WO 9427359 WO 11/01/1994
WO 9825014 WO 06/01/1998
WO 9932762 WO 07/01/1999
WO 9952193 WO 10/01/1999
WO 0028191 WO 05/01/2000

International Classes

F02N 1100
F02N 1100

Abstract

In an integrated turbogenerator system having an air intake for a compressor to supply combustion air to a combustor, an electric brake device such as a resistor is connected to the electrical power output of the turbogenerator and is situated in the air intake to be cooled by the stream of combustion air flowing into the intake. When load transients require unloading excess electrical power produced by the turbogenerator, the brake resistor is supplied with at least part of the excess electrical power to create heat energy and thereby heat the in-flowing combustion air to lower the combustor efficiency, turbogenerator power produced, and excess electric power to be unloaded. An algorithm may be provided for controlling the turbogenerator speed deceleration rate to maintain the brake resistor at or near a physical temperature limit.

Other References

Japanese Patent Abstract entitled “Method and Equipment for Controlling Permanent Magnet Turbine Generator/Motor”; filed May 13, 1999, Japanese Application No. 11-133003.
Japanese Patent Abstract entitled “Command and Control System Method for Multiturbo Generators”, filed Oct. 27, 1999, Japanese Application No. 11-305375.
Japanese Patent Abstract entitled “Turbine Generator-Motor Controller”, filed Aug. 4, 1998, Japanese Application No. 10-220231.
German Patent Abstract entitled “Control Circuit for Turbine AC Motor-Generator”; for DE 3634328 (Apr. 1987).
German Patent Abstract entitled “Load Symmetrising e.g. for Several Power Supply Modules Including Recitifer Modules”;for DE 19704662 (Aug. 1998).
French Patent Abstract entitled “Control System for Turbine Driven by Blast Furnace Throat Gas”; for FR 2395316 (Jan. 1979).
Japanese Patent Abstract entitled “Control Circuit in Permanent Magnet Motor”; for JP Publication No. 52-60924 (May 1977).