Electrical power generation system and method

Patent 6906432 Issued on June 14, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 2, 2023. 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

3342999

3764815

3891915

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Inventors

Assignee

MES International, Inc.

Application

No. 10612685 filed on 07/02/2003

US Classes:

290/52, TURBOGENERATORS123/350, Electrical sensing or regulating322/14, COMBINED CONTROL OF GENERATOR AND DRIVING MEANS322/15, Simultaneous control290/40R, Engine control307/87, Attainment of voltage, frequency or phase relationship123/352, Engine speed sensing having an error signal producing circuit702/182Performance or efficiency evaluation

Examiners

Primary: Ponomarenko, Nicholas

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Alston & bird LLP

Foreign Patent References

60206967 JP 10/01/1985
01117958 JP 05/01/1989

International Class

F02D041/00

Abstract

An electrical power generating system and method wherein a generator is driven by an air-breathing engine. At any operating condition, for a given power output the engine efficiency is substantially optimized by controlling the rate of air flow through the engine in such a manner that the fuel/air ratio is controlled to maintain a high peak temperature imparted to the working fluid in the engine. The method and system of the invention eliminate the need for variable-geometry mechanisms in the engine, and also eliminate the need for variable-geometry combustors and pre-burners. The invention is applicable to various types of air-breathing engines that operate at low fuel/air ratios.