초록 ▼

The present invention relates to variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) devices and methods for maximizing engine generator efficiency. In one embodiment, a VSCF device may include at least two paths for conducting power to the load. One path, a line inductor path, may advantageously incur minimal

The present invention relates to variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) devices and methods for maximizing engine generator efficiency. In one embodiment, a VSCF device may include at least two paths for conducting power to the load. One path, a line inductor path, may advantageously incur minimal power loss when the engine generator is supplying rated power to a load. A second path, a VSCF path, may be used to ensure that the frequency of the power is maintained at a substantially constant frequency under various load conditions. Another embodiment of the invention describes a process for determining optimal engine generator speed for a particular load. Because engine speed can be varied using any VSCF device, this process determines a speed that minimizes fuel consumption, emissions, and noise pollution for a given load.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A variable speed constant frequency device that provides at least two paths for power to travel from an engine generator to a load, the device comprising:a standard line path coupled between said engine generator and said load; a variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) line path coupled between

1. A variable speed constant frequency device that provides at least two paths for power to travel from an engine generator to a load, the device comprising:a standard line path coupled between said engine generator and said load; a variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) line path coupled between said engine generator and said load; and a control circuit coupled to said standard line path and said VSCF line path and that automatically selects the path through which power is routed to said load. 2. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said standard line path is a line inductor path.3. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said standard line path comprises a switch that is controlled by said control circuit.4. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said standard line path comprises an inductor.5. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said VSCF line path comprises an ac-dc converter.6. The device defined in claim 5, wherein said ac-dc converter is a rectifier.7. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said VSCF line path comprises a dc-ac converter.8. The device defined in claim 7, wherein the dc-ac converter is an inverter.9. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said VSCF line path comprises:a rectifier; and an inverter, wherein said rectifier and said inverter are controlled by said control circuit to provide a substantially constant frequency to said load regardless of the engine generator speed. 10. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said control circuit is coupled to said engine generator and is further configured to control said engine generator.11. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said control circuit is operative to select the standard line path or the VSCF line path based on an engine characteristic, wherein said engine characteristic is selected from the group consisting of fuel efficiency, emissions, noise, power density, and engine wear and tear.12. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said control circuit is operative to select the path that provides optimal fuel efficiency for a given load.13. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said control circuit is operative to select the path that enables said engine generator to provide maximum power density.14. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said control circuit is operative to select the path that minimizes emissions, audible noise, or wear and tear of said engine generator.15. The device defined in claim 1 further comprising a transient power source interconnected with said VSCF line path.16. The device defined in claim 15, wherein said transient power source is connected to said control circuit.17. The device defined in claim 15, wherein said transient power source provides power to said load when said load experiences a change in demand.18. The device defined in claim 15, wherein said transient power source is a flywheel energy conversion device.19. The device defined in claim 15, wherein said control circuit is operative to control said engine generator to provide power to said transient power source via said VSCF line path such that said transient power source is ready to provide power to said load on demand.20. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said standard line path is a first path and said VSCF line path is a second path, said device further comprising a third line path that is interconnected between said engine generator and said load, wherein said third line path is controlled by said control circuit.21. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said engine generator houses said control circuit.22. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said control circuit comprises:a VSCF control circuit that controls functions associated with said VSCF device; an engine generator control circuit that controls functions associated with said engine generator; and wherein said VSCF control circuit and said engine generator control circuit are housed according to one of the following combinations: (a) said VSCF control circuit and said engine generator control circuit are housed in said VSCF device; (b) said VSCF control circuit and said engine generator control circuit are housed by said engine generator; (c) said VSCP control circuit is housed by in said VSCF device and said engine generator control circuit is housed by said engine generator; or (d) said VSCF control circuit is housed by said engine generator and said engine generator control circuit is housed by in said VSCF device. 23. A method for selecting a path for power to travel from an engine generator to a load, said method comprising:controlling said engine generator to generate power; and routing said generated power to said load through a path selected from at least two paths, one of the paths is a variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) line path and another one of the paths is a standard line path. 24. The method defined in claim 23 further comprising maintaining a substantially constant frequency of the power provided to said load.25. The method defined in claim 23 further comprising:monitoring the power output of said engine generator; and automatically selecting which of said at least two paths to route said power, said selecting is based on said monitored power output. 26. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said routing is based on load demand.27. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said routing comprises selecting one of said paths to maximize fuel efficiency of said engine generator.28. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said routing comprises selecting one of said paths to maximize power density of said engine generator.29. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said routing comprises selecting one of said paths to minimize audible noise of said engine generator.30. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said routing comprises selecting one of said paths to minimize emissions of said engine generator.31. The method defined in claim 24, wherein said routing comprises selecting one of said paths to minimize wear and tear of said engine generator.32. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said standard line path is used when said engine generator can independently provide power to said load at a specified frequency.33. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said VSCF line path is used when it is not optimal for said engine generator to independently provide power to said load at a specified frequency.34. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said VSCF line path is used when said load experiences step changes.35. The method defined in claim 23 further comprising drawing power from a transient power source to ensure that a substantially constant frequency is provided to said load during any changes that occur in the load.36. The method defined in claim 32 further comprising providing power to a transient power source such that said transient power source is ready to provide power to said load on demand.37. The method defined in claim 32, wherein said controlling comprises instructing said engine generator to operate at a speed that provides maximum power to said load.38. The method defined in claim 32, wherein said instructing compriseB instructing said engine generator to operate at a super-synchronous speed to provide maximum power to said load.39. The method defined in claim 32 further comprising providing power flow control of the power being distributed to said load.40. A method for optimizing the speed of an engine generator for any given load, the method comprising:varying engine generator speed to a specified speed; determining an engine characteristic based on the specified speed; repeating said speed varying step and said determining step until an optimal characteristic is discovered; and instructing said engine generator to operate at the specified speed in which the optimal characteristic was discovered. 41. The method defined in claim 40, wherein said engine characteristic is selected from the group consisting of fuel efficiency, emissions, noise, power density, and wear and tear.42. The method defined in claim 40, wherein said varying comprises:increasing engine generator speed in predetermined increments until said engine generator is operating at its maximum speed. 43. The method defined in claims 40, wherein said varying comprises:decreasing engine generator speed in predetermined decrements until said engine generator is operating at its minimum speed. 44. The method defined in claim 40, wherein said varying comprises:increasing engine speed by a predetermined percentage above an original speed; performing said determining step to obtain a first engine characteristic; decreasing engine speed by a predetermined percentage below the original speed; and performing said determining step to obtain a second characteristic. 45. The method defined in claim 44 further comprising:if the first engine characteristic is greater than the second engine characteristic, increasing engine speed in predetermined increments until said optimal engine characteristic is discovered. 46. The method defined in claim 44 further comprising:if the second engine characteristic is greater than the first engine characteristic, decreasing engine speed in predetermined decrements until said optimal engine characteristic is discovered. 47. The method defined in claim 40, wherein said determining comprises:measuring a fuel consumption characteristic of said engine generator; and measuring engine generator output power. 48. The method defined in claim 40, wherein said determining comprises measuring a noise level characteristic of said engine generator.49. The method defined in claim 40, wherein said determining comprises measuring the emissions characteristic of said engine generator.50. The method defined in claim 40 further comprising storing information selected from group consisting of engine speed, fuel efficiency, fuel consumption rate, load, said optimal engine characteristic, optimal engine speed, and any combination thereof.51. An electrical/mechanical power supply system, comprising:an engine generator; a variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) device coupled to said engine generator and a load, said VSCF device having at least two paths for transmitting power to the load; and a control circuit that selects one of said at least two paths to optimize efficiency of power delivery to the load. 52. The system defined in claim wherein said control circuit is electrically coupled to said VSCF device.53. The system defined in claim 51, wherein said control circuit is electrically coupled to said engine generator and configured to control the speed of said engine generator.54. The system defined in claim 51, wherein said control circuit is operative to instruct said engine generator to operate at an optimal speed based on said load.55. The system defined in claim 51, wherein said control circuit is a portion of the circuitry that is associated with said engine generator.56. The system defined in claim 51, wherein said control circuit is configured to control said engine generator and said VSCF device.57. The system defined in claim 51 further comprising a transient power source that supplies power to said VSCF device on demand.58. The system defined in claim 51, wherein said control circuit comprises software that determines which path to select.