IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,868,483
Granted Patent B1
US 10,868,483 · App. 16/429,953 · Granted Dec 15, 2020

DC generator system

Inventors: Craig R. LeGros (Rockford, IL); Tom A. Utecht (Cherry Valley, IL)
Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
H02P9/102B64D31/00H02P9/307B64D2221/00H02P2101/25H02P2101/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,868,483
App. No.
16/429,953
Granted
Dec 15, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

A system including a variable frequency generator (VFG) including a generator configured to conduct alternating current to a first rectifier configured to convert alternating current from the VFG to direct current and drive it to an HVDC Bus Network, a variable frequency second generator including a second generator configured to conduct alternating current to a second rectifier configured to convert alternating current from the second generator to direct current and conduct it to the HVDC Bus Network, a speed correcting gearbox operatively connected to the VFG configured to align generator frequency to the second generator frequency, and a VFG control unit operatively connected to the generator configured to control the VFG, and a second generator control unit operatively connected to the second generator and the HVDC Bus Network configured to control the second generator.

Claims (21)

1. A system comprising:

a variable frequency generator (VFG) including a generator configured to conduct alternating current to a first rectifier configured to convert alternating current from the VFG to direct current and drive it to an HVDC Bus Network;

a second variable frequency generator including a second generator configured to conduct alternating current to a second rectifier configured to convert alternating current from the second generator to direct current and direct it to the HVDC Bus Network;

a speed correcting gearbox operatively connected to the VFG configured to align a generator frequency to a second generator frequency;

a VFG control unit operatively connected to the generator configured to control the VFG input speed and regulation; and

a second generator control unit operatively connected to the second generator and the HVDC Bus Network configured to control the second generator regulation;

wherein the VFG is operatively connected to a low-pressure spool gearbox spool engine of an aircraft and the speed-correcting gearbox is located between the VFG and the low-pressure spool gearbox.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second generator is operatively connected to a high-pressure gearbox spool engine of the aircraft.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output of the first rectifier is 540 volts.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output of the second rectifier is 540 volts.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the HVDC Bus Network includes a pair of independent DC busses configured to distribute power.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to control power transfer of an aircraft engine.

7. A method comprising:

placing a speed-correcting gearbox between a first generator and a low-pressure gearbox;

driving alternating current from the first generator connected to the low pressure gearbox spool;

driving alternating current from a second generator connected to a high pressure gearbox spool; and

aligning a frequency output of the first generator to a frequency output of the second generator in order to control performance parameters of a direct current system of an aircraft.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising reducing voltage ripple.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising reducing load ripple.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first generator (VFG) conducts 115/230 volts AC to a first rectifier which converts to 540 Vdc output.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the second generator conducts 115/230 volts AC to a second rectifier which converts to 540 Vdc output.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2020
From: LEGROS, CRAIG R.; UTECHT, TOM A.
To: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054322/0378 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,722,786