US3621370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Generator load control system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1969-08-18
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A control system for regulating the power output of a traction generator in response to the power capability of the diesel engine prime mover wherein feedback signals responsive to the generator output current and voltage are applied to the inputs of bridge rectifiers whose outputs are serially connected in a reference current circuit. A unidirectionally conducting circuit coupled across the bridge rectifiers provides a control signal to limit the generator load when feedback signals exceed the reference current. The reference current circuit includes in series connection a source of reference voltage whose magnitude corresponds to the power output level of the diesel engine, a resistance network and the bridge rectifier. Provision is made for retarding the rate at which the generator load is increased upon increases of diesel engine output power by a stepped increase of the resistance of the resistance circuit during an increase of diesel engine power. During such time a circuit, responsive to an increase of a reference voltage, opens a shunt connected in parallel with a portion of the resistance circuit. A capacitance connected serially across the load voltage source and a portion of the resistance network additionally shunt a portion of the reference current to prevent a stepped increase of reference current. A capacitance discharge circuit is operative during reductions of diesel engine power to prevent the capacitance circuit from affecting the rate of load control during such power reduction. This invention relates to a generator excitation control system and more particularly to a system regulating the power demand of a traction generator in response to the available power of a thermal prime mover, such as a diesel engine. Provision is made for controlling the rate at which the generator output is increased responsive to increasing diesel engine power output in order to reduce the generation of smoke by the diesel engine during increases of diesel engine power.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas L Vandervort
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 21:42
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/10; B; B60; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/10; H02P9/102; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/64; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
304 words
In a propulsion system for traction vehicles wherein a thermal prime mover operable over a range of available power output levels drives electrical generating means adapted to energize traction motors and a control system limits the output of said generating means responsive to the output level of said prime mover, said control system having means adapted to control the output of said generating means to reduce smoke produced by said thermal prime mover during increases of available power output comprising: a. a source of feedback current signals varying as a function of the output of said generating means, b. a source of reference current signals varying as a function of the available power output level of said prime mover, c. a comparison circuit having inputs coupled to said aforesaid sources and an output adapted to provide a control signal for limiting the output of said generating means, d. said source of reference current comprising in series circuit; 1. a source of reference voltage varying in magnitude as a function of the available power level of said prime mover, 2. resistance means having a resistance of a first predetermined value, said resistance means being adapted for modifying said resistance to a second discretely increased value, e. reference current control means responsive to variations of said reference voltage being coupled to said resistance means to increase said resistance from said first predetermined value to said second discretely increased value when the available power level of said prime mover is increasing and to subsequently return said resistance to its first predetermined value, f. capacitance means connected across said source of reference voltage and at least a portion of said resistance means, the capacitance of said capacitance means being adequate to prevent an abrupt increase of reference current upon said resistance being returned to its first predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
304 words
In a propulsion system for traction vehicles wherein a thermal prime mover operable over a range of available power output levels drives electrical generating means adapted to energize traction motors and a control system limits the output of said generating means responsive to the output level of said prime mover, said control system having means adapted to control the output of said generating means to reduce smoke produced by said thermal prime mover during increases of available power output comprising: a. a source of feedback current signals varying as a function of the output of said generating means, b. a source of reference current signals varying as a function of the available power output level of said prime mover, c. a comparison circuit having inputs coupled to said aforesaid sources and an output adapted to provide a control signal for limiting the output of said generating means, d. said source of reference current comprising in series circuit; 1. a source of reference voltage varying in magnitude as a function of the available power level of said prime mover, 2. resistance means having a resistance of a first predetermined value, said resistance means being adapted for modifying said resistance to a second discretely increased value, e. reference current control means responsive to variations of said reference voltage being coupled to said resistance means to increase said resistance from said first predetermined value to said second discretely increased value when the available power level of said prime mover is increasing and to subsequently return said resistance to its first predetermined value, f. capacitance means connected across said source of reference voltage and at least a portion of said resistance means, the capacitance of said capacitance means being adequate to prevent an abrupt increase of reference current upon said resistance being returned to its first predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
resistance means having a resistance of a first predetermined value, said resistance means being adapted for modifying said resistance to a second discretely increased value, e. reference current control means responsive to variations of said reference voltage being coupled to said resistance means to increase said resistance from said first predetermined value to said second discretely increased value when the available power level of said prime mover is increasing and to subsequently return said resistance to its first predetermined value, f. capacitance means connected across said source of reference voltage and at least a portion of said resistance means, the capacitance of said capacitance means being adequate to prevent an abrupt increase of reference current upon said resistance being returned to its first predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
resistance means having a resistance of a first predetermined value, said resistance means being adapted for modifying said resistance to a second discretely increased value, e. reference current control means responsive to variations of said reference voltage being coupled to said resistance means to increase said resistance from said first predetermined value to said second discretely increased value when the available power level of said prime mover is increasing and to subsequently return said resistance to its first predetermined value, f. capacitance means connected across said source of reference voltage and at least a portion of said resistance means, the capacitance of said capacitance means being adequate to prevent an abrupt increase of reference current upon said resistance being returned to its first predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein said resistance means comprises a plurality of resistors connected in series circuit and shunting means for normally applying a shunt of negligible impedance magnitude across less than all of said plurality of resistors, said shunting means being responsive to said reference current control means to temporarily remove said shunt upon an increase of the available power level of said prime mover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
The control system of claim 2 wherein said shunting means comprises a first semiconductor device having two electrodes connected across less than all of said plurality of resistors, and a control electrode, means for biasing said control electrode to normally maintain full current conduction between said two electrodes, and means for coupling said control electrode to said reference current control means to temporarily cut off current conduction between said two electrodes upon an increase of available power level of said prime mover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The control system of claim 3 wherein said reference current control means comprises a second semiconductor device having a control electrode and output electrodes connected in circuit with the control electrode of said first semiconductor device, control means coupled to said control electrode and responsive to a variation of the magnitude of said source of reference voltage, to modify the state of conduction of said second semiconductor device to temporarily cut off current conduction between the two electrodes of said first semiconductor device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The control system of claim 4 wherein said control means comprises resistance and capacitance means coupled intermediate said control electrode and said source of reference voltage whereby the state of conduction of said second semiconductor device is modified solely during voltage variations of said source of reference voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control system of claim 5 wherein rectifying means are connected serially with said resistance and capacitance means to prevent modification of the state of conduction of said second semiconductor device in response to decreases of available power output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The control system of claim 2 wherein the resistance of the resistors normally shunted by said shunting means exceeds the resistance of the remaining serially connected resistors in said shunting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
315 words
In a propulsion system for traction vehicles wherein a thermal prime mover operable over a range of available power output levels drives electrical generating means adapted to energize traction motors and a control system limits the output of said generating means responsive to the output level of said prime mover, said control system having means adapted to control the output of said generating means to reduce smoke produced by said thermal prime mover during increases of available power output comprising: a. bridge-rectifying means, b. first and second resistance means, c. a source of reference voltage varying in magnitude as a function of the available power level of said prime mover, d. means for serially connecting said bridge-rectifyiNg means, first and second resistance means and said source of reference voltage in a unidirectionally conducting loop circuit, e. said bridge-rectifying means having a first set of input terminals connected in said loop circuit and a second set of input terminals connected to a source of feedback current signals varying as a function of the available power output level of said prime mover, f. switching means connected across said second resistance means to normally apply a shunt of negligible resistance across said second resistance means, g. reference current control means responsive to variations of said reference voltage being coupled to said switching means to remove the shunt across said second resistance means temporarily when the available power level of said prime mover is increasing, and to subsequently reapply said shunt, h. capacitance means connected in parallel circuit with the series combination of said source of reference voltage and said second resistance means, the capacitance of said capacitance being adequate to prevent an abrupt increase of reference current upon the reapplication of said shunt, i. output means coupled to said first set of input terminals adapted to provide a control signal for limiting the output of said generating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
315 words
In a propulsion system for traction vehicles wherein a thermal prime mover operable over a range of available power output levels drives electrical generating means adapted to energize traction motors and a control system limits the output of said generating means responsive to the output level of said prime mover, said control system having means adapted to control the output of said generating means to reduce smoke produced by said thermal prime mover during increases of available power output comprising: a. bridge-rectifying means, b. first and second resistance means, c. a source of reference voltage varying in magnitude as a function of the available power level of said prime mover, d. means for serially connecting said bridge-rectifyiNg means, first and second resistance means and said source of reference voltage in a unidirectionally conducting loop circuit, e. said bridge-rectifying means having a first set of input terminals connected in said loop circuit and a second set of input terminals connected to a source of feedback current signals varying as a function of the available power output level of said prime mover, f. switching means connected across said second resistance means to normally apply a shunt of negligible resistance across said second resistance means, g. reference current control means responsive to variations of said reference voltage being coupled to said switching means to remove the shunt across said second resistance means temporarily when the available power level of said prime mover is increasing, and to subsequently reapply said shunt, h. capacitance means connected in parallel circuit with the series combination of said source of reference voltage and said second resistance means, the capacitance of said capacitance being adequate to prevent an abrupt increase of reference current upon the reapplication of said shunt, i. output means coupled to said first set of input terminals adapted to provide a control signal for limiting the output of said generating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The control system of claim 8 wherein said switching means comprises a first semiconductor device having two electrodes connected across said second resistance means and a control electrode, means for biasing said control electrode to normally maintain full current conduction between said two electrodes, and means for coupling said control electrode to said reference current control means to temporarily cut off current conduction between said two electrodes upon an increase of available power level of said prime mover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
The control system of claim 9 wherein said reference current control means comprises a second semiconductor device having a control electrode and output electrodes connected in circuit with the control electrode of said first semiconductor device, control means coupled to said control electrode and responsive to a variation of the magnitude of said source of reference voltage, to modify the state of conduction of said second semiconductor device to temporarily cut off current conduction between the two electrodes of said first semiconductor device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The control system of claim 10 wherein said control means comprises resistance and capacitance means coupled intermediate said control electrode and said source of reference voltage whereby the state of conduction of said second semiconductor device is modified solely during voltage variations of said source of reference voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control system of claim 11 wherein rectifying means are connected serially with said resistance and capacitance means to prevent modification of the state of conduction of said second semiconductor device in response to decreases of available power output.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The control system of claim 8 wherein the resistance of said second resistance means exceeds the resistance of said first resistance means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The control system of claim 8 wherein first unidirectionally conducting means are connected with said capacitance means to prevent discharge of said capacitance means through said bridge-rectifying means, and second unidirectionally conducting means are connected across said capacitance means to permit discharge of said capacitance means to a potential across the series combination of said first resistance means and said bridge-rectifying means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |