Distributed electrical generators for turbofan engines
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsAndrew W. Jennings, Martin J. Jennings
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for generating electrical power includes a rotating member surrounded by a fixed structure. The apparatus also includes at least one magnet, each of which is located on the rotating member. The apparatus further includes at least one distributed generator module located on the fixed structure and configured to generate an electrical power signal responsive to movement of the at least one magnet past the at least one distributed generator module. The at least one distributed generator module is configured to be independently activated and deactivated responsive to a control signal.
Claims20
An apparatus for generating electrical power, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotating member surrounded by a fixed structure;
- a plurality of magnets, each located at a different location on the rotating member;
- a plurality of distributed generator modules located on an interior surface of the fixed structure and each configured to generate a regulated direct current (DC) power signal responsive to movement of the plurality of magnets past the plurality of distributed generator modules;
- and
- at least one processor configured to independently activate selected ones of the plurality of distributed generator modules to allow each to generate its respective regulated DC power signal and deactivate other selected ones of the plurality of distributed generator modules to stop each from generating its respective regulated DC power signal to limit power used by the plurality of distributed generator modules.
An apparatus for generating electrical power, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of fan blades of a turbofan engine;
- an inlet cowl surrounding the plurality of fan blades of the turbofan engine;
- a plurality of magnets, each located at a different location on the plurality of fan blades;
- a plurality of distributed generator modules located on an interior surface of the inlet cowl and each configured to generate a regulated direct current (DC) power signal responsive to movement of the plurality of magnets past the plurality of distributed generator modules, wherein each of the plurality of distributed generator modules comprises:
- a coil configured to detect the movement of the plurality of magnets;
- power generation circuitry configured to generate the electrical power responsive to the detected movement of the plurality of magnets past the coil;
- a voltage sensing circuit configured to sense a first voltage from the coil and a second voltage of the regulated DC power signal;
- and
- a current sensing circuit configured to sense a current of the regulated DC power signal;
- and
- at least one processor configured to independently activate selected ones of the plurality of distributed generator modules to allow each to generate its respective regulated DC power signal and deactivate other selected ones of the plurality of distributed generator modules to stop each from generating its respective regulated DC power signal to limit power used by the plurality of distributed generator modules responsive to the sensed first voltage, the sensed second voltage, and the sensed current.
A method for generating electrical power, the method comprising:
- attaching a plurality of magnets to a rotating member;
- attaching a plurality of distributed generator modules to a fixed structure surrounding the rotating member;
- generating a regulated direct current (DC) power signal responsive to movement of the plurality of magnets past each of the plurality of distributed generator modules;
- combining the generated regulated DC power signals of the plurality of distributed generator modules;
- and
- independently activating selected ones of the plurality of distributed generator modules to allow each to generate its respective regulated DC power signal and deactivating other selected ones of the plurality of distributed generator modules to stop each from generating its respective regulated DC power signal to limit power used by the plurality of distributed generator modules using at least one processor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.