Back to results
US 12,529,339 B2Granted
Engine starter circuits for electric machines
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsDhananjay Kumar, Krishan Kant Sharma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an engine (e.g., an aircraft turbine engine) can include a turbine mounted to a turbine shaft to rotate the turbine. A starter system can include a starter circuit, for example for powering the starter system to start the engine. More specifically, the starter circuit can be configured to provide power to an electric machine (e.g., an electric motor capable of also acting as a generator) coupled to the turbine shaft to drive the engine.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a starter circuit configured to provide power to an electric machine to drive a load, the starter circuit including:
- a voltage input provided to the starter circuit via an electrical bus;
- a solenoid circuit configured to provide power to the electric machine,
- wherein the solenoid circuit includes:
- an inductor coil configured to provide current to the electric machine;
- a freewheeling diode configured to provide a path for decay of current through the inductor coil;
- and
- a solenoid switch driven by a respective switch drive, configured to control electrical communication from the inductor coil to the electric machine;
- and
- a braking circuit configured to prevent power generated by the electric machine from reaching the electrical bus, wherein the solenoid circuit and the braking circuit are electrically connected the voltage input via a common switch, wherein the common switch is driven by a respective gate drive configured to control electrical communication from the electrical bus to the solenoid circuit and the braking circuit.
7 more elements
A method, comprising:
- supplying a direct current from an electrical bus to a solenoid circuit and a braking circuit through a common switch;
- inverting the direct current to an alternating current;
- and
- driving an electric machine with the alternating current to start an engine;
- wherein in a starter mode:
- maintaining the common switch in an on state;
- energizing an inductor coil;
- and
- placing a solenoid switch in an on state to connect an inverter to the electric machine to power the electric machine;
- wherein in a braking mode:
- placing the solenoid switch in an off state to deenergize the inductor coil;
- placing a freewheeling diode in an on state to provide a path for decay of current through the inductor coil;
- and
- monitoring a voltage of the electrical bus;
- placing a brake switch in an on state when the voltage of the electrical bus exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold to connect a brake resistor of the braking circuit to ground;
- monitoring the voltage of the electrical bus;
- and
- placing the brake switch in an off state when the voltage of the electrical bus is below the predetermined voltage threshold.
15 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a starter circuit configured to provide power to an electric machine to drive a load, the starter circuit including:
- a voltage input provided to the starter circuit via an electrical bus;
- a solenoid circuit configured to provide power to the electric machine, wherein the solenoid circuit includes:
- an inductor coil configured to provide current to the electric machine;
- a freewheeling diode configured to provide a path for decay of current through the inductor coil;
- and
- a solenoid switch driven by a respective switch drive, configured to control electrical communication from the inductor coil to the electric machine;
- and
- a braking circuit configured to prevent power generated by the electric machine from reaching the electrical bus, wherein the solenoid circuit and the braking circuit are electrically connected the voltage input via a common switch, wherein the common switch is driven by a respective gate drive configured to control electrical communication from the electrical bus to the solenoid circuit and the braking circuit;
- wherein the load includes an engine, and further comprising the engine, wherein the electric machine is mechanically coupled to a turbine shaft of the engine to drive the engine;
- wherein the engine includes an aircraft engine.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.