Doubly-Fed, Variable-Speed, Dual-Voltage AC Generation and Distribution Systems

A method of configuring an electric generation and distribution system, the method comprising:

• configuring a prime mover for driving a doubly-fed asynchronous alternating current (AC) generator, the doubly-fed asynchronous AC generator having a first poly-phase circuit and a second poly-phase circuit;
• electrically coupling a first AC distribution bus to the first poly-phase circuit and to a first plurality of loads, so as to deliver AC power at a first AC voltage to the first plurality of loads;
• electrically coupling a second AC distribution bus to a second plurality of loads, so as to deliver AC power at a second AC voltage to the second plurality of loads;
• electrically coupling first windings of a poly-phase transformer to the first poly-phase circuit and to the first AC distribution bus and electrically coupling second windings of the poly-phase transformer to the second AC distribution bus, so as to deliver AC power at a second AC voltage to the second AC distribution bus, the second AC voltage being lower than the first AC voltage;
• and
• electrically coupling a poly-phase AC-to-AC electronic converter circuit between the second poly-phase circuit and the second AC distribution bus.

A method of operating an electric generation and distribution system, the method comprising:

• driving a doubly-fed asynchronous alternating current (AC) generator with a prime mover, the doubly-fed asynchronous AC generator having a first poly-phase circuit and a second poly-phase circuit;
• coupling AC power from the first poly-phase circuit to a first AC distribution bus, without voltage conversion, and from the first AC distribution bus to a first plurality of loads, so as to deliver AC power at a first AC voltage to the first plurality of loads;
• converting AC power from the second poly-phase circuit to a second AC voltage, using a poly-phase AC-to-AC electronic converter circuit, and coupling the converted AC power to a second AC distribution bus, wherein the second AC voltage is lower than the first AC voltage;
• transforming AC power from the first poly-phase circuit to the second AC voltage, using a poly-phase transformer having first windings electrically coupled to the first poly-phase circuit and the first AC distribution bus and second windings electrically coupled to the second AC distribution bus;
• and
• delivering power at the second AC voltage to a second plurality of loads, using the second AC distribution bus.