US 7,728,477 B2 · Dual purpose permanent magnet exciter

Abstract

A permanent magnet rotor of a generator is used to excite a electromagnet stator to generate electric power for the generator and to control a disengagement mechanism whereby the generator can disengage from an accessory, such as a gear box drive shaft, when the generator is not working properly. The permanent magnet is affixed to an outer ball screw which normally rotates with an inner ball screw that is operatively engaged to the accessory. An increased load to the electromagnet stator slows or stops rotation of the permanent magnet rotor and outer ball screw, causing the inner ball screw to move axially from the outer ball screw and away from an accessory and toward a re-settable lock.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An assembly for a rotating machine, comprising:

a stator subjected to an electric load during normal operation of the rotating machine;
an inner ball screw operatively engaged to the rotating machine, the inner ball screw capable of engaging and disengaging an accessory;
an outer ball screw surrounding the inner ball screw, the outer ball screw having affixed thereto a permanent magnet capable of exciting the stator to generate electric power for the rotating machine;
and
an angled ball track between the inner ball screw and the outer ball screw, wherein
rotation of the outer ball screw slows or stops upon application of an increased electric load to the stator so that the inner ball screw rotates relative to the outer ball screw along the angled ball track and moves axially away from the accessory thereby disengaging the rotating machine from the accessory.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual purpose permanent magnet exciter

Life of this patent

Dual purpose permanent magnet exciter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20