Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. patent application Serial
No. 16/800,146 filed
February 25, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Serial No. 16/430,342
filed June 03, 2019.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of
generating, storing
and/or providing electrical energy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The consumption of electrical power worldwide is vast and will
likely continue to grow
as traditionally non-electrical powered machines are replaced with
electrically powered counterparts.
For example, electrically powered vehicles, and in particular passenger
automobiles, are becoming
more and more prevalent on nations' road systems. One popular electric
automobile manufacturer in
the United States with annual sales of roughly fifty thousand units in 2015-16
has announced its
intention to grow the number of sales to five hundred thousand units within
just a few years.
[0004] The impetus for switching to electrical power is multifaceted. The
cost and
environmental impact of generating electrical power is considered superior to
that of alternative
power sources, such as fossil fuel based power. This superiority is amplified
by governmental and
industry incentives to the consumer for utilizing electrical power in place of
non-electrical power.
For example, electric vehicle users have enjoyed tax breaks, preferred
parking, preferred road
access, and free recharging, all provided due to the use of electric power as
opposed to fossil-fuel
generated power for their transportation needs. Accordingly, there is a
continued and growing need
for systems to generate, store and distribute electrical power.
[0005] Developed countries all have sophisticated electrical power
generation and distribution
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systems deployed nationwide sometimes referred to as the "power grid." While
the grid is widely
used and ubiquitous, it is not always available, and may not provide the
lowest cost of power over a
prolonged period. Although power outages are rare, occasional storms can
disrupt the distribution of
electric power to large segments of the population for prolonged periods.
These power outages
interfere with home life and work and can result in substantial lost
productivity and comfort.
Further, the cost of obtaining electric power from the grid can be
significant, and there is little ability
to inject much competition into the system to drive prices down. Accordingly,
there is a need for
both mobile and stationary electric power generation systems which are of a
scale to power a single
home, business, and vehicle, and which do not depend heavily on the grid for
day-to-day operation.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of some, but not necessarily all
embodiments of the present
invention to provide systems and methods that generate electric power
efficiently for home, business
and vehicle use. It is also an object of some, but not necessarily all
embodiments of the present
invention to provide systems and methods that store and distribute electric
power efficiently for
home, business and vehicle use. These and other advantages of some, but not
necessarily all
embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the power
generation, storage and distribution arts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Responsive to the foregoing challenges, Applicant has developed an
innovative electric
power system comprising: an electric battery subsystem; a switching subsystem
coupled to the
electric battery subsystem; an electrically powered function control subsystem
coupled to the
switching subsystem and the electric battery subsystem, the electrically
powered function control
subsystem including a processor and memory; a capacitor subsystem coupled to
the electrically
powered function control subsystem; an electric motor coupled to the
electrically powered function
control subsystem; an electric generator subsystem operatively connected to
the electric motor; an
electric power distribution subsystem coupled to the electric generator
subsystem by an inverter
subsystem, said electric power distribution subsystem including an outlet load
line configured to be
connected to an electric load; an inductor subsystem coupled to the electric
power distribution
subsystem; and a rectifier subsystem coupled to the inductor subsystem, the
switching subsystem,
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and the electric battery subsystem.
[0008] Applicant has further developed an innovative electric power system
comprising: first
and second electric battery subsystems, each having a first pole with a first
polarity and a second
pole with a second polarity; a switching subsystem coupled to the first pole
of the first electric
battery subsystem and the first pole of the second electric battery subsystem;
an electrically powered
function control subsystem coupled to the switching subsystem and the second
poles of the first and
second electric battery subsystems, said electrically powered function control
subsystem including a
processor and memory; a capacitor subsystem coupled to the electrically
powered function control
subsystem; an electric motor coupled to the electrically powered function
control subsystem; an
electric generator subsystem operatively connected to the electric motor; an
electric power
distribution sub system coupled to the electric generator subsystem, said
electric power distribution
subsystem including an outlet load line configured to be connected to an
electric load; an inductor
subsystem coupled to the electric power distribution subsystem; and a
rectifier subsystem coupled to
the inductor subsystem, the switching subsystem, and the second poles of the
first and second
electric battery subsystems.
[0009] Applicant has further developed an innovative electric power system
comprising: first
and second electric battery subsystems, each having a first pole with a first
polarity and a second
pole with a second polarity; a switching subsystem coupled to the first pole
of the first electric
battery subsystem and the first pole of the second electric battery subsystem;
an electrically powered
function control subsystem coupled to the switching subsystem and the second
poles of the first and
second electric battery subsystems, said function control subsystem including
a processor and
memory; a capacitor subsystem coupled to the function control subsystem; an
electric motor coupled
to the function control subsystem; an electric generator operatively connected
to the electric motor;
an electric power distribution subsystem coupled to the electric generator
subsystem, said electric
power distribution subsystem including an outlet load line adapted to be
connected to an electric
load; an inductor subsystem coupled to the electric power distribution system;
and a rectifier
subsystem coupled to the inductor subsystem, the switching subsystem, and the
second poles of the
first and second electric battery subsystems.
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[00 1 0] Applicant has further developed an innovative electric power
system comprising: first
and second electric battery subsystems, each having a first pole with a first
polarity and a second
pole with a second polarity; a switching subsystem coupled to the first pole
of the first electric
battery subsystem and the first pole of the second electric battery subsystem;
a battery charge
controller subsystem coupled to the switching subsystem and the second poles
of the first and second
electric battery subsystems; an inverter coupled to the switching subsystem
and the electric battery
subsystem; an electric power distribution subsystem coupled to the inverter,
the electric power
distribution subsystem including an outlet load line configured to be
connected to an electric load; a
rectifier subsystem coupled to the electric power distribution subsystem; an
electrically powered
function control subsystem coupled to the rectifier subsystem, the
electrically powered function
control subsystem including a processor and memory; a capacitor subsystem
coupled to the
electrically powered function control subsystem; an electric motor coupled to
the electrically
powered function control subsystem; an electric generator subsystem including
an electric generator,
the electric generator operatively connected to, and receiving input
rotational motion from, the
electric motor, wherein output rotational speed of the electric motor and
input rotational speed
provided to the electric generator are invariable with respect to one another;
and the battery charge
controller subsystem coupled to the electric generator subsystem, the
switching subsystem, the
inverter, and the electric battery subsystem.
[0011] Applicant has further developed an innovative electric power system
comprising: first
and second electric battery subsystems, each having a first pole with a first
polarity and a second
pole with a second polarity; a switching subsystem coupled to the first pole
of the first electric
battery subsystem and the first pole of the second electric battery subsystem;
an electrically powered
function control subsystem coupled to the switching subsystem and the second
poles of the first and
second electric battery subsystems, said function control subsystem including
a processor and
memory; an inverter coupled to the switching subsystem and the electric
battery subsystem; a first
electric power distribution subsystem coupled to the inverter, the first
electric power distribution
subsystem including an outlet load line configured to be connected to an
electric load; a rectifier
subsystem coupled to the first electric power distribution subsystem; an
electrically powered
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function control subsystem coupled to the switching subsystem, the inverter
subsystem, and the
electric battery subsystem, the electrically powered function control
subsystem including a processor
and memory; a capacitor subsystem coupled to the electrically powered function
control subsystem;
an electric motor coupled to the electrically powered function control
subsystem; an electric
generator subsystem including an electric generator, the electric generator
operatively connected to,
and receiving input rotational motion from, the electric motor, wherein output
rotational speed of the
electric motor and input rotational speed provided to the electric generator
are invariable with
respect to one another; and a second electric power distribution subsystem
coupled to the electric
generator subsystem and the inverter subsystem.
[0012] Applicant has further developed an innovative electric power system
comprising: first
and second electric battery subsystems, each having a first pole with a first
polarity and a second
pole with a second polarity; a switching subsystem coupled to the first pole
of the first electric
battery subsystem and the first pole of the second electric battery subsystem;
rectifier/inductor
subsystem coupled to the first and the second poles of the first and second
electric battery
subsystems, a rectifier sub system coupled to the electric battery subsystem;
a breaker sub system
coupled to the rectifier subsystem; an electrically powered function control
subsystem coupled to the
rectifier subsystem, the electrically powered function control subsystem
including a processor and
memory; a capacitor subsystem coupled to the electrically powered function
control subsystem; an
electric motor coupled to the electrically powered function control subsystem;
an electric generator
subsystem including an electric generator, the electric generator operatively
connected to, and
receiving input rotational motion from, the electric motor, wherein output
rotational speed of the
electric motor and input rotational speed provided to the electric generator
are invariable with
respect to one another; an inverter subsystem coupled to the electric
generator subsystem; an electric
power distribution subsystem coupled to the inverter subsystem and the breaker
system, the electric
power distribution subsystem including an outlet load line configured to be
connected to an electric
load; a battery charge controller subsystem coupled to the electric generator
subsystem and the
electric battery subsystem.
[0013] Applicant has further developed an innovative method of generating,
storing and
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distributing electric power comprising: applying direct current electric power
from a first electric
battery subsystem to a function control subsystem, wherein said function
control subsystem is
coupled to a capacitor subsystem; applying direct current electric power from
the function control
subsystem to a direct current motor; providing input rotational motion from
the direct current motor
to and generating output rotational motion from the direct current motor;
generating alternate current
electric power from the output rotational motion of the direct current motor;
distributing a first
portion of the generated alternate current electric power to an outlet load
line adapted to be
connected to an electric load, and a second portion of the generated alternate
current electric power
to an inductor subsystem; applying alternate current electric power from the
inductor subsystem to a
rectifier subsystem and generating direct current electric power using the
rectifier subsystem; and
applying direct current electric power from the rectifier subsystem to a
second electric battery
subsystem, wherein the relationship of the input rotational motion to the
output rotational motion of
the direct current motor is set to optimize power depletion of the first
battery subsystem for a
predetermined level of available power on the outlet load line and
predetermined durations of the
first, second and third operational phases.
[0014] Applicant has further developed an innovative method of generating,
storing and
distributing electric power comprising: applying direct current electric power
from an electric
battery subsystem to a switching subsystem, wherein the switching subsystem is
coupled to an
inverter subsystem; applying alternate current electric power from the
inverter subsystem to an
energy distribution subsystem; distributing a first portion of the alternate
current electric power to an
outlet load line configured to be connected to an electric load, and a second
portion of the alternate
current electric power to a rectifier subsystem; applying direct current from
the rectifier subsystem
to a function control subsystem; applying direct current from the function
control subsystem to a
direct current motor; providing input rotational motion from the direct
current motor to an [[[direct
current]] electric generator, wherein output rotational speed of the direct
current motor and input
rotational speed provided to the electric generator are invariable with
respect to one another;
generating direct current electric power from the output rotational motion of
the direct current motor,
wherein a rotational speed is set to optimize wattage supply for external
electric distribution;
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applying direct current electric power from the direct current electric
generator subsystem to a
battery charge controller subsystem; and applying the direct current electric
power from the battery
charge controller subsystem to the switching subsystem, the inverter, and the
electric battery
subsystem.
[0015] Applicant has further developed an innovative method of generating,
storing and
distributing electric power comprising: applying direct current electric power
from an electric
battery subsystem to a switching subsystem, wherein the switching subsystem is
coupled to an
inverter subsystem; converting the direct current electric power to alternate
current electric power;
distributing a first portion of the alternate current electric power to a
first energy distribution system
coupled to an outlet load line configured to be connected to an electric load,
and a second portion of
the alternate current electric power to a second energy distribution
subsystem; applying alternate
current electric power from the first energy distribution subsystem to a
rectifier subsystem; applying
direct current electric power from the rectifier subsystem to function control
subsystem; applying the
direct current electric power from the function control subsystem to a direct
current motor; providing
input rotational motion from the direct current motor to an electric
generator, wherein output
rotational speed of the direct current motor and input rotational speed
provided to the electric
generator are invariable with respect to one another; generating alternate
current electric power from
the output rotational motion of the direct current motor, wherein a rotational
speed is set to optimize
wattage supply for external electric distribution; applying alternate current
electric power to the
second energy distribution subsystem; converting the alternate current
electric power to direct
current electric power; and applying direct current electric power to the
electric battery subsystem.
[0016] Applicant has further developed an innovative method of generating,
storing and
distributing electric power comprising: applying direct current electric power
from an electric
battery subsystem to a rectifier subsystem; applying direct current power from
the rectifier
subsystem to a function control subsystem, wherein the function control
subsystem is coupled to a
capacitor subsystem; applying the direct current electric power from the
function control subsystem
to a direct current motor; providing input rotational motion from the direct
current motor to an
electric generator, wherein output rotational speed of the direct current
motor and input rotational
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speed provided to the electric generator are invariable with respect to one
another; generating direct
current electric power from the output rotational motion of the direct current
motor; converting the
direct current electric power to an alternate current electric power; applying
the direct current
electric power to a power distribution system; distributing a first portion of
the alternate current
electric power from the power distribution system to a load source, and a
second portion of the
alternate current electric power from the power distribution system to a
breaker subsystem; applying
alternate current electric power from the breaker subsystem to a rectifier
subsystem; applying direct
current electric power from the rectifier subsystem to the electric battery
subsystem; and applying
electric current from the electric generator through a battery charge
controller subsystem to the
electric battery subsystem.
[0017] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following
detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not
restrictive of the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In order to assist the understanding of this invention, reference
will now be made to the
appended drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements.
The drawings are
exemplary only, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.
[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric power generation,
distribution and
storage system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of the battery subsystem
and switching
subsystem of the system illustrated in Figure 1.
[0021] Figure 3 is a detailed schematic diagram of an alternative switching
subsystem for the
system illustrated in Figure 1.
[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the components of the electric
power generation,
distribution and storage system in accordance with a second embodiment of the
present invention
used for on-grid power supply.
[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the components of the electric
power generation,
distribution and storage system in accordance with a third embodiment of the
present invention used
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for off-grid power supply.
[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an electric power generation,
distribution and
storage system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention
used for on-grid and
off-grid power supply.
[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an electric power generation,
distribution and
storage system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention
used for on-grid and
off-grid power supply.
[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an electric power generation,
distribution and
storage system in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention
used for on-grid and
off-grid power supply.
[0027] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an electric power generation,
distribution and
storage system in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present
invention used for on-grid
and off-grid power supply.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present
invention,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0029] With reference to Fig. 1, in a first embodiment of the invention, a
direct current (DC)
battery system 100 may be electrically connected by a switching subsystem 200
to an electric power
generation system 300. The power generation system 300 may be electrically
connected to an AC
power distribution subsystem 400, which in turn may be connected to a load
source 500 and a
battery charging system 600. The battery charging system 600 may be connected
to the battery
system 100 through the switching subsystem 200.
[0030] The DC battery system 100 may include first, second and third
battery
subsystems or banks 110, 120 and 130 that may each be comprised of a plurality
of individual
batteries and battery cells. The individual batteries and battery cells
comprising each of the battery
subsystems may be connected in series. In one non-limiting example, each
battery subsystem may
include a total of twelve lead-acid 12 volt, 200 amp, deep cycle batteries.
Battery subsystems having
these parameters may provide 5 kW constant output for a 15 minute period
followed by 15 minutes
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of recharging (or rest) and 15 minutes of rest ifjust recharged (or recharging
if just rested). In one
non-limiting example, each battery subsystem may include at least one lithium
ion battery. It is
appreciated that the type, voltage, amperage and other materials and qualities
of the batteries used
may vary without departing from the intended scope of the invention.
[0031] The batteries should have sufficient power and amperage when
combined into battery
subsystems to power the switching subsystem 200, power generation system 300,
load source 500
and battery charging system 600 for a defined period of time without excessive
discharge. In one
embodiment, each battery subsystem 110, 120 and 130 may, at the start of
battery life, power the
overall system for fifteen (15) minute periods out of a forty-five (45) minute
cycle without
discharging more than about twenty percent (20%).
[0032] First positive poles of the first, second and third battery
subsystems 110, 120 and 130
may be electrically connected to the switching subsystem 200 via conductors
150, 152 and 156,
respectively. In turn, the switching subsystem 200 may be electrically
connected via a positive
polarity conductor through point A to the power generation system 300 and via
a positive polarity
conductor through point C to the battery charging system 600. The negative
poles of the first, second
and third battery subsystems 110, 120 and 130 may be electrically connected to
the power
generation system 300 and the battery charging system 600 via conductor 154
through point B.
[0033] One non-limiting embodiment of the switching subsystem 200 is
illustrated in Fig. 2.
With reference to Fig. 2, the switching subsystem 200 may include one or more
timers 210 that may
be electrically connected to first, second and third low voltage contactors
220, 222 and 224. The
first low voltage contactor 220 may control first and second high voltage
contactors 231 and 232; the
second low voltage contactor 222 may control third and fourth high voltage
contactors 233 and 234;
and the third low voltage contactor 224 may control fifth and sixth high
voltage contactors 235 and
230, connected together through point D in the circuit.
[0034] Under control of the timers 210 and the first and third low voltage
contactors 220 and
224, the first and sixth high voltage contactors 231 and 230 may selectively
connect the first battery
subsystem 110 to a first bus 240, a second bus 242, or to neither bus. The
timers 210 and the first
and second low voltage contactors 220 and 222 may control the second and third
high voltage
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contactors 232 and 233 to selectively connect the second battery subsystem 120
to the first bus 240,
the second bus 242, or to neither bus. Similarly, the timers 210 and the
second and third low voltage
contactors 222 and 224 may control the fourth and fifth high voltage
contactors 234 and 235 to
selectively connect the third battery subsystem 130 to the first bus 240, the
second bus 242, or to
neither bus.
[0035] The timers 210 may send low voltage control signals to the first,
second and third low
voltage contactors 220, 222 and 224 automatically and/or under the control of
a function control
subsystem, discussed below. Such signals may activate a particular low voltage
contactor and cause
it to open or close the high voltage contactors connected to it. As a result,
the combination of the
timers 210, low voltage contactors 220, 222 and 224, and high voltage
contactors 230, 231, 232,
233, 234 and 235 may selectively connect each of the battery subsystems 110,
120 and 130 to the
first bus 240, the second bus 242 or to neither bus. The cascade arrangement
of the timers 210, the
low voltage contactors 220, 222, 224, and the high voltage contactors 230-235
permits only one of
the battery subsystems to be connected to the first bus 240 and only one other
of the battery
subsystems to be connected to the second bus 242, at a time. It is
appreciated, however that the
system may tolerate the possibility of a short duration of overlap time during
which two battery
subsystems may be connected to the same bus at the same time.
[0036] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the first bus 240 may be connected
through point A to
the power generation system 300, and the second bus 242 may be connected
through point C to the
battery charging system 600. Thus, functionally the switching subsystem 200
may be adapted to
selectively switch between:
(i) connecting the first pole of the first battery subsystem 110 to the
battery charging
system 600 while at the same time connecting the first pole of the second
battery
subsystem 120 to the power generation system 300 during a first operational
phase,
(ii) connecting the first pole of the second battery subsystem 120 to the
battery
charging system 600 while at the same time connecting the first pole of the
third battery
subsystem 130 to the power generation system 300 during a second operational
phase,
and
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(iii) connecting the first pole of the third battery subsystem 130 to the
battery charging
system 600 while at the same time connecting the first pole of the first
battery subsystem
110 to the power generation system 300 during a third operational phase.
[0037] An alternative embodiment of the switching subsystem 200 is
illustrated by the Fig. 3
schematic diagram. With regard to Figs. 1 and 3, three-way switches 250, 252
and 254 may each
connect the positive pole of an associated battery subsystem (110, 120 and
130) to one of: point A or
point C in the overall circuit, or a circuit disconnect position (as shown).
The three-way switches
250, 252, and 254 may be controlled by one or more timers 210 to provide
switching similar to that
provided by the Fig. 2 embodiment.
[0038] With renewed reference to Fig. 1, the power generation system 300
may include a
function control subsystem 310 electrically connected to and powered by the
battery system 100
through the switching subsystem 200. The function control subsystem 310 may
optionally be
connected to and control the timers 210 in the switching subsystem 200. The
function control
subsystem 310 may provide power from one of the battery subsystems in the
battery system 100 at a
time to drive a DC electric motor 330, which in turn may drive an AC electric
generator 350. The
function control subsystem 310 may control the speed of the electric motor
subsystem 330.
[0039] Regular generators possess a high torque requirement, which made the
addition of a
gear box necessary in previously known systems. In those systems a gear box
was required to lower
the torque and lower the power consumed by the motor. By using a novel
specially designed
generator with low torque requirements the gear box is eliminated from the
current system. This
removes a mechanical element from the system that may be subject to failure
and it further removes
the stress the gear box added to the system, and makes the system more
efficient.
[0040] The power generation system 300 may also include a cooling subsystem
360 controlled
by the function control subsystem 310. The cooling subsystem 360 may be in
operational contact
with any and/or all heat generating components of the overall system, such as
the function control
subsystem 310, the electric motor 330, and the electric generator 350. The
cooling subsystem 360
may maintain system elements in optimal operating temperature ranges in a
manner known to those
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of skill in the art.
[0041]
A capacitor subsystem 320 may be electrically coupled to the function control
subsystem 310. The capacitor subsystem 320 may include a plurality of
capacitors interconnected in
parallel with one another. The capacitor subsystem 320 may be used to control
and correct system
characteristics such as power factor lag and phase shift. The capacitor
subsystem 320 may also
increase stored energy and improve stabilization of the sine wave generated by
the processor in the
function control sub system 310.
[0042]
The function control subsystem 310 may include a digital processor, digital
memory
components, and control programming as needed to operate the overall system in
the manner
described herein. For example, the function control subsystem 310 may include
programming that
controls system components for a start-up sequence, a shut-down sequence,
vibration monitoring,
over heat monitoring, and remote monitoring. The function control subsystem
310 may also include
or be connected to one or more parameter monitoring components that provide
system data. Such
data may include, but not limited to: battery charge level and capacity,
battery amperage, battery
voltage, battery usage time, battery charge time, current time, system element
temperatures,
vibration, source load, electric motor torque, electric motor rpm, electric
generator torque, electric
generator rpm, battery charging system load, rectifier settings and inductor
settings.
[0043]
The size and operational characteristics of the electric motor 330 and
electric
generator 350 may be selected to provide optimal power generation and battery
life for a given
expected load 500 to be serviced by the system, as well as recharge rate and
time for the battery
subsystems 110, 120 and 130. For battery subsystems of the type described, the
electric motor 330
may require 144V / 100A to maintain operation. The speed of the electric motor
330 is preferably
set at or near the minimum rpm needed to drive the electric generator to
provide the required
amperage and voltage to service the load 500 and recharge one battery
subsystem while at the same
time reducing or minimizing torque imposed by the electric generator 350. The
use of a novel low
torque requirement electric generator 350 may provide torque at the electric
generator 350 without
increasing (and preferably decreasing) the torque requirements of the electric
motor 330, thereby
lowering the power drain on the battery subsystem driving the electric motor
and improving battery
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depletion characteristics for a given power output of the generator.
[0044] The speed of the electric motor 330 may be automatically set on a
real-time, moment-
to-moment basis by the function control subsystem 310. The function control
subsystem 310 may
receive electric motor 330 speed data from a speed sensor, located for example
on the shaft of the
motor, as well as battery recharging and load 500 power requirements from
other sensors. The
function control subsystem 310 may adjust the electric motor 330 speed so that
the electric generator
350 provides the required power at that point in time at maximum torque to the
generator and
minimum torque on the motor. In this manner, the function control subsystem
310 may optimize
power generation conditions (electric motor rpm speed and electric generator
rpm speed) on a real-
time basis.
[0045] The electric generator 350 may be connected via one or more
electrical conductors to
the AC power distribution subsystem 400. The power distribution subsystem may
comprise an AC
breaker box, for example. The power distribution subsystem 400 may be
connected via one or more
conductors to the load source 500 and the battery charging system 600. The
power needs of the load
source 500 and the battery charging system 600 may be communicated to the
function control
subsystem 310 via wired or wireless communication channels from sensors
associated with the
power distribution subsystem 400, load source 500, and/or battery charging
system 600. The power
needs may be used by an automatic throttle control module of the function
control subsystem 310 to
set the electric motor 330 to run at the correct rpm's for the power needs of
the system.
[0046] The battery charging system 600 may include an inductor subsystem
610, electrically
connected via one or more circuit breakers 620 to a rectifier subsystem 630.
The combination of the
inductor subsystem 610 and the rectifier subsystem 630 are used to provide the
required level of
recharge to one of the idle battery subsystems 110, 120 or 130 over the
desired recharge cycle,
which, in the case of a system using three battery subsystems is one-third of
the overall system cycle
time. The rectifier subsystem 630 may be self-adjusting to accommodate the
recharge draw of the
battery subsystem currently charging. In other words, normally in the absence
of the inductor
subsystem 610, the self- adjusting rectifier subsystem 630 may reduce the
voltage and/or amperage
supplied to the battery subsystem undergoing recharge over the course of the
charging cycle. As a
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result, without inclusion of the inductor subsystem 610, the battery
subsystems may not recharge
quickly enough to fully recharge in the desired cycle time. The addition of
the inductor subsystem
610 with an adjustable rheostat may permit increasing the amperage draw of the
battery charging
system 600 (and thus the amperage available to recharge the idle battery
subsystem) as compared
with a system without an induction coil. Preferably, the rheostat setting of
the inductor subsystem
610 may be automatically adjusted over the course of the recharging cycle
under the control of the
function control 310. The rheostat setting preferably should be adjusted in
real time so that full or
nearly full recharging is completed over the desired amount of time using the
least amount of total
power drain on the battery subsystem used to power the system during that
time. In an embodiment,
a battery charge controller subsystem 650 (not shown) may couple the electric
generator subsystem
350 and the electric battery system 100.
[0047] The systems illustrated in Figs. 1-3 may be used to generate, store
and distribute
electricity to power a load source 500 while at the same time generating
electrical power to recharge
depleted battery subsystems 110, 120 and/or 130 in the following manner. The
method of using the
illustrated systems may be initiated by the function control subsystem 310
transmitting a wired or
wireless control signal to the switching subsystem 200 during a first
operational stage. The function
control subsystem 310 signals may cause the timer 210 to send low voltage
control signals to the
first, second and third low voltage contactors 220, 222 and 224. The timer 210
control signals may
direct the first and third low voltage contactors 220 and 224 to couple the
first positive pole of the
first battery subsystem 110 to the first bus 240 through the conductor 150 and
high voltage
contactors 230 and/or 231. In turn, the first bus 240 connects the first
battery subsystem 110 to the
function control 310 and the electric motor 330. Because the second negative
pole of the first
battery subsystem 110 is permanently coupled to the function control 310 and
the electric motor 330,
a circuit is temporarily completed to power the electric motor using the first
battery subsystem.
[0048] At the same time that the first battery subsystem is used to power
the electric motor 330
(i.e., the first operational phase), control signals sent from the function
control 310 to the timer 210
may be used to control the first, second and third low voltage contactors 220,
222 and 224 to make
other battery subsystem connections and disconnections. Specifically, the low
voltage contactors
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220, 222, and 224 may be used to control the high voltage contactors 232, 233,
234 and 235 to
temporarily connect the first positive pole of the second battery subsystem
120 to the second bus 242
and to temporarily isolate the first positive pole of the third battery
subsystem 130 from any circuit.
As a result, the second battery subsystem 120 may be connected to the
rectifier subsystem 630, and
the third battery subsystem 130 may be isolated during the first operational
phase.
[0049] During the first operational phase, the electric motor 330 spins
under the power of the
first battery subsystem 110. The rotational motion of the electric motor 330
is used to drive the
electric generator 350 through the electric motor 330. The torque resistance
of the electric generator
350 on the electric motor may vary depending upon the load applied to the
generator from the load
source 500 and the battery charging system 600. The speed of electric motor
330 may be
selectively adjusted by the function control 310 to optimize the speed for the
load applied to the
electric generator 350.
[0050] The electric power output of the electric generator 350 is directed
in part by the
distribution subsystem 400 to the battery charging system 600. The inductor
subsystem 610 and the
rectifier subsystem 630 of the battery charging system 600 work together,
preferably under the
control of the function control 310, to recharge the second battery subsystem
120 during the first
operational phase. The first operational phase may be automatically ended
after a set elapsed time,
after detecting a set level of discharge of the first battery subsystem 110,
or after a set level of
recharge of the second battery subsystem 120.
[0051] The end of the first operational phase is followed immediately by
the institution of a
second operational phase during which the function control 310 directs the
switching system 200: to
substitute the second battery subsystem 120 for the first battery subsystem
110, to substitute the third
battery subsystem 130 for the second battery subsystem 120, and to substitute
the first battery
subsystem 110 for the third battery subsystem 130. ln other words, during the
second operational
phase, the second battery subsystem 120 is used to power, the third battery
subsystem 130 is
recharged, and the first battery subsystem 110 is disconnected from the power
and recharging
circuits. During a third operational phase, the third battery subsystem 130
powers the system, the
first battery subsystem 110 is recharged, and the second battery subsystem 120
is disconnected. The
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rotation through the first, second and third operational phases may be
repeated to provide
uninterrupted power to the load source 500.
[0052] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
Fig. 4, in which like
reference characters refer to like elements which operate in like manner to
those described in
connection with the other embodiments. The power generation system 300 may be
connected
through an on-grid inverter 370 to an AC power distribution system 400 for
powering a load source
500. The power generation system 300 also may be connected to a DC battery and
Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS) system 100 through a rectifier/inductor system 700. The
battery/UPS system
100 may selectively supply power to the power generation system 300 through
the rectifier/inductor
system 700. A switching subsystem 200 may control the switching of the
battery/UPS system 100
into and out of the overall circuit to receive recharging power from a battery
charging system 600
which is connected to the power distribution system 400 to complete the
circuit.
[0053] With continued reference to Fig. 4, the overall system may be
initiated to generate
power by connecting the battery/UPS system 100 to the rectifier/inductor
system 700 under the
control of the switching system 200. DC power may flow from the battery/UPS
system 100 through
inductor 710, circuit breaker 720 and rectifier 730. DC power from the
rectifier 730 is provided to
the power generation system 300. The function control subsystem 310 applies
the DC power from
the rectifier 730 to the DC electric motor subsystem 330. In turn, the DC
motor drives a DC
generator 380.
[0054] The electric motor 330 is operationally connected to the electric
generator 350. The
function control subsystem 310 may control the speed of the electric motor
subsystem 330. The
power generation system 300 may also include a cooling subsystem 360
controlled by the function
control subsystem 310. The cooling subsystem 360 may be in operational contact
with any and/or
all heat generating components of the overall system, such as the function
control subsystem 310,
the electric motor subsystem 330, and the DC generator 380. The cooling
subsystem 360 may
maintain system elements in optimal operating temperature ranges in a manner
known to those of
skill in the art.
[0055] A capacitor subsystem 320 may be electrically coupled to the
function control
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subsystem 310. The capacitor subsystem 320 may include a plurality of
capacitors interconnected in
parallel with one another. The capacitor subsystem 320 may be used to control
and correct system
characteristics such as power factor lag and phase shift. The capacitor
subsystem 320 may also
increase stored energy and improve stabilization of the sine wave generated by
the processor in the
function control sub system 310.
[0056]
The function control subsystem 310 may include a digital processor, digital
memory
components, and control programming as needed to operate the overall system in
the manner
described herein. For example, the function control subsystem 310 may include
programming that
controls system components for a start-up sequence, a shut-down sequence,
vibration monitoring,
over heat monitoring, and remote monitoring. The function control subsystem
310 may also include
or be connected to one or more parameter monitoring components that provide
system data. Such
data may include, but not limited to: battery charge level and capacity,
battery amperage, battery
voltage, battery usage time, battery charge time, current time, system element
temperatures,
vibration, source load, electric motor torque, electric motor rpm, electric
generator torque, electric
generator rpm, battery charging system load, rectifier settings and inductor
settings.
[0057]
In a preferred embodiment, the DC generator 380 may output 10 kw of power with
relatively low torque requirements at low rpms. For example, the DC generator
380 may require 5
foot-pounds of torque per 1 kw of output power. The DC power output from the
DC generator 380
may be provided to an on-grid (e.g., 10 kw) inverter 370 requiring 220 AC
volts to operate. In turn,
the AC power from the on-grid inverter 370 may be provided on-line to a local
or national power
grid, local power outlets, and the power distribution system 400. Once the
overall system is up and
generating power, the on-grid inverter 370 may supply all of the current
demands for the load source
500 connected to the power distribution system 400, as well as supply the
current needed to power
the DC electric motor subsystem 330. Any excess power may be supplied from the
on-grid inverter
370 to the national grid to power loads connected to the grid such as home
wall outlets 410. This
excess power delivered to the national grid may be sold to the power company
or traded for credit.
[0058]
As noted above, the power distribution system 400 may be connected to the
battery
charging system 600 including a rectifier. The power distribution system may
be connected to the
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national grid to deliver power to homes, including wall outlets 410, and the
like. The DC power
from the battery charging system 600 may be used to keep the battery/UPS
system 100 fully
charged. Excess power not needed for recharging may be directed to the
rectifier/inductor system
700 to be used to power the DC motor 330. When the battery/UPS system 100 is
in a fully charged
state, all of the power to drive the DC motor 330 may be supplied by the
battery charging system
600. In this manner, the battery/UPS system 100 may function as a current
catalyst as opposed to a
current provider. In an embodiment, a battery charge controller subsystem 650
(not shown) may
couple the power distribution subsystem 400 and the electric battery system
100.
[0059] With reference to Fig. 5, a system that is almost identical to that
shown in Fig. 4 is
illustrated. The Fig. 5 system differs from the Fig. 4 system in that it
includes an (e.g., 8 kw) off-
grid inverter 372 instead of an on-grid inverter (370, Fig. 4). The off-grid
inverter 372 is not
connected to the national power grid. The system of Fig. 5 operates in the
same way as the system
of Fig. 4 except that there is no connection to the national power grid and
thus no ability to supply
power from the off-grid inverter 372 to the national power grid.
[0060] Fig. 6 illustrates a system which combines the elements of Figs. 4
and 5 so that both an
on-grid inverter 370 and an off-grid inverter 372 are included. The system of
Fig. 6 may be used to
provide uninterrupted power when the national grid goes down. The system of
Fig. 6 includes a
feature that causes the system to use the on-grid inverter 370 when the
national power grid is
functioning. When the national power grid fails, however, the system switches
to using the off-grid
inverter 372 to supply power, thereby disconnecting the system from the
national power grid.
[0061] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIG. 7, in which
like reference characters refer to like elements which operate in like manner
to those described in
connection with the other embodiments.
[0062] A DC battery system 100 is connected to a switching subsystem 200
through
conductors 150, 152, and 156. The switching system 200, in turn, is connected
to an AC power
distribution system 400 through a DC/AC inverter 640. The AC power
distribution system 400 is
connected to both a load source 500 and a power generation system 300. The
power generation
system 300, in turn, is connected to the switching system 200 through a
battery charge controller
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subsystem 650.
[0063] Specifically, first positive poles of first, second and third
battery subsystems 110, 120
and 130 of DC battery system 100 may be electrically connected to the
switching subsystem 200 via
conductors 150, 152 and 156, respectively. In turn, the switching subsystem
200 may be electrically
connected via a positive polarity conductor through point A to the battery
charge controller
subsystem 650 and via a positive polarity conductor through point C to the
DC/AC inverter 640. The
negative poles of the first, second and third battery subsystems 110, 120 and
130 may be electrically
connected to the battery charge controller subsystem 650 and the DC/AC
inverter 640 via conductor
154 through point B.
[0064] Generally, a battery charge controller limits the rate at which
electric current is added
to or drawn from electric batteries. In this application, the battery charge
controller subsystem 650
stops charging the batteries in the electric battery subsystem 100 when the
batteries exceed a
predetermined and set high voltage level, and re-enable charging when the
battery voltage drops
back below that predetermined level.
[0065] In an embodiment, battery charge controller subsystem 650 includes
pulse width
modulation (PWM) and maximum power point tracker (MPPT) technologies,
adjusting charging
rates depending on the battery's level, to allow charging closer to the
battery's maximum capacity.
[0066] The battery charge controller subsystem 650 may reduce the
possibility of overcharging
and may protect against overvoltage, which can reduce battery performance or
lifespan, and may
pose a safety risk. The battery charge controller subsystem 650 may also
prevent completely
draining or deep discharging a battery, or perform controlled discharges,
depending on the battery
technology, to protect battery life. In an embodiment, the battery charge
controller subsystem 650
applies the required load or draw on the electric generator subsystem 380 to
ensure the electric
battery subsystem 100 is recharged in a predetermined period of time. In an
embodiment, the battery
charge controller subsystem 650 applies the required load or draw on the
electric generator
subsystem 380 to ensure the electric battery subsystem 100 receives the
required voltage and
amperage at a predetermined rate.
[0067] The switching subsystem 200 may control the switching of the DC
battery system 100
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into and out of the overall circuit to receive recharging power through the
battery charge controller
subsystem 650 which is connected to the power generation system 300 to
complete the circuit.
[0068] With continued reference to FIG. 7, the overall system may be
initiated to generate
power by connecting the DC battery system 100 to the DC/AC inverter 640
through and under the
control of the switching system 200. DC power may flow from the DC battery
system 100 through
the switching subsystem 200 the DC/AC inverter 640 to the AC power
distribution system 400.
[0069] AC power from the AC power distribution system 400 is provided to
the power
generation system 300 and the load source 500. The function control subsystem
310 applies the DC
power from the rectifier 630, which is connected to the AC power distribution
system 400, to the DC
electric motor subsystem 330.
[0070] AC power from 400 is provided to 300 through 630. The DC power from
630 is
provided to 330 through 310. In turn, the DC motor 330 drives a DC electric
generator 380. As
noted above, the power distribution system 400 may be connected to the power
generation system
300 including a rectifier subsystem 630.
[0071] The function control subsystem 310, among other things, may control
the speed of the
DC electric motor subsystem 330. The rotational speed of the coupler between
the DC motor 330
and the AC electric generator 350 may vary depending on need, but the
rotational speed of the
coupler is invariable with respect to the output speed of the DC electric
motor 330 and the AC
electric generator 350. In an embodiment, the DC electric motor 330 and the AC
electric generator
350 are directly coupled.
[0072] The power generation system 300 may also include a cooling subsystem
360 controlled
by the function control subsystem 310. The cooling subsystem 360 may be in
operational contact
with any and/or all heat generating components of the overall system, such as
the function control
subsystem 310, the DC electric motor subsystem 330, and the DC electric
generator 380. The
cooling subsystem 360 may maintain system elements in optimal operating
temperature ranges in a
manner known to those of skill in the art.
[0073] A capacitor subsystem 320 may be electrically coupled to the
function control
subsystem 310. The capacitor subsystem 320 may include a plurality of
capacitors interconnected in
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parallel with one another. The capacitor subsystem 320 may be used to control
and correct system
characteristics such as power factor lag and phase shift. The capacitor
subsystem 320 may also
increase stored energy and improve stabilization of the sine wave generated by
the processor in the
function control sub system 310.
[0074] The function control subsystem 310 may include a digital processor,
digital memory
components, and control programming as needed to operate the overall system in
the manner
described herein. For example, the function control subsystem 310 may include
programming that
controls system components for a start-up sequence, a shut-down sequence,
vibration monitoring,
over heat monitoring, and remote monitoring. The function control subsystem
310 may also include
or be connected to one or more parameter monitoring components that provide
system data. Such
data may include, but not limited to: battery charge level and capacity,
battery amperage, battery
voltage, battery usage time, battery charge time, current time, system element
temperatures,
vibration, source load, electric motor torque, electric motor rpm, electric
generator torque, electric
generator rpm, battery charging system load, rectifier settings, and inductor
settings.
[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the DC generator 380 may output 10 kw of
power with
relatively low torque requirements at low rpms. For example, the DC generator
380 may require 5
foot-pounds of torque per 1 kw of output power.
[0076] Once the overall system is up and generating power, the DC/AC
inverter 640 may
supply all of the current demands for the load source 500 connected to the
power distribution system
400, as well as supply the current needed to power the DC electric motor
subsystem 330. In some
embodiments the inverter 640 can shut down the DC electric motor 330 so that
the system is
powered by the battery subsystem 100. When the battery subsystem 100
discharges to a
predetermined level, the inverter 640 will restart the DC electric motor 330.
[0077] The DC power flowing from the power generation system 300 through
the battery
charge controller subsystem 650 may be used to keep the DC battery system 100
fully charged.
[0078] Excess power not needed for recharging may be directed to the
inverter subsystem 640,
power distribution subsystem 400, rectifier subsystem 630 and electric
function control 310 to be
used to power the DC motor 330.
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[0079] When the DC battery system 100 is in a fully charged state, all of
the power to drive the
DC motor 330 may be supplied by the battery charging system 600. In this
manner, the DC battery
system 100 may function as a current catalyst as opposed to a current
provider.
[0080] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIG. 8, in which
like reference characters refer to like elements which operate in like manner
to those described in
connection with the other embodiments.
[0081] A DC battery system 100 is connected to a switching subsystem 200
through
conductors 150, 152, and 156. The switching system 200, in turn, is connected
to a first AC power
distribution system 410 and a second AC power distribution system 420 through
a DC/AC inverter
640. The first AC power distribution system 410 is connected to both a load
source 500 and a power
generation system 300. The power generation system 300 is connected to the
second AC power
distribution system 420. The power generation system 300 comprises a rectifier
subsystem
receiving AC power from the first AC power distribution subsystem. The power
generation system
300 also comprises a function control subsystem 310, a DC electric motor 330,
and an AC generator
350, all of which are discussed in greater detail below.
[0082] Specifically, first positive poles of first, second and third
battery subsystems 110, 120
and 130 of DC battery system 100 may be electrically connected to the
switching subsystem 200 via
conductors 150, 152 and 156, respectively. In turn, the switching subsystem
200 may be electrically
connected via a positive polarity conductor through point A to the function
control subsystem 310
and via a positive polarity conductor through point C to the DC/AC inverter
640. The negative poles
of the first, second and third battery subsystems 110, 120 and 130 may be
electrically connected to
the function control subsystem 310 and the DC/AC inverter 640 via conductor
154 through point B.
[0083] The switching subsystem 200 may control the switching of the DC
battery system 100
into and out of the overall circuit to receive recharging power through the
funtion control subsystem
310 which is a part of the power generation system 300 to complete the
circuit.
[0084] With continued reference to FIG. 8, the overall system may be
initiated to generate
power by connecting the DC battery system 100 to the DC/AC inverter 640
through and under the
control of the switching system 200. In turn, AC electric power from inverter
640 may flow the first
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AC power distribution sub system 410.
[0085] A first portion of the AC power from the first AC power distribution
system 410 is
provided to the load source 500 and a second portion of the AC power is
provided to a rectifier 630,
which is part of the power generation system 300.
[0086] The function control subsystem 310 applies the DC power from the
rectifier 630 to the
DC electric motor subsystem 330. In turn, the DC motor 330 drives an AC
electric generator 350.
AC electric power from AC generator 350 then flows to the second AC power
distribution system
420, and, in turn, to the inverter 640 to complete the circuit.
[0087] The function control subsystem 310, among other things, may control
the speed of the
DC electric motor subsystem 330. The rotational speed of the coupler between
the DC motor 330
and the AC electric generator 350 may vary depending on need, but the
rotational speed of the
coupler is invariable with respect to the output speed of the DC electric
motor 330 and the AC
electric generator 350. In an embodiment, the DC electric motor 330 and the AC
electric generator
350 are directly coupled.
[0088] The power generation system 300 may also include a cooling subsystem
360 controlled
by the function control subsystem 310. The cooling subsystem 360 may be in
operational contact
with any and/or all heat generating components of the overall system, such as
the function control
subsystem 310, the DC electric motor subsystem 330, and the AC electric
generator 350. The
cooling subsystem 360 may maintain system elements in optimal operating
temperature ranges in a
manner known to those of skill in the art.
[0089] A capacitor subsystem 320 may be electrically coupled to the
function control
subsystem 310. The capacitor subsystem 320 may include a plurality of
capacitors interconnected in
parallel with one another. The capacitor subsystem 320 may be used to control
and correct system
characteristics such as power factor lag and phase shift. The capacitor
subsystem 320 may also
increase stored energy and improve stabilization of the sine wave generated by
the processor in the
function control sub system 310.
[0090] The function control subsystem 310 may include a digital processor,
digital memory
components, and control programming as needed to operate the overall system in
the manner
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described herein. For example, the function control subsystem 310 may include
programming that
controls system components for a start-up sequence, a shut-down sequence,
vibration monitoring,
over heat monitoring, and remote monitoring. The function control subsystem
310 may also include
or be connected to one or more parameter monitoring components that provide
system data. Such
data may include, but not limited to: battery charge level and capacity,
battery amperage, battery
voltage, battery usage time, battery charge time, current time, system element
temperatures,
vibration, source load, electric motor torque, electric motor rpm, electric
generator torque, electric
generator rpm, battery charging system load, rectifier settings, and inductor
settings.
[0091] In a preferred embodiment, the DC generator 380 may output 10 kw of
power with
relatively low torque requirements at low rpms. For example, the DC generator
380 may require 5
foot-pounds of torque per 1 kw of output power.
[0092] Once the overall system is up and generating power, the DC/AC
inverter 640 may
supply all of the current demands for the load source 500 connected to the
power distribution system
400, as well as supply the current needed to power the power generation
subsystem 300, and in
particular, the DC electric motor subsystem 330. In some embodiments, the
inverter 640 can shut
down the DC electric motor 330 so that the system is powered by the battery
subsystem 100. When
the battery subsystem 100 discharges to a predetermined level, the inverter
640 will restart the DC
electric motor 330.
[0093] The DC power flowing from the power generation system 300 through
the battery
charge controller subsystem 650 may be used to keep the DC battery system 100
fully charged.
[0094] In this embodiment, compared to that shown in FIG. 7, DC generator
380 is replaced by
AC generator 350. This enables running the AC current directly to the second
Power Distribution
Panel 420. And applies the AC power directly to the DC/AC inverters, which in
turn will have the
same effect on the inverters as would be the case with a grid tie. The sensors
within the inverter
would detect the AC power and allow it to flow through them directly to the
first power distribution
panel 410. In addition, by using an AC generator there is no longer a
requirement for the battery
charge controller subsystem 650, as the system will utilize the charge
controller contained in the
inverter.
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[0095] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIG. 9, in which
like reference characters refer to like elements which operate in like manner
to those described in
connection with the other embodiments.
[0096] A DC power generation system 300 may be connected through an on-grid
inverter 370
to an AC power distribution system 400 for powering a load source 500. The DC
power generation
system 300 also may be connected to a DC battery system 100 through an
rectifier/inductor system
700. The battery/UPS system 100 may selectively supply power to the power
generation system 300
through the rectifier/inductor system 700. A switching subsystem 200 may
control the switching of
the battery 100 into and out of the overall circuit to receive recharging
power from a battery charge
controller subsystem 650 which is connected to the DC generator 380 to
complete the circuit.
[0097] With continued reference to FIG. 9, the overall system may be
initiated to generate
power by connecting the battery 100 to the rectifier/inductor system 700 under
the control of the
switching system 200. DC power may flow from the battery/UPS system 100
through rectifier 730
and circuit breaker 720. DC power from the rectifier 730 is provided to the
power generation system
300. The function control subsystem 310 applies the DC power from the
rectifier 730 to the DC
electric motor subsystem 330. In turn, the DC motor drives a DC electric
generator 380. The
rotational speed of the coupler between the DC motor 330 and the AC electric
generator 350 may
vary depending on need, but the rotational speed of the coupler is invariable
with respect to the
output speed of the DC electric motor 330 and the AC electric generator 350.
In an embodiment, the
DC electric motor 330 and the AC electric generator 350 are directly coupled.
[0098] The function control subsystem 310 may control the speed of the
electric motor
subsystem 330. The power generation system 300 may also include a cooling
subsystem 360
controlled by the function control subsystem 310. The cooling subsystem 360
may be in operational
contact with any and/or all heat generating components of the overall system,
such as the function
control subsystem 310, the electric motor subsystem 330, the gear box 340 and
the DC electric
generator 380. The cooling subsystem 360 may maintain system elements in
optimal operating
temperature ranges in a manner known to those of skill in the art.
[0099] A capacitor subsystem 320 may be electrically coupled to the
function control
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subsystem 310. The capacitor subsystem 320 may include a plurality of
capacitors interconnected in
parallel with one another. The capacitor subsystem 320 may be used to control
and correct system
characteristics such as power factor lag and phase shift. The capacitor
subsystem 320 may also
increase stored energy and improve stabilization of the sine wave generated by
the processor in the
function control sub system 310.
[00100] The function control subsystem 310 may include a digital processor,
digital memory
components, and control programming as needed to operate the overall system in
the manner
described herein. For example, the function control subsystem 310 may include
programming that
controls system components for a start-up sequence, a shut-down sequence,
vibration monitoring,
over heat monitoring, and remote monitoring. The function control subsystem
310 may also include
or be connected to one or more parameter monitoring components that provide
system data. Such
data may include, but not limited to: battery charge level and capacity,
battery amperage, battery
voltage, battery usage time, battery charge time, current time, system element
temperatures,
vibration, source load, electric motor torque, electric motor rpm, electric
generator torque, electric
generator rpm, battery charging system load, and rectifier settings.
[00101] In a preferred embodiment, the DC generator 380 may output 10 kw of
power with
relatively low torque requirements at low rpms. For example, the DC generator
380 may require 5
foot-pounds of torque per 1 kw of output power.
[00102] The DC power output from the DC generator 380 may be provided to an
on-grid (e.g.,
kw) inverter 370 requiring 220 AC volts to operate. In turn, the AC power from
the on-grid
inverter 370 may be provided on-line to a local or national power grid, local
power outlets, and the
power distribution system 400. Once the overall system is up and generating
power, the on-grid
inverter 370 may supply all of the current demands for the load source 500
connected to the power
distribution system 400, as well as supply the current needed to power the DC
electric motor
subsystem 330 through the power distribution system 400 and the
rectifier/inductor system 700. Any
excess power may be supplied from the on-grid inverter 370 to the national
grid to power loads
connected to the grid such as home wall outlets 410. This excess power
delivered to the national grid
may be sold to the power company or traded for credit.
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CA 03142065 2021-11-25
WO 2020/247035 PCT/US2020/019808
[00103] As noted above, the power distribution system 400 may be connected
to the battery
charging system 600 through inductor system 70, which includes a circuit
breaker 720 and a rectifier
730. The power distribution system may be connected to the national grid to
deliver power to homes,
including wall outlets 410, and the like. The DC power flowing from the DC
generator 380 through
the battery charge controller subsystem 650 may be used to keep the
battery/UPS system 100 fully
charged. Excess power not needed for recharging may be directed to the
rectifier/inductor system
700 to be used to power the DC motor 330. When the battery/UPS system 100 is
in a fully charged
state, all of the power to drive the DC motor 330 may be supplied by the
battery charging system
600. In this manner, the battery/UPS system 100 may function as a current
catalyst as opposed to a
current provider.
[00104] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the invention
may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The
elements described above are provided as illustrative examples of one
technique for implementing
the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that many other
implementations are possible
without departing from the present invention as recited in the claims. For
example, the types, sizes
and capacities of the batteries, electric motor, electric generator, inductor
and rectifier used may vary
without departing from the intended scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
disclosure of the
present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the
scope of the invention. It is
intended that the present invention cover all such modifications and
variations of the invention,
provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
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