A method of controlling an induction generator such as an automotive starter-alternator or a windmill is disclosed. The method comprises using a plurality of flux sensing coils and controlling at least one of a machine flux and an output voltage based on the stator or rotor flux magnitude and position. One embodiment of the invention only uses flux sensing coils without requiring current sensors or position sensors. This method comprises the steps of measuring a stator flux in the generator using a plurality of flux sensing coils to determine a magnitude and position of the stator flux; measuring a DC voltage of an inverter, the inverter being operatively connected to the generator; comparing the measured stator flux magnitude with a desired flux to determine a flux error amount, the flux error amount being input to a flux regulator; determining a d-axis voltage so as to reduce the flux error amount; comparing a desired voltage with the measured DC voltage to determine a voltage error amount, the voltage error amount being input to a voltage regulator; determining a q-axis voltage so as to reduce the voltage error amount; and transforming the d-axis voltage and the q-axis voltage to stationary reference frame voltages using the position of the stator flux. Another method uses both flux sensing coils and current sensors.
A method of controlling an induction generator such as an automotive starter-alternator or a windmill is disclosed. The method comprises using a minimal number of current sensors and controlling at least one of a machine flux, an output voltage and generator torque, based on the stator or rotor flux magnitude and position. This method comprises measuring a plurality of current amounts; transforming them into a two phase reference system; measuring a DC voltage; measuring voltage amounts in the generator; transforming the plurality of voltage amounts into the two phase reference system; calculating a flux in the generator; comparing the calculated flux magnitude with a desired flux; determining a d-axis voltage; determining a desired torque amount; comparing the desired torque amount with an estimated torque amount; determining a q-axis voltage; and transforming the d-axis voltage and the q-axis voltage to stationary reference frame n-phase voltages using the position of the flux.
Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling a voltage output of an alternator having a regulated voltage control (RVC). The apparatus includes a processor configured to transmit one of at least two control signals and a switch coupled to the processor and configured to select one of the control signals. One of the control signals is an RVC enable signal, and another control signal is a voltage boost signal. The method includes determining whether RVC requires override, selecting an output voltage mode of the alternator, activating a boosted voltage mode of the alternator by disabling RVC when RVC requires override, and activating an RVC mode by enabling RVC when the RVC does not require override or upon an occurrence of a lapse of a pre-determined amount of time.
A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape.
A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape.
A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape.
