Prime-mover dynamo plants – Electric control – Traction
Patent
1993-08-23
1995-07-11
Young, Brian K.
Prime-mover dynamo plants
Electric control
Traction
180 651, 180 654, 290 17, 290 45, H02P 904, B60L 1102
Patent
active
054323835
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric generator system for being mounted on the output shaft of a gas turbine, and more particularly to an electric generator system for a gas turbine, which produces electric output power for driving wheels to propel a motor vehicle.
Gas turbines, which generate rotary mechanical output power based on combustion gases that are produced upon combustion of fuel and supplied at high temperature under high pressure, are mechanically simpler and easier to handle than steam turbines and reciprocating engines. Since gas turbines can produce large horsepower, can use low-quality fuel, and are less liable to break down and vibrate, they are used as prime movers for electric generators and ships.
In one application, a gas turbine is used as a prime mover for automobiles which are subject to a wide range of varying loads. More specifically, an electric generator is connected to the rotatable shaft of a gas turbine, and the electric output power generated by the generator is supplied to an electric motor mounted on the drive shaft of wheels, thus propelling the automobile.
It is not preferable for the rotational speed of the gas turbine to vary depending on changes in the load on the gas turbine. The electric generator connected to the gas turbine is therefore always supplied with the output power from the gas turbine as it rotates at high speed. Unless the size of the electric generator is large, it cannot drive the motor vehicle with good efficiency. If a smaller-size generator were used depending on the motor vehicle, it could not sufficiently absorb the output power from the turbine which rotates at high speed.
As shown in FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, when a turbine rotates at high speed, the effective efficiency of the output power of an electric generator which is coupled to the turbine becomes better as the load on the electric generator is higher, but lower as the electric generator is subject to a more partial load. Therefore, if a single electric generator is to cover a full range of loads, then such a system fails to increase the efficiency of the generator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the aforesaid problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric generator system which can efficiently absorb the output power of a gas turbine which rotates at high speed, irrespective of whether the load connected to the generator system is large or small.
According to the present invention, there is provided an electric generator system for a gas turbine, wherein the turbine is driven by the energy of combustion gases supplied from a combustion device and the output power from an electric generator mounted on a turbine shaft is supplied to an electric motor for driving a wheel to move a motor vehicle, said electric generator system comprising a plurality of electric generators mounted on said turbine shaft, for dividing and bearing the output power of the turbine, and generating electric energy based thereon, detecting means for detecting the load of the motor vehicle as it runs, and load distributing means for imposing loads on said generators in a high efficiency range, depending on a signal from said detecting means.
In the electric generator system according to the present invention, the electric generators are mounted on the rotatable shaft of the turbine which is driven by the combustion gas energy, so that the output power of the turbine is divided and borne by the electric generators. Depending on the rotational speed of the wheel, the electric generators are selectively operated with a high efficiency at all times, and the generated electric energy is supplied to the electric motor for driving the wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric generator system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the output efficiency of a generator with respect to the rotational speed thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI
REFERENCES:
patent: 3499164 (1970-03-01), Ferre et al.
patent: 4309620 (1982-01-01), Bock
Hoover Robert Lloyd
Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co. Ltd.
Young Brian K.
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