Williams International Co., L.l.c.

Tristan M Fletcher

Thomas J Williams

Gregg G Williams

Exhaust gases from an engine, input to turbo-compounder, drive a bladed turbine rotor therein, which drives a multi-phase AC generator, the output of which is used to electrically drive a multi-phase induction motor, the rotor of which is mechanically coupled to the engine, so as to provide for recovering power to the engine. The multi-phase AC generator may be coupled to the engine either by closure of a contactor, engagement of an electrically-controlled clutch, or by control of either a solid-state switching or control system or an AC excitation signal, when the frequency (f) of the multi-phase AC generator meets or exceeds that (f) of the multi-phase induction motor.

Turbo-electric turbo-compounding method

Turbo-electric turbo-compounding system

A variable-reluctance stator system for use with a radial-flux rotor of a permanent-magnet generator incorporates radially-oriented stator teeth uniformly circumferentially distributed around a central axis, and at least one moveable magnetically-permeable element in magnetic communication with at least one pair of adjacent stator teeth. Radially-inboard edges of the stator teeth are located outside a cylindrical boundary centered about the central axis and configured to receive the radial-flux rotor. Each moveable magnetically-permeable element is axially positionable relative to the stator teeth along an associated positioning axis substantially parallel to the central axis, so as to provide for linking magnetic flux between the pair of adjacent stator teeth via the moveable magnetically-permeable element. A series magnetic reluctance of the pair of adjacent stator teeth in series with the moveable magnetically-permeable element is responsive to an axial position of the moveable magnetically-permeable element relative to the pair of adjacent stator teeth.

Permanent-magnet generator incorporating a variable-reluctance stator system

A shrouded bladed-rotor for use as a rotor of an electrical generator incorporates a plurality of blades and an annular magnetically-permeable yoke concentric with an associated axis of revolution. An even-numbered plurality of permanent magnets are operatively coupled to an outer surface of the annular magnetically-permeable rotor yoke, the latter of which comprises either a shroud of the shrouded bladed-rotor or a ring of magnetically-permeable material encircling the shroud. The North-South axis of each permanent magnet is substantially radially oriented with respect to the axis of rotation, and North-South orientations of every pair of circumferentially-adjacent permanent magnets of the plurality of permanent magnets are opposite to one another. A non-magnetic magnet-retaining-ring encircling the plurality of permanent magnets has sufficient hoop strength to retain the plurality of permanent magnets on the annular magnetically-permeable rotor yoke during intended operation of the electrical generator.

Radial-flux shrouded-fan generator

Exhaust gases () from an engine ('), input to turbo-compounder (), drive a bladed turbine rotor () therein, which drives a generator (&#x2033;), the output of which is used to electrically drive an induction motor (&#x2032;), the rotor () of which is mechanically coupled to the engine (&#x2032;) so as to provide for recovering power to the engine (&#x2032;). The turbo-compounder () also incorporates a wastegate valve (&#x2032;) to provide for the exhaust gases () to bypass the bladed turbine rotor (). Upon startup the wastegate valve (&#x2032;) is opened, and the generator may be decoupled from the engine (&#x2032;). The generator (&#x2033;) may be coupled to the engine (&#x2032;) either by closure of a contactor (&#x2032;), engagement of an electrically-controlled clutch (), or by control of either a solid-state switching () or control system or an AC excitation signal (), when the frequency (f) of the generator (&#x2033;) meets or exceeds that (f) of the induction motor (&#x2032;). Wastegate valve (&#x2032;) closure provides for the generator (&#x2033;) to recover power from the exhaust gases ().

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Wixom, MI, United States of America

Tristan M Fletcher