Method and a connector arrangement for connecting and disconnecting a generator to a circuit with an existing alternating current

Abstract

A method and a connector arrangement for connecting and disconnecting an electrical generator, such as a prime mover driven alternator ( 10 ), to a circuit with an existing alternating current such as the mains electricity supply ( 20 ).

1 : A method of connecting a prime mover driven electrical alternator arranged to generate a current between two terminals to a circuit with an existing alternating current, the method comprising 
 connecting an impedance of such a value between the terminals of the alternator that the prime mover arranged to drive the alternator substantially cannot move and cannot make the alternator generate a current,    initializing the prime mover so that it is in a suitable condition to drive the alternator at the frequency of the alternating current in the circuit to which it is to be connected and    connecting the terminals of the alternator to a circuit with an existing alternating current to cause the alternator to start movement of the prime mover.    
     
     
         2 : A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the prime mover is a Stirling engine and the alternator is a linear alternator.  
     
     
         3 : A method according to  claim 2 , in which the Stirling engine is initialized by supplying heat to one end of its piston chamber.  
     
     
         4 : A method according to  claim 1 , in which the circuit with an existing current is the mains electricity supply.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , in which the terminals of the alternator are connected to a circuit with an existing alternating current through an impedance.  
     
     
         6 : A method according to  claim 5 , in which the impedance through which the terminals of the alternator are connected to a circuit with an existing alternating current is subsequently short circuited.  
     
     
         7 : A method according to  claim 1 , in which after the terminals of the alternator are connected to a circuit with an existing alternating current, the characteristics of the current passing through that connection are checked to determine whether they are within expected parameters.  
     
     
         8 : A method according to  claim 6 , in which the characteristics of the current passing through the short circuit are checked to determine whether they are within expected parameters.  
     
     
         9 : A method according to  claim 7 , wherein if the characteristics of the current are outside expected parameters the alternator is disconnected from the circuit with an existing alternating current.  
     
     
         10 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 : An apparatus for connecting a prime mover driven alternator to a circuit with an existing alternating current comprising 
 an impedance switchable into and out of a parallel arrangement with the alternator, the impedance being of sufficiently low value that the prime mover cannot drive the alternator to produce a current around the impedance when connected in parallel with the alternator, and    a switch to connect the alternator to a circuit with an existing alternating current.    
     
     
         17 : An apparatus according to  claim 16 , including a control means arranged to connect the impedance into a parallel arrangement with the alternator, arranged to disconnect the alternator from a parallel arrangement with the alternator and arranged to connect the alternator to a circuit with an existing alternating current.  
     
     
         18 : An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the control means is arranged to disconnect the impedance from a parallel arrangement with the alternator before it connects the alternator to a circuit with an existing alternating current.  
     
     
         19 : An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the control means is arranged to disconnect the impedance from a parallel arrangement with the alternator after it connects the alternator to a circuit with an existing alternating current.  
     
     
         20 : An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the alternator is connected to a circuit with an existing alternating current through an impedance.  
     
     
         21 : An apparatus according to  claim 20 , including means to monitor the characteristics of the current passing through the impedance connected between the alternator and a circuit with an existing alternating current.  
     
     
         22 : An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the control means is arranged to short circuit the impedance connected between the alternator and a circuit with an existing alternating current if the characteristics of the current passing through the impedance are within desired parameters  
     
     
         23 - 28 . (canceled)