Power conversion system for a multi-stage generator

Abstract

An electric power generation system is provided, including a generator having a plurality of stages engaged by a prime mover; and a plurality of branches for connecting the stages to an electrical load, each of the branches having a switch for connecting or disconnecting the branch to the stages. Power from a prime mover, such as a turbine, is sent by a controller to one or more of the branches as appropriate to handle the power level generated.

1 . An electric power generation system, comprising:
 (a) a power generator having a plurality of machine configurations, said configurations selectively engageable by a prime mover; and   (b) a plurality of branches for connecting said configurations to an electrical load, each of said branches having a switch for connecting or disconnecting said branch to said configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The electric power system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of branches comprises a converter. 
     
     
         3 . The electric power system of  claim 2  wherein each of said plurality of branches comprises a converter. 
     
     
         4 . The electric power system of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said branches further comprises a transformer serially linked to said converter of said branch. 
     
     
         5 . The electric power system of  claim 4  wherein one of said branches is connected to said generator based on a capacity of said converter and the power generated by said generator. 
     
     
         6 . The electric power system of  claim 5  wherein said converters have differing power ranges and when said power generated by said generator changes to a new power level, and if said new power level is outside the range of said converter associated with said branch connecting said generator to said electrical load, then disconnecting said branch, and connecting a second branch to said generator, said second converter associated with said second branch having a power input range within said new power level. 
     
     
         7 . The electric power system of  claim 3  further comprising a parallel series selector on at least one of said branches, said parallel series selector selecting at least one of said configurations to connect to a plurality of branches, or a plurality of configurations to connect to at least one of said branches. 
     
     
         8 . The electric power system of  claim 7  wherein said converters have substantially identical power ranges. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical power system of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said branches has a parallel series selector and at least one of said branches does not have a parallel series selector. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical power system of  claim 2  wherein said electrical load is an electrical grid. 
     
     
         11 . The electrical power system of  claim 2  wherein said machine configurations comprise stages configurable in any of: in series, in parallel, or in a series and parallel combination. 
     
     
         12 . A method of connecting a power generator comprising a plurality of stages to an electrical load, each of said stages connected to said load via a corresponding branch having a converter, each of said converters having a differing power range, comprising:
 (a) determining a power output of said generator;   (b) selecting one of said branches, wherein the power output said selected branch having a converter capable of accepting said power output; and   (c) passing said power output to said electrical load along said selected branch.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said branches further comprise a transformer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said selected branch is selected using a switch. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said electrical load is an electric grid. 
     
     
         16 . A method of connecting a power generator comprising a plurality of stages to an electrical load, each of said stages connected to said load via a corresponding branch having a converter and a parallel series selector, each of said converters having the same power range, comprising:
 (a) determining a power output of said generator;   (b) configuring at least one of said parallel series selector for said power output;   (c) selecting one or more of said branches corresponding to said configured parallel series selectors; and   (d) passing said power output to said electrical load along said selected branches.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said branches further comprise a transformer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said selected branch is selected using a switch. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said electrical load is an electric grid. 
     
     
         20 . An electric power generation system, comprising:
 (a) a power generator having a plurality of stages, each of said stages having at least an induction element, said induction elements engaged by a turbine;   (b) a plurality of branches for connecting said stages to an electrical load, each of said branches having a switch for connecting or disconnecting said branch to said stages;   (c) a turbine; and   (d) a system controller.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said system controller monitors and controls said turbine based on parameters and conditions observed. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said system controller is connected to each of said branches and said turbine, and comprises:
 (a) means for selecting and transferring power from said branches; and   (b) means for configuring a parser that is connected to one of said branches.