Generator power systems with active and passive rectifiers

Abstract

A system comprising a controllable alternating current power source; an active rectifier coupled to the controllable alternating current power source and configured to rectify an output of the controllable alternating current power source to supply a direct current to a load; and a controller configured to adjust at least one of a parameter of the controllable alternating current power source and a parameter of the active rectifier in response to a target output.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a controllable alternating current power source;   an active rectifier coupled to the controllable alternating current power source and configured to rectify an output of the controllable alternating current power source to supply a direct current to a load; and   a controller configured to adjust at least one of a parameter of the controllable alternating current power source and a parameter of the active rectifier in response to a target output.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the controllable alternating current power source includes an engine;   the controller is configured to reduce a speed of the engine; and   the controller is configured to adjust the active rectifier to boost the output of the controllable alternating current power source to the target output.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to one of reduce the speed of the engine to a minimum operating speed for a targeted output level or an optimized operating speed for efficient operation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the active rectifier is configured to supply one of a boosted high voltage direct current or reduced voltage direct current from the controllable alternating power source to the load. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the controllable alternating current power source is a high voltage power source; and   the active rectifier is configured to reduce the output of the controllable alternating current power source to the target output.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the controller is configured to operate the controllable alternating current power source at one of a maximum efficiency for a target output power, a target noise level for a target output power, or a target emissions level for a target output level; and   the controller is configured to operate the active rectifier to achieve a target output voltage.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second power source coupled to the active rectifier to form a combined output;   wherein the controller is configured to supplement or charge the second power source with an output of the active rectifier such that the system that incorporates the second power source and controllable alternating current power source operates at a greater overall efficiency.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the controller is further configured to adjust the parameter of the controllable alternating current power source such that output of the controllable alternating current power source is at a first level that, if passively rectified, is less than a second level required to reach the target output; and   the controller is further configured to adjust the parameter of the active rectifier to reach the target output when the controllable alternating current power source is operating at the first level.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is substantially isolated from a substantially continuous alternating current power source. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 a controllable alternating current power source;   a hybrid rectifier configured to rectify an output of the controllable alternating current power source configurable to operate in an active rectification mode and a passive rectification mode;   a controller configured to switch an operation of the hybrid rectifier between the active rectification mode and the passive rectification mode in response to a threshold.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the threshold is an operating point of the controllable alternating current power source at which an efficiency in the passive rectification mode is substantially equivalent to an efficiency in the active rectification mode. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a memory configured to store efficiency information for the controllable alternating current power source;   wherein the controller is configured to switch the operation of the hybrid rectifier between the active rectification mode and the passive rectification mode in response to the efficiency information.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the efficiency information includes one or more of fuel efficiency information, minimal noise information, and maximum service endurance information for an engine. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 generating an alternating current with an alternating current power source having a controllable output power;   rectifying the alternating current with an active rectifier;   adjusting at least one of the rectification and the generation in response to a target output.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 switching an operation of the rectification between an active rectification mode and a passive rectification mode in response to an output threshold   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 generating the alternating current comprises generating the alternating current with an engine; and   further comprising:
 reducing a speed of the engine; and 
 boosting the alternating current to the target output. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising reducing the speed of the engine to a minimum operating speed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the target output is a high voltage direct current output. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 generating the alternating current comprises generating a high voltage alternating current; and   rectifying the alternating current comprises reducing the voltage output of the controllable alternating current power source to the target output.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 operating the alternating current power source at a maximum efficiency for a target output power; and   operating the active rectifier to achieve a target output.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 generating power from a second power source; and   supplementing the power from the second power source with the rectified alternating current to operate the second power source at a higher efficiency.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 adjusting the alternating current power source such that output of the alternating current power source is at a first level that, if passively rectified, is less than a second level required to reach the target output; and   adjusting the rectification to reach the target output when the controllable alternating current power source is operating at the first level.