Abstract: Systems and methods of generating landing solutions for containers onto landing surfaces using multiple measurement points generated by a measuring device or multiple measuring devices are described. In particular, methods of analyzing the plurality of measurement and from the analysis of the data, determining the location and orientation, in the container handling equipment's frame of reference, of where to place a shipping container onto a landing surface present within the equipment's workspace are described. This location can then be used by the equipment's automation system to automatically place the shipping container onto the landing surface without the need for human input, or relatively little human interaction or input. The systems and methods are applicable to operating in a landside transfer zone as well as outside such zone, and as such would be applicable to install on any container handling equipment which can land containers on equipment from above.

Abstract: An electronic equipment enclosure which regulates incoming outside air to within the operational limits of the electronic equipment within is described. The enclosure recirculates the wasted heat from the equipment to regulate both the temperature and humidity within the enclosure to acceptable levels without relying on any heating or air conditioning component. Thus, the enclosure assembly relies entirely on air flow for regulating the temperature inside the enclosure. Additionally, the recirculation feature of the enclosure allows the electronic equipment to operate at outside temperatures much lower than the stated operational range by modifying the temperature of the intake air of the equipment. A method of controlling the temperature inside an enclosure is also described.

Abstract: A control device for a power conversion device according to an embodiment includes a drive control unit outputting a control signal based on a drive quantity command value, a drive quantity adjustment unit calculating the drive quantity command value based on a torque command for the motor, an estimated value of a stator magnetic flux of the motor, and a reference value of the stator magnetic flux of the motor, a magnetic flux observer calculating the estimated value of the stator magnetic flux of the motor, and a current observer smoothing the estimated value of the stator magnetic flux on the basis of time history data of the calculated estimated value of the stator magnetic flux, and calculating an estimated value of a current flowing through a stator winding of the motor.

Abstract: A control device for a power conversion device according to an embodiment includes a drive control unit controlling a current that is caused to flow through a stator winding of a motor, a drive quantity adjustment unit calculating a drive quantity command value defining a drive quantity of the motor, a magnetic flux observer calculating calculates a first estimated value of a stator magnetic flux of the motor and a first estimated value of a rotor magnetic flux of the motor, a current observer calculating a first estimated value of the current flowing through the stator winding of the motor, and an average correction unit performing calculation on the first estimated values of the stator magnetic flux of the motor. The drive quantity adjustment unit calculates a control quantity defining the drive quantity of the motor on the basis of the first estimated values of the stator magnetic flux of the motor.

Abstract: A control device for a power conversion device according to an embodiment includes a drive control unit outputting a control signal based on a drive quantity command value, a drive quantity adjustment unit calculating the drive quantity command value based on a torque command for the motor, an estimated value of a stator magnetic flux of the motor, and a reference value of the stator magnetic flux of the motor, a magnetic flux observer calculating the estimated value of the stator magnetic flux of the motor, and a current observer smoothing the estimated value of the stator magnetic flux on the basis of time history data of the calculated estimated value of the stator magnetic flux, and calculating an estimated value of a current flowing through a stator winding of the motor.

Abstract: A control device for a power conversion device according to an embodiment includes a drive control unit controlling a current that is caused to flow through a stator winding of a motor, a drive quantity adjustment unit calculating a drive quantity command value defining a drive quantity of the motor, a magnetic flux observer calculating calculates a first estimated value of a stator magnetic flux of the motor and a first estimated value of a rotor magnetic flux of the motor, a current observer calculating a first estimated value of the current flowing through the stator winding of the motor, and an average correction unit performing calculation on the first estimated values of the stator magnetic flux of the motor. The drive quantity adjustment unit calculates a control quantity defining the drive quantity of the motor on the basis of the first estimated values of the stator magnetic flux of the motor.

Abstract: A method for forecasting reduction in sunlight intensity due to cloud cover at a photovoltaic power plant is described. The method comprises determining characteristics of one or more clouds from sensors surrounding the photovoltaic power plant. The cloud characteristics are used to create a 3D map of the clouds. The 3D map in combination with information on the angle of the sun is used to create a 3D projection on the surface of the earth, resulting in a 2D surface irradiance map. The 2D surface irradiance map may be taken in successive projections or used in combination with wind speed data to forecast fluctuation in irradiance at the photovoltaic power plant. The forecasted reductions in power may be used to enact measures at the plant such as reducing the power output of inverters to prevent sudden fluctuations in the power output of the photovoltaic plant feeding the utility.

Abstract: A hybrid power converter system that comprises a first power bus connected to a DC power source, a second power bus connected to an AC load, and a third power bus connected to an energy storage device. One or more power converters are connected to the first power bus in parallel and are connected with the second and third power buses, each by a switch. The system includes a first switch for connecting or disconnecting a power converter to or from the second power bus and a second switch for connecting or disconnecting the power converter to or from the third power bus, to switch the source of power being provided to the AC load either from the DC power source or the energy storage device. With additional power converters connected into the system in a similar manner, several combinations of power supply are possible.

Abstract: Methods, systems, controller devices, and computer program products for reactive power control at a renewable energy site are provided. Embodiments address dynamic performance problems associated with control loop delay and the changing modes of operation for meeting utility voltage and reactive power constraints. Provided is a method for reactive power control involving: (a) determining a site-wide reactive power command comprised by a sum of a reactive power feedforward or compensation term and an integrator term; and (b) distributing the site-wide reactive power command among inverters.

Abstract: Methods for starting an AC motor with a variable speed drive and switching the motor to a higher voltage power source are described. Provided are AC motors with a stator having a plurality of coils, the plurality comprising a complete set of coils for each phase, the complete set comprising a first set of coils comprising first groups of coils connected in series, or parallel, or a combination, and a second set of coils comprising second groups of coils connected in series, or parallel, or a combination, wherein the output of a variable speed drive is connected to a tap on the complete set of coils such that the AC motor may be started with a variable speed drive, and an output of the power line is connected to the series of the first and second sets of coils.

Abstract: A system and method for converting otherwise wasted energy produced in the form of heated gases as a byproduct of an industrial process into electrical energy. At least some waste gases are diverted from a typical exhaust structure through a heat exchanger and back into the exhaust structure. The amount of gases flowing through the heat exchanger is monitored and regulated by a controller. A heat source liquid is simultaneously circulated under pressure through the heat exchanger and through an organic Rankine cycle system. The amount of heat source liquid being circulated is also monitored and regulated by the controller. The ORC system converts the heat from the heat source liquid into electricity.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling gas surges in compressors powered by electric motors. An adjustable speed drive (ASD) incorporating a microprocessor powered by a three-phase source of electricity controls the electric motor which drives the compressor. A bypass valve is inserted between the gas input of the compressor and the gas discharge. The bypass valve opens in response to signals from the ASD which detects gas surges by analyzing a stored surge map which plots a surge line and a related discretionary control line based on the power and speed of the motor. When the operating point of the motor crosses the control line, the ASD causes the bypass valve to open.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, computer program products, and devices for renewable energy site power limit control that address conditions of plant saturation and loop delay. In an exemplary embodiment, power limit control of the present invention is broken into two levels of control: a site-wide real power limit control that produces a single site-wide command, SitePlimCom, for all inverters, and inverter-level power limit control that outputs a command, Inv[x].PlimCom[k], for individual inverters. In some embodiments, the invention has one or more of the following features: an integrator with nonlinear gains, limit based anti-windup, a power limit control term based on the sum of both integrator and feed-forward terms, and an inverter-level controller designed to meet slew rate and site power overshoot constraints.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting drivers of Bomb Carts and Shuttle Carriers to position their vehicles appropriately for loading and unloading containers at a gantry crane. The system uses laser scanners mounted at various levels on the gantry crane sill beams to determine the type, position, orientation and skew angle of the vehicles as well as whether the vehicles are in a loaded or unloaded condition. In addition, the system provides indicator devices to direct drivers how to move their vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently regulating the fuel consumption of a variable speed combustion engine used to control loads such as a hoist motor in a mobile gantry crane based on load motor speed commands issued by a crane operator. The system and method can rely on a programmable logic controller to issue engine fuel commands to regulate engine speed based on interpolations derived from data representing the relationship between load motor voltage and engine speed and data representing the relationship between engine speed and engine power capacity. The method may also be used in modified form by combustion engines which need digital fixed speed commands.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently regulating the fuel consumption of a variable speed combustion engine used to control loads such as a hoist motor in a mobile gantry crane based on load motor speed commands issued by a crane operator. The system and method can rely on a programmable logic controller to issue engine fuel commands to regulate engine speed based on interpolations derived from data representing the relationship between load motor voltage and engine speed and data representing the relationship between engine speed and engine power capacity. The method may also be used in modified form by combustion engines which need digital fixed speed commands.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting drivers of Bomb Carts and Shuttle Carriers to position their vehicles appropriately for loading and unloading containers at a gantry crane. The system uses laser scanners mounted at various levels on the gantry crane sill beams to determine the type, position, orientation and skew angle of the vehicles as well as whether the vehicles are in a loaded or unloaded condition. In addition, the system provides indicator devices to direct drivers how to move their vehicles.