Patents Examined by Iraj Mohandesi
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Patent number: 7990115Abstract: A high frequency starter-generator system uses an electric machine design that does not employ rotating rectifiers installed on the rotor. The output frequency of such a starter-generator is increased by about 200% as compared with a conventional starter-generator with the same number of poles operating in the same speed range. This design allows significant weight and volume reductions of the electric machine while its reliability is increased. The present invention may find application in any starter-generator application, including more electric architecture-type aircraft designs currently in development.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Cristian Anghel, Ming Xu, William Scherzinger
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Patent number: 7989972Abstract: A method an apparatus for providing speed control in a spindle system are provided. The apparatus includes an air turbine spindle that rotates at a speed, an electromagnetic device coupled to the spindle for creating a torque to maintain a desired speed of the spindle, and a tachometer for generating a measurement of the rotational speed of the spindle. The electromagnetic device applies a torque to the spindle in response to the measurement to change the speed of the spindle to the desired speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Microlution, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Edward Honegger, Andrew Gordon Phillip
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Patent number: 7990113Abstract: A method and a wind power plant are provided for smoothing alternating electric current from a number of power generators. Generators are electrically connected to an electric network. Each power generator includes a transformer with pulse width modulation for converting direct current to pulse width modulated alternating current for feeding to the network. The time for feeding the pulses of the pulse width modulated alternating current is different for each generator in order to achieve a more even alternating current as a sum of respective outputs of alternating current from the generators.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Henrik Stiesdal
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Patent number: 7986052Abstract: A fuel cell (10) has a compressed air inlet fed by a compressor (20) and a fuel inlet, and it produces direct current electricity. A turbine (30) receives a flow of gas under pressure from the fuel cell and is mechanically coupled to the first compressor in order to drive it. A second compressor (46) of a circuit for use in flight to feed pressurized air to the aircraft cabin (40) is mechanically coupled to a shaft of the turbine. An electric machine (50) may be coupled to the same turbine shaft as drives the compressor (46), the electric machine being capable of operating as a generator or as an electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: TurbomecaInventor: Patrick Marconi
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Patent number: 7982323Abstract: There is provided an apparatus 2 for generating electrical charge from a motive power source 3. The apparatus 2 comprises an alternator 3a and a worm drive assembly 4 connectable to the motive power source 3. The worm drive assembly 4 comprises a drive shaft 14 a worm gear 20; and, a worm wheel 32 configured so as to mesh with the worm gear 20 and as is further arranged so as to be operatively associated with the alternator 3a. During use, rotation of the drive shaft 14 by the motive power source 3 effects generation of electrical charge by the alternator 3a.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Inventor: Frank Seghezzi
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Patent number: 7982325Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to reduce the contribution of wind power installations to frequency errors on the grid, and preferably to contribute to the elimination of such errors. Thus, the method involves the use of PID control and/or control with hysteresis so as to regulate the active power injected into the grid, in view of the deviation between a measured grid frequency and the nominal grid frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.Inventor: Bjorn Andersen
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Patent number: 7977807Abstract: This invention uses hydraulic or pneumatic passageways to create a wearable, portable, washable, and relatively unobtrusive device for efficiently converting movement of a relatively large portion of the human body into electricity. This device comprises: a flowable substance; passageways through which the flowable substance flows that are worn over the exterior of the human body; and energy-converting members that convert the energy of the flow of the flowable substance into electricity.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Medibotics LLCInventor: Robert A. Connor
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Patent number: 7977808Abstract: Provided is a generator for a rotor, having a simple structure and being capable of enhancing power generation efficiency. A supporting member fixes or releases a slender shaft material to or from a rotor. Rotating members are disposed respectively at both ends of the shaft material 25 so as to be rotatable around the shaft material, which is a central axis. A control unit releases the fixation of the shaft material to the rotor when the direction of rotational movement of each of the rotating members around the shaft material is coincident with the direction of rotational movement of the rotor, thereby accelerating each of the rotating members. A power generation unit generates electricity by recovering energy obtained when each of the rotating members is accelerated by the rotation of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SenryouInventor: Makoto Yasukagawa
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Patent number: 7973517Abstract: The control device detects the B-terminal voltage by a B-terminal voltage detection section. When an abnormal voltage detection section detects that a voltage value of the detected B-terminal voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage value, all switching elements of the negative pole-side arm in a power conversion section are brought into conduction by a negative pole-side arm short-circuiting section, whereas all switching elements of a positive pole-side arm are interrupted. In addition, a field current is limited to zero or to a limit value by a field current control section.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kenji Nakajima, Masato Mori
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Patent number: 7973420Abstract: Several embodiments are disclosed that enhance and improve the efficiencies of alternative electrical generating sources by converting electrical energy to potential energy through electro-mechanical means. The embodiments provide gravitational energy storage by lifting masses from lower to higher elevations during desired periods, such as when the generating sources are producing excess energy or when electrical rates are the least expensive. Energy storage is maintained until such time as it is need and then converted from potential mechanical energy to electricity by gravitational forces. By storing energy, one can supplement and enhance the efficiencies of producing electricity by alternative means such as wind and solar by expanding the times when electricity is available. Additionally, one can time-shift the purchase and use of commercial power by buying power to store energy when rates are low and using the stored energy when rates are high.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: ViewTek2 LLCInventor: Tom Scott
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Patent number: 7969037Abstract: A wind turbine nacelle configuration includes a frame structure configured for mounting atop a wind turbine tower. The frame structure includes a base, side support members, and top support members. A shell is attached to the frame structure to enclose the nacelle. A drive train may be housed within the frame structure and includes a low speed rotor shaft connected to a gearbox, and a high speed shaft connecting the gearbox to a generator. The frame structure is configured so that at least one component of the drive train is suspended from the top support members within the frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eugenio Yegro Segovia, Pedro Luis Benito Santiago
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Patent number: 7969123Abstract: An exciter assembly for supplying a field current to the rotor windings of a superconducting synchronous machine includes a pulse transformer having a stationary primary winding and a secondary winding that is mounted to the rotor of the superconducting synchronous machine for rotation therewith. A switched mode power supply supplies a pulsed voltage to the primary winding of the pulse transformer. The pulsed voltage developed at the secondary winding of the pulse transformer is supplied to the rotor windings through a rectifier semiconductor device and a pair of transfer leads. The rotor windings and a flywheel semiconductor device are located inside a cryogenic chamber or cryostat. The flywheel semiconductor device is connected in parallel with the rotor windings and operates in unison with the rectifier semiconductor device in order to provide synchronous rectification of the switched mode power supply output.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Converteam UK LtdInventor: Allan David Crane
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Patent number: 7965063Abstract: In an inverter generator having an engine generator unit, a converter that converts generated alternating current to direct current, an inverter that converts the direct current to alternating current with switching elements to supply to an electrical load, an inverter driver that drives the switching elements with a PWM signal and makes the alternating current of a predetermined frequency, the alternating current supplied to the electrical and voltages of the direct and alternating currents are detected, the detected voltage of the alternating current is corrected as a predetermined value based on a coefficient (DCgainA) set based on the detected voltage of the direct current, when the detected alternating current is greater than a threshold value, and the PWM signal is corrected by the predetermined, thereby limiting overcurrent.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Hashimoto, Kazufumi Muronoi
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Patent number: 7964983Abstract: A wind powered electricity generating system is provided. The system includes a cylindrical induction coil sleeve coaxially mountable to and around a pole structure such that the pole extends structure through a cylindrical center aperture of the cylindrical induction coil sleeve. The system additionally includes a cylindrical rotator housing coaxially and rotatably mountable to and around the induction coil sleeve, and a plurality of wind vanes mounted to the rotator housing. The wind vanes are structured to capture wind and utilize the captured wind to rotate the cylindrical rotator housing about the cylindrical induction coil sleeve to generate electricity.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Inventor: Louis D. Rivoli
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Patent number: 7960848Abstract: The present invention provides an electric bike with capability of self-charging. The electric bike is fixedly supported by supporting legs so as to be operated in a stationary point. A user steps on a petal assembly of the electric bike to drive a wheel to rotate. The electric bike further includes a power-generating device, a controller, a battery and a damper. The controller is used to receive a power source outputted by the power-generating device and convert the power source into a plurality of DC power sources to charge the battery. The damper consumes a portion of electricity generated by the power-generating device. With the above arrangement, the electric bike can be charged by itself while the user is exercising.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Pan-World Control Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Wen-Bin Tsai
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Patent number: 7956481Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Pierre Becker, Mark Marshall
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Patent number: 7956477Abstract: A starter control system is disclosed. In one example, the starter control system allows both automatic and manual control over an engine starting sequence. The starter control system can enhance starter control system flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Songping Yu, Giuseppe Domenico Suffredini, Robert Teran, Jr., Craig Cabadas, Kiana Danielle Whitehead
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Patent number: 7944072Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed which are capable of collecting water at a high point of a high-rise building. The water can be stored until used. The water is allowed to run down by gravity past a hydroelectric generator to generate electricity for the occupants of the building, or for some other use. The water after use is discarded to the public drain.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventor: James McKie
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Patent number: 7944078Abstract: A wind turbine with hydro-transmission has a tank filled with circulating liquid, a generator disposed beside the tank, a water pump mounted at a top of a stand and multiple blades connected to the water pump. Wind rotates the blades to drive the water pump to draw the circulating liquid up and pouring the circulating liquid over the generator to generate electricity. The generator that needs more maintenance is disposed on the ground and the water pump that needs less maintenance is mounted at the top of the stand. Therefore, construction and maintenance costs as well as footprint of the wind turbine are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventor: Chi-Hsiang Wang
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Patent number: 7932618Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may include a hydro-power generator and energy storage devices. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power at a generator output. The generator output may be electrically coupled to each of the energy storage devices so that the energy storage devices can be independently charged with the electric power produced by the hydro-power generator. The hydro-power generator and/or the energy storage devices can also supply electric power to a load. The energy storage devices may also be electrically coupled via a series/parallel switch so that at least two of the energy storage device may be switched between a series configuration and a parallel configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy