Patents Examined by Julio Cesar Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8174141
    Abstract: A turbo generator having a turbine configured to be driven by exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and an electric generator having a rotor coupled to the turbine and a stator having an ironless coil arranged with the rotor to generate electric power when the rotor is rotated by the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Thingap, LLC
    Inventor: Gerhard E. Delf
  • Patent number: 8164204
    Abstract: An electrical generator apparatus, which is configured to convert an external actuation force applied by a vehicle traveling on a roadway into electrical energy, includes a rotatable top portion adapted to receive the external actuation force applied by the vehicle traveling on the roadway; a plurality of linkage members operatively connected to one another in succession, the rotatable top portion being operatively coupled to a first one of the plurality of linkage members operatively connected to one another in succession; a first wheel operatively coupled to a last one of the plurality of linkage members operatively connected to one another in succession; a second wheel operatively coupled to the first wheel via a tangential coupling element; a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the second wheel; at least one flywheel operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft; and at least one electrical generator operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft, the electrical generator adapted to convert a rotational movem
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Jack Shihzong Jang
  • Patent number: 8093736
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic device having a water surface float tethered to a submerged buoyant housing is provided with mechanisms for optimizing the amount of wave energy extracted from the waves by the device. Based on wave conditions, the optimization functionalities include controlling the depth of the housing to produce wave shoaling or storm avoidance, as well as to perform continuous phase control and load control for the purpose of matching the response frequency of the device to the frequency of the incident waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of The Stevens Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Michael William Raftery
  • Patent number: 8089172
    Abstract: A method for determining a rotor position of an electrical generator in a wind turbine is described comprising determining a voltage of the electrical generator, determining a rotor position angle estimate based on the voltage of the electrical generator, determining a subsequent rotor position angle estimate through a feedback loop, based on a combination of the voltage of the electrical generator and the rotor position angle estimate. Further, a method to real time track encoder health is described comprising determining the phase angle of a reference voltage, determining the angle difference between the rotor position and the reference voltage, and determining the differentiation of the angle difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Bing Li, Shu Yu Cao, Gert Karmisholt Andersen, Anshuman Tripathi, Eng Kian Kenneth Sng, Amit Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 7994649
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sustainable energy system for pelagic deployment that may comprise a frame, at least one wind turbine generator coupled to the frame, at least one pair of water turbine generators coupled to the frame, and a rotatable joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Michael R. Abatemarco
  • Patent number: 7969122
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pole count changing generator capable of altering the number of poles contained within a generator. This pole count change is accomplished by changing the path through which electrical current is capable of traveling in response to a control signal sent to a pole count changing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn C. Lemmers, Darin R. Morman, Eric J. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7956486
    Abstract: A windmill electric generator includes a support base, an inline generator assembly, a large generator, a variable blade pitch housing and a plurality of blades. The support base includes a pedestal support and a rotating support. The inline generator assembly includes a generator support structure, a plurality of inline generators and a drive shaft. The generator support structure is attached to a top of the rotating support. Large generator support members are attached to the generator support structure. The variable blade pitch housing is attached to one end of the drive shaft. The plurality of blades are pivotally retained on the variable blade pitch housing. The large generator includes a rotor and a stator assembly. The rotor is retained on the other end of the drive shaft. The stator assembly is attached to an end of the plurality of large generator support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Abel Echemendia
  • Patent number: 7956584
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicular electric power generation system comprising a variable speed internal combustion engine, a first variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a second variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a first inverter to receive electric power from the first generator a provide a first controlled electric output, a second inverter to receive electric power from the second generator and provide a second controlled electric output, and a controller coupled to the engine. The controller is responsive to variation in electrical loading of the first inverter and the second inverter and a degree of electrical load imbalance between the first inverter and second inverter to provide one or more engine control signals. The engine is responsive to the one more engine control signals to change rotational operating speed to adjust for the variation in electrical loading and the degree of electrical load imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell E. Peterson, Sergey Kunin
  • Patent number: 7928592
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to isolate outputs of parallel converter threads of a power system converter on a generator side of a wind turbine generator by utilizing isolated power windings on the wind turbine generator. Such isolation eliminates the circulating common mode current between the parallel converters of the wind turbine system and eliminates the need for a common mode inductor. System reliability is enhanced and total system cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Wagoner, Allen M. Ritter, Anthony M. Klodowski
  • Patent number: 7884490
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric current from a vibrating blade exposed to a fluid flow. in one embodiment, a plurality of blades are secured within a tail cone of a steam turbine and each blade includes a magnet and a coil associated with the magnet to produce electric current in the coil when the magnet moves across the coil. Each blade is designed to have a natural frequency so that the blade will resonate under the influence of the exhaust flow from the turbine in the tail cone. Abutment members are mounted on the blade or the fixed support to limit the range of motion of the vibrating blade so that it does not exceed the fatigue limit. The blades are made from a low damping material such as titanium so that a low frequency is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W Wilson, III, Jack W Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7875989
    Abstract: An aircraft engine power distribution system for an aircraft engine controller, such as a FADEC, is provided where the power source is independent from the conventional airframe power system, without the need for a back-up battery. The aircraft engine power distribution system includes a magnetic generator operated by an aircraft engine. The aircraft engine power distribution system also includes a power distributor that rectifies the generator output and provides the rectified power to the engine controller as its primary source of power. In this configuration, as long as the aircraft engine is able to operate the magnetic generator, the engine controller receives power. Accordingly, the engine controller operates regardless of the operational status of the airframe power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corporation
    Inventors: James Paul Morris, Forrest Ross Lysinger
  • Patent number: 7821145
    Abstract: An aircraft starting and generating system includes a starter/generator that includes a main machine, an exciter, and a permanent magnet generator. The system also includes an inverter/converter/controller that is connected to the starter/generator and that generates AC power to drive the starter/generator in a start mode for starting a prime mover of the aircraft, and that converts AC power, obtained from the starter/generator after the prime mover have been started, to DC power in a generate mode of the starter/generator. The exciter includes a stator and a rotor, and wherein the exciter rotor includes a three-phase AC winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace, LLC
    Inventors: Hao Huang, David Karipides, Mohamed Abbas, David Tsui
  • Patent number: 7812467
    Abstract: A smart alternator control circuit and method is provided limiting alternator load on an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Lemancik, Randy K. Novak
  • Patent number: 7804182
    Abstract: A system and process for generating hydroelectric power within a body of water relying on the pressure head existing between two depths of the water. A vertically arranged conduit or penstock has an upper water intake and is in fluid communication with a reservoir situated at a lower depth. In a first cycle, water flow is established in the conduit or penstock between the water intake and lower reservoir when the reservoir is substantially full of air. A turbine housing is mounted adjacent the reservoir at a lower depth than the water intake and houses an electric turbine generator having blades mounted within the conduit or penstock to be driven by the flow of water to generate electricity. As water is introduced into the reservoir, air is exhausted out an air exhaust tube to a point above the surface of the body of water. After the reservoir is generally full of water valves are provided to cease the flow of water through the water intake and flow of air out the exhaust tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Steven J. DeAngeles
  • Patent number: 7795748
    Abstract: A system and process for generating hydroelectric power within a body of water uses head pressure existing between two depths of the water. A vertically arranged conduit has an upper water intake and is in fluid communication with a reservoir situated at a lower depth. In a first cycle, water flow is established in the conduit between the water intake and lower reservoir when the reservoir is substantially full of air but at a hydrostatic pressure less than the hydrostatic pressure at the top of the water conduit. A turbine mounted adjacent the reservoir and at a lower depth than the water intake drives an electric generator. As water is introduced into the reservoir, air is scavenged by a compressor and used to drive water from a second reservoir. After the first reservoir is generally full of water, valves are provided to cease the flow of water through the water intake and flow of air out the exhaust tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Steven J. DeAngeles
  • Patent number: 7768143
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus which allows the movement of a body of water, such as that created by waves and/or a swell in the sea, to be utilized to generate power. The apparatus includes a first member in the form of a float, which is connected to a second member and at least one rotatable means connected to a power generator. In one embodiment the second member is connected with and supported on the first member while the rotatable member and power generator are provided at a relatively fixed location and coupled to second member such that relative movement of the second member with respect to the rotatable means is used to cause the generation of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventors: James McCague, Simon Condry
  • Patent number: 7687928
    Abstract: An aircraft starting and generating system includes a first starter/main machine assembly that includes a first exciter and a first main machine, and second starter/main machine assembly that includes a second exciter and a second main machine. The system also includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG) that is connected to the first and second starter/main machine assemblies. The system further includes a first inverter/converter/controller (ICC) that is connected to the first starter/main machine assembly and to the PMG, and a second ICC that is connected to the second starter/main machine assembly and to the PMG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace, LLC
    Inventors: Dinesh N. Taneja, Hao Huang, Gary A. Padgett, Jan Zywot, Paul J. Wirsch, Jr., Mohamed A. Abbas
  • Patent number: 7671480
    Abstract: A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Fairfax County Water Authority
    Inventors: Barth Robins Pitchford, William Dudley Pitchford, Robert Paul Simon, C. David Binning, David Lewis Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7649277
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a wind energy plant, with a synchronous generator, a superimposition gearbox, which is connected between rotor shaft and generator shaft, and a drive unit, wherein before connecting the synchronous generator to the electric grid, the drive unit drives the synchronous generator until the same has reached its rated rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Nitzpon, Thomas-Paul Woldmann
  • Patent number: 7642756
    Abstract: An electric power generating system connectable to a reconfigurable power distribution network, and wherein a number of alternators, driven by internal combustion engines running at different speeds ?1, ?2, . . . , ?n, supply alternating voltages to rectifiers (14) generating rectified voltages V(r1), V(r2), . . . , V(rn) which are maintained substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ansaldo Energia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Ravera, Antonio Rebora, Andrea Taffone, Sandro Tenconi, Franco Zanzi