Patents by Inventor Alfredo Sebastian Achilles

Alfredo Sebastian Achilles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10804707
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wind turbines providing reactive power are provided. In particular, a method for controlling a power system that includes a controller and one or more wind turbines electrically connected to a power grid through a point of interconnection can be provided. The method can include receiving signals from a sensor associated with the wind turbines. The method can also include determining wind turbines that are operating in low wind or no wind operating conditions based, at least in part, on the one or more of the sensor signals. The method can also include determining a reactive power capability of the wind turbines operating in low wind or no wind conditions and generating control signals based, at least in part, on the reactive power capability of the wind turbines. The method can also include controlling an operational state of the wind turbines based on the control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Djan-Sampson, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Enno Ubben
  • Patent number: 10731633
    Abstract: Power generation stabilization control systems and methods include monitoring a frequency of the power grid. In response to detecting a frequency event occurring in the power grid, the method includes activating a control scheme in order to meet one or more grid requirements of the power grid. The control scheme includes increasing a power output of the wind turbine to, at least, a pre-event measured grid power. Further, the control scheme includes calculating a power correction factor for a power set point as a function of, at least, the frequency event. Moreover, the control scheme includes adjusting the power set point via the power correction factor such that the power output follows a predetermined trajectory. In addition, the control scheme includes controlling, via a turbine controller, the wind turbine based on the adjusted power set point for as long as the control scheme is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahesh Ayiranazhi Cailakam, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Jignesh Govindlal Gandhi, Arne Koerber
  • Publication number: 20200127460
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wind turbines providing reactive power are provided. In particular, a method for controlling a power system that includes a controller and one or more wind turbines electrically connected to a power grid through a point of interconnection can be provided. The method can include receiving signals from a sensor associated with the wind turbines. The method can also include determining wind turbines that are operating in low wind or no wind operating conditions based, at least in part, on the one or more of the sensor signals. The method can also include determining a reactive power capability of the wind turbines operating in low wind or no wind conditions and generating control signals based, at least in part, on the reactive power capability of the wind turbines. The method can also include controlling an operational state of the wind turbines based on the control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick Djan-Sampson, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Enno Ubben
  • Publication number: 20200127461
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing or controlling resonance in wind turbine power systems are provided. In particular, a method for controlling a power system that includes a central master controller and one or more wind turbines electrically connected to a power grid through a point of interconnection can be provided, where each wind turbine includes a voltage regulator. The method can include receiving, by the controller, a signal from a sensor associated with wind turbines and determining, which wind turbines are operating in conditions indicative of a resonance condition in the wind turbine electrical power system based, at least in part, on the sensor signals. The method can also include generating one or more control signals based, at least in part, on a power requirement at the point of intersection and controlling an operational state of each of the voltage regulators based on the control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick Djan-Sampson, Einar Vaughn Larsen, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Enno Ubben
  • Publication number: 20190252884
    Abstract: A method for maintaining sufficient reactive current margin in a power system connected to a power grid includes receiving, via a power limiter system, a reactive current command and an upper reactive current limit for the power system. The method also includes determining, via the power limiter system, a reactive current margin signal as a function of the reactive current command and the upper reactive current limit. Further, the method includes generating, via the power limiter system, a power command signal based on the reactive current margin signal. Moreover, the method includes controlling, via a system controller, operation of the power system based at least partially on the power command signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Einar Vaughn Larsen
  • Publication number: 20180335020
    Abstract: Power generation stabilization control systems and methods include monitoring a frequency of the power grid. In response to detecting a frequency event occurring in the power grid, the method includes activating a control scheme in order to meet one or more grid requirements of the power grid. The control scheme includes increasing a power output of the wind turbine to, at least, a pre-event measured grid power. Further, the control scheme includes calculating a power correction factor for a power set point as a function of, at least, the frequency event. Moreover, the control scheme includes adjusting the power set point via the power correction factor such that the power output follows a predetermined trajectory. In addition, the control scheme includes controlling, via a turbine controller, the wind turbine based on the adjusted power set point for as long as the control scheme is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Mahesh AYIRANAZHI CAILAKAM, Alfredo Sebastian ACHILLES, Jignesh Govindlal GANDHI, Arne KOERBER
  • Patent number: 10063174
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical power system connected to a power grid. The method includes determining, via a negative sequence regulator programmed in a controller of the electrical power system, a negative sequence component of at least one electrical condition of the electrical power system. Further, the method includes determining a desired current response based on the negative sequence component of the at least one electrical condition of the electrical power system. Thus, the method also includes determining a control command for the power converter as a function of the desired current response so as to achieve a desired relationship between a voltage condition in the power grid and the negative sequence component of the electrical condition of the electrical power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Wei Ren, Dustin Howard, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles
  • Patent number: 10024305
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for stabilizing disconnection of one or more wind turbines in a wind farm connected to a power grid during one or more grid contingency events. The method includes determining, via one or more processors, a phase-locked loop error signal for each of the wind turbines based on sensor signals from the plurality of wind turbines. The method also includes comparing the phase-locked loop error signal of each wind turbine to at least one predetermined threshold for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Einar Vaughn Larsen
  • Patent number: 10027118
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for balancing reactive power loading between multiple renewable energy power systems coupled to a power grid at a point of regulation (POR). The method includes determining a voltage error based on a voltage reference and a measured voltage at the POR. The method also includes measuring at least one operating condition from each of the power systems. Further, the method includes determining a per unit actual reactive power for each of the power systems based on at least one of the actual operating conditions and determining a per unit average reactive power from the power systems based on at least one of the actual operating conditions. Thus, the method also includes determining a voltage reference command for each of the power systems as a function of the voltage error, the per unit reactive power, and/or the per unit average reactive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Enno Ubben, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Mark Edward Cardinal, Rajni Kant Burra, Matthew Paul Richwine, Patrick Djan-Sampson
  • Publication number: 20180041154
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical power system connected to a power grid. The method includes determining, via a negative sequence regulator programmed in a controller of the electrical power system, a negative sequence component of at least one electrical condition of the electrical power system. Further, the method includes determining a desired current response based on the negative sequence component of the at least one electrical condition of the electrical power system. Thus, the method also includes determining a control command for the power converter as a function of the desired current response so as to achieve a desired relationship between a voltage condition in the power grid and the negative sequence component of the electrical condition of the electrical power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Wei Ren, Dustin Howard, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles
  • Patent number: 9831810
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for regulating reactive power in a wind farm connected to a power grid so as to improve reactive speed-of-response of the wind farm. The method includes receiving a voltage feedback from the power grid and a voltage reference and calculating a linear voltage error as a function of the voltage feedback and the voltage reference. A further step includes generating a first output based on the linear voltage error via a first control path having a first voltage regulator. A further step includes determining a non-linear voltage error based on the linear voltage error via a second control path having a second voltage regulator. A second output is generated via the second control path based on the non-linear voltage error. As such, a reactive power command is generated as a function of the first and second outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Einar Vaughn Larsen
  • Publication number: 20170338652
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for balancing reactive power loading between multiple renewable energy power systems coupled to a power grid at a point of regulation (POR). The method includes determining a voltage error based on a voltage reference and a measured voltage at the POR. The method also includes measuring at least one operating condition from each of the power systems. Further, the method includes determining a per unit actual reactive power for each of the power systems based on at least one of the actual operating conditions and determining a per unit average reactive power from the power systems based on at least one of the actual operating conditions. Thus, the method also includes determining a voltage reference command for each of the power systems as a function of the voltage error, the per unit reactive power, and/or the per unit average reactive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Enno Ubben, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Mark Edward Cardinal, Rajni Kant Burra, Matthew Paul Richwine, Patrick Djan-Sampson
  • Patent number: 9711964
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a power generation and delivery system while increasing a power output of the power generation and delivery system is described. The method includes, monitoring an output parameter of the power generation and delivery system and determining a rate of change of the output parameter as a function of time. A reactive current command signal is generated a as a function of the determined rate of change of the output parameter. Operation of a power converter is controlled based at least partially on the reactive current command signal to facilitate maintaining a substantially constant terminal voltage as the power output of the power generation and delivery system is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Einar Vaughn Larsen
  • Publication number: 20170130699
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for stabilizing disconnection of one or more wind turbines in a wind farm connected to a power grid during one or more grid contingency events. The method includes determining, via one or more processors, a phase-locked loop error signal for each of the wind turbines based on sensor signals from the plurality of wind turbines. The method also includes comparing the phase-locked loop error signal of each wind turbine to at least one predetermined threshold for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Einar Vaughn Larsen
  • Publication number: 20160268940
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for regulating reactive power in a wind farm connected to a power grid so as to improve reactive speed-of-response of the wind farm. The method includes receiving a voltage feedback from the power grid and a voltage reference and calculating a linear voltage error as a function of the voltage feedback and the voltage reference. A further step includes generating a first output based on the linear voltage error via a first control path having a first voltage regulator. A further step includes determining a non-linear voltage error based on the linear voltage error via a second control path having a second voltage regulator. A second output is generated via the second control path based on the non-linear voltage error. As such, a reactive power command is generated as a function of the first and second outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Einar Vaughn Larsen
  • Patent number: 9318988
    Abstract: A system and associated method for reactive power generation for a wind turbine generator includes receiving a higher-than-generator level voltage command signal. A reactive current is determined for the wind turbine generator in response to the voltage command signal and is transmitted to a controller of the wind turbine generator for generating a real and reactive power based on the reactive current command. A trim value may be generated and applied to the voltage command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles
  • Patent number: 9203333
    Abstract: A method for reactive power generation for a wind turbine generator includes receiving a voltage command signal, and adjusting this voltage command signal as a function of the wind turbine reactive power. A reactive current is determined for the wind turbine generator in response to the adjusted voltage command signal and is transmitted to a controller of the wind turbine generator for generating a real and reactive power based on the reactive current command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles
  • Publication number: 20150061289
    Abstract: A method for reactive power generation for a wind turbine generator includes receiving a voltage command signal, and adjusting this voltage command signal as a function of the wind turbine reactive power. A reactive current is determined for the wind turbine generator in response to the adjusted voltage command signal and is transmitted to a controller of the wind turbine generator for generating a real and reactive power based on the reactive current command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles
  • Publication number: 20150061290
    Abstract: A system and associated method for reactive power generation for a wind turbine generator includes receiving a higher-than-generator level voltage command signal. A reactive current is determined for the wind turbine generator in response to the voltage command signal and is transmitted to a controller of the wind turbine generator for generating a real and reactive power based on the reactive current command. A trim value may be generated and applied to the voltage command signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles
  • Publication number: 20130200839
    Abstract: A torsional mode damping controller system connected to a converter that drives a drive train including an electrical machine and a non-electrical machine. The controller system includes an input interface configured to receive measured data related to variables of the converter or the drive train and a controller connected to the input interface. The controller is configured to calculate at least one dynamic torque component along a section of a shaft of the drive train based on the measured data from the input interface, generate control data for a rectifier of the converter for damping a torsional oscillation in the shaft of the drive train based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and send the control data to the rectifier for modulating an active power exchanged between the converter and the electrical machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Simon Herbert Schramm, Christof Martin Sihler, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Paola Rotondo