Patents by Inventor Donald J. Hammerstrom
Donald J. Hammerstrom 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).
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Patent number: 11676222Abstract: Apparatus comprise control circuitry configured to control a line frequency of a microgrid by directing a first set of one or more electrical devices coupled to the microgrid to produce a change in the line frequency through a change in operation of the first set, such that a second set of one or more electrical devices coupled to the microgrid adjusts operation in response to a detected line frequency changeably produced by the first set. Related methods and additional apparatus and methods are disclosed. Apparatus and methods are disclosed that use line frequency and/or line voltage. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed that use control history.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Patent number: 11468460Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Donald J. Hammerstrom, Ronald B. Melton, Trishan Esram, John E. Hathaway
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Patent number: 11361392Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide flexible allocation and regulation of scheduled energy transfers between energy storage devices (“batteries”) and a power grid. Piecewise mappings having at least one sloping segment enable gradual variations in scheduled energy transfers as cleared values of a medium of energy exchange deviate from predicted values of the medium of energy exchange. Thereby deviations from a battery's predicted energy transfer schedule can be reduced, and overall smoother operation of a power grid can be achieved. Two sloping linear segments can be separated by a dead band, a portion of the mapping in which the scheduled energy transfer amount is invariant. A dead zone can increase the likelihood of a battery meeting its predicted schedule.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Bishnu P. Bhattarai, Bilal Ahmad Bhatti, Robert G. Pratt, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Steven E. Widergren
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Patent number: 11106228Abstract: Thermal energy storage apparatus, controllers and thermal energy storage control methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage apparatus controller includes processing circuitry configured to access first information which is indicative of surpluses and deficiencies of electrical energy upon an electrical power system at a plurality of moments in time, access second information which is indicative of temperature of a thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time, and use the first and second information to control an amount of electrical energy which is utilized by a heating element to heat the thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Publication number: 20210097560Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Donald J. Hammerstrom, Ronald B. Melton, Trishan Esram, John E. Hathaway
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Publication number: 20200349657Abstract: Apparatus comprise control circuitry configured to control a line frequency of a microgrid by directing a first set of one or more electrical devices coupled to the microgrid to produce a change in the line frequency through a change in operation of the first set, such that a second set of one or more electrical devices coupled to the microgrid adjusts operation in response to a detected line frequency changeably produced by the first set. Related methods and additional apparatus and methods are disclosed. Apparatus and methods are disclosed that use line frequency and/or line voltage. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed that use control history.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Patent number: 10740775Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Donald J. Hammerstrom, Ron Melton, Trishan Esram, John E. Hathaway
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Patent number: 10663932Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for charging and discharging an energy storage device connected to an electrical power distribution system. In one exemplary embodiment, a controller monitors electrical characteristics of an electrical power distribution system and provides an output to a bi-directional charger causing the charger to charge or discharge an energy storage device (e.g., a battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)). The controller can help stabilize the electrical power distribution system by increasing the charging rate when there is excess power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid exceeds an average value), or by discharging power from the energy storage device to stabilize the grid when there is a shortage of power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid is below an average value).Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Richard M. Pratt, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Michael C. W. Kintner-Meyer, Francis K. Tuffner
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Publication number: 20200143489Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide flexible allocation and regulation of scheduled energy transfers between energy storage devices (“batteries”) and a power grid. Piecewise mappings having at least one sloping segment enable gradual variations in scheduled energy transfers as cleared values of a medium of energy exchange deviate from predicted values of the medium of energy exchange. Thereby deviations from a battery's predicted energy transfer schedule can be reduced, and overall smoother operation of a power grid can be achieved. Two sloping linear segments can be separated by a dead band, a portion of the mapping in which the scheduled energy transfer amount is invariant. A dead zone can increase the likelihood of a battery meeting its predicted schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Bishnu P. Bhattarai, Bilal Ahmad Bhatti, Robert G. Pratt, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Steven E. Widergren
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Publication number: 20200076192Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). Among the disclosed embodiments is a distributed hierarchical control architecture (DHCA) that enables smart grid assets to effectively contribute to grid operations in a controllable manner, while helping to ensure system stability and equitably rewarding their contribution. Embodiments of the disclosed architecture can help unify the dispatch of these resources to provide both market-based and balancing services.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Karanjit Kalsi, Jason C. Fuller, Abhishek Somani, Robert G. Pratt, David P. Chassin, Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Patent number: 10498141Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). Among the disclosed embodiments is a distributed hierarchical control architecture (DHCA) that enables smart grid assets to effectively contribute to grid operations in a controllable manner, while helping to ensure system stability and equitably rewarding their contribution. Embodiments of the disclosed architecture can help unify the dispatch of these resources to provide both market-based and balancing services.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Karanjit Kalsi, Jason C. Fuller, Abhishek Somani, Robert G. Pratt, David P. Chassin, Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Publication number: 20180026445Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). Among the disclosed embodiments is a distributed hierarchical control architecture (DHCA) that enables smart grid assets to effectively contribute to grid operations in a controllable manner, while helping to ensure system stability and equitably rewarding their contribution. Embodiments of the disclosed architecture can help unify the dispatch of these resources to provide both market-based and balancing services.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Karanjit Kalsi, Jason C. Fuller, Abhishek Somani, Robert G. Pratt, David P. Chassin, Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Patent number: 9762060Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). Among the disclosed embodiments is a distributed hierarchical control architecture (DHCA) that enables smart grid assets to effectively contribute to grid operations in a controllable manner, while helping to ensure system stability and equitably rewarding their contribution. Embodiments of the disclosed architecture can help unify the dispatch of these resources to provide both market-based and balancing services.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Karan Kalsi, Jason C. Fuller, Abhishek Somani, Robert G. Pratt, David P. Chassin, Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Patent number: 9753440Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for charging and discharging an energy storage device connected to an electrical power distribution system. In one exemplary embodiment, a controller monitors electrical characteristics of an electrical power distribution system and provides an output to a bi-directional charger causing the charger to charge or discharge an energy storage device (e.g., a battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)). The controller can help stabilize the electrical power distribution system by increasing the charging rate when there is excess power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid exceeds an average value), or by discharging power from the energy storage device to stabilize the grid when there is a shortage of power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid is below an average value).Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Richard M. Pratt, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Michael C. W. Kintner-Meyer, Francis K. Tuffner
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Publication number: 20170222437Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for charging and discharging an energy storage device connected to an electrical power distribution system. In one exemplary embodiment, a controller monitors electrical characteristics of an electrical power distribution system and provides an output to a bi-directional charger causing the charger to charge or discharge an energy storage device (e.g., a battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)). The controller can help stabilize the electrical power distribution system by increasing the charging rate when there is excess power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid exceeds an average value), or by discharging power from the energy storage device to stabilize the grid when there is a shortage of power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid is below an average value).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Richard M. Pratt, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Michael C.W. Kintner-Meyer, Francis K. Tuffner
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Publication number: 20160246313Abstract: Thermal energy storage apparatus, controllers and thermal energy storage control methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage apparatus controller includes processing circuitry configured to access first information which is indicative of surpluses and deficiencies of electrical energy upon an electrical power system at a plurality of moments in time, access second information which is indicative of temperature of a thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time, and use the first and second information to control an amount of electrical energy which is utilized by a heating element to heat the thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Patent number: 9331483Abstract: Thermal energy storage apparatus, controllers and thermal energy storage control methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage apparatus controller includes processing circuitry configured to access first information which is indicative of surpluses and deficiencies of electrical energy upon an electrical power system at a plurality of moments in time, access second information which is indicative of temperature of a thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time, and use the first and second information to control an amount of electrical energy which is utilized by a heating element to heat the thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Patent number: 9310792Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling and scheduling power distribution in a power network, such as household power network. One disclosed embodiment is a system comprising a central controller and a control device coupled to a household appliance. The central controller can comprise computing hardware coupled to a wireless transceiver. The central controller can be configured to generate and transmit control signals for controlling the operational state of the household appliance according to the schedule. Furthermore, the control device can be configured to receive the transmitted control signals from the central controller and to control the operational state of the household appliance in response to the control signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Ning Lu, Pengwei Du, Xinxin Guo, Robert G. Pratt, Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Publication number: 20140188689Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). Among the disclosed embodiments is a distributed hierarchical control architecture (DHCA) that enables smart grid assets to effectively contribute to grid operations in a controllable manner, while helping to ensure system stability and equitably rewarding their contribution. Embodiments of the disclosed architecture can help unify the dispatch of these resources to provide both market-based and balancing services.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Karan Kalsi, Jason C. Fuller, Abhishek Somani, Robert G. Pratt, David P. Chassin, Donald J. Hammerstrom
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Publication number: 20140172503Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Donald J. Hammerstrom, Ron Melton, Trishan Esram, John E. Hathaway