Patents by Inventor John F. Defenbaugh
John F. Defenbaugh 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: 11905029Abstract: System and methods for passive power sharing of parallel sources are provided. Aspects include a first DC power supply including a first generator and a rectifier circuit, a second DC power supply including a second generator and a second rectifier, wherein a first output of the first DC power supply and a second output of the second DC power supply are commonly coupled at a common bus point, a first current sensing device coupled between the first output of the first DC power supply and the common bus point, a first generator controller configured to receive a first current signal from the first current sensing device, analyze the first current signal to determine a first voltage droop value based on the first current signal, and operate the first DC power supply to reduce a first voltage output of the first DC power supply by the first voltage droop value.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Michael C. Harke, John F. Defenbaugh, William S. Heglund
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Patent number: 11885850Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method can include measuring a voltage across a DC link of a generator system when a generator exciter is inactive and a generator permanent magnet is active, and detecting a short or open permanent magnet generator (SOPMG) fault condition in the generator system with a DC link monitor operatively connected to measure the voltage across the DC link.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Jordan K. Vanevenhoven, Mykola Kravchenko, John F. Defenbaugh
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Patent number: 11671038Abstract: A method and controller for controlling a Wound Field Synchronous Machine (WFSM) of an electric power generation system (EPGS) having a field winding and a stator armature winding is provided. The controller includes an adjustable component coupled to the generator and a power factor controller for adjusting the adjustable component to lower the power factor of the WFSM as a function of power output to a load of the EPGS to stabilize a current in the field winding.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Michael C. Harke, John F. Defenbaugh
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Publication number: 20230144976Abstract: A high voltage DC (HVDC) system can include a generator configured to output alternating current (AC), a rectifier connected to the generator via AC phase lines, the rectifier configured to convert the AC to DC to output the DC to DC feeder lines, and a crowbar system. The crowbar system can include a switch module operatively connected to the AC phase lines to prevent AC from flowing to the rectifier in a cutoff state. The crowbar system can be configured to determine whether at least one cutoff condition exists. The at least one cutoff condition can be or include one or more of a DC overcurrent downstream of the rectifier, a DC overvoltage downstream of the rectifier, an AC overcurrent from the generator, or an arc fault. The crowbar system can be configured to control the switch module to the cutoff state if the at least one cutoff condition exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Tom A. Utecht, John F. Defenbaugh, Robert L. Seagren
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Publication number: 20230142245Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method can include measuring a voltage across a DC link of a generator system when a generator exciter is inactive and a generator permanent magnet is active, and detecting a short or open permanent magnet generator (SOPMG) fault condition in the generator system with a DC link monitor operatively connected to measure the voltage across the DC link.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Jordan K. Vanevenhoven, Mykola Kravchenko, John F. Defenbaugh
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Patent number: 11641101Abstract: A method includes detecting an initial fault in a system and opening a contactor to isolate a load bus from the system for a window of time. During the window of time, the method includes detecting whether current flows from a generator of the system. If current flows from the generator of the system during the window of time, the method includes isolating the load bus from the generator. If current does not flow from the generator to the system during the window of time, the method includes isolating the load bus from all sources including the generator.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Joshua Berg, Jef William Good, John F. Defenbaugh
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Publication number: 20220371744Abstract: System and methods for passive power sharing of parallel sources are provided. Aspects include a first DC power supply including a first generator and a rectifier circuit, a second DC power supply including a second generator and a second rectifier, wherein a first output of the first DC power supply and a second output of the second DC power supply are commonly coupled at a common bus point, a first current sensing device coupled between the first output of the first DC power supply and the common bus point, a first generator controller configured to receive a first current signal from the first current sensing device, analyze the first current signal to determine a first voltage droop value based on the first current signal, and operate the first DC power supply to reduce a first voltage output of the first DC power supply by the first voltage droop value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Michael C. Harke, John F. Defenbaugh, William S. Heglund
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Patent number: 11482955Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Brian R. Golden, Adrian E. Vandergrift, John F. Defenbaugh
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Patent number: 11300600Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system is provided. The system includes feeders, sensors, and a controller. The feeders connect a panel to a generator and a load. The sensors are on the feeders. The controller receives sensor signals from the sensors. The controller evaluates the sensor signals to determine a fault location.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: John F. Defenbaugh, Jef William Good, Joshua Berg
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Publication number: 20210320491Abstract: A method includes detecting an initial fault in a system and opening a contactor to isolate a load bus from the system for a window of time. During the window of time, the method includes detecting whether current flows from a generator of the system. If current flows from the generator of the system during the window of time, the method includes isolating the load bus from the generator. If current does not flow from the generator to the system during the window of time, the method includes isolating the load bus from all sources including the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Joshua Berg, Jef William Good, John F. Defenbaugh
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Publication number: 20210293871Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system is provided. The system includes feeders, sensors, and a controller. The feeders connect a panel to a generator and a load. The sensors are on the feeders. The controller receives sensor signals from the sensors. The controller evaluates the sensor signals to determine a fault location.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: John F. Defenbaugh, Jef William Good, Joshua Berg
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Publication number: 20210044231Abstract: A method and controller for controlling a Wound Field Synchronous Machine (WFSM) of an electric power generation system (EPGS) having a field winding and a stator armature winding is provided. The controller includes an adjustable component coupled to the generator and a power factor controller for adjusting the adjustable component to lower the power factor of the WFSM as a function of power output to a load of the EPGS to stabilize a current in the field winding.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2019Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Michael C. Harke, John F. Defenbaugh
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Publication number: 20200007057Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Brian R. Golden, Adrian E. Vandergrift, John F. Defenbaugh
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Patent number: 10469011Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Brian R. Golden, Adrian E. Vandergrift, John F. Defenbaugh
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Patent number: 10326394Abstract: An aircraft main power generation system includes a rotor shaft, a main power generator a permanent magnet, an exciter, an aircraft power bus, and a generator control unit. The generator control unit is configured to provide a control current to the exciter in response to a speed of the main power generator reaching a threshold speed and electrically couple the main power generator to the aircraft power bus in response to the speed of the main power generator reaching a minimum operating speed, the threshold speed being lower than the minimum operating speed; or provide a control current to the exciter in response to the speed of the main power generator reaching a predetermined speed and electrically coupling the main power generator to the aircraft power bus in response to a time period elapsing after the speed of the main power generator has reached the predetermined speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Diego A. Rocha, Dhaval Patel, Jonathan C. Dell, John F. Defenbaugh, Eric A. Brust, Andreas C. Koenig
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Publication number: 20190123669Abstract: An aircraft main power generation system includes a rotor shaft, a main power generator a permanent magnet, an exciter, an aircraft power bus, and a generator control unit. The generator control unit is configured to provide a control current to the exciter in response to a speed of the main power generator reaching a threshold speed and electrically couple the main power generator to the aircraft power bus in response to the speed of the main power generator reaching a minimum operating speed, the threshold speed being lower than the minimum operating speed; or provide a control current to the exciter in response to the speed of the main power generator reaching a predetermined speed and electrically coupling the main power generator to the aircraft power bus in response to a time period elapsing after the speed of the main power generator has reached the predetermined speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Diego A. Rocha, Dhaval Patel, Jonathan C. Dell, John F. Defenbaugh, Eric A. Brust, Andreas C. Koenig
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Publication number: 20190052204Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Brian R. Golden, Adrian E. Vandergrift, John F. Defenbaugh
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Publication number: 20150137786Abstract: A method of limiting a generator voltage in an overvoltage condition includes the steps of determining an amount of overvoltage of a generator output voltage exceeding a specified voltage and calculating a reference threshold voltage based upon the duration of overvoltage. A switch is modulated according to a voltage error between the output voltage and the reference threshold voltage. The current flow within the generator is interrupted based upon the voltage error to limit the output voltage to a desired voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Vijay K. Maddali, John F. Defenbaugh
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Patent number: 8970183Abstract: A generator includes a permanent magnet generator, an exciter and a main generator mounted for rotation on a shaft. The main generator is configured to produce a voltage output. A generator control unit includes a circuit configured to provide current from the permanent magnet generator to the exciter. A switch is provided in the circuit and is configured to change between open and closed conditions. The switch is configured to flow current in the circuit in the closed condition and interrupt current flow in the open condition. An overvoltage limit controller is programmed to determine an amount of overvoltage of the output voltage exceeding a desired voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Vijay K. Maddali, John F. Defenbaugh
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Patent number: 8941955Abstract: An example method of detecting a generator overvoltage condition includes predicting a primary control current to provide a predicted control current, monitoring the primary control current, and detecting a generator overvoltage condition based on a comparison of the predicted control current to the primary control current. The method interrupts the primary control current based on the comparing.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Carl A. Wagner, John F. Defenbaugh, Vijay K. Maddali, Richard L. Young