Patents by Inventor Michael Weinhold

Michael Weinhold 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: 10385732
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to power plants. The teachings thereof may be embodied in power plants which extract and store carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in the power plant, and in methods for operating a power plant of this kind. For example, a method for operating a power plant may include: generating electrical energy from a combustion process, extracting carbon dioxide from a flue gas generated during the combustion process; storing the extracted carbon dioxide; acquiring current electricity price data; comparing the current electricity price data with an electricity price threshold; and if the electricity price falls below the electricity price threshold, operating an electrolysis device to convert stored carbon dioxide into other substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Maximilian Fleischer, Michael Weinhold
  • Patent number: 10320308
    Abstract: A commutating circuit for an electronic power converter has a first switching device, by which the electronic power converter can be electrically bridged, and a circuit part for limiting the size of the time-related voltage change of a voltage present on the first switching device. The circuit part limits the time-related voltage variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joerg Dorn, Dominik Ergin, Peter Menke, Bernd Utz, Michael Weinhold
  • Patent number: 10128657
    Abstract: A system transmits electrical power between a first and a second alternating voltage network. A self-commutated converter can be connected to the second alternating voltage network, the converter being connected to an unregulated rectifier via a direct voltage connection. The unregulated rectifier can be connected to the first alternating voltage network on an alternating voltage side. The system has a network generation device, which can be connected to the first alternating voltage network and is provided for generating an alternating voltage in the first alternating voltage network. The network generation device is configured to exchange reactive power and active power with the first alternating voltage network. Furthermore, a method is provided which stabilizes a network frequency of the first alternating voltage network, in which the network frequency in the first alternating voltage network is regulated by changing a voltage at the direct voltage terminal of the self-commutated converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Huang, Peter Menke, Karlheinz Springer, Michael Weinhold
  • Patent number: 9960603
    Abstract: An installation for transmitting electrical power between a first and a second alternating voltage network. A self-commutated converter can be connected to the second alternating voltage network, and is connected to a unidirectional rectifier by way of a direct voltage connection. The unidirectional rectifier can be connected to the first alternating voltage network on the alternating voltage side, and to a wind farm via said first alternating voltage network. The farm has at least one wind turbine feeding electrical power into the first alternating voltage network when wind speeds are greater than a switch-on wind speed. An energy-generating device can be connected to the first alternating voltage network and/or to the at least one wind turbine for providing electrical energy. The energy-generating device converts a renewable primary energy from its surroundings when wind speeds are lower than the switch-on wind speed for the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joerg Dorn, Hans-Joachim Knaak, Peter Menke, Bernd Utz, Michael Weinhold
  • Publication number: 20170328239
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to power plants. The teachings thereof may be embodied in power plants which extract and store carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in the power plant, and in methods for operating a power plant of this kind. For example, a method for operating a power plant may include: generating electrical energy from a combustion process, extracting carbon dioxide from a flue gas generated during the combustion process; storing the extracted carbon dioxide; acquiring current electricity price data; comparing the current electricity price data with an electricity price threshold; and if the electricity price falls below the electricity price threshold, operating an electrolysis device to convert stored carbon dioxide into other substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maximilian Fleischer, Michael Weinhold
  • Publication number: 20170126144
    Abstract: A commutating circuit for an electronic power converter has a first switching device, by which the electronic power converter can be electrically bridged, and a circuit part for limiting the size of the time-related voltage change of a voltage present on the first switching device. The circuit part limits the time-related voltage variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: JOERG DORN, DOMINIK ERGIN, PETER MENKE, BERND UTZ, MICHAEL WEINHOLD
  • Publication number: 20170005478
    Abstract: An installation for transmitting electrical power between a first and a second alternating voltage network. A self-commutated converter can be connected to the second alternating voltage network, and is connected to a unidirectional rectifier by way of a direct voltage connection. The unidirectional rectifier can be connected to the first alternating voltage network on the alternating voltage side, and to a wind farm via said first alternating voltage network. The farm has at least one wind turbine feeding electrical power into the first alternating voltage network when wind speeds are greater than a switch-on wind speed. An energy-generating device can be connected to the first alternating voltage network and/or to the at least one wind turbine for providing electrical energy. The energy-generating device converts a renewable primary energy from its surroundings when wind speeds are lower than the switch-on wind speed for the wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: JOERG DORN, HANS-JOACHIM KNAAK, PETER MENKE, BERND UTZ, MICHAEL WEINHOLD
  • Publication number: 20160254668
    Abstract: A system transmits electrical power between a first and a second alternating voltage network. A self-commutated converter can be connected to the second alternating voltage network, the converter being connected to an unregulated rectifier via a direct voltage connection. The unregulated rectifier can be connected to the first alternating voltage network on an alternating voltage side. The system has a network generation device, which can be connected to the first alternating voltage network and is provided for generating an alternating voltage in the first alternating voltage network. The network generation device is configured to exchange reactive power and active power with the first alternating voltage network. Furthermore, a method is provided which stabilizes a network frequency of the first alternating voltage network, in which the network frequency in the first alternating voltage network is regulated by changing a voltage at the direct voltage terminal of the self-commutated converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: HARTMUT HUANG, PETER MENKE, KARLHEINZ SPRINGER, MICHAEL WEINHOLD
  • Patent number: 7531910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind energy unit, connected to an electrical 3-phase AC network, comprising a generator with a rotor, provided with a regulator device, whereby the regulator device comprises a first and a second regulation unit. A network voltage analyzer is connected to the regulator device and the electrical 3-phase AC network, by means of which a network fault can be recognized, said network fault being defined as a deviation of the network voltage sinor representation from a given set interval, whereby the second regulation unit takes over control from the first regulation unit in the case of a recognized fault and the first regulation performs the control for a non-faulty 3-phase AC network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jörg Flottemesch, Hermann Holfeld, Stephan Schaller, Michael Weinhold
  • Publication number: 20080157533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind energy unit, connected to an electrical 3-phase AC network, comprising a generator with a rotor, provided with a regulator device, whereby the regulator device comprises a first and a second regulation unit. A network voltage analyzer is connected to the regulator device and the electrical 3-phase AC network, by means of which a network fault can be recognized, said network fault being defined as a deviation of the network voltage sinor representation from a given set interval, whereby the second regulation unit takes over control from the first regulation unit in the case of a recognized fault and the first regulation performs the control for a non-faulty 3-phase AC network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jorg Flottemesch, Hermann Holfeld, Stephan Schaller, Michael Weinhold
  • Publication number: 20080084643
    Abstract: A method for controlling a static converter connected to a direct-current source. The converter has power conductor switches that can be deactivated and is configured to supply a distribution network with three-phase voltage. The currents flowing through the respective power semiconductor switches are measured, current values respectively assigned to the power semiconductor switches are obtained, the current values are sampled and digitized to obtain digital current values. The latter are checked by a logic in a control unit for the presence of an excess current condition. If no excess current condition is detected, the power semiconductor switches are activated and deactivated with the aid of a nominal operation controller and if an excess current condition is detected, at least the power semiconductor switches with assigned digital current values that fulfill the excess current condition are deactivated after a pulse block has expired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Jorg Flottemesch, Michael Weinhold, Rainer Zurowski
  • Patent number: 6348778
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improving the voltage quality of a secondary power supply unit uses a compensation device with a pulse-controlled power converter which is connected serially to a transmission line through the use of a coupling transformer. Positive and negative phase-sequence system deviations are determined and a basic transmission ratio space-vector is generated from them. Control signals for a pulse-controlled power converter are generated from the basic transmission ratio space-vector through the use of the link voltage of the pulse-controlled power converter. As a result, a compensator voltage is connected serially into the transmission line. A power system voltage of an ideal power supply system is thus generated for a secondary power supply unit from a distorted power system voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Weinhold, Rainer Zurowski, Leon Voss
  • Patent number: 6025701
    Abstract: A mains voltage at a network node is statically and dynamically supported with a static power factor correction device which has a transformer and a self-commutated converter with at least one capacitive energy store. Instantaneous reference setpoint values for an underlying, secondary instantaneous control method are continuously determined as a function of determined voltage magnitude deviation of the mains voltage at the network node. The secondary instantaneous control method determines a phase angle as a function of determined instantaneous actual values. The phase angle defines the angle of the converter voltage space vector of the self-commutated converter as a function of the angle of the mains voltage space vector. This results in dynamic regulation of the reactive powers required for mains voltage regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Weinhold
  • Patent number: 6014017
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for power factor correction for a non-ideal load, which is supplied from a mains power supply, by a compensation device which is electrically connected in parallel with the load and has a pulse converter with at least one capacitive store. A transfer function space vector is calculated as a function of a determined mains power supply voltage space vector, a mains power supply current space vector, a compensator current space vector and of an intermediate circuit voltage which is present on the capacitive store. As a result of which the pulse converter generates a compensator voltage space vector on the mains power supply side as a function of the intermediate circuit voltage. A compensator current space vector, that keeps the undesirable reactive current elements away from the mains power supply, is thus obtained via a coupling filter that is represented as a compensator inductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Weinhold, Rainer Zurowski, Martin Sonnenschein