Patents by Inventor Robert Allen Seymour
Robert Allen Seymour 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: 9745957Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a method for initializing a startup sequence of a wind turbine. The method includes a step of defining a plurality of operating conditions of the wind turbine. As such, upon satisfaction of the plurality of operating conditions, a run-ready signal may be generated, wherein the run-ready signal indicates a readiness of a power converter of the wind turbine to generate power. The method may also include defining a subset of the plurality of operating conditions, wherein the subset of operating conditions are independent of speed conditions of the wind turbine. Another step of the method includes generating a spin-ready signal for the wind turbine upon satisfaction of the subset of operating conditions. The method may also include controlling a rotor of the wind turbine based at least in part on the spin-ready signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Allen Seymour, Anthony Michael Klodowski, David Smith, Igor Berroteran Gil, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Patent number: 9562950Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an automated apparatus and method for testing a crowbar circuit of power converter. The crowbar circuit includes an anti-parallel diode and a voltage-controlled switching element, e.g. a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR). The method includes implementing a first test sequence for testing operability of the diode and a second test sequence for testing operability of the voltage-controlled switching element. More specifically, the first test sequence determines a first current-voltage feedback that is indicative of the operability of the diode and the second test sequence determines a second current-voltage feedback that is indicative of the operability of the voltage-controlled switching element.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Igor Berroteran Gil, Anthony Michael Klodowski, David Smith, Robert Allen Seymour, Benjamin Arthur Niemoeller
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Patent number: 9520808Abstract: A method and system for a control circuit are provided. The circuit includes an integrating counter coupled to a process wherein the integrating counter is configured to integrate over time a process parameter signal received from the process and to generate a trigger signal when the integrated signal equals a predetermined count. The control circuit also includes a transition controller electrically coupled to a respective control element and configured to receive the trigger signal generated by the integrating counter.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Allen Seymour, Rajib Datta, John Douglas D'Atre
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Patent number: 9194376Abstract: A system and method for estimating a remaining life period for a device. The system includes a sensor coupled to the device, wherein the sensor is configured to facilitate measuring an operating parameter of the device and generate a measurement signal that is representative of the operating parameter. The system includes a database comprising an upper limit value, a lower limit value and a reference parameter. A processor of system includes circuitry coupled to the sensor and coupled to the database The processor is configured to correlate measurements of the operating parameter with the reference parameter to facilitate estimating a remaining life period of the device.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour
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Publication number: 20150309123Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an automated apparatus and method for testing a crowbar circuit of power converter. The crowbar circuit includes an anti-parallel diode and a voltage-controlled switching element, e.g. a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR). The method includes implementing a first test sequence for testing operability of the diode and a second test sequence for testing operability of the voltage-controlled switching element. More specifically, the first test sequence determines a first current-voltage feedback that is indicative of the operability of the diode and the second test sequence determines a second current-voltage feedback that is indicative of the operability of the voltage-controlled switching element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Igor Berroteran Gil, Anthony Michael Klodowski, David Smith, Robert Allen Seymour, Benjamin Arthur Niemoeller
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Patent number: 9157415Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical component, e.g. a power bridge, of a wind turbine using contingency communications. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, by the electrical component, a standard set of commands for a first time frame. A next step includes receiving, by the electrical component, one or more contingency sets of commands for time frames beyond the first time frame. The method also includes determining if the standard set of commands is received within a start window of the first time frame. A further step includes implementing, by the electrical component, the standard set of commands during the first time frame if the standard set of commands is received within the start window. The method also includes implementing, by the electrical component, one of the contingency sets of commands received during a previous time frame if the standard set of commands is not received within the start window.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Allen Seymour, James Michael Nowak, David Smith, Terry Michael Tackman, Allen Michael Ritter
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Publication number: 20150267684Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical component, e.g. a power bridge, of a wind turbine using contingency communications. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, by the electrical component, a standard set of commands for a first time frame. A next step includes receiving, by the electrical component, one or more contingency sets of commands for time frames beyond the first time frame. The method also includes determining if the standard set of commands is received within a start window of the first time frame. A further step includes implementing, by the electrical component, the standard set of commands during the first time frame if the standard set of commands is received within the start window. The method also includes implementing, by the electrical component, one of the contingency sets of commands received during a previous time frame if the standard set of commands is not received within the start window.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Allen Seymour, James Michael Nowak, David Smith, Terry Michael Tackman, Allen Michael Ritter
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Publication number: 20150252784Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a method for initializing a startup sequence of a wind turbine. The method includes a step of defining a plurality of operating conditions of the wind turbine. As such, upon satisfaction of the plurality of operating conditions, a run-ready signal may be generated, wherein the run-ready signal indicates a readiness of a power converter of the wind turbine to generate power. The method may also include defining a subset of the plurality of operating conditions, wherein the subset of operating conditions are independent of speed conditions of the wind turbine. Another step of the method includes generating a spin-ready signal for the wind turbine upon satisfaction of the subset of operating conditions. The method may also include controlling a rotor of the wind turbine based at least in part on the spin-ready signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Allen Seymour, Anthony Michael Klodowski, David Smith, Igor Berroteran Gil, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Patent number: 9083261Abstract: A control system includes a fundamental control unit, first and second compensation control units, a switch control unit, and a switch implementation unit. The fundamental control unit generates fundamental commands to implement fundamental power conversion operation for a converter. The first compensation control unit generates a first compensation signal for injection into the fundamental command to balance neutral point voltage when the converter is in operation in a first state. The second compensation control unit generates a second compensation signal for injection into the fundamental command to balance neutral point voltage when the converter is in operation in a second state. The switch control unit detects first and second states of the converter and provides first and second switch signals respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Wenqiang Yang, Ling Luo, Yunfeng Liu, Anthony Michael Klodowski, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour
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Patent number: 9071084Abstract: A control system includes first and second fundamental control units for generating first and second fundamental commands, and a compensation control unit. The compensation control unit includes first and second calculation elements and a comparator for comparing first and second modulation indexes. When the first modulation index is less than the second modulation index, the first calculation element generates a first source-side compensation command. When the first source-side compensation command is not sufficient to balance the neutral point voltage, the first calculation element further generates a first line-side compensating command. When the first modulation index is greater than the second modulation index, the second calculation element generates a second line-side compensation command. When the second line-side compensation command is not sufficient to balance the neutral point voltage, the second calculation element further generates a second source-side compensating command.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Wenqiang Yang, Anthony Michael Klodowski, Robert Allen Seymour
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Patent number: 9030174Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits used in a power converter of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system are provided. A control system can monitor the bridge current of each of the bridge circuits coupled in parallel and generate a feedback signal indicative of the difference in bridge current between the parallel bridge circuits. Command signals for controlling the bridge circuits can then be developed based on the feedback signal to reduce current imbalance between the bridge circuits. For instance, the pulse width modulation of switching devices (e.g. IGBTs) used in the bridge circuits can be modified to reduce current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour
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Patent number: 9002265Abstract: In one aspect, a method of galvanic isolation for a gate-controlled device is described. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving, by a gate-controlled device, wireless receive signals, wherein said wireless receive signals are received by a wireless receiver associated with the gate-controlled device.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour
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Publication number: 20140268960Abstract: A method and system for a control circuit are provided. The circuit includes an integrating counter coupled to a process wherein the integrating counter is configured to integrate over time a process parameter signal received from the process and to generate a trigger signal when the integrated signal equals a predetermined count. The control circuit also includes a transition controller electrically coupled to a respective control element and configured to receive the trigger signal generated by the integrating counter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Allen Seymour, Rajib Datta, John Douglas D'Atre
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Publication number: 20140203559Abstract: A connection for parallel bridge circuits in a power converter is provided. In particular, a power converter can be used to provide a desired power to a load, such as a generator, motor, electrical grid, or other suitable load. The power converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel. A bridge output of each of the parallel bridge circuits can be coupled together at the load instead of at the power converter. In particular, the parallel bridge circuits can be coupled together at a location that is physically proximate the physical location of the load, such as at a plurality of terminals associated with the load. By doing so, stray inductance associated with conductors used to couple the bridge outputs of the parallel bridge circuits to the load can be effectively coupled between the parallel bridge circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour, Duro Basic
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Patent number: 8736207Abstract: A method and system for a commutation control circuit are provided. The system includes an integrating voltage counter electrically coupled to an electrical power bus, wherein the integrating voltage counter is configured to integrate over time a voltage signal received from the power bus and to generate a trigger signal when the integrated voltage signal equals a predetermined count. The system also includes a plurality of transistor pairs configured to receive a trigger signal generated by the integrating voltage counter and electrically coupled to respective windings of a motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Allen Seymour, Rajib Datta, John Douglas D'Atre
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Publication number: 20140078800Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits used in a power converter of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system are provided. A control system can monitor the bridge current of each of the bridge circuits coupled in parallel and generate a feedback signal indicative of the difference in bridge current between the parallel bridge circuits. Command signals for controlling the bridge circuits can then be developed based on the feedback signal to reduce current imbalance between the bridge circuits. For instance, the pulse width modulation of switching devices (e.g. IGBTs) used in the bridge circuits can be modified to reduce current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour
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Publication number: 20140030984Abstract: In one aspect, a method of galvanic isolation for a gate-controlled device is described. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving, by a gate-controlled device, wireless receive signals, wherein said wireless receive signals are received by a wireless receiver associated with the gate-controlled device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour
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Patent number: 8319374Abstract: A method of controlling electrical power systems coupled to an electrical connection point includes obtaining carrier signals and fundamental waveforms from electrical power systems coupled to at least two renewable energy sources, generating pulse width modulation (PWM) signals using the carrier signals and the fundamental waveforms while interleaving carrier signals, fundamental waveforms, or a combination of carrier signals and fundamental waveforms of the electrical power systems, and driving grid side converters of the electrical power systems with the PWM signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Changyong Wang, Zhuohui Tan, Robert William Delmerico, Allen Michael Ritter, Ralph Teichmann, Richard S. Zhang, Robert Allen Seymour, Xiaoming Yuan
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Publication number: 20120169259Abstract: A method and system for a commutation control circuit are provided. The system includes an integrating voltage counter electrically coupled to an electrical power bus, wherein the integrating voltage counter is configured to integrate over time a voltage signal received from the power bus and to generate a trigger signal when the integrated voltage signal equals a predetermined count. The system also includes a plurality of transistor pairs configured to receive a trigger signal generated by the integrating voltage counter and electrically coupled to respective windings of a motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Allen Seymour, Rajib Datta, John Douglas D'Atre
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Publication number: 20120029839Abstract: A system and method for estimating a remaining life period for a device. The system includes a sensor coupled to the device, wherein the sensor is configured to facilitate measuring an operating parameter of the device and generate a measurement signal that is representative of the operating parameter. The system includes a database comprising an upper limit value, a lower limit value and a reference parameter. A processor of system includes circuitry coupled to the sensor and coupled to the database The processor is configured to correlate measurements of the operating parameter with the reference parameter to facilitate estimating a remaining life period of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour