Patents by Inventor Rolf Althaus

Rolf Althaus 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: 8769953
    Abstract: A power plant includes a power machine and a flue gas flow path following downstream of the power machine. A flue gas flow path is scavenged with fresh air before the flue gas flow path is acted upon with flue gas. To carry out the scavenging operation, air is extracted from a pressure accumulator and the air is introduced into the flue gas flow path downstream of the power machine. The power machine can be an exhaust gas heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Publication number: 20110203280
    Abstract: A method for operating a power plant is disclosed. The power plant includes a power machine and a flue gas flow path following downstream of the power machine. A flue gas flow path is scavenged with fresh air before the flue gas flow path is acted upon with flue gas. To carry out the scavenging operation, air is extracted from a pressure accumulator and the air is introduced into the flue gas flow path downstream of the power machine. The power machine can be an exhaust gas heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: ROLF ALTHAUS
  • Patent number: 7954330
    Abstract: A method for operating a power plant is disclosed. The power plant comprises a power machine and a flue gas flow path following downstream of the power machine. A flue gas flow path is scavenged with fresh air before the flue gas flow path is acted upon with flue gas. To carry out the scavenging operation, air is extracted from a pressure accumulator and the air is introduced into the flue gas flow path downstream of the power machine. The power machine can be an exhaust gas heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Patent number: 7900455
    Abstract: A recuperative air storage plant comprising a gas turbine set and a heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger, exhaust gas heat from the gas turbine set can be transferred to a pressurized stored fluid which flows from a storage volume to a expansion machine. A flow junction with an exhaust gas damper which can be operated in a plurality of positions is arranged in the exhaust gas path of the gas turbine set, upstream of the heat exchanger. This exhaust gas damper makes it possible to divide the exhaust gas mass flow (m0) of the gas turbine set in a variable fashion between a stack and the heat exchanger. In this way it is possible to operate the gas turbine set quickly at high power in the electric power network independently of the heat exchanger and the expansion machine, while the thermal load of the air storage part is slowly increased by incrementally increasing the exhaust gas proportion (m1) which flows to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Markus Gruenenfelder, Christian Henssler, Patrik Alfons Meier, Hans-Juergen Peters, Urs Zinniker
  • Patent number: 7692327
    Abstract: During operation of a power generating plant, which essentially comprises a gas turbogroup, a compressed air accumulator, an air turbine which is equipped with at least one generator, the compressed air which is extracted from the compressed air accumulator is directed through a heat exchanger, which acts on the outflow side of the gas turbogroup, and is thermally conditioned there. This compressed air then charges the air turbine, wherein during a “black out” or other shutdown of the power generating plant, the electric current energy which can be obtained by means of the thermally conditioned compressed air in the air turbine, via a power line is used directly for start-up of the gas turbogroup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Patent number: 7677046
    Abstract: An air storage plant comprises a storage volume for a pressurized storage fluid, a storage fluid expansion machine and a generator which is arranged with the expansion machine on a common power train. During the start up of the air storage plant, the generator is operated at least temporarily electromotively in order to assist the acceleration of the rotor of the expansion machine. This allows a more rapid acceleration of the expansion machine to the rated rotational speed and, consequently, earlier synchronization and an earlier power output than acceleration caused solely by the storage fluid flowing through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Markus Gruenenfelder, Christian Henssler, Patrik Alfons Meier, Hans-Juergen Peters, Urs Zinniker
  • Patent number: 7661268
    Abstract: During operation of a power plant, which basically comprises a gas turbogroup, a compressed air accumulator, an air turbine which is equipped with at least one generator, the compressed air which is extracted from the compressed air accumulator is directed through a heat exchanger which operates on the downstream side of the gas turbogroup, and is thermally conditioned there. This thermally conditioned compressed air then charges the air turbine for producing a quantity of electricity. Furthermore, the power plant is extended by a steam turbine, which in combined operation is operated with steam which is produced from the exhaust gases of the gas turbogroup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Martin Koller
  • Patent number: 7568335
    Abstract: In a gas turbogroup, which comprises a compressor, a first combustion chamber, a first turbine, a second combustion chamber, and a second turbine, the first combustion chamber is arranged downstream of the compressor, the first turbine is arranged downstream of the first combustion chamber, the second combustion chamber is arranged downstream of the first turbine, and the second turbine is arranged downstream of the second combustion chamber, wherein the second combustion chamber has a convectively cooled wall. A cooling air feed line for the second combustion chamber branches from the main flow path of the gas turbogroup downstream of the compressor and upstream of the first combustion chamber. A return line for heated cooling air leads from the second combustion chamber upstream of the first turbine to the main flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Patent number: 7566992
    Abstract: A power station comprises a power-consuming shaft run on which a motor and a compressor are arranged, as well as a power-emitting shaft run on which a generator and an expansion machine are arranged. The compressor feeds a compressed fluid into a storage volume. The compressed storage fluid is expanded in the expansion machine, producing work. The generator and the motor are connected to the electrical grid system via frequency converters. This makes it possible to operate the electrical machines at a rotation speed which is asynchronous with respect to the grid system. A method and apparatus is disclosed that allows the net power output of the power station to be matched to the demands of the electrical grid system by varying the rotation speed of at least one of the shaft runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Patent number: 7500349
    Abstract: A power plant comprises a gas turbo group with a heat transfer apparatus, for example a recuperator for the preheating of the combustion air, arranged downstream of the turbine in the smoke gas path of the gas turbo group. A smoke gas purification catalyst is arranged downstream of at least part of the heat transfer apparatus, at a point at which the smoke gas is already cooled as a result of heat exchange to an extent such that irreversible damage to the catalyst due to overheating is avoided. On the other hand, the point is selected such that a temperature necessary for maintaining the catalytic smoke gas purification is ensured. In a preferred embodiment, a temperature measurement point is arranged, at which the temperature of the catalyst or of the smoke gas flowing into the catalyst is determined, so that this temperature can be regulated by means of suitable regulating actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Patent number: 7464551
    Abstract: A storage power station (S), for example an air storage plant, that includes a compressor unit (V), a turbine unit (T) and a storage volume (100) can be operated using a specific method of operation, which allows as fast a reaction as possible to changes in the load demands. Rapid changes in the load demands can be satisfied by controlling the power consumption of the compressor unit (V), which results in a variable net power output, with the power output from the turbine unit (T) remaining constant. The power of the compressor unit can be controlled approximately one order of magnitude more quickly than the power generation machine can be controlled. In the extreme, the compressor unit can simply be shut down, thus resulting in its drive power becoming available to an electricity grid within seconds. During this process, the turbine unit can continue to operate normally, and can slowly follow the power demand, thus reducing the load on the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Martin Koller, Karl Wiederhold
  • Publication number: 20080272597
    Abstract: During operation of a power generating plant, which essentially comprises a gas turbogroup, a compressed air accumulator, an air turbine which is equipped with at least one generator, the compressed air which is extracted from the compressed air accumulator is directed through a heat exchanger, which acts on the outflow side of the gas turbogroup, and is thermally conditioned there. This compressed air then charges the air turbine, wherein during a “black out” or other shutdown of the power generating plant, the electric current energy which can be obtained by means of the thermally conditioned compressed air in the air turbine, via a power line is used directly for start-up of the gas turbogroup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Publication number: 20080173005
    Abstract: In a gas turbogroup, which comprises a compressor, a first combustion chamber, a first turbine, a second combustion chamber, and a second turbine, the first combustion chamber is arranged downstream of the compressor, the first turbine is arranged downstream of the first combustion chamber, the second combustion chamber is arranged downstream of the first turbine, and the second turbine is arranged downstream of the second combustion chamber, wherein the second combustion chamber has a convectively cooled wall. A cooling air feed line for the second combustion chamber branches from the main flow path of the gas turbogroup downstream of the compressor and upstream of the first combustion chamber. A return line for heated cooling air leads from the second combustion chamber upstream of the first turbine to the main flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Publication number: 20080148734
    Abstract: During operation of a power plant, which basically comprises a gas turbogroup, a compressed air accumulator, an air turbine which is equipped with at least one generator, the compressed air which is extracted from the compressed air accumulator is directed through a heat exchanger which operates on the downstream side of the gas turbogroup, and is thermally conditioned there. This thermally conditioned compressed air then charges the air turbine for producing a quantity of electricity. Furthermore, the power plant is extended by a steam turbine, which in combined operation is operated with steam which is produced from the exhaust gases of the gas turbogroup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Martin Koller
  • Publication number: 20080022687
    Abstract: An air storage plant comprises a storage volume for a pressurized storage fluid, a storage fluid expansion machine and a generator which is arranged with the expansion machine on a common power train. During the start up of the air storage plant, the generator is operated at least temporarily electromotively in order to assist the acceleration of the rotor of the expansion machine. This allows a more rapid acceleration of the expansion machine to the rated rotational speed and, consequently, earlier synchronization and an earlier power output than acceleration caused solely by the storage fluid flowing through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Markus Gruenenfelder, Christian Henssler, Patrik Meier, Hans-Juergen Peters, Urs Zinniker
  • Publication number: 20080000233
    Abstract: A recuperative air storage plant comprising a gas turbine set and a heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger, exhaust gas heat from the gas turbine set can be transferred to a pressurized stored fluid which flows from a storage volume to a expansion machine. A flow junction with an exhaust gas damper which can be operated in a plurality of positions is arranged in the exhaust gas path of the gas turbine set, upstream of the heat exchanger. This exhaust gas damper makes it possible to divide the exhaust gas mass flow (m0) of the gas turbine set in a variable fashion between a stack and the heat exchanger. In this way it is possible to operate the gas turbine set quickly at high power in the electric power network independently of the heat exchanger and the expansion machine, while the thermal load of the air storage part is slowly increased by incrementally increasing the exhaust gas proportion (m1) which flows to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Markus Gruenenfelder, Christian Henssler, Patrik Meier, Hans-Juergen Peters, Urs Zinniker
  • Publication number: 20070255459
    Abstract: A power station comprises a power-consuming shaft run on which a motor and a compressor are arranged, as well as a power-emitting shaft run on which a generator and an expansion machine are arranged. The compressor feeds a compressed fluid into a storage volume. The compressed storage fluid is expanded in the expansion machine, producing work. The generator and the motor are connected to the electrical grid system via frequency converters. This makes it possible to operate the electrical machines at a rotation speed which is asynchronous with respect to the grid system. A method and apparatus is disclosed that allows the net power output of the power station to be matched to the demands of the electrical grid system by varying the rotation speed of at least one of the shaft runs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Publication number: 20070107415
    Abstract: A method for operating a power plant is disclosed. The power plant comprises a power machine and a flue gas flow path following downstream of the power machine. A flue gas flow path is scavenged with fresh air before the flue gas flow path is acted upon with flue gas. To carry out the scavenging operation, air is extracted from a pressure accumulator and the air is introduced into the flue gas flow path downstream of the power machine. The power machine can be an exhaust gas heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Publication number: 20070051112
    Abstract: In a turbo set (100) with a starting device (120), the turbo set includes a compressor (102), a combustion chamber (103), and a turbine (104) which are arranged along a flow path of the turbo set. The starting device (120) serves for starting the turbo set and includes a steam generator (121) for the generation of steam which is under overpressure and a supply line (125) for supplying the steam into the flow path (101) of the turbo set (100). In a method for starting the turbo set, the method includes generating steam which is under overpressure and supplying the steam into the flow path of the turbo set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Patent number: 7150154
    Abstract: A compressed air energy storage power station comprises a first shafting (1) and a second shafting (2). A gas turbo group (11), an electrical machine (12) and a compressor (13) are arranged on the first shafting (1). Switchable clutch elements (14, 15) are arranged between the electrical machine and the gas turbo group or the compressor. The clutch elements allow a connection to be selectively made between the electrical machine and the gas turbo group (11) or the compressor (13). An expansion machine (21) for the power generating expansion of a pressurized storage fluid, an electrical machine (22) and a compressor (23) are arranged on the second shafting (2). Switchable clutch elements (24, 25) are arranged between the electrical machine and the expansion machine or the compressor and allow the electrical machine to be optionally connected to the expansion machine and to the compressor. The electrical machines are operable both as generators and as electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Martin Koller