Patents by Inventor Stefan Schroeder

Stefan Schroeder 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: 9601918
    Abstract: An electromagnetic braking system includes an electrically conductive disc coupled to a rotatable shaft of a power generation system for operating in an island mode. The rotatable shaft is operatively coupled between a prime mover and a generator for supplying power to an island grid. The electromagnetic braking system further includes a controller for receiving at least one status or synchronization signal and for generating a control signal based on the at least one signal and an inducting unit for applying an electromagnetic braking force on the electrically conductive disc when commanded by the control signal to regulate a rotational speed of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ara Panosyan, Stefan Schroeder, Christoph Boeld, Herbert Schaumberger, Johann Hirzinger-Unterrainer, Xiaoting Dong, Uwe Liebscher
  • Patent number: 9570252
    Abstract: A system for operating an on-load tap changer (OLTC) includes a plurality of legs that include mechanical switches. At least one leg switches from a first to a second tap of the OLTC on receipt of a tap change signal. At least one mechanical switch is activated to establish an electrical connection between one of the first and the second tap and a power terminal of the OLTC. Further, the system includes semiconductor switches that are parallel to the mechanical switches and when activated electrically couple one of the first and the second tap and the power terminal. The system includes a processing unit that selectively activates and deactivates the mechanical and semiconductor switches in such a way that electrical contact is maintained between at least one of the taps and the power terminal during the transition of at least one leg from the first tap to the second tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Piniwan Thiwanka Bandara Wijekoon, Eva-Maria Baerthlein, Simon Herbert Schramm, Stefan Schroeder, Ara Panosyan, Rohit Kumar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20170034719
    Abstract: A method for protecting a mobile communication network from performance impacts includes determining whether to apply a forwarding functionality or an alternative treatment functionality for downlink data packets directed to the specific IP-address or to the specific range of IP-addresses of the user equipment, wherein the application of the forwarding functionality versus the alternative treatment functionality of the filter element is based on load conditions of the mobile communication network at a reception time of the downlink data packets at the core network; and providing the forwarding functionality or the alternative treatment functionality for the downlink data packets directed to the specific IP-address or to the specific range of IP-addresses of the user equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Stefan Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9557754
    Abstract: A method of switching taps of an on-load tap changer includes providing a main finger, a first side finger including a first solid state switch and a second side finger including a second solid state switch. The main finger, the first side finger and the second side finger are utilized to provide a connection between the taps and a power terminal of the on-load tap changer. The method also includes triggering the on-load tap changer to shift the fingers from a first tap to a second tap of the on-load tap changer when a tap change signal is received and utilizing the first solid state switch and the second solid state switch to commutate a current during the tap change operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ara Panosyan, Eva-Maria Baerthlein, Simon Herbert Schramm, Stefan Schroeder, Rohit Kumar Gupta, Pinwan Thiwanka Bandara Wijekoon, Malcolm Graham Smith, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170025964
    Abstract: A converter assembly and method are provided. The converter assembly includes a galvanic isolation device, first switching devices, and second switching devices. The switching devices are conductively coupled with each other and with opposite sides of the isolation device. The first switching devices control conduction of an input voltage, and the second switching devices control conduction of electric power. The first switching devices are configured to switch between an open state and a closed state at frequencies that are faster than frequencies at which the second switching devices switch between the open state and the closed state to control a shape of a waveform of the electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Farouk Said El-Barbari, Simon Herbert Schramm, Stefan Schroeder, Alvaro Jorge Mari Curbelo
  • Patent number: 9537416
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for a power converter includes a first switching device proximate an AC source. The circuit also includes a voltage measurement device proximate a DC link and extends between the AC source and the DC link. The circuit further includes a DC voltage source and a first capacitive device. The first capacitive device is positioned between the first switching device and the voltage measurement device. The circuit further includes a second switching device positioned between the first capacitive device and the voltage measurement device. The circuit also includes a controller operatively coupled to the DC voltage source, the voltage measurement device, and the switching devices. The controller is configured to open the second switching device when a measured voltage signal generated by the voltage measurement device is substantially representative of a reference voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Yuan, Qingyun Chen, Stefan Schroeder, Jie Shen
  • Patent number: 9537301
    Abstract: A system including an electromagnetic braking system that has an eddy current brake. The eddy current brake includes an electrically conductive surface coupled to a shaft of a generator system, wherein the eddy current brake is configured to induce an electromagnetic force on the electrically conductive surface when powered. The electromagnetic braking system further includes a supercapacitor coupled to the eddy current brake, wherein the supercapacitor is configured to discharge to power the eddy current brake for the duration of a ride through event of the generator system, and the supercapacitor is configured to supply a threshold current to the eddy current brake within approximately 100 ms of a start of the ride through event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefan Schroeder, Mikhail Avramovich Avanesov, Ara Panosyan, Christoph Boeld, Herbert Schaumberger, Uwe Liebscher
  • Publication number: 20160380572
    Abstract: An electromagnetic shielding structure includes a first shielding material disposed at a first location with respect to at least one radiation source and a second shielding material attached with the first shielding material by fastening means. The second shielding material is disposed at a second location with respect to the at least one electromagnetic radiation source so as to define a predetermined gap between the first shielding material and the second shielding material. The first shielding material shields at least part of first frequency electromagnetic radiations generated from the at least one electromagnetic radiation source and penetrating through the second shielding material and the predetermined gap. The second shielding material shields at least part of second frequency electromagnetic radiations generated from the at least one electromagnetic radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Jie Shen, Jun Wang, Stefan Schroeder, Fan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160359365
    Abstract: A method and system for a control power supply system is provided. The control power supply system includes a first conductor configured to carry a direct current (DC) electrical current from a source to a load, a second conductor configured to carry the DC electrical current from the load to the source, and an AC power source coupled to at least one of the first and the second conductors, the AC power source configured to superimpose a selectable relatively high frequency AC component onto the DC electrical current to generate a composite power signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Schroeder, Christof Martin Sihler, Sebastian Pedro Rosado
  • Patent number: 9450412
    Abstract: A method and system for a control power supply system is provided. The control power supply system includes a first conductor configured to carry a direct current (DC) electrical current from a source to a load, a second conductor configured to carry the DC electrical current from the load to the source, a electrical device electrically coupled in series with at least one of the first and second conductor. The electrical device is configured to fail in a shorted condition such that failure of the electrical device maintains a direct current (DC) ring bus including the first and second conductor. The control power supply system also includes a control power circuit electrically coupled in parallel with at least a portion of the electrical device such that a DC voltage across at least a portion of the electrical device provides a DC voltage supply to the control power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefan Schroeder, Christof Martin Sihler, Sebastian Pedro Rosado
  • Patent number: 9439316
    Abstract: A submersible power distribution system is provided. The system includes at least one receptacle configured to be exposed to an underwater environment and a plurality of power conversion modules positioned within the at least one receptacle. Each of the plurality of power conversion modules includes a first enclosure configured to be exposed to the underwater environment, the first enclosure defining a first interior cavity configured to have a first pressure. Power conversion modules also include at least one second enclosure positioned within the first interior cavity. The at least one second enclosure defines a second interior cavity configured to have a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure. The at least one second enclosure is configured to restrict exposure of non-pressure-tolerant power electronics in the second interior cavity to the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Piniwan Thiwanka Bandara Wijekoon, Christof Martin Sihler, Stefan Schroeder, Mark Aaron Chan
  • Publication number: 20160252941
    Abstract: A method of operating a multilevel power converter includes using, through a processing device, a model of an electrical circuit that includes a plurality of switching devices, a plurality of flying capacitors, and an AC terminal. The method also includes regulating a voltage level of the AC terminal through selecting, at least partially based on the model, a possible charging state of the electrical circuit. Each possible switching state has a voltage level that at least partially corresponds to a commanded voltage level for the AC terminal. The method further includes selecting, at least partially based on the model of the electrical circuit and at least partially based on the selected possible switching state, a charging state from a plurality of possible charging states. The method also includes setting the switching state of the electrical circuit at least partially based on the selected charging state of the electrical circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Zhihui Yuan, Stefan Schroeder, Qingyun Chen, Jie Shen, Nora Cheng-Huei Han
  • Patent number: 9419536
    Abstract: A DC power transmission system is configured to generate an electric field including components substantially constant with respect to time and varying with time. The DC power transmission system includes an AC stage configured to receive AC electrical power. The AC stage includes a transformer including primary windings and secondary windings configured to be electromagnetically coupled to, and electrically isolated from, each other. The AC stage also includes an AC/AC converter having substantially no insulating features against the at least one substantially constant component of the electric field. The AC/AC converter is electrically coupled to the primary windings. The DC power transmission system also includes an AC/DC conversion stage positioned downstream of the AC stage. The AC/DC conversion stage includes an AC/DC rectifier configured to convert AC electrical power to DC electrical power without external control. The AC/DC rectifier is coupled to the secondary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Piniwan Thiwanka Bandara Wijekoon, Christof Martin Sihler, Stefan Schroeder, Jie Shen, Pierluigi Tenca
  • Patent number: 9407187
    Abstract: A braking system includes a converter, a capacitor coupled to an output of the converter, a bridge coupled in parallel to the capacitor, and at least one inductor coupled to the bridge, an electrically conductive disc disposed proximate to the at least one inductor, and a switching unit controller for commanding the converter to convert a level of voltage supplied therefrom from a first voltage level to a second voltage level and thereby increase energy stored in the capacitor, and, upon receiving a brake command, commanding the bridge to ramp-up electrical current in the at least one inductor so as to induce an electromagnetic force on the electrically conductive disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefan Schroeder, Ara Panosyan, Christoph Boeld, Herbert Schaumberger, Xiaoting Dong, Uwe Liebscher
  • Publication number: 20160156276
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for a power converter includes a first switching device proximate an AC source. The circuit also includes a voltage measurement device proximate a DC link and extends between the AC source and the DC link. The circuit further includes a DC voltage source and a first capacitive device. The first capacitive device is positioned between the first switching device and the voltage measurement device. The circuit further includes a second switching device positioned between the first capacitive device and the voltage measurement device. The circuit also includes a controller operatively coupled to the DC voltage source, the voltage measurement device, and the switching devices. The controller is configured to open the second switching device when a measured voltage signal generated by the voltage measurement device is substantially representative of a reference voltage value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Zhihui Yuan, Qingyun Chen, Stefan Schroeder, Jie Shen
  • Publication number: 20160149507
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes at least one multi-level power converter and a controller coupled to the at least one multi-level power converter. The controller includes a first CMV injection module and a second CMV injection module. The first CMV injection module generates a first CMV signal for modifying at least one voltage command to achieve a first function in association with operation of the power conversion system. The second CMV injection module generates a second CMV signal based at least in part on a three-level CMV limit either for modifying the at least one voltage command or for further modifying the at least one modified voltage command to achieve a second function in association with operation of the power conversion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Qin Lei, Jie Shen, Stefan Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20160139651
    Abstract: A power converter includes primary and secondary bridges, a transformer, and a controller configured to generate a switching mode map that correlates each of a plurality of switching modes to a respective set of value ranges of system parameters of the power converter. The sets of system parameter value ranges are contiguous and non-overlapping across the switching mode map, each of the plurality of switching modes includes gate trigger voltage timings for commuting at least one of the primary and secondary bridges. The controller is configured to obtain a plurality of measured system parameter values, select from the switching mode map one of the plurality of switching modes that correlates to the set of system parameter values containing the plurality of measured system parameter values, and adjust gate trigger voltage timings of at least one of the primary and secondary bridges, according to the selected switching mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: SIMON HERBERT SCHRAMM, SAID FAROUK SAID EL-BARBARI, STEFAN SCHROEDER, ZHIHUI YUAN
  • Patent number: 9312783
    Abstract: A power converter module including a voltage source current controlled power converter for providing unidirectional current having at least four output voltage levels is provided. The voltage source current controlled power converter includes an input terminal and an output terminal, and a first conductive path and a second conductive path is coupled in parallel to each other between the input terminal and the output terminal. Each of the conductive paths comprises at least one diode and at least one switch coupled in series to the respective conductive path. The at least one diode in the first conductive path are coupled closer to the input terminal and the at least one diode in the second conductive path are coupled closer to the output terminal. The voltage source current controlled power converter further includes at least two energy storage elements coupled between the first conductive path and the second conductive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Simon Herbert Schramm, Thomas Brueckner, Stefan Schroeder, Christof Martin Sihler, Sebastian Pedro Rosado
  • Publication number: 20160055956
    Abstract: A common mode choke includes at least two groups of multi-phase coils wound on a magnetic core for balancing differential mode inductance between the phases. The multi-phase coils in each group are series connected and concentrically wound on a respective portion of the magnetic core. Each group of multi-phase coils is non-overlapping with each other group of multi-phase coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: ZHIHUI YUAN, XIAOTING DONG, JIE SHEN, STEFAN SCHROEDER, KONRAD ROMAN WEEBER
  • Publication number: 20160043659
    Abstract: A multilevel converter comprising a first switching branch connected between a positive DC-link terminal and an AC output terminal and comprising series-connected first and second switching elements, a second switching branch connected between the AC output terminal and a negative DC-link terminal and comprising series-connected third and fourth switching elements, a third switching branch connected between a DC-link neutral point and a connection point of the first and the second switching elements, a fourth switching branch connected between the DC-link neutral point and a connection point of the third and the fourth switching elements, the fourth switching branch being completely independent from the third switching branch, and a flying capacitor connected between the connection point of the first and the second switching elements and the connection point of the third and the fourth switching elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Yong XU, Fan ZHANG, Stefan SCHROEDER