Patents by Inventor Steven Wade Sutherland
Steven Wade Sutherland 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: 11843325Abstract: A method for operating a multi-level bridge power converter of an electrical power system connected to a power grid includes receiving, via a controller of the power converter, an indication of a transient event occurring in the power grid or the electrical power system. The power converter has a plurality of switching devices arranged in an active neutral point clamped topology. Accordingly, upon receiving the indication, the method includes activating a crowbar algorithm programmed in the controller of the power converter to bifurcate a current received by the power converter into a plurality of different current paths defined by the plurality of switching devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bacil Shaqqo, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Nathaniel Robert Michener, Steven Wade Sutherland
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Publication number: 20230261473Abstract: A system and method for pre-charging a DC link of a multi-level power converter, to reduce electrical transients or to decrease a charging current when a converter contactor/disconnect switch is closed, is described. The systems and methods of the present disclosure also provides a new and simplified system for pre-charging a DC link of a multi-level power converter by leveraging a neutral point of a multi-level power converter and a single-line connection to the grid side of the power converter. The DC link charger of the present disclosure, therefore, is capable of reducing the quantity of dedicated superfluous hardware and/or excess resistors, contactors, transformers, fuses, diodes, balancing components, rectifier modules, etc. demanded by conventional systems. Reduced quantities of electronic components and hardware can thereby decrease system costs per unit and lead to significant cost savings.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Zane Taylor Miller, Steven Wade Sutherland
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Publication number: 20230140661Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind farm during low wind speeds. Accordingly, the farm controller designates at least one of the plurality of wind turbines of the wind farm as a designated turbine. The designated turbine is operating in a full auxiliary mode when the speed of the wind acting on the wind farm is below a wind speed threshold. The remaining wind turbines are operated in a reduced auxiliary mode. The reduced auxiliary mode includes the disabling of at least one of pitching and yawing of the remaining wind turbines. When a power output for the designated wind turbine exceeds a power threshold, the farm controller directs at least one group of the remaining wind turbines to transition from the reduced auxiliary mode to the full auxiliary mode. During certain grid conditions, the transition between auxiliary modes may be delayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: James Gregory Rotbert, Patrick Hammel Hart, Charles Joseph Kosuth, Alina Fatima Moosvi, Steven Wade Sutherland, Vaidhya Nath Venkitanarayanan, Leonardo Cesar Kammer, Enno Ubben, Alev Akbulut
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Patent number: 11552575Abstract: A method for operating a multi-level bridge power converter includes providing a plurality of switching devices of the power converter in one of a neutral point clamped topology or an active neutral point clamped topology. The method also includes providing a plurality of deadtimes for the switching devices. Further, the method includes selecting one of the deadtimes for each of the switching devices such that at least two of the switching devices operate according to different deadtimes. Moreover, the method includes operating the switching devices at the selected deadtimes to allow a first group of the switching devices to switch slower than a second group of the switching devices such that the first group of the switching devices satisfy safe operating requirements while the second group of the switching devices switch faster than the first group.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nathaniel Robert Michener, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Steven Wade Sutherland, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Rajesh Bhupathi, Igor Berroteran
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Patent number: 11493026Abstract: An electrical system for a wind turbine having a reduced uptower footprint and method for achieving the same are provided. Accordingly, the electrical system includes a plurality of electrical subsystems having a plurality of electrical subsystem assemblies. At least one electrical subsystem assembly is integrated with the generator housing. Additionally, the electrical subsystem assembly is coupled between the stator or the rotor of the generator and the generator output connection. The electrical system incorporating the electrical subsystem assembly with the generator housing has a reduced uptower footprint relative to a nominal design of an electrical system.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Govardhan Ganireddy, Steven Wade Sutherland, Rajni Kant Burra, Andrej Petricko, Dale Robert Mashtare
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Patent number: 11486356Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine. Accordingly, a controller of the wind turbine detects a loss of traction of the slip coupling between a generator and a rotor of the drivetrain of the wind turbine. In response to detecting the loss of traction, the controller overrides a generator torque setpoint to alter a rotational speed of the generator. In response to the altered rotational speed of the generator, the traction of the slip coupling is increased. Increasing the traction of the slip coupling facilitates an application of generator torque to the drivetrain of the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Cornelius Edward Holliday, III, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Mathew Doyle Angel, Nathan Michael Killeen, Edward Wayne Hardwicke, Jr., Steven Wade Sutherland, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Govardhan Ganireddy, Talha Irfanul Haque
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Patent number: 11480153Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations. Accordingly, in response to receiving data indicative of an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine, the controller initiates an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine. The enhanced braking mode is characterized by operating the generator at a torque setpoint that generates maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions. Additionally, the torque setpoint is in excess of a nominal torque limit for the generator.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Cornelius Edward Holliday, III, Mathew Doyle Angel, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Nathan Michael Killeen, Edward Wayne Hardwicke, Jr., Steven Wade Sutherland, Govardhan Ganireddy, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Talha Irfanul Haque
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Patent number: 11456688Abstract: A system and method are provided for operating a power generating asset having a generator operably coupled to a power grid. The generator having a rotor and a stator. The stator being operably coupled to a transformer, and ultimately to the power grid, via a sync-switch assembly. The sync-switch assembly having a plurality of switching devices electrically coupled in parallel. Accordingly, a controller detects an approach of at least one operating parameter of the power generating asset to a first parameter threshold. In response to detecting the approach of the operating parameter to the first parameter threshold, the controller independently changes an operating state of a first switching device of the plurality of switching devices of the sync-switch assembly. Each switching device of the plurality of switching devices is independently controllable via the controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.Inventors: Kasi Viswanadha Raju Gadiraju, Joseph Lawrence Chacon, Steven Wade Sutherland, Arvind Kumar Tiwari
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Patent number: 11394324Abstract: A method for operating a multi-level bridge power converter of an electrical power system includes connecting a plurality of phases of the power converter to a common terminal at a DC side of the power converter so as to effectively equate the plurality of phases at a common electrical potential. The method may also include monitoring, via a controller, a plurality of devices of the power converter for faults. Upon detection of a fault in one or more of the plurality of devices, the method includes activating, via the controller, one or more protection devices of a crowbar of the power converter to prevent additional faults from occurring in remaining devices of the plurality of devices by diverting energy away from the remaining devices of the plurality of devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bacil Shaqqo, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Steven Wade Sutherland
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Publication number: 20220173681Abstract: A system and method are provided for operating a power generating asset having a generator operably coupled to a power grid. The generator having a rotor and a stator. The stator being operably coupled to a transformer, and ultimately to the power grid, via a sync-switch assembly. The sync-switch assembly having a plurality of switching devices electrically coupled in parallel. Accordingly, a controller detects an approach of at least one operating parameter of the power generating asset to a first parameter threshold. In response to detecting the approach of the operating parameter to the first parameter threshold, the controller independently changes an operating state of a first switching device of the plurality of switching devices of the sync-switch assembly. Each switching device of the plurality of switching devices is independently controllable via the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Kasi Viswanadha Raju Gadiraju, Joseph Lawrence Chacon, Steven Wade Sutherland, Arvind Kumar Tiwari
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Publication number: 20220065224Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine. Accordingly, a controller of the wind turbine detects a loss of traction of the slip coupling between a generator and a rotor of the drivetrain of the wind turbine. In response to detecting the loss of traction, the controller overrides a generator torque setpoint to alter a rotational speed of the generator. In response to the altered rotational speed of the generator, the traction of the slip coupling is increased. Increasing the traction of the slip coupling facilitates an application of generator torque to the drivetrain of the wind turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Cornelius Edward Holliday, III, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Mathew Doyle Angel, Nathan Michael Killeen, Edward Wayne Hardwicke,, JR., Steven Wade Sutherland, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Govardhan Ganireddy, Talha Irfanul Haque
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Publication number: 20220060123Abstract: A method for operating a multi-level bridge power converter of an electrical power system connected to a power grid includes receiving, via a controller of the power converter, an indication of a transient event occurring in the power grid or the electrical power system. The power converter has a plurality of switching devices arranged in an active neutral point clamped topology. Accordingly, upon receiving the indication, the method includes activating a crowbar algorithm programmed in the controller of the power converter to bifurcate a current received by the power converter into a plurality of different current paths defined by the plurality of switching devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Bacil Shaqqo, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Nathaniel Robert Michener, Steven Wade Sutherland
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Publication number: 20210363968Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations. Accordingly, in response to receiving data indicative of an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine, the controller initiates an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine. The enhanced braking mode is characterized by operating the generator at a torque setpoint that generates maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions. Additionally, the torque setpoint is in excess of a nominal torque limit for the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Cornelius Edward Holliday, III, Mathew Doyle Angel, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Nathan Michael Killeen, Edward Wayne Hardwicke, JR., Steven Wade Sutherland, Govardhan Ganireddy, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Talha Irfanul Haque
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Publication number: 20210363971Abstract: An electrical system for a wind turbine having a reduced uptower footprint and method for achieving the same are provided. Accordingly, the electrical system includes a plurality of electrical subsystems having a plurality of electrical subsystem assemblies. At least one electrical subsystem assembly is integrated with the generator housing. Additionally, the electrical subsystem assembly is coupled between the stator or the rotor of the generator and the generator output connection. The electrical system incorporating the electrical subsystem assembly with the generator housing has a reduced uptower footprint relative to a nominal design of an electrical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Govardhan Ganireddy, Steven Wade Sutherland, Rajni Kant Burra, Andrej Petricko, Dale Robert Mashtare
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Publication number: 20210184608Abstract: A method for operating a multi-level bridge power converter of an electrical power system includes connecting a plurality of phases of the power converter to a common terminal at a DC side of the power converter so as to effectively equate the plurality of phases at a common electrical potential. The method may also include monitoring, via a controller, a plurality of devices of the power converter for faults. Upon detection of a fault in one or more of the plurality of devices, the method includes activating, via the controller, one or more protection devices of a crowbar of the power converter to prevent additional faults from occurring in remaining devices of the plurality of devices by diverting energy away from the remaining devices of the plurality of devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Bacil Shaqqo, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Steven Wade Sutherland
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Patent number: 10638648Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for cooling a power converter. For example, there is provided a controller programmed to control a heat transport rate between a coolant disposed in a cooling system and a power converter coupled thereto by regulating a pressure of the coolant in the cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Steven Wade Sutherland, Winston Lei Zeng, Mark Aaron Chan
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Patent number: 10587121Abstract: An electrical power system includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid, the converter power path including a partial power transformer. Each of the electrical power subsystems further includes a low voltage distribution panel electrically coupled to the converter power path, a first switch on the stator power path, and a second switch on the converter power path.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Govardhan Ganireddy, Saurabh Shukla, Rajni Burra, Steven Wade Sutherland
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Publication number: 20180342875Abstract: An electrical power system includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid, the converter power path including a partial power transformer. Each of the electrical power subsystems further includes a low voltage distribution panel electrically coupled to the converter power path, a first switch on the stator power path, and a second switch on the converter power path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Govardhan Ganireddy, Saurabh Shukla, Rajni Burra, Steven Wade Sutherland
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Publication number: 20170370349Abstract: A system for adjusting environmental operating conditions associated with heat generating components located within a tower of a wind turbine may include a heat generating component located within an interior of the tower, a sensor configured to monitor a heat exchange parameter associated with the wind turbine and a split heat exchange system provided relative to the tower. The split heat exchange system may include a first heat exchanger located within the interior of the tower and a second heat exchanger located exterior to the tower. The system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the split heat exchange system. The controller may be configured to control the operation of the split heat exchange system based at least in part on the monitored heat exchange parameter to adjust an environmental operating condition associated with the heat generating component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Steven Wade Sutherland
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Publication number: 20170318711Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for cooling a power converter. For example, there is provided a controller programmed to control a heat transport rate between a coolant disposed in a cooling system and a power converter coupled thereto by regulating a pressure of the coolant in the cooling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Robert Gregory WAGONER, Steven Wade SUTHERLAND, Winston Lei ZENG, Mark Aaron CHAN