Abstract: A system comprising a controllable alternating current power source; an active rectifier coupled to the controllable alternating current power source and configured to rectify an output of the controllable alternating current power source to supply a direct current to a load; and a controller configured to adjust at least one of a parameter of the controllable alternating current power source and a parameter of the active rectifier in response to a target output.
Abstract: An open or closed loop EFI system, integrated on a genset engine or any internal combustion engine, with an electrical sensor and crank position sensor is described. Since a genset engine's exhaust emissions and general performance are a function of spark timing, integration of electrical and crank position sensors on a genset engine provides optimal engine performance and efficiency when the electrical draws fluctuate. The electrical sensor and crank position sensor send data to the electronic control unit (ECU), and this data is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) and optimal spark timing. The ECU varies the spark timing in accordance with the speed and load of the engine and actuates the fuel injector to send the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted allowing the engine to meet performance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2010
Date of Patent:
April 1, 2014
Assignee:
Cummins Power Generation, Inc.
Inventors:
David T. Falkowski, Jeffrey D. Peterson, Matthew J. Ethen, Kristopher G. Knight, Peter J. Vancalligan
Abstract: An active torque cancellation system is provided. The system includes a generator set having a combustion engine and mounted to an application structure. The system also includes an active power management module coupled to the engine which actively reduces vibrations in the application structure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 17, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 1, 2014
Assignee:
Cummins Power Generation, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul H. Plahn, John Hughes, Elias Ayana, Krzysztof Wejrzanowski, Abdeslam Mebarki
Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining near operational mode internal temperatures of a high temperature fuel cell system during a hibernation mode are provided. Embodiments of the claimed invention include powering an electric heater adjacent to the high temperature fuel cell system to heat the high temperature fuel cell system. The use of an electrical heater allows the fuel cell system to maintain approximate operation mode internal temperatures during a hibernation mode and eliminates the problems of excess noise, vibration and exhaust emissions typical of previous fuel cell system heating methods. Gross energy savings of 67% and a fuel consumption reduction rate of 33% have been shown when substituting this method with previous fuel cell system heating methods with no additional manufacturing costs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 14, 2007
Date of Patent:
January 7, 2014
Assignee:
Cummins Power Generation Inc.
Inventors:
Charles Vesely, Bradford Palmer, Xin Li
Abstract: A wind turbine has a plurality of blades mounted on a rotor, the rotor has a rotatable shaft with a drivewheel extending therefrom. A plurality of wheels are in continuous rotatable contact with the drivewheel and are connected to drive a plurality of generators to produce energy. A controller is connected to control the number of generators that are generating between zero and all of the generators based on the speed of the blades. A method of operating the wind turbine uses a controller to control the number of generators that are generating based on the speed of the rotor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 17, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 6, 2013
Assignee:
New World Generation Inc.
Inventors:
Paul H. F. Merswolke, Na'al Nayef, Neil J. Nicholson, Gregor Pestka, James L. Jantzi, Brent A. Cameron, Craig W. Harris, Jason P. Beattie, Martin Queckenstedt, Ping Chen
Abstract: A genset engine that operates on an open loop EFI system and runs on gaseous fuels is described. The integration of various air sensors, including for example a manifold air temperature (MAT) sensor, a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, or an air flow sensor(s), can provide optimal engine performance when using gaseous fuels and when starting from a cold state. The sensors employed send data to the electronic control unit (ECU) and such data is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR). The ECU actuates the injector and the injector sends the requested amount of gaseous fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted. This provides the engine with a gaseous fuel and air mixture that is at the requested relative AFR and the engine is able to start and meet performance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2010
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2013
Assignee:
Cummins Power Generation, Inc.
Inventors:
Aaron C. Johnson, Keith M. Schorr, Timothy J. Krattenmaker
Abstract: A mixture of air and fuel is compressed in a compressor of a gas turbine system. The gas turbine system includes components that define one or more fuel leak locations, and leaked fuel is directed from the one or more leak locations to a reaction chamber of the gas turbine system. At least a portion of the leaked fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber. The energy released by oxidation of the leaked fuel can be converted to mechanical motion.
Abstract: An open or closed loop EFI system integrating an alcohol sensor is provided on a genset engine. The EFI system provides acceptable engine performance and efficiency when using fuels or fuel blends over a wide band and when starting from a cold state, i.e., starting the engine after the engine has not run for a relatively long period of time. The alcohol sensor enables acceptable operation while the genset engine is cold. The alcohol sensor sends data to the electronic control unit (ECU) and this data, as well as data provided by other sensors that may be available such as an air flow sensor, is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR). The ECU actuates the fuel injector which sends the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted. The fuel mixture, at the requested AFR, enables the engine to start and operate efficiently from a cold state even if the fuel blend has been changed from a previous operation of the engine.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 4, 2012
Assignee:
Cummins Power Generation, Inc.
Inventors:
David T. Falkowski, Nick V. Halstead, Deborah A. Klinkert, Matthew J. Ethen, Luke R. Staples
Abstract: A real-time observation assessment system includes an assessment application that enables an assessor to administer a probe to a student, and to capture responses of the student, and to automatically score the captured responses. The assessment system includes a user interface of the assessment application. The user interface includes a first area of the user interface that displays a character sequence that is divided into multiple segments, where at least two of the multiple segments of the character sequence are separately selectable and a second area of the user interface that is divided into multiple segments corresponding to each segment of the character sequence in the first area, where each segment in the second area is separately selectable to enable capturing of different combinations of student responses reflecting selection of one or more of the segments in the second area. A scoring module enables a score to be calculated based on the selected segments according to scoring rules for the probe.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 29, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2012
Assignee:
Wireless Generation, Inc.
Inventors:
Lawrence Jason Berger, Anouk Markovits, Susan Kare, David Barratt Stevenson, Justine Elizabeth Roberts
Abstract: A generator housing includes a top portion, a plurality of side portions, and a base portion. The top, sides, and base portions are connected to form an enclosure, such that a generator can be housed inside the enclosure. The top and side portions include an air and exhaust flow structure that facilitates cooling of a generator maintained inside the housing, that provides a sound attenuation function, and that releases exhaust created by a generator. At least one of the side portions and the top portion may be opened and closed to provide access inside the housing. The base portion includes a structure that facilitates installation and transport.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 3, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 27, 2012
Assignee:
Cummins Power Generation, Inc.
Inventors:
Raymond William Gravlin, John Carl Klesk, Paige Nelson, Alanna Hebner, Michael Zamarripa
Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar power generation display assembly and methods for providing same involving solar arrays in a display of designated indicia, each solar array containing one or more electronically linked solar modules or cells of a crystalline or amorphous type and other modules. The solar modules and/or portions of the solar modules and other module portions and/or portions of the other module portions within each specific array or display may be static or manipulated electronically or mechanically to provide an enhanced indicia while a programmable display management system enables operation of electrical and mechanical management sub-systems for displaying the indicia.
Abstract: Disclosed is a racking tool for use with a breaker having a frontwardly-projecting racking screw, the screw being rotatable, about a frontwardly-orientated screw axis, between connected and disconnected positions. The racking tool comprises: a gripping tool that, in use, engages said screw and is rotatable about the screw axis to drive the screw between the connected and disconnected positions; an angle drive mechanism coupled to the gripping tool: and a shaft having a first end operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, a second end and a shaft axis extending from the first to the second end, the shaft, in use, being angularly orientated to the screw axis and adapted such that, with the gripping tool engaged with said racking screw, the screw can be rotated between the connected and disconnected positions by a user standing to one side of the breaker and rotating the shaft about its axis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 26, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2011
Assignee:
Ontario Power Generation Inc.
Inventors:
Ralph Blom, Dennis Kowalchuk, Mike Chaisson, Rob Johnson
Abstract: Group-based, periodic education intervention that provides a targeted curriculum selected specifically for each period based on current skill assessment data is described. For example, candidates' skill levels in multiple skills are assessed, and groups are formed based on commonality of skill level. A period-specific curriculum is generated for each group to address the specific needs of the individuals of the respective group. After delivery of the period-specific targeted curriculum over the period, re-assessments of the current skill of the group members are made, and a period-specific curriculum for the subsequent period is generated and delivered. Fidelity of an implementation of the curriculum is analyzed, and alerts, reminders, and reports are provided to improve fidelity of an implementation of the curriculum.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 8, 2010
Publication date:
May 19, 2011
Applicant:
Wireless Generation, Inc.
Inventors:
Lawrence Jason Berger, Laurence Holt, Michael Kasloff
Abstract: A generator housing includes a top portion, a plurality of side portions, and a base portion. The top, sides, and base portions are connected to form an enclosure, such that a generator can be housed inside the enclosure. The top and side portions include an air and exhaust flow structure that facilitates cooling of a generator maintained inside the housing, that provides a sound attenuation function, and that releases exhaust created by a generator. At least one of the side portions and the top portion may be opened and closed to provide access inside the housing. The base portion includes a structure that facilitates installation and transport.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 6, 2008
Date of Patent:
March 8, 2011
Assignee:
Cummins Power Generation, Inc.
Inventors:
Raymond William Gravlin, John Carl Klesk, Paige Nelson, Alanna Hebner, Michael Zamarripa
Abstract: A wind turbine has a hub mounted on a rotatable shaft with a ring concentrically mounted on the shaft. The ring is connected to drive wheels, which in turn drive generators to produce electricity. A controller is connected to control the speed of the turbine by controlling the number and force of contact between the wheels and the ring and also controlling other components such as the pitch, yaw and brakes for the turbine while monitoring the wind conditions.