Patents Assigned to NRG Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 11399534Abstract: A broadband ultrasonic transducer device (UTD) is disclosed that utilizes a plurality of narrow-band piezo electric elements grouped into single-frequency sub-arrays to provide a relatively simple, highly-reliable deterrent unit (DU) capable of emitting ultrasonic energy over a wide coverage area and at a sound pressure level that meets or exceeds other DU approaches. In an embodiment, the broadband UTD includes a housing portion configured to couple to a plurality of piezo sub-array plates. Each piezo sub-array plate includes a plurality of pockets or cavities to receive respective narrow-band (e.g., 1-3 kHz) piezo electro transducer elements with characteristics, e.g., geometries and material composition, that cause each to emit ultrasonic energy at a particular resonant frequency. A controller of the UTD implements a control scheme to emit ultrasonic energy in a plurality of output modes including a white noise node and a single-frequency mode for deterrence applications.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: NRG SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Thomas J. Nostrand, Cody Spiegel, Dale E. Williams, Junda Zhu
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Patent number: 11249103Abstract: A cup anemometer providing accurate wind speed measurement in a cost-effective configuration. A rotor of the anemometer, e.g. a single-piece molded rotor, may be assembled to a shaft using a cap. In some embodiments, the hub of the rotor and the cap provide symmetry in the area of the cups and arms of the rotor and/or the bottom of the hub and the top of the cap may be positioned above and below, respectively, the planes defined by the tops and bottoms, respectively, of cups of the rotor. In some embodiments, each of the of the cups may be generally conical having a cone angle of nominally 114 degrees and/or each of the arms of the rotor may have a front surface that is co-planar with a front surface of an associated one of the cups.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: NRG SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Henry B. Bush, Steven H. Clark
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Patent number: 10888084Abstract: A bat deterrent system to deter bats from approaching wind turbines may include a first deterrent box having a first and second transducer bank. The first transducer bank may include a first set of transducers located on a first plane and a second set of transducers located on a second plane. The second plane may be different from the first plane. The bat deterrent system may also include a second deterrent box having a third and fourth transducer bank. The third transducer bank may include a third set of transducers located on a third plane and a fourth set of transducers located on a fourth plane. The fourth plane may be different from the third plane. At least one transducer may simultaneously emit a different ultrasonic output waveform than the ultrasonic output waveform emitted from another transducer.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: NRG SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Cris Hein, Peter P. Garcia, Jr.
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Patent number: 9291637Abstract: A system for damping a wind vane includes a damping assembly configured to utilize eddy currents to dampen rotational motion of at least a portion of the wind vane. The damping assembly may provide damping of the wind vane to accommodate for sudden changes in wind speed and/or direction while allowing the wind vane to maintain accurate measurements and response in low wind conditions. The damping assembly may reduce the wind vane's susceptibility to oscillation, thereby improving accuracy of the wind vane.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: NRG Systems Inc.Inventors: R. Paul Smith, Henry Bush, Emir Heco
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Patent number: 9046542Abstract: A bearing assembly for an anemometer configured to provide thrust and axial load protection and reduce exposure to potentially degradative debris and/or contaminants. The bearing assembly includes a first shaft and a second shaft and bearings, wherein the bearings are configured to rotate about at least the first shaft while enclosed within a portion of the second shaft. The second shaft is configured to isolate the bearings from any air flow through the anemometer and debris and/or contaminants carried therewith. The bearing assembly further includes a damping member configured to reduce forces imparted upon the bearings, thereby providing protection and preventing premature damage to the bearings from loads.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: NRG SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Emir Heco, Travis Jones, Carolyn Turk West, Henry Bush, R. Paul Smith, Timothy R. Hoopes
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Publication number: 20140311750Abstract: A method of selecting an injectate for recovering liquid hydrocarbons from a reservoir includes designing a plurality of injectates, calculating a net present value of each injectate, and selecting a candidate injectate based on the net present value. For example, the candidate injectate may be selected to maximize the net present value of a waterflooding operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicants: NRG Systems Inc., Sandia CorporationInventors: Helmuth J. Heneman, Patrick V. Brady
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Publication number: 20140163904Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: NRG Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric R. Bechhoefer, John T. Taylor
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Publication number: 20140137665Abstract: A bearing assembly for an anemometer configured to provide thrust and axial load protection and reduce exposure to potentially degradative debris and/or contaminants. The bearing assembly includes a first shaft and a second shaft and bearings, wherein the bearings are configured to rotate about at least the first shaft while enclosed within a portion of the second shaft. The second shaft is configured to isolate the bearings from any air flow through the anemometer and debris and/or contaminants carried therewith. The bearing assembly further includes a damping member configured to reduce forces imparted upon the bearings, thereby providing protection and preventing premature damage to the bearings from loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: NRG Systems, Inc.Inventors: Emir Heco, Travis Jones, Carolyn Turk West, Henry Bush, R. Paul Smith, Timothy R. Hoopes
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Patent number: 8442778Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: NRG Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric R. Bechhoefer, John T. Taylor
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Publication number: 20120156036Abstract: A system for damping a wind vane includes a damping assembly configured to utilize eddy currents to dampen rotational motion of at least a portion of the wind vane. The damping assembly may provide damping of the wind vane to accommodate for sudden changes in wind speed and/or direction while allowing the wind vane to maintain accurate measurements and response in low wind conditions. The damping assembly may reduce the wind vane's susceptibility to oscillation, thereby improving accuracy of the wind vane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: NRG SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: R. Paul SMITH, Henry BUSH, Emir HECO
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Publication number: 20120065901Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: NRG SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Eric R. Bechhoefer, John T. Taylor
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Patent number: 8082115Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: NRG Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric R. Bechhoefer, John T. Taylor
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Publication number: 20110125419Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: NRG SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Eric R. Bechhoefer, John T. Taylor
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Patent number: 4497310Abstract: There is disclosed an improved flue box assembly for use in conjunction with a heating plant, the flue box having a housing with an interior diametric opening substantially greater than the exhaust gas inlet to and outlet from the interior of the housing, and provided with a damper plate being pivotally mounted within the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position, the damper plate further having a flue opening positioned therein, the improvement consisting of a cap pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent the outlet opening thereof, the cap adapted to pivotally move between a closed position occluding the outlet opening of the housing and an open position leaving the outlet opening unobstructed, and adjustable counterbalancing means associated with the cap for adjusting the relative pressure necessary to move the cap into an open and closed position respectively in relation to the force exerted by flue gases escaping through the outlet opening of the housing, thus providing for improType: GrantFiled: February 13, 1984Date of Patent: February 5, 1985Assignee: NRG Systems, Inc.Inventor: Craig D. Funke
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Patent number: D920814Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: NRG SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Henry B. Bush, Steven H. Clark