Patents Examined by C. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11028812
    Abstract: A brushless starter-generator system is contained within a single housing. The housing has a first end with an opening to receive a drive spline from a motive source and an opposing second end. A brushless, rotating machine is located adjacent the first end and is kinetically connectable to the drive spline. A power control unit is adjacent the second end and electrically coupled to the brushless, rotating machine. The brushless, rotating machine is selected from the group consisting of a synchronous machine, a permanent magnet machine, and an induction machine. Electrical and mechanical interfaces are identical to a like-rated brushed version for a true “drop-in” replacement capability to facilitate replacements and up-grades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Bernard A. Raad
  • Patent number: 11028832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a floating base designed as a semi-submersible, a tower arranged on the floating base, at least two arms extending from the tower, a respective energy conversion unit arranged at the free end of each arm, and a cable system connecting the base to the energy conversion units and connecting the energy conversion units to one another in order to introduce the thrust forces acting on the tower, the arms and the energy conversion units into the base, wherein the cable system has a pre-tensioning, the value of which is greater than the loads to be expected during the operation of the wind turbine and acting against the pre-tensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Aerodyn Consulting Singapore PTE LTD
    Inventor: Sonke Siegfriedsen
  • Patent number: 11008999
    Abstract: A wave power generation system includes a wave receiving member, ram cylinder hydraulic pump device, change value sensor, accumulator device, hydraulic motor, power generator, and controller. The member is arranged near a virtual reflection surface that reflects a coming incident wave. The controller sets a torque command used when the generator generates electric power. Based on a differential value of a change value detected by the sensor and changes in accordance with a swing amount of the member, the controller determines whether the member is swinging toward a first or second side in a swing direction. When the controller determines the member is swinging toward the second side by receiving force of a reflected wave reflected by the virtual reflection surface, the controller changes the torque command from the command set when the controller determines the member is swinging toward the first side by receiving force of the incident wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Maruyama, Chang-Kyu Rheem, Hidetaka Kobayashi, Naoki Kuribayashi, Hideki Tanaka, Masahide Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11002243
    Abstract: A submergible wave energy converter and method for using the same are described. Such a wave energy converter may be used for deep water operations. In one embodiment, the wave energy converter apparatus comprises an absorber having a body with an upper surface and a bottom surface and at least one power take-off (PTO) unit coupled to the absorber and configured to displace movement of the absorber body relative to a reference, where the power take-off unit is operable to perform motion energy conversion based on displacement of the absorber body relative to the reference in response to wave excitation, and where the power take-off unit is operable to return the absorber body from a displaced position to a predefined equilibrium position and to provide a force acting on the absorber body for energy extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Marcus Lehmann, Mohammad-Reza Alam, Thomas Boerner, Nigel Kojimoto, Bryan Murray
  • Patent number: 10992162
    Abstract: Method for detecting a state of an electric system (150) in a motor vehicle, said electric system (150) comprising a generator unit that includes an electric machine (100) with a rotor winding (110) and a stator winding (120) as well as a rectifier (130) which is connected to the electric machine (100) and via which the electric system (150) is connected to the electric machine (100); in said method, a decision about the current state of the electric system (150), especially about the availability of a battery (200) of the electric system, is made in accordance with an excitation current (IE) flowing through the rotor winding (110) of the electric machine (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Mueller, Miriam Riederer, Udo Schulz, Wolfgang Fischer, Zoltan Ersek
  • Patent number: 10975834
    Abstract: A floating wave power generator is capable of lifting under remote control, and includes a linear generator fixed to a seabed and a floating assembly connected with the linear generator, where the floating assembly includes a lower floating body connected with a motor of the linear generator through an anchor chain, an upper floating body connected with the lower floating body through a rigid rod and floating on the sea surface, where the upper floating body is used for collecting wave energy and controlling the buoyancy of the whole floating assembly, the lower floating body is used for assisting the upper floating body to collect wave energy and controlling a distance between the whole floating assembly and the linear generator, the motor of the linear generator is used for cutting magnetic induction lines to generate electric power according to a lift-up/down movement of the whole floating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Xingxian Bao, Shubo Li, Jinzhi Qu, Teng Wang
  • Patent number: 10968883
    Abstract: An air-driven generator for generating electric power from movement of a working fluid. Upper ends of buoyancy conduits are in fluidic communication with an upper end of a gravitational distribution conduit, and a lower end of the gravitational distribution conduit is in fluidic communication with lower ends of the buoyancy conduits. An air injection system injects air into the buoyancy conduits. A closed fluid loop is formed with working fluid flowing from the gravitational distribution conduit driving a fluid turbine system that is interposed between the lower ends of the gravitational distribution conduit and the buoyancy conduits. Flow of working fluid can be induced by an injection of air into working fluid disposed in the buoyancy conduits to achieve a generation of power by actuation of the fluid turbine system. An upper chamber can remove entrained air. A Rankin Cycle Generator can receive and be actuated by exhausted air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Mark J. Maynard
  • Patent number: 10961986
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gearless wind turbine, wherein the wind turbine comprises a generator having a stator and a rotor and an air gap therebetween which has an air gap thickness, wherein the generator is designed as an internal rotor, with the stator as an outer part and the rotor as an inner part, or the generator is designed as an external rotor, with the rotor as an outer part and the stator as an inner part, said method comprising the following steps: detecting a temperature of the outer part as an outer part temperature, detecting a temperature of the inner part as an inner part temperature, calculating a temperature difference as the difference between the outer part temperature and the inner part temperature, and controlling the generator according to the temperature difference such that a reduction in the air gap thickness by thermal expansion of the generator is counteracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Kai Enskonatus, Wojciech Giengiel
  • Patent number: 10954926
    Abstract: Device for applying in a pavement for collecting mechanical energy from a vehicle passing over said pavement for actuating an electromechanical converter for generating electrical energy, said device comprising: an electromechanical converter; a mechanical or mechanical-hydraulic system comprising a crank-linear slide or crank-piston; a base structure for supporting and fixing the device to the pavement; a cover displaceable in vertical axis translation caused by the vehicle passing over, wherein the cover is arranged to actuate the crank-linear slide or crank-piston; a rack-pinion, or a hydraulic cylinder and respective hydraulic circuit having actuator, arranged for converting linear displacement of the linear slide or the piston, respectively, into rotation of a shaft of the electromechanical converter; wherein said cover has a non-horizontal surface profile having a first elevation at a first end and a second elevation at a second end, wherein the first elevation is lower than the second elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignees: UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA, UNIVERSIDADE DA BEIRA INTERIOR
    Inventors: Francisco João Anastácio Duarte, Adelino Jorge Lopes Ferreira, Paulo Manuel Oliveira Fael
  • Patent number: 10947952
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the offshore renewable energy utilization technology. A novel floating wind-wave integrated power generation system is based on the braceless semi-submersible floating wind turbine concept and the oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy generator. The integrated system includes the offshore wind energy system and the oscillating water column wave energy system. The novel floating wind-wave integrated power generation system transfers the rise and fall movement of the water column into the air in and out movement which is converted into the electricity by the air turbine generator. This invention makes good use of pontoons at of the semi-floating platform and the mooring lines. Since the wave energy system will move with the wave movement, which will reduce the power generation efficiency. The pontoon can help to mitigate this movement. The mooring system can further prevent the movement of the wave energy device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Dalian University of Technology
    Inventors: Wei Shi, Zhiyu Jiang, Zhengru Ren, Dezhi Ning
  • Patent number: 10947955
    Abstract: A multi-energy power generation system based on a floating type platform which is specifically a wind turbine-oscillating water column type wave energy integrated power generation system based on a TLP floating type platform. The wind turbine-oscillating water column type wave energy integrated power generation system based on the TLP floating type platform includes an offshore wind power generation system and oscillating water column type wave energy power generation devices, and the integrated power generation system which integrates wind energy and an oscillating water column type wave energy system into a whole is established utilizing a TLP platform supporting structure in the ocean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wei Shi, Yapo Wang, Lixian Zhang, Ye Tang, Jikun You, Dezhi Ning, Bin Teng
  • Patent number: 10941755
    Abstract: A system for efficiently capturing the kinetic and/or potential energy of a moving vehicle includes an arc roller configured to move along an arcuate path upon impact by the moving vehicle, and a torsional spring configured to wind in response to the movement of the speed bump and, thereby, to store energy associated with the impact. The torsional spring may be configured to wind continually in response to the movement of another speed bump and, thereby, to store additional energy associated with the impact of the vehicle with the other speed bump. The system may include alternators or generators producing electricity from energy released from unwinding of the torsional spring. Electricity is further stored and utilized for onboard computing, traffic analytics, safety feature operating functions and communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Constructis Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James Leo Nigg
  • Patent number: 10934993
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating energy from ocean waves, the apparatus including a first or outer section arranged to be coupled to a sea floor and a second or inner section that is at least partially received by and slidably moveable within the first section. The first section includes a float housing arranged to be located toward or at a sea surface and an armature housing extending from the float housing toward the sea floor, the float housing having one or more apertures so that a water level within the float housing is substantially similar to or follows that of the sea surface. The second section includes a float slidably received by the float housing and a stem carrying a magnetic element that extends from the float so as to be receivable by the armature housing. The arrangement is such that the float travels in substantially vertical direction within the float housing in response to movement of the sea surface thereby the armature housing being moved relative to the magnetic element to generate energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Zspectrum Design Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Jose Luis Vazquez
  • Patent number: 10931187
    Abstract: A voltage generator for converting a movable magnetic field into electrical voltage. The voltage generator includes an excitation unit, a conversion unit, and a power line unit. The excitation unit includes at least one magnet which is arranged on a body which is rotatably and/or moveably mounted. The at least one magnet generates a magnetic field. The conversion unit functionally cooperates with the excitation unit. The conversion unit includes a support body and a magnetization wire which is magnetized by the magnetic field. The magnetization wire includes, over its cross-section, a magnetically hard part and a magnetically soft part. The magnetization wire is wound around the support body to provide an axial tension. The power line unit functionally cooperates with the conversion unit. The power line unit includes an electric coil which is arranged around the conversion unit. The electric coil includes an electrifiable current conductor wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: CENTITECH GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Loeken
  • Patent number: 10914292
    Abstract: A system for extracting work from the expansion of a working fluid includes a vessel having at least a portion of the working fluid, a heating device in thermal communication with the portion of the working fluid in the vessel for heating the portion of the working fluid in the vessel and expanding the working fluid, and a conversion tool. The conversion tool is in fluid communication with the vessel and is configured to receive working fluid from the vessel when the working fluid expands. The conversion tool is further configured to extract work from the expanded working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: John A. Saavedra
  • Patent number: 10903764
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit. The first invertor circuit is configured to couple an alternator and a load device to deliver a driving signal from the alternator to the load device. The second invertor circuit is configured to couple the alternator to the load device to deliver a driving signal from the alternator to the load device and configured to couple a battery to the alternator to deliver a charging signal from the alternator the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler, Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson
  • Patent number: 10892642
    Abstract: A compressed air storage power generation apparatus is provided with a motor, a compressor, a pressure accumulation tank, an expander, a generator, a first heat exchanger and a cold heat extracting unit. The motor is driven by input power generated using renewable energy. The compressor is mechanically connected to the motor and compresses air. The pressure accumulation tank accumulates the compressed air compressed by the compressor. The expander is driven by the compressed air supplied from the pressure accumulation tank. The generator is mechanically connected to the expander. The first heat exchanger exchanges heat between the compressed air supplied from the compressor and a heat medium and cools the compressed air to room temperature. The cold heat extracting unit extracts air serving as working fluid as cold air of the room temperature or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Matsukuma, Hiroki Saruta, Takashi Sato, Kanami Sakamoto, Masatake Toshima, Yohei Kubo
  • Patent number: 10890160
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a control system for enhancing a frequency support capability of a wind turbine generator system. The control system includes a wind turbine, a gearbox, an electric generator and a converter. The control system is characterized by further including a supercapacitor energy storage apparatus, which includes a DC-DC converter and a supercapacitor. The converter includes DC buses, and the supercapacitor is electrically connected to the DC buses via the DC-DC converter. The supercapacitor may be orderly charged or discharged according to an operating state of the wind turbine generator system to maintain its operating condition, and has a superior reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignees: Wind Power Technology Center of Gansu Electric Power Company, State Grid Corporation of China, Gansu Electric Power Company of State Grid, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Inventors: Ningbo Wang, Liang Lu, Kun Ding, Shiyuan Zhou, Chen Zhang, Jin Li, Zheng Li, Nianzong Bai, Jing Zhi, Xu Cai, Zifen Han, Youming Cai
  • Patent number: 10890162
    Abstract: A wind energy, wave energy and tidal energy integrated power generation system based on monopile foundation, in which the wind energy, wave energy and tidal energy will share the support structure and power transmission system, belongs to the technical field of ocean renewable energy utilization. An integrated power generation system which integrates wind energy converter, oscillating water column wave energy converter and horizontal-axis tidal energy converter is established based on the monopile support structure. The invention makes sufficient use of offshore renewable resources, so as to improve the utilization ratio of monopile foundation and reduce the total cost of power generation of integrated system. The novel integrated power generation system improves the effective utilization of the ocean areas, reduces the cost of construction and maintenance, makes full use of the existing mature wind energy technology, and promotes the commercialization of wave energy converters and tidal energy devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wei Shi, Dezhi Ning, Lin Zhou, Yanghai Nan
  • Patent number: 10865773
    Abstract: A method for compensating for flicker induced by a wind turbine power system connected to a power grid includes operating a power converter of the wind turbine power system based on a nominal reactive current command and a nominal torque command. In response to receiving a periodic torque command modifier, the method includes determining a reactive current command modifier for the power converter based on one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine power system and/or the power grid and the torque command modifier. The method also includes simultaneously modifying the nominal reactive current command as a function of the reactive current command modifier and the nominal torque command as a function of the torque command modifier. Accordingly, modifying the nominal torque command causes low-frequency voltage variations in the power grid and simultaneously modifying the reactive current command attenuates the low-frequency voltage variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Smith, Werner Gerhard Barton