Patents Examined by Charles Reid, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10975698
    Abstract: A closed cycle engine power structure and a power generation method, includes a cylinder block and an inner shell. The inner shell is located at the cylinder block, and the inner enclosed cavity of the cylinder block is divided into an outer duct and an inner duct, and an electric coil is arranged in the inner shell. An Archimedes pump is arranged in the inner duct, the electric coil is in drive connection with the Archimedes pump to form a motor structure. Tension structures are arranged in the outer duct. The Archimedes pump is driven to rotate to form a pressure difference between the top and bottom of the cylinder block, generating airflow around the tension structures. According to Bernoulli principle, the pulling force is generated by tension structures. The tension structures concentrate on the cylinder block to form the power of the engine power structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Weiwei Guan
  • Patent number: 10975836
    Abstract: A system includes a water turbine, a plurality of positioning winches coupled to the water turbine and a plurality of positioning cables. An individual positioning cable extends between a fixed point at a first end and the water turbine at a second end and is coupled to a corresponding positioning winch that is configured to extend and retract the individual positioning cable between the fixed point and the water turbine. A plurality of sensors is configured to sense water conditions around the water turbine. A position control system is connected to the plurality of positioning winches and connected to the plurality of sensors. The position control system is configured to position the water turbine using the plurality of positioning winches according to the water conditions sensed by the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Charles Ronald Grigg
  • Patent number: 10961863
    Abstract: An electrical power generator system has: an input shaft for receiving a rotary input drive; plural output shafts connected by respective gear shifting arrangements to the input shaft thereby providing different gear ratios between the input shaft and each output shaft; and plural electrical generators powered by rotation of the respective output shafts, electrical power outputs of the generators being combined to supply a total power to a load. The input shaft operates over a range of rotation frequencies, and the gear shifting arrangements are configured to shift the gear ratios between the input shaft and the output shafts such that the output shafts operate over a narrower range of rotation frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: David P. Scothern
  • Patent number: 10954643
    Abstract: An energy-supply rotary inertia driver system for an offshore platform includes an annular fixed plate, an active control module, a wind power generation module and a solar power generation module. The system can monitor a motion state of the offshore platform in real time, and can generate a force through the active control module if necessary to apply a force torque of the offshore platform to further achieve the vibration suppression. Moreover, when the offshore platform is under normal operation, the system can act as an energy supply device via wind and solar power generation to feed electric energy to the active control module and other electrical equipment on the offshore platform when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: QINGDAO UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chunwei Zhang, Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 10947956
    Abstract: A marine hydrokinetic electric power or wind power generator may have three modules: a harnessing module, a controlling module, and a generating module. The harnessing module may have one of a propeller and a waterwheel for receiving wind or water energy. The controlling module may have a gearbox comprising gears for matching the expected wind or water generating power to an output power, a control motor, and a three variable gear assembly. The three variables are a variable input, a constant output and a constant speed control motor input variable. The variable input is received from the harnessing module and the constant output is delivered to an electricity generator. A generating module (generator) generates output power which may be a multiple of ten times the power rating of the controlling module (the constant speed control motor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Differential Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Soo Han
  • Patent number: 10944307
    Abstract: A rotary electric machine includes an armature unit including an annular rotor configured to be rotatable around an axis and a stator disposed on a radially outer side of the annular rotor; an input or output shaft coupled at a first end thereof to an external device and extending along an axial direction of the annular rotor in a central space defined in a central portion of the annular rotor; and a coupling device disposed closer to a second end of the input or output shaft than an end of the annular rotor adjacent to the external device in the axial direction of the annular rotor and connecting the input or output shaft and the annular rotor so as to be able to transmit a torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Umeda, Mikito Sasaki, Shin Asano, Hiroshi Sato, Hisanobu Shinoda, Shinichi Isobe, Atsushi Yuge
  • Patent number: 10941749
    Abstract: A river turbine for harnessing a predetermined minimum or baseload value of hydrokinetic energy from river current received at a harnessing module has three modules: the harnessing module, a controlling module and a generating module. Han's principle is that, in a torque balanced speed converter Hummingbird system, the generated electric power (output) from a harnessed input power (input) must exceed the electric power used for the control motor (control). Harnessed power is provided to the power balanced three variable mechanical control system when a control power line graph is crossed by an output power line graph to achieve an electrical advantage. The three variable mechanical motion control system includes a Hummingbird control assembly of first and second spur/helical gear, first and second ring gear and first and second bevel/miter gear Transgear gear assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Differential Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Soo Han
  • Patent number: 10934880
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrical generator within an engine that includes a permanent magnet that emits a first magnetic field and is disposed on a first shaft; a first winding connected to a second shaft such that the first winding is positioned within the first magnetic field; a field winding disposed on the second shaft such that the field winding generates a second magnetic field that rotates as first shaft rotates relative to the second shaft; a second winding disposed on the first shaft, the second winding being positioned to receive the second magnetic field and provide a resonant emitter with an electrical power input to generate a third magnetic field when the first shaft rotates relative to the second shaft; and a resonant receiver disposed on an enclosure of the engine, positioned to receive the third magnetic field and convert the third magnetic field into an electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Shengyi Liu
  • Patent number: 10938275
    Abstract: A system for harvesting energy from airport vehicle and passenger movements is described that includes a vehicular operating area with an operating surface, a pedestrian movement area with a walking surface, a first plurality of vibration panels positioned within the operating surface of the vehicular operating area, a second plurality of vibration panels positioned within the walking surface of the pedestrian movement area, and an electricity distribution grid. Each vibration panel in the first plurality of vibration panels and each vibration panel in the second plurality of vibration panels is a piezoelectric transducer, and each piezoelectric transducer is coupled to the electricity distribution grid such that electricity produced by each piezoelectric transducer in response to vibrations from vehicle or passenger movements is routed to the electricity distribution grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John W. Glatfelter, Stuart A. Galt
  • Patent number: 10934997
    Abstract: Provided is a method for damping a side-side oscillation of a tower of a wind turbine having a generator connected to a converter, the method including: measuring an acceleration value of the tower; determining, based on the acceleration value, at least one frequency value of at least one tower oscillation mode, including a second tower oscillation mode; controlling the converter of the wind turbine based at least on the acceleration value and the frequency value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: Per Egedal
  • Patent number: 10927815
    Abstract: A wind energy to compressed fluid conversion system has a compressor to compress fluid when the wind energy exceeds a capacity limit of the generator. Instead of trimming blades to create mechanical spillage, excess energy is converted and stored, and can furnish power when the generator experiences a capacity vacancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Cheng, Farrokh F. Choobineh
  • Patent number: 10931169
    Abstract: The Buoyant Synchrony Actuated Inductance AC Generator is a Wave Energy Converter using marine energy from Wave Power and converting it to Electricity. The Wave Energy Converter includes numerous sub-generators operating independently within its self. The Wave Energy Converter utilizes at least two balls which undergo rotational, radial, and angular motion so as to increase a frequency of movement of a plurality of magnets as they move in the vertical direction along with a wave. Solenoids are positioned in the Wave Energy Converter so as to capture the movement of the magnets and convert the movement into an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Sukumaran Balamuniandy
  • Patent number: 10920665
    Abstract: A method and system for exercising a standby generator is disclosed. The standby generator can be exercised in at least two different exercise cycles, including an express exercise cycle and an extended exercise cycle. The system and method operates the generator for an express exercise cycle having a first duration when the ambient temperature at or near the standby generator exceeds a minimum threshold temperature. If the ambient temperature does not exceed the minimum threshold temperature, the express exercise cycle does not begin. In addition to the express exercise cycle, the engine of the standby generator is started and run for an extended exercise cycle having a duration that exceeds the duration of the express exercise cycle. The extended exercise cycles are separated by a first interval while the express exercise cycles are separated by a second interval, where the first interval is longer than the second interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Miller, Dean Weigand, Rick Jungmann, Robert Townsend
  • Patent number: 10920671
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a first spool including a first compressor coupled to a first turbine through a first shaft, a second spool including a second compressor coupled to a second turbine through a second shaft. A first tower shaft is coupled to the first shaft through a first gear assembly and a second tower shaft is coupled to the second shaft through a second gear assembly. A first load generating device is driven by the first tower shaft and a second load generating device is driven by the second tower shaft. A controller controls each of the first load generating device and the second load generating device to vary a proportion of the total load applied to each of the first spool and the second spool to bias a direction of an axial load on each of the first spool and the second spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Patent number: 10910972
    Abstract: A control apparatus is used in an onboard system provided to a vehicle. The onboard system includes an internal combustion engine and a power generator. The power generator generates power and supplies the generated power to an electrical load provided to the vehicle. An output torque of the internal combustion engine causes the vehicle to travel and causes the power generator to generate power. Based on a power supply request by the electrical load, the control apparatus controls the output torque of the internal combustion engine. In response to the output torque being increased based on the power supply request, the control apparatus causes the power generator to generate the power by the output torque, while restricting generated power during an initial period when the output torque is being increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Saito, Tomohisa Ose
  • Patent number: 10900464
    Abstract: A method of automatically extracting energy from flowing liquid and a device using the same are disclosed. The device includes a paddle rod and a swing device. The paddle rod includes two paddles to bear a pushing force of flowing liquid. When the paddle rod is swung, one of the two paddle enters water and the other paddle leaves from water surface. When the paddle in the water bears a pushing force of flowing liquid to drive a rotary body to swing, the paddle rod moves upwardly and leaves the water surface, and the other paddle enters water to bear the pushing force, and after the rotary body is driven to swing reversely, the paddle rod moves upwardly and leaves water surface, and at the same time the paddle enters the water to bear the pushing force, to drive the rotary body to swing reversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: National Taiwan Normal University
    Inventors: Chin-Guo Kuo, Jung-Hsuan Chen, Chao-Fu Shu
  • Patent number: 10895247
    Abstract: A nacelle of a wind turbine includes a rear frame structure (1), the rear frame structure (1) having a plurality of truss members (2), and a plurality of joints (3), each joint (3) interconnecting ends of at least two truss members (2). Each joint (3) includes a central portion (6) and at least two connecting portions (7) extending away from the central portion (6), each connecting portion (7) being arranged to form an interface towards a truss member (2), and each connecting portion (7) being significantly more flexible than the central portion (6) and significantly more flexible than the truss members (2). The rear frame structure (1) is capable of improved handling of bending moments due to the increased flexibility of the connecting portions (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Kristoffer Isbak Thomsen, Anders Haslund Liingaard
  • Patent number: 10890161
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods disclosed for generating embedded clean electrical energy. Particular aspects of the invention disclosed for design and integration of a micro wind generator array and a solar panel to form a micro-embedded electrical energy system. The embedded electrical energy system facilitates to produce more watts per hour in a most efficient way per square meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Bhaskar R Vemuri
  • Patent number: 10890158
    Abstract: A method for initializing startup of a wind turbine includes measuring a first wind condition at the wind turbine at a first moment in time. The method also includes measuring a second wind condition at the wind turbine at a subsequent, second moment in time. Further, the method includes estimating an acceleration parameter of the wind turbine as a function of the first wind condition and the second wind condition. Moreover, the method includes comparing the acceleration parameter to a predetermined threshold. As such, the method includes initializing a first startup process for the wind turbine when the acceleration parameter is at or below a predetermined threshold. Further, the method includes initializing a second startup process for the wind turbine when the acceleration parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, the second startup process being faster than the first startup process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Megan Purcell Murray, Jignesh Govindlal Gandhi, Hammad Ahmad
  • Patent number: 10890159
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the shutdown of a wind turbine of the type having a rotor, the rotor including one or more wind turbine blades. The method includes dynamically determining a rotor speed reference; obtaining a measure of the rotor speed of the rotor; determining an error between the rotor speed reference and the rotor speed of the rotor; and controlling a pitch of one or more of the wind turbine blades based on the determined error. A corresponding wind turbine controller and a wind turbine including such a controller are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Fabio Caponetti, Keld Hammerum, Jesper Lykkegaard Neubauer