Patents Examined by Iraj A. Mohandesi
  • Patent number: 7932619
    Abstract: These Free Renewable Energy Designs capture the Earth's tidal energy forces. These systems of interconnected modules are capable of capturing and releasing massive amounts of sea water through water control gate(s) located on the barges. Type A design modules are permanently suspended between high tide and low tide levels and converts Earth's tidal energy into electricity by means of bidirectional water driven turbines contained within cylindrical housings located adjacent to the watertight control gate(s), and at the internal connections between the individual modules, and by bidirectional air driven turbines on the air pressure relief vents. Type B design modules are dynamically secured against massive columns with foundations, and are capable of moving freely up and down the columns, thus using gravitational kinetic energy and buoyant kinetic energy to mechanically drive electrical generators between tidal changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Fred Michael Newcomer
  • Patent number: 7919878
    Abstract: Inverse magneto hydrodynamics is employed to exploit natural movement of ocean water at coastal facilities using arrays of tubes to channel the water through orthogonal magnetic fields to generate DC voltage. Each such tube houses a plurality of serially arranged hydro-voltaic cells to produce electrical energy without mechanical movement. The tubes are preferably arranged to produce improved land use efficiency as compared to other known renewable energy generating systems such as photo-voltaic and wind turbines. A pumped salt water version is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Eduardo J. Peralta
  • Patent number: 7915869
    Abstract: When driven by a variable speed prime mover, a generator system provides relatively constant frequency AC power by independently controlling the main rotor flux rotational speed. The generator system includes an exciter stator that induces current in the exciter rotor windings at a desired frequency and phasing. The exciter rotor windings are electrically connected to and located in a common core as the main rotor windings to provide two-phase excitation current to the main rotor windings. The exciter stator winding is also located in a common core as the main generator stator windings. Excitation is supplied to the exciter stator from an exciter controller, which controls the frequency and phasing of the exciter excitation, based on the rotational speed and rotor position of the generator, to maintain a constant output frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Cristian Anghel, William Scherzinger
  • Patent number: 7911072
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for controlling a wind turbine connected to the utility grid by detecting status of the utility grid, and controlling one or more rotor blades and/or emitted power to the grid in returning to the operational wind turbine settings of normal grid mode. The invention also relates to a wind turbine and a wind park comprising at least two wind turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Anders Nyborg
  • Patent number: 7906863
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle of the invention, a hybrid electronic control unit sets a drive point of an engine and torque commands Tm1* and Tm2* of motors MG1 and MG2 in a range of an input limit and an output limit of a battery, in order to satisfy a preset power demand, and sends the engine drive point to an engine ECU and the torque commands Tm1* and Tm2* simultaneously with the input limit and the output limit of the battery to a motor ECU. The motor ECU verifies whether the operations of the motors MG1 and MG2 with the torque commands Tm1* and Tm2* are in the range of the input limit and the output limit of the battery. When the operations of the motors MG1 and MG2 are out of the range of the input limit and the output limit, the motor ECU resets the torque commands Tm1* and Tm2* to make the operations of the motors MG1 and MG2 in the range of the input limit and the output limit and controls the operations of the motors MG1 and MG2 with the reset torque commands Tm1* and Tm2*.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabshiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 7906865
    Abstract: Installation for harnessing wave energy, comprising a floating structure (1) that comprises at least one gyroscopic device (5) with a flywheel (6) that can turn by the action of a motor (7) and a generator (10) configured so that when the gyroscopic device (5) is in use, said flywheel (6) is subjected to a pitching torque caused by the motion of the waves that feeds the generator (10), wherein the installation also comprises: means (23, 44) for controlling the motor (7); means (24, 45) for controlling the generator (10); a floating device (25) for capturing data on the waves; means for transmitting the data captured by the data-capturing floating device (25) and for receiving said data in the floating structure (1); a control unit (16) that calculates at least one parameter applicable by the means (23, 44) for controlling the motor (7) and at least one parameter applicable by the means (24, 45) for controlling the generator (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Oceantec Energias Marinas, S.L.
    Inventors: José Pablo Ruiz Minguela, Sabino Elorduizapatarietxe Fadrique, Maria Herrero Eizmendi, Pedro Liria Loza
  • Patent number: 7880448
    Abstract: A permanent magnet machine (PMM) has a kinetic portion electrically coupled to a power conversion portion. Motive power is provided to the kinetic portion by a torque applied to a motive shaft coupled to a prime mover, such as an aircraft engine or an automobile engine. A control circuit includes a switch disposed between the kinetic portion and output feeder cables of the power conversion portion. A first sensor is effective to detect a first fault condition in either the feeder cables or the power conversion portion and a second sensor is effective to detect a second fault condition in the kinetic energy portion. The first sensor is effective to open the switch when a first fault condition is detected and the second sensor is effective to apply a voltage to a winding within the kinetic portion generating an opposing counter torque on the motive shaft where a combination of torque and counter torque exceeds a fracture yield strength of said motive shaft causing it to fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Stanley C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7863766
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a turbine to generate mechanical energy from kinetic energy, a generator coupled to the turbine to receive the mechanical energy and to output multiple isolated supply powers, and multiple power stages each coupled to the generator. Each of the power stages may receive at least one of the isolated supply powers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company
    Inventors: Mehdi Abolhassani, Thomas Keister, Haran Karmaker, Ryan Edwards, Enrique Ledezma, Alex Skorcz
  • Patent number: 7851933
    Abstract: An input shaft rotates at variable rotation rates and is driven by a variable source of energy or power such as by the propeller of a wind-driven electrical generator. The input shaft is connected to a clutch which is connected to an output shaft and which is operable to rotate the output shaft at a preselected or constant rotation rate. The clutch has a first rotor which electromagnetically interacts with a second rotor to create a torque to cause the second rotor to rotate. The interaction of the first rotor and the second rotor may be varied electrically or mechanically to vary the torque and in turn the rotation rate of the second shaft. The shaft is preferably connected to a synchronous generator; and the rotation rate of the output shaft is controlled so that the generator supplies power at an essentially constant rotation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher K. Duffey, Leslie R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7847422
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system to generate electricity from vehicular traffic and road infrastructure. Specifically, energy of a moving vehicle may be transferred via mechanic or wind energy into electricity. Additionally, shoulders of roads allow for installment of photovoltaic cells that provide for electricity while not interfering with normal traffic patterns in the least.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Benjamin Elias Blumenthal
  • Patent number: 7843080
    Abstract: A cooling system for a wind turbine is provided. The cooling system includes at least one generator having a plurality of external fins disposed around at least a portion of the periphery of the generator. A shroud is disposed around at least a portion of the generator, and is configured to guide air across the external fins so that said air cools the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Patrick L. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7839009
    Abstract: Accordingly, the system for extracting power from tidal or other water action in a water region having a bottom surface, comprises: a base assembly positionable on the bottom surface of the water region; a buoyant blade assembly mounted on the base assembly, the blade assembly including at least one buoyant blade member, wherein the blade assembly or the blade member is capable of oscillating through an angle, wherein the buoyant blade member is mounted such that when the base assembly is positioned properly in the water region relative to the direction of the tide or other water action, torque is generated by the oscillating movement of the buoyant blade assembly or the buoyant blade member, and wherein the base assembly includes a power-extracting mechanism responsive to the torque generated by the tide or other action of water or the buoyant blade assembly; and a system for coupling the torque to the power-extracting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Philip A Rink
  • Patent number: 7834473
    Abstract: Wind-driven electrical generators will slow and lose kinetic energy when the wind slows or stops. When the wind slows or stops, kinetic energy in the rotating turbine and other rotating components that would otherwise be lost, is conserved by supplying a supplemental mechanical energy to the rotating components using a battery-powered motor. The electrical power for the drive motor is obtained from solar-charged batteries. In an alternate embodiment, solar cells provide all of the energy for the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Steven J. DeAngeles
  • Patent number: 7830029
    Abstract: A wind park system is disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises at least one wind power installation having a generator for the delivery of electrical power to an electrical network, characterized in that the power delivered to the network by the wind park is regulated or adjusted in dependence on the network frequency of the electrical network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 7830127
    Abstract: An electric power generator system or a motor comprising a doubly-fed asynchronous generator or motor comprising a stator and a rotor, a transformer having a first winding and a second winding, the first winding having a first end and a second end; and wherein the stator and the transformer are connectable in series with an electric power distribution grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Wind To Power System, S.L.
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Corcelles Pereira, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Amenedo, Santiago Arnaltes-Gómez
  • Patent number: 7830030
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a wind energy system wherein when a first settable boundary value (G1) is reached by a first parameter (M1) a process is automatically started whose course is monitored by measuring a second parameter (M2). By comparing the measured values of the second parameter (M2) with a second settable boundary value (G2), the first settable boundary value is changed upon reaching the second boundary value (G2) by the second parameter (M2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: REpower Systems AG
    Inventor: Jens Altemark
  • Patent number: 7821150
    Abstract: An ocean energy harvesting system utilizes horizontal structural members that rotate in response to wave motion. The structural members are designed to capture energy in a line array that replicates the shape of the waves as they pass through the ocean. A generator platform is placed in the ocean environment or on the shore, and the structural members rotate under the platform or around a pivot post placed in proximity to the platform. The rotation drives a generator shaft due to direct attachment to the structural member or from a cable attached to a structural member some distance from the platform. The structural members can be of substantial length depending on the prevailing wave conditions at the site and the desired amount of energy capture. The system adjusts to differing water levels due to tidal shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas E Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7821144
    Abstract: An electrical generator including a magnetic field generator and at least one energy converter for converting energy present in fluid flows into vibrations or oscillations. The converter includes a flexible membrane having at least two fixed ends. The membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow. One of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane. The vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field. The relative movement causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor, and the change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Humdinger Wind Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Shawn M. Frayne
  • Patent number: 7821147
    Abstract: A portable, tow-able, buoyant hybrid renewable energy platform for producing and storing electrical energy using wind, water, and solar power, or a combination of these methods. Included on this platform is a wind turbine that semi-detaches to become a water turbine, if necessary. A small fuel backup generator is provided for, as is a system for air-portage and stabilizing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Antolin Du Bois
  • Patent number: 7808121
    Abstract: An energy efficient land vehicle includes a.) a conventional land power mechanism, with a storage battery and power consuming mechanisms directly or indirectly connected to the storage battery, for controlled delivery of electric power to the power consuming mechanisms; b.) a supplemental electric power generation system located on the conventional land vehicle, the supplemental power plant including: i.) a housing; ii.) at least one set of rotatable blades mounted within the housing; iii.) a movable shaft connected to the set of rotatable blades; iv.) a generator for generating electricity connected to the shaft; v.) a voltage regulator; and, vi.) a connection to the storage battery for providing electric power. The housing has at least an open front for air ingress and an open area downstream from the blades for air egress, and the open front has at least one gate. The gate opens only when the vehicle is decelerating or stationary and is otherwise closed during vehicle movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kenergy Development Corp.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn