Patents Examined by Iraj A. Mohandesi
  • Patent number: 7592783
    Abstract: A means for harvesting local energy and using it to generate local electric power is disclosed which uses as its energy source P-Static charge generated on the external surfaces of aircraft flying through the earths atmosphere or generated on the external surfaces of electrically ungrounded objects immersed in the wind and subjected to the impact of charge generating ingredients contained in the atmosphere or wind. The P-Static charge is collected and stored in a high voltage rechargeable capacitor storage unit at several thousand volts with energy removed from the storage unit as needed and converted to low voltage DC or AC power which, in turn, is used to power local, low power consumption electronic chips and devices. Data measured by the chips or devices is relayed wirelessly back to a receiver located within the aircraft or object with the wireless transmitter also powered by the P-Static Electrical Power System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventor: Philip Onni Jarvinen
  • Patent number: 7592784
    Abstract: An electrical power generator includes a controller for making a full power capacity of the generator available for consumption by at least one intelligent load coupled to an output of the generator. The controller obtains data from which both a present output power of the generator and a power capacity of the generator can be determined. The controller then provides the intelligent load with data indicative of both the present output power and the power capacity of the generator for use by the load in controlling its power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Wei Qi, Michael Rubbo, Richard Wainwright
  • Patent number: 7589428
    Abstract: Electro-gravity plates are applied to road surfaces for generating electricity from the passage of vehicles over the plates. Each plate contains a packed lattice of electro-gravity cells that individually produces electricity from the passing vehicles. The cells use a variety of technologies to convert the kinetic energy and the gravitational potential energy of moving vehicles into electricity. A first type of cell includes a spring-loaded permanent magnet inside a solenoid. The passing vehicles cause the magnet to translate up and down inside the solenoid for generating electricity. A second type of cell includes a spring-loaded hammer and a piezoelectric material. The passing vehicles cause the hammer to compress the piezoelectric material for generating electricity. A third type of cell includes a counterweighted crank rotatably coupled to a dynamo. The passing vehicles cause the crank to rotate the dynamo for generating electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Faramarz Frank Ghassemi
  • Patent number: 7589430
    Abstract: A power generating device according to the present invention has a positive displacement steam expander for converting expansion of steam into a rotational force, a power generator connected to a rotational axis of the positive displacement steam expander, an inverter for setting an operational frequency of the power generator, a power detector for detecting generated electric power of the power generator, and control means for changing set frequency of the inverter in accordance with a deviation of the generated electric power detected by the power detector from a target value. According to such a configuration, it is possible to sustain high output of the power generator irrespective of a differential pressure between primary side steam and secondary side steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Nakamura, Shoji Yoshimura, Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7586206
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes an asynchronous generator having a rotor and a stator, means for determining an actual torque-speed curve of the generator, means for determining an actual grid frequency, and means for determining a shifted torque-speed curve in response to the determined actual grid frequency if the determined actual grid frequency is higher than a predetermined upper frequency limit or lower than a predetermined lower frequency limit. The means for determining a shifted torque-speed curve is further adapted to determine the shifted torque-speed curve such that an increase in the rotor voltage of said generator rotor is counteracted when shifting the actual torque-speed curve to the shifted torque-speed curve. The wind turbine further includes means for shifting the actual torque-speed curve of the generator to the shifted torque-speed curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Werner Barton, Wilhelm Janssen, Robert Delmerico, Nicholas W. Miller
  • Patent number: 7586217
    Abstract: A magnet assembly includes a back iron and an array of magnets. The back iron is in the form of a plate having opposed surfaces. The magnets are arranged along one of the surfaces, with the other surface being dimensioned and configured according to the magnetic field distribution associated with the magnets. The back iron geometry provides for reduced mass, reduced leakage flux, and high flux densities to improve performance of a linear motor that employs such a magnet assembly. Additionally, the back iron can be a magnetically conductive annular ring, such as is employed in a rotary motor. Moreover, the magnets can be arranged in a manner that generates a Halbach array to increase force output in a desired direction while canceling stray magnetic fields in other directions. Similar reduced-mass designs can be employed in conjunction with a back iron of a fixed cross-section and magnets of variable thicknesses, variable lengths, and/or variable widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Anorad Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Smith, Nandakumar Thirunarayan
  • Patent number: 7579701
    Abstract: A system for insulating a building and generating electricity includes a method for providing insulation for a building that resists heat transfer through conduction, convection and radiation, creating a series of air channels to transfer heat away from the underside of a roof using air currents, and harnessing such air currents to generate electricity. A series of turbines are positioned within or adjacent to the air channels, and are rotated by the air currents. The turbines are connected to an electrical generator, which generates electricity when the turbines are rotated. The generator is then connected either to an electrical storage device, such as a battery or a series of batteries, or is alternatively connected to the local power grid to provide electrical power back into the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Ronald J White
  • Patent number: 7579705
    Abstract: A system for converting mechanical wave energy into electrical energy comprising a translating generator apparatus located on a floating dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Anthony C. Ross
  • Patent number: 7579704
    Abstract: A wave power apparatus includes at least one rotationally supported arm (122) which carries a float (124) at its free end, so that a translational movement of the float caused by a wave results in rotation of the arm (122). The apparatus comprises power conversion means for converting power transmitted from the wave to the arms into electric power, e.g. a hydraulic system, in which a hydraulic medium is displaced by the movement of the arm, the hydraulic system being coupled to an electric generator. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic lifting system for lifting the float out of the ocean and for locking the float in an upper position above the ocean surface, e.g. during extreme sea wave conditions, such as storm. The lifting system may comprise at least one pump for pumping hydraulic cylinders for lifting the arm out of the ocean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Wave Star Energy APS
    Inventors: Per Resen Steenstrup, Niels Arpe Hansen, Keld Hansen
  • Patent number: 7573145
    Abstract: An electric power system includes an engine, a generator driven by the engine, an electrical energy storage device, power control circuitry coupling the generator and storage device together, and a processor coupled to the circuitry. The generator provides variable AC power and the storage device provides variable DC power to the circuitry. The processor executes operating logic to provide control signals to the circuitry to operate the generator at a first speed to provide a first level of AC electricity, increase the DC power provided from the storage device to increase the AC electricity to a second level, increase operating speed of the generator from the first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed, decrease the DC power from the storage device as the operating speed of the generator increases, and limit acceleration of the operating speed to reduce perception of a speed change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7573146
    Abstract: Control features for a wind turbine that control the turbine over a range of wind speeds and under triggering conditions with reduced noise, cost, and reliability issues associated with other such controls. Control is accomplished via control electronics, which adjust the torque produced by the electrical output generation device (e.g., alternator) within the wind turbine. During normal operation, torque is adjusted for optimum aerodynamic performance and maximum output of power. In winds above rated power, the control circuit regulates torque to lower aerodynamic performance, as necessary to maintain desired power level output. In triggering conditions, such as during simultaneous control circuit failure and loss of some portion of the electrical output generation device in extreme winds, wind turbine control is accomplished by increasing torque (e.g., via a separate controller) from the electrical output generation device via shorting of windings, so as to cause retardation of blade rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Southwest Windpower, Inc.
    Inventor: David Gregory Calley
  • Patent number: 7573162
    Abstract: A linear motor having a more preferable braking function is realized with a low cost. A linear motor has a slider and a stator. A driving winding is wound around the slider. A plurality of permanent magnets forming magnetic poles which invert at a predetermined period are provided on a surface of the slider opposing the stator. Teeth are formed on the stator with a predetermined spacing therebetween. The stator extends to a region outside of an effective movable range, and a braking winding is wound around the teeth in the extended portion. When the slider moves into a region outside of the effective movable range, an induced voltage is generated in the braking winding and a current flows. A thrust in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the slider is generated by the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Motozumi Yura, Yoichi Kawai
  • Patent number: 7573143
    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: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Humdinger Wind Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Shawn M. Frayne
  • Patent number: 7569944
    Abstract: A wind power generation system wherein procedure for controlling the blade pitch is changed in accordance with the rate of decrease in the amplitude of the grid voltage, and when over current occurs in the grid-side power converter, the grid-side power converter is brought into the gate-blocked condition whereas the generator-side power converter continues its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Oohara, Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Tadashi Sodeyama
  • Patent number: 7566979
    Abstract: A power source that is powered by a user to generate electrical energy includes a generator assembly and a fluid source. The generator assembly includes a rotor, a stator, and a fluid driven motor that is coupled to the rotor. Movement of the rotor relative to the stator results in the generation of electrical energy. The fluid source is manually powered by the user to direct pressurized fluid to the fluid driven motor to move the rotor relative to the stator. The fluid source can include a first fluid pump that is powered by the user to generate the pressurized fluid and a second fluid pump that is powered by the user to generate the pressurized fluid. One or both of the fluid pumps can include a fluid bellows that is powered by the user to generate the pressurized fluid. Alternatively, one or both of the fluid pumps can include a cylinder and a piston that is moved within the cylinder by the user to generate the pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: High Tide Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Hartman, Benjamin Huang, William Akin, John Masles, Joe Tomasic, Wendy Lorimer
  • Patent number: 7564160
    Abstract: Devices and methods of use for brush holder assemblies are disclosed. Brush holder assemblies including a mounting block and a brush holder are disclosed. Also illustrated is a brush holder assembly including a first portion in sliding engagement with a second portion. In some embodiments the brush holder includes a channel, such that at least a portion of the mounting block is disposed within the channel of the brush holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Cutsforth Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Cutsforth, David L. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 7564224
    Abstract: In a power-generator control apparatus installed in a power-generator designed to generate an output voltage at an output terminal thereof, a regulating unit regulates the output voltage so that the regulated output voltage is equivalent to a first target value. When a periodic signal with a predetermined frequency is applied from the outside of the power-generator to the output terminal thereof to be superimposed on the output voltage, a regulated voltage changing unit operatively connected to the regulating unit receives the periodic signal, and compares the frequency of the received periodic signal with a predetermined threshold frequency. The regulated voltage changing unit changes the first target value of the regulated output voltage to a second target value upon the frequency of the received periodic signal being higher than the predetermined threshold frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7560908
    Abstract: A method of switching the operating voltage of a portable generator system includes operating an electrical generator to produce a first electrical signal and connecting a terminal assembly to the electrical generator. The terminal assembly is arranged in a first arrangement to output a second electrical signal at a first voltage. The method also includes operating an auxiliary system in response to the second electrical signal at the first voltage, re-arranging the terminal assembly in a second arrangement to output the second electrical signal at a second voltage, and actuating a switch with a portion of the terminal assembly when the terminal assembly is in the second arrangement. The method further includes re-configuring the auxiliary system in response to the actuation of the switch such that the auxiliary system operates in response to the second electrical signal at the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Dale R. Herbstritt, Donald G. Smith
  • Patent number: 7554303
    Abstract: The controller of permanent magnet generator controls the current by using control switch which is installed in between power coil and control coil and switches on and off in switches in order to generate two different voltage and increase the power at very low speed condition of generator. The controller controls the voltage of power coil constantly by adjusting current of flowing in the control switch which the voltage is sensed on the load voltage sensor and the controller control the voltage constantly at very small speed by using power switches furthermore, the controller controls the two kind of voltage in power coils constantly by using control switch and switches in case of the generator having different kind of voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignees: Megumi Kawamura
    Inventor: Hideo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7550860
    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 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Benjamin Elias Blumenthal