Patents Examined by Iraj Mohandesi
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Patent number: 7462959Abstract: A linear motor can include a coil part having a plurality of coils forming a coil line; a magnet yoke part having a plurality of permanent magnets facing the coil line; and a coil cooling part configured to cool the coil part. The coil cooling part can include a cooling panel having a heat conductive element, the heat conductive element transferring heat of the coil part to an outside; and a heat radiation part connected to the cooling panel, the heat radiation part being configured to radiate the heat transferred from the heat conductive element to the outside.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Daisuke Shinohira, Dotaro Usui
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Patent number: 7443060Abstract: A resonator of an acoustic compressor is provided at each side of an actuator so that the two resonators are arranged side by side. Two pistons are provided at the inner ends of the resonators and actuated by the actuator. At the outer end of the each of the resonators, a gas is introduced into the resonator through a suction hole. When the pistons are actuated by the actuator, the gases in the two resonators are oscillated and compressed by the piston and discharged through discharge holes at the outer ends of the resonators.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Anest Iwata CorporationInventors: Masaaki Kawahashi, Mohammed Anwar Hossain, Tamotsu Fujioka
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Patent number: 7439630Abstract: A system for generating electrical power supply signals includes at least one heat engine having a chamber that undergoes heating/cooling cycle and corresponding pressure variations. At least one piezoelectric transducer is deformed in response to the pressure variations of the heat engine. A power converter transforms the electric signals generated in response to deformation of the piezoelectric transducer(s) to a desired electrical power supply signal. The heat engine preferably uses a geothermal source of cold and an ambient source of hot or vice-versa. Hydrogen can be used as a working fluid, and metal hydride material can be used for absorbing and desorbing hydrogen during the cycle of heating and cooling of the heat engine. A phase change material can also be used. The power converter preferably includes an electromechanical battery with a flywheel storing rotational energy and possibly an electrostatic motor that adds rotational energy to the flywheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Helius Inc.Inventor: Kimberly Peacock
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Patent number: 7378764Abstract: A positioning apparatus including a movable member having a plurality of magnets, and a plurality of coils arranged in X- and Y-axial directions, for displacing the movable member in the X- and Y-axial directions, and in a rotational direction around the Z-axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Asano Tosiya
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Patent number: 7372174Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter that can be used to interface a generator that provides variable voltage at variable frequency to a supply network operating at nominally fixed voltage and nominally fixed frequency and including features that allow the power converter to remain connected to the supply network and retain control during supply network fault and transient conditions. The power converter includes a generator bridge electrically connected to the stator of the generator and a network bridge. A dc link is connected between the generator bridge and the network bridge. A filter having network terminals is connected between the network bridge and the supply network. A first controller is provided for controlling the operation of the semiconductor power switching devices of the generator bridge. Similarly, a second controller is provided for controlling the operation of the semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Converteam LtdInventors: Rodney Jones, Paul Brian Brogan, Erik Grondahl, Henrik Stiesdal
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Patent number: 7352088Abstract: An exemplary description provided for patent searches includes a linear electrodynamic system for conversion of mechanical motion into electrical power or conversion of electrical power into mechanical motion involving advantageous use of magnetic material positioned on a mover. Bore surfaces of the magnetic material is shape complementary to bore surfaces of stator poles. Some implementations utilize non-annularly shaped bore surfaces while others utilize annularly shaped bore surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Infinia CorporationInventor: Songgang Qiu
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Patent number: 7339355Abstract: A wind powered turbine with low voltage ride-through capability. An inverter is connected to the output of a turbine generator. The generator output is conditioned by the inverter resulting in an output voltage and current at a frequency and phase angle appropriate for transmission to a three-phase utility grid. A frequency and phase angle sensor is connected to the utility grid operative during a fault on the grid. A control system is connected to the sensor and to the inverter. The control system output is a current command signal enabling the inverter to put out a current waveform, which is of the same phase and frequency as detected by the sensor. The control system synthesizes current waveform templates for all three-phases based on a sensed voltage on one phase and transmits currents to all three-phases of the electrical system based on the synthesized current waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: William Erdman, Kevin L. Cousineau, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 7276806Abstract: An engine speed detector detects an engine speed of an engine having a baseline torque versus engine speed curve. A torque sensor detects an engine torque of the engine. A data processor determines if the detected engine speed is within a first speed range and if the detected engine torque is within a first torque range. A motor controller activates an electric motor to rotate substantially synchronously with a corresponding engine speed associated with the detected engine torque in an electric propulsion mode in accordance with a supplemental torque versus engine speed curve if the detected engine speed is within the first speed range and if the detected engine torque is within the first torque range. The supplemental torque versus engine speed curve intercepts the baseline torque versus engine speed curve at a lower speed point and a higher speed point.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Alan David Sheidler, Brian Joseph Gilmore, Mark Charles DePoorter, Peter Finamore, Duane Herbert Ziegler, Joseph Albert Teijido
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Patent number: 7274120Abstract: A drive unit for performing precise linear movement of a driven object comprises a motor having a cylindrical stator and a cylindrical rotor that is coaxially put in the cylindrical stator and capable of rotating relatively to the cylindrical stator, a movable barrel for holding a driven object mounted for rotation in the cylindrical rotor, a motion transformation mechanism comprising an internal helical groove formed in the cylindrical rotor and an external helical thread formed on the movable barrel which engage with each other so as to cause relative rotation between the cylindrical rotor and the movable barrel when the cylindrical rotor rotates, thereby transforming rotational movement of the rotor into a linear movement of the movable barrel, and a head-on striking structure provided between the helical groove and the helical thread to restrict the relative rotation at an intended extreme end of an axial path of the movable barrel.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventor: Mitsuo Manabe
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Patent number: 7268522Abstract: A wound field synchronous (WFS) dynamoelectric machine comprises: a rotor assembly; an exciter generator section comprising a stationary multiphase exciter stator winding for receiving excitation power from a multiphase alternating current (AC) source to generate an exciter stator magnetic field, a multiphase exciter rotor winding in the rotor assembly for generating multiphase AC excitation power as it cuts through the exciter stator magnetic field and a rotating rectifier assembly in the rotor assembly for converting the multiphase AC excitation power to direct current (DC) excitation power; a synchronous machine section comprising a DC main rotor winding in the rotor assembly for generating a main rotor magnetic field and a stationary multiphase main stator winding for receiving a multiphase AC control signal to generate a rotating main stator magnetic field that interacts with the main rotor magnetic field to rotate the rotor assembly; and an impedance that selectively connects one phase of the exciter stType: GrantFiled: May 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Donal E. Baker
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Patent number: 7250689Abstract: A control unit assembly is disclosed including a housing, at least one processor to control operation of an engine, and a voltage regulator configured to regulate a voltage of at least one rail of the engine. The at least one processing unit and the voltage regulator reside on a common circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: BRP US Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Koerner, Michael J. French, Mark J. Skrzypchak, Dale A. Wiegele, Matthew J. Edwards, Gregry M. Remmers
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Patent number: 7245041Abstract: A long cylinder shaped beam is submerged in the ocean and suspended horizontally by multiple floats for converting ocean wave energy. The long length (at least the distance of the crest of two waves) and heavy weight of the beam, give the floats something stable to pull against. The weight of the beam pulling at the floats is transferred back and forth, as the ocean swells move over the beam, which activate machine components that may be installed in the beam, the floats or with rods connecting the floats to the beam. An individual float will not lift the beam except when the tide raises all the floats. The floats will pull and release the tension of the weight of the beam at randomly different times. The shape of the beam is straight. The ocean surface is continuously curving up and down and the beam will not bend to the shape of the ocean surface, but the floats will mimic the undulating or curvy shape of the ocean surface, and that motion actives the machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Inventor: Chris F. Olson
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Patent number: 7230344Abstract: In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, the present technique provides methods and apparatus for providing transient and uninterrupted power to protected loads. As one example, the present invention provides an induction device that operates as an induction motor to energize a kinetic energy storage device, such as a flywheel, during conventional operating conditions. However, in the event of a loss of primary power, the induction device, which is fed ac power at variable frequencies, begins to operate as an induction generator. For example, by varying the frequency of the input ac power such that the synchronous speed of the motor is exceeded by the rotating flywheel, the induction device acts as an induction generator and provides a transient operating power to the downstream loads until an auxiliary power source, such as a diesel generator, is brought on line.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Pollack, Michael J. Melfi
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Patent number: 7224089Abstract: A linear motor having a fixed inductor and a moving part including windings and a stator. The stator includes a plurality of teeth defining a plurality of slots into which the windings are inserted, the stator being segmented into a first piece and a second piece adjacent to the first piece. A joint is defined between the first piece and the second piece. A fastening fastens the first piece to the second piece, wherein the fastening includes a recess disposed in a first lateral surface of the first piece located at the joint, wherein the recess opens exclusively onto the lateral surface and defines at least one locking surface. A complementary part formed from the second piece and which engages the at least one locking surface so as to hold the first lateral surface and a second lateral surface of the second piece against one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Etel, S.A.Inventor: Jean-Pierre Morel
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Patent number: 7170263Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an on-vehicle generator is provided. The apparatus comprises a switching element, current detecting unit, setting unit and driving unit. The switching unit turns on/off an exciting current to an exciting winding of the generator, the switching element being driven responsively to a driving signal having an adjustable duty ratio. The setting unit sets the duty ratio based on (i) a difference between an output voltage of the generator and a target voltage value and (ii) a condition in which an electric load is disconnected from the generator, wherein the duty ratio is allowed to lower than a minimum value of the duty ratio depending on a generated state of the generator. The minimum value allows the exciting current to flow at a lower limit detectable by the current detecting unit, The driving unit drives the switching element based on the driving signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Takaaki Yamamoto, Fuyuki Maehara
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Patent number: 7122993Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling a voltage output of an alternator having a regulated voltage control (RVC). The apparatus includes a processor configured to transmit one of at least two control signals and a switch coupled to the processor and configured to select one of the control signals. One of the control signals is an RVC enable signal, and another control signal is a voltage boost signal. The method includes determining whether RVC requires override, selecting an output voltage mode of the alternator, activating a boosted voltage mode of the alternator by disabling RVC when RVC requires override, and activating an RVC mode by enabling RVC when the RVC does not require override or upon an occurrence of a lapse of a pre-determined amount of time.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Kerfegar K. Katrak
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Patent number: 7116083Abstract: A system and method is provided for overload and fault current protection of a permanent magnet generator. The system comprises a permanent magnet machine, a DC link, an inverter, coupled between the permanent magnet machine and the DC link, and a controller adapted to provide a linear decrease in voltage for the DC link when the permanent magnet machine is in at least one of an overload and fault current condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Gabor Kalman, Colin E. Huggett
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Patent number: 7098552Abstract: A wind energy conversion system includes upper and lower wind turbines having counter-rotating blade assemblies supported for rotation about a vertical rotation axis, with each blade assembly carrying a rotor for rotation past a stator to produce an electrical output. The wind turbines are supported by a tower at an elevated position above the ground. Each wind turbine produces torque, and the wind energy conversion system provides for balancing the torques to avoid a net torque on the tower. Adjustment mechanisms are provided for adjusting blade pitch and for adjusting the size of an air gap between a stator and a rotor that comes into alignment with the stator as the rotor rotates therepast. The wind energy conversion system provides a hood for supplying intake air to a wind turbine and an exhaust plenum for exhausting air from the wind turbine, with the hood and the exhaust plenum being directionally positionable.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: WECS, Inc.Inventor: Dan Keith McCoin
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Patent number: 7091627Abstract: A power train controller can operate in either motoring or braking modes. Its prime mover accepts a limited proportion of braking power and the remainder of the braking power is dissipated in an energy dump. A control system is arranged to maintain the voltage bus of the power train at a constant value throughout both modes.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Switched Relunctance Drives, LimitedInventors: Michael James Turner, Paul Andrew Sykes
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Patent number: 7078826Abstract: A rotating electrical machine, such as an aircraft starter-generator, that may be operated in either a DC motor mode or an AC generator mode. The machine includes a conventionally wound main stator that is selectively configurable as a multi-pole AC stator and a multi-pole DC stator. The machine also includes rotor windings that are configured to be selectively coupled to either an exciter or a plurality of commutator segments, and DC brushes that are selectively moveable into, and out of, electrical contact with the commutator segments, to thereby electrically couple and decouple a DC power source to and from, respectively, the rotor windings.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Mingzhou Xu, Michael W. Duddeck, Wayne T. Pearson, William M. Scherzinger, David E. Stout