Patents Examined by J Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7683497
    Abstract: A turbomachinery electric generator arrangement includes a rotary compressor, a generator having a rotary armature and a stator, a combustion chamber to which compressed gas is directed from the compressor, a rotary turbine to which combustion product is directed from the combustion chamber and a bearing arrangement supporting in rotation the rotary compressor, rotary armature and rotary turbine. Compressed gas for cooling components of the arrangement is directed from the rotary compressor, typically being tapped off from a subsidiary gas output upstream of a primary gas outlet. Bearing thermal shielding and modular construction of components are also features of the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Centricomp Group PLC
    Inventor: Richard Julius Gozdawa
  • Patent number: 7675271
    Abstract: Described is a system for generating electrical power, which system includes a turbine that is mechanically connected to a generator, which in turn is connected via a multiphase transformer to a load. In at least one embodiment, at least two counter-connected switching devices of the converter are assigned to each phase of the transformer. The transformer is provided on the side facing the converter with two winding arrangements in a star connection. Each of the windings of the first winding arrangement is connected to the switching devices belonging to one phase and switched in one direction. Each of the windings of the second winding arrangement is connected to the switching devices belonging to one phase and switched in the opposite direction. The star points of the two winding arrangements are connected via a direct current choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Converteam Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Georg Moehlenkamp, Wolfgang Bach, Peter Hussels
  • Patent number: 7663257
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Thomas Leppien, Terry Lee Lautzenheiser, Christopher B. Houghton, Stephen J. McPhilliamy
  • Patent number: 7635924
    Abstract: A wind power generation system includes at least one windward power generation area, at least one maintenance and repair area, a transmission system and an auto-management system. The windward power generation area includes a wind power generation unit. With the wind power generation system of the invention, the wind power generation unit can be replaced or maintained easily if the wind power generation unit breaks down, and thus the invention can reduce the maintenance cost and manpower and enhance the efficiency of using green energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Apollo New Jersey Corporation
    Inventor: Siao-Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 7532428
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism having clamping jaws is provided for holding an object. The clamping mechanism comprises a solenoid pad connected to at least one of the clamping jaws which is operative to actuate movement of the clamping jaw, and a solenoid motor that is operative to attract the solenoid pad towards it when it is energized. Further, a voice coil motor is rigidly coupled to the solenoid pad to drive the solenoid pad in directions towards or away from the solenoid motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Ka Shing Kenny Kwan, Tingyu He
  • Patent number: 7521905
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for reducing a potentially damaging high voltage fault condition in an alternator system. The apparatus comprises a motor, a rectifier coupled to the motor, an output node coupled to the rectifier, and a switch coupled between the rectifier and the output node, wherein the switch is a normally “on” switch. The system includes the apparatus implemented into a vehicle comprising an engine to drive the apparatus and a battery coupled to the apparatus, wherein the apparatus provides current to the battery. The method includes the steps of providing current from a rectifier of the alternator to a battery coupled to the rectifier and ceasing to provide current to the battery if a damaging event occurs, wherein the ceasing step comprises the step of switching OFF a normally “on” switch coupled between the rectifier and the battery if a damaging event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Welchko, Gregory S. Smith, James M. Nagashima
  • Patent number: 7493766
    Abstract: An auxiliary electrical power supply includes a fuel combustor passively sourced with fuel for combusting fuel and a thermoelectric generator close-coupled to the combustor for converting the heat from the combustor to electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jihui Yang, Michael F. Matouka, Francis R. Stabler
  • Patent number: 7482707
    Abstract: A wind power installation, according to one aspect, comprising a pylon which is secured to a foundation, a generator, a container, wherein the container is disposed within the pylon, and a transformer to transform electrical energy provided by the generator to a higher voltage, the transformer disposed in the container. The wind power installation further including a sensor to generate data which is representative of the salt content in air within the pylon and/or within the container and circuitry to provide data which is representative of the salt content to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 7476985
    Abstract: In a wind turbine and in a method of operating a wind turbine, the rotor speed and/or the generator power are reduced in response to variables exceeding predetermined values, the variables being one or more of wind direction relative to horizontal direction of main shaft of turbine, turbulence of the wind, or any other variable sensed by one or more sensors mounted on components of turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.
    Inventor: Jose Ignacio Llorente Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7462950
    Abstract: A magnetic levitation weight reduction structure for a vertical wind turbine generator includes a frame, a fixed permanent magnet, an axle, a revolving permanent magnet, a blade hub, and a generator. The fixed permanent magnet fixed to the frame has a first repulsive surface. The axle is connected to the frame. The revolving permanent magnet fixed to the axle has a second repulsive surface in relation to the first repulsive surface of the fixed permanent magnet. Both the first and the second repulsive surfaces repel with each other. The blade hub and the generator are connected to the axle. When the revolving permanent magnet is rotated, the axle functions as a balance center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Suey-Yueh Hu
  • Patent number: 7459802
    Abstract: An energy conversion system includes a first mechanical system for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion, a second system formed of belts and pulleys connected to said first system and driven by said rotary motion to lift a weight in response to said rotary motion from a first position to a second position and allow the weight to return to said first position under the influence of gravity. A rotary electrical is driven by the second system through a transmission means connected to the second system to create electricity only while the weight is returning from its second to its first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Navatek, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Loui, Gary Shimozono
  • Patent number: 7176658
    Abstract: The invention is a control system that, among other things, controls a permanent magnet alternator and provides relatively accurate voltage regulation. The control system may include one or more of the following: (1) a rectification system to rectify and regulate the output voltage of an alternator, (2) a rectifier/limiter used as an electrical power source to a boost type regulator, (3) a multimode rectifier/limiter, (4) a DC to AC inverter bridge, and (5) power switches employed in the system to minimize the switching energy that would otherwise be dissipated in the power switches as heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications Inc.
    Inventors: Fazle Quazi, Harold C. Scott, Stewart C. Koch
  • Patent number: 7161254
    Abstract: Vibrational motion caused by a moving vehicle is transduced into electrical energy by a vibrational-to-electric energy converter, and stored in an electrical energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery. The electrical energy storage device may then power one or more electronic components located on the moving vehicle. Where a radio transmitter is used, information produced by the electronic components located on the moving vehicle may be transmitted to other locations/devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd.
    Inventors: James M. Janky, John Ahearn, Bruce Riter