Abstract: A power generation device for a utility vehicle having a battery source capable of storing electrical energy and selectively outputting electrical energy and selectively receiving electrical energy, a logic/driver module operably coupled to the battery source and capable of outputting power to a drive system of the utility vehicle, an internal combustion engine capable of outputting a mechanical driving force in response to a control input from the logic/driver module, and an AC induction motor operably coupled to the internal combustion engine via a coupler and electrically coupled to the logic/driver module. The AC induction motor is capable of operating as a generator in response to the mechanical driving force of the internal combustion engine, thereby outputting electrical energy to the logic/driver module, and further is capable of operating as an electric motor in response to input of electrical energy from the logic/driver module.

Abstract: A unique, small microturbine engine adapted to integrate with an electrical generator for producing electrical power has been developed. The microturbine includes an ejector cooling scheme, a prevaporizing combustor, and a combustor air bypass. The ejector cooling scheme uses energy in the hot exhaust gas stream of the microturbine to entrain a flow of ambient air that cools the generator. The prevaporizing combustor of the present invention allows liquid fuel to be vaporized in a small amount of air prior to combustion, thereby increasing combustion efficiency and decreasing combustor size requirements. The combustor air bypass allows a fraction of the compressor discharge air to bypass the prevaporizing combustor under certain operating conditions. This permits control of the overall equivalence ratio and the fuel/air mixing process in the combustion zone, improving efficiency and operability.

Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus is described that utilizes hydraulic actuation and creates a continuous, revolving motion of a chain of energy-producing elements within an energy-producing channel (the channel being in the form of a tube, for example). In particular, the arrangement of the present invention is based upon a specially-designed dual-loop channel topology that allows for efficient conversion of a unidirectional flow of a fluid entering the energy-producing channel into a smooth, continuous revolving motion of a chain of energy-producing elements within the channel.

Abstract: The method according to the invention involves limiting the charging of a vehicle alternator by only authorizing progressive augmentation of a current duty cycle (DC) of an excitation signal (7) of the alternator from an initial duty cycle to an expected duty cycle (EpsU) calculated by a control loop (1, 5, 6) of the alternator. According to the invention, a complementary limitation of the charging of the alternator involves limiting the increase of the current duty cycle (DC) according to at least one parameter of the heat engine involving an angular acceleration (mot) and/or a rotation speed (Nmot) of the heat motor. In particular, this complementary limitation can additionally involve limiting the increase of the current duty cycle (DC) according to a negative value of the angular acceleration (mot).

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine is proposed. The wind turbine is in a wind farm and connected to a point of common coupling that is connected to a utility grid. At least one quantity indicative of a short circuit ratio of the utility grid is measured. A control parameter of a control system controlling the wind turbine and the wind farm is adjusted. based on the measured value of the quantity.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for operating a power generation system within a battery storage/discharge mode or a dynamic brake mode may generally include a power convertor having a DC link, a switching module coupled to the DC link and a selector switch configured to selectively couple the switching module to one of a storage device or a resistive element of the power generation system. The selector switch may be movable between a first position, wherein the switching module is coupled to the storage device such that power is capable of being directed between the DC link and the storage device via control of the switching module, and a second position, wherein the switching module is coupled to the resistive element such that power is capable of being directed between the DC link and the resistive element via control of the switching module.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling voltage at a point of common coupling of a wind farm including a plurality of wind turbines is provided. The method includes: calculating a first voltage error value, which is a difference between a reference voltage value of the point of common coupling and an actual voltage value of the point of common coupling; calculating a compensation reference voltage value based on the first voltage error value; calculating a second voltage error value by subtracting a voltage value of an output terminal of a wind turbine from a sum of a reference voltage value of the wind turbine and the compensation reference voltage value; calculating a reactive power compensation value corresponding to the second voltage error value; and injecting a reactive current corresponding to the reactive current compensation value into a power grid.

Abstract: A method for reactive power generation for a wind turbine generator includes receiving a voltage command signal, and adjusting this voltage command signal as a function of the wind turbine reactive power. A reactive current is determined for the wind turbine generator in response to the adjusted voltage command signal and is transmitted to a controller of the wind turbine generator for generating a real and reactive power based on the reactive current command.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy uses an electrostatic arrangement based upon the interaction between conductive microfluidic droplets and dielectric-coated electrodes in combination with an electromagnetic arrangement based upon the interaction between magnetic elements and coils, with the two arrangements disposed in an interleaved configuration that provides a degree of synergy to the overall system in the form of providing spacings between adjacent elements and providing a bias voltage source for the electrostatic arrangement from the energy created by the electromagnetic arrangement.

Abstract: A wind-power generator control system is provided. The wind-power generator control system includes a wind turbine, a power generator, a normally closed relay, and a control unit. The wind-power generator has a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and outputs a power output via the first and second output terminal when the wind turbine rotates. The normally closed relay is connected between the first and second output terminals. The control unit transmits a control signal to the normally closed relay by grid power. Also, when the normally closed relay does not receive the control signal, the first output terminal short-circuits the second output terminal by the normally closed relay for protecting the wind-power generator. When the normally closed relay receives the control signal, the first output terminal open-circuits the second output terminal by the normally closed relay for providing the power output.

Abstract: A wave-power aggregate and a method of extracting energy from wave motion in a liquid by means of a wave-power aggregate is provided. The wave-power aggregate comprises a container which is situated at least partially in the liquid and also comprises an inflow and an outflow. The container is arranged to, under the influence of said wave motion, to let a first part of the container arrange itself in a first position and a second part of the container in a second position, where the first and second position corresponds to different potential energy states. The method comprises the steps of: alternately supplying the container with at least a first and a second fluid respectively via the inflow, where the density of the fluids differs; and at least during an initial stage of the method controlling a flow resistance in at least one of the first and second fluids through the container.

Abstract: A method for controlling torsional oscillation includes detecting angular position of a wound field synchronous generator machine, extracting information indicative of torsional oscillation, selecting synchronous torsional oscillations, compensating for the synchronous torsional oscillations with an exciter signal, and controlling field current in the wound field synchronous generator using the exciter signal. A damping controller includes a damping module with a synchronous selective compensator and a synchronous notch filter for generating torsional oscillation compensation signals for asynchronous torsional oscillation.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine includes a support axis and a wind wheel. The wind wheel includes a rotation base, plural rotation stand sets, plural deflection structures, plural blades, and plural deflection-limiting structures corresponding to the plural blades. The rotation base is rotatably disposed on the support axis. The plural rotation stand sets may define a rotation plane. A first end of each rotation stand set is fixedly disposed on the rotation base. Each blade is pivotally coupled to a second end of the corresponding rotation stand set through the corresponding deflection structure. Consequently, an angle of attack of the blade in an airflow is correspondingly adjusted. When one of the plural blades is deflected, the corresponding deflection-limiting structure generates a first rotational torque in a first rotating direction or a second rotational torque in a second rotating direction so as to rotate the rotation base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a starter for starting an engine. The starter includes a starter main body, a main electromagnetic switch, and an auxiliary electromagnetic switch. The starter main body includes a motor that generates torque upon being supplied with electric power. The main electromagnetic switch is provided for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit for supplying electric power from a battery to the motor. The auxiliary electromagnetic switch is provided for selectively switching the electric circuit between a high-resistance path and a low-resistance path. The starter is characterized in that the auxiliary electromagnetic switch is fixed to a fixture, and the fixture is fixed to only one of the starter main body and the main electromagnetic switch.

Abstract: A pitch control system for a wind turbine is disclosed. The pitch control system may generally include a motor having an armature and a winding and a grid power source configured to supply electrical power to the motor. The pitch control system may also include a plurality of switching components configured to control a first current through the armature independent of a second current through the winding. In addition, the pitch control system may include an auxiliary switching component electrically coupled between the grid power source and at least a portion of the switching components. The auxiliary switching component may be configured to be opened when a grid voltage of the grid power source exceeds a first voltage threshold.

Abstract: A turbo charger generator (1) generates power with a generator (7) by driving a gas turbine (3) and a compressor (6) with exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine (2). The generated AC power is supplied to an electric power system (12) via a power conversion unit (8). The power conversion unit (8) has a converter (13) for converting AC power into DC power, a unit (18) for estimating a rotor rotation angle ? based on a rotor magnetic flux, and a control unit (15) for coordinate-converting AC current into DC current by using the rotor rotation angle ? as the reference, and controlling the output DC power of the converter (13) such that the magnitude of the DC current is maintained at a target DC current value.

Abstract: A renewable energy power generation system for a cooling unit which comprises a housing sized to fit the cooling unit. The housing has an upper aperture and a lower aperture positioned over an exhaust port of the cooling unit. A rotor mounted wind turbine is in the housing between the upper aperture and the lower aperture. A venting flow coming through the exhaust port of the cooling unit will travel past the lower aperture of the housing to operate the wind turbine and then pass out of the upper aperture of the housing to cause the wind turbine to generate electricity.

Abstract: A fluid pumping and energy recovery device may include a housing that defines an impeller chamber and a motor/generator chamber. An impeller may reside within the impeller chamber; and a motor/generator may reside in the motor/generator chamber. The motor/generator may include a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be coupled to the impeller and supported (e.g., by magnetic bearings) to rotate in the stator. The rotor may generate electrical power in a generating mode and rotate in response to electrical power applied to the stator in a motoring mode. Seals may be adapted to hydraulically isolate the pump chamber from the motor/generator chamber by sealing against a rotating surface of the device. In certain instances, sealing is achieved using a bidirectional seal.

Abstract: The rotary electrical machine is capable of functioning as a generator and outputs a continuous output voltage (Ub+) that is adjustable by an excitation current. The digital regulator (2) of the machine comprises an excitation current control means (7) and a control loop (6) that includes a device (10) for measurement, by sampling, of the output voltage (Ub+), the measurement device generating a signal sampled at a predetermined first sampling frequency (F1 e). The machine has a bandwidth that is limited by a predetermined first cutoff frequency (F1 c). The measurement device includes an apparatus for oversampling such that the first sampling frequency (F1 e) is greater than twice the first cutoff frequency (F1 c), and the control loop also includes an apparatus (12) for decimating the sampled signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high efficiency waterwheel apparatus having track-type blades and a track-type blade set thereof, which includes at least one track disk, a plurality of moving elements and a plurality of blades. The track disk has at least one track surrounding a central axis of the track disk. The moving elements move in the track. The blades are connected to the moving elements. The blades are pushed by water flow to revolving around a central axis. The moving elements connected to the blades are guided by a track so that the blades have different angles while revolving to different positions of the track. Thus, the blade set rotate at a variable angular velocity. When the track-type blade set is applied for power generation, the power generation efficiency is improved in a low-speed ocean current.