Patents Examined by Nicholas Ponomarenko
  • Hydraulic power generator
    Patent number: 8106527
    Abstract: The rotor shaft of an electrical power generator, placed in a wind or water current whereby the kinetic energy causes the rotor shaft to rotate, turns a hydraulic pump generating a hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic pressure is directed to a hydraulic generator motor coupled to an electrical generator. The hydraulic pressure causes the hydraulic motor to turn which spins the generator generating electricity which is transferred to an electric grid for distribution. The generator can be distantly located from the rotors and rotor shaft, for example, on the ground adjacent to the support tower supporting the rotors and rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Fred K. Carr
  • Horizontal axis wind turbine with rotatable tower
    Patent number: 8106528
    Abstract: A horizontal axis wind turbine with rotatable tower including nacelle and blades. The tower, the blades, and the nacelle are rotatable by following the shift of wind direction so as to align the blades to be facing with the wind direction for enhancing performances thereof. Also can eliminate the gearbox, as compared to the conventional horizontal axis wind turbine that the nacelle is not completely fixed with tower, the present invention is easy to manufacture with reduced costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Houly Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Shen Liu
  • Wind turbine alternator module
    Patent number: 8102073
    Abstract: A wind turbine alternator module having an enclosure, turbine and rotor assembly with peripheral magnets and multi-phase stator for the production of energy from air movement. A bi-directional symmetrical vane turbine and rotor assembly is suspended in the enclosure by guide bearings around the periphery to permit operation in all wind conditions. One or more wind turbine alternator modules are combined in a polygonal housing with bottom inlets and attached to a roof vent structure to generate power from wind and/or rising heated air. A low temperature heating circuit is used for protection in cold conditions. One or more wind turbine alternator modules are combined in a manually portable polygonal housing with storage batteries, charging circuit, inverter circuit, power connectors and ancillary convenience apparatuses such as lighting, radio, tv, and emergency locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel Morrison
  • Energy systems, energy devices, energy utilization methods, and energy transfer methods
    Patent number: 8097967
    Abstract: Energy systems, energy devices, energy utilization methods, and energy transfer methods are described. In one arrangement, energy utilization methods include providing first energy from a power grid to an induction generator at a first moment in time; using the induction generator and the first energy from the power grid, charging an energy storage device; using second energy from the energy storage device, powering a motor causing the induction generator to generate third energy during a second moment in time; and providing the third energy to the power grid. Other arrangements are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Demand Energy Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Robert Hamilton
  • Method for wind turbine yaw control
    Patent number: 8093738
    Abstract: A method for yaw control for a wind turbine comprising a rotor with a rotor blade, the rotor defining a rotor axis and a rotor plane to which the rotor axis is perpendicular, in which the rotor axis is turned to minimise the yaw angle between the ambient wind direction and the rotor axis is provided, wherein the turning of the rotor axis is performed based on the measurement of a wind speed in the rotor plane at the rotor blade. Furthermore, a wind turbine which comprises a rotor which includes a rotor axis and a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis and an anemometer for measuring the ambient wind speed is provided. The wind turbine further comprises an anemometer which is located such at a rotor blade at a particular distance from the rotor axis as to allow for measuring a wind speed in the rotor plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Henrik Stiesdal
  • Method and system for providing increased turbine output for doubly fed induction generator
    Patent number: 8093741
    Abstract: A system and method for supplying increased frequency supporting current from a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) to assist in maintaining grid stability is provided. The output capability of a line side converter associated with the DFIG is enhanced by significantly increasing the current handling capacity of electric switches forming the converter. A dynamic brake is also provided across a DC link bus coupling the line side converter to another converter coupled to the rotor of the DFIG. The dynamic brake is controlled based on the voltage across the DC link bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Jeffrey Alan Melius
  • Wind power nozzle with optimized intake length
    Patent number: 8089173
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for wind power nozzle configurations, comprising a throat coupled in fluid communication with a wind power generating turbine, the throat having a diameter, a leading edge distal from the throat, and an intake length between the leading edge of the nozzle and the throat of the nozzle, wherein the intake length is less than two times the diameter of the throat. In embodiments, further comprising a wind energy conversion module that includes the nozzle and the wind power generating turbine, the wind energy conversion module forming a modular portion of a modular wind energy system that includes a plurality of wind energy conversion modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: V Squared Wind, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Freda
  • Wind energy installation with an extended rotation speed range
    Patent number: 8084875
    Abstract: A wind energy installation includes a wind rotor, a double-fed asynchronous generator driven by the wind rotor, a converter provided with a first part on the generator side connected to a rotor and a second part on the network side connected to a stator of the generator, and a control device providing converter regulation. A mode selector can be switched between a normal operating mode and a reduced voltage operating mode, in which the excitation of the generator is reduced compared to the normal operating mode. The under-excitation produces an additional reactive current, thus reducing the rotor voltage. The rotor voltage can be limited even when the load is high and the network frequency or voltage is incorrect. The usable rotation speed range of the wind energy installation can be extended to provide a more powerful generator with a higher rating, without changing the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: REpower Systems AG
    Inventor: Heinz-Hermann Letas
  • Wave powered electrical generator
    Patent number: 8080894
    Abstract: A wave powered electrical generator includes: a floating unit that floats in water and accommodates a power generator therein. The floating unit has a wave power system that includes, a chamber containing fluid, a free-floating mass provided in the chamber that separates the chamber into first and second chambers defined at each side of the mass, a first valve that allows the fluid in the first chamber to be discharged from the first chamber as the free-floating mass moves toward the first chamber, and a second valve that allows the fluid in the second chamber to be discharged from the second chamber as the free-floating mass moves toward the second chamber. The fluid discharged through the first and second valves flows into a pipe that discharges the received fluid from an end thereof against a turbine attached to a power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Gerald S. Rourke
  • Wind turbine generator system
    Patent number: 8076790
    Abstract: To shorten a startup interval to reach a synchronizing condition, a phase difference and an amplitude difference between the grid voltage and the stator voltage of one phase of a winding are obtained. The difference in amplitude is decreased prior to or in parallel to synchronizing the stator voltage with the grid voltage. The calculated compensation phase compensation value is used as an initial value for synchronizing at the next synchronizing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Hiromitsu Sakai
  • Wave power converter
    Patent number: 8072087
    Abstract: A wave power converter for implementation at an offshore location where it will be exposed to passing waves and swell, comprises a buoyancy element (1) placed within a reaction structure (3) so as to move at least vertically relative to the reaction structure (3), with a force transfer mechanism (2) that connects the buoyancy element (1) to the reaction structure (3) and transfers at least vertical relative motions between the buoyancy element (1) and the reaction structure (3) to a linear energy converting arrangement (8) in the reaction structure (3). Said mechanism (2) is articulated and configured to transfer compression, tension and shear reactions, but essentially no movements, between the buoyancy element (1) and the reaction structure (3) and at the same time allow limited rotational movements between the buoyancy element (1) and the reaction structure (3) about at least two orthogonal axes (X, Y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Naval Dynamics AS
    Inventor: Øystein Jaer
  • Electrical energy storage and retrieval system
    Patent number: 8072086
    Abstract: A system and method to efficiently store and convert erratic wind and solar electrical energy production to a source of reliable standard AC electrical power by means of an electric motor operatively engaged to power a pump. The pump in a sealed communication with a reservoir cavity evacuates air from the cavity to store the generated energy as potential energy in the form of a pressure differential with ambient atmosphere. Regulated air inflow into the evacuated cavity is employed to drive a generator or alternator to produce electric power which is synchronized with grid demand and communicated to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Samuel Thomas Kelly
  • Methods, systems, and devices for energy generation
    Patent number: 8072091
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to improve upon existing energy-generation technologies by providing methods, systems, and devices for converting mechanical power into electrical power. More specifically, the present invention relates to fluid-powered generators and methods, systems, and devices for generating power by way of such fluid-powered generators. The present invention includes devices for generating energy comprising fluid turbine generators having variable inlet(s), wherein the fluid velocity, volume, and/or mass of fluid collected by the inlet can be varied to control turbine speed to provide a reasonably steady, continuous, and/or sufficient source of energy over a wide range of conditions presented by natural fluid resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventors: Samuel B. Wilson, Paul Gelhausen, Andrew R Turnbull, Timothy Street
  • Variable speed machine assembly and method for making the same
    Patent number: 8067847
    Abstract: A variable speed machine assembly includes an input shaft, a variable speed magnetically geared generator coupled to the input shaft, an electrical machine coupled to the input shaft, and a power converter coupled to the variable speed magnetically geared generator and the electrical machine. The power converter is configured to use electrical power output by the electrical machine to control a frequency of power output by the variable speed magnetically geared generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michal-Wolfgang Waszak, Jan Hemmelmann
  • Fluid driven electric power generation system
    Patent number: 8067852
    Abstract: A tubular housing includes at least one fixed helical vane formed onto the inner surfaces of the tubular housing in a spiral and adapted to direct fluid into a spiraled flow and focus fluid onto a fan blade assembly associated with an alternator system and located within the tubular housing before a system exhaust. A generator cone can be mounted near the center and front of the fan blade assembly facing fluid passing through the tubular housing. As fluid passes over the generator cone it experiences compression between the generator cone and housing resulting in increased pressure and velocity of the fluid, thereby increasing rotational speed of the generator blades and generator as the compressed, spiraled fluid passes through the blades and exits the tubular housing. The system can be used for fixed or mobile applications in water, wind and manually induced air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: MDL Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Luis M. Ortiz, Anthony Michael Baca, Donald Wichers
  • Method for the operation of a wind energy plant at sudden voltage changes in the grid
    Patent number: 8067845
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a wind energy plant with a rotor, which transfers a driving moment to a generator via a drive train, wherein the generator provides a pre-settable generator moment acting opposite to the driving moment and is connectable to a grid, characterised in that after a sudden voltage change in the grid, the generator moment is controlled depending from the phase position of a torsional vibration of the drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Thulke, Gunnar Schmidt, Thomas Frese, Eberhard Voss
  • Maintenance operation method for wind turbine generator and wind turbine generator
    Patent number: 8063500
    Abstract: The present invention provides a maintenance operation method for a wind turbine generator and a wind turbine generator, which can effectively utilize a phase advance capacitor equipped in the wind turbine generator and contribute to the phase factor improvement of the system side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Minami, Mitsuyoshi Fukuda, Eiji Irie
  • Wind turbine cable twist prevention
    Patent number: 8058740
    Abstract: A wind turbine having a nacelle, includes a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) sensor for determining a rotational displacement of the nacelle of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Markus Altenschulte, Andreas Kirchner
  • Stackable generator arrangement
    Patent number: 8049353
    Abstract: A electrical power plant with a gas turbine engine that drives two electric high speed generators connected on the two ends of the engine rotor shaft in a direct drive relation without the need for a gear box. The high speed generators can be of the same or different power rating and connected in series such that the total power output can easily be changed without the need to redesign larger high speed generators. Because the generators use permanent magnets, they can be operated as motors to drive two or more compressors. A turbine can be used to drive two or more high speed generators connected in series. Since the high speed generator/motors have thrust bearings, the thrust bearing in the turbomachine can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl S Eng, John E Ryznic, Joseph Brostmeyer
  • Turbine energy generating system
    Patent number: 8049351
    Abstract: A power generating turbine includes a rotary shaft having an axis of rotation, a magnet supported by and spaced outwardly from the rotary shaft and a conductive coil. The coil located outwardly from the magnet and surrounds the magnet and the shaft, but is sufficiently close to the magnet such that rotary movement of said magnet induces current flow in the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: E-NET, LLC
    Inventor: Imad Mahawili