Abstract: Method, power plant, and computer program product for use in controlling power output by a power plant. The power plant includes a wind farm with a plurality of wind turbines, a grid power converter (such as one or more HVDC links), a sensor to measure the frequency of a power grid, and a supervisory controller. The supervisory controller implements a control algorithm that adjusts the power output from the power plant in response to the frequency of the power grid dropping below a first target frequency by changing the pitch of the blades of at least one wind turbine, increasing the level of a portion of the power contributed by at least one wind turbine, or increasing the level of the power output by the grid power converter.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotor shaft having thereon rotor blades exposed to wind energy, a first stage gear set on the rotor shaft, a discretely variable ratio gear set coupled to the first stage gear output shaft and having a gear set output shaft, a differential on the gear set output shaft having a differential control shaft facilitating changing the gear box ratio by whole numbers of gear teeth, and a generator operating at a constant frequency coupled to an electric grid operating at the constant frequency. The wind turbine may take a variable speed input of the gear box to create a fixed speed output fed to the generator operating at constant frequency and coupled directly to the power grid without power electronics. Existing wind turbines whether fixed speed fixed pitch or variable speed variable pitch can be retrofitted with the gear box of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to control power output of a doubly-fed induction machine to a grid including the steps of measuring grid voltage and grid current in a three phase coordinate system, transforming grid voltage and grid current into a stator frame coordinate system, decomposing the grid voltage and grid current in the stator frame coordinate system in a positive sequence system and in a negative sequence system, calculating active and reactive power in the positive and negative sequence system, and controlling active and reactive power in the positive and negative sequence system.

Abstract: A system for harvesting, storing, and generating energy, that includes floating structure supporting machinery to extract energy from wind, waves, surface generators, or currents. At least one energy storage and power generating unit is anchored to the seafloor and adapted to tether the floating structure to the unit. The unit includes an internal chamber into which water flows through a hydroelectric turbine to generate electrical energy. A pump is provided, powered by energy from the floating structure machinery, to evacuate water from the unit and a control system directs power from the machinery to pump water out of the unit during periods of excess energy extraction by the machinery and to allow water to flow into the chamber through the hydroelectric turbine to generate electrical energy during periods of lower energy extraction by the machinery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of controlling torque oscillations in a mechanical drive train of an electrical generation system which provides electrical power to an isolated electrical network, the method including the steps of: a. monitoring for changes in the electrical condition of the electrical network; b. determining whether a change in the electrical condition of the network falls within a predetermined range; c. adjusting the power in the network using an auxiliary power source when the electrical condition of the network falls within the predetermined range so as reduce or substantially prevent the build up of torque oscillations in the mechanical drive train.

Abstract: A device for detecting a change in a generator output signal of a vehicle generator includes a window comparator for comparing a signal amplitude of the generator output signal to at least one threshold value which limits a signal amplitude range, a detector for detecting a change in the generator output signal based on an output signal of the window comparator, a detection unit for detecting a signal amplitude difference between a maximum signal amplitude and a minimum signal amplitude of the generator output signal, and an adaptation unit for adapting the signal amplitude range of the window comparator, based on the signal amplitude difference, when there is the change in the generator output signal.

Abstract: A rotating electrical machine abnormal state detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a current signal acquisition unit, coupled to a rotating electrical machine, for acquiring a set of real-time current waveforms from the rotating electrical machine; a state characteristic database, pre-storing a plurality of abnormal state characteristics which respectively correspond to a plurality of abnormal states; and an abnormal state detection unit, coupled to the current signal acquisition unit and the state characteristic database, for performing signal analysis on the set of real-time current waveforms to produce a current state characteristic, and comparing the current state characteristic with the abnormal state characteristics pre-stored in the state characteristic database to determine the abnormal state of the rotating electrical machine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a toy “wand” from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant's experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use the wand and/or complete one or more special effects, adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel.

Abstract: A method of harvesting energy from the environment includes providing an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A MEMS transducing member includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The first end is anchored to the substrate and the second end cantilevers over the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The energy harvesting device is configured so that the compliant membrane is set into oscillation by excitations produced external to the energy harvesting device. The MEMS transducing member is caused to move into and out of the cavity by the oscillating compliant membrane.

Abstract: The invention discloses a power grid fault ride-through device and a method for a doubly fed induction generator.

Abstract: A hybrid concentrated solar combined cycle (CSCC) power plant based on solar reforming technology, method of generating electricity using the system and a solar reformer for use in the system are provided. The system enables integration of a concentrated solar power plant (CSP) and a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant, resulting in a hybrid system that corrects known issues related to large-scale concentrated solar power generation. The solar reformer provides for the storage of solar energy in a reformate fuel during the reforming reaction and subsequent release through a gas turbine combustion reaction. Fuels directed into the gas turbine power plant can be alternated between hydrocarbon fluid and the reformate fuel dependent upon available solar thermal energy.

Abstract: A wind generator is disclosed in which superconducting ring generators are utilized without the need for a load bearing drive shaft and other mechanical components, decreasing overall weight and enabling the use of variable geometry blades for increased overall efficiency.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the operation of an underwater power plant with a water turbine to take up kinetic energy from a surrounding flow; and an electrical generator coupled directly to the water turbine; characterized in that the power regulation in the generator mode is done by a control or regulation of the load moment produced by the electrical generator for a freely adjusting rpm speed of the water turbine, wherein the setpoint value of the load moment in a first, power-optimized operating range is established by a state controller and/or a search mechanism for the power maximum; and in a second, power-limited operating range the assigned load moment is chosen so that an operating point distant from the power optimum results for the water turbine.

Abstract: A power equipment apparatus includes an engine, a starter switch, a battery, a flywheel assembly, a power regulator, and a controller. The engine includes a crankshaft. The starter switch is configured for selective actuation by an operator. The flywheel assembly comprises a rotor and a stator. The power regulator is coupled with each of the battery and the stator. The power regulator is configured to regulate power transfer between the battery and the stator in response to a control signal. The controller is coupled with each of the battery, the starter switch, and the power regulator. The controller is configured to generate the control signal.

Abstract: A generator includes a rotor structure has a rotor frame that supports a rotor circuit. The rotor frame is electrically connected to the rotor circuit via a resistive element.

Abstract: A synchronous electrical machine comprises a plurality of phases and detecting means arranged to detect an open-circuit fault in at least one of the phases of the synchronous electrical machine. Isolating means is arranged to isolate the at least one phase of the synchronous electrical machine with the fault. Phase shift means are arranged to produce a controlled phase shift between the voltage and the current within the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine so as to adjust the phase angle of the second harmonic powers produced by the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine such that the vector sum of the second harmonic power vectors of the remaining phases of the synchronous electrical machine is zero to eliminate torque ripple. The phase shift means is arranged to adjust the phase angle of all the remaining phases by the same predetermined angle to maximize the torque ripple-free power output of the synchronous electrical machine.

Abstract: A submerged ram air turbine generating system adapted for use in a pod mounted to the wing of an aircraft comprises a submerged inlet extending substantially entirely around the outer surface of the pod housing, a stator in the form of adjustable or fixed inlet guide vanes which direct an air stream to a hybrid ram air turbine having alternating turbine blades and splitters, and, a number of adjustable exhaust panels which are movable with respect to one or more exhaust openings in the pod housing.

Abstract: An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising an electrically conductive coil assembly and a magnet assembly, the magnet assembly comprising at least one magnet and a two-part magnetic core, the two parts of the core being mounted by a biasing device so as to be relatively vibratable at a resonant frequency along an axis about a central position thereby to cause a change of magnetic flux linked with the coil assembly to generate an electrical potential in the coil assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments of linear electric generators and arrangements thereof are disclosed. One such generator includes a permanent magnetic array with magnets that are oriented such that like poles of the magnets are disposed adjacently to concentrate a magnetic field through a coil array. To enhance the magnetic field distribution, the magnets are affixed under a compressive strain due to repulsive forces resulting from proximity of the like poles. According to another aspect, a plurality of vibrational linear electric generators (VLEGs) can be arranged so that magnets of different VLEGs are oriented so that poles of opposite polarity are disposed adjacently to further enhance magnetic field concentration through coil arrays. In addition, a plurality of wave energy converters can be arranged in very close proximity, at most 8 times a height of a buoyant portion of the converters, to act as a seawall and thereby protect various structures from ocean waves.

Abstract: A method for controlling a steam power plant is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first signal showing a reduction of the current power level of the generator, generating a second signal showing a short circuit interruption as a function of the first signal, resetting the second signal after a predetermined time period and blocking the second signal for a predetermined period of time, stopping and subsequently starting the turbine as a function of the second signal, generating a third signal showing a load rejection as a function of the first signal, and permanently stopping the turbine as a function of the third signal. A device for controlling a steam power plant is also provided.