Patents Examined by Pedro J. Cuevas
  • Patent number: 11454094
    Abstract: A downhole power generation system is disclosed, which includes a turbine generator system. The turbine generator system includes a turbine, a generator coupled with the turbine and having an AC-DC rectifier, and an optimized power control unit. The turbine is driven by flow of a downhole fluid to rotate. The generator converts rotational energy from the turbine to electrical energy and outputting a direct current voltage. The turbine generator system is coupled to a load via the optimized power control unit. The optimized power control unit controls to regulate an output voltage of the generator and provides a regulated output voltage to the load so that the turbine generator system has an optimized power output. An optimized power control method for a downhole power generation system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Yunzheng Chen, Yi Liao, Saijun Mao, Ming Xue, Stewart Blake Brazil, Xuele Qi
  • Patent number: 11454213
    Abstract: A method for damping vibration in a wind turbine including aerodynamic devices for influencing the airflow flowing from the leading edge of a rotor blade of the wind turbine to the trailing edge of the rotor blade, each aerodynamic device being movable by an actuator between a first protruded configuration and a second retracted configuration is provided. The method includes measuring vibrations in the wind turbine, if the measured vibrations are greater than a threshold within a predefined frequency band, moving a portion of the aerodynamic devices to the second retracted configuration and continuing to measure vibrations, if the measured vibrations are still greater than a threshold within a frequency band, reducing the pitch angle interval of the blade and continuing to measure vibrations, if the measured vibrations are still greater than a threshold within a frequency band, moving all the aerodynamic devices to the second retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventors: Per Egedal, Gustav Hoegh
  • Patent number: 11448195
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement for use on a wind turbine. The sensor arrangement comprises a rotor blade-related sensor, which is arranged in/on a rotor blade, and a non-rotor blade-related sensor, wherein the sensor signals, which are associated with the rotor blade-related sensor, are processed by fusion with the sensor signals which are associated with the non-rotor blade-related sensor. The invention also relates to a method for operating a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: FOS4X GMBH
    Inventor: Manuel Mai
  • Patent number: 11448083
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a shroud that defines a fluid flow path. A gas turbine engine is in the fluid flow path, and the gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustor downstream from the compressor, and a turbine downstream from the combustor. An electric generator is in the fluid flow path upstream from the compressor. The electric generator includes a rotor coaxially aligned with the turbine, and the turbine and the rotor rotate at the same speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Antheon Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis O'Neill, Anthony A. Hartzheim
  • Patent number: 11441490
    Abstract: A system and method can include a rotational component, a fluid pump, and a shaft transferring rotational power toward the fluid pump. A fluid circuit can include a valve and the fluid pump wherein pump is configured to motivate fluid toward the valve disposed downstream of the pump. The system can be configured to raise fluid pressure at the pump outlet by closing the valve to thereby effect an increased braking load on the shaft. The rotational component can be an electric machine mechanically coupled to a gas turbine engine. The fluid circuit can include a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between the rotational component and the fluid. The system can include a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the fluid to a heat sink. A processing system can be configured to receive a command to increase the hydraulic braking load to the rotational component by closing the valve to raise fluid pressure at the pump outlet based on a braking command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 11441537
    Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine and an associated wind turbine. The wind turbine is operated according to an operating point, wherein the operating point is determined at least by a pitch angle and a tip speed ratio, wherein one of the operating points corresponds to a maximum power coefficient, wherein, in a partial load range, the wind turbine is operated at an operating point which differs from the operating point with the maximum power coefficient. The distance of the operating point from the operating point with the maximum power coefficient is set in accordance with a measured turbulence measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Messing
  • Patent number: 11437813
    Abstract: Control logic for a power sharing system on a hybrid propulsion aircraft, utilizing parallel multiple control loops outputting difference commands which provide bumpless transfer between control loops without integrator wind up or reset logic, allowing for efficient load distribution between electric generators and batteries powering electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 11434866
    Abstract: An enclosed hydroelectricity generator system includes an inlet channel, a low-pressure enclosed turbine, an outlet channel, and a hydroelectric generator. The enclosed turbine includes an inner can, an outer housing, a turbine axle, a plurality of paddle boards, and a water pressure containment chamber. The turbine axle is concentrically and symmetrically connected to the inner can. The plurality of paddle boards is radially connected around the inner can. The inner can and the plurality of paddle boards are rotatably enclosed within the outer housing. The inlet channel and the outlet channel are oppositely traversing into the outer housing. The inlet channel is in fluid communication with the outer channel through the water pressure containment chamber. The hydroelectric generator is operatively coupled with the turbine axle so that a kinetic energy of a pressurized water flow that enters into the water pressure containment chamber can be converted into hydroelectricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Donald Hollis Gehring
  • Patent number: 11424704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine which comprises a transformer has a variable turns ratio such as an on load tap changer transformer. The adjustment of the turns ratio is possible when a primary side current or a secondary side current of the transformer is less than a switching current threshold. The method comprises operating the wind turbine so that the primary or secondary side current is above the switching current threshold. In response to obtaining a condition for changing the turns ratio of the transformer, the wind turbine is operated so that the primary or secondary side current is reduced below the switching current threshold so that the turns ratio can be changed during the temporary current reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Jesper Hillebrandt, Philip Carne Kjær
  • Patent number: 11415061
    Abstract: A power distribution device between an electric starter of a turbomachine and an electric machine toward a shaft of the turbomachine, including the electric starter, the electric machine, and a controller for controlling the electric machine. An epicyclic train reducer includes a first element intended to be coupled to the shaft, a second element coupled to the electric starter, and a third element intended to be rotated by the electric machine. The controller is configured to rotate the third of the three elements so as to obtain two bearings of reduction ratios of the speeds between the first of said three elements and the second of the three elements. The controller is configured to drive the torque of the third of the three elements in accordance with a determined output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Huguette De Wergifosse, Nicolas Bertrand Georges De Blois, Clement Dupays, Pierre Gerard Lalonde
  • Patent number: 11411518
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling the cold gas temperature of a cooling gas of a closed generator cooling gas circuit of a generator having at least one cooler through which a cooling fluid flows. The method includes: a) defining cold gas temperature setpoint values in dependence on the stator and rotor current of the generator; b) detecting the current cold gas temperature; c) detecting the current stator and rotor current; d) determining the cold gas temperature setpoint value associated with the stator and rotor current detected in step c); e) regulating the cold gas temperature by changing the volumetric flow of the cooling fluid supplied to the at least one cooler as a function of the difference between the current cold gas temperature detected in step b) and the cold gas temperature setpoint value determined in step d); and f) repeating steps b) to e) at defined time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Monja Evenkamp, Markus Murawa-Galen, Hendrik Steins, Bernd Strobel
  • Patent number: 11408396
    Abstract: A wind turbine and method are provided for defining a plurality of thrust limits for the wind turbine located at a site and having a rotor with rotor blades, wherein the thrust limits define values of aerodynamic thrust on the rotor not to be exceeded in operation. The method includes providing a wind speed distribution representative for the site and defining one or more isolines of constant turbulence probability representing a turbulence parameter as a function of wind speed. The isolines correspond to quantile levels of turbulence of the wind speed distribution and the turbulence parameter is indicative of wind speed variation. The turbulence parameter is determined by continuously measuring wind speed upstream of the rotor with an active sensing system and calculating the wind speed variations from the measured wind speed. Turbulence ranges are defined with respect to the isolines and thrust limits are defined for the turbulence ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Pierino Gianni Bonanni, Xu Fu, Francesco Perrone
  • Patent number: 11401911
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is an energy generating apparatus for utilizing the energy of a flow medium having a support structure (13), at least one waving element (1), at least two fastening elements (4), a drive and control unit (5), and an energy recovery and transfer unit (10), wherein the waving element (1) is connected to the fastening elements (4), the drive and control unit (5) is connected to the fastening elements (4). It is characterized in that it comprises at least one turbulizer element (2), the waving element (1) between two fastening elements (4) is described as a regular waveform, determined by a function, and comprises at most one full wave period. The subject of the invention also includes the method for application of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Attila Kovacs, Tibor Kovacs
  • Patent number: 11394209
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and a device for controlling the operation of an external device on the basis of various states of an electronic device when the external device having a cooling function is connected in the electronic device. The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: an interface for connection with the external device; and a processer electrically connected to the interface. The processor can detect connection of the external device by means of the interface, determine the state of the electronic device on the basis of at least the detection of the connection with the external device, and transmit a control signal relating to fan operation control of the external device to the external device by means of the interface on the basis of at least the state of the electronic device. Various embodiments are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventors: Tae-Hyeon Yu, Han-Shil Choi, Ba-Da Kang, Hayeon Kim, Hyun-Seok Seo
  • Patent number: 11394323
    Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of power sources is provided. The method includes operating a first power source at a first power output and operating a second power source at a second power output. The second power source has a second operational capacity greater than the first operational capacity. First transient zone parameters are determined to operate in a first transient output power range. The first transient zone parameters include a first planned power output and a second planned power output constrained to be less than the first operational capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, David M. Miller
  • Patent number: 11387706
    Abstract: A generator for comprising a rotor, an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and an actuation means. The inner shaft is at least partially disposed inside the outer shaft. The inner shaft is coupled to the outer shaft by means of a translatable drive connection. The actuation means is configured to actuate the second shaft towards a retracted position. The translatable drive connection is configured to allow a transfer of torque between the first and second shafts, and enables movement of the second shaft, relative to the first shaft, along its axis of rotation from an extended position to a retracted position, such that an input portion of the second shaft can be at least partially retracted in a retraction direction towards the rotor upon activation of the actuation mechanism. A disconnect mechanism disposed on the second shaft can therefore be disconnected upon retraction of the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER
    Inventor: Andrew Bloor
  • Patent number: 11383071
    Abstract: A tattoo device includes a rotary motor having a built-in motion conversion coupling. The device comprises a frame and an actuator for actuating a needle-driving shaft. The actuator includes an electric motor comprising a stator mounted to the frame, first and second bearings mounted to the frame, and a rotor comprising a rotor shaft rotatably supported at the first and second bearings, and a motion conversion member for converting rotation motion of the rotor to translation motion for reciprocally actuating the needle-driving shaft. The motion conversion member is positioned between the first and second bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Long Xiao
  • Patent number: 11384738
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a method and associated controller for a wind turbine. The method comprises determining one or more characteristics of a sensor signal received from a mechanical sensor of the wind turbine; determining, based on the one or more characteristics of the sensor signal, an icing condition of the wind turbine; and controlling operation of one or more wind turbine systems based on the determined icing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Johnny Nielsen, Jacob Deleuran Grunnet
  • Patent number: 11381185
    Abstract: A power control circuit includes a converter, a signal generation circuit, and control circuitry. The converter includes a switching circuit. The converter transforms an output voltage from a power generator. The signal generation circuit operates the switching circuit of the converter. The control circuitry changes an operation of the switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHATOSHIBA
    Inventors: Atsuro Oonishi, Yoshiyuki Ishihara, Hiroshi Takahashi, Takeshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 11371394
    Abstract: An integrated chemical looping combustion (CLC) electrical power generation system and method for diesel fuel combining four primary units including: gasification of diesel to ensure complete conversion of fuel, chemical looping combustion with supported nickel-based oxygen carrier on alumina, gas turbine-based power generation and steam turbine-based power generation is described. An external combustion and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) are employed to maximize the efficiency of a gas turbine generator and steam turbine generator. The integrated CLC system provides a clean and efficient diesel fueled power generation plant with high CO2 recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Mohammad Mozahar Hossain, Muflih Arisa Adnan, Iswan Pradiptya