Patents Examined by Sean Gugger
  • Patent number: 11371481
    Abstract: Systems and method for a hydrokinetic energy device. A hydrokinetic energy device includes a main body including two main wing-shaped spars mounted upon a rotating central hub, and rotatable spar tip turbines mounted at or near an end of each of the main wing-shaped spars, the main wing-shaped spars driving the rotatable spar tip turbines through water, each of the rotatable spar tip turbines including a direct-drive generator and power conversion system that transfers power from a rotating rotatable spar tip turbine to the central hub where the voltage is stepped up and amperage is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: LITTORAL POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Duquette, Kimbal Anderson Hall
  • Patent number: 11365722
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulated shaft joint (1) for electrically insulating a rotational member (2) from an end section of a shaft (3) to which the rotational member (2) is connected. The insulated shaft joint (1) comprises a plurality of first grooves (4) arranged in an outer surface of the end section of the shaft (3) and extending in an axial direction of the shaft (3), one or more rows of electrically insulating members (5), and an annular electrically insulating cage (6) arranged circumferentially around the plurality of first grooves (4). The insulating cage (6) comprises one or more rows of through-going openings (7), arranged circumferentially. The through-going openings (7) is being shaped and dimensioned so that they are adapted to surround and guide the insulating members (5). The rotational member (2) is arranged circumferentially around the annular electrically insulating cage (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Christian Bager, Noel Yambeh Yambaha
  • Patent number: 11365721
    Abstract: The present invention relates to wind energy park connected to an electrical grid, having airborne wind energy systems (AWES), e.g. with kites. The wind energy park has an electrical DC network connecting the plurality of AWES and a grid converter unit for converting DC to AC, and transmit AC to the electrical grid. The wind energy park control unit controls the AWES to produce electrical power to the electrical grid by alternating between a power production phase, and a recovery phase so to balance the supply of power to the electrical grid according a demanded setpoint. An advantage is that the grid converter may be smaller, as compared to an AC network, because the power is evened out with the negative power from the AWES being in recovery phase. In this way, the invention stabilizes the grid and has a grid forming capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Morten Lindholm, Thomas S. Bjertrup Nielsen, Torben Petersen, Lars Helle
  • Patent number: 11359610
    Abstract: Provided is an assembly structure of sun gear shaft and spline shaft of a gearbox for wind turbine. The assembly structure relates to the technical field of gearboxes for wind turbine and includes a sun gear shaft, a spline shaft, a mechanical pump drive gear, and a distance ring. The spline shaft is a hollow shaft. One end of the sun gear shaft is inserted into the spline shaft. The one end of the sun gear shaft inserted into the spline shaft is connected to the spline shaft through a spline pair. The mechanical pump drive gear is mounted at one end of the spline shaft. The inner diameter of the mechanical pump drive gear is less than the inner diameter of the spline shaft. The distance ring is disposed in the spline shaft. One end of the distance ring abuts against the inner side of the mechanical pump drive gear and is securely connected to the mechanical pump drive gear. Another end of the distance ring is spaced from the one end of the sun gear shaft in the spline shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: NANJING HIGH-SPEED GEAR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yawen Zhao, Aimin He, Yizhong Sun, Rongjun Chen, Qiang Chen
  • Patent number: 11355935
    Abstract: A method of operating a power generating system for a wind turbine connected to an electrical grid, the power generating system comprising a power generator, a converter, a transformer and a tap changer, the method comprising; monitoring a signal for detecting a voltage in the electrical grid which requires an increase in output voltage from the power generating system; determining a partial-load condition of the converter, which corresponds to the converter being configured to output a voltage which is substantially below its maximum output voltage; and upon determining the partial-load condition, operating the tap changer to tap down the transformer, and operating the converter to provide the required increase in output voltage from the power generating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Ciprian Biris, Bo Sun, Philip Came Kjær
  • Patent number: 11342811
    Abstract: A diesel generator with an improved load capacity according to one embodiment may include a generator body including a field magnet and an armature, and configured to convert rotational energy of a diesel engine main body into electric energy; and an automatic voltage regulator configured to control power supplied to a field winding and to control output voltage of the generator body. The automatic voltage regulator is driven by a power supplier configured to supply constant voltage or current based on power storage and conversion. According to the present disclosure, the diesel generator may have a load capacity without a PMG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Gi-Bong Park
  • Patent number: 11329498
    Abstract: Charging control techniques for a vehicle including an engine that drives an alternator configured to charge a battery of the vehicle comprise modeling a fuel consumption of the alternator for each load level across a range of alternator loads using an engine torque model and a set of operating parameters of the engine, determining an energy output from the alternator for each load level across the range of alternator loads, calculating a cost-to-charge metric based on the modeled alternator fuel consumption and the determined alternator energy output for each duty cycle across a range of duty cycles of the alternator, determining an optimal cost-to-charge from the calculated cost-to-charge metrics, determining a target cost-to-charge metric based on a state of charge of the battery, and operating the alternator accordingly at an optimal duty cycle based on the metrics and current engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: David R Pedro, Arab Alsharif, Joydip Saha, Travis T Hamilton, Nikhil Patil, Geoffrey Giese, Basil M Khaja, Ganapathy Machamada Somaiah, Joseph B Adams, Paul Milligan
  • Patent number: 11319930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gasket adapted for being placed between a transition piece and a monopile of a wind turbine. One embodiment relates to a gasket for formfitting the bottom part of a transition piece of a wind turbine, the gasket primarily manufactured in an elastomeric material and shaped as a hollow elongated body for surrounding at least a part of the monopile when mounted between the transition piece and the monopile, such that the gasket stabilizes the position of the transition piece relative to the monopile. The presently disclosed gasket can substitute the traditional grouting or bolting procedures when mounting a transition piece on a monopile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Pur Wind ApS
    Inventor: Claus Nissen Petersen
  • Patent number: 11319935
    Abstract: A method of replacing a plurality of yaw pads is provided. Yaw pads are arranged between a tower and a nacelle of a wind turbine. The yaw pads are replaced with new yaw pads. The method includes determining the center of gravity of the nacelle. Based on the center of gravity, a set of the plurality of yaw pads to be each substituted by a shim are selected. Each of the substituted shims including a thickness greater than the respective replaced yaw pad. The remaining yaw pads are replaced while the nacelle is supported by the shims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventors: Andrew Dow, Kelly White
  • Patent number: 11312222
    Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a system including a series hybrid architecture using compounded doubly fed induction machines. Embodiments include a controller configured to control the operation of the system, and a power source configured to convert a first form of energy to a second form of energy. Embodiments also include a first machine configured to generate power, wherein the first machine is mechanically coupled to the power source, and a second machine configured to control equipment, wherein the first machine is electrically coupled to the second machine. Embodiments further include methods for operating the series hybrid architecture using the compounding doubly fed induction machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd A. Spierling
  • Patent number: 11313351
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a retrofit auxiliary nacelle yaw position control system that enables advanced nacelle yaw position control of a wind turbine by comparing a desired nacelle yaw position signal with the actual nacelle yaw position and generating a virtual relative wind direction signal that is provided to the existing turbine control unit. This method and system enable implementation of wake steering, collective yaw optimization and dynamic yaw optimization of a collection of wind turbines referred to as a wind plant. Modification of the existing turbine control unit is not required, greatly simplifying the implementation process of advanced yaw control strategies on existing wind plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: WindESCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan L. Post, Brendan F. Taylor, Peter Bachant, Jonathan A. Kossuth, Mohit Dua
  • Patent number: 11313356
    Abstract: An integrated repair system for servicing a component within the nacelle of the wind turbine uptower. The repair system includes at least one mounting location integrally formed into a bedplate support frame of the wind turbine and a frame assembly coupled to the bedplate support frame. The frame assembly supports at least one clamp element and at least one jack element. When the gearbox is moved in the nacelle during repair procedures, the repair system supports the main shaft uptower such that the rotor remains installed onto the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jay F. Leonard, Eric Paul Shelleman
  • Patent number: 11296628
    Abstract: Systems and methods for converting energy are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a closed cycle engine having a piston body and a piston assembly movable within the piston body. An electric machine is operatively coupled with the piston assembly and operable to generate electrical power. An electrical device is in communication with the electric machine. The system includes a control system having sensors, a controllable device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a load change on the electric machine is anticipated based at least in part on received data indicative of a load state of the electrical device; in response to whether the load change is anticipated, determine a control command for adjusting an output of at least one of the engine and the electric machine; and cause the controllable device to adjust the output based at least in part on the control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Douglas Waun, Michael Thomas Gansler, Mary Kathryn Thompson, Joshua Tyler Mook, Michael Robert Notarnicola, Aigbedion Akwara, Kevin Michael VandeVoorde
  • Patent number: 11286903
    Abstract: Provided is a method for starting a wind park including plural wind turbines connectable in a collector system connectable to a utility grid, the method including: starting at least one first wind turbine, each being equipped with an utility grid independent energy supply and a grid forming function, to produce electrical energy from wind energy, thereby utilizing the respective grid independent energy supply for starting; performing the grid forming function by the first wind turbine to achieve a reference voltage in the collector system; starting at least one second wind turbine and/or at least one third wind turbine to produce energy by conversion of wind energy, thereby utilizing energy provided in the collector system for starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Brian Brogan, Nikolaus Goldenbaum, Thyge Knueppel
  • Patent number: 11285975
    Abstract: A self-generating device equipped in a mechanical system including a power generating part, an operating part, and a main shaft, the self-generating device comprising: the main shaft rotating according to a rotational force powered by the power generating part and transferring the rotational force to the operating part, wherein the operating part performs mechanical motion using the transferred rotational force; a rotor assembly combined with the main shaft and rotating along with the main shaft according to the rotational force, and a stator assembly surrounding the rotor assembly and staying stationary relative to the rotation of the rotor assembly, wherein magnetic field around the rotor assembly and the stator assembly changes according to the rotation of the main shaft, and the self-generating device generates induced electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Young Suk Woo, Chang Deuk Woo
  • Patent number: 11283382
    Abstract: A VSCF generator system includes a generator and electronics configured to control operations of the generator and a housing. The system also includes a power converter connected to the generator that receives AC current from the generator and converts it to DC current, the power converter including: an output filter that includes a filter capacitor; a sensor assembly that measures a voltage across the filter capacitor; and a controller that receives the measured voltage across the filter capacitor and creates an estimate of a current through the filter capacitor based on the filter capacitor. The estimate is based on a frequency domain representation of the filter capacitor as an ideal differentiator being passed through a bandpass filter with a center frequency equal to the operating frequency of the VSCF generator system and the controller controls operation of the generator portion based on the estimate of current through the filter capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vlatko Miskovic
  • Patent number: 11268495
    Abstract: Provided are a wind farm noise prediction method, apparatus and system. The method comprises: collecting, in real time, a wind speed at a site of at least one wind turbine generator system, which impacts noise at a noise detection point, in a wind farm; according to a noise acoustic power level database and a system database, respectively calculating a noise acoustic power level, at the collected wind speed, of each wind turbine generator system from among the at least one wind turbine generator system; according to a wind farm noise propagation database, respectively calculating a noise propagation loss value, at the collected wind speed, of each wind turbine generator system; and using the noise acoustic power level and the noise propagation loss value of each wind turbine generator system to calculate a total noise acoustic pressure level at the noise detection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING GOLD WIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Emre Barlas, Mengting Yu
  • Patent number: 11261840
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for harnessing energy from moving ice, the system comprising a first part configured to move into a first direction under pressure caused by moving ice at least until an ice compression strength is reached and to subsequently move into a second direction, and a second part configured to transform kinetic energy of a cyclic motion of the first part into electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Jaakko Heinonen, Kari Kolari, Lasse Makkonen, Maria Tikanmäki
  • Patent number: 11261850
    Abstract: Provided is a module for accommodating electrical equipment for controlling a wind turbine, the module including a first platform first platform and spaced apart from a but connected with each other by a connection element. The first platform is configured to be attached to the tower or a support structure of the wind turbine by means of a first mounting support. The second platform is configured to be attached to the tower or the supporting structure of the wind turbine by means of a second mounting support, the second mounting support including a plurality of second mounting support units. The first platform is arranged to be located below the second platform after being mounted inside the tower or the supporting structure of the wind turbine. The first platform has a plurality of first cutouts which correspond to the shape and the arrangement of the second mounting support units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: Johnny Soerensen
  • Patent number: 11255313
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gearbox assembly for a wind turbine. The gearbox assembly has a maximal installed width and a maximal transport width. The maximal installed width is greater than the maximal transport width. The gearbox assembly includes at least one torque arm coupled to opposing sides of the gearbox housing. Each of the torque arms includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are removably coupled to the exterior surface of the gearbox such that the distance between the distal ends define the maximal installed width. The torque arms are coupled to at least one support element and to a bedplate of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Joseph Wertz, Boobalan Ayyasamy, Hayden Patrick Mcgarity-Bashiri, Martxel Ruiz Luisa, Raed Zuhair Hasan, Fulton Jose Lopez