Patents Examined by Thomas K Quigley
  • Patent number: 11133729
    Abstract: This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass configured to rotate in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle, the driven mass coupled to a shaft, where rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The apparatus further comprises a hardware controller. The hardware controller identifies output power parameters for the vehicle and generate a control signal based on the identified output power parameters for the vehicle. The apparatus also comprises a generator that generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input and a conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the generator. The conditioning circuit receives the electrical output from the generator and the control signal from the hardware controller, generates a charge output based on the electrical output and the control signal, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Anthony Macaluso
  • Patent number: 11118560
    Abstract: An energy generating system for generating electrical energy from flow of a fluid includes an energy generating assembly having an outer shell defining an interior space and a center axis, a fixed generator coil stator extending in the interior space along the center axis, and a rotor encircling the stator and having magnets. The rotor is coupled to the outer shell, and the outer shell is configured to be rotated by the flow of the fluid such that the rotor rotates relative to the stator and thereby generates electrical energy. The system can include extending systems for positioning the assembly nearer or farther from shore in desired fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory Francis Bird
  • Patent number: 11105315
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling output power in a primary frequency modulation process of a wind turbine are provided by the present disclosure. The method includes predicting a rotational speed of the wind turbine; determining frequency modulation remaining time based on the predicted rotational speed, the frequency modulation remaining time being time for which the wind turbine is able to continue to output frequency modulation power as the output power used for the primary frequency modulation without affecting a recovery of the wind turbine after the primary frequency modulation; controlling the output power based on the determined frequency modulation remaining time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: BEIJING GOLDWIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peter Fogh Odgaard, Mengting Yu
  • Patent number: 11085419
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a number of airborne wind energy systems arranged in a wind energy park, where each airborne wind energy system comprising a wind engaging member being coupled to a ground station via a cable. The method comprises the determination of an operational parameter of each of the airborne wind energy systems, such as the flight trajectory, the cable tension, or the power production. A first airborne wind energy system is controlled according to a fault control mode if its operational parameter deviates more than a predetermined threshold parameter from the operation parameters of the other airborne wind energy system. The method further comprises operating one or more neighbouring airborne wind energy systems according to a safe control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Thomas S. Bjertrup Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11073132
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic matching method for improving wind power generation efficiency at medium and low wind speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventors: Yingtang Li, Ningning Zhu, Yingyong Li, Xiaojian Zhou, Penggao Chen, Bin Song
  • Patent number: 11063540
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a permanent magnet generator, the method including: measuring mechanical noise of the generator; deriving two quantities indicative of an amplitude and a phase of an undesired harmonic of the measured noise; deriving, based on the quantities, a current to be injected in stator coils of the generator such as to reduce the undesired harmonic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventors: Heng Deng, Per Egedal, Ge Xie
  • Patent number: 11053916
    Abstract: Methods of operating a variable speed wind turbine in an event of a power set-point limitation are described. The methods may comprise determining whether the power set-point is below or equal to a theoretical capability of the wind turbine in accordance with prevailing wind conditions. If the power set-point is below the theoretical capability, operating the wind turbine to generate power according to the power set-point, including operating the wind turbine according to a generator torque and a generator rotor speed predefined for the power set-point. Each power set-point is defined by a combination of a generator rotor speed and a generator torque, the generator rotor speed (?min, ?1, ?2, ?max) being outside an exclusion band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: GE Renewable Technologies Wind B.V.
    Inventors: Leonardo Mandrioli, Sebastia Roca Ferrer
  • Patent number: 11041651
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an energy recovery system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The energy recovery system includes a nozzle having a flow passage with an inlet passage and an outlet passage that is narrowed relative to the inlet passage, in which the nozzle is configured to couple to a condenser and receive an air flow into the flow passage from a condenser fan. The energy recovery system further includes a wind turbine disposed within the outlet passage of the flow passage and having a first axis of rotation, and a generator that is external to the nozzle and that includes a shaft with a second axis of rotation. The generator is coupled to the wind turbine, such that the first axis of rotation is aligned with the second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Mahmoud S. E. ElSaadany
  • Patent number: 11041476
    Abstract: An electric power information acquisition unit is provided for acquiring power supply-and-demand information including electric power acceptable to an electric power system or information correlated with the electric power. A fluid information acquisition unit is provided for acquiring fluid information including information correlated with a physical quantity of a fluid flowing out of a channel. A controller is provided for controlling at least one of the physical quantity, the channel or electric power generated or electric power to be generated by a generator by using the fluid information so that the physical quantity becomes equal to a desired value, while controlling electric power to be supplied to the electric power system to the electric power acceptable to the electric power system or less, by using the power supply-and-demand information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Abe, Atsushi Suhara, Takahiro Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11035300
    Abstract: An example system includes a gas-turbine configured to generate mechanical energy using fuel; an electrical generator configured to generate electrical energy using the mechanical energy generated by the gas-turbine; an electrical converter configured to process the electrical energy generated by the electrical generator; and a converter controller configured to reduce, responsive to detecting occurrence of a fault in the electrical generator or the electrical converter, an amount of fuel provided to the gas-turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11028822
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprises a nacelle, a drive shaft extending from the nacelle along a shaft axis, a plurality of turbine blades coupled to the drive shaft and extending radially relative to the shaft axis, and a first static airfoil structure coupled to the wind turbine to influence airflow exiting the plurality of turbine blades. A method of increasing wind turbine efficiency in a wind farm comprises positioning a first wind turbine having a first plurality of turbine blades at least partially upstream of a second wind turbine having a second plurality of turbine blades, producing a wake field of exit air behind the first plurality of turbine blades, directing air outside of the wake field into the wake field to increase speed of airflow in the wake field, and directing the airflow into the second plurality of turbine blades of the second wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Shujaut Bader, Blair Perot
  • Patent number: 11028834
    Abstract: A generator for a wind turbine, a direct drive wind turbine, and a method for manufacturing a generator for a wind turbine is provided. The generator includes a rotor, and a stator, wherein the stator includes a first radial side and a second radial side which is opposite of the first radial side, and wherein the rotor is arranged adjacent to the first radial side. The generator further includes a flow distribution element which is arranged adjacent to the second radial side such that a circumferential flow channel is formed between the flow distribution element and the second radial side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: Peter Hessellund Soerensen
  • Patent number: 11022090
    Abstract: A system for energy conversion, including a support structure defining at least one guide channel; at least a plurality of extensible elements between a compressed configuration and a dilated configuration and vice versa and configured to move a volume of a fluid in which they are immersible equal to the predetermined volume difference between the dilated configuration and the compressed configuration of each extensible element. The extensible elements are configured to slide along the guide channel during a switching of the extensible elements. During the switching of the extensible elements the system determines a conversion of potential energy into an useful energy, whose value is proportional to a total volume of the fluid displaced by the extensible elements in the dilated configuration and at a depth reached by an extensible element with respect to said free surface of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: FACTORYTALY S.R.L.
    Inventor: Claudio Francavilla
  • Patent number: 10995733
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a wind power generation device for a window trim frame, the wind power generation device: enabling alignment and provision in a prefabricated manner so as to fit the size of a window trim frame or the window frame of a general house or a building such that the installation thereof is simplified; manufactured in a small size such that purchase and production costs are relatively lower than those of other power generation facilities and the like; and charging, with produced electric energy, a storage battery provided at the end thereof and, simultaneously, enabling a charging completion to be immediately checked, thereby easily being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Jae Sun Choi
  • Patent number: 10989163
    Abstract: Device for conversion of wave energy into electrical energy and the process for its deployment at the exploitation location, wherein the device comprises a supporting construction composed of buoyancy elements and having a supporting tube attached on the upper side. The device comprises a joint gear on the inner circumference connected with the outside surface of the supporting tube in a sliding manner and a sphere to which is the floating body pivotally connected. The device has two gears, the first flexible gear for connecting the floating body to the second gear and the second gear for connecting the flexible gear to the generator. The flexible gear consists of pulleys and a flexible element, e.g. a rope or a steel cable and the second gear can be arranged in several suitable forms, e.g. rigid elements as a set of a gear and a rack positioned inside the lower supporting tube or a flexible element, e.g. a chain and a sprocket wheel set in the buoyancy element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Mile Dragić
  • Patent number: 10982660
    Abstract: A gravity oscillating system which comprises a looped and suitably substantially circular track around which a heavy mass such as a ball travels in use, the track being supported from above or below to oscillate up and down as the ball travels around the track, and there being a power transfer mechanism linked to the track to be moved by the track as the track oscillates, the power transfer mechanism being linked to an electrical generator/dynamo whereby the movement is used to generate electrical energy and wherein the system has an oscillating electromagnetic drive comprising a plurality of electromagnets in an array around the track and which are successively momentarily energized to urge each successive part of the track around the track in a direction, upwards or downwards, to cause the track to dip down ahead of the rolling mass, without the drive contacting the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Shakeel Ahmed Pervez
  • Patent number: 10982652
    Abstract: A method for controlling the pitch angle of the blades including the following steps of: measuring an energy storage of the blades pitch actuation system at predefined values of a first blade pitch angle interval; comparing the measured values of the energy storage of the blades pitch actuation system with a predefined minimum value of the energy storage; if the measured values of the energy storage are all greater or equal than the predefined minimum value of the energy storage then enabling normal operation; if at least one of the measured values of the energy storage are lower than the predefined minimum value then: calculating a third pitch angle calculating a third blade pitch angle interval extending between a fourth pitch angle and the second pitch angle; and limiting the blades pitch actuation system to operate only in the third pitch angle interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: Mikkel Aggersbjerg Kristensen
  • Patent number: 10978943
    Abstract: A wind turbine power generating system and method includes a tower, a hub, a plurality of blades connected to the hub, and a rotor connected to the hub. A superconducting generator is coupled to the rotor and includes a plurality of superconductive coils. A nacelle is mounted atop the tower, with the superconducting generator housed within the nacelle. An automatic ramp-down system is configured with the superconducting coils and includes an automatically activated energy dump circuit for current withdrawn from the superconductive coils in a ramp-down process prior to a quench. The energy dump circuit includes one or more heat dissipating loads, wherein each of the heat dissipating loads is mounted in thermal communication with one of the tower or the nacelle that act a thermal heat sink for dispersing heat from the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anbo Wu, Michael Parizh, Ernst Wolfgang Stautner, Minfeng Xu, James William Bray
  • Patent number: 10961984
    Abstract: A wind data detecting system for a wind turbine, the wind turbine including a nacelle and a rotor comprising a plurality of rotor blades separated by a predetermined angle within a rotor plane is provided. The system includes (a) a first wind sensor for providing first wind data (b) a second wind sensor for providing second wind data, (c) a support structure adapted to be mounted on the nacelle of the wind turbine and to support the first wind sensor and the second wind sensor at respective first and second positions, and (d) a processing unit for generating output wind data based on the first wind data and the second wind data wherein the processing unit is adapted to generate first filtered wind data and second filtered wind data by applying an adaptive filtering algorithm to the first wind data and the second wind data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Claus Vad
  • Patent number: 10951095
    Abstract: In one an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an engine includes a drive shaft; an electric machine including a stator assembly and a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly rotatable relative to the stator assembly; and an electrical break, the drive shaft coupled to the rotor assembly through the electrical break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Christopher James Kroger, Christian Xavier Stevenson