Patents Examined by Thomas K Quigley
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Patent number: 10774811Abstract: A wind turbine includes a wind turbine rotor and rotor blades mounted on the rotor, at least one sensing device disposed on the wind turbine for measuring a first signal representative of a first wind speed at a first distance from the wind turbine rotor and a second signal representative of a second wind speed at a second distance from the wind turbine rotor. The wind turbine system includes a blade pitch actuator for adjusting a pitch of the rotor blades and a generator controller for adjusting a voltage of a wind turbine generator. The wind turbine system also includes a control unit in communication with the blade pitch actuator and the generator controller, the control unit being used for controlling the wind turbine via the blade pitch actuator and the generator controller based on an induction factor derived from the first and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Samuel Davoust, Thomas Stephen Markham, Pranav Agarwal
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Patent number: 10734931Abstract: As a configuration of carrying out a turning operation of a brushless synchronous power generation apparatus, there are provided a synchronous generator, an AC exciter, a rotary rectifier attached to an armature of the AC exciter, and short-circuiting means which three-phase short-circuits armature windings of the AC exciter, wherein the armature windings of the AC exciter are short-circuited, causing the AC exciter to operate as an induction motor, thus rotating the rotor shaft of the synchronous generator.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Ryoji Miyatake, Ayumu Yamada, Keisuke Yoshida
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Patent number: 10720865Abstract: A portable power generator with power monitor and control. The portable generator may include an alternator powered by an engine and configured to generate an alternator output, a first output receptacle coupled to the alternator output through a first switch, and a second output receptacle coupled to the alternator output through a second switch. The portable generator may further include a sensor unit configured to detect at least one output parameter of the first output receptacle. An electronic processor of the portable generator may be configured to receive first sensor signals indicating a measured quantity of the at least one output parameter of the first output receptacle and determine that the measured quantity exceeds a predetermined threshold. The processor may also be configured to disable the first output receptacle in response to determining that the measured quantity exceeds the predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITEDInventors: Mina William Atta, Michael R. Gardner, Gavin P. Conti
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Patent number: 10690116Abstract: A wind turbine system is described comprising a plurality of wind turbine modules, each including a rotor, mounted to a support structure including a tower. In use, each rotor has an associated rotating unbalance that defines an unbalance vector. The wind turbine system includes control means configured to coordinate the rotational speeds of the plurality of rotors to attenuate oscillations of the support structure caused by the rotating unbalance of the rotors. Also described is a method of controlling such a wind turbine system. The method comprises coordinating the rotational speeds of the plurality of rotors to attenuate oscillations of the support structure caused by the rotating unbalance of the rotors.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Jacob Deleuran Grunnet, Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda, Michael Riis Krabbe
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Patent number: 10693403Abstract: An apparatus and method for a generator assembly for a drive train such as a rotatable turbine engine assembly. The generator assembly includes at least first and second generators mechanically coupled to the drive train. First and second dampers are operably coupled to the first and second generators, respectively, to selectively damp the first and second generators. Damping the first and second generators can reduce or eliminate both common mode and differential mode torsional oscillations from the generators to the drive train.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Jinhui Zhang, Paul Robert Gemin, Arthur Vorwerk Radun
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Patent number: 10683844Abstract: The present invention relates to control of wind turbines where a fatigue load measure is taken into account. Control of a wind turbine is described where a control trajectory is calculated based on a fatigue load measure, the fatigue load measure being determined from a predicted operational trajectory. In embodiments the predicted operational trajectories are calculated by using a model predictive control (MPC) routine, and the fatigue load measure includes a rainflow count algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Keld Hammerum, Tobias Gybel Hovgaard
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Patent number: 10677218Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control of a wind turbine during a recovery period after a grid fault. It is disclosed to operate a wind turbine during the recovery period to determine the actual pitch angle of the rotor blades and the actual wind speed, and based on that determining a desired pitch angle of the rotor blades, as well as a pitch ramp rate so that the actual pitch angle can be brought to match the desired pitch angle before the end of the recovery period. In embodiments, the steps performed in the recovery mode are repeated at intervals during the recovery period.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Martin Ansbjerg Kjær, Kasper Zinck Ostergaard, Jan Graugaard-Jensen
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Patent number: 10670297Abstract: An electrical energy generation system can include a housing, an electrical generator supported by the housing, a turbine operatively connected to the electrical generator, and a hollow frustum positioned in the housing and spaced apart from the turbine. The frustum can be configured to receive airflow via a lower opening and to direct the airflow toward the turbine with increased velocity. Another electrical energy generation system can include an electrical generator, a turbine operatively connected to the electrical generator, and an enclosed passageway configured to increase a speed of an airflow from an artificial source toward the turbine. The enclosed passageway can be positioned to support the turbine. The systems can include one or more baffle elements to straighten the airflow along a direction aligned with a rotational axis of the turbine. Electrical energy generation systems harvest waste or exhaust air from rooftop vent or fan assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Primo Energy, Inc.Inventor: Edward McMahon
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Patent number: 10662928Abstract: A fixture and methods of using the fixture that can be used in situ to perform repair and maintenance work on a generator shaft and associated components of a wind turbine generator is described. The fixture is typically mounted to a plurality of the threaded bores provided in the generator housing used to attach the generator's end bell or the gearbox/transmission to the generator, and provides a platform for attaching accessory fixtures to support the shaft of the generator, as well as, provide for the mounting of tools used to maintain and repair the generator shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Inventor: Christopher A Hodges
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Patent number: 10666174Abstract: A floating electrical power generator having a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway configured for increasing the water flow on the paddle wheel to increase the power output.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Inventor: Bruno Bergman
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Patent number: 10662924Abstract: The invention relates to a control apparatus and method for controlling the rotor blades of a wind turbine, and in particular to controlling the rotor blades during an extreme wind event. An extended mode of operation of the wind turbine rotor beyond the cut-out wind speed is provided. In the extended mode of operation, the pitch of the wind turbine blades is actively controlled so that the rotor and the generator idle at a designated rotational speed. The rotational speed may be relatively high, say 15 to 20% of the nominal speed, compared with minimal speeds experienced by purely feathered wind turbine blades, and may be further controlled as a function of the incident wind speed. Output power control in the extended mode may be zero but is preferably a low, but non-zero value. The output power so produced may then be used as an auxiliary power source for controlling the wind turbine in situations where the utility grid fails.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Fabio Caponetti, Ian Couchman, Thomas Krüger, Ali Zaib, Carsten Nørlund Thomsen
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Patent number: 10647199Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an arrangement of auxiliary assemblies in a combustion machine including an electric machine which is operable as a generator and preferably also as a motor. The arrangement further includes an expansion machine, in particular an expansion machine of a waste heat recovery system for converting waste heat of the combustion machine or of an engine braking system into utilizable energy by way of a steam circuit, and a first group of auxiliary assemblies, including a water pump, a fuel predelivery pump, a high-pressure fuel pump, a steering assistance pump and an oil pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS ÖSTERREICH GESMBHInventors: Gottfried Raab, Josef Klammer
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Patent number: 10641238Abstract: A water turbine device is provided which can move a water turbine from a use position to a nonuse position with a light force, and which has a simplified structure. An intermediate portion of a suspension support rod for suspending a water turbine immersed in a flowing water in a waterway is pivotally attached to a platform provided on the waterway with a horizontal shaft, and a power generation device as a balance weight is provided at the free end of the suspension support rod, and the water turbine is rotatable around the horizontal shaft between the use position where the water turbine is immersed in a flowing water and the nonuse position above the flowing water.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: NTN CORPORATIONInventor: Masahiko Suzuki
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Patent number: 10641124Abstract: A hybrid electric gas turbine engine includes a fan section, a turbine section, a first gas generating core, and a generator assembly. The fan section has a fan. The turbine section has a turbine drivably connected to the fan through a main shaft that extends along a central longitudinal axis. The first gas generating core extends along a first axis that is radially offset from the central longitudinal axis. The generator assembly is drivably connected to the main shaft through a gear assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Jesse M. Chandler
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Patent number: 10641235Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Inventor: Mile Dragić
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Patent number: 10608565Abstract: An electrical power unit is disclosed. The electrical power unit includes a controller configured to generate a first control signal based on a first operational state of an engine, a multiphase electrical machine including a plurality of three-phase windings; and an electrical power conditioning subunit operatively coupled to the controller, where the electrical power conditioning subunit comprises a plurality of converters, where at least one converter is electrically coupled to a corresponding three-phase winding of the plurality of three-phase windings based on the first control signal, and where the electrical power conditioning subunit is configured to transmit a first electrical power from the at least one converter to the corresponding three-phase winding, where the multiphase electrical machine is configured to generate a mechanical power based on the first electrical power and rotate a crankshaft operatively coupled to the engine based on the generated mechanical power to start the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Yash Veer Singh, Ruxi Wang, Satish Prabhakaran, Cong Li
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Patent number: 10608503Abstract: A generator set comprises an engine including a crankshaft rotatable in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the generator set, and a generator including a generator shaft. A gearbox is positioned between the engine and the generator, all mounted on a chassis. The gearbox couples the crankshaft to the generator shaft. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to an engine first end and the second end is coupled to a generator first end. The gearbox also includes a gear set including a plurality of gears, a first gear shaft coupled to a crank shaft first end, and a second gear shaft coupled to a generator shaft first end. The crankshaft and at least a portion of the plurality of gears, and the generator shaft are axially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the generator set.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Cummins Power Generation LimitedInventors: Paul D. Johnson, Kent A. Lobsiger, Sze Kwan Cheah, Tejaskumar Rajendrakumar Amin, Peter Andrew Goleczka
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Patent number: 10605229Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an operation of a wind farm with a plurality of wind turbines in view of a dynamic frequency response. According to the invention, dynamic frequency support and power production for all wind turbines in a wind farm are handled concurrently in a single optimization step and taking into account wake effects within the wind farm as well as optional wind forecast information. The dynamic frequency support capability of the entire wind farm is planned in advance according to grid requirements and power system condition changes. While existing methods de-load wind turbines with a static percentage in order to supply additional power when needed, the proposed method incorporates the dynamic frequency support into the optimal operation system of wind farm.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Yan Zhang, Jan Poland, Adrian Vasile Timbus, Carsten Franke, Kedar Kulkarni, Silvia Mastellone
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Patent number: 10598701Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system coupled to a power grid during a grid unbalance event, a method for determining an injection current to be supplied into a power grid by a power generation system, and a method for addressing an asymmetric grid fault in a power grid connected to a power generation system are provided. The methods may be carried out based on a reactive or an active power/current priority.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Amit Kumar Gupta, John Godsk Nielsen, Liang Yang
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Patent number: 10557460Abstract: The present invention relates to a flooring system for generating electricity from users as they walk. A flooring system (1) for generating electricity, comprising: a plurality of generators (100), each generator (100) having a support, each generator being arranged to generate electricity from linear motion of the support in a first direction; and a plurality of tiles for supporting one or more people, wherein each support supports a plurality of tiles.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Pavegen Systems LimitedInventors: Craig Webster, Philip Tucker