Patents Examined by Thomas Quigley
  • Patent number: 9303618
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) which comprises a stationary member (14), comprising a stabilization means (20) relative to the bottom of the expanse of water, a member (16) movable relative to the stationary member (14), comprising at least one floating element (40) intended for remaining on the surface (12) of the expanse of water, such that the swell drives the movement of said movable member (16), a guiding means (17, 18) substantially vertical to the movement of the movable member (16) relative to the stationary member (14), and a generation means (32) for electric power, arranged between the stationary member (14) and the movable member (16), intended for converting into electric power the mechanical energy from the vertical motion of the movable member (16) relative to the stationary member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE ENGRENAGES ET REDUCTEURS—MESSIAN—DURAND, D2M CONSULTANTS
    Inventors: Pierre Armand Thomas, Fabrice Lessard
  • Patent number: 9297360
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a wind turbine having a machine support (5), a rotor (6) which can be driven by wind (13) to rotate about the rotor axis (7) and is mounted so that it can rotate on the machine support (5) about a rotor axis (7). The rotor includes a rotor hub (8) and several rotor blades (9, 10) which extend respectively in the direction of a blade axis (11, 12) running transverse or essentially transverse to the rotor axis (7). The rotor blades (9,10) are mounted so that they can rotate on the rotor hub (8) about the respective blade axis (11, 12). Blade angle adjustable drives (17, 18) are arranged on the rotor (6) and enable the rotor blades (9, 10) to rotate about the blade axes thereof (11, 12). A blade angle control device (24) is coupled to the blade angle adjusting drives (17, 18) and can control the blade angle adjusting drives (17, 18). An electric generator (15) is mechanically coupled to the rotor (6) and can be driven by the rotor to generate electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SSB Wind Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Fabio Bertolotti, Hermann Kestermann, Marc-Andre Thier, Tobias Bueltel, Josef Upsing, Tobias Daemberg, Norbert Wibben
  • Patent number: 9261069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for collecting energy from water waves, comprising an extended length channel provided with a long shore-facing wall, a long sea-facing wall, and a remote end wall all extending substantially above high water level, and a proximate end wall forming a fixed lower dam having an upper edge approximately level with low water level. The shore-facing wall of the channel being sloped in a shoreward direction so that the upper open edge of the wall is nearer the shore than the lower edge of the wall. The sloped wall being impacted by waves having entered the channel and retaining water of the waves at a raised level above sea level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Elazar Tagansky
  • Patent number: 9248910
    Abstract: A vehicle-based airborne wind turbine system having an aerial wing, a plurality of rotors each having a plurality of rotatable blades positioned on the aerial wing, an electrically conductive tether secured to the aerial wing and secured to a ground station positioned on a vehicle, wherein the aerial wing is adapted to receive electrical power from the vehicle that is delivered to the aerial wing through the electrically conductive tether; wherein the aerial wing is adapted to operate in a flying mode to harness wind energy to provide a first pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle; and wherein the aerial wing is also adapted to operate in a powered flying mode wherein the rotors may be powered so that the turbine blades serve as thrust-generating propellers to provide a second pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Damon Vander Lind, Thomas Van Alsenoy, Richard Wayne DeVaul
  • Patent number: 9243604
    Abstract: An in-pipe hydraulic turbine system includes a pipeline for fluid transport, the pipeline having an inlet and an outlet, and a turbine disposed within the pipeline, between the inlet and the outlet. The turbine is actuated by fluid moving through the pipeline and leaves usable fluid pressure downstream of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: James Scott Montgomery
  • Patent number: 9234498
    Abstract: A wind driven generator may have a first rotating element associated with a first set of vanes distributed so as to be driven by wind in a first rotational direction about an axis of rotation. A second element is associated with a second set of vanes distributed so as to be driven by the wind in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction concentric with the axis of rotation of the first rotating element. The first rotating element has magnetic elements disposed thereon that project a magnetic field towards and onto the second rotating element. The second rotating element has electromagnetic coils disposed thereon, the electromagnetic coils being exposed to the magnetic field projected from the first rotating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Albert Prindle
  • Patent number: 9214841
    Abstract: An aircraft power generating assembly having a mechanical gear transmission, and an electric machine integrated in the mechanical transmission; the electric machine having a stator connected directly to a fixed frame of the mechanical transmission, and a rotor surrounding and rotated by a rotary shaft of the mechanical transmission; and the opposite ends of the rotary shaft being connected to respective further rotary input/output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GE AVIO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Edoardo Curti, Ivan Borra, Marco Cipriani
  • Patent number: 9154011
    Abstract: An integrated drive generator includes a housing having generator. Center and input housing portions are secured to one another. The center housing portion is sealed relative to the generator input housing portion with seal plates. A hydraulic unit is mounted to the center housing portion. The center housing portion includes first and second parallel surfaces. A machined surface is parallel to and recessed into one of the first and second surfaces in an area of the hydraulic unit. A method of assembling an integrated drive generator includes the steps of providing a bore in a center housing portion, pressing a bearing liner into the bore, with a portion of the bearing liner extending proud of a surface of the center plate, and machining the surface around and adjacent to the bearing liner to provide a machined surface parallel to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry R. Vanderzyden, Jonathan C. Dell
  • Patent number: 9151268
    Abstract: The wave energy convertor using oscillating pendulums includes a buoyant base, a support frame mounted to the buoyant base, and a power generating assembly coupled to the support frame. A plurality of annular rails is disposed on the support frame and a reinforcement member extends diametrically across each annular rail. The power generating assembly includes a plurality of pendulum arms rotatably mounted on a central axle extending coaxially through the reinforcement members. One or more dynamos are mounted to support plates on opposite ends of the pendulum arms, and rotors extend from the dynamos to ride on the inner surface of the annular rails. Undulation of the buoyant base riding the waves of a body of water causes the pendulum arms to oscillate. Rotation of the rotors generates current, which is collected by a current collection assembly and transmitted to an onshore facility for distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hesham Rabie Fouli, Ali M. Al-Samhan, Shkelzen Hykaj, Ermal Mullalli
  • Patent number: 9115794
    Abstract: An integrated drive generator includes a pump plate having first and second parallel faces defining a first thickness. A passage extends between the first and second faces through the pump plate. Webbing is provided in the passage having a second thickness less than the first thickness. The webbing provides a first volume and the passage provides a second volume. A ratio of the second volume to the first volume is 20.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry R. Vanderzyden, Jonathan C. Dell
  • Patent number: 9109573
    Abstract: A passive bluff body is disposed in flowing fluid for generating power. The shape of the bluff body supports a predetermined oscillatory clockwise and counter clockwise movement about a pivot absent the influence of electrical or mechanical devices for biasing the bluff body's motion for a given velocity, or range of velocities, of the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: INCURRENT TURBINES LTD.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Kane
  • Patent number: 9097241
    Abstract: A transpired solar collector chimney tower is provided. Specifically, disclosed herein is a system that uses solar radiation for generating electricity comprising: a transpired solar air heating collector device comprising: a heat absorbing roof; an interior space adjacent the heat absorbing roof; and, a plurality of air inlet openings distributed over the heat absorbing roof and configured to allow ambient air to flow from outside the heat absorbing roof into the interior space; a chimney tower extending from the transpired solar air heating collector device and connected to the interior space such that heated air in the interior space flows from the interior space through the chimney tower; and, one or more turbines positioned within one or more of the interior space and the chimney tower and on a path of airflow from the interior space through the chimney tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Hollick Solar Systems Limited
    Inventors: John C. Hollick, Dogan Eryener
  • Patent number: 9091246
    Abstract: A power plant device for the production of energy in the waves by the use of float devices, the motion of which is used to power generator to produce energy, and means of conveyance of energy to further use, the device having a rig that is directed to float in the sea by means of a float supporting construction with the floats in the water line so that these may be affected by wave motion in the sea, and where the floats are arranged in a ring shape around the rig's circumference with spacing between the floats, which floats independently of each other are oriented to engage their respective generators via a transmission system, and the rig is anchored to the seabed via a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Nader Hassavari
  • Patent number: 9068554
    Abstract: A wave energy electric power generation system has a buoyant body responsive to wave movement and an associated, relatively vertically stationary body, a compressor, a pressure regulator, and an air turbine/generator set. The compressor has a piston that moves reciprocally relative to a cylinder to alternately compress air in opposed chambers. A pressure regulator tank defines a chamber in communication with the compressor for alternately receiving compressed air from opposed compression chambers, a floating piston within the tank applying pressure to compressed air in the chamber, a pressure regulator controlling pressure applied by the piston to the compressed air, and an hydraulic dampening system coupled to the floating piston to restrict unwanted vertical oscillations of the piston, for output of a continuous flow of compressed air at relatively constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: James W. Healy
  • Patent number: 8994200
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided. The power generation system including a power generation unit operable to supply electrical power to an utility system; a synchronous machine coupled to the utility system; a grid measurement device arranged for measuring the current and power that is exchanged between the synchronous machine and the utility system; a controller for adjusting the output power of the power generation unit as a function of the power and current that is measured by the grid measurement device; and a communication link between the grid measurement device, controller and/or the power generation unit. The power generation unit is configured to provide current and power to the utility system as a function of the power and current that is measured by the grid measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jan Thisted
  • Patent number: 8981587
    Abstract: A wind turbine that includes a rotor and a generator is described. The rotor includes a rotor hub that is rotatably mounted on a frame and one or more rotor blades. The generator includes a generator stator and a generator rotor with a carrying structure that carries magnetic or electromagnetic elements. One or more circumferentially arranged substantially axial protrusions that extend into the generator rotor carrying structure are attached to the rotor. Flexible couplings are arranged between one or more of the axial protrusions and the carrying structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Daniel Castell Martínez, Carlos Casanovas Bermejo, Santiago Canedo Pardo
  • Patent number: 8975770
    Abstract: A wind power turbine electric generator, the electric generator having a tubular first supporting structure extending about an axis of rotation; a second supporting structure extending about the axis of rotation, substantially coaxial with the first supporting structure, and fitted to the first supporting structure to rotate about the axis of rotation; first active parts fitted to the first supporting structure; second active parts fitted to the second supporting structure, facing the first active parts, and separated from the first active parts by an annular gap; and a radial tensioning device configured to adjust the shape of the first supporting structure about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Wilic S.AR.L.
    Inventor: Emmanuele Gelmini
  • Patent number: 8963352
    Abstract: A wave energy electric power generation system has a buoyant body responsive to wave movement and an associated, relatively vertically stationary body, a compressor, a pressure regulator, and an impulse air turbine/generator set. The compressor has a piston that moves reciprocally relative to a cylinder to alternately compress air in opposed chambers. A pressure regulator tank defines a chamber in communication with the compressor for alternately receiving compressed air from opposed compression chambers, a floating piston within the tank applying pressure to compressed air in the chamber, a pressure regulator controlling pressure applied by the piston to the compressed air, and an hydraulic dampening system coupled to the floating piston to restrict unwanted vertical oscillations of the piston, for output of a continuous flow of compressed air at relatively constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: James W. Healy
  • Patent number: 8937397
    Abstract: An electric energy producing wind power turbine having a nacelle, an electric generator having a stator and a rotor, a rotary assembly connected to the nacelle to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a bearing located between the rotary assembly and the nacelle, the nacelle having a first sector, which is located at the bearing, which is removable from the nacelle, and which is configured to form, when removed, an opening in the nacelle to allow passage of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Wilic S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Emmanuele Gelmini
  • Patent number: 8928167
    Abstract: A passive bluff body is disposed in flowing fluid for generating power. The shape of the bluff body supports a predetermined oscillatory clockwise and counter clockwise movement about a pivot absent the influence of electrical or mechanical devices for biasing the bluff body's motion for a given velocity, or range of velocities, of the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Incurrent Turbines Ltd.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Kane