Patents by Inventor Amir S. Mikhail
Amir S. Mikhail has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20120184404Abstract: A gear assembly includes a flexible pin mounted to and supported by a planet carrier at one end. A tubular sleeve extends coaxially about the flexible pin and provides a deflection space between said tubular sleeve and said flexible pin. Said flexible pin moves, flexes or deflects under operational loads. A damping element is contained at least partially within the deflection space and surrounds at least partially said flexible pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: Clipper Windpower, LLCInventors: Anthony Chobot, Tyler Mayer, Edwin C. Hahlbeck, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 7581926Abstract: A power generating system wherein a turbine is mounted on top of a tower or tethered underwater. The turbine includes a rotor having a main blade connected to a rotor hub and an extender section. An adjusting device positions the extender blade between a retracted position within the main blade and to an extended position to expose more or less of the rotor to the fluid flow. The adjusting device includes a servo-controlled rack and pinion mechanism that converts rotation of the pinion by a servomotor into linear motion of the extender blade. A generator is connected to the turbine for generating electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: James G. P. Dehlsen, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 7535120Abstract: A wind powered turbine with low voltage ride-through capability. An inverter is connected to the output of a turbine generator. The generator output is conditioned by the inverter resulting in an output voltage and current at a frequency and phase angle appropriate for transmission to a three-phase utility grid. A frequency and phase angle sensor is connected to the utility grid operative during a fault on the grid. A control system is connected to the sensor and to the inverter. The control system output is a current command signal enabling the inverter to put out a current waveform, which is of the same phase and frequency as detected by the sensor. The control system synthesizes current waveform templates for all three-phases based on a sensed voltage on one phase and transmits currents to all three-phases of the electrical system based on the synthesized current waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Chipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: William Erdman, Kevin L. Cousineau, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 7432686Abstract: A wind powered turbine with low voltage ride-through capability. An inverter is connected to the output of a turbine generator. The generator output is conditioned by the inverter resulting in an output voltage and current at a frequency and phase angle appropriate for transmission to a three-phase utility grid. A frequency and phase angle sensor is connected to the utility grid operative during a fault on the grid. A control system is connected to the sensor and to the inverter. The control system output is a current command signal enabling the inverter to put out a current waveform, which is of the same phase and frequency as detected by the sensor. The control system synthesizes current waveform templates for all three-phases based on a sensed voltage on one phase and transmits currents to all three-phases of the electrical system based on the synthesized current waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: William Erdman, Kevin L. Cousineau, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 7339355Abstract: A wind powered turbine with low voltage ride-through capability. An inverter is connected to the output of a turbine generator. The generator output is conditioned by the inverter resulting in an output voltage and current at a frequency and phase angle appropriate for transmission to a three-phase utility grid. A frequency and phase angle sensor is connected to the utility grid operative during a fault on the grid. A control system is connected to the sensor and to the inverter. The control system output is a current command signal enabling the inverter to put out a current waveform, which is of the same phase and frequency as detected by the sensor. The control system synthesizes current waveform templates for all three-phases based on a sensed voltage on one phase and transmits currents to all three-phases of the electrical system based on the synthesized current waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: William Erdman, Kevin L. Cousineau, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 7233129Abstract: A wind powered turbine with low voltage ride-through capability. An inverter is connected to the output of a turbine generator. The generator output is conditioned by the inverter resulting in an output voltage and current at a frequency and phase angle appropriate for transmission to a three-phase utility grid. A frequency and phase angle sensor is connected to the utility grid operative during a fault on the grid. A control system is connected to the sensor and to the inverter. The control system output is a current command signal enabling the inverter to put out a current waveform, which is of the same phase and frequency as detected by the sensor. The control system synthesizes current waveform templates for all three-phases based on a sensed voltage on one phase and transmits currents to all three-phases of the electrical system based on the synthesized current waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: William Erdman, Kevin L. Cousineau, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 7095131Abstract: A variable speed system for use in systems, such as, for example, wind turbines, is described. The system comprises a wound rotor induction generator, a torque controller and a proportional, integral derivative (PID) pitch controller. The torque controller controls generator torque using field oriented control, and the PID controller performs pitch regulation based on generator rotor speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Craig L. Christenson, Kevin L. Cousineau, William L. Erdman, William E. Holley
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Patent number: 7069802Abstract: An electric power-generating device with a rotor turned by an external source of energy, such as wind or water currents. The rotor is coupled to a main shaft. A pair of bull gears is located on the main shaft. A number of intermediate gears are located around a perimeter of the bull gears. An intermediate gear is connected to an input shaft having a double helix pinion that engages the pair of bull gears. The other intermediate gears are similarly connected to respective input shafts having double helix pimons that engage the pair of bull gears. A plurality of output shafts is provided. An output shaft has a single-helix output pinion that engages two adjacent intermediate gears. The other output shafts are similarly connected to respective adjacent intermediate gears. A number of rotational devices are connected to the output shafts.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Edwin C. Hahlbeck
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Patent number: 7042110Abstract: A variable speed wind turbine employing a rotor connected to a multiplicity of synchronous generators with wound field or permanent magnet rotors. A passive rectifier and an inverter are used for power transfer back to the grid. A Turbine Control Unit (TCU) commands a required generator torque based on rotor speed and power output of the turbine inverters. Torque is controlled by regulating the DC current by control of the inverter. A main-shaft-damping filter is provided by measurement of the DC bus voltage. In high winds the turbine remains at a constant average output power through a constant torque command and a varying pitch command to a rotor pitch servo system. A set point is fixed at the inverter output such that output VAR load is minimized running the turbine at very nearly unity power factor. Dynamic VAR and power factor control is provided by a separate VAR apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Kevin L. Cousineau, Lawrence H. Howes, William Erdman, William Holley
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Patent number: 7002259Abstract: A controller for high torque, low RPM wind turbines and ocean current turbines. The turbine consists of a large, input power shaft-mounted, rotating bull-gear with stationary powertrains mounted around its periphery. The gear teeth on the bull-gear rotate past the teeth on pinions, causing the pinions to turn and delivering power to each smaller powertrain. A controller regulates torque experienced by each powertrain to assure that torques are balanced between generators at any given system load. The control method comprises the programmatically continuously looping steps of measuring a system parameter to be controlled, such as torque and/or speed, selecting the optimal number of generators to be connected/disconnected to a utility line, incrementally connecting or disconnecting generators to achieve the point of optimal performance, measuring the parameters, such as current and/or voltage, of the connected generators and adjusting the generator parameters to fine tune the system for optimal performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence H. Howes, Amir S. Mikhail, Geoff F. Deane
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Patent number: 6955025Abstract: A tall tower is divided into an upper section with a tower top and a lower section with a tower bottom. The sections are hinged together. The lower section is hinged to a tower base. A telescoping crane is attached to a lift point on the lower section. The crane is extended to lift the sections to the vertical position with the lower section resting on the base and the tower top of the upper section near ground level. A heavy load is attached to the tower top end using a small ground crane while the tower top of the upper section is near ground level. The telescoping crane is attached to another lift point on the upper section to partially lift the upper section, which is supported in this position. The telescoping crane is relocated and reattached to the lift point on the upper section. The telescoping crane is fully extended to raise the upper section and load to vertical above the lower section.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: James G. P. Dehlsen, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 6856039Abstract: A variable speed system for use in systems, such as, for example, wind turbines, is described. The system comprises a wound rotor induction generator, a torque controller and a proportional, integral derivative (PID) pitch controller. The torque controller controls generator torque using field oriented control, and the PID controller performs pitch regulation based on generator rotor speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Craig L. Christenson, Kevin L. Cousineau, William L. Erdman, William E. Holley
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Patent number: 6847128Abstract: A variable speed system for use in systems, such as, for example, wind turbines, is described. The system comprises a wound rotor induction generator, a torque controller and a proportional integral derivative (PID) pitch controller. The torque controller controls generator torque using field oriented control, and the PID controller performs pitch regulation based on generator rotor speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Craig L. Christenson, Kevin L. Cousineau, William L. Erdman, William E. Holley
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Publication number: 20040237683Abstract: An electric power-generating device with a rotor turned by an external source of energy, such as wind or water currents. The rotor is coupled to a main shaft. A pair of bull gears is located on the main shaft. A number of intermediate gears are located around a perimeter of the bull gears. An intermediate gear is connected to an input shaft having a double helix pinion that engages the pair of bull gears. The other intermediate gears are similarly connected to respective input shafts having double helix pinions that engage the pair of bull gears. A plurality of output shafts is provided. An output shaft has an output pinion that engages two adjacent intermediate gears. The other output shafts are similarly connected to respective adjacent intermediate gears. A number of rotational devices are connected to the output shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Edwin C. Hahlbeck
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Publication number: 20040207208Abstract: A variable speed system for use in systems, such as, for example, wind turbines, is described. The system comprises a wound rotor induction generator, a torque controller and a proportional, integral derivative (PID) pitch controller. The torque controller controls generator torque using field oriented control, and the PID controller performs pitch regulation based on generator rotor speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Craig L. Christenson, Kevin L. Cousineau, William L. Erdman, William E. Holley
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Publication number: 20040094964Abstract: A variable speed system for use in systems, such as, for example, wind turbines, is described. The system comprises a wound rotor induction generator, a torque controller and a proportional, integral derivative (PID) pitch controller. The torque controller controls generator torque using field oriented control, and the PID controller performs pitch regulation based on generator rotor speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Craig L. Christenson, Kevin L. Cousineau, William L. Erdman, William E. Holley
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Patent number: 6726439Abstract: A wind or water flow energy converter comprising a wind or water flow actuated rotor assembly. The rotor comprises a plurality of blades, wherein the blades of are variable in length to provide a variable diameter rotor. The rotor diameter is controlled to fully extend the rotor at low flow velocity and to retract the rotor as flow velocity increases such that the loads delivered by or exerted upon the rotor do not exceed set limits.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Geoffrey F. Deane
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Publication number: 20040045226Abstract: A tall tower is divided into an upper section with a tower top and a lower section with a tower bottom. The sections are hinged together. The lower section is hinged to a tower base. A telescoping crane is attached to a lift point on the lower section. The crane is extended to lift the sections to the vertical position with the lower section resting on the base and the tower top of the upper section near ground level. A heavy load is attached to the tower top end using a small ground crane while the tower top of the upper section is near ground level. The telescoping crane is attached to another lift point on the upper section to partially lift the upper section, which is supported in this position. The telescoping crane is relocated and reattached to the lift point on the upper section. The telescoping crane is fully extended to raise the upper section and load to vertical above the lower section.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Inventors: James G.P. Dehlsen, Amir S. Mikhail
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Patent number: 6600240Abstract: A variable speed system for use in systems, such as, for example, wind turbines, is described. The system comprises a wound rotor induction generator, a torque controller and a proportional, integral derivative (PID) pitch controller. The torque controller controls generator torque using field oriented control, and the PID controller performs pitch regulation based on generator rotor speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Amir S. Mikhail, Craig L. Christenson, Kevin L. Cousineau, William L. Erdman, William E. Holley
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Publication number: 20030057703Abstract: A controller for high torque, low RPM wind turbines and ocean current turbines. The turbine consists of a large, input power shaft-mounted, rotating bull-gear with stationary powertrains mounted around its periphery. The gear teeth on the bull-gear rotate past the teeth on pinions, causing the pinions to turn and delivering power to each smaller powertrain. A controller regulates torque experienced by each powertrain to assure that torques are balanced between generators at any given system load. The control method comprises the programmatically continuously looping steps of measuring a system parameter to be controlled, such as torque and/or speed, selecting the optimal number of generators to be connected/disconnected to a utility line, incrementally connecting or disconnecting generators to achieve the point of optimal performance, measuring the parameters, such as current and/or voltage, of the connected generators and adjusting the generator parameters to fine tune the system for optimal performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Lawrence H. Howes, Amir S. Mikhail, Geoff F. Deane