Patents by Inventor Apurva SOMANI

Apurva SOMANI 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).

  • Publication number: 20180109111
    Abstract: A power system and method for performing a blackstart on a microgrid. The power system includes at least a first power converter and a second power converter. The first power converter comprises a first controller having a plurality of startup sequences for performing the blackstart. The second power converter is electrically coupled to the first power converter at a point of common coupling. During the blackstart, the first controller is configured to select and perform one of the plurality of startup sequences according to a point at which the second power converter is within the second power converter's startup sequence during the blackstart. The first controller selects the one of the plurality of startup sequences according to a microgrid voltage at the point of common coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventor: Apurva SOMANI
  • Publication number: 20180048158
    Abstract: A power system having a plurality of power converters coupled together at a point of common coupling (PCC). The power converters are coupled to a load and provide a combined power converter output to the load. A switch is coupled in series between the PCC and an external grid. When the switch is closed, the power system is in a grid-tied configuration and when the switch is open, the power system is in a microgrid configuration. A control system coupled to the power converters enables the switch to open and close in response to a signal received from one or more sensors monitoring the external grid, enables the power converters to operate in a current control mode when the switch is closed, and transitions the power converters from grid-tied mode to microgrid mode and synchronize the power converters such that the converters share the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Apurva SOMANI, John C. PALOMBINI
  • Publication number: 20170358980
    Abstract: A power system for power conversion between at least one power source and a grid is disclosed. The power system includes a power converter having a plurality of semiconductor switches, configured to adapt a power supply to a desired output; and a controller for controlling the power converter in an active mode and an active standby mode, the controller configured to: determine to enter into the active mode or the active standby mode; based on the active mode or the active standby mode is determined, control the power converter to be in a gating state with the grid or to be in a non-gating state with the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Apurva SOMANI, John C. PALOMBINI
  • Patent number: 9819190
    Abstract: A power system having a plurality of power converters coupled together at a point of common coupling (PCC). The power converters are coupled to a load and provide a combined power converter output to the load. A switch is coupled in series between the PCC and an external grid. When the switch is closed, the power system is in a grid-tied configuration and when the switch is open, the power system is in a microgrid configuration. A control system coupled to the power converters enables the switch to open and close in response to a signal received from one or more sensors monitoring the external grid, enables the power converters to operate in a current control mode when the switch is closed, and transitions the power converters from grid-tied mode to microgrid mode and synchronize the power converters such that the converters share the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: DYNAPOWER COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Apurva Somani, John C. Palombini
  • Patent number: 9685852
    Abstract: A power system having a plurality of operating modes including an active mode and an active standby mode includes a power converter and a controller the power converter is configured to adapt a power supply to a desired output, and the power converter includes a plurality of semiconductor switches that receive a gating signal when the power system is in the active mode such that the power converter is in a gating state. The controller controls the power converter in the active mode and the active standby mode, and the controller is configured to: while the power converter is synchronized to the grid, determine whether the power system should enter into the active standby mode in which the power converter is in a non-gating state; when it is determined the power system should enter into the active standby mode, control the power converter to be in a non-gating state such that the power system is in the active standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: DYNAPOWER COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Apurva Somani, John C. Palombini
  • Publication number: 20170005473
    Abstract: A power system having a plurality of power converters coupled together at a point of common coupling (PCC). The power converters are coupled to a load and provide a combined power converter output to the load. A switch is coupled in series between the PCC and an external grid. When the switch is closed, the power system is in a grid-tied configuration and when the switch is open, the power system is in a microgrid configuration. A control system coupled to the power converters enables the switch to open and close in response to a signal received from one or more sensors monitoring the external grid, enables the power converters to operate in a current control mode when the switch is closed, and transitions the power converters from grid-tied mode to microgrid mode and synchronize the power converters such that the converters share the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Apurva SOMANI, John C. PALOMBINI
  • Publication number: 20170005564
    Abstract: A power system having a plurality of operating modes including an active mode and an active standby mode includes a power converter and a controller the power converter is configured to adapt a power supply to a desired output, and the power converter includes a plurality of semiconductor switches that receive a gating signal when the power system is in the active mode such that the power converter is in a gating state. The controller controls the power converter in the active mode and the active standby mode, and the controller is configured to: while the power converter is synchronized to the grid, determine whether the power system should enter into the active standby mode in which the power converter is in a non-gating state; when it is determined the power system should enter into the active standby mode, control the power converter to be in a non-gating state such that the power system is in the active standby mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Apurva SOMANI, John C. PALOMBINI