Patents by Inventor Arnold P. Kehrli
Arnold P. Kehrli 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: 20120033468Abstract: In a general aspect, a power conversion system includes a power converter, a transformer, and a voltage adjustment device. The power converter is configured to receive a variable DC power generated by a power generation device and to convert the received DC power to AC power at a first voltage. The transformer is configured to receive the AC power from the power converter and to deliver AC power at a second voltage to a utility power network. The voltage adjustment device is configured to adjust the first voltage to a target value determined on the basis of a voltage of the DC power.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Douglas C. Folts, Arnold P. Kehrli
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Patent number: 7989983Abstract: In a general aspect, a power conversion system includes a power converter, a transformer, and a voltage adjustment device. The power converter is configured to receive a variable DC power generated by a power generation device and to convert the received DC power to AC power at a first voltage. The transformer is configured to receive the AC power from the power converter and to deliver AC power at a second voltage to a utility power network. The voltage adjustment device is configured to adjust the first voltage to a target value determined on the basis of a voltage of the DC power.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Douglas C. Folts, Arnold P. Kehrli
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Publication number: 20100277002Abstract: In a general aspect, a power conversion system includes a power converter, a transformer, and a voltage adjustment device. The power converter is configured to receive a variable DC power generated by a power generation device and to convert the received DC power to AC power at a first voltage. The transformer is configured to receive the AC power from the power converter and to deliver AC power at a second voltage to a utility power network. The voltage adjustment device is configured to adjust the first voltage to a target value determined on the basis of a voltage of the DC power.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Douglas C. Folts, Arnold P. Kehrli
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Patent number: 7265521Abstract: The invention features a system and approach for minimizing the step voltage change as seen by the utility customer as well minimizing transients imposed on the fundamental waveform of a normal voltage carried on a utility power network when a reactive power source (e.g., capacitor bank) is instantaneously connected to the utility power. The reactive power source is adapted to transfer reactive power of a first polarity (e.g., capacitive reactive power) to the utility power network. The system includes a reactive power compensation device configured to transfer a variable quantity of reactive power of a second, opposite polarity to the utility power network, and a controller which, in response to the need to connect the shunt reactive power source to the utility power network, activates the reactive power compensation device and, substantially simultaneously, causes the shunt reactive power source to be connected to the utility power.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Arnold P. Kehrli, John A. Diaz De Leon, II, Douglas C. Folts
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Patent number: 7091703Abstract: The invention features a system for connection to a utility power network. The system includes a reactive power compensation device coupled to the network and configured to transfer reactive power between the utility power network and the reactive power compensation device; a capacitor system configured to transfer capacitive reactive power between the utility power network and the capacitor system; an electro-mechanical switch for connecting and disconnecting the capacitor system to the utility power network; an interface associated with the electro-mechanical switch; a controller configured to provide control signals for controlling the electro-mechanical switch; and a communication channel for coupling the controller to the interface associated with the electro-mechanical switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Douglas C. Folts, William A. Vareka, Arnold P. Kehrli, John A. Diaz De Leon, II
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Patent number: 6987331Abstract: A voltage recovery device is configured to provide reactive power to a utility power network at a level and for a duration sufficient to recover the voltage on the utility power network within a predetermined proportion of the nominal voltage, following a fault condition detected on the utility power network. In operation, the voltage recovery device reduces the overall transmission losses in a utility power system.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Paul Frederick Koeppe, Arnold P. Kehrli, Donald L. Brown, Warren Elliott Buckles, John A. Diaz De Leon, III, Douglas C. Folts
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Patent number: 6906434Abstract: a voltage recovery device is configured to provide real and reactive power to a utility power network at a sufficient level and for a sufficient duration to recover the voltage on the utility power network within a predetermined proportion of the nominal voltage, following a fault condition detected on the utility power network. Moreover, the voltage recovery device reduces the overall transmission losses in a utility power system.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Paul Frederick Koeppe, Arnold P. Kehrli, John A. Diaz De Leon, II, Donald L. Brown, Warren Elliott Buckles, Douglas C. Folts
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Patent number: 6900619Abstract: The invention features a system and approach for minimizing the step voltage change as seen by the utility customer as well minimizing transients imposed on the fundamental waveform of a normal voltage carried on a utility power network when a reactive power source (e.g., capacitor bank) is instantaneously connected to the utility power. The reactive power source is adapted to transfer reactive power of a first polarity (e.g., capacitive reactive power) to the utility power network. The system includes a reactive power compensation device configured to transfer a variable quantity of reactive power of a second, opposite polarity to the utility power network, and a controller which, in response to the need to connect the shunt reactive power source to the utility power network, activates the reactive power compensation device and, substantially simultaneously, causes the shunt reactive power source to be connected to the utility power.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Arnold P. Kehrli, John A. Diaz De Leon, II, Douglas C. Folts
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Publication number: 20040114290Abstract: A multi-line power transmission system includes a first power transmission line having a first impedance characteristic, a second power transmission line, in parallel with the first power transmission line, and having a second impedance characteristic less than the first impedance characteristic, and a power flow controller, coupled to the second power transmission line, for controlling at least one of the magnitude and direction of the power flowing through the second power transmission line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventor: Arnold P. Kehrli
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Publication number: 20030067285Abstract: The invention features a system and approach for minimizing the step voltage change as seen by the utility customer as well minimizing transients imposed on the fundamental waveform of a normal voltage carried on a utility power network when a reactive power source (e.g., capacitor bank) is instantaneously connected to the utility power. The reactive power source is adapted to transfer reactive power of a first polarity (e.g., capacitive reactive power) to the utility power network. The system includes a reactive power compensation device configured to transfer a variable quantity of reactive power of a second, opposite polarity to the utility power network, and a controller which, in response to the need to connect the shunt reactive power source to the utility power network, activates the reactive power compensation device and, substantially simultaneously, causes the shunt reactive power source to be connected to the utility power.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 1999Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventors: Arnold P. Kehrli, John A. Diaz De Leon, II, Douglas C. Folts
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Publication number: 20020105231Abstract: A voltage recovery device is configured to provide reactive power to a utility power network at a level and for a duration sufficient to recover the voltage on the utility power network within a predetermined proportion of the nominal voltage, following a fault condition detected on the utility power network. In operation, the voltage recovery device reduces the overall transmission losses in a utility power system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Paul Frederick Koeppe, Arnold P. Kehrli, Donald L. Brown, Warren Elliott Buckles, John A. Diaz De Leon, Douglas C. Folts
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Patent number: 6392856Abstract: A voltage recovery system and its method of operation provides voltage protection to a load connected to a distribution network of a utility power system or network by boosting the voltage on a distribution line, during a momentary voltage sag caused by a fault or other contingency. The method includes voltage protection from a voltage recovery system to a load connected to a distribution network of a utility power network. A voltage protection characteristic required by the load is selected. On the basis of electrical characteristics of the voltage recovery system and the distribution network, a determination is made as to whether the voltage recovery system is capable of providing the required first voltage protection characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Arnold P. Kehrli, Bradley D. Nelson
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Patent number: 6337562Abstract: The invention features a system and approach for minimizing the step voltage change as seen by the utility customer as well minimizing transients imposed on the fundamental waveform of a normal voltage carried on a utility power network when a reactive power source (e.g., capacitor bank) is instantaneously connected to the utility power. The reactive power source is adapted to transfer reactive power of a first polarity (e.g., capacitive reactive power) to the utility power network. The system includes a reactive power compensation device configured to transfer a variable quantity of reactive power of a second, opposite polarity to the utility power network, and a controller which, in response to the need to connect the shunt reactive power source to the utility power network, activates the reactive power compensation device and, substantially simultaneously, causes the shunt reactive power source to be connected to the utility power.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Arnold P. Kehrli, John A. Diaz De Leon, II, Douglas C. Folts