Patents by Inventor Bruce Edward English

Bruce Edward English 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).

  • Patent number: 9467112
    Abstract: Provided is a series capacitor for controlling a flow of power on a transmission line, and includes a filter circuit, and a thyristor-controlled circuit, wherein an interconnection and operation of the filter circuit and the thyristor-controlled circuit are performed based on a coordination of control thereof, to connect to a series capacitor bank on a transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Bruce Edward English, Paul E. Marken
  • Publication number: 20160028360
    Abstract: Provided is a series capacitor for controlling a flow of power on a transmission line, and includes a filter circuit, and a thyristor-controlled circuit, wherein an interconnection and operation of the filter circuit and the thyristor-controlled circuit are performed based on a coordination of control thereof, to connect to a series capacitor bank on a transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce Edward English, Paul E. Marken
  • Publication number: 20130250469
    Abstract: A system is disclosed including a plurality of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) columns connected in parallel, and at least one fuse connected to an MOV column. The fuse(s) are configured to isolate the MOV column in the case that the fuse is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Bruce Edward English
  • Patent number: 8228645
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce Edward English, Christopher William Hart, Paul Joseph Datka, David Scott Birrell, David Martins, Robert Frank Willard, Jr., Kenneth Alan Powers, Richard Robert Young
  • Publication number: 20100226049
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce Edward English, Christopher William Hart, Paul Joseph Datka, David Scott Birrell, David Martins, Robert Frank Willard, JR., Kenneth Alan Powers, Richard Robert Young
  • Patent number: 7605499
    Abstract: Systems and methods of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system are provided. In one embodiment, a method of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system includes at least one circuit breaker connecting a shunt capacitor bank containing at least one shunt capacitor with a metal oxide varistor (MOV) connected in parallel. A controller is used to detect a voltage drop at the power transmission system (e.g., substation bus). In response to detecting the voltage drop, the controller closes the circuit breaker(s) connecting the shunt capacitors to the power transmission system. The controller then monitors at least one MOV to detect a current flow. Upon detection of a current flow in the MOV, the controller disconnects one or more shunt capacitors from the power transmission system by opening one or more circuit breakers. The shunt capacitors may be disconnected simultaneously, sequentially, in groups, or otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Paul Skliutas, Bruce Edward English
  • Publication number: 20090212643
    Abstract: Systems and methods of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system are provided. In one embodiment, a method of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system includes at least one circuit breaker connecting a shunt capacitor bank containing at least one shunt capacitor with a metal oxide varistor (MOV) connected in parallel. A controller is used to detect a voltage drop at the power transmission system (e.g., substation bus). In response to detecting the voltage drop, the controller closes the circuit breaker(s) connecting the shunt capacitors to the power transmission system. The controller then monitors at least one MOV to detect a current flow. Upon detection of a current flow in the MOV, the controller disconnects one or more shunt capacitors from the power transmission system by opening one or more circuit breakers. The shunt capacitors may be disconnected simultaneously, sequentially, in groups, or otherwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Paul Skliutas, Bruce Edward English
  • Patent number: 6774614
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting currents in a three-phase power transmission system includes a first detection circuit electrically coupled to a first phase of the three-phase transmission system, a second detection circuit electrically coupled to a second phase of the three-phase transmission system different than the first phase, and an event output switch electrically coupled to the first detection circuit and the second detection circuit and configured to actuate when a subsynchronous current at least one of the first phase and the second phase exceeds a pre-selected subsynchronous current setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Herbert Sahm, III, Stanley A. Miske, Jr., Daniel Herbert Baker, Bruce Edward English, John Michael Kern
  • Publication number: 20030160600
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting currents in a three-phase power transmission system includes a first detection circuit electrically coupled to a first the three-phase transmission system, a second detection circuit electrically coupled to a second phase of the three-phase transmission system different than the first phase, and an event output switch electrically coupled to the first detection circuit and the second detection circuit and configured to actuate when a subsynchronous current at least one of the first phase and the second phase exceeds a pre-selected subsynchronous current setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: William Herbert Sahm, Stanley A. Miske, Daniel Herbert Baker, Bruce Edward English, John Michael Kern, Carol Conde Miske