Patents by Inventor Harold Roberts

Harold Roberts 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: 10148206
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of a power converter based on grid conditions are provided. In particular, a first gating voltage can be applied to a switching element of a power converter associated with a wind-driven power generation system. The first gating voltage can be greater than a threshold voltage for the switching element. A grid event associated with an electrical grid coupled to the power generation system can be detected. A second gating voltage can be applied to the gate of the switching element during the detected grid event. The second gating voltage can be greater than the first gating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold Robert Schnetzka, Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Daniel E. Jordy
  • Patent number: 10141744
    Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating a short circuit current associated with an energy storage system are provided. In one embodiment, an energy storage system can include an energy storage device and a switching power supply coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage system can further include one or more cables configured to couple the energy storage device to the switching power supply, and a magnetic framework positioned proximate the one or more cables. The magnetic framework can include one or more magnetic structures and can span at least a portion of the length of the cables. The one or more cables are positioned in a physical arrangement that, in conjunction with the magnetic framework, facilitates a selected inductance between the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Wayne Allen Schulz, Douglas Austin, Abiyu Negede
  • Publication number: 20180323618
    Abstract: An electrical power system connectable to a power grid includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. Each of the electrical power subsystems further includes a transformer. The system further includes a subsystem breaker configured with each of the electrical power subsystems, and a cluster power path extending from each subsystem breaker for connecting the cluster of electrical power subsystems to the power grid. The system further includes a reactive power compensation inverter electrically coupled within the electrical power system, the reactive power compensation inverter operable to increase the reactive power level in the electrical current flowing to the power grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Harold Robert Schnetzka, John Leo Bollenbecker, Govardhan Ganireddy
  • Patent number: 10107260
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of one or more auxiliary circuits in a wind turbine system are provided. For instance, a grid event associated with the wind turbine system can be detected. In response to the grid event, a control signal can be provided to an auxiliary circuit breaker of the wind turbine system. The auxiliary circuit breaker can be associated with one or more auxiliary circuits that are not directly in a power production path of the wind turbine system. The auxiliary circuit breaker can disconnect the one or more auxiliary circuits from the grid based at least in part on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Sidney Allen Barker, Edward Wayne Hardwicke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10110149
    Abstract: Systems and methods for grounding power generation systems with silicon carbide MOSFET power converters are provided. A power generation system can include a power generator comprising a multiphase rotor configured to generate multiphase alternating current power at a first voltage and a power converter comprising one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs and an isolation transformer. The power converter can be configured to convert the multiphase alternating current power from the power generator at the first voltage to multiphase alternating current power at a second voltage. The power generation system can be electrically grounded to shunt a leakage current associated with the isolation transformer of the power converter to a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Govardhan Ganireddy, Saurabh Shukla, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Harold Robert Schnetzka
  • Patent number: 10103665
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting the redundancy of inverter blocks are provided. In one example implementation, a system can include a plurality of inverter blocks. Each inverter block can include a first conversion entity configured to convert DC power to AC power, a second conversion entity configured to convert AC power to DC power, and a third conversion entity configured to convert DC power to AC power. An isolation transformer can be coupled between the first conversion entity and the second conversion entity. The system includes an inverter block switching element coupled to an output of each inverter block. A protection element is disposed in each inverter block. The system includes one or more control devices configured to isolate at least one of the plurality of inverter blocks based at least in part on a status of the protection element disposed in the inverter block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Govardhan Ganireddy, Saurabh Shukla, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Harold Robert Schnetzka
  • Patent number: 10104814
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling one or more electrical components of a current conversion device of a renewable energy power system (e.g. a wind turbine or a solar power system) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an immersion tank comprising a cooling medium, a heat exchanger, and a pumping device. One or more of the electrical components are at least partially submerged within the cooling medium, which has a predetermined dielectric constant. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the cooling medium of the immersion tank. Thus, the pumping device is configured to circulate the cooling medium between the immersion tank and the heat exchanger to remove heat from the one or more electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Paul Stephen Pate, Harold Robert Schnetzka
  • Patent number: 10091691
    Abstract: Techniques for dynamic backhaul bandwidth provisioning are described herein. For example, a method may include determining a potential subscriber user equipment load change, transmitting a backhaul bandwidth change request message based a potential subscriber UE load change, wherein the backhaul bandwidth change request message includes a requested backhaul bandwidth level, receiving a backhaul bandwidth change reply message in response to transmitting the backhaul bandwidth change request message, implementing a subscriber UE load change response corresponding to the potential subscriber UE load change based on receiving the backhaul bandwidth change reply message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Roberts, Steve Timm, Berkay Baykal
  • Patent number: 10075114
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for operating an electrical power circuit connected to a power grid. The electrical power circuit has a power converter electrically coupled to a generator. The method includes monitoring a rotor speed of the generator during operation of the electrical power circuit. The method also includes increasing an operating range of the rotor speed of the generator. Further, the method includes determining at least one of a line-side voltage of a line-side converter of the power converter or a rotor-side voltage of a rotor-side converter of the power converter during operation of the electrical power circuit. Another step include controlling, via a converter controller, a DC link voltage of a DC link of the power converter as a function of one or more of the line-side voltage, the rotor-side voltage, and/or the rotor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold Robert Schnetzka, Anthony Michael Klodowski, Sidney Allen Barker
  • Patent number: 10034730
    Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a brushhead arm (36) and a brush element (38) at a distal end thereof. A V-spring assembly (14) converts the movement of a power drive assembly in a back-and-forth movement. A mounting member (55) at the rear end of the V-spring assembly provides a base for a magnet (56). The back end of the V-spring assembly is displaced in accordance with pressure applied to the brush member. A Hall effect sensor (58) is mounted within the changing magnetic field produced by the magnet as the rear end of the V-spring assembly is displaced due to pressure on the brushhead. A processor (65) is responsive to the output from the Hall sensor and provides an indication when the pressure exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Skaanland, Harold Robert Rowan, Kevin Arnold Miller
  • Patent number: 10027240
    Abstract: Systems and methods for grounding power generation units with silicon carbide MOSFET power converters are provided. A power generation unit can include a power generator configured to generate multiphase alternating current power at a first voltage. The power generation unit can also include a power converter configured to convert the multiphase alternating current power from the power generator at the first voltage to multiphase alternating current power at a second voltage. The power converter can include one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs and at least one heatsink configured to remove heat from the power converter. The at least one heatsink of the power converter can be electrically connected to a local ground formed by one or more components of the power generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Govardhan Ganireddy, Saurabh Shukla, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Harold Robert Schnetzka
  • Publication number: 20180198376
    Abstract: Systems and methods for grounding power generation units with silicon carbide MOSFET power converters are provided. A power generation unit can include a power generator configured to generate multiphase alternating current power at a first voltage. The power generation unit can also include a power converter configured to convert the multiphase alternating current power from the power generator at the first voltage to multiphase alternating current power at a second voltage. The power converter can include one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs and at least one heatsink configured to remove heat from the power converter. The at least one heatsink of the power converter can be electrically connected to a local ground formed by one or more components of the power generation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Govardhan Ganireddy, Saurabh Shukla, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Harold Robert Schnetzka
  • Publication number: 20180198392
    Abstract: Systems and methods for grounding power generation systems with silicon carbide MOSFET power converters are provided. A power generation system can include a power generator comprising a multiphase rotor configured to generate multiphase alternating current power at a first voltage and a power converter comprising one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs and an isolation transformer. The power converter can be configured to convert the multiphase alternating current power from the power generator at the first voltage to multiphase alternating current power at a second voltage. The power generation system can be electrically grounded to shunt a leakage current associated with the isolation transformer of the power converter to a ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Govardhan Ganireddy, Saurabh Shukla, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Harold Robert Schnetzka
  • Publication number: 20180198393
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting the redundancy of inverter blocks are provided. In one example implementation, a system can include a plurality of inverter blocks. Each inverter block can include a first conversion entity configured to convert DC power to AC power, a second conversion entity configured to convert AC power to DC power, and a third conversion entity configured to convert DC power to AC power. An isolation transformer can be coupled between the first conversion entity and the second conversion entity. The system includes an inverter block switching element coupled to an output of each inverter block. A protection element is disposed in each inverter block. The system includes one or more control devices configured to isolate at least one of the plurality of inverter blocks based at least in part on a status of the protection element disposed in the inverter block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Govardhan Ganireddy, Saurabh Shukla, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Harold Robert Schnetzka
  • Publication number: 20180026563
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to an electrical power circuit connected to a power grid and method of operating same. The electrical power circuit has a power converter electrically coupled to a generator, such as a doubly-fed induction generator, having a rotor and a stator. Thus, the method includes operating rotor connections of the rotor of the generator in a wye configuration during a first rotor speed operating range. Further, the method includes monitoring a rotor speed of the rotor of the generator. Thus, the method also includes transitioning the rotor connections of the rotor from the wye configuration to a delta configuration if the rotor speed changes to a second rotor speed operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Harold Robert Schnetzka, Anthony Michael Klodowski, Sidney Allen Barker
  • Publication number: 20180019658
    Abstract: An energy storage system for use in a renewable energy power system is provided. More particularly, an energy storage system can be coupled to the DC bus of a power converter in a renewable energy power system. A switching power supply can be coupled between the energy storage device and the DC bus of the power converter. The switching power supply can include a bi-directional resonant DC to DC converter. The bi-directional resonant converter can include a plurality of switching elements, a resonant circuit coupled to the at least one switching element, and a filtering circuit coupled to the resonant circuit. The bi-directional resonant converter can be configured to accommodate power flow in at least two directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Harold Robert Schnetzka
  • Patent number: 9859808
    Abstract: Systems and methods associated with example power converter systems are disclosed. For instance, a power converter system can include a power converter couplable to an input power source and configured to generate an output power substantially at a grid frequency. The power converter can include one or more inverter bridge circuits, each associated with an output phase of the power converter. Each inverter bridge circuit can include one or more first switching modules having a pair of switching elements coupled in series with one another, and an output coupled between the pair of switching elements. At least one switching element of each first switching module includes a reverse blocking transistor. The power converter further includes one or more input bridge circuits having a plurality of second switching modules coupled in parallel, each second switching module comprising a pair of silicon carbide transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Lukas Mercer Hansen, Wayne Allen Schultz, Bennett Steven Sheron, Douglas Austin
  • Publication number: 20170371246
    Abstract: Methods include inputting an array of pixels, where each pixel in the array of pixels has a pixel dose. The array of pixels represents dosage on a surface to be exposed with a plurality of patterns, each pattern of the plurality of patterns having an edge. A target bias is input. An edge of a pattern in the plurality of patterns is identified. For each pixel which is in a neighborhood of the identified edge, a calculated pixel dose is calculated such that the identified edge is relocated by the target bias. The array of pixels with the calculated pixel doses is output. Systems for performing the methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: D2S, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Robert Zable
  • Publication number: 20170370349
    Abstract: A system for adjusting environmental operating conditions associated with heat generating components located within a tower of a wind turbine may include a heat generating component located within an interior of the tower, a sensor configured to monitor a heat exchange parameter associated with the wind turbine and a split heat exchange system provided relative to the tower. The split heat exchange system may include a first heat exchanger located within the interior of the tower and a second heat exchanger located exterior to the tower. The system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the split heat exchange system. The controller may be configured to control the operation of the split heat exchange system based at least in part on the monitored heat exchange parameter to adjust an environmental operating condition associated with the heat generating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Steven Wade Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20170373626
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of a power converter based on grid conditions are provided. In particular, a first gating voltage can be applied to a switching element of a power converter associated with a wind-driven power generation system. The first gating voltage can be greater than a threshold voltage for the switching element. A grid event associated with an electrical grid coupled to the power generation system can be detected. A second gating voltage can be applied to the gate of the switching element during the detected grid event. The second gating voltage can be greater than the first gating voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Harold Robert Schnetzka, Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Daniel E. Jordy