Patents by Inventor Michael P. Dougherty
Michael P. Dougherty 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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Patent number: 11905026Abstract: An example system includes a throttle control for managing power in a hybrid propulsion system that includes an electrical propulsion unit configured to operate using electrical energy sourced from an electrical energy storage system (ESS) and/or one or more electrical generators, the throttle control comprising: a control lever movable through a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including: a regeneration position; an off position; a maximum electric only position; a maximum continuous dual source position; and a maximum non-continuous dual source position.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KGInventors: Stephen Andrew Long, David Kopeschka, Michael P. Dougherty, Mark McLaren
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Patent number: 11520362Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an energy storage device configured to deliver power to a bus or receive power from a bus via a power converter. The system also includes a controller configured to determine that a voltage magnitude on the bus is less than a first threshold level in a first instance and cause the energy storage device to deliver power to the bus in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is less than the first threshold level. The controller is also configured to determine that the voltage magnitude on the bus is greater than a second threshold level in the second instance, wherein the second threshold level is greater than a first threshold level and cause the energy storage device to receive power from the bus in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is greater than the second threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignees: Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte. Ltd., Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Souvik Dasgupta, Gabriel Ooi, Chandana Jayampathi Gajanayake, Suvajit Mukherjee, Michael P. Dougherty, Stephen Andrew Long
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Patent number: 11518538Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a load configured to generate propulsion based on power received from a bus via a power converter. The system also includes a controller configured to determine that a voltage magnitude on the bus is not less than a threshold level in a first instance and cause the power converter to deliver a first magnitude of power to the load in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is not less than the threshold level in the first instance. The controller is also configured to determine that the voltage magnitude on the bus is less than the threshold level in a second instance and cause the power converter to deliver a second magnitude of power to the load in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is less than the threshold level in the second instance, the second magnitude being less than the first magnitude.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignees: Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte. Ltd., Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Souvik Dasgupta, Gabriel Ooi, Chandana Jayampathi Gajanayake, Suvajit Mukherjee, Michael P. Dougherty, Stephen Andrew Long
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Patent number: 11520361Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a bus and a first power converter connected to the bus. The system also includes a second power converter connected to the bus, the second power converter having a topology different from the topology of the first power converter. The system further includes a power source and an energy storage device connected to the bus via the first and second power converters, respectively. In addition, the system includes a source controller configured to control the first power converter and a storage controller configured to control the second power converter. The system also includes a system controller configured to determine a first set point for the first power converter, transmit an indication of the first set point to the source controller, determine a second set point for the second power converter, and transmit an indication of the second set point to the storage controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignees: Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte. Ltd., Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Souvik Dasgupta, Gabriel Ooi, Chandana Jayampathi Gajanayake, Suvajit Mukherjee, Michael P. Dougherty, Stephen Andrew Long
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Patent number: 11437813Abstract: Control logic for a power sharing system on a hybrid propulsion aircraft, utilizing parallel multiple control loops outputting difference commands which provide bumpless transfer between control loops without integrator wind up or reset logic, allowing for efficient load distribution between electric generators and batteries powering electric motors.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty
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Publication number: 20220258876Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a load configured to generate propulsion based on power received from a bus via a power converter. The system also includes a controller configured to determine that a voltage magnitude on the bus is not less than a threshold level in a first instance and cause the power converter to deliver a first magnitude of power to the load in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is not less than the threshold level in the first instance. The controller is also configured to determine that the voltage magnitude on the bus is less than the threshold level in a second instance and cause the power converter to deliver a second magnitude of power to the load in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is less than the threshold level in the second instance, the second magnitude being less than the first magnitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Souvik Dasgupta, Gabriel Ooi, Chandana Jayampathi Gajanayake, Suvajit Mukherjee, Michael P. Dougherty, Stephen Andrew Long
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Publication number: 20220261022Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a bus and a first power converter connected to the bus. The system also includes a second power converter connected to the bus, the second power converter having a topology different from the topology of the first power converter. The system further includes a power source and an energy storage device connected to the bus via the first and second power converters, respectively. In addition, the system includes a source controller configured to control the first power converter and a storage controller configured to control the second power converter. The system also includes a system controller configured to determine a first set point for the first power converter, transmit an indication of the first set point to the source controller, determine a second set point for the second power converter, and transmit an indication of the second set point to the storage controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Souvik Dasgupta, Gabriel Ooi, Chandana Jayampathi Gajanayake, Suvajit Mukherjee, Michael P. Dougherty, Stephen Andrew Long
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Publication number: 20220258871Abstract: An example system includes a throttle control for managing power in a hybrid propulsion system that includes an electrical propulsion unit configured to operate using electrical energy sourced from an electrical energy storage system (ESS) and/or one or more electrical generators, the throttle control comprising: a control lever movable through a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including: a regeneration position; an off position; a maximum electric only position; a maximum continuous dual source position; and a maximum non-continuous dual source position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Stephen Andrew Long, David Kopeschka, Michael P. Dougherty, Mark McLaren
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Publication number: 20220261023Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an energy storage device configured to deliver power to a bus or receive power from a bus via a power converter. The system also includes a controller configured to determine that a voltage magnitude on the bus is less than a first threshold level in a first instance and cause the energy storage device to deliver power to the bus in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is less than the first threshold level. The controller is also configured to determine that the voltage magnitude on the bus is greater than a second threshold level in the second instance, wherein the second threshold level is greater than a first threshold level and cause the energy storage device to receive power from the bus in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is greater than the second threshold level.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Souvik Dasgupta, Gabriel Ooi, Chandana Jayampathi Gajanayake, Suvajit Mukherjee, Michael P. Dougherty, Stephen Andrew Long
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Publication number: 20220017064Abstract: An example method of managing power in a hybrid propulsion system includes receiving, by one or more processors, a power demand that specifies an amount of power to be used to propel a vehicle that includes an electrical energy storage system (ESS) and one or more electrical generators, wherein the one or more electrical generators are configured to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy; determining, based on the power demand and a predetermined ESS output limit, a first amount of power to be sourced from the ESS and a second amount of power to be sourced from the one or more generators; and causing, by the one or more processors, the ESS to output the first amount of power onto a direct current (DC) electrical distribution bus and the one or more generators to output the second amount of power onto the DC electrical distribution bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty
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Patent number: 10851666Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method for controlling vane angles in a gas turbine engine, and more specifically, for correcting vane angle error in a gas turbine engine. An active synchronization ring comprises a plurality of micro-actuators coupled to the synchronization ring to correct distortion in the synchronization ring. The micro-actuators apply a bending moment to the synchronization ring to cancel or compensate for synchronization ring distortion. The micro-actuators may be controlled open loop or closed loop. Strain sensors measure ring distortion and provide signals to the controller for closed loop control.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty
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Publication number: 20200140106Abstract: Control logic for a power sharing system on a hybrid propulsion aircraft, utilizing parallel multiple control loops outputting difference commands which provide bumpless transfer between control loops without integrator wind up or reset logic, allowing for efficient load distribution between electric generators and batteries powering electric motors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty
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Patent number: 10530163Abstract: A micro grid power control system may control a plurality of different sources of electrical energy, such as generators, renewable energy sources, and stored energy sources. The micro grid power control system may include hierarchical levels of control. At a system level, the micro grid power control system may include a system controller configured to selectively allocate the sources and centrally control electrical distribution of electric power within the micro grid based on system conditions to optimize system operation. Optimization of system operation may be dynamically varied by the system controller based on priorities and modeling of system operation. At a source level, each of the sources may include a source controller configured to optimize generation of electrical energy of the respective source. Optimization of a source with a respective source controller may be based on a source objective independently associated with each of the sources and source modeling.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Rigoberto Jorge Rodriguez, Robert J Zeller, Richard Joseph Skertic, Michael P Dougherty, Curtis Harvey Cline
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Patent number: 10240544Abstract: The disclosure includes a system that includes a real-time engine model module and an adaptive control module. The real-time engine model module is configured to determine an engine parameter estimate signal based on at least one feedback signal indicative of an operating parameter of an engine. The adaptive control module is configured to receive a power request signal and receive, from the real real-time engine model module, the engine parameter estimate signal. The adaptive control module is further configured to determine a power demand signal based on the power request signal and the engine parameter estimate signal, wherein the adaptive control module is configured to determine the power demand signal based on the power request signal using a set of control laws. The adaptive control module is further configured to output the power demand signal to control at least one component of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Zeller, Curtis Harvey Cline, Michael P. Dougherty, Richard Joseph Skertic
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Publication number: 20180269689Abstract: A micro grid power control system may control a plurality of different sources of electrical energy, such as generators, renewable energy sources, and stored energy sources. The micro grid power control system may include hierarchical levels of control. At a system level, the micro grid power control system may include a system controller configured to selectively allocate the sources and centrally control electrical distribution of electric power within the micro grid based on system conditions to optimize system operation. Optimization of system operation may be dynamically varied by the system controller based on priorities and modeling of system operation. At a source level, each of the sources may include a source controller configured to optimize generation of electrical energy of the respective source. Optimization of a source with a respective source controller may be based on a source objective independently associated with each of the sources and source modeling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2017Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Rigoberto Jorge Rodriguez, Robert J. Zeller, Richard Joseph Skertic, Michael P. Dougherty, Curtis Harvey Cline
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Patent number: 10038397Abstract: A multi-engine power system is described that includes a load requiring a total amount of electrical power, a first engine configured to provide a first portion of the total amount of electrical power to be provided to the load, and a second engine configured to provide a second portion of the total amount of electrical power to be provided to the load. The system further includes a controller configured to determine the total amount of electrical power to be provided to the load, estimate a respective service time associated with each of the first and second engines, and control each of the first and second engines to provide the total amount of electrical power to the load and to coordinate the respective service times associated with the first and second engines.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Curtis Harvey Cline, Michael P. Dougherty, Richard Joseph Skertic, Robert J. Zeller
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Publication number: 20180187568Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method for controlling vane angles in a gas turbine engine, and more specifically, for correcting vane angle error in a gas turbine engine. An active synchronization ring comprises a plurality of micro-actuators coupled to the synchronization ring to correct distortion in the synchronization ring. The micro-actuators apply a bending moment to the synchronization ring to cancel or compensate for synchronization ring distortion. The micro-actuators may be controlled open loop or closed loop. Strain sensors measure ring distortion and provide signals to the controller for closed loop control.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2018Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty
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Publication number: 20180149092Abstract: A propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine, an inlet particle separator, an infrared suppression system, and an engine controller. The engine controller may be configured to determine an activation state of the inlet particle separator, adjust one or more engine operating parameters based on the activation state, and control the gas turbine engine based on the adjusted engine operating parameters. The engine operating parameters may be adjusted based on inlet flow, which is determined based on the activation state. The engine controller may be further configured to determine an activation state of the infrared suppression system, adjust one or more engine operating parameters based on the activation state, and control the gas turbine engine based on the adjusted engine operating parameters. The engine operating parameters may be adjusted based on backpressure, which is determined based on the activation state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Robert J. Zeller, Richard J. Skertic, Michael P. Dougherty, C. Harvey O. Cline
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Publication number: 20180119628Abstract: The disclosure includes a system that includes a real-time engine model module and an adaptive control module. The real-time engine model module is configured to determine an engine parameter estimate signal based on at least one feedback signal indicative of an operating parameter of an engine. The adaptive control module is configured to receive a power request signal and receive, from the real real-time engine model module, the engine parameter estimate signal. The adaptive control module is further configured to determine a power demand signal based on the power request signal and the engine parameter estimate signal, wherein the adaptive control module is configured to determine the power demand signal based on the power request signal using a set of control laws. The adaptive control module is further configured to output the power demand signal to control at least one component of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Robert J. Zeller, Curtis Harvey Cline, Michael P. Dougherty, Richard Joseph Skertic
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Patent number: 9932851Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method for controlling vane angles in a gas turbine engine, and more specifically, for correcting vane angle error in a gas turbine engine. An active synchronization ring comprises a plurality of micro-actuators coupled to the synchronization ring to correct distortion in the synchronization ring. The micro-actuators apply a bending moment to the synchronization ring to cancel or compensate for synchronization ring distortion. The micro-actuators may be controlled open loop or closed loop. Strain sensors measure ring distortion and provide signals to the controller for closed loop control.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Rolls-Royce NOrth American Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty