Patents by Inventor Nathaniel Benedict Hawes

Nathaniel Benedict Hawes 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: 10100835
    Abstract: A fluid extraction system is presented. The fluid extraction system includes a direct current (DC) bus and a plurality of fluid extraction sub-systems configured to be electrically coupled to the DC-bus. At least one fluid extraction sub-system includes an electric machine configured to aid in the extraction of a fluid from a well. The electric machine includes a plurality of phase windings and a rotor. The at least one fluid extraction sub-system further includes a control sub-system to control a rotational speed of the rotor by selectively controlling a supply of a phase current to the plurality of phase windings such that the rotational speed of the rotor of the electric machine is different from rotational speed of a rotor of another electric machine in at least one of other fluid extraction sub-systems. Related method for controlling rotational speeds of electric machines is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David Allan Torrey, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Publication number: 20180248500
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor assembly includes receiving sensor feedback that is based at least in part on electrical properties of a variable frequency power signal provided to the electric motor assembly. The method also includes adjusting the phase angle of the variable frequency power signal provided to the electric motor assembly based at least in part on the sensor feedback. The method also includes determining an operational status of the electric motor assembly that receives the variable frequency power signal based at least in part on the sensor feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Stefan Grubic, Prabhakar Neti
  • Patent number: 9979248
    Abstract: A permanent magnet (PM) machine includes a rotor and a stator assembly. The rotor includes a plurality of permanent magnets disposed about an axis of rotation. The stator assembly includes a stator body, a plurality of coil sides and a plurality of sintered iron magnetic wedges. The stator body includes a plurality of stator teeth defining a plurality of stator slots, each stator slot having an inside position and an outside position, such that each of the plurality of stator slots includes a first plurality of inside positions, and a first plurality of outside positions. The first plurality of coil sides are disposed in each of the first plurality of inside positions and the first plurality of outside positions. The first plurality of coil sides correspond to a first power phase. The first plurality of coil sides are electrically coupled to one another by a first plurality of end-coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Galioto, Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Patel Bhageerath Reddy, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Publication number: 20180114307
    Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a component is presented. The inspection system includes a probe unit, wherein the probe unit includes a first flux concentrator operatively coupled to a first surface of the component. Also, the probe unit includes at least one inductive coil positioned around the first flux concentrator, and configured to induce an electrical current flow in at least a portion of the component via the first flux concentrator. Further, the inspection system includes an infrared (IR) camera configured to capture a plurality of frames corresponding to the portion of the component. In addition, the inspection system includes a processing unit electrically coupled to the IR camera and configured to determine an anomaly in the component based on the captured plurality of frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Michael Colan Moscinski, Sara Saxton Underwood, Jonas Patrik Richard Gustavsson
  • Publication number: 20180097466
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor assembly includes detecting a backspin event of an electric motor, and managing a response to the detected backspin event of the electric motor. The backspin event of the electric motor is detected based at least in part on feedback from a sensor configured to measure a current or a voltage on a cable coupled to the electric motor. The response includes communicating an alert to personnel, controlling the voltage on the cable to be less than a voltage threshold, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Kum Kang Huh, David Allan Torrey, Di Pan, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Tomas Sadilek
  • Publication number: 20180094512
    Abstract: A system including a control system is provided. The control system includes a main drive that receives power from a power source and outputs a variable frequency and a variable amplitude AC voltage. The control system also includes a controller to interface with the main drive and an electric machine. The controller receives one or more electrical signals associated with an operating condition of the electric machine from one or more sensors disposed between the electric machine and the main drive. The controller determines correction information based on the received electrical signals and based on a desired operating condition of the electric machine. The controller transmits the correction information to the main drive. The correction information corresponds to a rotor position of the electric machine or operating commands configured to implement the desired operating condition of the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Tomas Sadilek, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, David Allan Torrey, Di Pan, Kum Kang Huh
  • Patent number: 9903373
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) control system includes a primary variable frequency drive (VFD), a transformer, and a secondary VFD. The primary variable frequency drive (VFD) is configured to receive power from a power source and output a variable voltage and variable amplitude AC voltage. The transformer has a low voltage side and a high voltage side of the transformer. The primary VFD is coupled to the low voltage side. The transformer is configured to receive the AC voltage from the primary VFD and output a stepped up AC voltage. The secondary VFD is coupled to the high voltage side of the transformer, wherein the secondary VFD is configured to provide a supplemental voltage in addition to the stepped up AC voltage when the operational values of an electric motor exceed a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Kum Kang Huh, David Allen Torrey, Di Pan, Tomas Sadilek
  • Publication number: 20180034329
    Abstract: An electric machine is presented. The electric machine includes a stator and a rotor disposed concentric to the stator. At least one of the rotor and the stator includes a core including a plurality of laminates stacked along the axial direction of the electric machine, where the stacked plurality of laminates defines a plurality of axial slots. The at least one of the rotor and the stator further includes a permanent magnet assembly disposed in one or more of the plurality of axial slots, where the permanent magnet assembly includes two or more permanent magnets disposed serially along the axial direction of the electric machine such that adjacently disposed permanent magnets overlap one another to form an overlapped interface. The overlapped interface spans at least two laminates of the plurality of laminates of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, James Pellegrino Alexander, Patel Bhageerath Reddy
  • Patent number: 9835160
    Abstract: A converterless motor-driven pump system includes an off-grid prime mover, an electric power generator driven by the off-grid prime mover to generate a power output, an electric submersible pump (ESP) system, and a system controller. The ESP system includes a motor coupled to the electric power generator to receive the power output, and a pump driven by the motor to pump a fluid. The system controller includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system controller to control the off-grid prime mover as a function of an operational parameter of the ESP system to maintain a desired operating point of the pump, and control the electric power generator to reduce the power output generated by the electric power generator while the desired operating point of the pump is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Allan Torrey, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Deepak Aravind
  • Patent number: 9837923
    Abstract: A power converter for a power system includes an input ceramic layer, an output ceramic layer, an input stage coupled to the input ceramic layer, an output stage coupled to the output ceramic layer, and a planar transformer coupled between said input stage and said output stage. The input receives a power input and the output stage generates a power output at least partially as a function of the power input. The planar transformer includes an input winding coupled to the input stage and an output winding coupled to the output stage. The input winding has a plurality of input turns and the output winding has a plurality of output turns. The input turns interleave the output turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Mark Edward Dame, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Publication number: 20170317604
    Abstract: A power converter for a power system includes an input ceramic layer, an output ceramic layer, an input stage coupled to the input ceramic layer, an output stage coupled to the output ceramic layer, and a planar transformer coupled between said input stage and said output stage. The input receives a power input and the output stage generates a power output at least partially as a function of the power input. The planar transformer includes an input winding coupled to the input stage and an output winding coupled to the output stage. The input winding has a plurality of input turns and the output winding has a plurality of output turns. The input turns interleave the output turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Mark Edward Dame, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Patent number: 9806639
    Abstract: A dielectric fluid includes a first liquid having first dielectric constant and conductivity values. The dielectric fluid also includes a second liquid having second dielectric constant and conductivity values. The first dielectric constant value is greater than the second dielectric constant value and the second electrical conductivity value is less than the first electrical conductivity value. The first and second liquids form an immiscible mixture that has third dielectric constant and conductivity values between the first and second dielectric constant values and the first and second electrical conductivity values, respectively. The first liquid forms a high conductivity phase representative of the first conductivity value, and the second liquid forms a low conductivity phase representative of the second conductivity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Qin Chen, Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Joo Han Kim, Stefan Grubic, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Publication number: 20170292533
    Abstract: A self-cooling electric submersible pump having an integrated cooling system is provided. The cooling system is configured to cool and lubricate the electric motor section of the pump by expanding a compressed multi-component coolant fluid through flow channels within the motor. The coolant fluid contains a first fluid having a boiling point of at least 230° C. and a second fluid having a boiling point of less than 150° C. During pump operation the first fluid acts as a largely incompressible liquid and the second fluid behaves as a compressible gas. A compressor compresses the second fluid in the presence of the first fluid to produce a hot compressed coolant fluid from which heat is transferred to a production fluid being processed by the pump. The compressed coolant fluid is expanded through an orifice and into the motor flow channels, returning thereafter to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Jalal Hunain Zia, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Patent number: 9748867
    Abstract: A switched capacitive device includes a stationary portion including first circuit boards. The device also includes a translatable portion including second circuit boards proximate to, and interdigitated with, the first circuit boards. The second circuit boards are translatable with respect to the first circuit boards. The first circuit boards induce substantially linear motion of the second circuit boards through the use of an electric field induced by the first circuit boards. The device further includes a control system including switching devices and a controller coupled to the switching devices. The switching devices are coupled to at least a portion of at least one first circuit board. The switching device is configured to intermittently energize and de-energize the first circuit board for predetermined periods of time. The controller alternatingly opens and closes the switching devices through transmitted gating commands as a function of a determined load on the switched capacitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Stefan Grubic
  • Publication number: 20170239877
    Abstract: An apparatus for bending a composite tube that includes an induction coil. Induction coil includes multiple turns and the turn-to-turn spacing changes at least once along the length of the induction coil. There is a heating element positioned near the induction coil and the induction coil is configured to cause the heating element to increase in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Wendy Win-Ling Lin, Gary Scott Reese, Tsarafidy Raminosoa, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Publication number: 20170146015
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) control system includes a primary variable frequency drive (VFD), a transformer, and a secondary VFD. The primary variable frequency drive (VFD) is configured to receive power from a power source and output a variable voltage and variable amplitude AC voltage. The transformer has a low voltage side and a high voltage side of the transformer. The primary VFD is coupled to the low voltage side. The transformer is configured to receive the AC voltage from the primary VFD and output a stepped up AC voltage. The secondary VFD is coupled to the high voltage side of the transformer, wherein the secondary VFD is configured to provide a supplemental voltage in addition to the stepped up AC voltage when the operational values of an electric motor exceed a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Kum Kang Huh, David Allen Torrey, Di Pan, Tomas Sadilek
  • Publication number: 20170077847
    Abstract: A control sub-system for controlling an electric machine is presented. The control sub-system includes a phase shift control unit to receive an electric signal indicative of an angular position of a rotor. The phase shift control unit generates a phase shifted electric signal by applying a phase shift to the electric signal. The magnitude of the phase shift is determined based on a speed control signal. The phase shift control unit is configured to generate a phase command signal based on the phase shifted electric signal. The control sub-system also includes a switching unit to control a supply of a phase current to one or more phase windings the electric machine based on the phase command signal such that the rotor is operated at a predetermined rotational speed. Related method of controlling the electric machine is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: David Allan Torrey, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, JR., Ayman Mohamed Fawzi EL-Refaie, Muhammad Hassan Chishti
  • Publication number: 20170074081
    Abstract: A fluid extraction system is presented. The fluid extraction system includes a direct current (DC) bus and a plurality of fluid extraction sub-systems configured to be electrically coupled to the DC-bus. At least one fluid extraction sub-system includes an electric machine configured to aid in the extraction of a fluid from a well. The electric machine includes a plurality of phase windings and a rotor. The at least one fluid extraction sub-system further includes a control sub-system to control a rotational speed of the rotor by selectively controlling a supply of a phase current to the plurality of phase windings such that the rotational speed of the rotor of the electric machine is different from rotational speed of a rotor of another electric machine in at least one of other fluid extraction sub-systems. Related method for controlling rotational speeds of electric machines is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: David Allan Torrey, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Patent number: 9595903
    Abstract: A controller is provided which can interface with a variable frequency drive and a motor, the controller having (a) one or more voltage and current sensors which can interface with a power line linking the variable frequency drive and the motor; and (b) a signal interface module which can receive electrical signals associated with an operating condition of the motor from the one or more voltage and current sensors. The signal interface module can correlate the received electrical signals with a rotor position of the motor, and transmit signals corresponding to rotor position, to the variable frequency drive. The data provided by the controller if conveyed as a rotor position, may cause the variable frequency drive to change one or more of its operating parameters to maintain proper synchronization of the rotor and its associated stator currents. Alternatively, the controller may directly control variable frequency drive operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, David Allan Torrey
  • Publication number: 20170040910
    Abstract: A switched capacitive device includes a stationary portion including first circuit boards. The device also includes a translatable portion including second circuit boards proximate to, and interdigitated with, the first circuit boards. The second circuit boards are translatable with respect to the first circuit boards. The first circuit boards induce substantially linear motion of the second circuit boards through the use of an electric field induced by the first circuit boards. The device further includes a control system including switching devices and a controller coupled to the switching devices. The switching devices are coupled to at least a portion of at least one first circuit board. The switching device is configured to intermittently energize and de-energize the first circuit board for predetermined periods of time. The controller alternatingly opens and closes the switching devices through transmitted gating commands as a function of a determined load on the switched capacitive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Stefan Grubic