Patents by Inventor Nicholas W. Miller
Nicholas W. Miller 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: 11970957Abstract: Acoustic turbofan airfoil apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a platform of a turbofan engine, the platform including perforations to receive acoustic waves, acoustic chambers protruding from a first side of the platform, the acoustic chambers aligned with the perforations in a radial direction defined by the turbofan engine, the acoustic chambers to attenuate the acoustic waves, and an airfoil protruding from a second side of the platform opposite the first side of the platform.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Egbert Geertsema, Nicholas J. Kray, Brandon W. Miller
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Publication number: 20240115006Abstract: An article of footwear includes an adjustable element. The adjustable element includes a bladder that defines an interior void. A compressible component that is disposed within the interior void and is operable between an expanded state and a contracted state. The adjustable element also includes a lock strip including a first end anchored at a first location within the bladder and a second end disposed at an opposite end of the lock strip than the first end. A lock receives the lock strip and is operable between a locked state restricting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder and an unlocked state permitting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas R. Long, Todd W. Miller, Matthew D. Nordstrom, Richard Kristian Hansen
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Publication number: 20240121495Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and a bearing suspension arrangement. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to move at least a portion of the optics arrangement along multiple axes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Scott W. Miller
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Patent number: 11934090Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Patent number: 8405247Abstract: A method of assembling a motor stall correction system includes coupling an inverter-based electric power generation device to an electric power inverter assembly. The method also includes coupling the electric power inverter assembly to at least one induction motor. The method further includes operatively coupling at least one controller to the electric power inverter assembly. The controller is programmed to transmit electric current from the inverter-based electric power generation device to the electric power inverter assembly. The controller is also programmed to transmit real current and reactive current from the electric power inverter assembly to the induction motor. The controller is further programmed to modulate the real current and the reactive current as a function of at least one of an electric power grid frequency and an electric power grid voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas W. Miller, Robert William Delmerico, Reigh Allen Walling, Einar Vaughn Larsen
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Publication number: 20120049629Abstract: A method of assembling a motor stall correction system includes coupling an inverter-based electric power generation device to an electric power inverter assembly. The method also includes coupling the electric power inverter assembly to at least one induction motor. The method further includes operatively coupling at least one controller to the electric power inverter assembly. The controller is programmed to transmit electric current from the inverter-based electric power generation device to the electric power inverter assembly. The controller is also programmed to transmit real current and reactive current from the electric power inverter assembly to the induction motor. The controller is further programmed to modulate the real current and the reactive current as a function of at least one of an electric power grid frequency and an electric power grid voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Inventors: Nicholas W. Miller, Robert William Delmerico, Reigh Allen Walling, Einar Vaughn Larsen
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Patent number: 7994658Abstract: A windfarm system is provided that is optimized for minimizing electrical loss. The windfarm system includes a plurality of wind turbine generators and a collector system including a conductor or network of conductors. The collector system also including a plurality of transformers with one or more transformers connected between each wind turbine generator and the conductors, and a substation transformer connecting the windfarm collector system to the electrical grid. The windfarm system also includes a monitoring system for monitoring the windfarm system electrical output and thermal condition, and outputs of the individual wind turbine generators. A control function may include voltage and real and reactive power commands to the individual wind turbine generators. The control function incorporates an algorithm whose technical effect is minimizing electrical losses for the windfarm system.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark E. Cardinal, Robert W. Delmerico, Nicholas W. Miller, Reigh A. Walling
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Patent number: 7839024Abstract: A wind turbine generator control system is provided for controlling output of a plurality of tightly-coupled windfarms connected at a point of common coupling with a power system grid. A master reactive control device employs algorithms whose technical effect is to coordinate the real power, reactive power and voltage output of the multiple windfarms. The controller incorporates a reactive power regulator that can be used to regulate reactive power, power factor or voltage at the point of common coupling and an active power regulator that can be used to regulate real power at the point of common coupling; such that each windfarm is not asked to contribute or violate its own operating capability.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark E. Cardinal, Nicholas W. Miller, Kara Clark
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Publication number: 20100025994Abstract: A wind turbine generator control system is provided for controlling output of a plurality of tightly-coupled windfarms connected at a point of common coupling with a power system grid. A master reactive control device employs algorithms whose technical effect is to coordinate the real power, reactive power and voltage output of the multiple windfarms. The controller incorporates a reactive power regulator that can be used to regulate reactive power, power factor or voltage at the point of common coupling and an active power regulator that can be used to regulate real power at the point of common coupling; such that each windfarm is not asked to contribute or violate its own operating capability.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: Mark E. Cardinal, Nicholas W. Miller, Kara Clark
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Patent number: 7586206Abstract: A wind turbine includes an asynchronous generator having a rotor and a stator, means for determining an actual torque-speed curve of the generator, means for determining an actual grid frequency, and means for determining a shifted torque-speed curve in response to the determined actual grid frequency if the determined actual grid frequency is higher than a predetermined upper frequency limit or lower than a predetermined lower frequency limit. The means for determining a shifted torque-speed curve is further adapted to determine the shifted torque-speed curve such that an increase in the rotor voltage of said generator rotor is counteracted when shifting the actual torque-speed curve to the shifted torque-speed curve. The wind turbine further includes means for shifting the actual torque-speed curve of the generator to the shifted torque-speed curve.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Werner Barton, Wilhelm Janssen, Robert Delmerico, Nicholas W. Miller
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Publication number: 20090218817Abstract: A windfarm system is provided that is optimized for minimizing electrical loss. The windfarm system includes a plurality of wind turbine generators and a collector system including a conductor or network of conductors. The collector system also including a plurality of transformers with one or more transformers connected between each wind turbine generator and the conductors, and a substation transformer connecting the windfarm collector system to the electrical grid. The windfarm system also includes a monitoring system for monitoring the windfarm system electrical output and thermal condition, and outputs of the individual wind turbine generators. A control function may include voltage and real and reactive power commands to the individual wind turbine generators. The control function incorporates an algorithm whose technical effect is minimizing electrical losses for the windfarm system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Mark E. Cardinal, Robert W. Delmerico, Nicholas W. Miller, Reigh A. Walling
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Publication number: 20090108583Abstract: A wind turbine includes an asynchronous generator having a rotor and a stator, means for determining an actual torque-speed curve of the generator, means for determining an actual grid frequency, and means for determining a shifted torque-speed curve in response to the determined actual grid frequency if the determined actual grid frequency is higher than a predetermined upper frequency limit or lower than a predetermined lower frequency limit. The means for determining a shifted torque-speed curve is further adapted to determine the shifted torque-speed curve such that an increase in the rotor voltage of said generator rotor is counteracted when shifting the actual torque-speed curve to the shifted torque-speed curve. The wind turbine further includes means for shifting the actual torque-speed curve of the generator to the shifted torque-speed curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Werner BARTON, Wilhelm JANSSEN, Robert DELMERICO, Nicholas W. MILLER
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Patent number: 7504738Abstract: A wind turbine includes an asynchronous generator having a rotor and a stator, means for determining an actual torque-speed curve of the generator, means for determining an actual grid frequency, and means for determining a shifted torque-speed curve in response to the determined actual grid frequency if the determined actual grid frequency is higher than a predetermined upper frequency limit or lower than a predetermined lower frequency limit. The means for determining a shifted torque-speed curve is further adapted to determine the shifted torque-speed curve such that an increase in the rotor voltage of said generator rotor is counteracted when shifting the actual torque-speed curve to the shifted torque-speed curve. The wind turbine further includes means for shifting the actual torque-speed curve of the generator to the shifted torque-speed curve.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Werner Barton, Wilhelm Janssen, Robert Delmerico, Nicholas W. Miller
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Patent number: 5402057Abstract: A system and method for coordinating shunt reactance switching in a system with a transformer having a primary voltage and a secondary voltage for supplying low voltage power to a load. Voltage and power meters are provided for measuring the primary voltage and the reactive power flowing to the load. A programmable logic controller receives as one set of inputs measurements of primary voltage and reactive power flowing to the load, and as another set of inputs, predetermined ranges establishing high and low limits for the primary voltage and the reactive power. Based on these inputs, the programmable logic controller connects or disconnects at least one shunt reactance to maintain the load voltage substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1992Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventors: Robert D'Aquila, Nicholas W. Miller
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Patent number: 5166597Abstract: A faster, more controllable phase-shifting transformer system is provided, along with a method of retrofitting and upgrading a preexisting system for faster operation, and a method of applying a desired phase shift to the voltage on a polyphase transmission line. A phase-shifting transformer set has series and regulating transformers coupled together by a switching network, An optional modulator modulates the phase shift voltage about a nominal level established by the switching network. The modulator may be a variable susceptance switched inductor or a switched capacitor, or a variable source device, such as a voltage source inverter device or a synchronous condenser. A thyristor augmented switching network may have a pair of thyristor valves augmenting a reversing switch, or a thyristor augmented load tap changer for varying the phase shift discreet step magnitude.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1991Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: Electric Power Research InstituteInventors: Einar V. Larsen, Nicholas W. Miller