Patents by Inventor Renaud GUILLAUME

Renaud GUILLAUME 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).

  • Publication number: 20240097587
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an energy production system (1), comprising: —a connecting link (6) provided with a connection (62) to an AC network (2); —a turbine system (3) comprising an electric machine (31) for delivering a nominal electrical power Pnom; —an energy storage system (14), comprising the following steps; —receipt of a first electrical power setpoint Ps0 and control of the turbine system (3) so as to deliver an electrical power Pt0=Ps0; and —receipt of an electrical power setpoint Ps1, where ?Ps=Ps1?Ps0 and |?Ps|>Pnom*0.3; a) application of a hydraulic setpoint to the turbine system (3) so as to increase the delivered electrical power Pti thereof and prevent the storage system (14) from delivering electrical power (62); b) determination of the power Pea that the storage system (14) is able to supply; c) when Pti+Pea?Ps1??1, the storage system (14) delivers an electrical power Pe1 to satisfy the requirement Ps1??1?Pe1+Pti?Ps1+?2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: SUPERGRID INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Renaud Guillaume, Hugo Mesnage
  • Publication number: 20230268768
    Abstract: An energy production system including a hydraulic turbine system having undesirable electrical power output setpoints and identified safe electrical power output setpoints, an energy storage system, a connection connected to the energy storage system and to an electric machine of the hydraulic turbine system, and further connected to an AC power network, a device for determining the state of charge, a control circuit controlling a transfer of electrical power between the connection and the energy storage system, configured to receive an electrical power setpoint value (Reps) and configured to determine that this received electrical power setpoint value belongs to the undesirable electrical power output setpoint values to generate an electrical power transfer setpoint value (Epts), and an actual electrical power output setpoint value (Aepos) belonging to the safe electrical power output setpoint values, satisfying the relationship Reps=Epts+Aepos.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: SUPERGRID INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Renaud GUILLAUME, Hugo MESNAGE
  • Publication number: 20230238804
    Abstract: A power transfer system includes a first branch including a controlled switch and a second branch including a variable frequency converter, in parallel between an AC network and a reversible pump-turbine, the variable frequency converter includes: a first AC/DC converter having a first DC interface, and a second AC/DC converter having a second DC interface, the first and second DC interfaces being connected by a DC link, a control circuit having a first mode wherein it simultaneously opens the switch and it transfers electrical power until it reaches the same frequency on two AC interfaces, and having a second mode wherein it closes the switch of the first branch; an energy storage system; and a switching system for selectively connecting the energy storage system to the DC link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SUPERGRID INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hugo MESNAGE, Renaud GUILLAUME, Loïc LECLERE, Florent MOREL, Florian ERRIGO
  • Patent number: 11581743
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for coupling to the grid a hydraulic unit having a synchronous generator, a runner, and wicket gates. The method includes a step of increasing the flow of water into the runner from a time t0 to a time t1 so that the rotation frequency of the rotor of the synchronous generator is, at time t1 equal to the frequency of the grid, and closing the circuit breaker at time t1. A sub-interval from a time t2 to time t1 is defined, with t0<=t2<t3<=t1, wherein a sub-step is executed to apply an adjustment torque to the shaft line via a first actuator that controls the flow of water into the runner and a second actuator coupled to a stator of the synchronous generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: GE Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Renaud Guillaume, Quentin Alloin, Olivier Teller
  • Publication number: 20230010493
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for coupling a hydroelectric power plant in a turbine mode to a grid, in order to generate power for a grid, said hydroelectric power plant comprising at least a first hydroelectric unit (10) and a second hydroelectric unit (100), each provided with a runner (6) mechanically coupled to a shaft line (8) and to a generator, a distributor (4) comprising guide vanes to control a flow of water to said runner, said hydroelectric power plant further comprising a variable frequency drive (20), the method comprising: a) starting the rotation of at least said first hydroelectric unit (10) and said second hydroelectric unit (100); b) connecting the variable frequency drive (20) to the generator of the first hydroelectric unit (10) and to the grid and stabilizing the speed of the first hydroelectric unit c) connecting the first hydroelectric unit (10) to the grid and disconnecting the generator of the first hydroelectric unit from the variable frequency drive (20); d) connecting said va
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Quentin ALLOIN, Renaud GUILLAUME
  • Publication number: 20220147594
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining a mechanical stress of a runner (40), of a hydraulic machine (10), wherein the runner is arranged to rotate around a rotation axis, wherein the hydraulic machine comprises a hydraulic channel delimited by hydraulic surfaces of the runner, the hydraulic surfaces being the surfaces against which a stream of water exerts the forces when the runner is driven in rotation by said stream of water, wherein the runner further comprises a sensor (G) on protected areas positioned away from the hydraulic channel, the method comprises the steps of: a) collecting a physical quantity measured by the sensor (G), b) determining a mechanical stress on a specific location of the hydraulic surface, via a transfer function that correlates the physical quantity measured in step a) and said mechanical stress on the specific location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Francois Andre, Renaud Guillaume, Florian Duparchy, Pierre-Yves Lowys
  • Patent number: 11248578
    Abstract: This installation for converting a hydraulic energy into electrical energy comprises a hydraulic adapted to be operated either in a pump mode or in a turbine mode. It further comprises means (25) for applying an electric torque to the rotor to control the rotation speed of the machine during transitions between the pump mode and the turbine mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventors: Quentin Alloin, Theophane Foggia, Renaud Guillaume
  • Patent number: 11239778
    Abstract: This method for stabilizing the rotation speed of a hydraulic machine having S-characteristic and comprising a distributor (9) is adapted to modify a water flow, so that the machine can be coupled to a grid. The method comprises the steps of calculating an orientation of the distributor (9); and orienting the distributor according to the calculated orientation. The method further comprises the steps of providing an electric torque to the machine so as to reach a target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventors: Renaud Guillaume, Theophane Foggia, Quentin Alloin
  • Patent number: 11231006
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing the rotation speed of a machine with S-characteristics is provided. The method includes calculating a target net head and a target opening to affect guide vanes of the machine, the target net head and the target opening being calculated so that the torque exerted by water flow on the turbine is null and that the machine rotates at a target rotation speed; determining a real net head to which the machine is subjected; comparing the target net head with the real net head; and adjusting the opening of the guide vanes so as to converge towards the target opening and reduce a height difference between the target net head and the real net head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventors: Quentin Alloin, Nicolas Perrissin-Fabert, Renaud Guillaume
  • Publication number: 20210399552
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for coupling to the grid a hydraulic unit having a synchronous generator, a runner, and wicket gates. The method includes a step of increasing the flow of water into the runner from a time t0 to a time t1 so that the rotation frequency of the rotor of the synchronous generator is, at time t1 equal to the frequency of the grid, and closing the circuit breaker at time t1. A sub-interval from a time t2 to time t1 is defined, with t0<=t2<t3<=t1, wherein a sub-step is executed to apply an adjustment torque to the shaft line via a first actuator that controls the flow of water into the runner and a second actuator coupled to a stator of the synchronous generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Renaud Guillaume, Quentin Alloin, Olivier Teller
  • Patent number: 11114863
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for coupling to the grid a hydraulic unit having a synchronous generator, a runner, and wicket gates, the method comprises: a) a step of increasing the flow of water into the runner from a time t0 to a time t1 so that the rotation frequency of the rotor of the synchronous generator is, at time t1 equal to the frequency of the grid; b) a step of closing the circuit breaker at time t1, step a) further comprises a sub-step a1) executed from a time t2 to time t1, wherein the flow of water is adjusted so that, at time t1, the phase of the synchronous generator is aligned with the grid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: GE Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Renaud Guillaume, Quentin Alloin, Olivier Teller
  • Publication number: 20210164354
    Abstract: The invention concerns a reduced-scale model of a turbine comprising a crown (1), a band (2) and blades (3) between said band and said crown, wherein the model is a single bloc assembly of said band, said crown and said blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Renaud Guillaume, Pierre-Yves Lowys, François Andre, Lucas Chabert, Sylvain Gaudion, Sylvain Desmarais, Bernard Di Maria
  • Patent number: 10907608
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to hydraulic machinery, such as hydraulic turbines. More specifically, the invention is directed to optimizing power consumption when the turbine is used in condenser mode. The present invention provides a novel hydraulic installation where the reduction of pressure in the spiral case during condenser mode operations is more efficient, limiting the power consumption if compared to state-of-the-art installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Renaud Guillaume, Pierre Yves Lowys, Arnaud Legrand, Philippe Girin
  • Publication number: 20200136395
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for coupling to the grid a hydraulic unit having a synchronous generator, a runner, and wicket gates, the method comprises: a) a step of increasing the flow of water into the runner from a time t0 to a time t1 so that the rotation frequency of the rotor of the synchronous generator is, at time t1 equal to the frequency of the grid; b) a step of closing the circuit breaker at time t1, step a) further comprises a sub-step a1) executed from a time t2 to time t1, wherein the flow of water is adjusted so that, at time t1, the phase of the synchronous generator is aligned with the grid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Renaud Guillaume, Quentin Alloin, Olivier Teller
  • Patent number: 10598145
    Abstract: This method allows determining the operating point of a hydraulic machine in a considered operating range, such as turbine mode, and comprises steps that consist in a) determining two coordinates (N?11, T?11) of a first series of potential operating points of the hydraulic machine for the orientation affected to guide vanes of the machine, b) measuring the rotation speed of the machine, and c) determining the torque exerted by water flow on the machine. The method further includes steps consisting in d) calculating two coordinates (N11, T11) of a second series of potential operating points of the machine in function of the rotation speed (N) measured at step b) and the torque determined at step c), and e) deducing the two coordinates (N11_real, T11_real) of operating point that belongs both to the first and the second series in the said considered operating range of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: GE Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Quentin Alloin, Nicolas Perrissin-Fabert, Renaud Guillaume
  • Publication number: 20200088152
    Abstract: This installation for converting a hydraulic energy into electrical energy comprises a hydraulic adapted to be operated either in a pump mode or in a turbine mode. It further comprises means (25) for applying an electric torque to the rotor to control the rotation speed of the machine during transitions between the pump mode and the turbine mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Quentin Alloin, Theophane Foggia, Renaud Guillaume
  • Publication number: 20200040866
    Abstract: Installation for converting hydraulic energy into electrical energy, provided with a fixed speed hydraulic machine comprising a pump-turbine (2) linked to a generator (20) by a shaft. The installation further comprises: an electrical torque actuator (34) to establish a circuit with the generator (20), electrical torque actuator connection means (35) for connecting the generator (20) the electrical torque actuator, and command means (29) for detecting a disconnection of the generator (20) from the grid, and for commanding the electrical torque actuator connection means (35) to connect the generator (20) to the electrical torque actuator (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Quentin Alloin, Theophane Foggia, Renaud Guillaume
  • Patent number: 10415540
    Abstract: The method allows stabilizing the rotation speed of a hydraulic machine with S-characteristics. It is implemented by means of a control loop feedback system having a controller for calculating an orientation to affect guide vanes of the machine. It includes steps of calculating a set of internal states associated with the operating point of the machine, establishing a linearized transfer function in function of the set of internal states, calculating characteristics parameters of the controller in function of the established transfer function so that the control loop feedback system is stable, measuring the rotation speed of the hydraulic machine, comparing the measured rotation speed with a target rotation speed, and adjusting the orientation affected to the guide vanes so as to reduce the speed difference between the calculated rotation speed and the target rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventors: Quentin Alloin, Nicolas Perrissin-Fabert, Renaud Guillaume
  • Publication number: 20180252198
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to hydraulic machinery, such as hydraulic turbines. More specifically, the invention is directed to optimizing power consumption when the turbine is used in condenser mode. The present invention provides a novel hydraulic installation where the reduction of pressure in the spiral case during condenser mode operations is more efficient, limiting the power consumption if compared to state-of-the-art installations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Renaud GUILLAUME, Pierre Yves LOWYS, Arnaud LEGRAND, Philippe GIRIN
  • Publication number: 20170268478
    Abstract: The method allows stabilizing the rotation speed of a hydraulic machine with S-characteristics. It is implemented by means of a control loop feedback system having a controller for calculating an orientation to affect guide vanes of the machine. It includes steps of calculating a set of internal states associated with the operating point of the machine, establishing a linearized transfer function in function of the set of internal states, calculating characteristics parameters of the controller in function of the established transfer function so that the control loop feedback system is stable, measuring the rotation speed of the hydraulic machine, comparing the measured rotation speed with a target rotation speed, and adjusting the orientation affected to the guide vanes so as to reduce the speed difference between the calculated rotation speed and the target rotation speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Quentin ALLOIN, Nicolas PERRISSIN-FABERT, Renaud GUILLAUME