Patents by Inventor Robert Delmerico

Robert Delmerico 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: 7586206
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Werner Barton, Wilhelm Janssen, Robert Delmerico, Nicholas W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090108583
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Werner BARTON, Wilhelm JANSSEN, Robert DELMERICO, Nicholas W. MILLER
  • Patent number: 7504738
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Werner Barton, Wilhelm Janssen, Robert Delmerico, Nicholas W. Miller
  • Patent number: 7505833
    Abstract: A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for controlling operation of an electrical power generation system are provided. The electrical power generation system has a plurality of electrical generators electrically coupled to an electrical grid. The method includes obtaining a first output parameter value associated with the electrical power generation system. The method further includes determining an error value indicative of a difference between the first output parameter value and a desired output parameter value. The method further includes determining a first gain value based on at least one of the first output parameter value and a time-varying operational parameter of the electrical power generation system. The method further includes determining a first power value based on the error value and the first gain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Mark Cardinal, Nicholas Miller, Dapeng Liu, Zhihong Ye
  • Publication number: 20080111380
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a wind turbine system. The wind turbine system includes a wind turbine generator operable to supply wind turbine power to a utility system. A converter is coupled to the wind turbine generator and the utility system. The wind turbine system also includes a controller comprising an internal reference frame of the wind turbine generator, coupled to the converter, and configured for modulating flow of power through the converter in response to frequency disturbances or power swings of the utility system relative to the internal reference frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Nicholas Miller
  • Patent number: 7346462
    Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for determining parameter values associated with an electrical grid in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The electrical grid has a point of interconnection where the electrical grid is electrically coupled to a power source. The method includes measuring real power at the point of interconnection of the electrical grid to obtain a plurality of real power values. The method further includes measuring reactive power at the point of interconnection of the electrical grid to obtain a plurality of reactive power values. The method further includes measuring a voltage at the point of interconnection of the electrical grid to obtain a plurality of voltage values. The method further includes estimating at least one parameter value associated with the electrical grid utilizing the plurality of real power values, the plurality of reactive power values, and the plurality of voltage values, and a mathematical estimation technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Delmerico
  • Publication number: 20070233406
    Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for determining parameter values associated with an electrical grid in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The electrical grid has a point of interconnection where the electrical grid is electrically coupled to a power source. The method includes measuring real power at the point of interconnection of the electrical grid to obtain a plurality of real power values. The method further includes measuring reactive power at the point of interconnection of the electrical grid to obtain a plurality of reactive power values. The method further includes measuring a voltage at the point of interconnection of the electrical grid to obtain a plurality of voltage values. The method further includes estimating at least one parameter value associated with the electrical grid utilizing the plurality of real power values, the plurality of reactive power values, and the plurality of voltage values, and a mathematical estimation technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Delmerico
  • Publication number: 20070228838
    Abstract: A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for controlling operation of an electrical power generation system are provided. The electrical power generation system has a plurality of electrical generators electrically coupled to an electrical grid. The method includes obtaining a first output parameter value associated with the electrical power generation system. The method further includes determining an error value indicative of a difference between the first output parameter value and a desired output parameter value. The method further includes determining a first gain value based on at least one of the first output parameter value and a time-varying operational parameter of the electrical power generation system. The method further includes determining a first power value based on the error value and the first gain value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Mark Cardinal, Nicholas Miller, Dapeng Liu, Zhihong Ye
  • Publication number: 20070177314
    Abstract: Method and apparatus that provide a response to the negative sequence current demands during a disturbance of the grid system connected to power-generating equipment, such as a wind turbine system, provide for tracking components in the grid signal, orienting at least a portion of the signal, and injecting the oriented portion. Controlled injection of negative sequence current provides for extending small-signal control response, and also provides for modifications of the apparent impedance to the grid interconnect of the power conversion equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Haiqing Weng, Robert Seymour, John D'Atre, Allen Ritter, Xiaoming Yuan, Renchang Dai, Robert Delmerico
  • Publication number: 20070159140
    Abstract: A brushless exciter for a synchronous generator or motor generally includes a stator and a rotor rotatably disposed within the stator. The rotor has a field winding and a voltage rectifying bridge circuit connected in parallel to the field winding. A plurality of firing circuits are connected the voltage rectifying bridge circuit. The firing circuit is configured to fire a signal at an angle of less than 90° or at an angle greater than 90°. The voltage rectifying bridge circuit rectifies the AC voltage to excite or de-excite the field winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Luis Garces, Robert Delmerico, Patrick Jansen, John Parslow, Harold Sanderson, Gautam Sinha
  • Publication number: 20070159265
    Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly tracking fundamental frequency information in the signal of an electric grid is a cross-coupled phase-lock loop filter (CCPLL) that includes the use of a phase-lock-loop (PLL) apparatus having a plurality individual filters, wherein an input for a first filter in the plurality of individual filters comprises the signal of the electric grid and an output signal from at least a second filter in the plurality of individual filters. A method for using the CCPLL includes applying a signal to the CCPLL and monitoring the output of the CCPLL. Use of the CCPLL may be accomplished or modeled via computer instructions stored on machine readable media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Haiqing Weng, John D'Atre, Robert Seymour, Allen Ritter, Xiaoming Yuan, Renchang Dai, Robert Delmerico
  • Publication number: 20070132248
    Abstract: A protection system and a protection method are provided for protecting a double fed induction generator and a gearbox during a grid fault. The protection system includes a plurality of controlled impedance devices. Each of the controlled impedance devices is coupled between a respective phase of a stator winding of the double fed induction generator and a respective phase of a grid side converter. The protection system also includes a controller configured for coupling and decoupling impedance in one or more of the plurality of controlled impedance devices in response to changes in at least one of a utility grid voltage and a utility grid current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Haiqing Weng, Robert Delmerico, Xiaoming Yuan, Changyong Wang
  • Publication number: 20070120369
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a wind turbine system. The wind turbine system includes a wind turbine generator operable to supply wind turbine power to a utility system. A converter is coupled to the wind turbine generator and the utility system. The wind turbine system also includes a controller comprising an internal reference frame of the wind turbine generator, coupled to the converter, and configured for modulating flow of power through the converter in response to frequency disturbances or power swings of the utility system relative to the internal reference frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Nicholas Miller
  • Publication number: 20070069522
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Werner Barton, Wilhelm Janssen, Robert Delmerico, Nicholas Miller
  • Publication number: 20070055408
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a converter configured for supplying power from a constrained power or energy source to a power network and a control system configured for balancing instantaneously available power from the constrained source against demanded load from the power network by dynamically adjusting power network voltage, power network frequency, or a combination of power network voltage and power network frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Alfredo Achilles
  • Publication number: 20060132994
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a wind farm, having multiple wind turbine generators, at high wind speeds is provided. Wind speeds at individual wind turbine generators are monitored and a signal is transmitted from the wind turbine generators to a wind farm control system based on the monitored wind speeds. Rate of change of collective power output of the wind farm is temporally monitored and is controlled by coordinating of operational states of the wind turbine generators based upon the signals transmitted by the one or more wind turbine generators, operating conditions of the wind turbine generators and the monitored rate of change of power output of the wind farm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Mark Cardinal, Kirk Pierce
  • Publication number: 20060132993
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling power ramp rate of a wind farm is provided. The wind farm includes a plurality of wind turbine generators and a wind farm control system. The wind farm control system is operable to monitor rate of change of collective power output of the wind turbine generators, and to limit the rate of change of collective power output by generating a power output rate limiting signal based on the monitored rate of change of collective power output of the wind turbine generators and a desired collective power ramp of the wind turbine generators and applying the power output rate limiting signal to the plurality of wind turbine generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Mark Cardinal, Kirk Pierce
  • Publication number: 20050040655
    Abstract: Real and reactive power control for wind turbine generator systems. The technique described herein provides the potential to utilize the total capacity of a wind turbine generator system (e.g., a wind farm) to provide dynamic VAR (reactive power support). The VAR support provided by individual wind turbine generators in a system can be dynamically varied to suit application parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Wilkins, Nagwa Elkachouty, Reigh Walling, James Lyons, Robert Delmerico, Sumit Bose, Nicholas Miller
  • Patent number: 6819087
    Abstract: A power electronic based DR (distributed resource e.g., a UPS (uninterrupted power supply), Fuel Cell or Microturbine) is controlled to emulate a voltage source behind an impedance and behave as a power system stabilizer. The impedance in the DR is emulated and an estimate of impedance at the power/electronic interface is derived and applied to the control of the DR in a manner wherein the power and voltage swings on systems (loads) that otherwise would have difficulty with dynamic loads, are stabilized. Damping and synchronizing power are provided measuring only voltage, current and frequency at the interface between the DR and the load. The DR may include some energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Gautam Sinha, Yan Liu
  • Publication number: 20040124812
    Abstract: A power electronic based DR (distributed resource e.g., a UPS (uninterrupted power supply), Fuel Cell or Microturbine) is controlled to emulate a voltage source behind an impedance and behave as a power system stabilizer. The impedance in the DR is emulated and an estimate of impedance at the power/electronic interface is derived and applied to the control of the DR in a manner wherein the power and voltage swings on systems (loads) that otherwise would have difficulty with dynamic loads, are stabilized. Damping and synchronizing power are provided measuring only voltage, current and frequency at the interface between the DR and the load. The DR may include some energy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Delmerico, Gautam Sinha, Yan Liu