Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Walko

Ronald J. Walko 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: 4920305
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic positioning system which has automatic calibration capabilities is disclosed. The system includes a microprocessor which accesses calibration parameters stored in a non-volatile memory unit. The microprocessor adjusts the position demand according to the stored calibration parameters. The system may be placed in an atuomatic calibration mode. In which case, update calibration parameters are automatically determined and stored. The system also includes a microcontroller which monitors system operating variables and reports deviations of the variables from expected values for same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Benson, Andrew D. Gavrilos, Robert S. Rand, Scott M. Shaw, Joel W. Spafford, Ronald J. Walko
  • Patent number: 4603394
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based controller for an extraction type steam turbine-generator unit capable of selecting from a variety of predetermined control strategies and implementing corresponding valve position control loops by generating appropriate valve position control signals in accordance with operator-chosen setpoint signals and turbine operating level signals. In a particular control strategy, automatic system frequency correction is achieved in a load control mode upon separation of the turbine-generator from the utility power grid, by detecting turbine speed deviation beyond predetermined limits and correcting turbine speed to synchronous speed without the need for operator intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Bukowski, Gary E. Midock, Ronald J. Walko
  • Patent number: 4577281
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based controller for an extraction type steam turbine-generator unit capable of selecting from a variety of predetermined control strategies and implementing corresponding valve position control loops by generating appropriate valve position control signals in accordance with operator-chosen setpoint signals and turbine operating level signals. In a particular control strategy, automatic compensation of megawatt output is achieved during the extraction mode of turbine operation by summing a megawatt setpoint signal from a feedback loop with a feedforward extraction valve setpoint signal and a megawatt reference signal, which sum is then applied to the turbine control valves to enable tight megawatt control during the extraction operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Bukowski, Gary E. Midock, Ronald J. Walko
  • Patent number: 4550380
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based controller for an extraction type steam turbine-generator unit capable of selecting from a variety of predetermined control strategies and implementing corresponding valve position control loops by generating appropriate valve position control signals in accordance with operator-chosen setpoint signals and turbine operating level signals. The extraction mode of turbine operation is subdivided into a provided set of mutually exclusive extraction control loops, each of which can be placed in service in a bumpless fashion upon transition from any other extraction control loop in a predetermined sequence. Upon a return from the manual mode of turbine operation to the automatic mode, a particular extraction control loop is automatically placed in service without the need for operator intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Bukowski, Gary E. Midock, Ronald J. Walko