Patents by Inventor Simon Cawthorne

Simon Cawthorne 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: 20200287378
    Abstract: An array (1001) of generator units (1020) each producing a DC electrical output that are connected in parallel to provide the array DC electrical output. The array is connectable to a receiving station (1026) by output power transmission cables (1024), each transmission cable being connected to a respective one of the generator units being array output units. Each array output unit is connected to at least one other of the generator units in order to receive the DC output from the respective connected generator unit, and each generator unit that is not an array output unit is connected to one or more array output unit and/or to one or more other non-array output generator unit so that its DC output is transmittable to any one or each of the units to which it is connected and so that the DC output of each generator unit is transmittable to said at least two output transmission cables (1022). The array further includes fault detection means for detecting faults in the transmission cables (1022, 1024).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne
  • Publication number: 20200266629
    Abstract: An electrical generator for generating an AC electrical output, the generator comprising generator winding groups having a set of generator windings for each phase of the AC electrical output. Each set of generator windings is included in a respective electrically separate winding circuit. Each winding circuit includes a respective transformer winding in series with the or each generator winding of the respective set. The respective winding circuit further includes a respective normally closed switching device operable to break the respective winding circuit in the event of a fault. The generator unit further includes fault detection means configured to detect a fault in anyone of the winding circuits, and in response to detecting a fault to cause the respective switching device to break the respective winding circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 9920747
    Abstract: A method of controlling power provided by a generator to an end system in which power is diverted from the output of said generator to an auxiliary system during periods of excessive power output from the generator. The diverted power is stored in an energy store and, during periods of lower power output from the generator, is returned to the end system by discharging the energy store. The diversion and return of power is controlled to maintain the power delivered to the end system at a desired mean power level. Diversion of power from the generator also has the effect of preventing the generator from producing excessive voltage levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 9670897
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an operation of a hydroelectric turbine. The control system comprises a converter system to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the turbine, and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station. The system further comprises a control unit that is arranged to co-operate with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator in response to a water flow speed through the turbine to thereby control rotation of the turbine. The converter system comprises a first-stage converter and a second-stage converter, with a DC link provided between the first and second-stage converters. The first-stage converter is arranged to convert the AC power supplied by the generator to DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne, Wee Keong Khoo
  • Patent number: 9638160
    Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine array system comprises an array of turbine systems and a supervisory controller. Each turbine system of the array comprises a hydroelectric turbine and a control system. The control system includes a converter system arranged to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the hydroelectric turbine and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the hydroelectric turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station and a control unit co-operable with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne, Wee Keong Khoo
  • Patent number: 9595857
    Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a stator and a member arranged to move relative to said stator. The stator comprises a first stator structure incorporating a first plurality of windings disposed along the direction of relative motion and displaced from the movable member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion, and a second stator structure incorporating a second plurality of windings displaced in a second direction from the movable member, so that the movable member lies between the two stator structures. The movable member is arranged to electrically couple with the windings. The first plurality of windings includes a single phase winding connected to a first single-phase ac supply, and the second plurality of windings includes a single phase winding of the same pole pitch being displaced in the direction of relative motion from first plurality of windings and connected to a second single-phase ac supply whose phase is displaced from that of the first supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventors: Simon Cawthorne, Edward Spooner
  • Patent number: 9583986
    Abstract: A power generator for a hydro turbine is axially coupled to the hydro turbine. The generator comprises a rotor arranged to rotate about an axis in response to fluid flow through said turbine. A first stator structure incorporates at least a first winding disposed circumferentially around the axis and axially displaced in a first inboard direction from the rotor. A second stator structure incorporates a least a second winding disposed circumferentially around the axis and axially displaced in a second outboard direction from the rotor, the rotor being arranged to electrically couple with the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventors: Simon Cawthorne, Edward Spooner
  • Patent number: 9541053
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an operation of a hydroelectric turbine. The control system comprises a converter system to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the turbine, and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station. The system further comprises a control unit that is arranged to co-operate with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator in response to a water flow speed through the turbine to thereby control rotation of the turbine. The converter system comprises a first-stage converter and a second-stage converter, with a DC link provided between the first and second-stage converters. The first-stage converter is arranged to convert the AC power supplied by the generator to DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne, Wee Keong Khoo
  • Publication number: 20160281684
    Abstract: A method of controlling power provided by a generator to an end system in which power is diverted from the output of said generator to an auxiliary system during periods of excessive power output from the generator. The diverted power is stored in an energy store and, during periods of lower power output from the generator, is returned to the end system by discharging the energy store. The diversion and return of power is controlled to maintain the power delivered to the end system at a desired mean power level. Diversion of power from the generator also has the effect of preventing the generator from producing excessive voltage levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: OPENHYDRO IP LIMITED
    Inventors: EDWARD SPOONER, SIMON CAWTHORNE
  • Publication number: 20160268831
    Abstract: A method of controlling power provided by a generator to an end system in which power is diverted from the output of said generator to an auxiliary system during periods of excessive power output from the generator. The diverted power is stored in an energy store and, during periods of lower power output from the generator, is returned to the end system by discharging the energy store. The diversion and return of power is controlled to maintain the power delivered to the end system at a desired mean power level. Diversion of power from the generator also has the effect of preventing the generator from producing excessive voltage levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: OPENHYDRO IP LIMITED
    Inventors: EDWARD SPOONER, SIMON CAWTHORNE
  • Publication number: 20150295482
    Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a stator and a member arranged to move relative to said stator. The stator comprises a first stator structure incorporating a first plurality of windings disposed along the direction of relative motion and displaced from the movable member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion, and a second stator structure incorporating a second plurality of windings displaced in a second direction from the movable member, so that the movable member lies between the two stator structures. The movable member is arranged to electrically couple with the windings. The first plurality of windings includes a single phase winding connected to a first single-phase ac supply, and the second plurality of windings includes a single phase winding of the same pole pitch being displaced in the direction of relative motion from first plurality of windings and connected to a second single-phase ac supply whose phase is displaced from that of the first supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventors: Simon Cawthorne, Edward Spooner
  • Publication number: 20150280506
    Abstract: A power generator for a hydro turbine is axially coupled to the hydro turbine. The generator comprises a rotor arranged to rotate about an axis in response to fluid flow through said turbine. A first stator structure incorporates at least a first winding disposed circumferentially around the axis and axially displaced in a first inboard direction from the rotor. A second stator structure incorporates a least a second winding disposed circumferentially around the axis and axially displaced in a second outboard direction from the rotor, the rotor being arranged to electrically couple with the windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Simon Cawthorne, Edward Spooner
  • Publication number: 20140319837
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an operation of a hydroelectric turbine. The control system comprises a converter system to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the turbine, and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station. The system further comprises a control unit that is arranged to co-operate with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator in response to a water flow speed through the turbine to thereby control rotation of the turbine. The converter system comprises a first-stage converter and a second-stage converter, with a DC link provided between the first and second-stage converters. The first-stage converter is arranged to convert the AC power supplied by the generator to DC power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: OPENHYDRO LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne, Wee Keong Khoo
  • Publication number: 20140321973
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydroelectric turbine system comprising a base mounted turbine for location on the seabed or the like, in order to generate electricity from the tidal flow of water through the turbine, the system incorporating a load bank, for example in the form of an array of resistive windings, to which the turbine can be selectively electrically connected in order to dissipate the electrical power as heat into the passing water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: OPENHYDRO IP LIMITED
    Inventors: James Ives, Paul Dunne, Simon Cawthorne
  • Publication number: 20140319836
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an operation of a hydroelectric turbine. The control system comprises a converter system to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the turbine, and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station. The system further comprises a control unit that is arranged to co-operate with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator in response to a water flow speed through the turbine to thereby control rotation of the turbine. The converter system comprises a first-stage converter and a second-stage converter, with a DC link provided between the first and second-stage converters. The first-stage converter is arranged to convert the AC power supplied by the generator to DC power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: OPENHYDRO IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne, Wee Keong Khoo
  • Publication number: 20140246854
    Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine array system comprises an array of turbine systems and a supervisory controller. Each turbine system of the array comprises a hydroelectric turbine and a control system. The control system includes a converter system arranged to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the hydroelectric turbine and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the hydroelectric turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station and a control unit co-operable with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: OPENHYDRO IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, Simon Cawthorne, Wee Keong Khoo
  • Publication number: 20060147387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for preparing combination formulations of inhaled glucocorticoids and beta 2-agonists e.g. budesonide in combination with formoterol. The process aims at minimizing adhesion of one or more of the ingredients to equipment surfaces by adding the ingredients to a container in a stepwise manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventor: Simon Cawthorne
  • Patent number: D815597
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventor: Simon Cawthorne