Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid power system are disclosed. A controller may perform operations, including: obtaining load data for the hybrid power system; obtaining power availability data and energy cost data for each power asset in each power asset group of a plurality of power asset groups; and determining active power commands for each power asset by performing at least one optimization, such that the determined active power commands optimize a total operating cost, wherein: the at least one optimization is based on at least one cost function that accounts for asset degradation, asset maintenance cost, asset operation efficiency cost, and the energy cost data; and the at least one optimization is constrained by a plurality of constraints based on the load data, the power availability data, and characteristics of the power assets; and operating each power asset based on the determined active power commands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid power system are disclosed. A controller may perform operations, including: obtaining a load forecast; obtaining a power availability forecast and an energy cost forecast for each power asset group; performing at least one prospective optimization to determine scheduled active power commands for the groups that optimize a total operating cost; tracking an on-line load; tracking an on-line power availability and an on-line energy cost for the groups; performing at least one on-line optimization to determine on-line active power commands for the groups that (i) account for variance between the load forecast and the on-line load, (ii) account for variance between the power availability forecast and the on-line power availability, and (iii) optimize the total operating cost; and operating the groups based on the scheduled active power commands and the on-line active power commands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid power system are disclosed. A controller may perform operations, including: obtaining load data for the hybrid power system; obtaining power availability data and energy cost data for each power asset in each power asset group of a plurality of power asset groups; and determining active power commands for each power asset by performing at least one optimization, such that the determined active power commands optimize a total operating cost, wherein: the at least one optimization is based on at least one cost function that accounts for asset degradation, asset maintenance cost, asset operation efficiency cost, and the energy cost data; and the at least one optimization is constrained by a plurality of constraints based on the load data, the power availability data, and characteristics of the power assets; and operating each power asset based on the determined active power commands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid power system are disclosed. A controller may perform operations, including: obtaining a load forecast; obtaining a power availability forecast and an energy cost forecast for each power asset group; performing at least one prospective optimization to determine scheduled active power commands for the groups that optimize a total operating cost; tracking an on-line load; tracking an on-line power availability and an on-line energy cost for the groups; performing at least one on-line optimization to determine on-line active power commands for the groups that (i) account for variance between the load forecast and the on-line load, (ii) account for variance between the power availability forecast and the on-line power availability, and (iii) optimize the total operating cost; and operating the groups based on the scheduled active power commands and the on-line active power commands.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system or other power system includes a primary power source and a fuel cell and battery system as a backup power source. The fuel cell and battery backup system(s) are integrated into the primary power source to reduce the required power components and to provide high-quality power conditioning for the UPS system. A control system receives and analyzes data from the primary power source, as well as from the fuel cell and battery backup systems, to perform advanced power management and sharing, manage transitions, export power to the grid, and manage boil-off losses at the fuel cell.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a genset from pole slip is disclosed. The system may comprise a generator, a prime mover and a controller. The generator includes a stator and a rotor. The prime mover is configured to drive rotation of the rotor. The controller may be configured to: determine mechanical status of the generator based on data associated with a translational displacement of the rotor; determine electrical status of the generator based on (a) a load angle or (b) the load angle and a rate of change of the load angle associated with rotation of the rotor in the stator; determine an operating condition of the generator based on fusion of the mechanical status and the electrical status; if the operating condition is a pole-slip-warning, activate an output member to display or emit a warning; and, if the operating condition is a pole-slip, activate a protective action.

Abstract: A control system for an induction motor executes an on-board, dynamic model to estimate rotor resistance and control the torque output by the induction motor. The model includes equations to calculate stator and rotor temperatures and/or resistances based on combinations of voltage and current data, electrical frequency, rotor speed, switching patterns, and air flow rates during operation of the induction motor. The control system updates the model based on feedback collected during the operation of the induction motor, including the difference between the actual observed stator temperature and the stator temperature predicted by the model. The model is updated to converge the predicted stator temperature on the actual observed stator temperature, and corresponding updates are made to the rotor resistance estimations to provide more accurate estimations of the rotor resistance and improve the accuracy of the induction motor torque output.

Abstract: A system for driving a hydraulic fracturing pump includes an electric motor having a drive shaft configured to rotate at a constant speed and a power source electrically connected to the electric motor. The system also includes a motor controller operably connected to the electric motor via a relay, wherein the motor controller is operably connected to the electric motor by the relay to start the electric motor, and is operably disconnected from the electric motor by the relay once the drive shaft reaches the constant speed. The system further includes a pump coupled to the drive shaft via a transmission, wherein the transmission is configured to transfer rotational energy from the drive shaft to the pump via an output shaft of the transmission, the output shaft of the transmission being configured to drive the pump at varying speeds while the drive shaft rotates at the constant speed.

Abstract: A monitor and control system for a hydraulic fracturing pump is described herein to reduce or eliminate harmful oscillations in fluid discharge pressure caused by the pump load dynamics. The monitor and control system receives various sensor data from the operation of the pump, including the pump crank position, and executes a pump control equation or model based on the pump sensor data, pump load data and/or pump speed data. Pump control equations or models are specific to the design and dynamic operation of the pump, incorporating the number of plungers, pump dynamics, motor lag and motor dynamics, etc. Using the pump control equations or models, the monitor and control system determines control commands for the pump motor to reduce or eliminate the oscillatory discharge pressure at the pump.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system or other power system includes a primary power source and a fuel cell and battery system as a backup power source. The fuel cell and battery backup system(s) are integrated into the primary power source to reduce the required power components and to provide high-quality power conditioning for the UPS system. A control system receives and analyzes data from the primary power source, as well as from the fuel cell and battery backup systems, to perform advanced power management and sharing, manage transitions, export power to the grid, and manage boil-off losses at the fuel cell.

Abstract: A control system for an induction motor executes an on-board, dynamic model to estimate rotor resistance and control the torque output by the induction motor. The model includes equations to calculate stator and rotor temperatures and/or resistances based on combinations of voltage and current data, electrical frequency, rotor speed, switching patterns, and air flow rates during operation of the induction motor. The control system updates the model based on feedback collected during the operation of the induction motor, including the difference between the actual observed stator temperature and the stator temperature predicted by the model. The model is updated to converge the predicted stator temperature on the actual observed stator temperature, and corresponding updates are made to the rotor resistance estimations to provide more accurate estimations of the rotor resistance and improve the accuracy of the induction motor torque output.

Abstract: A system for driving a hydraulic fracturing pump includes an electric motor having a drive shaft configured to rotate at a constant speed and a power source electrically connected to the electric motor. The system also includes a motor controller operably connected to the electric motor via a relay, wherein the motor controller is operably connected to the electric motor by the relay to start the electric motor, and is operably disconnected from the electric motor by the relay once the drive shaft reaches the constant speed. The system further includes a pump coupled to the drive shaft via a transmission, wherein the transmission is configured to transfer rotational energy from the drive shaft to the pump via an output shaft of the transmission, the output shaft of the transmission being configured to drive the pump at varying speeds while the drive shaft rotates at the constant speed.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a genset from pole slip is disclosed. The system may comprise a generator, a prime mover and a controller. The generator includes a stator and a rotor. The prime mover is configured to drive rotation of the rotor. The controller may be configured to: determine mechanical status of the generator based on data associated with a translational displacement of the rotor; determine electrical status of the generator based on (a) a load angle or (b) the load angle and a rate of change of the load angle associated with rotation of the rotor in the stator; determine an operating condition of the generator based on fusion of the mechanical status and the electrical status; if the operating condition is a pole-slip-warning, activate an output member to display or emit a warning; and, if the operating condition is a pole-slip, activate a protective action.

Abstract: A variable speed genset system is provided. The variable speed genset system may include a plurality of gensets, a switch assembly coupling one or more of the gensets to a common bus, a power electronics circuit selectively coupling the switch assembly to the common bus, and a controller in electrical communication with the gensets, the switch assembly and the power electronics circuit. The controller may be configured to designate any one or more of the gensets to operate as variable speed gensets and one or more of the remaining gensets to operate as constant speed gensets, engage the switch assembly to couple the variable speed genset to the power electronics circuit, and engage the switch assembly to couple the constant speed gensets to the common bus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for detecting a closing of a solenoid. The system includes a capacitive charge circuit electrically coupled to the solenoid. The capacitive charge circuit conditions the current flow through the solenoid to increase the current in response to the closing of the solenoid. The invention also relates to a system and method that includes detecting a current through the solenoid and determining a current slope characteristic. The current slope characteristic is a function of the current and time. The method also includes conditioning an electrical characteristic of the solenoid such that the conditioning is in response to a current slope parameter. The current slope parameter defines a change in the current after removal of an electrical charge to the solenoid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for detecting a closing of a solenoid. The system includes a capacitive charge circuit electrically coupled to the solenoid. The capacitive charge circuit conditions the current flow through the solenoid to increase the current in response to the closing of the solenoid. The invention also relates to a system and method that includes detecting a current through the solenoid and determining a current slope characteristic. The current slope characteristic is a function of the current and time. The method also includes conditioning an electrical characteristic of the solenoid such that the conditioning is in response to a current slope parameter. The current slope parameter defines a change in the current after removal of an electrical charge to the solenoid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of generating an active crank series of signals that is derived from at least two series of signals, wherein one or both of the series of signals have been modulated to produce two series of signals that resemble each other. Also disclosed herein is a crankshaft positioning system for determining the rotational position of a crankshaft of an engine that utilizes at least two crank angle sensors 10 and 12. The signal information from the two crank angle sensors 10 and 12 is processed by a signal processor 150 such that the series of signals 220 from the second crank angle sensor 12 emulates the series of signals 210 from the first crank angle processor 10. The signal processor generates an active crank series of signals 230 based on the two series of signals 210, 220. The active crank series of signals 230 is sent to an engine control processor 120 which directs the injection and/or ignition of fuel into cylinders of an engine.

Abstract: A gear transmission monitoring method includes: forming a good operating condition baseline matrix by, for each of a plurality of different gear mesh frequencies, obtaining a good operating condition signal indicative of gear transmission conditions over a segment of time and transforming the obtained good operating condition signal into a good operating condition time-frequency spectrum; and then obtaining a gear mesh frequency and a test signal over a segment of time, transforming the obtained test signal into a test time-frequency spectrum, and using the gear mesh frequency and the good operating condition baseline matrix to examine the test time-frequency spectrum to monitor gear transmission conditions.

Abstract: A diagnostic technique for monitoring shaft cracking or incipient pinion slip involves monitoring a shift in a characteristic natural frequency of an operating system such as a geared system of a locomotive. The technique involves monitoring a shift in the characteristic natural frequency or resonance of a shaft for detecting shaft cracking. The technique also involves monitoring a shift in the characteristic natural frequency of one or more assemblies of the operating system which include a pinion and detecting a shift in the one or more characteristic natural frequencies of the assemblies. A vibration sensor or measurement of current changes of a motor of the operating system can be used to detect vibrations to monitor the characteristic natural frequencies. Torsional oscillations or measurement of current and voltage changes of a motor of the operating system, can also be used to monitor the characteristic natural frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a apparatus and method for controlling the force and velocity of a piston within the clamp assembly of a injection molding machine. The control unit comprises the following elements: a PI based cascade compensator; an estimator coupled to the clamp assembly and the cascade compensator, wherein the estimator is utilized to estimate the position of the clamp assembly piston; a velocity position controller coupled to the clamp assembly and the estimator, wherein the velocity position controller is adapted to generate a velocity error signal based on the piston velocity signal; and an auto selector coupled to the cascade compensator, wherein the auto selector is adapted to select between the velocity error signal and the force error signal to generate a valve command signal. The present invention additionally employs a method for determining the velocity profile of the piston of a clamp assembly.