Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Matty
Thomas C. Matty 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).
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Patent number: 6411065Abstract: An integrated system for comprehensive control of an electric power generation system utilizes state machine control having particularly defined control states and permitted control state transitions. In this way, accurate, dependable and safe control of the electric power generation system is provided. Several of these control states may be utilized in conjunction with a utility outage ride-through technique that compensates for a utility outage by predictably controlling the system to bring the system off-line and to bring the system back on-line when the utility returns. Furthermore, a line synchronization technique synchronizes the generated power with the power on the grid when coming back on-line. The line synchronization technique limits the rate of synchronization to permit undesired transient voltages.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: SatCon Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Underwood, William B. Hall, Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 6380719Abstract: An integrated system for comprehensive control of an electric power generation system utilizes state machine control having particularly defined control states and permitted control state transitions. In this way, accurate, dependable and safe control of the electric power generation system is provided. Several of these control states may be utilized in conjunction with a utility outage ride-through technique that compensates for a utility outage by predictably controlling the system to bring the system off-line and to bring the system back on-line when the utility returns. Furthermore, a line synchronization technique synchronizes the generated power with the power on the grid when coming back on-line. The line synchronization technique limits the rate of synchronization to permit undesired transient voltages.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: SatCon Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Underwood, William B. Hall, Thomas C. Matty
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Publication number: 20020030365Abstract: An integrated system for comprehensive control of an electric power generation system utilizes state machine control having particularly defined control states and permitted control state transitions. In this way, accurate, dependable and safe control of the electric power generation system is provided. Several of these control states may be utilized in conjunction with a utility outage ride-through technique that compensates for a utility outage by predictably controlling the system to bring the system off-line and to bring the system back on-line when the utility returns. Furthermore, a line synchronization technique synchronizes the generated power with the power on the grid when coming back on-line. The line synchronization technique limits the rate of synchronization to permit undesired transient voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Thomas C. Underwood, William B. Hall, Thomas C. Matty
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Publication number: 20010048290Abstract: An integrated system for comprehensive control of an electric power generation system utilizes state machine control having particularly defined control states and permitted control state transitions. In this way, accurate, dependable and safe control of the electric power generation system is provided. Several of these control states may be utilized in conjunction with a utility outage ride-through technique that compensates for a utility outage by predictably controlling the system to bring the system off-line and to bring the system back on-line when the utility returns. Furthermore, a line synchronization technique synchronizes the generated power with the power on the grid when coming back on-line. The line synchronization technique limits the rate of synchronization to permit undesired transient voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Thomas C. Underwood, William B. Hall, Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 6316918Abstract: An integrated system for comprehensive control of an electric power generation system utilizes state machine control having particularly defined control states and permitted control state transitions. In this way, accurate, dependable and safe control of the electric power generation system is provided. Several of these control states may be utilized in conjunction with a utility outage ride-through technique that compensates for a utility outage by predictably controlling the system to bring the system off-line and to bring the system back on-line when the utility returns. Furthermore, a line synchronization technique synchronizes the generated power with the power on the grid when coming back on-line. The line synchronization technique limits the rate of synchronization to permit undesired transient voltages.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: SatCon Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Underwood, William B. Hall, Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 6128204Abstract: A line power unit controls electrical power delivery to a grid from a three phase permanent magnet generator. A line power unit controller receives a power level command and controls a main inverter that draws DC power from a DC bus to deliver the commanded power to a grid. The DC bus is fed DC voltage via a three phase permanent magnet generator and a rectifier. The inverter delivers power to the grid via a filter, transformer and main contactor. The line power unit controller also controls the main contactor to break the connection with the grid. A precharge circuit draws power from the grid to precharge the DC bus to a precharge voltage. Alternatives include a start inverter separate from the main inverter that permits simultaneous delivery of power to the grid and commutation of the permanent magnet generator as a motor to spin an engine connected thereto at a speed sufficient to permit engine starting.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: James L. Munro, Thomas C. Underwood, Thomas C. Matty, William B. Hall, Edward T. Wagner
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Patent number: 6118238Abstract: A conventional motor controlling circuit is adapted to control an inverter that drives a permanent magnet generator as a motor to spin an engine to a speed sufficient to permit the engine to start. The commutation frequency is adjusted as a function of speed utilizing an automatic commutation frequency adjustment circuit. This circuit has multiple commutation frequency ranges that overcome a large initial bearing drag during low speed operation while still permitting high speed operation. The automatic commutation frequency adjustment circuit preferably generates first and second voltage ramps that overcome the initial bearing drag and accelerate the generator at a rate fast enough for sufficient back EMF to be generated for a closed-loop commutation phase. A speedup circuit operates during the closed-loop commutation phase to achieve the high speeds typically necessary for engine starting. The inventive circuits even permit a turbine type engine to be successfully started.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Satcon Technology CorporationInventors: James L. Munro, Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 6072302Abstract: An integrated system for comprehensive control of an electric power generation system utilizes state machine control having particularly defined control states and permitted control state transitions. In this way, accurate, dependable and safe control of the electric power generation system is provided. Several of these control states may be utilized in conjunction with a utility outage ride-through technique that compensates for a utility outage by predictably controlling the system to bring the system off-line and to bring the system back on-line when the utility returns. Furthermore, a line synchronization technique synchronizes the generated power with the power on the grid when coming back on-line. The line synchronization technique limits the rate of synchronization to permit undesired transient voltages.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Underwood, William B. Hall, Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 6055163Abstract: A communications processor is disclosed for a power generation system that permits data and control signals to be communicated to and from the power generation system and a host computer. The control signals include a power level command and power factor that are sent from a remote host to the power generation system which responds by delivering the requested power level having the desired power factor to a grid. The remote host receives performance data that permits an operator to accurately gauge the performance of the power generation system including the performance and any fault conditions of a line power unit, generator, and engine driving the generator. The communications processor unburdens the line power unit controller that is responsible for controlling power generation from the task of processing input data and driving local displays. The host may also be provided at a location remote from the power generation system.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Edward T. Wagner, Thomas C. Matty, Thomas C. Underwood, William B. Hall
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Patent number: 5193111Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the transmission of data, via a telephone network (20), between a first location (2,14,16) where data is collected and a central station (22).Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1992Date of Patent: March 9, 1993Assignee: ABB Power T&D CompanyInventors: Thomas C. Matty, Robert G. Colclaser, III, Gary O. Hitchins
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Patent number: 4698670Abstract: TV cable apparatus wherein a stereo module unit at a user location automatically provides for the presentation of an FM audo channel associated with a particular TV channel. The FM frequency allocations associated with the particular TV channels are stored ina computer memory which may be periodically revised. The cable operator periodically sends out the latest TV channel versus FM channel frequency allocation in an FSK coded data signal which is recognized by the stereo module unit which then proceeds with an updating, if required. The data signal is sent on a normally unused FM channel and in one embodiment if this channel is changed, the apparatus is operable to find the new data channel for channel map updating.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1986Date of Patent: October 6, 1987Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 4620143Abstract: An adjustable frequency AC motor drive control system includes pulse width modulation control of an inverter coupled with the motor and a programmed microprocessor which generates a cosine wave in cooperation with a sine wave and a carrier wave to provide a synthesized sine wave voltage to the motor by controlling the conduction of power switches at a rate higher than the fundamental frequency of the sine wave voltage output.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1984Date of Patent: October 28, 1986Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 4458185Abstract: A cam controller for determining the operation of an electric motor is coupled with a stepping motor to provide predetermined positional movements of the cam controller in response to a desired electric motor operation control signal and in accordance with a programmed microprocessor determined comparison of the actual electric motor current with a requested current related to the desired operation control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1983Date of Patent: July 3, 1984Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Thomas C. Matty, Dennis E. Whalen, William E. Schmitz, Pamela E. DeTine
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Patent number: 4410154Abstract: There is disclosed a transit vehicle brake control apparatus and method which determines a safe brake velocity for the vehicle in relation to a speed control relationship including roadway system design deceleration, the deceleration of the vehicle in relation to inertial space and the deceleration of the vehicle in relation to the roadway, when the actual speed is greater than the input command speed for the vehicle from the roadway. The actual speed of the vehicle is compared with the determined safe brake velocity for the control of the vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1981Date of Patent: October 18, 1983Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 4410947Abstract: In the control of adhesion between a vehicle and a track, an adaptive control is provided for reapplying the tractive effort between the vehicle and the track in accordance with the known tractive effort level at which a loss of adhesion was sensed.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1981Date of Patent: October 18, 1983Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: John D. Strong, Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 4387870Abstract: A vehicle signal shunt detection apparatus responds to a first signal to establish the presence of a vehicle including a shunt circuit and then responds to a second signal to establish that the shunt circuit is operating to provide a desired predetermined vehicle signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1981Date of Patent: June 14, 1983Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Thomas C. Matty, James H. Franz, Jr., Carol D. Parham
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Patent number: 4333150Abstract: A signal receiving apparatus and method are provided to decode an input signal to determine the presence of at least one desired frequency component in that input signal. A number of signal samples are taken in relation to the known frequency of that signal component, and data compaction and analysis operations are performed to identify that desired frequency component. A multiple comparison made with a predetermined threshold magnitude is provided to identify the frequency component in that input signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1980Date of Patent: June 1, 1982Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Thomas C. Matty, Aaron C. James
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Patent number: 4284930Abstract: A direct current motor controlling apparatus determines the operational speed of one or more direct current motors such as traction motors propelling a passenger vehicle along a track. The speed of the motor is established by changing the on and off conduction ratio or duty-cycle relationship of a switch device to determine the field current and the armature voltage of that motor. The present apparatus utilizes solid-state switch devices to determine the mode of operation of the motor control apparatus which solid-state switch devices are more reliable and more simple in operation and less expensive to maintain.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1979Date of Patent: August 18, 1981Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 4282466Abstract: There is disclosed a propulsion and brake effort control apparatus and method operative with the motors of a transit vehicle, including programmed microprocessor control apparatus for comparing the motor current desired by the vehicle control P signal with feedback information from the motor operation to determine the requested motor current by the phase angle relationship of ON and OFF pulses supplied to the current controlling chopper apparatus. The requested current and motor effort can be controlled by the operation of an effort control parameter provided in relation to high and low determined limits of the power supply line voltage, a high determined limit of the line current in relation to the motors and the current request signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1978Date of Patent: August 4, 1981Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Thomas C. Matty
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Patent number: 4278900Abstract: There is disclosed improved time slot scanner control apparatus, including a fail-safe control pulse former apparatus provided for each of a desired plurality of information time slots to sequence the data information transfer in relation to the respective track circuits operative with a transit vehicle. An information timing track is provided for sequencing this data information transfer and to reset the apparatus after each provided sequence of time slot control pulses.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1979Date of Patent: July 14, 1981Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Jayant K. Kapadia, Thomas C. Matty