Patents by Inventor Thomas Hjort
Thomas Hjort 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: 10693404Abstract: A method to control a wind power installation is provided. The wind power installation includes a generator and a converter. The generator is configured to convert wind power into electrical power and to provide the electrical power from the generator to the converter. The converter is configured to adapt and to provide the electrical power to an electrical grid. The converter is operable to comply with pre-determined grid code requirements during a grid fault. An amount of electrical power, which is present in the wind power installation during the grid fault, is fed into the generator. The generator is operable to convert the respective amount of electrical power into a generator loss.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Kurt Andersen, Per Egedal, Thomas Hjort
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Patent number: 9903343Abstract: A wind turbine is arranged to operate in a fully-functional converter mode and a faulty-converter mode. A plurality of converters are arranged to share electric current in the fully-functional converter mode. The converters are dimensioned not only to operate at nominal active current but to provide an over-current margin to enable reactive current to be produced on top of the nominal active current in the fully-functional converter mode. In the fully-functional converter mode the converters are caused to produce reactive current on top of the nominal active current. In response to a fault of one or more of the converters, operation is changed from the fully-functional converter mode to the faulty-converter mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Thomas Hjort
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Patent number: 9897074Abstract: A wind turbine is arranged to operate in a fully-functional converter mode and a faulty-converter mode. A plurality of converters are arranged to share electric current in the fully-functional converter mode. The converters are dimensioned not only to operate at nominal active current but to provide an over-current margin to enable reactive current to be produced on top of the nominal active current in the fully-functional converter mode. In the fully-functional converter mode the converters are caused to produce reactive current on top of the nominal active current. In response to a fault of one or more of the converters, operation is changed from the fully-functional converter mode to the faulty-converter mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Thomas Hjort
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Patent number: 9781860Abstract: A method (19) of cooling a heat generating device (2) where the cooling rate (17, 18) of the heat generating device (2) is determined using the rate of change of the temperature (16) of the heat generating device (2).Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Danfoss Power Electronics A/SInventor: Thomas Hjort
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Publication number: 20170104429Abstract: A method to control a wind power installation is provided. The wind power installation includes a generator and a converter. The generator is configured to convert wind power into electrical power and to provide the electrical power from the generator to the converter. The converter is configured to adapt and to provide the electrical power to an electrical grid. The converter is operable to comply with pre-determined grid code requirements during a grid fault. An amount of electrical power, which is present in the wind power installation during the grid fault, is fed into the generator. The generator is operable to convert the respective amount of electrical power into a generator loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: KURT ANDERSEN, PER EGEDAL, THOMAS HJORT
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Patent number: 9442004Abstract: A sensor system for measuring an operating parameter of a wind turbine component is described. The fiber optic sensor system comprises a light source for outputting light in a predetermined range of wavelengths, and an optical fiber comprising a long Fiber Bragg Grating, extending continuously over a length of the optical fiber to provide a continuous measurement region in the optical fiber. The optical fiber is coupled to the wind turbine component such that the continuous measurement region is located at a region of the wind turbine component to be sensed, and such that the grating period at each location in the continuous measurement period is dependent upon the value of the operating parameter at that location. A light detector receives light from the optical fiber, and provides an output signal to the controller indicating the intensity of the received light; based on the detected light, a value for the operating parameter is determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Lars Glavind, Thomas Hjort, Ib Svend Olesen
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Patent number: 9239249Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber for a fiber optic sensor, comprising a first optical grating adapted to operate over a first range of wavelengths; and at least one set of further gratings adapted to operate over a second range of wavelengths, each grating being adapted to operate over a portion of the second range; wherein, each grating within said set has an operating range that partially overlaps with at least one other such grating operating range. The invention also extends to a sensor system, and method, using such an optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Thomas Hjort, Lars Glavind
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Patent number: 9041236Abstract: A wind turbine includes a nacelle which accommodates at least a generator and power electronics electrically interconnected between the generator and a power grid. At least one power electronic component is removably arranged in the nacelle in a region positioned between a floor level of the nacelle and a lower limiting surface, e.g. a bottom wall, of the nacelle. The space available in the interior parts of the nacelle is thereby utilized to a greater extent than in prior art wind turbines, and replacement of a power electronic component can be performed using ordinary lifting equipment. Furthermore, the risk of injury to maintenance personnel is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Gerner Larsen, Thomas Hjort
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Publication number: 20150123404Abstract: A wind turbine is arranged to operate in a fully-functional converter mode and a faulty-converter mode. A plurality of converters are arranged to share electric current in the fully-functional converter mode. The converters are dimensioned not only to operate at nominal active current but to provide an over-current margin to enable reactive current to be produced on top of the nominal active current in the fully-functional converter mode. In the fully-functional converter mode the converters are caused to produce reactive current on top of the nominal active current. In response to a fault of one or more of the converters, operation is changed from the fully-functional converter mode to the faulty-converter mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventor: Thomas HJORT
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Publication number: 20150115611Abstract: A wind turbine is arranged to operate in a fully-functional converter mode and a faulty-converter mode. A plurality of converters are arranged to share electric current in the fully-functional converter mode. The converters are dimensioned not only to operate at nominal active current but to provide an over-current margin to enable reactive current to be produced on top of the nominal active current in the fully-functional converter mode. In the fully-functional converter mode the converters are caused to produce reactive current on top of the nominal active current. In response to a fault of one or more of the converters, operation is changed from the fully-functional converter mode to the faulty-converter mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2015Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: Thomas HJORT
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Patent number: 8957535Abstract: A wind turbine is arranged to operate in a fully-functional converter mode and a faulty-converter mode. A plurality of converters are arranged to share electric current in the fully-functional converter mode. The converters are dimensioned not only to operate at nominal active current but to provide an over-current margin to enable reactive current to be produced on top of the nominal active current in the fully-functional converter mode. In the fully-functional converter mode the converters are caused to produce reactive current on top of the nominal active current. In response to a fault of one or more of the converters, operation is changed from the fully-functional converter mode to the faulty-converter mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Thomas Hjort
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Publication number: 20140345846Abstract: The invention relates to method (19) of cooling a heat generating device (2). The cooling rate (17, 18) of said heat generating device (2) is determined, at least in part and/or at least at times, based on the rate of change of temperature (16) of the heat generating device (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Danfoss Solar Inverters A/SInventor: Thomas Hjort
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Publication number: 20140239166Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fibre for a fibre optic sensor, comprising a first optical grating adapted to operate over a first range of wavelengths; and at least one set of further gratings adapted to operate over a second range of wavelengths, each grating being adapted to operate over a portion of the second range; wherein, each grating within said set has an operating range that partially overlaps with at least one other such grating operating range. The invention also extends to a sensor system, and method, using such an optical fibre.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Thomas Hjort, Lars Glavind
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Patent number: 8742609Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine facility during for example a grid fault, the wind turbine facility comprising a power dissipation/storage being adapted to dissipate or store electrical energy exceeding an amount to be delivered to an associated power supply grid during the grid fault. The method includes operating the wind turbine facility in accordance with an allowed amount of electrical energy that can be dissipated or stored in the power dissipation/storage of the wind turbine facility by ensuring that a total amount of electrical energy generated by the wind turbine facility does not exceed a sum of the allowed amount and the amount to be delivered to the power supply grid.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Lars Helle, Thomas Hjort, Thomas Lundgren Andersen
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Publication number: 20130300117Abstract: A system for a wind turbine comprises: one or more devices (12)(30) operatively mounted on a wind turbine (1) for generating an output signal during use; and a voltage source (22)(32) in electrical connection with the one or more devices (12)(30) for powering the one or more devices during use. The voltage source (22)(32) comprises at least one layer of a voltage generating material (24) in the form of a dielectric electroactive polymer capable of producing a voltage upon deformation. The at least one layer of voltage generating material is incorporated into a wind turbine component (5)(2) which is subject to deformation during operation of the wind turbine (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Thomas Hjort
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Publication number: 20130278918Abstract: A sensor system for measuring an operating parameter of a wind turbine component is described. The fibre optic sensor system comprises a light source for outputting light in a predetermined range of wavelengths, and an optical fibre comprising a long Fibre Bragg Grating, extending continuously over a length of the optical fibre to provide a continuous measurement region in the optical fibre. The optical fibre is coupled to the wind turbine component such that the continuous measurement region is located at a region of the wind turbine component to be sensed, and such that the grating period at each location in the continuous measurement period is dependent upon the value of the operating parameter at that location. A light detector receives light from the optical fibre, and provides an output signal to the controller indicating the intensity of the received light; based on the detected light, a value for the operating parameter is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Lars Glavind, Thomas Hjort, Ib Svend Olesen
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Patent number: 8134941Abstract: A method of receiving a signal in bursts including frames each including payload data and error correction data received in separate time periods, the bursts being separated by time intervals during which power is saved by disabling at least some signal processing components of the receiver, signal processing components of the receiver are disabled to save power before all the error correction data for all the frames in the burst is received.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Morten Gade, Kim Schneider, Thomas Hjort Christensen, Frank Fitzek, Ole Olsen
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Publication number: 20110309629Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a nacelle (1) is disclosed. The nacelle (1) accommodates at least a generator (3) and power electronics electrically interconnected between the generator (3) and a power grid. At least one power electronic component (10, 11, 12) is removably arranged in the nacelle (1) in a region positioned between a floor level of the nacelle (1) and a lower limiting surface, e.g. a bottom wall, of the nacelle (1). The space available in the interior parts of the nacelle (1) is thereby utilised to a greater extent than in prior art wind turbines, and replacement of a power electronic component (10, 11, 12) can be performed using ordinary lifting equipment. Furthermore, the risk of injury to maintenance personnel is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Gerner Larsen, Thomas Hjort
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Publication number: 20110278852Abstract: According to the present invention is provided a wind turbine nacelle comprising wind turbine components. The nacelle also comprises a load carrying structure including a base member (21) establishing a connection between the wind turbine rotor and tower, at least one tie member (22), and at least one strut member (19) carrying one or more of said wind turbine components. The tie and strut members are connected at one end to each other and at the opposite ends to different positions on the base member for establishing one or more closed structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Thomas Hjort
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Publication number: 20110267598Abstract: A sensor system and method for a power electronics module is discussed. The system comprises a optical fibre 318 mounted inside the module housing 302 and connected to an external sensor system 320 (not shown). The optical fibre 318 is arranged so that it lies proximate to one or more semiconductor dies 308 within the housing, and can sense their temperature. The fibre can be connected to the die 308 by glue, mechanical connection, or can in other examples by provided in the underlying support structure such as a DCB (direct copper bonded ceramic structure) or base plate 304. The fibre can contain an optical grating, such as an FBG or LPG, or can operate based on interferometry, to detect temperature or strain.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Thomas Hjort, Lars Glavind