Patents by Inventor Timothy N. Thacker

Timothy N. Thacker 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).

  • Use of PLL stability for islanding detection
    Patent number: 8823416
    Abstract: A phase detector for a phase-locked loop includes a phase detector that is configured to become unstable, oscillate and drift rapidly in frequency in a predictable manner when a reference frequency signal is not available. When applied, for example, to a power converter connected to a power distribution grid, the predictable oscillatory and rapid frequency drift behavior when the phase detector is unstable allows very rapid and reliable detection of disconnection from the grid, referred to as islanding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy N. Thacker, Dushan Boroyevich, Fred Wang, Rolando Burgos
  • USE OF PLL STABILITY FOR ISLANDING DETECTION
    Publication number: 20120013376
    Abstract: A phase detector for a phase-locked loop includes a phase detector that is configured to become unstable, oscillate and drift rapidly in frequency in a predictable manner when a reference frequency signal is not available. When applied, for example, to a power converter connected to a power distribution grid, the predictable oscillatory and rapid frequency drift behavior when the phase detector is unstable allows very rapid and reliable detection of disconnection from the grid, referred to as islanding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy N. Thacker, Dusban Boroyevich, Fred Wang