Patents by Inventor Tusitha Abeyasekera
Tusitha Abeyasekera 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: 12018655Abstract: Embodiments herein describe operating wind turbines in an offshore park to provide auxiliary power to a local AC grid or to an onshore grid during a grid malfunction. In one embodiment, the offshore park is coupled via a HVDC link to an onshore grid. When the HVDC link is down, a substation in the park includes a backup generator for creating a weak grid for powering auxiliary systems in a pilot turbine. The wind turbines in the park can switch to an auxiliary control system help power the auxiliary systems in the substation and in other turbines. In another embodiment, the offshore park is AC coupled to an onshore grid using a transformer in the substation. The wind turbines can participate in a brown or black start following a grid fault by switching to operating using the auxiliary control system.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Tusitha Abeyasekera
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Patent number: 12012933Abstract: Operating a renewable energy power plant connected to a power network at a point of interconnection. The plant includes: one or more renewable energy generators connected to a collection point of the renewable energy power plant, and a connecting network connecting the collection point to the point of interconnection. One method includes: receiving one or more measurement signals indicative of measured power characteristics of the renewable energy power plant at the point of interconnection; determining a dynamic short circuit ratio (DSCR) at the point of interconnection based on the one or more measurement signals; determining an equivalent dynamic short circuit ratio (EDSCR) at the collection point based on the determined DSCR at the point of interconnection and one or more components of an impedance of the connecting network; and controlling the one or more renewable energy generators by determining and dispatching active power set points based on the determined EDSCR.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Per Hagen Nielsen
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Publication number: 20230417220Abstract: Operating a renewable energy power plant connected to a power network at a point of interconnection. The plant includes: one or more renewable energy generators connected to a collection point of the renewable energy power plant, and a connecting network connecting the collection point to the point of interconnection. One method includes: receiving one or more measurement signals indicative of measured power characteristics of the renewable energy power plant at the point of interconnection; determining a dynamic short circuit ratio (DSCR) at the point of interconnection based on the one or more measurement signals; determining an equivalent dynamic short circuit ratio (EDSCR) at the collection point based on the determined DSCR at the point of interconnection and one or more components of an impedance of the connecting network; and controlling the one or more renewable energy generators by determining and dispatching active power set points based on the determined EDSCR.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Tusitha ABEYASEKERA, Per Hagen NIELSEN
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Publication number: 20220364546Abstract: Embodiments herein describe operating wind turbines in an offshore park to provide auxiliary power to a local AC grid or to an onshore grid during a grid malfunction. In one embodiment, the offshore park is coupled via a HVDC link to an onshore grid. When the HVDC link is down, a substation in the park includes a backup generator for creating a weak grid for powering auxiliary systems in a pilot turbine. The wind turbines in the park can switch to an auxiliary control system help power the auxiliary systems in the substation and in other turbines. In another embodiment, the offshore park is AC coupled to an onshore grid using a transformer in the substation. The wind turbines can participate in a brown or black start following a grid fault by switching to operating using the auxiliary control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2020Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventor: Tusitha ABEYASEKERA
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Patent number: 11434871Abstract: Embodiments herein described provide systems and techniques for performing black start operations. For example, one embodiment provides a method for performing black start operations. The method generally includes operating a wind turbine in a wind park in a first mode to provide power to an alternating-current (AC) grid using a control system. The control system may include a reactive power control leg and an active power control leg. The method also includes switching operation of the wind turbine from the first mode to a second mode based on an indication to perform a black start of an electrical grid and by activating a controller with an integral action to thereby increase output power of the wind turbine, the controller being coupled between the reactive power control leg and the active power control leg, and providing power to the electrical grid while operating in the second mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Tusitha Abeyasekera
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Patent number: 11401916Abstract: A method 300 of controlling a wind turbine generator is disclosed. The method comprises operating 302 the wind turbine in accordance with a power curve having a knee region and monitoring 304 a temperature of at least one thermal hotspot of the wind turbine generator. The method further comprises initiating 306 a power boost to temporarily increase an active power generated by the wind turbine generator above a rated power when the wind turbine generator enters the knee region of the power curve and controlling 312 at least one of a magnitude and a duration of the power boost in dependence on the temperature of the at least one thermal hotspot of the wind turbine generator.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2021Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Sascha Dominic Erbslöh, Alex Pericleous
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Publication number: 20220082081Abstract: A method 300 of controlling a wind turbine generator is disclosed. The method comprises operating 302 the wind turbine in accordance with a power curve having a knee region and monitoring 304 a temperature of at least one thermal hotspot of the wind turbine generator. The method further comprises initiating 306 a power boost to temporarily increase an active power generated by the wind turbine generator above a rated power when the wind turbine generator enters the knee region of the power curve and controlling 312 at least one of a magnitude and a duration of the power boost in dependence on the temperature of the at least one thermal hotspot of the wind turbine generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Sascha Dominic Erbslöh, Alex Pericleous
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Patent number: 11156207Abstract: The present invention relates to operation of a wind turbine using a power storage unit, such as a rechargeable battery, to power a group of power consuming units during grid loss. The wind turbine comprises a number of power consuming units being grouped into at least a first group and a second group, a first electrical converter for connecting the generator to the electrical grid, and a second electrical converter for connecting the electrical generator to the power storage unit. Upon detecting an occurrence of the grid loss, the generator is operated to ensure sufficient power of the power storage unit to operate the first group of power consuming units.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Torben Møller Hansen, Niels Erik Danielsen, Tusitha Abeyasekera, Lars Helle, Ghada Ali Diaa Hillawi, Laurids Givskov Jørgensen, Paw Rosenvard
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Patent number: 11028831Abstract: Embodiments herein describe operating a control system for a wind turbine in a first mode and second mode of operation. When in the first mode, the wind turbine provides power to a local AC grid. However, when in the second mode, the wind turbine provides power to a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link. The control system includes a reactive power control leg and an active power control leg. To switch from the first mode to the second mode, the control system activates a PI controller coupled between the reactive and active power control legs which increases the output voltage of the wind turbine until the magnitude of the voltage activates a diode rectifier and permits the power outputted by the wind turbine to be transmitted along the HVDC link.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: MHI VESTAS OFFSHORE WIND A/SInventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Salvador Año-Villalba, Soledad Bernal Pérez, Ramon Blasco-Gimenez
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Publication number: 20210047997Abstract: Embodiments herein described provide systems and techniques for performing black start operations. For example, one embodiment provides a method for performing black start operations. The method generally includes operating a wind turbine in a wind park in a first mode to provide power to an alternating-current (AC) grid using a control system. The control system may include a reactive power control leg and an active power control leg. The method also includes switching operation of the wind turbine from the first mode to a second mode based on an indication to perform a black start of an electrical grid and by activating a controller with an integral action to thereby increase output power of the wind turbine, the controller being coupled between the reactive power control leg and the active power control leg, and providing power to the electrical grid while operating in the second mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventor: Tusitha ABEYASEKERA
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Patent number: 10897137Abstract: Embodiments herein describe operating a first wind turbine using an auxiliary control system when a high-voltage link coupling a wind park to a grid is not functioning. When using the auxiliary control system, the first wind turbine provides power to a local AC grid which can be used to power auxiliary system in a second wind turbine while the second wind turbine is shutdown. However, when the high-voltage link is functional, the first and second wind turbines provide power to the high-voltage link using a primary control system.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: MHI VESTAS OFFSHORE WIND A/SInventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Salvador Año-Villalba, Soledad Bernal Pérez, Ramon Blasco-Gimenez
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Publication number: 20200166017Abstract: The present invention relates to operation of a wind turbine using a power storage unit, such as a rechargeable battery, to power a group of power consuming units during grid loss. The wind turbine comprises a number of power consuming units being grouped into at least a first group and a second group, a first electrical converter for connecting the generator to the electrical grid, and a second electrical converter for connecting the electrical generator to the power storage unit. Upon detecting an occurrence of the grid loss, the generator is operated to ensure sufficient power of the power storage unit to operate the first group of power consuming units.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Torben Møller HANSEN, Niels Erik DANIELSEN, Tusitha ABEYASEKERA, Lars HELLE, Ghada Ali Diaa HILLAWI, Laurids Givskov JØRGENSEN, Paw ROSENVARD
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Patent number: 10590914Abstract: A method, converter arrangement, and controller are disclosed for connecting an output of a converter with an electrical grid to control inrush currents into a grid filter assembly connected with the output of the converter, the electrical grid carrying an alternating current (AC) signal having one or more phases. The method includes determining a voltage of the AC signal and operating, after pre-charging a direct current (DC) link of the converter to a predetermined voltage, the converter using open-loop voltage control to produce an AC output signal that substantially matches the AC signal of the electrical grid. The open-loop voltage control is based on the determined voltage of the AC signal. The method further includes closing, after a predetermined amount of time of operating the converter using the open-loop voltage control, a switching device to thereby connect the output of the converter with the electrical grid.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Duy Duc Doan, Gert Karmisholt Andersen, Lars Helle, Søren Andersen, Tune Pedersen, John Godsk Nielsen
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Patent number: 10483865Abstract: A wind turbine generator 1 supplies three-phase a.c. current of variable voltage and variable frequency to two pairs of rectifiers 4a, 4b and 4c, 4d which generate respective d.c. outputs connected to positive, negative and neutral d.c. conductors 6, 7, 8. The outputs from each pair of rectifiers are connected together, and the outputs from the two pairs are connected in series to create a high-voltage d.c. output. Inverters 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d then convert the d.c. power to a.c. at a fixed frequency and voltage suitable for connection to the mains grid. To reduce the effect of common-mode noise, a capacitor is connected between the 1 neutral conductor 7 and earth, and a respective filter circuit 30 is connected between each of the a.c. outputs of the inverters 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d and earth. To reduce the effect of voltage surges during lightning, a surge protection device is also connected between the neutral d.c. conductor 7 and earth.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Duy Duc Doan, Lars Helle, Allan Holm Jørgensen, John Godsk Nielsen, Søren Andersen
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Publication number: 20190309728Abstract: Embodiments herein describe operating a control system for a wind turbine in a first mode and second mode of operation. When in the first mode, the wind turbine provides power to a local AC grid. However, when in the second mode, the wind turbine provides power to a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link. The control system includes a reactive power control leg and an active power control leg. To switch from the first mode to the second mode, the control system activates a PI controller coupled between the reactive and active power control legs which increases the output voltage of the wind turbine until the magnitude of the voltage activates a diode rectifier and permits the power outputted by the wind turbine to be transmitted along the HVDC link.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind A/SInventors: Tusitha ABEYASEKERA, Salvador ANO-VILLALBA, Soiedad BERNAL PEREZ, Ramon BLASCO-GiMENEZ
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Publication number: 20190260208Abstract: Embodiments herein describe operating a first wind turbine using an auxiliary control system when a high-voltage link coupling a wind park to a grid is not functioning. When using the auxiliary control system, the first wind turbine provides power to a local AC grid which can be used to power auxiliary system in a second wind turbine while the second wind turbine is shutdown. However, when the high-voltage link is functional, the first and second wind turbines provide power to the high-voltage link using a primary control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Tusitha ABEYASEKERA, Salvador ANO-VILLALBA, Soledad BERNAL PEREZ, Ramon BLASCO-GIMENEZ
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Patent number: 10250042Abstract: A wind turbine converter system with a rectifier and an inverter and a converter controller has at least first and second converter strings. The converter system is controlled by a master-converter controller and a slave-converter controller. The master-converter controller controls the first converter string and the slave-converter controller controls the second converter string. The master-converter controller receives commands from a superordinate wind turbine controller, provides the slave-converter controller with string-control commands on the basis of the superordinate control commands, and controls the conversion operation of the first converter string on the basis of the superordinate control command. The slave-converter controller receives the string-control commands from the master-converter controller and controls the conversion operation of the second converter string on the basis of the string-control commands received.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Duy Duc Doan, Lars Helle, Søren Andersen, John Godsk Nielsen
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Patent number: 10186470Abstract: A heat sink for cooling at least one power semiconductor module, and that includes a basin for containing a cooling liquid. The basin has a contact rim for receiving the base plate and that includes a surface that is sloped inwards to the basin.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Thomas Lundgren Andersen, Henrik B. Møller, Ove Styhm
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Publication number: 20180112647Abstract: A method, converter arrangement, and controller are disclosed for connecting an output of a converter with an electrical grid to control inrush currents into a grid filter assembly connected with the output of the converter, the electrical grid carrying an alternating current (AC) signal having one or more phases. The method includes determining a voltage of the AC signal and operating, after pre-charging a direct current (DC) link of the converter to a predetermined voltage, the converter using open-loop voltage control to produce an AC output signal that substantially matches the AC signal of the electrical grid. The open-loop voltage control is based on the determined voltage of the AC signal. The method further includes closing, after a predetermined amount of time of operating the converter using the open-loop voltage control, a switching device to thereby connect the output of the converter with the electrical grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Tusitha ABEYASEKERA, Duy Duc DOAN, Gert Karmisholt ANDERSEN, Lars HELLE, Søren ANDERSEN, Tune Pedersen, John Godsk Nielen
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Publication number: 20170331295Abstract: A wind turbine converter system with a rectifier and an inverter and a converter controller has at least first and second converter strings. The converter system is controlled by a master-converter controller and a slave-converter controller. The master-converter controller controls the first converter string and the slave-converter controller controls the second converter string. The master-converter controller receives commands from a superordinate wind turbine controller, provides the slave-converter controller with string-control commands on the basis of the superordinate control commands, and controls the conversion operation of the first converter string on the basis of the superordinate control command. The slave-converter controller receives the string-control commands from the master-converter controller and controls the conversion operation of the second converter string on the basis of the string-control commands received.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Tusitha ABEYASEKERA, Duy Duc DOAN, Lars HELLE, Søren ANDERSEN, John Godsk NIELSEN