Patents by Inventor Wayne Allen Schulz

Wayne Allen Schulz 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).

  • Patent number: 10153641
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extending black-start availability using energy storage systems can be provided. In one example implementation, a method includes detecting, by one or more controllers, a disconnection of the power system from a power grid; obtaining, by the one or more controllers, data indicative of the amount of energy present in a first energy storage system; obtaining, by the one or more controllers, data indicative of an amount of energy associated with powering one or more loads coupled to the power system; and determining, by the one or more controllers, to activate the auxiliary power source based at least in part on the amount of energy present in the first energy storage system and the amount of energy associated with powering the one or more loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wayne Allen Schulz, Douglas Gene Austin, Bennett Steven Sheron
  • Patent number: 10141744
    Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating a short circuit current associated with an energy storage system are provided. In one embodiment, an energy storage system can include an energy storage device and a switching power supply coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage system can further include one or more cables configured to couple the energy storage device to the switching power supply, and a magnetic framework positioned proximate the one or more cables. The magnetic framework can include one or more magnetic structures and can span at least a portion of the length of the cables. The one or more cables are positioned in a physical arrangement that, in conjunction with the magnetic framework, facilitates a selected inductance between the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Wayne Allen Schulz, Douglas Austin, Abiyu Negede
  • Publication number: 20180248379
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extending black-start availability using energy storage systems can be provided. In one example implementation, a method includes detecting, by one or more controllers, a disconnection of the power system from a power grid; obtaining, by the one or more controllers, data indicative of the amount of energy present in a first energy storage system; obtaining, by the one or more controllers, data indicative of an amount of energy associated with powering one or more loads coupled to the power system; and determining, by the one or more controllers, to activate the auxiliary power source based at least in part on the amount of energy present in the first energy storage system and the amount of energy associated with powering the one or more loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Wayne Allen Schulz, Douglas Gene Austin, Bennett Steven Sheron
  • Publication number: 20170338656
    Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating a short circuit current associated with an energy storage system are provided. In one embodiment, an energy storage system can include an energy storage device and a switching power supply coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage system can further include one or more cables configured to couple the energy storage device to the switching power supply, and a magnetic framework positioned proximate the one or more cables. The magnetic framework can include one or more magnetic structures and can span at least a portion of the length of the cables. The one or more cables are positioned in a physical arrangement that, in conjunction with the magnetic framework, facilitates a selected inductance between the cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Wayne Allen Schulz, Douglas Austin, Abiyu Negede
  • Publication number: 20170310234
    Abstract: Systems and methods associated with example power converter systems are disclosed. For instance, a power converter system can include a power converter couplable to an input power source and configured to generate an output power substantially at a grid frequency. The power converter can include one or more inverter bridge circuits, each associated with an output phase of the power converter. Each inverter bridge circuit can include one or more first switching modules having a pair of switching elements coupled in series with one another, and an output coupled between the pair of switching elements. At least one switching element of each first switching module includes a reverse blocking transistor. The power converter further includes one or more input bridge circuits having a plurality of second switching modules coupled in parallel, each second switching module comprising a pair of silicon carbide transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Lukas Mercer Hansen, Wayne Allen Schulz, Bennett Steven Sheron, Douglas Austin
  • Publication number: 20170222552
    Abstract: Power converters that can allow for the transfer of DC power between a ground-referenced bus and a floating system are provided. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a ground-referenced DC bus associated with a DC voltage. The power converter further includes a first switching element, a second switching element, and a third switching element coupled in series between the ground-referenced DC bus and a ground reference. The power converter further includes a floating system associated with a floating DC voltage. The floating system can include a first terminal coupled to a first node between the first switching element and the second switching element. The floating system can further include a second terminal coupled to a second node between the second switching element and the third switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Bennett Steven Sheron, Lukas Mercer Hansen, Wayne Allen Schulz
  • Patent number: 9722493
    Abstract: Power converters that can allow for the transfer of DC power between a ground-referenced bus and a floating system are provided. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a ground-referenced DC bus associated with a DC voltage. The power converter further includes a first switching element, a second switching element, and a third switching element coupled in series between the ground-referenced DC bus and a ground reference. The power converter further includes a floating system associated with a floating DC voltage. The floating system can include a first terminal coupled to a first node between the first switching element and the second switching element. The floating system can further include a second terminal coupled to a second node between the second switching element and the third switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bennett Steven Sheron, Lukas Mercer Hansen, Wayne Allen Schulz