Patents by Inventor Wayne Kenneth Aldridge
Wayne Kenneth Aldridge 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: 7886985Abstract: This invention relates to domestic heat and power systems that allow efficient methods of operating a domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit and to energy-efficient methods of scheduling domestic appliance operation within a household having a dchp unit. Dchp units provide heating and hot water for the home and also generate electricity for use in the home. A domestic heat and power system is provided that comprises a dchp unit, a dchp unit controller, a programmer module and an energy scheduler linked to allow communication therebetween, wherein the programmer module receives data input and generates a heating and/or hot water schedule therefrom, the dchp unit controller determines operating times of the dchp unit in accordance with the schedule and provides the operating times to the energy scheduler that then operates the domestic appliance during operating times.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Microgen Engine Corporation Holding B.V.Inventors: Nigel Graham Moore, Heather Allderidge, Frank Ferdinandi, Christopher John Spenceley, Adrian Robin Richardson, Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, David Anthony Clark, Alan William McCarthy-Wyper
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Patent number: 7825640Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided, for connecting prime mover driven alternator to circuit that has an existing alternating current. Alternator is connected to circuit when minimum current flows to or from alternator. The actual current is measured by controller following connection and the value of this current is used to determine the optimal connection conditions when alternator is next connected. Alternator is disconnected by controller by running down prime mover, monitoring the current and stalling prime mover when the current flow is at a minimum.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Microgen Engine Corporation Holding B.V.Inventors: James Robert Lowrie, Wayne Kenneth Aldridge
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Patent number: 7705479Abstract: A Stirling engine (1) includes a reciprocating piston which drives an alternator to provide an electrical output (7). The current signal (7) is measured by a current monitor (60) and a fast Fourier Transform value is produced. The FFT of the current signal (7) has been found to be directly related to the stability of operation of the Stirling engine. As harmonic peaks in the FFT increase, this indicates that the stroke length of the piston is approaching or exceeding a safe maximum. Correction action, such as a reduction in heat to the Stirling engine, can be taken in consequence. A variety of stroke length detectors (110) are also disclosed, for use in combination with, or separately from, the FFT analysis of the current signal (7). Optical and mechanical switches and analogue sensors are disclosed, along with an accelerometer mounted upon the casing of the Stirling engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Microgen Engine Corporation Holding B.V.Inventors: Christopher John Spenceley, Roger Stuart Silcock, Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, Jarlath Michael McEntee, Stephen Charles Welty, Gordon Smith, Christopher Mark Hardingham
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Publication number: 20090230928Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided, for connecting prime mover driven alternator to circuit that has an existing alternating current. Alternator is connected to circuit when minimum current flows to or from alternator. The actual current is measured by controller following connection and the value of this current is used to determine the optimal connection conditions when alternator is next connected. Alternator is disconnected by controller by running down prime mover, monitoring the current and stalling prime mover when the current flow is at a minimum.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: MICROGEN ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: James Robert Lowrie, Wayne Kenneth Aldridge
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Patent number: 7545124Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided, for connecting prime mover driven alternator to circuit that has an existing alternating current. Alternator is connected to circuit when minimum current flows to or from alternator. The actual current is measured by controller following connection and the value of this current is used to determine the optimal connection conditions when alternator is next connected. Alternator is disconnected by controller by running down prime mover, monitoring the current and stalling prime mover when the current flow is at a minimum.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Microgen Energy LimitedInventors: James Robert Lowrie, Wayne Kenneth Aldridge
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Publication number: 20080296896Abstract: A Stirling engine includes a reciprocating piston which drives an alternator to provide an electrical output. The current signal is measured by a current monitor and a fast Fourier Transform value is produced. The FFT of the current signal has been found to be directly related to the stability of operation of the Stirling engine. As harmonic peaks in the FFT increase, this indicates that the stroke length of the piston is approaching or exceeding a safe maximum. Correction action, such as a reduction in heat to the Stirling engine, can be taken in consequence. A variety of stroke length detectors are also disclosed, for use in combination with, or separately from, the FFT analysis of the current signal. Optical and mechanical switches and analogue sensors are disclosed, along with an accelerometer mounted upon the casing of the Stirling engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2005Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: MICROGEN ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Christopher John Spenceley, Roger Stuart Silcock, Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, Jarlath Michael McEntee, Stephen Charles Welty, Gordon Smith, Christpher Mark Hardingham
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Patent number: 7459799Abstract: A domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit includes a Stirling engine 1 to provide heat for a domestic dwelling along with a source of electrical power. Under normal operation, the dchp is supplied with power from the national grid. When there is an interruption in the mains power from the grid, the dchp switches into a grid independent mode wherein power is generated by the dchp and is supplied to a controller 26 and to a water pump so as to maintain integrity of heat supply to the dwelling; the remaining power after that is supplied to selected domestic electrically powered equipment such as lights or television sets. The invention also discloses methods for black start of the dchp during a mains power loss, and also modification of the operating voltage on start up of electrical equipment during a power loss, to prevent the Stirling engine stalling.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Microgen Energy LimitedInventors: Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, David Anthony Clark, George McChesney Francis, Heather Allderidge, Graham Richard Roberts
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Patent number: 7080449Abstract: A method and a connector arrangement for connecting and disconnecting an electrical generator, such as a prime mover driven alternator (10), to a circuit with an existing alternating current such as the mains electricity supply (20).Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: BG Intellectual Property Ltd.Inventors: Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, George McChesney Francis, Isobel Dorothy Rea
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Patent number: 6941754Abstract: The heating appliance, and particularly a dchp system, comprising two burners (3, 17). A splitter valve (23) splits a stream of air (24) into two streams, one for each burner. Combustible fuel is mixed with the air. A controller controls the combustible fuel, and the splitter valve position, thereby controlling the portion of air fed to each burner.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Microgen Energy LimitedInventors: Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, David Anthony Clark, James Robert Lowrie, Stephen Michael Hasko, Heather Allderidge
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Patent number: 6935108Abstract: A fan assembly comprising two fans (4, 10) for supplying combustible gases to two burners (5, 9) respectively. The flow parts from the first and second burners are combined in a common manifold. Temperature censor (6, 11) detect the temperature of the gases passing through each fan, and the speed of a particular fan is increased if the temperature sensor detects reverse flow of combustion gases.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Microgen Energy LimitedInventors: Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, David Anthony Clark, Heather Allderidge
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Publication number: 20040250538Abstract: The heating appliance, and particularly a dchp system, comprising two burners (3, 17). A splitter valve (23) splits a stream of air (24) into two streams, one for each burner. Combustible fuel is mixed with the air. A controller controls the combustible fuel, and the splitter valve position, thereby controlling the portion of air fed to each burner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, David Anthony Clark, James Robert Lowrie, Stephen Michael Hasko, Heather Allderidge
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Publication number: 20040237520Abstract: A fan assembly comprising two fans (4, 10) for supplying combustible gases to two burners (5, 9) respectively. The flow parts from the first and second burners are combined in a common manifold. Temperature censor (6, 11) detect the temperature of the gases passing through each fan, and the speed of a particular fan is increased if the temperature sensor detects reverse flow of combustion gases.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, David Anthony Clark, Heather Allderidge
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Publication number: 20030102847Abstract: A method and a connector arrangement for connecting and disconnecting an electrical generator, such as a prime mover driven alternator (10), to a circuit with an existing alternating current such as the mains electricity supply (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Wayne Kenneth Aldridge, George McChesney Francis, Isobel Dorothy Rea