Patents by Inventor Werner Gerhard Barton
Werner Gerhard Barton 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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Publication number: 20230147903Abstract: It is provided a wind turbine and methods of operating a wind turbine as described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Werner Gerhard Barton, Parag Rameshchandra Dharmadhikari
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Publication number: 20230067244Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system comprising a structure being prone to lightning strikes and icing, wherein the structure comprises a shielding arrangement electrically connected to a lightning arrangement, an electric heating arrangement connected to a power source for mitigating icing of the structure, and an electrical insulation arrangement being effectively provided between the shielding arrangement and the electric heating arrangement. A power source is configured for applying a predetermined amount of electric test- and/or maintenance-energy such that the electric test- and/or maintenance-energy is effectively present between the shielding arrangement and the electric heating arrangement. A determination device is electrically connected to the shielding arrangement and to the electric heating arrangement in a way that the shield-heating-voltage and/or the shield-heating-current being present between the shielding arrangement and the electric heating arrangement can be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Parag Rameshchandra Dharmadhikari, Stephan Klümper, Victor Miranda, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Patent number: 11552584Abstract: The system and method described herein provide grid-forming control of a power generating asset having a generator, such as a double-fed generator, connected to a power grid. Accordingly, a stator-frequency error is determined for the generator. The components of the stator frequency error are identified as a damping component corresponding to a tower damping frequency and a stator component. Based on the stator component, a power output requirement for the generator is determined. This power output requirement is combined with the damping power command to develop a consolidated power requirement for the generator. Based on the consolidated power requirement, at least one control command for the generator is determined and an operating state of the generator is altered.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.Inventors: Veena Padmarao, Kapil Jha, Subbarao Tatikonda, Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Werner Gerhard Barton, Vaidhya Nath Venkitanarayanan, Shan Shine
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Patent number: 11456645Abstract: A method for controlling an inverter-based resource having an asynchronous machine connected to a power grid to provide grid-forming control of the inverter-based resource includes coupling at least one additional device to terminals of a first converter of the inverter-based resource. Further, the method includes emulating, via a controller, at least one of the at least one additional device or the first converter as a first virtual synchronous machine. Moreover, the method includes coordinating, via the controller, operation of the first virtual synchronous machine and a second converter of the inverter-based resource using a vector-control approach to control at least one of voltage and frequency at a point of interconnection between the inverter-based resource and the power grid in a closed loop manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.Inventors: Shan Shine, Kapil Jha, Veena Padmarao, Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Subbarao Tatikonda, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Publication number: 20220190681Abstract: A method for controlling an inverter-based resource having an asynchronous machine connected to a power grid to provide grid-forming control of the inverter-based resource includes coupling at least one additional device to terminals of a first converter of the inverter-based resource. Further, the method includes emulating, via a controller, at least one of the at least one additional device or the first converter as a first virtual synchronous machine. Moreover, the method includes coordinating, via the controller, operation of the first virtual synchronous machine and a second converter of the inverter-based resource using a vector-control approach to control at least one of voltage and frequency at a point of interconnection between the inverter-based resource and the power grid in a closed loop manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Shan Shine, Kapil Jha, Veena Padmarao, Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Subbarao Tatikonda, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Patent number: 10865773Abstract: A method for compensating for flicker induced by a wind turbine power system connected to a power grid includes operating a power converter of the wind turbine power system based on a nominal reactive current command and a nominal torque command. In response to receiving a periodic torque command modifier, the method includes determining a reactive current command modifier for the power converter based on one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine power system and/or the power grid and the torque command modifier. The method also includes simultaneously modifying the nominal reactive current command as a function of the reactive current command modifier and the nominal torque command as a function of the torque command modifier. Accordingly, modifying the nominal torque command causes low-frequency voltage variations in the power grid and simultaneously modifying the reactive current command attenuates the low-frequency voltage variations.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Smith, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Publication number: 20200370536Abstract: A method for compensating for flicker induced by a wind turbine power system connected to a power grid includes operating a power converter of the wind turbine power system based on a nominal reactive current command and a nominal torque command. In response to receiving a periodic torque command modifier, the method includes determining a reactive current command modifier for the power converter based on one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine power system and/or the power grid and the torque command modifier. The method also includes simultaneously modifying the nominal reactive current command as a function of the reactive current command modifier and the nominal torque command as a function of the torque command modifier. Accordingly, modifying the nominal torque command causes low-frequency voltage variations in the power grid and simultaneously modifying the reactive current command attenuates the low-frequency voltage variations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2019Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: David Smith, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Patent number: 10294920Abstract: A method for operating a turbine having a rotor including a hub and at least one blade rotatably arranged around its longitudinal axis at the hub, an induction generator having a stator and rotor coupled to the turbine shaft, a pitch drive system having an actuator, a control system, and a measuring device. The method includes: measuring the operational value of a component of the pitch drive system and adjusting the angle to the target pitch angle, wherein the wind turbine is operated according to at least two operational modes. During a first mode, a first target pitch angle is determined at least according to a power curve of the wind turbine or measured wind speed. During a second mode, a second target pitch angle is determined by adding a pitch offset to the first target pitch and is activated when the measured operational value exceeds a predefined activation threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Werner Gerhard Barton, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Christoph Wolters
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Patent number: 9893563Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a wind turbine electrical power configured to minimize power losses. The power system includes a generator having a generator stator and a generator rotor, a power converter electrically coupled to the generator, a main transformer electrically coupled to the power converter and the power grid, and an auxiliary transformer. More specifically, the main transformer is connected to the power grid via a voltage line comprising a voltage switch gear. Thus, the auxiliary transformer is connected directly to the voltage line, i.e. rather than being connected to the grid through the main transformer.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Till Hoffmann, Werner Gerhard Barton, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink
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Patent number: 9828971Abstract: System and methods for optimizing operation of a wind turbine are disclosed. In one aspect, the method also includes determining, via a converter controller of a power converter, a tap position of a tap changer configured between the power grid and a primary winding of a transformer. Another step includes calculating, via the converter controller, a primary voltage of the primary winding as a function of the tap position. The method also includes implementing, via the converter controller, a control action if the primary voltage or a measured secondary voltage of a secondary winding of the transformer is outside of a predetermined voltage range.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Igor Berroteran Gil, Anthony Michael Klodowski, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Patent number: 9745957Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a method for initializing a startup sequence of a wind turbine. The method includes a step of defining a plurality of operating conditions of the wind turbine. As such, upon satisfaction of the plurality of operating conditions, a run-ready signal may be generated, wherein the run-ready signal indicates a readiness of a power converter of the wind turbine to generate power. The method may also include defining a subset of the plurality of operating conditions, wherein the subset of operating conditions are independent of speed conditions of the wind turbine. Another step of the method includes generating a spin-ready signal for the wind turbine upon satisfaction of the subset of operating conditions. The method may also include controlling a rotor of the wind turbine based at least in part on the spin-ready signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Allen Seymour, Anthony Michael Klodowski, David Smith, Igor Berroteran Gil, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Publication number: 20170229907Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a wind turbine electrical power configured to minimize power losses. The power system includes a generator having a generator stator and a generator rotor, a power converter electrically coupled to the generator, a main transformer electrically coupled to the power converter and the power grid, and an auxiliary transformer. More specifically, the main transformer is connected to the power grid via a voltage line comprising a voltage switch gear. Thus, the auxiliary transformer is connected directly to the voltage line, i.e. rather than being connected to the grid through the main transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Till Hoffmann, Werner Gerhard Barton, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink
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Publication number: 20170082090Abstract: A method for operating a turbine having a rotor including a hub and at least one blade rotatably arranged around its longitudinal axis at the hub, an induction generator having a stator and rotor coupled to the turbine shaft, a pitch drive system having an actuator, a control system, and a measuring device. The method includes: measuring the operational value of a component of the pitch drive system and adjusting the angle to the target pitch angle, wherein the wind turbine is operated according to at least two operational modes. During a first mode, a first target pitch angle is determined at least according to a power curve of the wind turbine or measured wind speed. During a second mode, a second target pitch angle is determined by adding a pitch offset to the first target pitch and is activated when the measured operational value exceeds a predefined activation threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Werner Gerhard BARTON, Hartmut SCHOLTE-WASSINK, Christoph WOLTERS
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Patent number: 9494139Abstract: A method for controlling the power output of a wind turbine, which includes a transformer with multiple taps, is provided. The method includes sensing a voltage of the transformer during operation of the wind turbine, determining the reactive power, and automatically maintaining a set value of the reactive power by controlling the output voltage of the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Werner Gerhard Barton, Carsten Junge, Stephan Wachtel, Michael Ginzburg
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Patent number: 9458831Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a renewable energy system based on actual reactive power capability of the renewable energy system are provided. The reactive power output of the renewable energy system can be controlled based at least in part on an initial reactive power limit. The initial reactive power limit can be determined based on rated reactive power for the power generation units in the renewable energy system. When a difference between a reactive power demand and the actual reactive power production of the renewable energy system fall outside a threshold, the initial reactive power limit can be adjusted to a corrected reactive power limit that is closer to the actual reactive power capability of the renewable energy system.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Enno Ubben, Werner Gerhard Barton, Carsten Junge, Arnim Smolenski
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Publication number: 20160237990Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a renewable energy system based on actual reactive power capability of the renewable energy system are provided. The reactive power output of the renewable energy system can be controlled based at least in part on an initial reactive power limit. The initial reactive power limit can be determined based on rated reactive power for the power generation units in the renewable energy system. When a difference between a reactive power demand and the actual reactive power production of the renewable energy system fall outside a threshold, the initial reactive power limit can be adjusted to a corrected reactive power limit that is closer to the actual reactive power capability of the renewable energy system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2015Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Enno Ubben, Werner Gerhard Barton, Carsten Junge, Arnim Smolenski
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Publication number: 20160146191Abstract: System and methods for optimizing operation of a wind turbine are disclosed. In one aspect, the method also includes determining, via a converter controller of a power converter, a tap position of a tap changer configured between the power grid and a primary winding of a transformer. Another step includes calculating, via the converter controller, a primary voltage of the primary winding as a function of the tap position. The method also includes implementing, via the converter controller, a control action if the primary voltage or a measured secondary voltage of a secondary winding of the transformer is outside of a predetermined voltage range.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Igor Berroteran Gil, Anthony Michael Klodowski, Werner Gerhard Barton
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Publication number: 20160032896Abstract: A method for controlling the power output of a wind turbine, which includes a transformer with multiple taps, is provided. The method includes sensing a voltage of the transformer during operation of the wind turbine, determining the reactive power, and automatically maintaining a set value of the reactive power by controlling the output voltage of the transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Werner Gerhard BARTON, Carsten JUNGE, Stephan WACHTEL, Michael GINZBURG
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Publication number: 20150252784Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a method for initializing a startup sequence of a wind turbine. The method includes a step of defining a plurality of operating conditions of the wind turbine. As such, upon satisfaction of the plurality of operating conditions, a run-ready signal may be generated, wherein the run-ready signal indicates a readiness of a power converter of the wind turbine to generate power. The method may also include defining a subset of the plurality of operating conditions, wherein the subset of operating conditions are independent of speed conditions of the wind turbine. Another step of the method includes generating a spin-ready signal for the wind turbine upon satisfaction of the subset of operating conditions. The method may also include controlling a rotor of the wind turbine based at least in part on the spin-ready signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Allen Seymour, Anthony Michael Klodowski, David Smith, Igor Berroteran Gil, Werner Gerhard Barton