Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing a gas turbine-driven generator to an AC power system by employing optimal time control theory to directly drive the turbine-generator to a synchronizing point. The fuel commands, synchronization points, and trajectories are selected in view of the need to minimize thermal stress on the turbine hot-gas-path parts, while also minimizing time required for synchronization. Digital computer and analog implementations are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides for regulating the generation of a generator at a local power station whose governor receives control signals from a central load dispatcher effective to change the generation so long as there is a change in generation required to meet desired system conditions and wherein a signal representative of actual generation of the generator is fed back to the load dispatchers office. The improvement provides means for producing a signal representative of the ratio of the throttle pressure set point to the actual throttle pressure as well as means for multiplying the signal representative of actual generation by that ratio and supplying the product as the sole feedback to the load dispatcher for determining the control signals to the governor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for driving a generator has a governor for maintaining the speed of the engine at a predetermined operating speed. An idle control circuit is provided for overriding the governor during no load conditions. This is accomplished by an electromagnetic coil controlled by a high sensitivity electronic switching element.

Abstract: A solar pond power plant has a solar pond with a heat storage layer for storing heat absorbed from solar radiation incident on the pond, and a low-temperature, closed Rankine-cycle turbogenerator operating on heat extracted from the heat storage layer. The turbogenerator has a generating capacity of Q.sub.I watts/m.sup.2 of pond area, this capacity being in excess of Q.sub.e watts/m.sup.2 of pond area where Q.sub.e is the net electrical energy that can be generated by the turbogenerator when heat is extracted from the heat storage layer at substantially the same average rate at which heat is absorbed by the layer. According to the invention, the generating capacity Q.sub.I of the turbogenerator is in the range 2-10 times Q.sub.e, whereby the solar pond power plant can be utilized for peak power requirements of a regional electrical generating system.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling the distribution of load among a plurality of generators when some of those generators respond quickly to control and some do not. The area control error signal is divided into portions to provide a unit error signal assigned to each generator. A control is utilized which responds to the unit error signal to reposition the governor motor until the error signal is reduced to zero. Applying that control to slow responding units requires anticipation of the generation changes to be expected after full response. Control from the unit error signal is modified in accordance with the difference between the desired generation for the units as required for economic considerations and the actual generation with that difference being modified by a signal which is a function of the actual generation. That function is expressable by the Laplace transform ##EQU1## .

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a control system for synchronizing the frequency of electrical current produced by a generator with the frequency of electrical current in an electric power grid so that the output of the generator can be provided to the grid. The generator is driven by an expansion turbine which utilizes hot pressurized gas from a process in which the pressure must be maintained constant.

Abstract: An electric heating apparatus for heating the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, such as an automobile, having an internal combustion engine driving an electric power generator for charging a battery supplying power to electrical equipment on the vehicle includes a control system permitting actuation of the apparatus only when the engine reaches a predetermined rotational speed above which the generator is able to generate power. The air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine is regulated by a rotational speed control means in accordance with a control signal produced by a control circuit responsive to a temperature sensor detecting that the engine temperature is below a predetermined level and a voltage sensor detecting that the voltage produced at the neutral terminal of the power generator is higher than a predetermined value to increase the rotational speed of the engine and thereby the power generated by the power generator.

Abstract: An electrical power plant with gas turbine plant operating with a fluidized bed combustion chamber and a gas turbine-driven electrical generator includes at least one device for rapidly influencing the speed of the generator upon synchronizing the generator for connecting its output into an electrical network. This device may comprise a resistor connectible to the generator output to decelerate the generator, an electrical machine connectible to the generator which is capable of accelerating or decelerating the generator, flow control valves in various gas conduits to rapidly influence the gas flow through one or more of the turbines thereof, an injection nozzle for the injection of water or steam into the combustion gases from the combustion chamber, or an auxiliary combustion chamber for augmenting the thermal output of the fluidized bed combustion chamber.

Abstract: An electric power generator system including a switched capacitor controlled induction generator adapted to provide power at a regulated voltage and frequency. The system is adapted for autonomous operation for delivery of power with unity power factor to an external power grid.

Abstract: A prime mover control apparatus for controlling a primer mover including a pump turbine or a water turbine driving a generator to be synchronously connected to a power system, is disclosed. In this control apparatus, immediately after the synchronous connection of the generator to the power system, the opening of the guide vanes of the turbine is increased to exceed a predetermined value at which the turbine is not placed in the motoring mode, and then, the speed governor is controlled to drive the turbine at the speed corresponding to the standard frequency of the voltage in the power system.

Abstract: A method of detecting rapid loss of electrical load in an industrial free turbine prior to significant turbine overspeed and reducing fuel to a predetermined lower power level thereby to avoid the need for a complete shutdown of the engine is disclosed. The method is unaffected by small power losses and by normal transients.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon fuel energy is converted to AC electrical energy by a new system utilized to supplement AC power for household and similar limited size loads in synchronism with existing AC utility service via pre-existing wiring between the load and the utility lines. The system has an externally excited commutator AC motor-generator driven by an internal combustion engine to provide AC power at a magnitude which is a function of the drive shaft velocity and degree of excitation. An exciter circuit provides excitation for the motor-generator to cause the generated AC power to be in phase with utility power. A load demand sensor senses current flowing through the wiring to the load, providing a control signal signifying magnitude of the current, thus measuring load power requirements. Control circuitry interconnected with the exciter circuitry and the engine is responsive to the control signal to control excitation for causing the generated supplemental power substantially to meet load requirements.

Abstract: The specification discloses a Solar Power Plant which utilizes a sun-tracking parabolic collector and a plurality of energy storage and conversion devices, all of which are operated under the control of a novel energy management system. Allocation of energy to a particular storage component or to useful output is dependent upon the state of the system as well as the nature of the demand. Outputted energy may also be recaptured and reallocated to minimize losses. Efficiency at the component level is enhanced by the utilization of novel heat exchangers which effectuate complete conversion of the operating liquid to superheated gas.

Abstract: A hot gas engine uses inexpensive digital solenoid type control valves to govern engine output as a function of the amount of working gas. Electrical control signals are obtained by comparing a generator voltage derived from engine speed with a control voltage to develop a set of control signals including pulse width modulated pulses which are open over a duty cycle which produces the effect of analog solenoid valve control.

Abstract: A vehicle which carries electric energy-consuming equipment on board is provided with a power supply system such as an internal combustion engine adapted to supply energy both for the propulsion of the vehicle and for the operation of the equipment on board. For this purpose, the combustion engine comprises a dual fuel feed system and a valve assembly which is formed of oppositely working valves to effect a mutually exclusive operation of the two fuel feed systems. One fuel feed system ensures a high engine output for the propulsion of the vehicle, while the other fuel feed system ensures a substantially constant, reduced engine output for supplying the equipment with energy.

Abstract: A gas turbine power plant is provided with an industrial gas turbine which drives a generator coupled to a power system through a breaker. The turbine-generator plant is operated by a hybrid control system having digital function capability during sequenced startup, synchronizing, load buildup and steady state load, and shutdown operations. The control system also contains monitoring and protective subsystems which function through all stages of operation, with redundancy and permissive features which maximize turbine availability.

Abstract: As a improved way of effecting fast valving of turbines of power system steam-electric generating units for the purpose of improving the stability of power transmission over transmission circuits to which their generators make connection, when stability is threatened by line faults and certain other stability endangering events, the heretofore employed and/or advocated practice of automatically closing intercept valves at fastest available closing speed in response to a fast valving signal, and thereafter automatically fully reopening them in a matter of seconds, is modified by providing to reopen the valves only partially to and thereafter retain them at a preset partially open position.For best results the process of what can be termed sustained partial reopening is so effected as to result in its completion within a fraction of a second following the peak of the first forward swing of the generator rotor.