Electric Control Patents (Class 290/7)
  • Patent number: 11961151
    Abstract: Examples relate to flexible datacenters or other power loads tolerant of intermittent operation and configured to use power received behind-the-meter. A system may include a set of computing systems powered by behind-the-meter power and a datacenter control system. The datacenter control system may be configured to monitor a set of conditions that includes behind-the-meter power availability at the set of computing systems and perform a weighted analysis using the set of monitored conditions. Based on the weighted analysis, the datacenter control system may be configured to modulate operating attributes of one or more computing systems of the set of computing systems. In some examples, the datacenter control system is a remote master control system in communication with a datacenter control system of a flexible datacenter housing the set of computing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LANCIUM LLC
    Inventors: Michael T. McNamara, Raymond E. Cline, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11848592
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control engine speed of a power system are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; a generator configured to generate electrical power from mechanical power delivered by the engine; a switched-mode power supply configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to output power; and control circuitry configured to: monitor an input current to the switched-mode power supply; and in response to the input current exceeding a threshold current, incrementally increasing a speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Alan F. Smith, Richard Joyce
  • Patent number: 11428704
    Abstract: A system and method for protecting a genset from pole slip is disclosed. The system may comprise a generator, a prime mover and a controller. The generator includes a stator and a rotor. The prime mover is configured to drive rotation of the rotor. The controller may be configured to: determine mechanical status of the generator based on data associated with a translational displacement of the rotor; determine electrical status of the generator based on (a) a load angle or (b) the load angle and a rate of change of the load angle associated with rotation of the rotor in the stator; determine an operating condition of the generator based on fusion of the mechanical status and the electrical status; if the operating condition is a pole-slip-warning, activate an output member to display or emit a warning; and, if the operating condition is a pole-slip, activate a protective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zhijun Cai, Yanchai Zhang, Wenming Zhao, Yong Sun, Xuefei Hu, Eric Wayne Ohlson, Suresh Baddam Reddy
  • Patent number: 11368113
    Abstract: A generator system includes a generator including terminals, a generator circuit breaker coupled to the terminals and that couples and decouples the generator from a power grid, multiple sensors, and a controller that operates the generator system. The controller determines whether an active power is less than a reverse active power threshold and whether one or more turbine valves are closed, and determines that a breaker failure has occurred based on the active power being less than the reverse active power threshold and the one or more turbine valves being closed. If the active power remains less than the reverse active power and the turbine valves remain closed after a threshold time period after the trip command, and if a reactive power is less than a reverse reactive power threshold, then a breaker failure has occurred. In response, the controller may transmit another trip command to the generator circuit breaker to initiate the breaker failure protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Matchyaraju Alla
  • Patent number: 11187165
    Abstract: A method for the open-loop and closed-loop control of an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine or gas engine, with a generator and asynchronous machine, including the following steps: detecting at least one electrical characteristic variable of the generator, wherein the electrical characteristic variable is selected from current, voltage or frequency; determining a characteristic variable change in the electrical characteristic variable of the generator in a predetermined time interval; comparing the change in characteristic variable with a first threshold value; and in the event that the change in characteristic variable is greater than the first threshold value, changing from a standard speed control of the internal combustion engine to a feed-forward control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Hecker, Hendrik Weiss
  • Patent number: 11176806
    Abstract: A fire detection system may include isolation circuit having an isolation switch coupled with a system line of the fire detection system and configured to isolate a first side of the system line from a second side of the system line. The isolation circuit may also include a controller coupled with the isolation switch. The controller may be configured to detect repetitive, intermittent short circuit activity on the system line and control the isolation switch based on this activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION LP
    Inventors: Alexandre Gouin, Nalin Ahangama Ralalage
  • Patent number: 11114857
    Abstract: A system for completing a well, including a generator, and a plurality of electric load components, each electric load component powered by the generator. The system further includes a load shedding control panel that monitors the generator and, if the generator loses functionality, is capable of deactivating one or more of the plurality of electric load components to reduce the electric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon N. Hinderliter, Jared Oehring
  • Patent number: 10997851
    Abstract: A fire detection system may include isolation circuit having an isolation switch coupled with a system line of the fire detection system and configured to isolate a first side of the system line from a second side of the system line. The isolation circuit may also include a controller coupled with the isolation switch. The controller may be configured to detect repetitive, intermittent short circuit activity on the system line and control the isolation switch based on this activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION LP
    Inventors: Alexandre Gouin, Nalin Ahangama Ralalage
  • Patent number: 10954951
    Abstract: A method of determining a liquid volume fraction in a multi-phase gas is disclosed. The method includes: a) measuring a first compressor operating parameter; b) selecting a tentative liquid volume fraction of the gas processed by the compressor; c) based on stored data representing a compressor operative curve for the tentative liquid volume fraction, determining an estimated value of a second compressor operating parameter, as a function of the first compressor operating parameter; d) measuring an actual value of the second compressor operating parameter; e) comparing the actual value of the second compressor operating parameter to the estimated value of the second compressor operating parameter and determining an error therefrom; f) based on the error, selecting a different tentative liquid volume fraction and repeating (c) to (e) until an error value equal to or lower than an error threshold is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE TECNOLOGIE SRL
    Inventors: Marco Pelella, Lorenzo Gallinelli, Alessio Cacitti
  • Patent number: 10811876
    Abstract: An energy management system receives voltage and current data from each of a plurality of fault indicators. Each fault indicator is positioned on a powerline of a power distribution system immediately upstream of a respective one of a plurality of disconnect switches. The energy management system also determines a status of each disconnect switch based on the voltage and current from the plurality of fault indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
    Inventor: Justin D. Klocman
  • Patent number: 10742034
    Abstract: In the presented solution reactive power is compensated for in connection with a power transmission line with an arrangement which comprises at least one transformer and at least one reactive power compensator. The at least one reactive power compensator comprises a voltage source converter and switched elements. The switched elements may be thyristor switched capacitors and/or thyristor switch reactors, for example. The voltage source converter may provide reactive power in a linear or step less manner. The transformer is a three winding transformer having a high voltage side connectable to the power transmission line, a first low voltage side connected to the voltage source converter and a second low voltage side connected to the switched elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Antero Kähkönen, Sami Kuusinen
  • Patent number: 10590914
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Duy Duc Doan, Gert Karmisholt Andersen, Lars Helle, Søren Andersen, Tune Pedersen, John Godsk Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10355516
    Abstract: Various aspects of a self-chargeable portable electronic device with a power generating circuitry and a method to charge a rechargeable battery by the power generating circuitry are disclosed. The power generating circuitry includes an accelerometer that is configured to generate a sensing pulse based on activation of the accelerometer. The power generating circuitry also includes a plurality of capacitors and one or more circuits. The one or more circuits are configured to receive the sensing pulse from the accelerometer. The plurality of capacitors are charged based on the received sensing pulse. The one or more circuits are configured to control transfer of power from the charged plurality of capacitors to a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Evan Krachman
  • Patent number: 10312789
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating, storing and/or distributing electric power are disclosed. The system may include two or more direct current battery subsystems, a direct current motor/alternating current generator combination, an electric power distribution network, and battery recharging elements. One battery subsystem may power an alternating current generator while the other battery subsystem charges using a portion of the generated power. Excess power may service other electric loads. The roles of the battery subsystems may be switched periodically between charging and powering, repeatedly. A gear box may connect the electric motor and generator to adjust the relative rotational speeds of each for optimal performance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ENERGY PRODUCING SYSTEMS OF AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Featherly, Rudolph M. Tonchich
  • Patent number: 10191529
    Abstract: A real-time data management system for accessing data in a power grid that controls a transmission delay of real-time data delivered via a real-time bus, and delivers real-time data in a power grid. A unified data model covering various organizations and various data resource may be included. Multi-bus collaboration and bus performance optimization approaches may be used to improve efficiency and performance of the buses. An event integration and complex event process component may be included to provide status of the power grid. A high volume of real-time data and events may be managed to provide data transmission with a low latency, provide flexible extension of the number of data clusters and the number of databases to ensure high volume data storage, and achieve a high speed and transparent data access. Additionally, rapid design and development of analytical applications, and the near real-time enterprise decision-making may be enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Zhihui Yang, Xiaopei Cheng, Yan Gao, Guo Ma
  • Patent number: 10122174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a parallelization method for black-start subsystems of a power grid with external support, which includes, after power blackout, partitioning the power grid into subsystems, and respectively performing black-start on the subsystems based on a power grid black-start research scheme, performing stability check on each subsystem, performing voltage calculation on parallel lines between the subsystems, checking the parallelizing simulation of the subsystems, and determining a feasible parallelizing path and a recommendable charging direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA, ECONOMIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF HUBEI ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, CENTRAL CHINA GRID COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jingyou Xu, Qing Chang, Chunming Wang, Hanping Xu, Youping Xu, Jisheng Li, Dawei Huang, Xiuwen Xiong
  • Patent number: 9759904
    Abstract: A 2D/3D switching apparatus includes a switching layer that includes a cylindrical lens grating and a cavity defined by a cylindrical curved surface of the cylindrical lens grating and a cover, a container for storing a transparent liquid that has a refractive index equal to a refractive index of a material of the cylindrical lens grating, and a vacuum pump respectively connected with the cavity of the switching layer and the container. The vacuum pump injects the transparent liquid from the container to the cavity of the switching layer, or injects the transparent liquid from the cavity to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junwei Wang, Xiaoyi Zheng
  • Patent number: 9661239
    Abstract: The invention is directed to real-time processing of video data. In some examples at least one image of the video data is processed utilizing reference data comprising reference image data of background within a region of interest and clutter image data indicative thereof, to determine a pixel deviation level of each pixel in the at least one image and generate pixel-deviation image data indicative thereof. The pixel-deviation image data is processed to enhance its tonal pixel distribution and generating enhanced image data, which is processed to determine a threshold level based on the tonal pixel distribution. A binary image map is then generated using the determined threshold level, the binary image map being indicative of the background and foreground components of the at least one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Digital Makeup Ltd.
    Inventor: Rami Guissin
  • Patent number: 9620974
    Abstract: A fraction inverter circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter coupled to the first energy storage device, and a first electromechanical device. The first electromechanical device includes a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter, a second plurality of conductors coupled together, and a plurality of windings coupled between the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors. The traction converter circuit also includes a charge bus comprising a first conductor coupled to the second plurality of conductors of the first electromechanical device, the charge bus configured to transmit a charging current to or receive a charging current from the first electromechanical device to charge the first energy storage device via the first electromechanical device and the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 9401618
    Abstract: Provided is a control circuit capable of efficiently supplying electric power from an alternating-current generator to a load, and a power generation device having this control circuit. A control circuit 1 for controlling electric power to be supplied from a power generator 5 to a battery 6 is provided with: a rate-of-change obtaining unit 11 configured to obtain a rate of change of a sensor cycle for a sensor signal synchronous with an operation of the power generator 5; an estimation unit 12 configured to estimate a next sensor cycle using the rate of change of the sensor cycle obtained by the rate-of-change obtaining unit; and an output-supply control unit 13 configured to perform PWM control of switching elements provided for a drive circuit 30 using the next sensor cycle estimated by the estimation unit 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Inoguchi, Takeaki Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20150145251
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for operating a power generation system within a battery storage/discharge mode or a dynamic brake mode may generally include a power convertor having a DC link, a switching module coupled to the DC link and a selector switch configured to selectively couple the switching module to one of a storage device or a resistive element of the power generation system. The selector switch may be movable between a first position, wherein the switching module is coupled to the storage device such that power is capable of being directed between the DC link and the storage device via control of the switching module, and a second position, wherein the switching module is coupled to the resistive element such that power is capable of being directed between the DC link and the resistive element via control of the switching module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, David Smith, Ramy Michael Souri
  • Publication number: 20150108754
    Abstract: A power converter for an engine generator includes an insulative support that receives and supports circuit components for converting incoming AC power to desired power, such as power suitable for a welding application. One or more rectifier modules are provided that are received and supported by the support. Three such modules may be provided for receiving three phase power from a generator. DC power from the rectifier module is applied to DC bus plates. The plates may be coupled to capacitors. A power conversion circuit, such as a buck converter, is coupled to the DC bus plates to convert the DC power to output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Nathan J. Jochman
  • Publication number: 20150097371
    Abstract: An electromagnetic braking system includes an electrically conductive disc coupled to a rotatable shaft of a power generation system. The rotatable shaft is operatively coupled to a prime mover and a generator. The electromagnetic braking system further includes an inducting unit for applying an electromagnetic braking torque on the electrically conductive disc when commanded by a control signal and a controller for receiving an activation signal from an activating unit, receiving a rotational signal from a rotational sensor coupled to the rotatable shaft or the generator, determining a control signal when the rotational signal is outside of a threshold, and, when the activation signal is active and the rotational signal is outside of the threshold, sending the control signal to the inducting unit to regulate a rotational dynamic of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Ara Panosyan, Christoph Boeld, Herbert Schaumberger, Stefan Schroeder, Lukas Vogl, Mikhail Avramovich Avanesov
  • Publication number: 20150091301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pumped storage power plant (1) comprising at least one lower storage space (11) that is arranged underground and at least one upper storage space (12) that is separate from the lower storage space and arranged above ground or underground, wherein the lower storage space (11) is arranged in a greater depth than the upper storage space (12), and comprising at least one liquid line (15, 16) that is/are guided within the upper storage space (12) and within the lower storage space (11) respectively and that is/are connected to at least one hydraulic force and/or work machine (26, 27) of the pumped storage plant or can be connected via switchable valves (28, 29), and comprising at least one pressurized gas line (17, 18) that is/are guided within the upper storage space (12) and within the lower storage space (11) respectively and that is/are connected to a pressurized gas force and/or work machine (21, 22) of the pumped storage power plant or can be connected via switchable valves (24, 25
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: NASSER BERG ENERGIE GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Littmann, Norbert Boehm
  • Patent number: 8994199
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include a static starter subsystem having detection logic for indicating a conductive state of a solid state semiconductor device. The detection logic includes a first logic gate having a first input that receives a first input signal indicating a state of the static starter subsystem, a second input that receives a second input signal indicating a state of a gate firing command being applied to the solid state semiconductor device, and a third input that receives a third input signal indicating whether the solid state semiconductor device is conducting. The first logic gate may be configured to evaluate the first, second, and third input signals and provide a first output signal indicating conductivity of the solid state semiconductor device in response to the gate firing command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sreedhar Desabhatla
  • Patent number: 8975767
    Abstract: A power system includes a prime mover configured to generate a drive force, a generator configured to receive the drive force and be driven by the prime mover to produce electrical power for an external load. The system includes a power storage device configured to store electrical power or to discharge electrical power to the external load. The system further includes a controller configured to control the power storage device to discharge power to supplement the electrical power from the generator directed to the external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20150061298
    Abstract: An electromagnetic braking system includes an electrically conductive disc coupled to a rotatable shaft of a power generation system for operating in an island mode. The rotatable shaft is operatively coupled between a prime mover and a generator for supplying power to an island grid. The electromagnetic braking system further includes a controller for receiving at least one status or synchronization signal and for generating a control signal based on the at least one signal and an inducting unit for applying an electromagnetic braking force on the electrically conductive disc when commanded by the control signal to regulate a rotational speed of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Ara Panosyan, Stefan Schroeder, Christoph Boeld, Herbert Schaumberger, Johann Hirzinger-Unterrainer, Xiaoting Dong, Uwe Liebscher
  • Publication number: 20150048622
    Abstract: A reliable, eco-friendly, and reactive device for storing large amounts of recoverable energy with high overall energy efficiency enables the electrical energy on a grid to be collected when there is an abundant amount of available electrical energy on the grid, and redistributes the electrical energy to the grid when the electrical energy is running out. The device mainly includes a compact, dense ballast, the ballast having a matching hydrodynamic and aerodynamic shape, and a flow cavity suitable for holding energy corresponding to the maximum energy of the ballast in the cavity, the ballast being capable of moving along the main axis of flow in the cavity, the device further including an energy collection and recovery element and a control element. A braking coefficient and a safety factor are defined and adjusted on the basis of the nature of the movement of the ballast in the flow cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: VRASTAL
    Inventor: Robert Schegerin
  • Patent number: 8950703
    Abstract: A method includes generating thrust at one or more engines of an aircraft. The method includes generating first electricity at a first power unit concurrently with generating second electricity at a second power unit. The first power unit and the second power unit are independent of the one or more engines of the aircraft. The first electricity has a first set of electrical characteristics and the second electricity has a second set of electrical characteristics, where the first set of electrical characteristics is different than the second set of electrical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Bayliss, John T. Paterson, Kevin Retz
  • Publication number: 20150028588
    Abstract: A generator system includes an AC generator having one or more phases; a transformer having the same number of phase as the generator; for each phase of the AC generator, a capacitive element having a first terminal electrically connected to an output winding of the AC generator and a second terminal electrically connected to a primary winding of a respective phase of the transformer; a prime mover in driving engagement with the AC generator; and a load connected to a secondary winding of the transformer. A method to reduce the mechanical input to the AC generator includes reducing the counter torque of the generator system via a respective series connected capacitive element having a first terminal electrically connected to the output winding of the AC generator and a second terminal electrically connected to a primary winding of a respective phase of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Ryan Jameson Horne
  • Publication number: 20150014991
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) couples to a vehicle (101) movable in relation to a medium (103). The vehicle (101) comprises a vehicle wheel (105) attached to an axle (107). The apparatus (100) comprises a driving wheel (110) configured to couple to the vehicle wheel (105) or to a vehicle axle (107) or to couple directly to the medium (103); a generator (120) configured to generate electrical power based on a rotation of the driving wheel (110), wherein the vehicle wheel (105) rotates upon a motion of the vehicle (101) as consequence of a friction of the vehicle (101) with the medium (103); a battery (130), configured to store the generated electrical power; and a control unit (140) configured to transform the generated electrical power to a predetermined level used for charging the battery (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Omar Abu Baker Al Jaeedi
  • Patent number: 8922035
    Abstract: In a leisure vehicle, the load applied to an engine is controlled so that a driving property and an output are improved. The leisure vehicle has a generator 30 to be driven by the engine for generating power, and a power generation control device 42 for controlling the generator 30, wherein the power generation control device 42 increases or decreases a power generation amount of the generator 30 under a predetermined condition regarding the power generation amount of the generator 30 to be increased or decreased in accordance with an increase or a decrease in engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20140379152
    Abstract: The present invention provides coordinated control methods of generator and SVC for improving power plant active power throughput and controller thereof. The method comprises: measuring the required input parameters for the generator and SVC control; judging the system topology and the control mode of SVC to determine the operation mode; and calculating the control reference based on the operation mode to control the generator and/or SVC. The proposed methods and coordinated controllers enable the SVC to share the required reactive power output of the power plant, convert the generator into “unity-power-factor-generator”, and therefore extend the active power output capability of the power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Yao Chen, Guoju Zhang, Charles Sao
  • Publication number: 20140375065
    Abstract: An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. The actuator-generator is further coupled to the elastically deformable component such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, Aaron Fyke, William Gross, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood,, JR.
  • Patent number: 8916982
    Abstract: An inverter generator used in combination with a motor and an ECU generating a pulse at each predetermined rotation angle of the motor is comprised of: an electric generator driven by the motor configured to generate alternating current electric power; estimating means for estimating an electrical angle of alternating voltage of the alternating current electric power from the pulse, the estimating means being electrically connected with the ECU; a converter configured to convert the alternating current electric power into direct current electric power, the converter electrically connected with the electric generator and the estimating means; and an inverter configured to convert the direct current electric power into alternating current output electric power, the inverter electrically connected with the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Narutoshi Yokokawa, Junichi Kanai, Naoyuki Mashima
  • Publication number: 20140367966
    Abstract: Provided is a system for transporting an oil sand slurry, comprising a pump, upstream and downstream lines, a shaft connectable to the pump, a driving mechanism driving the pump and a regulator for regulating the torque applied to the shaft between positive and negative torque modes, to pump the slurry at higher or lower flow rates. Also provided is a method comprising pumping the slurry through a pipeline using a pump driven by a motorised shaft and adjusting the flow rate of the slurry by varying the torque applied to the motorised shaft between positive and negative torque modes. The oil sand slurry transportation system and method enable positive head (regular pump action) for normal and high flow rates and negative head (pump brake action) for low flow rates, which reduces system energy loss, pipeline wear, vapour breakout and sanding off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Mark L. ODEGARD
  • Patent number: 8912675
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reactive power regulation in a wind turbine comprising a local reactive power control system adapted to operate in a central control mode and a local control mode, a method of reactive power regulation in a wind park connected to an electrical grid, and to a wind park.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Wind, S.L.U.
    Inventors: Montserrat Mata Dumenjó, Jordi Carulla Piera, Oriol Gomis Bellmunt
  • Publication number: 20140353970
    Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a human or animal body segment and providing the energy to an electrical load is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a generator operatively coupled to the body segment such that particular movement of the body segment causes the generator to output a generator current and to oppose the particular movement of the body segment with a generator torque. An electrical load is coupled to receive the generator current. A control system is operatively connected between the generator and the electrical load and is configured to control the generator torque during the particular movement of the body segment. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Bionic Power Inc.
    Inventors: Clive Edward Mullins, Daniel Loren Hepler
  • Patent number: 8901760
    Abstract: A machine is described that includes an electric drive for propelling the machine along a ground surface. The machine includes an electric power supply system configured to deliver operating electrical power to the electric drive. The electric power system includes a first generator and a second generator. The electric power system also includes a first rectifier coupled to the first generator and having a first direct current (DC) output and a second rectifier coupled to the second generator and having a second DC output. Both the first DC output and the second DC output are coupled to the single DC bus, thereby providing an arrangement for the first rectifier and the second rectifier to simultaneously provide power to the single DC bus. The electrical power system also includes a first inverter/controller coupled to the single DC bus and configured to provide a controlled alternating current to a first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson Wai, Robert R. Sychra, Robert W. Lindsey, Thomas M. Sopko, Bruce H. Hein
  • Patent number: 8884451
    Abstract: To provide a diesel hybrid vehicle system that does not need to additionally include a simulated sound generator and that is capable of achieving reduction in size, weight and cost of a vehicle. Not only during running of a vehicle, but even when a diesel engine is stopped at the time of starting up the vehicle or during braking control of the vehicle and when an output of the diesel engine is reduced during coasting of the vehicle, a propeller fan of a radiator is forcibly driven to generate a wind sound caused by the propeller fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8872370
    Abstract: A tool cover for receiving a tool housing of a pneumatic tool is disclosed. The tool cover supports and aligns an inductor element of a stator with magnets of a rotor within the tool housing. The tool cover also supports a circuit to which the inductor element is electrically connected, where the circuit comprises a power conditioner for receiving current from the inductor element and conditioning the current to be acceptable for supply to a load that comprises one or more logic processing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: H & S Autoshot Manufacturing Company, Ltd., Volt Aire Corporation
    Inventor: Jon J. Leininger
  • Patent number: 8866338
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving power generation in a thermal power plant. A dynamic reactive compensation system is provided and is connected to a high voltage bus or a generator bus of the power plant. The dynamic reactive compensation system comprises power electronic devices and is operable to provide most of the reactive power that is required from the power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Brian David Scott, David Larsson
  • Patent number: 8841787
    Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of gensets during a failsafe condition is provided. The method may include operating one or more of the gensets according to a modified isochronous control scheme, and operating a remainder of the gensets according an adaptive droop control scheme. The modified isochronous control scheme may include varying the frequency of each isochronous genset with respect to load for lower-range loads and upper-range loads, and maintaining the frequency of each isochronous genset at nominal frequencies for mid-range loads. The adaptive droop control scheme may include adjusting the frequency of each droop genset to match the frequency of the isochronous gensets, and varying the load of each droop genset with respect to frequency for lower-range loads and upper-range loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Folken, Matthew Joseph Meinhart, Edward Maurer Schroeder, Andrew William Black
  • Publication number: 20140265326
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and apparatus for generating power from pressurized natural gas. The system may include an on-site pressure turbine for using some of the available energy of the pressurized natural gas to power an air compressor and/or electric generator. The turbine is driven by the expansion of natural gas due to a pressure differential and/or by the velocity of natural gas as it travels through a pipeline. In some embodiments, the turbine output is used to generate compressed air, which is used on-site to power pumps and switches. In some embodiments, the turbine output is used to generate electricity, which is then used on-site to power communications equipment and sensors. In some embodiments, a gear reduction system is used to adapt the turbine output to useful levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Larry R. Allen
  • Publication number: 20140239636
    Abstract: A shovel includes an internal combustion engine whose revolution speed is controlled to be constant, a hydraulic pump connected to the internal combustion engine, a generator connected to the internal combustion engine, and a control unit for controlling the generator, wherein the control unit causes the generator to perform an electrical power generating operation in a case where a load on the hydraulic pump is increasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO(S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiminori SANO
  • Publication number: 20140239921
    Abstract: A load bank comprises one or more load resistors connected to an engine-generator and a control system for maintaining a minimum generator load when necessary for optimal operation. The control system operates the load bank to mitigate harmful effects of generator neglect and maintains loading for efficient DPF regeneration while allowing the generator to quickly dump the load bank when real load increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: MULTIQUIP, INC.
    Inventor: MULTIQUIP, INC.
  • Patent number: 8803345
    Abstract: An inverter generator includes a motor, an electric generator and an ECU generating a pulse at each predetermined rotation angle of the motor. Estimating means estimates an initial electrical angle of alternating voltage produced by the generator from the pulse and calculates a phase shift angle to estimate continuous electrical angle of the alternating voltage. A converter converts the alternating current electric power into direct current electric power under d-q control based on the phase shift angle. An inverter converts the direct current electric power into alternating current output electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Narutoshi Yokokawa, Junichi Kanai, Naoyuki Mashima
  • Patent number: 8772954
    Abstract: A machine is described that includes an electric drive for propelling the machine along a ground surface. The machine includes an electric power system having a first generator and a second generator. The electric power system also includes a first rectifier coupled to the first generator and having a first direct current (DC) power output and a second rectifier coupled to the second generator and having a second DC power output. Both the first DC output and the second DC output are coupled to the single DC bus, thereby providing an arrangement for the first rectifier and the second rectifier to simultaneously provide power to the single DC bus. A power balancer control receives power commands from both the first and the second ECMs and issues a corrective voltage adjustment to at least one of the first and second ECMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Barngrover
  • Publication number: 20140159365
    Abstract: A power system includes a prime mover configured to generate a drive force, a generator configured to receive the drive force and be driven by the prime mover to produce electrical power for an external load. The system includes a power storage device configured to store electrical power or to discharge electrical power to the external load. The system further includes a controller configured to control the power storage device to discharge power to supplement the electrical power from the generator directed to the external load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20140152008
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: James Maxwell DONELAN, Arthur D. KUO, Joaquin Andres HOFFER, Qingguo LI, Douglas WEBER