Generator Protective Circuits Patents (Class 361/20)
  • Publication number: 20130271879
    Abstract: A fault protection system of a power system of a dynamically positioned vessel is provided. The power system has a power distribution bus having three or more bus subsections, electric connections including bus ties which connect the bus subsections in a ring configuration, and circuit breakers connected between the bus subsections. The fault protection system includes a generator circuit breaker for coupling a generator to a bus subsection, feeder circuit breaker(s) for coupling load(s) to the bus subsection, a first circuit breaker for connecting one end of the bus subsection to a bus tie that provides an electric connection to another bus subsection, the first circuit breaker being a bus tie breaker, a second circuit breaker for coupling another end of the bus subsection to a further bus subsection, protection relays for operating the circuit breakers, and communication links between protection relays that exchange information via said communication links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rune B. Andersen, Svein Blystad, Inge Haukaas, Gunnar Koenig, Damir Radan, Stig Olav Settemsdal
  • Publication number: 20130271878
    Abstract: A method and system for responding to a fast trip protective element trip in a generator system that re-excites the generator when a fast trip protection element trips and determines whether the generator immediately retrips the fast trip protection element, thereby determining whether a fault is located in the generator or in an attached load. If it is determined that the fault is located in the load, the system re-excites and reconnects the load after disabling the fast trip protection element for a specified period to allow for the load to clear its fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Vijay K. Maddali, Jeffrey D. Myroth, Jef William Good, Shane R. Traser
  • Patent number: 8547668
    Abstract: A method for controlling power generation equipment, including bringing a generator online into a shared power bus environment, is described. The method includes determining whether the shared power bus is currently active, and whether a voltage determination fault is present with respect to a specific generator. Where the shared power bus is inactive and no fault is present, the generator is brought online in response to a load request. Where the shared power bus is active, the generator is synchronized with the shared power bus before the generator is brought online.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Dahlen
  • Publication number: 20130194704
    Abstract: An assembly includes an electrical machine connected to a power converter by a three-phase circuit having three conductors, e.g. cables. Each conductor is associated with a switching device such as a contactor or the like that connects the conductor to a common conductor or terminal. In the event of a fault current being developed in the circuit or the power converter, the switching devices are operated to close the fault current and connect together the conductors or the three-phase circuit to provide a full three-phase short circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD. (formerly Converteam Technology Ltd.)
    Inventor: Eric Anthony Lewis
  • Patent number: 8477463
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus of a vibration based user input for mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of controlling an electronic device includes receiving an impact signal, (e.g., a vibration generated by a user controlled impact with a surface mechanically coupled to a housing of the electronic device). The method further includes identifying a user command to the electronic device based on the impact signal, and performing a predesignated action (e.g., a mute, a power on, a power off, a volume increase, a volume decrease, a music track change, a call redirect, a call directed to voicemail, etc.) based on the user command. The user command may be identified using a number of user controlled impacts and an interval between a prior user controlled impact and a later user controlled impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventor: Ajith Ms
  • Patent number: 8441264
    Abstract: A detecting station of a winding product and a method for detecting an inter-turn short circuit are provided. The method includes following steps. First, a high voltage pulse is input to two ends of a winding of a winding product. Next, a voltage value of an electrifying process of the winding is extracted for generating an extracting data. Finally, a time-frequency converting operation is performed to the extracting data, and a time-frequency analysis information is generated for indicating whether or not the inter-turn short circuit is occurred in the winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chun-Chieh Wang, Yu-Liang Chung, Yong-Lin Kuo, Lai-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8427010
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a photovoltaic power converter. The photovoltaic power converter includes one or more photovoltaic arrays configured convert solar energy into a DC signal and two or more N-level converters coupled to a common DC bus (N being an integer greater than 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sumit Bose, Ralph Teichmann, Kathleen Ann O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20130057227
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling an electrical generating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an electrical generator configured to be connected to an electrical grid and a converter comprising an inverter connected to a rotor of the electrical generator. The apparatus also includes a shunt protection circuit connected to the inverter and the rotor of the electrical generator and a control unit configured to activate and deactivate the inverter and the shunt protection circuit. The control unit is configured to, in response to determining that an abnormal condition is occurring in the electrical generator or an electrical grid to which the electrical generator is connected, deactivate the inverter and activate the shunt protection circuit. Also, after it is determined that the abnormal condition has passed, the control unit is configured to activate the inverter before deactivating the shunt protection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: INGETEAM TECHNOLOGY, S.A.
    Inventors: Sergio AURTENETXEA, Eneko OLEA, Iker GARMENDIA, Ainhoa CARCAR
  • Patent number: 8358035
    Abstract: An electrical generator arrangement comprising a distribution network having a first generator and a second generator, the first generator arranged to provide electrical power to a transmitter source, the second generator coupled to the distribution network by a switch to enable isolation of the second generator, the switch associated with an electrical characteristic comparator to compare the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator with the incidental modulation of a transmitter signal from the transmitter due to variations in the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the first generator to the transmitter, the comparator arranged to operate the switch to isolate or connect the second generator to the distribution network dependent upon a variation in the change of the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator and the incidental modulation of the transmitted signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventor: Christopher G Bright
  • Publication number: 20120320475
    Abstract: A shunt regulated permanent magnet alternator voltage source includes a permanent magnet alternator, a shunt regulator, and a pulse width modulation controller. Also included is a load controller capable of detecting a PMA margin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, James A. Gosse, Steven A. Avritch
  • Publication number: 20120243129
    Abstract: Shorting protection for systems having electric machines is provided. A protective device is put in shunt with an electric power system and an electric machine. The protective device is in an open state during normal operation and in a closed state in response to detection of a fault. In the closed state, the protective device forms a short circuit that isolates the electric power system from the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Einar Vaughn Larsen
  • Patent number: 8264803
    Abstract: An alternator disconnector circuit-breaker of the invention presents a resistance (30) in series with the circuit-breaker switch (20?); the resistance (30) is of fixed ohmic value that is about 104 times greater than the value of the resistance of the main circuit of the circuit-breaker. By means of this configuration, it is possible to use a vacuum chamber as the circuit-breaker switch (20?), and to dimension the main switch (10), which, de facto, breaks the current even for very high short-circuit currents, under more advantageous conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Willieme, Francois Biquez, Denis Frigiere
  • Publication number: 20120200960
    Abstract: The invention is a method and electric circuitry for measuring a grounding current of a photovoltaic power system incorporating a photovoltaic inverter, a measurement current being led through two shunts disposed at different points. The measurement current is a current that may flow alternatively at two different points at different electric potentials, the current flowing at a potential that differs by at least 50 V from the potential of the point of evaluation. The shunts are inserted in such a manner in a current mirror circuit that the voltage drop caused by the measurement in the shunts generates an asymmetry in the current mirror the magnitude of which is proportional to the measurement current. The measurement current is the grounding current of the photovoltaic power system with optional positive or negative pole grounding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Burkhard Mueller
  • Patent number: 8213136
    Abstract: An aircraft electrical system comprises a generator to be driven as part of a gas turbine engine. The generator supplies electrical power to a plurality of accessories associated with the gas turbine engine, and to an aircraft power bus in parallel to the supply to the accessories. A control detects a short circuit on the aircraft power bus. When a short circuit is detected on the aircraft power bus, a switch is driven open to disconnect the aircraft power bus from the generator. In this manner, the power will continue to be delivered to the plurality of accessories. In a separate feature, a control voltage is provided by an auxiliary permanent magnet generator to a voltage regulator for the main generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Vijay K. Maddali, Gregory I. Rozman, Kevin Dooley
  • Patent number: 8208232
    Abstract: A system for automatically cutting off the energy from, and shutting down an electric generator positioned inside an aircraft engine and supplying electrical power to the aircraft. The system comprising an electric generator, a control panel and driving cabin. The generator having a sensor positioned inside the generator sensing the oil pressure and outputting a signal in response to the oil pressure reaching a predetermined level; a generator disconnect solenoid; and an automatic generator connector receiving the output of the sensor, and in response removing the electrical power supplied by the generator to the aircraft and outputting a signal to the generator disconnect solenoid causing the generator to shut down, and also outputting a control signal. A control panel receiving the control signal and in response outputting a driving cabin control signal. A driving cabin control system receiving the driving cabin control signal and activating a warning system in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventors: Fahad H. Almalki, Saeed H. Almalki
  • Publication number: 20120105020
    Abstract: A control system that can accommodate the wide variations in the output of a generator, such as a permanent magnet alternator, while providing an output with relatively uniform phase ripple. The control system includes a zero crossing detector and variable ramp generator for generating control signals to a switching rectifier to generate a regulated DC signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Harold C. Scott, Dave E. Williams, Charles Y. Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 8164866
    Abstract: A fault protection system for an AC-DC distribution system detects the presence of DC content at individual loads, isolates the load responsible for the fault from the remainder of the distribution system, and blocks DC content from being propagated from the faulty load to the AC source. The fault protection system includes at least one circuit breaker connected to monitor the AC current provided to the individual electrical load and to detect the presence of DC content indicative of the load being faulty. In response to detected DC content, the circuit breaker trips open to disconnect the electrical load from the AC distribution system to prevent DC content from being propagated to adjacent loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Sastry V. Vedula, Mario R. Rinaldi, Kenneth Whalen
  • Publication number: 20120087049
    Abstract: An object is to obtain a low-frequency circuit breaker which has a simple configuration and a small size as a whole and is advantageous in view of costs. There is provided a low-frequency circuit breaker, in which a semiconductor switch and a mechanical switch are connected in parallel with each other. The semiconductor switch is configured by connecting a thyristor and a thyristor in anti-parallel with each other. These members are controlled by the circuit breaker control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi KOMATSU, Junichi Nomura, Manabu Souda
  • Publication number: 20120063039
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide protection to monitored equipment at both a local level and a system level, in order to offer more comprehensive protection. In one particular embodiment, the protected equipment may include one or more generators. The protection system may utilize time-synchronized data in order to analyze data provided by systems having disparate sampling rates, that are monitored by different equipment, and/or equipment that is geographically separated. Various embodiments may be configured to utilize a variety of sampling rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Saurabh B. Shah, Kamal Garg, Scott M. Manson
  • Patent number: 8129851
    Abstract: In a wind power generation system, an energy consuming unit is connected to a DC part of a generator-side converter. A shunt circuit is connected between the generator-side converter and a rotor of an AC-excited power generator. In the event of system failure, the switching operation of the converter is stopped, the shunt circuit is put into operation, and the energy consuming unit is put into operation so that DC voltage (voltage of the DC part) is maintained within a prescribed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Hiromitsu Sakai, Kojiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8081407
    Abstract: An alternator disconnector circuit-breaker of the invention presents a compact structure. The axes of opening/closure of the change-over first switch (12, 14), of the circuit-breaker second switch (22, 24), and of the disconnector switch (32, 34) are such that an angle of 90° is present between two of them. Actuator means (40) associated with synchronization means (52, 54, 56, 58) make it possible to ensure that each switch is operated in a time-shifted manner by common control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Willieme, Francois Biquez, Denis Frigiere
  • Publication number: 20110242710
    Abstract: An electrical power system may comprise a power source, an electrical load and an interconnection path between the power source and the electrical load. At least one power-source current transformer may be positioned at the power source. At least one remote current transformer may be positioned remotely from the power-source current transformer so that a portion of the interconnection path is between the power-source and the remote current transformer. A control circuit may be interposed between the power-source and remote current transformers and may be responsive to current imbalance between the power-source and remote current transformers to disconnect the power source from the electrical load in the event of such imbalance. The at least one power-source current transformer may comprise a secondary winding having first and second ends, and a resistor connected across the first and second ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM SCHERZINGER, MICHAEL DUDDECK, DWAYNE E. BURNETT, DAVID HODGE, ROBERT CISNEROZ
  • Publication number: 20110128655
    Abstract: The current in a generator circuit breaker is measured using the Faraday effect of an optical sensing fiber looped around the breaker's conductor. The sensing fiber is arranged in a sensing strip, which can be mounted to the enclosure of the generator circuit breaker or to the conductor. Exemplary embodiments can have a wide measuring range and can easily be fitted to new or existing generator circuit breakers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Moritz HOCHLEHNERT, Thomas Lorek, Ahmed Zekhnini, Andreas Frank, Klaus Bohnert
  • Patent number: 7924536
    Abstract: A short circuit protection device for the protection of an alternator in which turning on/off a trigger switch causes conduction/cutoff of the field current of the field coil of the alternator is disclosed. The protection device enables the field current to pass through a sensor so that when the field current is abnormally high and the voltage drop across the sensor rises, the potential of an input end of a boost circuit electrically connected to the sensor correspondingly arises and an output end of the boost circuit electrically connected to a shutoff device drives the shutoff device to turn off the trigger switch, and the boost circuit further keeps the shutoff device in on-state to hold the trigger switch off till the short circuit condition is eliminated and the protection circuit system is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mobiletron Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 7911352
    Abstract: An AC-DC power converter controls an external upstream switching device, which supplies it power to be converted. Power conversion is initiated when an external signal requests power be converted or when a program within the AC-DC power converter detects the need for power conversion. When this occurs, the AC-DC power converter signals the external switching device, which is upstream of the AC-DC power converter to turn on, thereby supplying the power to be converted to the AC-DC power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Teknic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas John Bucella, Thomas P. Dombroski, David E. Fuchs, Jeremy M. Block
  • Publication number: 20110024255
    Abstract: An electrical interlock system for including a power takeoff device operable in a first state to transfer mechanical energy from an associated combustible engine to an associated electric motor and/or generator and operative in a second state to prevent the transfer of mechanical energy from the associated combustible engine to the associated electric motor and/or generator. A relay having a first switch and an energizable portion, is coupled to the power takeoff device, the electric motor and an associated power source, such that when the energizable portion is receiving electrical power from the associated power source, the power takeoff device is in the first state and when the energizable portion is not receiving electrical power from the associated power source, the power takeoff device is in the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Ralf GOMM, Dale Vanderlaan
  • Publication number: 20110026171
    Abstract: The electronic device for protecting against a polarity reversal of a DC power supply voltage comprises, produced within one and the same integrated circuit, an N-channel main transistor (TP) mounted on the line of expected positive polarity of the power supply voltage and command means (MCM) for the main transistor comprising a charging pump circuit (CP), associated with a dynamic biasing circuit (MCTRL) for the substrate regions of active components connected to the main transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Antoine Pavlin
  • Patent number: 7791310
    Abstract: In a vehicle electrical system powered by a battery for supplying a plurality of loads, an integrated module is provided between the positive terminal of the battery and the loads, and the integrated module includes an arrangement for detecting a state of charge of the battery, a control unit for power management of the vehicle electrical system, and at least one supply output for supplying power to the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Luz, Reinhard Rieger, Marcus Kneifel, Holger Fink
  • Publication number: 20100220418
    Abstract: An alternator disconnector circuit-breaker of the invention presents a resistance (30) in series with the circuit-breaker switch (20?); the resistance (30) is of fixed ohmic value that is about 104 times greater than the value of the resistance of the main circuit of the circuit-breaker. By means of this configuration, it is possible to use a vacuum chamber as the circuit-breaker switch (20?), and to dimension the main switch (10), which, de facto, breaks the current even for very high short-circuit currents, under more advantageous conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: AREVA T & D SA
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Willieme, Francois Biquez, Denis Frigiere
  • Publication number: 20100220417
    Abstract: An alternator disconnector circuit-breaker of the invention presents a compact structure. The axes of opening/closure of the change-over first switch (12, 14), of the circuit-breaker second switch (22, 24), and of the disconnector switch (32, 34) are such that an angle of 90° is present between two of them. Actuator means (40) associated with synchronization means (52, 54, 56, 58) make it possible to ensure that each switch is operated in a time-shifted manner by common control means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: AREVA T & D SA
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Willieme, Francois Biquez, Denis Frigiere
  • Patent number: 7710693
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide protection for a synchronous generator in a power system. The method includes deriving a plurality of generator safe operating boundary data expressions from power system data and/or user-defined inputs. The power system data may include a plurality of generator data supplied by a manufacturer of the generator and/or power system parameters such as power system equivalent impedance. Each generator safe operating boundary data expression may relate to a generator capability curve, a steady-state stability limit curve, a minimum excitation limiter curve, an over excitation limiter curve, or an user-defined curve. The method also includes calculating an active power value sum and a reactive power value sum based on generator three-phase currents and voltages, comparing these sums to at least one of the plurality of generator safe operating boundary data expressions, and to provide protection and/or alarming functions for the generator based on this comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Armando Guzman-Casillas, Hector J. Altuve-Ferrer
  • Patent number: 7663849
    Abstract: A fault protection system provides fault protection to a permanent magnet (PM) generator. The fault protection system includes one or more overload and short-circuit protection circuits, an unbalanced protection circuit and a thermal protection circuit. The overload and short-circuit protection circuit detects both overload and short-circuit conditions by monitoring current and voltage generated at a single phase by the PM generator. The unbalanced protection circuit monitors and compares current and voltage generated associated with at least two individual phases to determine unbalanced conditions between the phases. The thermal protection circuit detects a thermal overload condition by monitoring the temperature of the PM generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Mahesh J. Shah, Chai-Nam Ng, George Seffernick
  • Patent number: 7638893
    Abstract: Wind power installations were initially always erected in the form of individual units and it is only in recent years that, caused also by administrative and building regulations, wind power installations are frequently installed in wind parks. In that respect a wind park in its smallest unit is an arrangement of at least two wind power installations, but frequently markedly more. By way of example mention may be made of the wind park at Holtriem (East Frisia) where more than 50 wind power installations are set up in an array. It is to be expected that the number of units and also the installed power of the wind power installations will also increase greatly in the forthcoming years. In most cases the wind potential is at its greatest in regions of the power supply networks with a low level of short-circuit power and low population density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Publication number: 20090295231
    Abstract: Connecting a system of electrical generators into a network in order to yield at least some of the following benefits: reduced capital costs, reduced operating costs, enhanced system reliability, and automatic fault isolation. In one embodiment, a plurality of generators are provided wherein the output of each generator has substantially the same voltage and phase relationship. Multiple cables directly connect the generators to a power collection point, the cables forming a network that supplies power to the power collection point from at least two separate current paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Shawn J. GAFFNEY, Richard W. GUNGEL, Edward J. ENGLERT
  • Patent number: 7623331
    Abstract: A method for implementing voltage regulation for an electrical generator device includes comparing an output voltage of the electrical generator device to a desired set point voltage thereof, and generating an output control signal configured to regulate a field current of the generating device. The output control signal is generated in accordance with a linear mode of operation during of one of an overvoltage condition and an undervoltage condition with respect to the desired set point voltage, and wherein the output control signal is automatically set to a predetermined value in a non-linear mode of operation during the other of the overvoltage condition and the undervoltage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Remy International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack D. Harmon, Mingshe Zhou, Daniel Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 7602269
    Abstract: There is disclosed a permanent current switch which has a high temperature margin and which is thermally stable and which securely performs a switching operation between a superconducting state and a normal conducting state. The permanent current switch of the present invention has a coiled superconducting wire and a heater wire which switches the superconducting wire between the superconducting state and the normal conducting state, the superconducting wire is a magnesium diboride superconducting wire having a high-resistance metal on an outer side and a magnesium diboride superconducting portion on an inner side and prepared by forming a superconducting metal on a layer between the high-resistance metal and the magnesium diboride superconducting portion, and the permanent current switch further comprises a superconductive connecting section superconductively connected to a lead wire guided from the superconducting wire and a superconducting wire for a wiring line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Takahashi, Kazuhide Tanaka, Michiya Okada
  • Patent number: 7564662
    Abstract: A method for protecting against current overload conditions associated with an electromagnetic lift system comprises receiving current data from a current monitoring device associated with an electromagnetic lift system. The method also includes determining a current level based on the collected current data, and identifying a predetermined overload range corresponding to the current level if the current level exceeds an overload current threshold. The method also includes monitoring a time that the current level is within the predetermined overload range, and providing a command signal to an actuator associated with the electromagnetic lift system if the time that the current level is within the predetermined overload range exceeds a predetermined time limit. The command signal causes the actuator to substantially limit mechanical power provided to a generator associated with the electromagnetic lift system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojun Zhang, Timothy Lynn Cooper, James Ivan Portscheller, Naga Raja Rao Mosam, Michael Lee Ferguson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090168275
    Abstract: A short circuit protection device for the protection of an alternator in which turning on/off a trigger switch causes conduction/cutoff of the field current of the field coil of the alternator is disclosed. The protection device enables the field current to pass through a sensor so that when the field current is abnormally high and the voltage drop across the sensor rises, the potential of an input end of a boost circuit electrically connected to the sensor correspondingly arises and an output end of the boost circuit electrically connected to a shutoff device drives the shutoff device to turn off the trigger switch, and the boost circuit further keeps the shutoff device in on-state to hold the trigger switch off till the short circuit condition is eliminated and the protection circuit system is reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: MOBILETRON ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Wen CHEN
  • Patent number: 7551416
    Abstract: A power supply equipped with an independent overload protection mechanism includes a control circuit and a transformation circuit that form multiple sets of combination circuits for transforming AC power to DC power. Each control circuit is connected to a protection circuit which monitors overload operation conditions of an electronic device. In the event that an overload condition occurs, the protection circuit outputs an individual protection signal to the control circuit to stop or suspend power output on a DC power cord so that the electronic device at the rear end is not driven. Hence an independent overload protection can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Topower Computer Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Ling Chou
  • Patent number: 7545056
    Abstract: The invention includes an electric alternator/motor having a rotor, stator and at least one winding in the stator adapted to conduct a current, the machine also having and first and second magnetic circuits, one of which includes a saturable portion in which saturation may be controlled to permit control of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin Allan Dooley, Joshua David Bell
  • Patent number: 7528611
    Abstract: A method for detecting stator ground faults in a generator is described. The method includes receiving a neutral voltage signal from a neutral point of a stator, receiving a plurality of terminal voltage and current signals from the stator, deriving a magnitude of a harmonic component from the neutral voltage signal, deriving a total complex power from the terminal voltage and current signals, calculating an expected value of a harmonic based on the complex power at a first time and a plurality of values of the complex power, where the values of the complex power are measured at times before the first time, and comparing the expected value and a measured value of the harmonic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bogdan Zdzislaw Kasztenny, Dale Stephen Finney, Michael Graham McClure
  • Publication number: 20090021022
    Abstract: Control features for a wind turbine that control the turbine over a range of wind speeds and under triggering conditions with reduced noise, cost, and reliability issues associated with other such controls. Control is accomplished via control electronics, which adjust the torque produced by the electrical output generation device (e.g., alternator) within the wind turbine. During normal operation, torque is adjusted for optimum aerodynamic performance and maximum output of power. In winds above rated power, the control circuit regulates torque to lower aerodynamic performance, as necessary to maintain desired power level output. In triggering conditions, such as during simultaneous control circuit failure and loss of some portion of the electrical output generation device in extreme winds, wind turbine control is accomplished by increasing torque (e.g., via a separate controller) from the electrical output generation device via shorting of windings, so as to cause retardation of blade rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Southwest Windpower, Inc.
    Inventor: David Gregory CALLEY
  • Publication number: 20090009146
    Abstract: An electromechanical power transfer system that transfers power between a prime mover and a direct current (DC) electrical power system, comprises: a permanent magnet machine (PMM) that has a permanent magnet (PM) rotor coupled to the prime mover, a stator with a multiphase alternating current (AC) winding coupled to an AC bus and a control coil with a winding that has a configuration to generate a magnetic field with flux that varies the reactance of the stator winding with the application of control coil current; a position sensing system for generating a rotor position signal that is representative of the angular position of the PM rotor; a control coil current sensor for generating a control coil current signal that is representative of the level of electrical current in the control coil; an electrical potential sensor for generating a DC bus potential signal that is representative of the level of DC potential on the DC bus; an electrical current sensor for generating a DC bus current signal that is repre
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Kevin Dooley
  • Publication number: 20080304188
    Abstract: In a wind power generation system, an energy consuming unit is connected to a DC part of a generator-side converter. A shunt circuit is connected between the generator-side converter and a rotor of an AC-excited power generator. In the event of system failure, the switching operation of the converter is stopped, the shunt circuit is put into operation, and the energy consuming unit is put into operation so that DC voltage (voltage of the DC part) is maintained within a prescribed range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Masaya ICHINOSE, Motoo FUTAMI, Hiromitsu SAKAI, Kojiro YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 7453674
    Abstract: A method for protecting an electrical generator which includes providing an electrical generator which is normally synchronously operated with an electrical power grid; providing a synchronizing signal from the electrical generator; establishing a reference signal; and electrically isolating the electrical generator from the electrical power grid if the synchronizing signal is not in phase with the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Barry W. Kuehnle, Jeffrey B. Roberts, Ralph W. Folkers
  • Publication number: 20080277945
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present application is directed to a protection technique for a back-up electric power generation system. This system includes an electric power generator, generator control circuitry, electrical output sensors to provide one or more corresponding signals, electrical switching equipment to selectively couple the generator to an electrical load, and electric power feeder conductors to route electric power from the generator to the switching equipment. The control circuitry is responsive to the sensor signals to determine if a shut-down condition exists as a function of a protection profile determined for the system. This profile may account for damage thresholds of the generator, the feeder conductors, and the electrical switching equipment for each of a number of different combinations of level and duration of electrical output as represented by the sensor signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Rick A. Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20080238268
    Abstract: A brushless alternator includes a stationary field winding, a rotor, a stator, a rectifier, a terminal, and a protective resistor. The stationary field winding creates a magnetic flux. The rotor creates a rotating magnetic field with the magnetic flux created by the field winding. The stator includes three different-phase windings to generate a three-phase AC power in the rotating magnetic field created by the rotor. The rectifier rectifies the three-phase AC power generated by the stator into a DC power. The terminal is provided so that AC power generated by one of the three windings of the stator can be output from the alternator to external through the terminal. The protective resistor is electrically connected between the terminal and the one of the three windings of the stator to protect the alternator from electrical damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20080204948
    Abstract: A method for protecting against current overload conditions associated with an electromagnetic lift system comprises receiving current data from a current monitoring device associated with an electromagnetic lift system. The method also includes determining a current level based on the collected current data, and identifying a predetermined overload range corresponding to the current level if the current level exceeds an overload current threshold. The method also includes monitoring a time that the current level is within the predetermined overload range, and providing a command signal to an actuator associated with the electromagnetic lift system if the time that the current level is within the predetermined overload range exceeds a predetermined time limit. The command signal causes the actuator to substantially limit mechanical power provided to a generator associated with the electromagnetic lift system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Xiaojun Zhang, Timothy Lynn Cooper, James Ivan Portscheller, Naga Raja Rao Mosam, Michael Lee Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7400188
    Abstract: A voltage providing circuit includes a protective circuit and a power supply circuit. The protective circuit includes a first transistor. A first control signal is input to a collector of the first transistor, a second control signal is input to a base of the first transistor, an emitter of the first transistor is grounded. The collector of the first transistor is connected to the power supply circuit. The second control signal and the first control signal jointly control the power supply circuit to be turned on or turned off. When the second control signal is at a low level, the first transistor is turned off and the power supply circuit is turned off. When the second control signal is at a high level, the first transistor is turned on and the power supply circuit is turned on. Thus, the providing circuit can prevent the electronic component from being damaged when a computer is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Zhao Huang, Yun Li
  • Patent number: RE41303
    Abstract: In regenerative braking mode, an inverter converts, according to PWMC signal from a control unit, an AC voltage generated by a motor into a DC voltage to supply the converted DC voltage to an up-converter which down-converts the DC voltage to charge a DC power supply. The control unit receives voltage V2 from a voltage sensor to stop the up-converter if voltage V2 is higher than a predetermined value. The control unit further receives voltage Vf from a voltage sensor that is applied to a DC/DC converter and stops the up-converter if voltage Vf is higher than a predetermined value. Moreover, the control unit receives voltage V1 of the DC power supply from a voltage sensor to stop the up-converter if voltage V1 does not match voltage V2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Komatsu, Ryoji Oki, Toshihiro Katsuda