Power generation system having transient ride-through/load-leveling capabilities

Patent 6787933 Issued on September 7, 2004. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 10, 2022. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2864244

3124924

3250973

3569809

3591844

3703076

3724214

3764815

3809914

3829758

More ...

Inventors

Assignee

Capstone Turbine Corporation

Application

No. 10043694 filed on 01/10/2002

US Classes:

290/52, TURBOGENERATORS322/27Current output

Examiners

Primary: Ponomarenko, Nicholas

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

Foreign Patent References

3634328 DE 04/01/1987
19704662 DE 08/01/1998
0 472 294 EP 02/01/1992
0 679 800 EP 11/01/1995
0 837 231 EP 04/01/1998
0 901 218 EP 03/01/1999
1453862 FR 04/01/1965
2395316 FR 01/01/1979
52-60924 JP 05/01/1977
WO 9427359 WO 11/01/1994
WO 9825014 WO 06/01/1998
WO 9932762 WO 07/01/1999
WO 9952193 WO 10/01/1999
WO 0028191 WO 05/01/2000

International Class

H02P 900

Abstract

A power generation system includes a turbogenerator having a motor/generator and a turbine coupled to a common shaft, and generates AC power. A first power converter is coupled to the turbogenerator and a DC bus and converts the AC power to DC power on the DC bus. A second power converter is coupled to the DC bus and is couple-able to a load. The second power converter converts the DC power on the DC bus to an output power for coupling to the load. Also coupled to the DC bus are a battery and a capacitor to stabilize a DC voltage on the DC bus during load changes. The power generation system further includes a power controller coupled to the turbogenerator and the first and second power converters. The power controller regulates a speed of the turbine, independent of the DC voltage on the DC bus.

Other References

US 6,512,306, 1/2003, Gilbreth et al. (withdrawn)*
Japanese Patent Abstract entitled “Method and Equipment for Controlling Permanent Magnet Turbine Generator/Motor”; filed May 13, 1999, Japanese Application No. 11-133003.
Japanese Patent Abstract entitled “Command and Control System Method for Multiturbo Generators”, filed Oct. 27, 1999, Japanese Application No. 11-305375.
Japanese Patent Abstract entitled “Turbine Generator-Motor Controller”, filed Aug. 4, 1998, Japanese Application No. 10-220231.
German Patent Abstract entitled “Control Circuit for Turbine AC Motor-Generator”; for DE 3634328 (Apr. 1987).
German Patent Abstract entitled “Load Symmetrising e.g. for Several Power Supply Modules Including Rectifier Modules”; for DE 19704662 (Aug. 1998).
French Patent Abstract entitled “Control System for Turbine Driven by Blast Furnace Throat Gas”; for FR 2395316 (Jan. 1979).
Japanese Patent Abstract entitled “Control Circuit in Permanent Magnet Motor”; for JP Publication No. 52-60924 (May 1977).