Patent US4613762A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4613762A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Output responsive field control for wind-driven alternators and generators
Assignee: United States Department of Agriculture
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Filing: 1984-12-11
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Granted: 1986-09-23
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Expires: 2004-12-11
Abstract
Abstract The field voltage of a wind-driven alternator or generator is automatically controlled in response to the output voltage developed in the load with the objective of always maintaining the maximum power output. In this manner, the tip-speed/wind-speed ratio is indirectly maintained at an optimum constant value, thereby optimizing the performance of the machine without the need to continuously and precisely monitor the wind speed and rotational speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo H. Soderholm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:22
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D7/00; F03D7/02; F03D7/0272; F05; F05B; F05B2220/00; F05B2220/70; F05B2220/706; F05B2270/00; F05B2270/10; F05B2270/1016; F05B2270/103; F05B2270/1033; F05B2270/20; H; H02; H02P; H02P2101/00; H02P2101/15; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A control device for operating a wind machine at maximum efficiency by maintaining a maximum output voltage for the machine as a function of the power in the wind, wherein said wind machine comprises a generator for converting said energy to electricity, the apparatus comprising: a. a field control for controlling the field voltage applied to the generator field winding; b. means for generating a feedback signal representing the output voltage of said generator at periodic intervals; c. means for comparing successive feedback signals to one another; d. means responsive to said comparing means for generating a signal to said field control for adjusting said field voltage by increments or decrements, whereby the direction of adjustment is in the same direction as the previous adjustment if said previous adjustment resulted in an increase in output voltage, and it is in the direction opposite to the previous adjustment if said previous adjustment resulted in a decrease in output voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A control device for operating a wind machine at maximum efficiency by maintaining a maximum output voltage for the machine as a function of the power in the wind, wherein said wind machine comprises a generator for converting said energy to electricity, the apparatus comprising: a. a field control for controlling the field voltage applied to the generator field winding; b. means for generating a feedback signal representing the output voltage of said generator at periodic intervals; c. means for comparing successive feedback signals to one another; d. means responsive to said comparing means for generating a signal to said field control for adjusting said field voltage by increments or decrements, whereby the direction of adjustment is in the same direction as the previous adjustment if said previous adjustment resulted in an increase in output voltage, and it is in the direction opposite to the previous adjustment if said previous adjustment resulted in a decrease in output voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control device as described in claim 1, wherein said means for comparing said feedback signal and said means for generating a signal to the field control are functions of a microprocessor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The control device as described in claim 1 wherein said generator is an alternator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The control device as described in claim 1 wherein said generator is a DC generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The control device as described in claim 1 and further comprising a means for selecting the initial field voltage as a function of the approximate wind speed and for generating a signal to said field control for initially adjusting said field voltage when operation of said wind machine is commenced.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for operating a wind machine at maximum efficiency by maintaining a maximum output voltage for the machine as a function of the power in the wind, wherein said wind machine comprises a generator for converting said energy to electricity and a field control for controlling the field voltage applied to the generator field winding, the method comprising: a. providing a feedback signal representing the output voltage of said generator at periodic intervals; b. comparing successive feedback signals to one another; c. generating a signal to said field control for adjusting said field voltage by increments or decrements, whereby the direction of adjustment is in the same direction as the previous adjustment if said previous adjustment resulted in an increase in output voltage, and it is in the direction opposite to the previous adjustment if said previous adjustment resulted in a decrease in output voltage.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for operating a wind machine at maximum efficiency by maintaining a maximum output voltage for the machine as a function of the power in the wind, wherein said wind machine comprises a generator for converting said energy to electricity and a field control for controlling the field voltage applied to the generator field winding, the method comprising: a. providing a feedback signal representing the output voltage of said generator at periodic intervals; b. comparing successive feedback signals to one another; c. generating a signal to said field control for adjusting said field voltage by increments or decrements, whereby the direction of adjustment is in the same direction as the previous adjustment if said previous adjustment resulted in an increase in output voltage, and it is in the direction opposite to the previous adjustment if said previous adjustment resulted in a decrease in output voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as described in claim 6 and further comprising selecting the initial field voltage as a function of the approximate wind speed and generating a signal to said field control for initially adjusting said field voltage when operation of said wind machine is commenced.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-22 | 1990-03-24 | 1990-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-22 | 1994-03-24 | 1994-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-22 | 1998-03-24 | 1998-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |