Patent US6498462B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6498462B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Generator control system to accommodate a decrease in a power grid voltage
Assignee: Plug Power Inc
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Filing: 2001-02-05
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Granted: 2002-12-24
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Expires: 2021-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A system includes a generator and a circuit. The generator is coupled to provide power to a power grid. The circuit is coupled to the generator and is adapted to use a scheme to detect a shut down of the power grid and prevent the generator from providing power to the power grid in response to the detection of the shut down of the power grid. The circuit is also adapted to receive an indication to modify the scheme and modify the scheme based on the indication.
Inventors
- 👤 Arne W. Ballantine
- 👤 Mark R. Torpey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:54
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/38; H02J3/388
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method comprising: coupling a generator to a power grid to provide power to the power grid; using a scheme to detect a shut down of the power grid; preventing the generator from providing power to the power grid in response to the detection of the shut down of the power grid; receiving an indication to modify the scheme; and modifying the scheme based on the indication.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method comprising: coupling a generator to a power grid to provide power to the power grid; using a scheme to detect a shut down of the power grid; preventing the generator from providing power to the power grid in response to the detection of the shut down of the power grid; receiving an indication to modify the scheme; and modifying the scheme based on the indication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the using the scheme comprises: comparing a voltage of the power grid to a predefined threshold; and indicating detection of the shut down of the power grid based on the determination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the indicating the detection comprises: indicating the detection of the shut down if the voltage is below the predefined threshold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the modifying the scheme comprises: changing the threshold based on the indication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the changing comprises: lowering the threshold based on the indication.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the changing comprises: raising the threshold based on the indication.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: communicating the request to the power grid in response to an impending decrease in a voltage of the power grid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises a fuel cell system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the preventing comprises: isolating a fuel cell stack from the power grid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the preventing comprises: shutting off a fuel flow to a fuel cell stack.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication is received from the power grid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication is received from one of a telephone line and a wireless link.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
73 words
A system comprising: a generator coupled to provide power to a power grid; and a circuit coupled to the generator and adapted to: use a scheme to detect a shut down of the power grid, prevent the generator from providing power to the power grid in response to the detection of the shut down of the power grid, receive an indication to modify the scheme, and modify the scheme based on the indication.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
73 words
A system comprising: a generator coupled to provide power to a power grid; and a circuit coupled to the generator and adapted to: use a scheme to detect a shut down of the power grid, prevent the generator from providing power to the power grid in response to the detection of the shut down of the power grid, receive an indication to modify the scheme, and modify the scheme based on the indication.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the circuit is adapted to: compare a voltage of the power grid to a predefined threshold; and indicate detection of the shut down of the power grid based on the determination.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the circuit is adapted to: indicate detection of the shut down if the voltage is below the predefined threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the circuit is adapted to change the threshold based on the indication.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the circuit is adapted to lower the threshold based on the indication.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the circuit is adapted to raise the threshold based on the indication.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the request is communicated to the power grid in response to an impending decrease in a voltage of the power grid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the generator comprises a fuel cell stack to produce the power provided to the power grid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 20 , further comprising: a switch to isolate the fuel cell stack from the power grid in response to the shut down of the power grid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 20 , further comprising: a fuel processor to provide a fuel flow to the fuel cell stack.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the circuit shuts off the fuel flow in response to the shut down of the power grid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the indication is received from the power grid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the indication is received from one of a telephone line and a wireless link.
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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) | 2005-12-23 | 2006-06-24 | 2006-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | 2010-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-23 | 2014-06-24 | 2014-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |