US6552440B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic turbogenerator restarting method and system
Assignee: Capstone Green Energy Corp
•
Filing: 2001-07-06
•
Granted: 2003-04-22
•
Expires: 2021-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and system to automatically restart a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor when a fatal fault is detected. The automatic restart logic includes time constraints and limitations on the number of iterations, and is useful regardless of whether the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is in a grid connect mode or a standalone mode, and regardless of how the fault originates or is detected. Additional control logic is utilized to handle grid transients and over load conditions to prevent a fatal fault from occurring by using time constraints and an iterative process, together with a brake resistor to control DC bus voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark G. Gilbreth
- 👤 Simon R. Wall
- 👤 Ake N. C. Almgren
- 👤 Joel B. Wacknov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:12
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D15/00; F01D15/10; F02; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/26; F02C7/268; H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/08; F05; F05D; F05D2220/00; F05D2220/30; F05D2220/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that more than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid fatal and initiating shutdown of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that more than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid fatal and initiating shutdown of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an acceptable connection; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an acceptable connection; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an unacceptable connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has expired; and reporting a grid fatal fault and initiating shutdown of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an unacceptable connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has expired; and reporting a grid fatal fault and initiating shutdown of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an unacceptable connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has not expired; determining that the DC bus level is not below the turn on point of the brake resistor; applying the brake resistor to control DC bus voltage; determine that the grid is acceptable for connection; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an unacceptable connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has not expired; determining that the DC bus level is not below the turn on point of the brake resistor; applying the brake resistor to control DC bus voltage; determine that the grid is acceptable for connection; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode; comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an unacceptable connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has not expired; determining that the DC bus level below the turn on point of the brake resistor; determine that the grid is acceptable for connection; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode; comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an unacceptable connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has not expired; determining that the DC bus level below the turn on point of the brake resistor; determine that the grid is acceptable for connection; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an unacceptable connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has not expired; determining that the DC bus level is not below the turn on point of the brake resistor; applying the brake resistor to control DC bus voltage; determine that the grid is unacceptable for connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has expired; and reporting a grid fatal fault and initiating shutdown of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting no output over-current; detecting a loss of output current control or a loss of DC bus voltage control; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent turbogenerator/motor; analyzing the grid voltage magnitude and frequency for an unacceptable connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has not expired; determining that the DC bus level is not below the turn on point of the brake resistor; applying the brake resistor to control DC bus voltage; determine that the grid is unacceptable for connection; determining that the maximum allowable reconnection time has expired; and reporting a grid fatal fault and initiating shutdown of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is not at a normal level in all phases; determining that the DC bus level is not below the turn on point of the brake resistor; applying the brake resistor to control DC bus voltage; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is not at a normal level in all phases; determining that the DC bus level is not below the turn on point of the brake resistor; applying the brake resistor to control DC bus voltage; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is not at a normal level in all phases; determining that the DC bus level is below the -turn on point of the brake resistor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is not at a normal level in all phases; determining that the DC bus level is below the -turn on point of the brake resistor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that more than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; determining that more than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid fatal fault and initiating shutdown of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a grid connect mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that more than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; determining that more than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid fatal fault and initiating shutdown of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a standalone mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a standalone mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a standalone mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that more than a fixed number of over current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; resetting the output voltage control ready for a soft start; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a standalone mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that more than a fixed number of over current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; determining that less than a fixed number of warning faults has occurred within a fixed period of time; reporting a grid unbalance warning fault; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; resetting the output voltage control ready for a soft start; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a standalone mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is not at a normal level in all phases; determining that the DC bus level is below the turn on point of the brake resistor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a standalone mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is not at a normal level in all phases; determining that the DC bus level is below the turn on point of the brake resistor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a standalone mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet is not at a normal level in all phases; determining that the DC bus level is not below the turn on point of the brake resistor; applying the brake resistor to control DC bus voltage; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of determining the fault condition of a permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor in a standalone mode, comprising the steps of: detecting an over-current condition; determining that less than a fixed number of over-current events have occurred within a fixed period of time; disabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet is not at a normal level in all phases; determining that the DC bus level is not below the turn on point of the brake resistor; applying the brake resistor to control DC bus voltage; determining that the output current of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor is at a normal level in all phases; and enabling the output power converter of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor to continue normal operation of the permanent magnet turbogenerator/motor.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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