US6812586B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distributed power system
Assignee: Capstone Green Energy Corp
•
Filing: 2002-01-30
•
Granted: 2004-11-02
•
Expires: 2022-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A power generation system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power generation system includes a fuel source, a turbogenerator coupled to the fuel source, and a power controller coupled to the turbogenerator. The power controller includes an AC/DC power converter that converts AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on output lines for supplying a DC load. The power controller regulates the fuel to the turbogenerator, independent of a DC voltage on the output lines. A capacitor such as an electrochemical capacitor or a hybrid capacitor, coupled across the output lines, sources power to and/or sinks power from the output lines due to load changes by the DC load. In a further embodiment, the power controller includes an additional DC/DC power converter. In yet a further embodiment, the power controller includes a second additional DC/DC power converter to controllably couple the capacitor to a DC bus.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Wacknov
- 👤 Everett R. Geis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:24
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/04; H02P9/14; H02P9/26; H02P9/30; H02P2101/00; H02P2101/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A power generation system, comprising: a fuel source to provide fuel; a turbogenerator, coupled to the fuel source, to generate AC power; a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter, for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, said power controller being configured to regulate the fuel to the turbogenerator, independent of a DC voltage on the output lines; and a capacitor coupled across the output lines to source power to and/or sink power from the output lines, due to load changes by the DC load, to stabilize a DC voltage on the output lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A power generation system, comprising: a fuel source to provide fuel; a turbogenerator, coupled to the fuel source, to generate AC power; a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter, for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, said power controller being configured to regulate the fuel to the turbogenerator, independent of a DC voltage on the output lines; and a capacitor coupled across the output lines to source power to and/or sink power from the output lines, due to load changes by the DC load, to stabilize a DC voltage on the output lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power generation system of claim 1 wherein the capacitor comprises at least one of the following: an electrochemical capacitor and a hybrid capacitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power generation system of claim 2 wherein a voltage range of the capacitor is limited to a predetermined voltage range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power generation system of claim 1 wherein the capacitor is located internal to the power controller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power generation system of claim 1 wherein when an increase in the load is detected, the power controller increases the fuel to the turbogenerator to increase the DC power on the output lines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The power generation system of claim 5 wherein when the DC power on the output lines is sufficient to match the increase in the load and recharge the capacitor, said power controller to reduce the fuel to the turbogenerator to match the load required by the DC load.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The power generation system of claim 1 wherein when a decrease in the load is detected, the power controller decreases the fuel to the turbogenerator to decrease the DC power on the output lines to match the load required by the DC load.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The power generation system of claim 1 wherein the turbogenerator includes a motor/generator and said AC/DC power converter comprises a bi-directional AC/DC power converter, said power controller, in a startup mode, to configure the bi-directional AC /DC power converter in a reverse direction to convert DC power of the capacitor to AC power to power the motor/generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power generation system of claim 1 further comprising a battery controllably coupled across the output lines, under control of the power controller, to charge the capacitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
The power generation system of claim 1 wherein the turbogenerator comprises: a shaft; a generator, coupled to the shaft, to generate the AC power; a compressor, coupled to the shaft, to provide a supply of compressed air; a combustor coupled to receive the supply of compressed air and the fuel, to combust the fuel and to provide exhaust gas; a turbine coupled to the shaft and coupled to receive the exhaust gas, such that said exhaust gas flows through the turbine to control a rotational speed of the shaft; and a recuperator including a high pressure side coupled between the compressor and the combustor, and a low pressure side coupled to receive the exhaust gas from the turbine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The power generation system of claim 10 further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the power controller and the turbine to sense a temperature, said power controller to vary the supply of fuel to the combustor to control the temperature, said control of the temperature being independent of the DC voltage on the output lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A power generation system, comprising: a fuel source to provide fuel; a turbogenerator, coupled to the fuel source, to generate AC power; a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus, and a DC/DC power converter for converting the DC power on the DC bus to an output DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, said power controller being configured to regulate the fuel to the turbogenerator, independent of a DC voltage on the DC bus; and a capacitor coupled across the output lines to source power to and/or sink power from the output lines, due to load changes by the DC load.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
A power generation system, comprising: a fuel source to provide fuel; a turbogenerator, coupled to the fuel source, to generate AC power; a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus, and a DC/DC power converter for converting the DC power on the DC bus to an output DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, said power controller being configured to regulate the fuel to the turbogenerator, independent of a DC voltage on the DC bus; and a capacitor coupled across the output lines to source power to and/or sink power from the output lines, due to load changes by the DC load.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power generation system of claim 12 wherein the capacitor comprises at least one of the following: an electrochemical capacitor and a hybrid capacitor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power generation system of claim 12 wherein a voltage range of the capacitor is limited to a predetermined voltage range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power generation system of claim 12 wherein the capacitor is located internal to the power controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The power generation system of claim 12 wherein when an increase in the load is detected, the power controller increases the fuel to the turbogenerator to increase the output DC power on the output lines.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The power generation system of claim 16 wherein when the output DC power on the output lines is sufficient to match the increase in the load and recharge the capacitor, said power controller to reduce the fuel to the turbogenerator to match the load required by the DC load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The power generation system of claim 12 wherein when a decrease in the load is detected, the power controller decreases the fuel to the turbogenerator to decrease the output DC power on the output lines to match the load required by the DC load.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
The power generation system of claim 12 wherein the turbogenerator includes a motor/generator and said AC/DC power converter and said DC/DC power converter comprise a bi-directional AC/DC power converter and a bi-directional DC/DC power converter, respectively, said power controller, in a startup mode, configuring the bi-directional AC/DC power converter and the bi-directional DC/DC power converter in a reverse direction to convert DC power of the capacitor to AC power to power the motor/generator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power generation system of claim 12 further comprising a battery controllably coupled across the output lines, under control of the power controller, to charge the capacitor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
116 words
The power generation system of claim 12 wherein the turbogenerator comprises: a shaft; a generator, coupled to the shaft, to generate the AC power; a compressor, coupled to the shaft, to provide a supply of compressed air; a combustor coupled to receive the supply of compressed air and the fuel, to combust the fuel and to provide exhaust gas, a turbine coupled the shaft and coupled to receive the exhaust gas, said exhaust gas to flow through the turbine to control a rotational speed of the shaft; and a recuperator including a high pressure side coupled between the compressor and the combustor, and a low pressure side coupled to receive the exhaust gas from the turbine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
The power generation system of claim 21 further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the power controller and the turbine to sense a temperature, said power controller varying the supply of fuel to the combustor to control the temperature, said control of the temperature being independent of the DC voltage on the DC bus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
139 words
A power generation system, comprising: a fuel source to provide fuel; a turbogenerator, coupled to the fuel source, to generate AC power; a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus and a first DC/DC power converter for converting the DC power on the DC bus to an output DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, said power controller to being configured regulate the fuel to the turbogenerator, independent of a DC voltage on the DC bus; and a capacitor controllably coupled, under control of the power controller, across the DC bus via a second DC/DC power converter to source power to and/or sink power from the DC bus, due to load changes by the DC load.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
139 words
A power generation system, comprising: a fuel source to provide fuel; a turbogenerator, coupled to the fuel source, to generate AC power; a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus and a first DC/DC power converter for converting the DC power on the DC bus to an output DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, said power controller to being configured regulate the fuel to the turbogenerator, independent of a DC voltage on the DC bus; and a capacitor controllably coupled, under control of the power controller, across the DC bus via a second DC/DC power converter to source power to and/or sink power from the DC bus, due to load changes by the DC load.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power generation system of claim 23 wherein the capacitor comprises at least one of the following: an electrochemical capacitor and a hybrid capacitor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power generation system of claim 23 wherein the second DC/DC power converter steps up a terminal voltage of the capacitor to match the DC voltage on the DC bus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power generation system of claim 23 wherein at least one of the capacitor and the second DC/DC power converter is located internal to the power controller.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power generation system of claim 23 wherein when an increase in the load is detected, the power controller increases the fuel to the turbogenerator to increase the DC power on the DC bus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The power generation system of claim 27 wherein when the DC power on the DC bus is sufficient to match the increase in the load and recharge the capacitor, said power controller reduces the fuel to the turbogenerator to match the load required by the DC load.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
The power generation system of claim 23 wherein when a decrease in the load is detected, the power controller decreases the fuel to the turbogenerator to decrease the DC power on the DC bus to match the load required by the DC load.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
60 words
The power generation system of claim 23 wherein the turbogenerator includes a motor/generator and said AC/DC power converter is bi-directional, said power controller, in a startup mode, configuring the AC/DC power converter in a reverse direction and the second DC/DC power converter in a forward direction to convert DC power of the capacitor to AC power to power the motor/generator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The power generation system of claim 23 further comprising a battery controllably coupled across the capacitor, under control of the power controller, to charge the capacitor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
115 words
The power generation system of claim 23 wherein the turbogenerator comprises: a shaft; a generator, coupled to the shaft, to generate the AC power; a compressor, coupled to the shaft, to provide a supply of compressed air; a combustor coupled to receive the supply of compressed air and the fuel, to combust the fuel and to provide exhaust gas; a turbine coupled the shaft and coupled to receive the exhaust gas, said exhaust gas flowing through the turbine to control a rotational speed of the shaft; and a recuperator including a high pressure side coupled between the compressor and the combustor, and a low pressure side coupled to receive the exhaust gas from the turbine.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
The power generation system of claim 32 further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the power controller and the turbine to sense a temperature; said power controller varying the supply of fuel to the combustor to control the temperature, said control of the temperature being independent of the DC voltage on the DC bus.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
91 words
A power generation system, comprising: a turbogenerator, including a motor/generator and a turbine, to generate AC power; and a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, and a capacitor coupled across the output lines to source power to and/or sink power from the output lines due to load changes, said power controller regulating a speed of the turbine, independent of a DC voltage on the output lines.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
91 words
A power generation system, comprising: a turbogenerator, including a motor/generator and a turbine, to generate AC power; and a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, and a capacitor coupled across the output lines to source power to and/or sink power from the output lines due to load changes, said power controller regulating a speed of the turbine, independent of a DC voltage on the output lines.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power generation system of claim 34 wherein the capacitor is at least one of an electrochemical capacitor and a hybrid capacitor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
49 words
The power generation system of claim 34 wherein the AC/DC power converter comprises a bi-directional AC/DC power converter, said power controller, in a startup mode, configuring the bi-directional AC/DC power converter in a reverse direction to convert DC power of the capacitor to AC power to power the motor/generator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power generation system of claim 34 further comprising a battery controllably coupled across the output lines, under control of the power controller, to charge the capacitor.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
120 words
A power generation system, comprising: a turbogenerator, including a motor/generator and a turbine, for generating AC power; and a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus, a DC/DC power convener for converting the DC power on the DC bus to an output DC power on Output lines to supply a DC load, and a capacitor coupled across the output lines to source power to and/or sink power from the output lines, due to load changes by the DC load, said power controller being configured to regulate a speed of the turbine, independent of a DC voltage on the DC bus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
120 words
A power generation system, comprising: a turbogenerator, including a motor/generator and a turbine, for generating AC power; and a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus, a DC/DC power convener for converting the DC power on the DC bus to an output DC power on Output lines to supply a DC load, and a capacitor coupled across the output lines to source power to and/or sink power from the output lines, due to load changes by the DC load, said power controller being configured to regulate a speed of the turbine, independent of a DC voltage on the DC bus.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power generation system of claim 38 wherein the capacitor comprises at least one of the following: an electrochemical capacitor and a hybrid capacitor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
64 words
The power generation system of claim 38 wherein the AC/DC power converter and said DC/DC power converter comprise a bi-directional AC/DC power converter and a bi-directional DC/DC power converter, respectively, said power controller, in a startup mode, configuring the bi-directional AC/DC power converter and the bi-directional DC/DC power converter in a reverse direction to pass energy stored by the capacitor to start the motor/generator.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power generation system of claim 38 further comprising a battery controllably coupled across the output lines, under control of the power controller, to charge the capacitor.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
145 words
A power generation system, comprising: a turbogenerator, including a motor/generator and a turbine, for generating AC power; and a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus, first and second DC/DC power converters, and a capacitor, said first DC/DC power converter being configured to convert the DC power on the DC bus to an output DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, said capacitor being controllably coupled across the DC bus via the second DC/DC power converter, under control of the power controller, to source power to and/or sink power from the DC bus due to load changes by the DC load, said power controller being configured to regulate a speed of the turbine, independent of a DC voltage on the DC bus.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
145 words
A power generation system, comprising: a turbogenerator, including a motor/generator and a turbine, for generating AC power; and a power controller, coupled to the turbogenerator, including an AC/DC power converter for converting said AC power generated by the turbogenerator to DC power on a DC bus, first and second DC/DC power converters, and a capacitor, said first DC/DC power converter being configured to convert the DC power on the DC bus to an output DC power on output lines to supply a DC load, said capacitor being controllably coupled across the DC bus via the second DC/DC power converter, under control of the power controller, to source power to and/or sink power from the DC bus due to load changes by the DC load, said power controller being configured to regulate a speed of the turbine, independent of a DC voltage on the DC bus.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power generation system of claim 42 wherein the capacitor comprises at least one of the following: an electrochemical capacitor and a hybrid capacitor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
52 words
The power generation system of claim 42 wherein the AC/DC power converter is bi-directional, said power controller, in a startup mode, to configure the AC/DC power converter in a reverse direction and the second DC/DC power converter in a forward direction to pass energy stored by the capacitor to power the motor/generator.
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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) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-05-03 | 2008-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-02 | 2012-05-03 | 2012-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-02 | 2016-05-03 | 2016-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |