General Electric Company

Hybrid Power Generation Systems, LLC

Other

Daniel W Trimble

Robert W McConnell

Cuong Nguyen

Alan M Lovelace

Carlisle R Dolland

David C Lewis

The present invention provides systems and methods that allow for individual power sources to be disconnected and reconnected without interrupting the power supply from the other power sources and that allow for these power sources to provide power at substantially the same electrical parameters such as frequency, phase, and voltage.

Robust power distribution systems and methods

A multi-unit power generation system comprising a plurality of generators connected in parallel, a switching system for switching between and/or aggregating a generator load produced by the plurality of generators and a utility grid load, and a control system. The control system is in communication with each generator for communicating command signals to each generator. The control system is further in communication with the switching system for commanding the switching system to switch between or aggregate the generator load and the utility grid load. Each generator may comprise, for example, a microturbine generator.

Multi-unit power generation system for stand-alone and grid connected operation

A system and method for controlling a microturbine generator system comprising: providing a computer control unit; providing a utility power grid sensor input line to the computer control unit; and providing a utility power grid disconnect command output line from the computer control unit; and causing, via the computer control unit, automatic transitions of the microturbine generator system between at least four states, the at least four states comprising a generator standby backup mode, a generator standalone mode, a transfer to standby backup mode, and a generator startup battery charging mode.

Automatic mode transitions for microturbine generating systems

The present invention is directed to an active converter system for a permanent magnetic turbogenerator. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a DC voltage link and a first active converter including a connection for inputting or outputting a three-phase AC voltage to or from, respectively, an AC voltage source, another connection for inputting or outputting a DC voltage from or to said DC voltage link, and at least six selectively switchable first IGBTs, wherein selective switching of the first IGBTs results in a boosted DC voltage. The system further includes a second active converter including a connection for inputting or outputting a three-phase AC voltage to or from, respectively, a permanent magnetic generator, another connection for inputting or outputting a DC voltage to or from said DC voltage link, and at least six selectively switchable second IGBTs, wherein the second active converter is capable of boosting said DC voltage.

Systems and methods for boosting DC link voltage in turbine generators

Control signals for phase-delay rectifiers, which require a variable firing angle that ranges from 0.degree. to 180.degree., are derived from line-to-line 3-phase signals (.phi.A, .phi.B, .phi.C) and both positive and negative firing angle control signals (+.alpha. and -.alpha.) which are generated by comparing (at 20) current command and actual current (sensed at 16). Line-to-line phases are transformed (32) into line-to-neutral phases and integrated (at 34) to produce 90.degree. phase delayed signals (A.phi., B.phi., and C.phi.) that are inverted (at 26a, b, c) to produce three cosine signals (C, A and B RAMP) such that for each its maximum occurs at the intersection of positive half cycles of the other two phases which are inputs to other inverters. At the same time, both positive and negative (inverted) phase sync signals are generated for each phase by comparing (at 27a, b, c) each with the next and producing a squarewave when it is greater. Ramp, sync and firing angle control signals are then used in combinational logic (FIG. 5) to generate the gate firing control signals for SCR gate drives (30) which fire SCR devices in a bridge circuit (24).

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Torrance, CA, United States of America

Daniel W Trimble