The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 19, 2010
Filed:
Dec. 12, 2006
Huang Tai Guang, Guangzhou, CN;
Jian Fei Liu, ShenZhen, CN;
LI Wen Hua, BinHe Road, CN;
Brian Gaza, Naperville, IL (US);
Robert Wentink, Chicago, IL (US);
Huang Tai Guang, Guangzhou, CN;
Jian Fei Liu, ShenZhen, CN;
Li Wen Hua, BinHe Road, CN;
Brian Gaza, Naperville, IL (US);
Robert Wentink, Chicago, IL (US);
International Components Corporation, Inc., Westchester, IL (US);
Abstract
A protection circuit for a wind turbine generator that includes a PWM Brake that works in conjunction with known Brake Relays is disclosed. The Brake Relay is used to short the generator output terminals at a first threshold voltage. The PWM Brake includes one or more switching devices, coupled across the generator output. The PWM Brake is under the control of a PWM Brake Control Circuit which actuates the PWM Brake at a second threshold voltage that is relatively lower than the first threshold voltage. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the PWM Brake Control Circuit includes a novel speed sensing circuit for providing a signal representative of the speed of the turbine generator The novel speed sensing circuit eliminates the need to mount a speed sensor on the pole top mounted turbine generator. As such, the need for adding cabling from the pole top mounted wind turbine generator is eliminated. The novel speed sensing circuit provides a signal representative of the rotational speed of the turbine generator based upon the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal that is derived from the drive signal developed by the PWM Control Circuit. This signal is used to alternatively actuate and close the Brake Relay to minimize actuation of the centrifugal switch.