Wind turbine direct current control system and methods
AssigneeMariah Power, Inc.
InventorChristopher W. Gabrys
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wind turbine control system converts AC power generated by the wind turbine to DC power for use in a load. The control system may include a plurality of modules that convert the AC power to DC power. The control system may include a turbine module that converts the AC power produced by a generator of the wind turbine to DC power. The turbine module may also include a boost converter that boosts the DC current to a higher voltage that improves efficient transfer of the DC power to the load. The control system may further include an output module having a buck converter that bucks the voltage of the DC power to a level needed for use by the load. The control system may control the amount of power generated by the wind turbine based on power needs of the load.
Claims20
A wind turbine, comprising:
- a rotor;
- an alternator driven by the rotor to generate AC power;
- an electronic controller configured to convert the AC power generated by the alternator to DC power, boost a voltage of the DC power, and buck the boosted DC power prior to delivery to a load.
A method of power control in a wind turbine, comprising:
- providing a wind turbine having a rotor, an alternator coupled to the rotor, and an electronic controller;
- exposing the rotor to wind to rotate the rotor;
- generating AC power with the alternator upon rotation of the rotor;
- converting the AC power to DC power with the electronic controller;
- boosting the DC power to a higher voltage with the electronic controller;
- delivering the boosted DC power to a load;
- bucking the boosted DC power with the electronic controller to a voltage level usable by the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.