Methods and systems for wind turbine generators

US7884492B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Qimou Xiong · Shanghai, CN
• Xiang Yu · Nanhu, CN
• Yu Zhou · 流花街道, CN
• Yingming Zhang · Shanghai, CN
• David W. Smith · Richmond, US
• Giesbert Krueger · Salzbergen, DE
• Andre Langel · Salzbergen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 13, 2007
• Grant date: Feb 8, 2011
• Expiry date: Jul 1, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/72
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods and systems for reducing heat loss in a generator system are provided. The generator system includes an electrical generator and a power converter. The method includes generating electricity in the generator at a first power factor and converting electricity in the converter at a second power factor in a first mode of operation and generating electricity in the generator at a third power factor wherein the third power factor is greater than the first power factor and converting electricity in the converter at a fourth power factor wherein the fourth power factor is less than the second power factor in a second mode of operation such that the power output of the generator system in the second mode of operation is substantially equal to the power output of the generator system in the first mode of operation and the generator currents are facilitated being reduced.