The placement of fully available prime movers having a DC output at a location inside or adjacent to an inverter-based intermittently available renewable energy site is disclosed. The fully available prime movers add reliability to an unreliable energy asset that is reaching its maximum penetration within the grid due to its unpredictability and the requirement for additional spinning reserves in other parts of the grid. The present invention can provide a portion or all of the power to an intermittently available renewable power generating facility so that the power output to the power grid is dispatchable power. In particular, a method and means are disclosed to utilize high-efficiency engines operated on various fuels some of which may be non-fossil fuels to maintain a constant power output from an otherwise intermittent power generating facility.

Dispatchable power from a renewable energy facility

The present invention combines the principles of a gas turbine engine with an electric transmission system. A method and apparatus are disclosed for utilizing metallic and ceramic elements to store heat energy derived from a regenerative braking system. The subject invention uses this regenerated electrical energy to provide additional energy storage over conventional electrical storage methods suitable for a gas turbine engine. The subject invention provides engine braking for a gas turbine engine as well as reducing fuel consumption.

Gas turbine energy storage and conversion system

A method (200) and system (300) of testing an overspeed protection system of a turbomachine may include providing an overspeed protection system on a turbomachine having at least one shaft. The method may: determine whether a permissive or permissive(s) is satisfied (210,215,225); initiate an overspeed test; automatically adjusting the speed of a shaft (235,240); determining if the speed exceeds an overspeed trip set point (120,255); and automatically disabling the automatic adjustment of the speed (275) after the test is complete.

Method and system for testing the overspeed protection system of a turbomachine

A method and system of testing an overspeed protection system of a turbomachine. The method and system may include providing an overspeed protection system on a turbomachine that may have a single or multiple shafts; determining whether the speed the shaft or shaft(s) exceeds a shutdown value; changing an overspeed trip value of the turbomachine; and determining whether the overspeed protection system would operate to trip the turbomachine.

Method and system for testing an overspeed protection system during a turbomachine shutdown sequence

A system of dense packaging of turbomachinery in a gas turbine engine by means of close-coupling of components and by the ability to rotate various engine components with respect to other engine components is disclosed. In addition, spool shaft rotational direction may be reversed to suit the application. In multiple engine configurations, the same ability to close-couple and rotate components and to reverse shaft rotational direction in order to rearrange the engine geometry package is used for packaging two or more gas turbine engines to achieve high power density. Dense-packing is possible because of a number of features of the basic engine. These features include: the use of compact centrifugal compressors and radial turbine assemblies; the close coupling of turbomachinery for a dense packaging; the ability to rotate certain key components so as to facilitate ducting and preferred placement of other components; the ability to control spool shaft rotational direction; and operation at high overall pressure ratios.

Gas turbine engine configurations

A control system for a marine turbine power plant is disclosed wherein the input signal to an electrohydraulic valve positioning circuit for ahead and astern turbines may be directly related to a desired valve position signal input set at a throttle lever. Hence, primary control is by a desired valve position signal. A speed feedback circuit is included and selectively applied to the desired valve position signal as a valve position trimming signal. Another input into the primary control or desired valve position is a malfunction proportional control signal which tracks boiler operation, shaft vibration and overspeed. The valve position signal is applied to the valve positioning circuit through a rate limiter which may be set at a fast, normal, or slow rate depending upon an input from a system interface board.

Bruce D. Taber

Papers

Marine turbine control