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GoogleGranted patentBatteries & energyInterest 4/10

Google patents method for syncing power generators using GPS clocks

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

This patent describes a way to connect many power generators to a grid at the same time instead of one by one. Each generator uses an external time signal, like GPS, to match its voltage and frequency to a shared target before connecting to the main power line.

Why it mattersThis could make it faster and safer to add backup power or renewable energy sources to a grid by allowing multiple units to start up in parallel.

In the filing’s own words

The present disclosure contemplates a method for synchronizing a large number of generators on an AC bus by synchronizing each generator's output to a nominal output that is generated from a common external source. For example, each generator, using a high speed communication signal, can synchronize to a nominal output provided by a master generator, or centralized command module. In another example, each generator can generate its own nominal output referenced to a common external time signal, such as a global positioning system (GPS) signal, or other reference. By synchronizing independently of bus voltage and frequency, the generators are able to synchronize in parallel, instead of serially.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method for synchronizing a synchronous generator with other synchronous generators, the method comprising: obtaining a value representing a number of additional synchronous generators that would be required to supply sufficient power to a bus connected to one or more loads; receiving an external clock signal; determining, based on the external clock signal, a target output phase for the bus; controlling the synchronous generator to generate an output having the target output phase, a target output voltage, and a target output frequency; receiving synchronized signals from at least a portion of the other synchronous generators, wherein each respective synchronized signal from the synchronized signals indicates that the other synchronous generator from which the respective synchronized signal is received is synchronized with the target output voltage and target output frequency; determining that a number of the received synchronized signals meets or exceeds the value; and in response to determining that the number of the received synchronized signals meets or exceeds the value and the synchronous generator being controlled to generate the output having the target output phase, the target output voltage, and the target output frequency, closing a breaker associated with the synchronous generator to cause the synchronous generator to energize the bus simultaneously with the other synchronous generators.

Facts

Company
Google (Google LLC)
Official title
Synthetic generator synchronization
Patent number
US12756339B2
Application number
19084698
Filed
Mar 19, 2025
Granted
Oct 6, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
20

Classified under

H02P 9/06 Electricity & electronicsH02K 19/16 Electricity & electronicsH02K 19/38 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.