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  • Explore Our Patents

    Innovation has been fundamental to AEP’s growth and development throughout our history. This means staying ahead of the curve with advanced energy infrastructure, piloting new technologies and preparing for advancements in transportation and other major catalysts for economic growth – before they become commonplace. These patents are just a few of the many patents and innovations from AEP's history. 

    Method of Varying Turbine Output of a Supercritical-Pressure Steam Generator-Turbine Installation

    Patent Number: 4,338,789

    This patent covers a method for varying turbine output in supercritical steam generator-turbines, where previous subcritical methodologies were not possible. By making adjustments to the percentage of opening of the turbine control valve as well as the delivery pressure of water from the feed water pump, the system is able to minimize the temperature change and thermal stresses and improve net heat rates in lower load ranges. This results in substantial fuel savings in the operations of a supercritical steam power plant. 

    Issue Date: July 13, 1982

    Inventor: John E. Dolan

    Electrostatic Precipitator Having Spacers

    Patent Number: 4,559,064

    This patent covers the use of spacers that maintain distance between the collector electroplates within a dust-collecting electrostatic precipitator. Due to the high voltage that is applied to the plates, specific spacing is critical to prevent arcing. Unlike previous spacer designs, this invention can be installed from either the top or bottom of the precipitator plates and moved into position without dismantling the plate supports or requiring permanent attachments. This makes installation safer and less time consuming.


    This image provides a view of a modified plate spacer mounted on and extending between a pair of plate ribs.

    Issue Date: Dec. 17, 1985

    Inventor: Anthony J. Ahern

    Underwater Acoustic Animal Guidance System

    Patent Number: 4,955,005

    This invention is a system and method for developing acoustic underwater stimuli that guide aquatic animals to or from an underwater area. The method documents local underwater animal sounds, incorporates site-specific factors such as bathymetry, substrate morphology, and hydraulics to create new sounds that more efficiently guide underwater animals. These sounds are then played underwater to direct animals away from areas such as electric power generating stations. The goal of this invention is to minimize the harm to aquatic animals by safely moving them to and from areas that may cause harm to them, or humans, with minimal time, equipment, and expense.


    The first image provides an elevation view of the animal behavior chamber, where sounds are documented. The second image shows how the underwater speakers can be strategically placed to play the acoustic sounds to repel fish away from an electric power generating station water intake. 

    Issue Date: Sept. 4, 1990

    Inventor: Paul H. Loeffelman

    Rapid-Setting Flowable Backfill Composition and Method of Using

    Patent Number: 5,106,422

    This invention utilizes fly ash, a captured byproduct from coal-fired power stations, to create a rapid-setting and self-hardening backfill material for roadways. When Rockport Plant Class C fly ash, containing calcium oxide, is combined with other types of fly ash, such as Class F fly ash from Picway Plant, and water, it creates a flowable and self-leveling backfilling material. Once hardened, the material can withstand significant traffic loads in about four hours, allowing roadways to reopen faster and reducing traffic delays.

    Issue Date: April 21, 1992

    Inventors: Bruce H. Bennett, Gary J. Jablonski, Michael Bahleda, Claude W. Frishette II, Paul R. Stodola, AEP

    Bridge Capacitor Bank Installation

    Patent Number: 5,293,110

    This invention is a three-phase capacitor bank that is connected between a high-voltage line (345kV) and a low-voltage line to generate reactive power into the higher-voltage system, allowing it to maintain voltage levels during heavy loading conditions or system contingencies. This replaces more expensive high-voltage shunt capacitor banks with two lower-cost current-interrupting motorized disconnect switches. The invention also eliminates the negative effects that a high voltage grounded wye shunt capacitor bank has upon the electrical power system and allows for a more extensive use of the reactive power generation facilities that are already installed in the system.


    This image depicts a simple line schematic example of a bridge capacitor bank installation of the invention and relay protection. 

    Issue Date: March 8, 1994

    Inventor: Radu G. Andrei, AEP 

    Method and System for Indicating the Position of Control Rods of a Nuclear Reactor

    Patent Number: 5,563,922

    This invention indicates the position of a nuclear reactor control rod while it is suspended inside the reactor. The system uses analog and digital circuitry to determine the position of control rods through a radiometric technique and simple linear correction circuitry. Primary and secondary coils are used, along with a tertiary coil, to determine the control rod’s position. The system requires only one calibration, reducing the time and energy spent on monitoring systems, and provides a more accurate reading of the control rod’s position.


    The image on the left shows a diagram of the invention, a rod position sensor. The image on the right illustrates how the sensors fit into the nuclear reactor. 

    Issue Date: Oct. 8, 1996

    Inventors: Eric J. Beltz, Robert C. Carruth, Stanley K. Farlow, Eugene L. Fromholtz, AEP Energy Services

    Large Particle Ash Mitigation System

    Patent Number: 8,425,850 B1

    This invention works to remove large particle ash (LPA) in coal-fired boiler systems. LPA causes significant operation and performance issues when it falls into selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. This invention uses deflection screens to gather and dislodge any LPA into troughs, an aperture for removing the ash, and an ash conveyance system to prevent buildup and efficiency issues.


    The illustration provides a perspective view of an arrangement for the mitigation of LPA. 

    Issue Date: April 23, 2013

    Inventors: Chao P. Lin, Darren C. Hanby, Jeffery L. Hofacre, Thomas E. McCartney, James Silk, AEP 

    Power Transmission Tower

    Patent Number: D688,624 S

    This patent applies to the BOLD (breakthrough overhead line design) power transmission tower. The design provides higher capacity and a more streamlined, aesthetically pleasing design than traditional towers, and features a unique curved cross arm. The aesthetically pleasing design has been one of the major advantages used to market BOLD, as it is intended to be used in congested rights of way as a replacement for older, less pleasing and lower-capacity tower designs.

    Issue Date: August 27, 2013

    Inventors: Meihuan Zhu Fulk, Richard Gutman, AEP Transmission Holding Co. 

    High-Capacity/Efficiency Transmission Line Design

    Patent Numbers: 8,952,251 B2 and 9,768,601 B2

    This patent covers the high-capacity, high-efficiency 345kV overhead transmission line design used together with AEP’s BOLD (breakthrough overhead line design) transmission towers. The lower-profile structure allows for double-circuit lines with bundled conductors configured into efficient “delta”-shaped branches. This design simplifies engineering and construction while lowering both resistive and corona losses, and moderating electromagnetic fields and audible noise effects at the ground level. Patent '601 is a continuation of '251 and is directed to additional features identified after '251 was filed.


    The image illustrates the transmission lines in the patent’s preferred embodiment. 

    Patent Number: 8,952,251 B2

    Issue Date: Feb. 10, 2015

    Inventors: Meihuan Zhu Fulk, Richard Gutman, AEP Transmission Holding Co.


    Patent Number: 9,768,601 B2

    Issue Date: Sept. 19, 2017

    Inventors: Meihuan Zhu Fulk, Richard Gutman, Bold Transmission LLC

    Modular Substation Protection and Control System

    Patent Number: 9,529,940 B2

    This invention provides a modular protection and control system for power substations. Its modularity eliminates the need to individually tailor new protection and control systems for new power equipment within substations while still providing the flexibility to work with any existing substation design layout. The structure can be expanded or reconfigured to meet changing demands.


    This image provides a one-line diagram with protection and control zones identified for major equipment. 

    Issue Date: Dec. 27, 2016

    Inventors: Aaron Shaw, Manish Thakur, AEP Transmission Holding Co.

    Subsynchronous Oscillation Relay

    Patent Number: 9,806,690 B1

    This invention, the Subsynchronous Oscillation Relay (SSO), includes devices and methods to quickly detect Subsynchronous Control Interactions (SSCI) oscillation events. SSCI events can cause damage to the shaft system of traditional steam turbines and, in extreme cases, to the shaft system of a combustion gas turbine. When the SSO relay detects an oscillation event, it reacts by bypassing the capacitor bank or disconnecting a wind turbine from the transmission grid to prevent damage to system components. The top image provides an external front view of one exemplary subsynchronous oscillation relay embodiment. The bottom image is a diagram for one exemplary embodiment of a subsynchronous oscillation relay.

    Issue Date: Oct. 31, 2017

    Inventors: Yanfeng Gong, Yiyan Xue, AEP Transmission Holding Co.