Abstract: A drive train for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a rotor connected to a low speed shaft, and a low speed shaft connected to a gearbox. The gearbox has a high speed shaft connected to a generator. The drive train includes a bearing interposed between the gearbox and the generator. A gearbox lubrication medium is at least partially contained within the gearbox, and the bearing shares the gearbox lubrication medium with the gearbox.

Abstract: A cooling gas ventilation chimney is provided for enhancing the heat transfer of an end region of a dynamoelectric machine. The dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor having a plurality of radial slots. A plurality of coils are seated in the radial slots, and the coils form a plurality of radially stacked turns. The ventilation chimney includes one or more chimney slots defined in at least a portion of the radially stacked turns. The chimney slots extend in a substantially radial direction to the rotor, and some of the chimney slots have an axial or circumferential length different from other chimney slots.

Abstract: A rotor is provided for a dynamoelectric machine having one or more windings. The windings have one or more turns, and the turns have one or more outlet ducts that are located near a chimney. When the outlet ducts are stacked one on top of another, they form substantially radially oriented passages. The heat transfer performance of a portion of the rotor can be improved by locating two or more circumferentially spaced radial ducts near the chimney. A chimney can also be formed of one or more chimney slots defined in at least a portion of the turns, where one or more chimney slots extend in a substantially slanted direction to a radial direction of the rotor. A transition region of the rotor can also include one or more diagonal flow channels, which discharge into one or more chimneys.

Abstract: A braking system for a wind turbine is provided, and the wind turbine includes a rotor having at least one blade. A generator includes a plurality of stator windings having a plurality of phases. The braking system includes a plurality of resistors, and at least one switch connected between the stator windings and the resistors. The switch can be configured to connect the stator windings to each other via the resistors, for the effect of slowing down or stopping the rotor of the wind turbine.

Abstract: An amorphous metal alloy having high tensile strength and high electrical resistivity is provided. The amorphous metal alloy has the following chemical composition, in atomic percent: (Co1-aFea)100-b-c-dCrbTcXd, where, T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Mo, and V; X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, Si and P, and a, b, c and d satisfy the formulas of: 0?a?100, 4?b?25, 0?c?40, 15?d?35, respectively. An amorphous metal alloy is obtained having a tensile strength greater than 3500 MPa, and an electrical resistivity greater than 145 ??-cm.

Abstract: A tool is provided for driving a slide or wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The armature or field includes a core, and the core includes one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. The tool includes a drive for applying a driving force, and a push block is connected to the drive. At least one guide rail is configured to cooperate with the push block. The drive operates on the push block to drive a slide or wedge. The at least one guide rail reduces deflection or skew of the push block during a driving operation.

Abstract: A cooling system and method is provided for a wind turbine. The cooling system is used to cool at least one component in the wind turbine, and includes a filter system having at least one primary filter and at least one secondary filter. A switch selects between the primary filter and the secondary filter. A cooling circuit includes at least one conduit and a coolant medium. The filter system can switch from the primary filter to the secondary filter.

Abstract: A wind turbine is provided having at least one generator, and at least one blower motor connected to the generator. The blower motor is configured to rotate the fan for circulating air to the generator. The blower motor is connected to the generator so that a variable power output of the generator results in a variable power output of the blower motor and a variable speed of the fan.

Abstract: An etchant for and method of removing a glass coating on a metallic wire is provided. The etchant comprises an acid solution having metal ions contained therein. The metal ions prevent the acid solution from pitting or damaging the metallic wire, while allowing the acid solution to effectively etch and remove the glass coating. In one embodiment, a fluorine-based acid solution can be used. In another embodiment, a glass coated, metal alloy microwire is etched and the metal ions added to the etchant are chosen to be the same as the majority constituent element in the metal alloy. The glass coating can be either removed in full or only partially removed.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for driving a slide under a wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The tool comprises a frame including a pair of elongated rail members; a force application block located between the rail members; a drive connected to the frame, substantially intermediate opposite ends of the frame; a lead screw threadably engaged at one end with the force application block and connected at an opposite end to the drive such that the drive rotates the lead screw when actuated. Rotation of the lead screw causes axial movement of the force application block. The armature or field includes a core, and this core may have one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. A slot plate for locating the tool relative to the slide is present, and a portion of the slot plate extends into one or more vent slots. The slot plate establishes a reaction point for forces applied by the force application block to the stator slide.

Abstract: A system for mixing flows from a compressor is provided. The system comprises an ejector that combines a first flow and a second flow, from the compressor, into a third flow. A bypass flow is connected between the first flow and the third flow. A mixer combines the bypass flow and the third flow into a fourth flow. The fourth flow has a pressure and temperature intermediate the respective pressures and temperatures of the bypass flow and the third flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the inspection of rotary machine components is provided. A positioning fixture is clamped to the component to be inspected, and supports a transceiver that is used during the inspection. The positioning fixture can be navigated through and between rotary machine components to the desired location to be inspected. In one example, an ultrasonic transceiver can be used to perform the inspection. The apparatus can be used to perform in-situ inspections.

Abstract: A method for predicting or detecting an event in turbomachinery includes the steps of obtaining operational data from at least one machine and at least one peer machine. The operational data comprises a plurality of performance metrics. A genetic algorithm (GA) analyzes the operational data, and generates a plurality of clauses, which are used to characterize the operational data. The clauses are evaluated as being either “true” or “false”. A fitness function identifies a fitness value for each of the clauses. A perturbation is applied to selected clauses to create additional clauses, which are then added to the clauses group. The steps of applying a fitness function, selecting a plurality of clauses, and applying a perturbation can be repeated until a predetermined fitness value is reached. The selected clauses are then applied to the operational data from the machine to detect or predict a past, present or future event.

Abstract: A wind power plant is provided having a rotor which is rotatably supported with respect to a rotor axis by a bearing arrangement. A rotor blade is fixed to a rotor hub and extends therefrom radially outwardly, with respect to the rotor axis. The bearing arrangement includes a first bearing ring fixed to a support arrangement in a torque-proof manner and disposed coaxially with respect to the rotor axis, and a second bearing ring being rotatably, with respect to the rotor axis, supported on the first bearing ring and fixed to the rotor hub.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel card out of socket detector circuit for IC cards, especially PCMCIA type cards. Multiple uses of the card detect signal in the IC card interface are provided. The disconnection of system pins is detected and the generation of a card out of socket response signal is created. Such as in the case of high vibration when a connection is temporarily disconnected. A power supply ramping circuit is provided so that when the IC card is connected or disconnected from the host terminal unit there are no voltage spikes within the IC card which will corrupt the operation of certain types of memory particularly in the case of voltage supply sensitive battery backed DRAM IC cards. A power supply circuit is provided which is capable of boosting a voltage from a power source. A controlled transfer from a first removable battery to a second fixed rechargeable battery is also provided that does not create excessive voltage bumps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning and removing the buildup of products of corrosion, oxidation, sedimentation and comparable chemical reactions from various portions of a fire tube boiler. Specific areas to be cleaned are the surfaces of the fire tubes, crevices, and junctions inside the boiler. Also cleaned is the location where the fire tube boiler comes into contact with the tube sheets, boiler shell and fire tubes. One or a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are placed inside the boiler and activated to transmit ultrasonic energy at a sufficient amplitude and frequency to dislodge deposits, sedimentation and sludge from the interior surfaces of the boiler.