Patents by Inventor Arne Koerber
Arne Koerber has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11473560Abstract: Method for operating a wind turbine, the wind turbine including a wind characteristics sensor for measuring a wind characteristic and at least one wind turbine state sensor for measuring a state of the wind turbine, the method comprising: determining or adjusting (102) one or more wind characteristics relationships; and, performing (104) an operation phase, the operation phase including: measuring the wind characteristics with the wind characteristics sensor, thereby obtaining measured wind characteristics; measuring the state of the wind turbine with the at least one wind turbine state sensor and determining an estimated wind characteristics from the measured state of the wind turbine and parameters of the wind turbine; comparing the estimated wind characteristics to an expected wind characteristics determined from the measured wind characteristics, wherein the expected wind characteristics is determined based on the one or more wind characteristics relationships; and, operating or shutting down the wind turType: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Arne Koerber
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Patent number: 11136961Abstract: A method for optimizing power production of a wind turbine includes determining at least one operational constraint for the wind turbine. The method also includes operating the wind turbine with at least one operational constraint being activated. Further, the method includes varying a tip speed ratio for the wind turbine while the at least one operational constraint is activated so as to maximize a power coefficient of the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Venkata Krishna Vadlamudi, Bernardo Adrian Movsichoff, Akshay Ambekar, Arne Koerber
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Publication number: 20210115896Abstract: A method for mitigating loads acting on a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes determining, via a state estimator of a controller, a blade state estimation of the rotor blade. The method also includes reconstructing, via the controller, one or more loading signals of the rotor blade from the blade state estimation using modal analysis such that the loading signal(s) include a lead time. Further, the method includes comparing the loading signal(s) of the rotor blade to a loading threshold. Moreover, the method includes implementing a control action based on the comparison such that the lead time provided by the loading signal(s) allows the control action to take effect before a damaging load occurs on the rotor blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Ameet Shridhar Deshpande, Shuang Gu, Pranav Agarwal, Prashanth Kumar Reddy Vaddi, Bernard Landa, Arne Koerber
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Publication number: 20210047996Abstract: Method for operating a wind turbine, the wind turbine including a wind characteristics sensor for measuring a wind characteristic and at least one wind turbine state sensor for measuring a state of the wind turbine, the method comprising: determining or adjusting (102) one or more wind characteristics relationships; and, performing (104) an operation phase, the operation phase including: measuring the wind characteristics with the wind characteristics sensor, thereby obtaining measured wind characteristics; measuring the state of the wind turbine with the at least one wind turbine state sensor and determining an estimated wind characteristics from the measured state of the wind turbine and parameters of the wind turbine; comparing the estimated wind characteristics to an expected wind characteristics determined from the measured wind characteristics, wherein the expected wind characteristics is determined based on the one or more wind characteristics relationships; and, operating or shutting down the wind turType: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Arne Koerber
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Patent number: 10808681Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine based on aerodynamic performance maps that account for blade twist includes controlling the wind turbine based on at least one aerodynamic performance map. Further, the method includes determining at least one speed parameter of the wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes determining a blade torsional stiffness factor. Thus, the method further includes determining, via the processor, a twist correction factor for the aerodynamic performance map as a function of the at least one speed parameter and the blade torsional stiffness factor. The method then includes applying the twist correction factor to the at least one aerodynamic performance map to obtain an adjusted aerodynamic performance map. In addition, the method includes controlling the wind turbine based on the adjusted aerodynamic performance map.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ameet Shridhar Deshpande, Arne Koerber, Sara Simonne Delport
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Patent number: 10731633Abstract: Power generation stabilization control systems and methods include monitoring a frequency of the power grid. In response to detecting a frequency event occurring in the power grid, the method includes activating a control scheme in order to meet one or more grid requirements of the power grid. The control scheme includes increasing a power output of the wind turbine to, at least, a pre-event measured grid power. Further, the control scheme includes calculating a power correction factor for a power set point as a function of, at least, the frequency event. Moreover, the control scheme includes adjusting the power set point via the power correction factor such that the power output follows a predetermined trajectory. In addition, the control scheme includes controlling, via a turbine controller, the wind turbine based on the adjusted power set point for as long as the control scheme is activated.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mahesh Ayiranazhi Cailakam, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Jignesh Govindlal Gandhi, Arne Koerber
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Patent number: 10634121Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine during partial load operation includes determining a power output of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining whether the power output is below a rated power of the wind turbine. If the power output is at the rated power, the method includes maintaining a speed set point of the wind turbine equal to a rated speed set point. However, if the power output is below the rated power, then the method includes varying, via a controller, the speed set point of the wind turbine as a function of a torque of the wind turbine in a non-monotonic torque-speed relationship.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ryan Andrew Risdon, Jignesh Govindlal Gandhi, Mark Edward Cardinal, Govardhan Ganireddy, Arne Koerber
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Publication number: 20190226451Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine based on aerodynamic performance maps that account for blade twist includes controlling the wind turbine based on at least one aerodynamic performance map. Further, the method includes determining at least one speed parameter of the wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes determining a blade torsional stiffness factor. Thus, the method further includes determining, via the processor, a twist correction factor for the aerodynamic performance map as a function of the at least one speed parameter and the blade torsional stiffness factor. The method then includes applying the twist correction factor to the at least one aerodynamic performance map to obtain an adjusted aerodynamic performance map. In addition, the method includes controlling the wind turbine based on the adjusted aerodynamic performance map.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2018Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Ameet Shridhar Deshpande, Arne Koerber, Sara Simonne Delport
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Patent number: 10215157Abstract: A method is provided for operation of a wind turbine having rotor blades attached to a hub, wherein a controller compensates for torsionally induced blade twist. The method includes operating the wind turbine according to a rated power output curve and maximum design thrust value, and periodically or continuously detecting for induced torsional twist in the rotor blades. Upon determination of torsional twist being induced in the rotor blades, the method includes adjusting the maximum thrust value in the control program to compensate for the induced twist. The wind turbine controller then controls pitch of the rotor blades as a function of the increased maximum thrust value so that power output of the wind turbine is not unnecessarily limited or increased by the induced twist on the rotor blades.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Franklin Perley, Thomas Frank Fric, Arne Koerber
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Publication number: 20180363628Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine during partial load operation includes determining a power output of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining whether the power output is below a rated power of the wind turbine. If the power output is at the rated power, the method includes maintaining a speed set point of the wind turbine equal to a rated speed set point. However, if the power output is below the rated power, then the method includes varying, via a controller, the speed set point of the wind turbine as a function of a torque of the wind turbine in a non-monotonic torque-speed relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Ryan Andrew Risdon, Jignesh Govindlal Gandhi, Mark Edward Cardinal, Govardhan Ganireddy, Arne Koerber
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Publication number: 20180347543Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for optimizing power production of a wind turbine. The method includes determining at least one operational constraint for the wind turbine. The method also includes operating the wind turbine with at least one operational constraint being activated. Further, the method includes varying a tip speed ratio for the wind turbine while the at least one operational constraint is activated so as to maximize a power coefficient of the wind turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Venkata Krishna Vadlamudi, Bernardo Adrian Movsichoff, Akshay Ambekar, Arne Koerber
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Publication number: 20180335020Abstract: Power generation stabilization control systems and methods include monitoring a frequency of the power grid. In response to detecting a frequency event occurring in the power grid, the method includes activating a control scheme in order to meet one or more grid requirements of the power grid. The control scheme includes increasing a power output of the wind turbine to, at least, a pre-event measured grid power. Further, the control scheme includes calculating a power correction factor for a power set point as a function of, at least, the frequency event. Moreover, the control scheme includes adjusting the power set point via the power correction factor such that the power output follows a predetermined trajectory. In addition, the control scheme includes controlling, via a turbine controller, the wind turbine based on the adjusted power set point for as long as the control scheme is activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Mahesh AYIRANAZHI CAILAKAM, Alfredo Sebastian ACHILLES, Jignesh Govindlal GANDHI, Arne KOERBER
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Publication number: 20180187647Abstract: A method is provided for operation of a wind turbine having rotor blades attached to a hub, wherein a controller compensates for torsionally induced blade twist. The method includes operating the wind turbine according to a rated power output curve and maximum design thrust value, and periodically or continuously detecting for induced torsional twist in the rotor blades. Upon determination of torsional twist being induced in the rotor blades, the method includes adjusting the maximum thrust value in the control program to compensate for the induced twist. The wind turbine controller then controls pitch of the rotor blades as a function of the increased maximum thrust value so that power output of the wind turbine is not unnecessarily limited or increased by the induced twist on the rotor blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Thomas Franklin Perley, Thomas Frank Fric, Arne Koerber
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Patent number: 9644606Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce tower oscillations in a wind turbine are presented. The method includes obtaining a rotor velocity. Furthermore, the method includes obtaining one or more parameters associated with a tower of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes determining a modified rotor velocity based on the one or more parameters. Moreover, the method includes determining a first pitch angle based on the modified rotor velocity. In addition, the method includes pitching one or more blades of the wind turbine based on the first pitch angle to reduce the tower oscillations.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Pranav Agarwal, Charudatta Subhash Mehendale, Arne Koerber
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Patent number: 9605558Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes: measuring an actual wind parameter upwind from the wind turbine using one or more sensors; providing the measured wind parameter to a processor; providing a plurality of wind turbine operating data to the processor; utilizing the plurality of operating data to determine an estimated wind turbine condition at the wind turbine; generating a control wind profile based on the actual wind parameter and the estimated wind turbine condition; and, implementing a control action based on the control wind profile to prevent excessive loading from acting on the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Franklin Perley, Brandon Shane Gerber, Arne Koerber
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Patent number: 9587628Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a rotor adapted to rotate at an optimal speed. The method includes determining a turbulence parameter; and operating the wind turbine at a speed that is increased by a speed deviation amount as compared to the optimal speed. The speed deviation amount is dependent on the turbulence parameter. A wind turbine (100) having a controller (202) for controlling the wind turbine according to the disclosed method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Kasibhatla Satish Narayana, Arne Koerber
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Publication number: 20160356266Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for reducing vibrations of a tower (e.g. a tubular steep tower or a lattice tower structure) of a wind turbine. The method includes continuously determining a torsional movement of the tower based at least in part on measurements obtained from one or more sensors. Another step includes continuously determining, via a controller, a control command for one or more pitch drive mechanisms of the wind turbine based on the torsional movement. Thus, the method also includes operating the one or more pitch drive mechanisms based on the control command so as to dampen the torsional movement of the tower.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Arne Koerber, Till Hoffmann
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Patent number: 9341159Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling wind turbine loading. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of determining a current thrust value for the wind turbine, calculating a thrust differential based on the current thrust value and a predetermined maximum thrust value, calculating a desired pitch offset value based on the thrust differential and a thrust sensitivity value, and adjusting a pitch of the wind turbine utilizing the pitch offset value.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Arne Koerber, William Edwin Holley, Leonardo Cesar Kammer, Charudatta Subhash Mehendale
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Publication number: 20150056072Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes: measuring an actual wind parameter upwind from the wind turbine using one or more sensors; providing the measured wind parameter to a processor; providing a plurality of wind turbine operating data to the processor; utilizing the plurality of operating data to determine an estimated wind turbine condition at the wind turbine; generating a control wind profile based on the actual wind parameter and the estimated wind turbine condition; and, implementing a control action based on the control wind profile to prevent excessive loading from acting on the wind turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Franklin Perley, Brandon Shane Gerber, Arne Koerber
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Patent number: 8872372Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a wind turbine included within a power generation and delivery system is described. The method includes receiving, by a controller, a power command signal, wherein the power command signal indicates recovery from the grid contingency event; and increasing, in a non-uniform manner, power injected into a grid by a power conversion assembly in response to the power command signal wherein the controller controls the power conversion assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Arne Koerber