Patents by Inventor Biju Nanukuttan
Biju Nanukuttan 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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Publication number: 20220319339Abstract: Systems and techniques to facilitate intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle traffic management via an infrastructure network are presented. In an example, a traffic management system can include a data collection component, a flight path component, and a communication component. The data collection component receives navigation data and parameter data associated with an unmanned aerial vehicle. The navigation data is associated with a starting point and destination for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The parameter data is indicative of information associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The flight path component generates flight path data for the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the navigation data, the parameter data and infrastructure network data received from an intelligent sensor node network. The communication component transmits the flight path data to the unmanned aerial vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Biju Nanukuttan, Avichandra Yallapalli, Vigneshwaran Venugopalan
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Patent number: 11410559Abstract: Systems and techniques to facilitate intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle traffic management via an infrastructure network are presented. In an example, a traffic management system can include a data collection component, a flight path component, and a communication component. The data collection component receives navigation data and parameter data associated with an unmanned aerial vehicle. The navigation data is associated with a starting point and destination for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The parameter data is indicative of information associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The flight path component generates flight path data for the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the navigation data, the parameter data and infrastructure network data received from an intelligent sensor node network. The communication component transmits the flight path data to the unmanned aerial vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLCInventors: Biju Nanukuttan, Avichandra Yallapalli, Vigneshwaran Venugopalan
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Patent number: 10677217Abstract: A wind turbine includes at least one blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge that define an airfoil-shaped profile. The suction side and/or the pressure side has a morphable region. The wind turbine also includes a control system configured to activate the morphable region to alter the airfoil-shaped profile and reduce negative lift generated by the blade when the blade is oriented at a negative lift angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andreas Herrig, Biju Nanukuttan, Jr., Christian Aloysius Carroll
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Publication number: 20200013294Abstract: Systems and techniques to facilitate intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle traffic management via an infrastructure network are presented. In an example, a traffic management system can include a data collection component, a flight path component, and a communication component. The data collection component receives navigation data and parameter data associated with an unmanned aerial vehicle. The navigation data is associated with a starting point and destination for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The parameter data is indicative of information associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The flight path component generates flight path data for the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the navigation data, the parameter data and infrastructure network data received from an intelligent sensor node network. The communication component transmits the flight path data to the unmanned aerial vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Biju Nanukuttan, Avichandra Yallapalli, Vigneshwaran Venugopalan
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Patent number: 10288045Abstract: A system for repairing dents in a wind turbine tower section may generally include a dent repair tool having a tool hub and a plurality of arms configured to extend radially outwardly from the tool hub towards an inner surface of the tower section. The tool may also include a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate a plunger of the actuator arm relative to the tool hub such that the plunger applies a radially outward force against the inner surface of the tower section at or adjacent to a location of a dent formed in the tower section. In addition, the system may include a load sensor configured to provide an indication of a load associated with the radially outward force applied against the inner surface of the tower section by the plunger and a controller configured to monitor the load based on signals received from the load sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Suneel Basavaraj Karesangannavar, Biju Nanukuttan, Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli, Chickballapur Venkatakrishnappa Raghunandan, Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Manjunath Basavanneppa Sampagavi
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Patent number: 10190571Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a blade root section and a rigid ring insert. The rotor blade has pressure and suction sides extending between leading and trailing edges. The blade root section includes an end face configured to attach the rotor blade assembly to a hub. Further, the blade root section includes a span-wise end portion defined by inner and outer circumferential components separated by a radial gap. The radial gap includes a first laminate material embedded between the inner and outer circumferential components at a first span-wise depth and a second laminate material embedded between the inner and outer circumferential components at a second span-wise depth. Thus, the rigid ring insert is disposed in the radial gap and embedded between the first and second laminate materials.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Srikanth Samudrala, Biju Nanukuttan, Dhanesh Chandrashekar Pathuvoth, Willem Jan Bakhuis
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Patent number: 10053886Abstract: A connection assembly for a tower of a wind turbine is provided. The connection assembly includes a first tower section segment having an inner surface spaced apart from an outer surface. A second tower section segment is positioned adjacent to the first tower section segment and includes an inner surface spaced apart from an outer surface. The first tower section segment and the second tower section segment define a vertically extending gap therebetween. A connector plate includes a first connector plate portion, a second connector plate portion spaced apart from the first connector plate portion, and a third connector plate portion positioned between the first connector plate portion and the second connector plate portion. The first connector plate portion couples to the first tower section segment. The second connector plate portion couples to the second tower section segment. The third connector plate portion extends through the vertically extending gap.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sujan Kumar Pal, Biju Nanukuttan, Pranesh Attikodige Chandrashekhara
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Patent number: 9995277Abstract: A method for controlling a wind farm includes: receiving temperature data associated with a plurality of locations along a sound path between the wind farm and a sound immission point from one or more sensors; estimating a propagation characteristic of the sound path based at least in part on the temperature data; predicting a noise level at the sound immission point based at least in part on the propagation characteristic; determining a control signal for one or more wind turbines in the wind farm based at least in part on the noise level; and using the control signal to control the one or more wind turbines.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Andreas Herrig, Seongkyu Lee, Stefan Kern, Thierry Pascal Maeder, Benoit Philippe Petitjean, Roger Drobietz, Sujan Kumar Pal, Biju Nanukuttan
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Publication number: 20180148949Abstract: A connection assembly for a tower of a wind turbine is provided. The connection assembly includes a first tower section segment having an inner surface spaced apart from an outer surface. A second tower section segment is positioned adjacent to the first tower section segment and includes an inner surface spaced apart from an outer surface. The first tower section segment and the second tower section segment define a vertically extending gap therebetween. A connector plate includes a first connector plate portion, a second connector plate portion spaced apart from the first connector plate portion, and a third connector plate portion positioned between the first connector plate portion and the second connector plate portion. The first connector plate portion couples to the first tower section segment. The second connector plate portion couples to the second tower section segment. The third connector plate portion extends through the vertically extending gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Sujan Kumar Pal, Biju Nanukuttan, Pranesh Attikodige Chandrashekhara
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Patent number: 9970414Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a pitch assembly for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. In one embodiment, the pitch assembly includes a first pitch bearing having a first outer race and a first inner race rotatable relative to the first outer race via a first set of rolling elements, a second pitch bearing having a second outer race and a second inner race rotatable relative to the second outer race via a second set of rolling elements, and at least one spacer configured axially between and contacting the first and second pitch bearings. Further, at least a portion of the first pitch bearing and at least a portion of the second pitch bearing are axially aligned between the rotatable hub and the rotor blade in a generally span-wise direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Biju Nanukuttan, Rajanikanth Reddy Dasari, Dhanesh Chandrashekar Pathuvoth, Srikanth Samudrala, Mohan Kumar Lakshminarayana
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Publication number: 20170175715Abstract: A system for repairing dents in a wind turbine tower section may generally include a dent repair tool having a tool hub and a plurality of arms configured to extend radially outwardly from the tool hub towards an inner surface of the tower section. The tool may also include a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate a plunger of the actuator arm relative to the tool hub such that the plunger applies a radially outward force against the inner surface of the tower section at or adjacent to a location of a dent formed in the tower section. In addition, the system may include a load sensor configured to provide an indication of a load associated with the radially outward force applied against the inner surface of the tower section by the plunger and a controller configured to monitor the load based on signals received from the load sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Suneel Basavaraj Karesangannavar, Biju Nanukuttan, Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli, Chickballapur Venkatakrishnappa Raghunandan, Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Manjunath Basavanneppa Sampagavi
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Publication number: 20170002660Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a blade root section and a rigid ring insert. The rotor blade has pressure and suction sides extending between leading and trailing edges. The blade root section includes an end face configured to attach the rotor blade assembly to a hub. Further, the blade root section includes a span-wise end portion defined by inner and outer circumferential components separated by a radial gap. The radial gap includes a first laminate material embedded between the inner and outer circumferential components at a first span-wise depth and a second laminate material embedded between the inner and outer circumferential components at a second span-wise depth. Thus, the rigid ring insert is disposed in the radial gap and embedded between the first and second laminate materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Srikanth Samudrala, Biju Nanukuttan, Dhanesh Chandrashekar Pathuvoth, Willem Jan Bakhuis
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Publication number: 20170002795Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a pitch assembly for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. In one embodiment, the pitch assembly includes a first pitch bearing having a first outer race and a first inner race rotatable relative to the first outer race via a first set of rolling elements, a second pitch bearing having a second outer race and a second inner race rotatable relative to the second outer race via a second set of rolling elements, and at least one spacer configured axially between and contacting the first and second pitch bearings. Further, at least a portion of the first pitch bearing and at least a portion of the second pitch bearing are axially aligned between the rotatable hub and the rotor blade in a generally span-wise direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Biju Nanukuttan, Rajanikanth Reddy Dasari, Dhanesh Chandrashekar Pathuvoth, Srikanth Samudrala, Mohan Kumar Lakshminarayana
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Patent number: 9523279Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade extending from a blade root to a blade tip. The rotor blade has a pressure side surface and a suction side surface. The pressure side surface and the suction side surface each extend between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The assembly also includes a blade root extension configured to attach to one of the pressure side surface or the suction side surface of the rotor blade adjacent to the blade root. The blade root extension includes at least one blade fence and at least one airflow modifying element. The blade fence extends between a proximal end and a distal end in a chord-wise direction. The proximal end is configured to attach to the rotor blade such that the distal end remains free and spaced apart from the rotor blade. The airflow modifying element is configured at the proximal end of the blade fence.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Stefan Herr, Biju Nanukuttan, Santhosha Yelwal Srikanta, Karthick Prabhu
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Patent number: 9447820Abstract: A spacer assembly for a bearing of a wind turbine and/or a bearing assembly for a wind turbine is provided. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of roller elements positioned between the inner and outer race, and a plurality of load-bearing spacers configured between the roller elements. Each of the spacers includes a spacer portion and an extension portion. Thus, each of the spacers is arranged to contact adjacent spacers within the bearing assembly via the extension portion such that the extension portions of the spacers are configured to transfer loads experienced by the bearing assembly rather than the loads passing through the roller elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, Biju Nanukuttan
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Publication number: 20160032892Abstract: A method for controlling a wind farm includes: receiving temperature data associated with a plurality of locations along a sound path between the wind farm and a sound immission point from one or more sensors; estimating a propagation characteristic of the sound path based at least in part on the temperature data; predicting a noise level at the sound immission point based at least in part on the propagation characteristic; determining a control signal for one or more wind turbines in the wind farm based at least in part on the noise level; and using the control signal to control the one or more wind turbines.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Andreas Herrig, Seongkyu Lee, Stefan Kern, Thierry Pascal Maeder, Benoit Philippe Petitjean, Roger Drobietz, Sujan Kumar Pal, Biju Nanukuttan
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Publication number: 20150308501Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a spacer assembly for a bearing of a wind turbine and/or a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of roller elements positioned between the inner and outer race, and a plurality of load-bearing spacers configured between the roller elements. Each of the spacers includes a spacer portion and an extension portion. Thus, each of the spacers is arranged to contact adjacent spacers within the bearing assembly via the extension portion such that the extension portions of the spacers are configured to transfer loads experienced by the bearing assembly rather than the loads passing through the roller elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, Biju Nanukuttan
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Publication number: 20150132138Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade extending from a blade root to a blade tip. The rotor blade has a pressure side surface and a suction side surface. The pressure side surface and the suction side surface each extend between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The assembly also includes a blade root extension configured to attach to one of the pressure side surface or the suction side surface of the rotor blade adjacent to the blade root. The blade root extension includes at least one blade fence and at least one airflow modifying element. The blade fence extends between a proximal end and a distal end in a chord-wise direction. The proximal end is configured to attach to the rotor blade such that the distal end remains free and spaced apart from the rotor blade. The airflow modifying element is configured at the proximal end of the blade fence.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Stefan Herr, Biju Nanukuttan, Santhosha Yelwal Srikanta, Karthick Prabhu
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Patent number: 8939709Abstract: A system for operating a turbine includes a rotating component and a non-rotating component separated from the rotating component by a clearance. A first actuator is connected to the non-rotating component, and the first actuator comprises a shape-memory alloy. A method for operating a turbine includes sensing a parameter reflective of a clearance between a non-rotating component and a rotating component and generating a parameter signal reflective of the clearance. The method further includes generating a control signal to at least one actuator based on the parameter signal and moving at least a portion of the non-rotating component relative to the rotating component to change the clearance.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Biju Nanukuttan, Rakesh Adoor, Hariharan Sundaram, James Adaickalasamy, Prasad Punna
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Patent number: 8834117Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a rotor blade having a pressure side member, a suction side member, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. An electrically conductive band extends longitudinally on either or both of the pressure side member and suction side member along the trailing edge. A plurality of electrically conductive noise reduction features extend from the trailing edge and are configured as individual lightning strike receptors. The noise reduction features are configured in conductive communication with the conductive band.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Aaron Yarbrough, Yaru Najem Mendez Hernandez, Theodosia Kourkoutsaki, Biju Nanukuttan, Matthew G. Gann, Richard Hardison, Scott Gabell Riddell, Christopher Daniel Caruso, Wendy Wen-Ling Lin, Jamie Livingston