Wind Patents (Class 290/55)
  • Patent number: 11566613
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an compressed air-based autonomous power generation system for a standalone industrial robot jig comprises an air compressor configured to supply compressed air, a compressed air-based power generator detachably connected with the air compressor to produce power and deliver the compressed air, an industrial robot jig connected with the compressed air-based power generator to receive the compressed air and clamp a product, a battery connected with the compressed air-based power generator to receive, and be charged with, the power, and to supply the power to the industrial robot jig, and an auxiliary air tank connected with the compressed air-based power generator to store the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Jin Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 11557940
    Abstract: A transportable system has a power distribution system with a power distribution unit and a power module. The power module is configured to provide energy in the form of rotational motion to the power distribution system. The power distribution unit has one or more power converters and an input connection. The power distribution unit is coupled to the power module, and the rotational energy from the power module is transferred to the one or more power converters via the input connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley John Warren, Chad A. Fisher, Austin Carl Schaffner
  • Patent number: 11555479
    Abstract: A portable system for converting wind energy into electrical energy is disclosed. The disclosed system may include a frame hosting one or more conversion modules, arranged as desired. A given conversion module may include one or more wind energy conversion devices (WECDs), arranged as desired. The conversion modules may be electrically connected, directly or indirectly, with one or more downstream electrical energy storage elements (e.g., such as a battery or other capacitive element, optionally native to a host platform). In this manner, the disclosed system may be configured for use in storing and/or supplying electric power for downstream consumption by a host platform or otherwise. In a more general sense, the disclosed system may be utilized, for example, for micro-generation of renewable electrical energy from wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Octavian F. Filoti
  • Patent number: 11549488
    Abstract: The method according to the invention for operating a wind turbine, comprising a tower and a rotor arranged at the top of the tower and having at least one rotor blade, which can be adjusted about a blade setting axis, has a first operating mode in which the at least one rotor blade has an operating angular position about the blade setting axis and a wind-force-dependent rotation of the rotor is converted into electrical power using a generator unit, which power is delivered from the wind turbine into an electrical network and/or stored, and a second operating mode in which the at least one rotor blade is adjusted by at least 60° and/or max. 110° about the blade setting axis relative to the operating angular position into a damping angular position, and a counter torque braking the rotor is controlled based on a vibration of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Service GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Warfen, Timo Gosch-Pleß
  • Patent number: 11530682
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vertical axis wind turbine air concentration tower with reduced radar cross section. The air concentration tower has a polygonal outer perimeter, a pivot located at each vertex of the polygonal outer perimeter, and an inwardly-positioned rudder blade operatively connected at each pivot. Each inwardly positioned rudder blade has a first wind-neutral position, and is pivotable through a plurality of angles that adjust based on an incoming wind direction, such that the incoming wind is channeled to the vertical axis wind turbine, which is located approximately at a center area of the polygonal outer perimeter. A radar absorbent material is applied to the vertical axis wind turbine air concentration tower to reduce the radar cross section. The air concentration tower is designed to provide higher wind speed to the vertical axis wind turbine than the surrounding ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Dilson dos Santos Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 11530685
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing flicker generated by a wind farm. Accordingly, the farm controller detects at least one parameter of the wind farm indicative of an output flicker resulting from a synchronized flicker of at least two turbines of the plurality of wind turbines. Upon detecting the parameter, the farm controller generates a command offset for at least one wind turbine of the at least two wind turbines. An operating parameter of the at least one wind turbine is changed based on the command offset so as to de-synchronize the synchronized flicker in the output signals of the at least two wind turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward Wayne Hardwicke, Jr., Jignesh Govindlal Gandhi
  • Patent number: 11509141
    Abstract: A power management module and method for controlling power consumption of consumers in a wind turbine system. Each power management module in the wind turbine system is configured to determine a voltage level of a power supply bus of the wind turbine system and then control a level of power consumption of one or more consumers coupled to the power supply bus based at least in part on the determined voltage level of the power supply bus. Power consumption may thereby be managed throughout the wind turbine system, without requiring a dedicated centralised controller and communications infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSIEMS A/S
    Inventor: Niels Erik Danielsen
  • Patent number: 11506176
    Abstract: A modular, electricity generating apparatus comprises an elongate, central member comprising a first end and a second end; at least one foil disposed about the central member in fluid interacting relation thereto; the solar foil comprising an outer surface having photovoltaic properties; the first end and the second end dimensioned and configured to be connected to a connecting node; and, the elongate central member at least partially formed of an electrically conductive material and configured to conduct electricity from at least one of the connecting nodes to the other of the connecting nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Charles Martin Sieger
  • Patent number: 11506180
    Abstract: An enclosure with a vortex-induced vibration suppression function and a method for suppressing vortex-induced vibration are provided. The enclosure is provided with suction through holes extending through a peripheral wall thereof, the suction through holes are distributed in a circumferential direction of the enclosure. The enclosure is further provided with a suction apparatus, and the suction apparatus can perform suctioning to the suction through holes from outside to inside, to restrain a boundary layer at an outer surface of the enclosure from being detached from the outer surface. By the suctioning, the boundary layer can be “adsorbed” on the outer surface of the tower, thereby restraining or directly preventing the boundary layer from being detached from the outer surface of the tower, and reducing or eliminating the cause of the vertex-induced vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING GOLDWIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO.. LTD.
    Inventor: Shengjun Ma
  • Patent number: 11499484
    Abstract: A system for controlling a turbine is disclosed. The system includes a turbine control fuel governor that has a plurality of VCPIDs operating in parallel with one another. Each VCPID is associated with a respective turbine parameter and one or more external parameters. Each VCPID incorporates feedback from the parallel operating VCPIDs to feed an integral term of a current VCPID in the following manner: a previous derivative gain and a previous proportional gain are summed and subtracted from a selected output for the turbine to yield a result, and the result is input to an integral gain portion of the current VCPID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SIGNAL POWER GROUP OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: David Keith Crowe, Elden W. Crom
  • Patent number: 11499527
    Abstract: Method of lifting a wind turbine part (58) at a wind turbine site (1, 2), the method includes: providing a lifting apparatus (60) and a wind turbine part (58) to be lifted; providing a shield (40); providing manipulation equipment (45) associated with said shield (40); and suspending said part (58) from said lifting apparatus (60); moving said part (58) by means of said lifting apparatus (68); the method further including holding said shield (40) proximate and upwind of said part (58) being lifted by means of said manipulation equipment (45). The shield (40) may be held proximate the part (58) being lifted such that it acts to reduce the ambient wind force incident on the part (58). Preferably the method may be implemented such that wind speed conditions (w) at the part (58) being lifted are lower than ambient wind conditions (W) at said site (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Peter Fynbo, Michael Kastrup, Marcus Amery
  • Patent number: 11493027
    Abstract: A wind turbine has a nacelle which houses operative components such as a transformer or converter which in use generate unwanted heat, the nacelle including an external nacelle cover (20) to form the outer nacelle enclosure, and provided with a panel (24) which overlies a bottom cover (22) region forming therewith a conduit for directing external air to one or more of the heat generating operative components for cooling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Martin Patrick Vcelka, Matthieu Alexandre
  • Patent number: 11493022
    Abstract: Carts with aerofoils move around an elongated, looped track under the force of the wind. Carts are connected to each other in a train on the windward side of the track and collectively rotate gear wheels at the side of the track, via racks mounted on the carts that engage with the gears. The gears ultimately power an electrical generator mounted in the base of the system. The system has multiple tracks stacked one above the other and mounted on a rotatable structure that can be turned to optimize wind energy harvesting. The angle of the aerofoils is adjusted at different locations of the cart on the track when desired. Intervening buffer carts without aerofoils are used to space the carts with aerofoils. The speed of the carts is a fraction of the wind speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Guang Rong Liu
  • Patent number: 11493023
    Abstract: A wind turbine control method includes: acquiring in real time a current wind direction of each upstream wind turbine in a wind farm; determining a current main wind direction to which the current wind direction of each upstream wind turbine belongs; determining, according to an association between the main wind directions of multiple upstream wind turbines and downstream wind turbines in the main wind directions, a downstream wind turbine associated with the current main wind direction of each upstream wind turbine; determining, according to an operating status and an operating parameter of the downstream wind turbine associated with the current main wind direction, a control instruction for each downstream wind turbine associated with the current main wind direction; and controlling, according to the control instruction, each downstream wind turbine associated with the current main wind direction. Also provided are a corresponding control device, a controller, and a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING GOLDWIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 11493025
    Abstract: A wind power generation device includes a rotor assembly and a stator. The rotor assembly includes a rotating member, a first magnetic module, and a second magnetic module the latter two of which are fixed on the rotating member. The rotating member has a column and a spiral blade connected to the column. The first and second magnetic modules are arranged outside the spiral blade and face each other. The rotor assembly defines an annular gap formed around the spiral blade and between the first and second magnetic modules. The stator assembly includes a frame, a positioning member connected to the frame, and an induction module fixed on the positioning member and arranged in the annular gap. The spiral blade can rotate the rotator assembly relative to the stator assembly by wind, so that a region between the first and second magnetic module sweeps over the induction module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: HERO POWER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiro Miyake, Nariie Omori
  • Patent number: 11486351
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for sealing a joint between a first blade section and a second blade section of a wind turbine blade, a sealing member and a wind turbine blade comprising a sealing member. The sealing member having a first surface and a second surface. The sealing member having a width between a first edge and a second edge. The sealing member being configured for attachment to the first outer shell along the first edge, and for attachment to the second outer shell along the second edge. The sealing member comprising a corrugated section between the first edge and the second edge, the corrugated section comprising one or more valleys and/or ridges extending along a lengthwise direction of the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BLADE DYNAMICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrea Avaldi, Chris Paul Swatton, Harry George James Fish, Manish Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 11486367
    Abstract: A spreader tool is provided for spreading viscous material on the surface (5?), for example an edge (5?), of a wind turbine blade (5). The spreader tool (52) comprises at least one bendable spreader wing (54A, 54B), for example provided as a fin-ray construction, for pressing a flexible band (53) against a curved section of the blade (5) and for dragging viscous material along it by the flexible band during movement of the spreader tool (52) along the blade (5) surface (5?). The spreader tool is advantageously part of a robot system used to work the surface (5?) of the blade (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Rope Robotics ApS
    Inventors: Hans Laurberg, Martin Huus Bjerge, André Mikkelsen, Troels Askholm Andersen, Matthias Stefansson
  • Patent number: 11485235
    Abstract: The invention relates to the supplemental generation of energy from a vehicle operation, and specifically to the generation of energy in connection to a vehicle's disc brakes in combination with brushless electric motor-generators. The aim of the invention is to provide a solution making it possible to provide a generator and a disc brake having a compact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ECOLUTION KWH, LLC
    Inventor: Johnny Then-Gautier
  • Patent number: 11486365
    Abstract: An assembly (127) for a wind turbine (100) includes a housing (126) having a first bearing (150) and a second bearing (154). A shaft (142) extends axially within the housing (126) and is supported by the first bearing (150) and the second bearing (154) for rotation relative to the housing (126). A radially outer portion of the shaft (142) includes at least one shaft engagement formation (146) positioned between the first bearing (150) and the second bearing (154). A retention mechanism (156) is moveable axially between: an engaged position in which it can engage the shaft engagement formation (146), such that rotation of the shaft (142) is constrained; and a disengaged position in which the retention mechanism (156) cannot engage the shaft engagement formation (146), thereby allowing rotation of the shaft (142). Additionally, a method of operating such an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Anders Haslund Liingaard, Claus Hald Therkildsen
  • Patent number: 11486355
    Abstract: A method for operating an asynchronous doubly-fed wind turbine generator connected to a power grid in a grid-forming mode to emulate a virtual synchronous machine. The doubly-fed wind turbine generator includes a line-side converter coupled to a rotor-side converter via a direct current (DC) link. The method includes receiving, via a controller, at least one reference command from an external controller. The method also includes controlling rotor flux of the doubly-fed wind turbine generator using the at least one reference command. Further, the method includes providing power droop control for the doubly-fed wind turbine generator through at least one of rotor-side reference frame rotation and d-axis flux control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hanchao Liu, Maozhong Gong, Di Pan, Yichao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11480159
    Abstract: A mainframe mounts the drivetrain of a wind turbine, and to an arrangement comprising such a mainframe, and to a wind turbine having a corresponding arrangement. For the purpose of mounting the drivetrain of a wind turbine, the mainframe is realized with two bearing points that are spaced apart from each other, a partial flange, having a fastening region shaped as a circular ring segment, being provided at at least one bearing point. The arrangement comprises, besides the mainframe, at least one ring element configured to radially encompass the drivetrain. At least one ring element is fastened to the fastening region, shaped as a circular ring segment, of a bearing point of the mainframe. In the case of the wind turbine, the drivetrain is mounted by means of the described arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Senvion GmbH
    Inventors: Alf Trede, Carsten Eusterbarkey
  • Patent number: 11480158
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting a wind turbine having a tower and a first energy generating unit with a second energy generation unit is disclosed. The wind turbine has been operated for a first period of time at a first tower life rate and has a first tower life expectancy design value. The method includes determining the tower life of the wind turbine tower used during the first period of time; determining the remaining tower life of the wind turbine tower; replacing the first energy generating unit with the second energy generating unit; and operating the retrofitted wind turbine at a second tower life rate less than the first tower life rate so as to extend the life expectancy value of the tower beyond the first tower life expectancy design value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Hedegaard Bachmann, Jesper Kofoed Jensen
  • Patent number: 11482956
    Abstract: An arrangement contains an asynchronous machine having a rotor and a stator. The arrangement is set up in a generator mode for feeding electrical energy into an AC voltage network. The arrangement is characterized in that the asynchronous machine can be doubly fed. The asynchronous machine can be connected in a matrix configuration to the AC voltage network by a modular multi-level converter, and the modular multi-level converter is set up in a motor mode of the arrangement for starting up the asynchronous machine while short-circuiting the rotor or the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedemann Augsburger, Rainer Gruber, German Kuhn, Alexander Rentschler, Kunal Sharma
  • Patent number: 11479330
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a marine propulsion system (1) comprising a first portion (4) and a second portion (5) of a set of movable foils, a movement mechanism (2) coupled to the first portion (4) and the second portion (5) of the set of movable foils and configured to simultaneously control a motion of the first portion (4) and the second portion (5) of the set of foils along a closed first trajectory (6) comprising a first direction (17) and a second direction (18) which is different than the first direction (17), and a pitch mechanism (3) coupled to the first portion (4) and the second portion (5) of the set of movable foils and configured to control a pitch angle (?) of the first portion (4) and the second portion (5) of the set of movable foils, and wherein the pitch angle (?) of at least a part of the second portion (5) of the set of foils is dependent on an incoming fluid flow (vx), the motion of the second portion (5) of the set of foils, and a flow (v
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventor: Antonio Sánchez-Caja
  • Patent number: 11466660
    Abstract: A downwind morphing rotor that exhibits bending loads that will be reduced by aligning the rotor blades with the composite forces. This reduces the net loads on the blades which therefore allow for a reduced blade mass for a given maximum stress. The downwind morphing varies the amount of downstream deflection as a function of wind speed, where the rotor blades are generally fully-aligned to non-azimuthal forces for wind speeds between rated and cut-out conditions, while only the outer segments of the blades are generally aligned between cut-in and rated wind speeds. This alignment for large (MW-scale) rated turbines results in much larger downstream deflections of the blades at high wind speeds as compared to that of a conventional rigid single-piece upwind turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: University of Virginia Patent Foundation, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Eric Loth, Michael S. Selig, Adam Steele
  • Patent number: 11460004
    Abstract: A reduced profile wind tower system includes a slim cylindrical spinal core extending up vertically from a foundation. A turbine nacelle is mounted on a top end of the core. Wind turbine blades extend out from the nacelle. A plurality of axially loaded tubular arms, braced by the core, are spaced around the core and link to the core through continuous shear wings or discrete bracket assemblies. The tubular arms and shear wings extend up from said foundation. The tubular arms can be set either vertically or slightly sloped; cables may substitute for the tubular arms and a pontoon may substitute for an on ground foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Nissim Agassi
  • Patent number: 11454210
    Abstract: A fluid turbine blade device includes a vertical axis support base having a fulcrum-forming depression which acts as a first part, and a rotary assembly including a hub lid and a sleeve member rotatably surrounding the vertical axis support base. The hub lid has a projection acting as a second part and rotatably connected to the first part. The fluid turbine blade device further includes a plurality of blade modules mounted to the sleeve member and acted upon by fluid to drive the sleeve member to rotate, and a collision avoidance unit including a plurality of magnets disposed on the outside of the vertical axis support base and the inside of the rotary assembly to produce repulsive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventor: Tien-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 11434877
    Abstract: Direct-drive wind turbines (160) are disclosed. The wind turbine comprise a generator (3) mounted on a frame (1), the generator (3) comprising a generator stator (32) and a generator rotor (31) configured to rotate about a rotation axis (RA), the frame (1) has a protruding portion (11) extending beyond the generator (3), the protruding portion (11) comprising a first structure and a second structure; wherein the first and second structures are configured to rotate relative to each other and about the rotation axis (RA); wherein the first structure is attached to the generator stator (32) and the second structure is attached to the generator rotor (31); a brake system (2) attached to the first and second structures, the brake system (2) being spaced away from the generator (3) along the rotation axis (RA). Also disclosed are methods (200) for braking a direct-drive wind turbine (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Jan Erich Hemmelmann, Julian Fernandez Buezas
  • Patent number: 11428306
    Abstract: A shipping strap for a hybrid module includes a first annular surface, a second annular surface, and a central bore. The first annular surface includes a first orifice for receiving a first fastener for fixing the shipping strap to a hybrid module housing, or receiving a dowel pin for radially positioning the shipping strap relative to the hybrid module housing. The second annular surface includes a second orifice for receiving a second fastener for securing the shipping strap to a rotor for an electric machine to axially position the rotor in the hybrid module housing. In some example embodiments, the shipping strap has a through bore aligned with the central bore, and a lifting element installed in the through bore for installing the hybrid module in a multi-speed transmission. In an example embodiment, the lifting element is installed in the through bore by a threaded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, John Ramsey, Matthew Payne
  • Patent number: 11428210
    Abstract: A wind energy harvesting machine with three counter-rotating rotors in a duct is disclosed. The wind energy harvesting machine includes a tower, a duct, a counter-rotating generator with two rotary parts, and three groups of blades. The duct includes supporting static stators in front and rear and a static nose cone in the front. The counter-rotating generator has a main shaft and rotary interior and exterior parts to rotating in opposite directions. Three rotary blade groups including front and rear blade groups rotatable around the main shaft in the same direction, and a middle blade group rotatable in an opposite direction. The front and rear blade groups are displaceable axially along the main shaft and the middle blade group is fixed on the exterior part of the counter-rotating generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MEGABIZ PETROKIMYA ÜRÜNLERI SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM ŞIRKETI
    Inventor: Erdem Can
  • Patent number: 11428209
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a wind farm connected to a power grid, the wind farm having one or more wind turbines includes implementing a shutdown mode for the one or more wind turbines of the wind farm in response to receiving a shutdown command. The shutdown mode includes disconnecting the one or more wind turbines of the wind farm from the power grid via one or more respective individual turbine controllers and reducing, via the individual turbine controllers, a rotor speed of the one or more wind turbines to a cut-in speed. After the shutdown command is cleared, the method further includes reconnecting the one or more wind turbines to the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Enno Ubben, Jorge Gonzalez Castro, Karthikeyan Appuraj, Abhijeet Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 11428212
    Abstract: Systems and methods to monitor a wind turbine azimuth drivetrain. Azimuth variation characteristics data are accumulated from wind turbines over a period of time. Clusters of values within the azimuth variation characteristics data are identified and a respective condition of the main drivetrain is associated with different clusters of values. After the associating, a measured set of azimuth variation characteristics data is received. A cluster corresponds to values in the measured set of azimuth variation characteristics data is determined and a condition associated with that cluster is determined to be a condition associated with the subject main drivetrain. That condition is then reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Inventus Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Carmine A. Priore, III, Huiyi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11431217
    Abstract: Provided is an electric generator having a stator, a rotor, a plurality of coils including conductors shaped as a tape, the stator extending axially along a longitudinal axis between a first axial end and a second axial end, the stator including a plurality of slots, the plurality of slots being circumferentially distributed around a longitudinal axis of the stator, each of the coils respectively comprising: two slot portions respectively housed in two slots of the stator, two end-windings axially protruding from stator at the first axial end and a second axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Erik Groendahl, Peter Hessellund Soerensen, Arwyn Thomas
  • Patent number: 11421649
    Abstract: An embodiment of Horizontal and Vertical Axis Wind Generator (HVAWG) concept with the rotating wings, the gearbox, repulsive magnets attached to the wings and the wind tunnel cover with the same pole magnets or repulsive magnets is described. This feature allows for a number of improvements over the current state of the art including damage protection and the ability to remain operational during high wind conditions. In addition, the invention described here is scalable for cars, boats, motor cycles, camping cars, homes, offices, and power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Jung Dae Lee, Jung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 11415107
    Abstract: A wind power generation apparatus, a tower and a method for suppressing a tower shadow effect of the tower. The tower is provided with suction through holes extending through a circumferential wall thereof, and the suction through holes are distributed in a circumferential direction of the tower; the tower is further provided with a suction apparatus, and the suction apparatus can perform suction to the suction through holes from outside to inside. With the tower and the method, when the suction through holes at a windward side are suctioned, the adverse influence of the tower shadow effect can be weakened or eliminated, a service life of a pitch varying bearing can be prolonged, a noise can be reduced and a wind energy utilization coefficient can be improved. When the suction through holes at a position of a bypassing flow detachment are suctioned, vortex-induced vibrations can also be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING GOLDWIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shengjun Ma
  • Patent number: 11415102
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of energy, in particular to devices converting wind energy into electricity. The wind energy conversion method into electrical energy consisting in that the wind energy is converted by means of receivers mounted on the casing of moving wind energy conversion modules, moving linearly along the guide belt, into movement energy of wind energy conversion modules and electric energy by means of electrical energy generating device, mounted on the casing. Wherein there is performing continuous control, depending on the external conditions of the total area of all wind energy receivers guided to the guide belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SILA PRIRODI LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (SILA PRIRODI LLC)
    Inventor: Vyacheslav Antonovich Yakimchuk
  • Patent number: 11415113
    Abstract: Wind turbines including a hub rotatably mounted on a frame are disclosed, wherein the hub includes a bearing arranged around the frame, a main hub body extending in an axial direction from a front end to a rear end, and including a central opening for fitting the main hub body around the bearing. A bearing adapter is attached to the bearing, and the bearing adapter is in contact with and fixed to an axially facing surface of the main hub body. Also methods for mounting are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xavier Soler, Xavier Santamaria, Samuel Segura
  • Patent number: 11408396
    Abstract: A wind turbine and method are provided for defining a plurality of thrust limits for the wind turbine located at a site and having a rotor with rotor blades, wherein the thrust limits define values of aerodynamic thrust on the rotor not to be exceeded in operation. The method includes providing a wind speed distribution representative for the site and defining one or more isolines of constant turbulence probability representing a turbulence parameter as a function of wind speed. The isolines correspond to quantile levels of turbulence of the wind speed distribution and the turbulence parameter is indicative of wind speed variation. The turbulence parameter is determined by continuously measuring wind speed upstream of the rotor with an active sensing system and calculating the wind speed variations from the measured wind speed. Turbulence ranges are defined with respect to the isolines and thrust limits are defined for the turbulence ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Pierino Gianni Bonanni, Xu Fu, Francesco Perrone
  • Patent number: 11408397
    Abstract: A system for pumping water from a lower tank water source 10 that is operable in association with the windmill 12,13 having a tower frame i.e supporting pillar 18, and rotating cylinder 19 connected to the windmill. The system includes a rotating cylinder 19 linked to the windmill which rotates on the rotation of the windmill driven by the wind. The pipes 20 operate through the motion of the rotating cylinder 19 and delivers a flow of compressed water from the lower tank 10 to a point above i.e upper tank 11. The speedometer 21 drives the pipe to intermediate tanks on the basis of the rotation generated by the rotating cylinder 19. The microprocessor 22 automatically switches pipe in various tanks based on the speedometer 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Mirza Faizan
  • Patent number: 11401916
    Abstract: A method 300 of controlling a wind turbine generator is disclosed. The method comprises operating 302 the wind turbine in accordance with a power curve having a knee region and monitoring 304 a temperature of at least one thermal hotspot of the wind turbine generator. The method further comprises initiating 306 a power boost to temporarily increase an active power generated by the wind turbine generator above a rated power when the wind turbine generator enters the knee region of the power curve and controlling 312 at least one of a magnitude and a duration of the power boost in dependence on the temperature of the at least one thermal hotspot of the wind turbine generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Tusitha Abeyasekera, Sascha Dominic Erbslöh, Alex Pericleous
  • Patent number: 11391262
    Abstract: A fluid-driven power generation unit, may include two sets of airfoils disposed on opposite sides of the power generation unit with their leading edges facing a windward end of the power generation unit; a body element having a curved front face and a back disposed, wherein at least a portion of the elongate body element is disposed between the first and second set of airfoils; and a power generation unit disposed in alignment with the body element, the power generation unit including at least a housing, and a turbine and an electrical generation unit actuated by the turbine disposed within the housing. As a fluid flows across the airfoils, the lifting force of the airfoils causes a reduced pressure within the power generation unit, drawing air past the turbine, through the body element and out the back of the body element, thereby extracting power from this secondary fluid flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AEROMINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Carsten Hein Westergaard
  • Patent number: 11391266
    Abstract: A method for assembling a wind turbine, including: attaching an elevator carriage (27) to a nacelle (9) to form a carriage-nacelle assembly (27,9); and mounting the carriage-nacelle assembly (27,9) on to a tower (3) as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Sense Wind Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Geraets, George Ballard
  • Patent number: 11384730
    Abstract: A method for controlling a multirotor wind turbine is disclosed. A first operational state of each of the energy generating units of the wind turbine is obtained. A difference in thrust acting on at least two of the energy generating units is detected. At least one constraint parameter of the set of operational constraints is adjusted in accordance with prevailing operating conditions and in accordance with the detected difference in thrust, and a new operational state for at least one of the energy generating units is derived, based on the at least one adjusted constraint parameter, the new operational state(s) counteracting the detected difference in thrust. Finally, the wind turbine is controlled in accordance with the new operational states for the energy generating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Søren Dalsgaard, Jesper Lykkegaard Neubauer, Kim Hylling Sørensen, Jacob Brøchner, Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda, Peter Bøttcher, Julio Xavier Vianna Neto, Torben Petersen
  • Patent number: 11383799
    Abstract: A floating support structure for an offshore wind turbine, comprises a float intended to be partly immersed and on which a wind turbine mast is intended to be assembled, and a counterweight connected to the float and intended to be immersed under the float. The float comprises a toroid or polygon-shaped main structure with at least five sides, a central tubular structure having a diameter adapted to receive the mast of the wind turbine and comprising a section able to be ballasted in order to adjust the waterline of the float, a first series of horizontal struts distributed about a vertical axis and connecting the main structure to the central structure, and a second series of oblique struts distributed about a vertical axis and connecting the main structure to the central structure at an angle comprised between 15° and 60° with the horizontal struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Colmard, Paul Franc, Jean-Baptiste Le Clezio, Frédéric Gentil, Thierry Delahaye, Nicolas Chazot, Raymond Hallot
  • Patent number: 11371489
    Abstract: A tower for a wind turbine is disclosed, said wind turbine comprises the tower, a nacelle and a rotor having at least one rotor blade. The tower is configured for supporting the nacelle and the rotor on a support system. The tower itself may be structured as having an upper top end for supporting the nacelle and a lower support end for being placed on the support system. Electric energy generated is transported via power cables from the nacelle to an electric grid, preferably via power electronic components, switches and/or transformers. Furthermore, the nacelle may rotate around the yaw axis according to the current wind direction. Hence, the rotation of the nacelle introduces a twist into the power cables, wherein said twist causes a deviation (shortening) in the length of the power cables. Furthermore, the tower comprises at least one radial cable guiding device for receiving the cable and a cable support arrangement for supporting the cable in a beneficial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Mathias Eidam, Stefan Voss, Holger Luehn, Daniel Ross
  • Patent number: 11365714
    Abstract: A method for mounting or dismounting a wind turbine component of an energy generating unit in a multirotor wind turbine is disclosed. The multirotor wind turbine comprises a tower configured to support one or more load carrying structures each arranged for supporting at least two energy generating units arranged at or near its ends and at opposite sides of the tower. The method comprises securing the load carrying structure against up and down tilting movements before positioning or dispositioning the wind turbine component at an end of the load carrying structure thereby reducing the loadings arising from the unbalance caused by the positioning or dispositioning the wind turbine component. The securing may be realized by compression bars, tethering, or the use of a counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Torben Ladegaard Baun
  • Patent number: 11359605
    Abstract: A generator module and a wind turbine having the same are provided according to the present application. The generator module includes a generator module housing, a generator unit and a generator rotating shaft. The generator unit is arranged in the generator module housing and includes a rotor and a stator. One end of the generator rotating shaft is connected to the rotor, and the generator rotating shaft is provided with a belt pulley. The generator module according to the present application may be flexibly arranged above a nacelle or inside the nacelle according to requirements, and may be separately replaced and maintained as an independent subsystem, which reduces the maintenance cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: XINJIANG GOLDWIND SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qinghu Wu, Zhanhai Wu, Yaosong Liu
  • Patent number: 11359603
    Abstract: A wind turbine (10) includes a first connecting structure (36) associated with the main shaft (34) fixed to a second connecting structure (40) of a rotor hub (22). A plurality of blades (24) is coupled to the rotor hub (22). A rotor locking disc (32) is carried on the main shaft (34). The rotor locking disc (32) has a peripheral region and a plurality of rotor locking elements (50) in the peripheral region for receiving one or more rotor locking pins (30). The first connecting structure (36) includes at least first and second sets of fastener holes (38a, 38b, 38b?). The first set of fastener holes (38a) is located at a position radially inward of the rotor locking elements (50) and the second set of fastener holes (38b, 38b?) is located between adjacent rotor locking elements (50). The first and/or second set of fastener holes (38a, 38b, 38b?) are used to receive fasteners (39a, 39b) to secure the main shaft (34) to the rotor hub (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Daniel Brämer, Simon Kabus, Lasse Køgs Andersen, Jeppe Hesseldal Otten
  • Patent number: 11353001
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic electric generator system for use in water that includes a first generator located inside a submersible first housing with fore and aft sections with respective fore and aft attachment points, a center of mass of the first generator located between the fore and aft attachment points, the first generator having a shaft extending out the aft section of the first housing with a turbine attached to the shaft, a flotation support structured to float on the water, and a first cable having a first end attached to the flotation support and a second end attached to the first attachment point on the fore section, and a second cable having a first end attached to the flotation support and a second end attached to the second attachment point in a manner to permit the system to change position in response to changes in direction of water current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Sitkana Inc.
    Inventor: Lance Davis McMullan
  • Patent number: 11353005
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind power installation is provided. The wind power installation comprises an aerodynamic rotor with rotor blades, where the rotor can be operated with a variable rotor rotation speed. The wind power installation outputs an output power generated from wind for feeding into an electrical supply grid. The wind power installation can be operated in a normal operating mode without power reduction and in a reduced operating mode with power reduction, in which a specified power reduced with respect to a rated installation power is specified. When operating in the reduced operating mode for wind speeds above a rated wind speed, at least in one rotation speed increase region, the wind power installation increases its rotor rotation speed as the wind speed rises further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Messing, Christian Möller