Axial Flow Runner Patents (Class 415/908)
  • Patent number: 11939964
    Abstract: A wind plant includes at least one wind collector assembly configured to collect a wind stream; at least one booster arm in fluid communication with the at least one wind collector assembly, the booster arm configured to receive the wind stream and to increase the flowrate of the wind stream; and at least one exit conduit, the at least one exit conduit in fluid communication with the booster arm and rotatable with respect to the booster arm. The at least one exit conduit is configured to rotate with respect to the at least one booster arm in response to a thrust force generated by the wind stream exiting the exit conduit. A method of capturing energy from wind is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Mohammed Ibn khayat Zougari
  • Patent number: 11933263
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade is provided, which includes a blade body extending from a blade root toward a blade tip along a blade length direction, a first sprayed layer disposed so as to cover at least a leading edge on a side of the blade tip of the blade body, for suppressing erosion of the leading edge of the blade body, a second sprayed layer formed between the blade body and the first sprayed layer, and having a lower electrical resistivity than the first sprayed layer, and a first conductive part for electrically connecting the second sprayed layer to a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Okano, Masaaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 11905923
    Abstract: A wind-power-installation tower segment, a wind-power-installation tower, a wind power installation, a use of a holding arrangement, a use of a first transport device and of a second transport device, and to methods for assembling a wind-power-installation tower segment and for assembling a wind-power-installation tower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Jordan
  • Patent number: 11840353
    Abstract: An installation configuration for a ram air turbine on an aircraft arranged to operate during a low speed operation. An example aircraft includes a fuselage and a lifting body connected to the fuselage and configured to provide a lifting force on the fuselage, the lifting body including a suction surface and a pressure surface disposed on opposite sides of the lifting body from each other, the suction surface extending from a leading edge of the lifting body to a trailing edge of the lifting body. A ram air turbine is coupled to the lifting body and configured to move between a retracted position where the ram air turbine is stowed inside the aircraft and an extended position where the ram air turbine is disposed above the suction surface of the lifting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ZSM Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Scott David Rewerts, Mathew J. Isler
  • Patent number: 11773828
    Abstract: Provided is a blade for a wind turbine including a trailing edge and a leading edge, a lightning protection system with at least one lightning receptor on the blade tip for receiving lightning and at least one lightning down conductor for conducting a lightning current received by the lightning receptor to the blade root, and an ice formation prevention system with a conductive layer arranged along the leading edge, and a first connection terminal on the first end and a second connection terminal on the second end for connecting the layer with a power supply unit, the first connection terminal is connected with the lightning down conductor, wherein the first connection terminal partially contacts the layer and have a rear section connected to the layer and a front section that longitudinally extends towards the blade tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Victor March Nomen
  • Patent number: 11708817
    Abstract: A jointed wind turbine rotor blade includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment. A chord-wise joint separates the first and second blade segments, wherein internal joint structure joins the first and second blade segments across the chord-wise joint. A first heating system is configured within the first blade segment, and a second heating system is configured within the second blade segment. A disconnectable coupling is configured between the first and second blade segments at the chord-wise joint to supply power or a fluid medium from the first blade segment across the chord-wise joint for use by the second heating system in the second blade segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hartmut Andreas Scholte-Wassink
  • Patent number: 11619204
    Abstract: A high-efficiency, hybrid fluid aeolipile is placed in the stream of a moving fluid, preferably air. Energy is extracted from the fluid stream by directing a portion of the stream through and, optionally, around the device. As the fluid flow moves through the device, it is directed into nozzles. These nozzles, which are free to pivot in a cyclical manner, employ the established phenomenon of “nozzle effect” to accelerate the velocity of the air-flow passing through them, which is ultimately ejected from each nozzle tip, producing thrust. This thrust, amplified by nozzle effect, drives the nozzles to pivot around a shared axis. The wind energy, thereby converted into cyclical motion, that may be used to perform useful work, is converted with greater efficiency than is possible in conventional blade-type wind turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Charles William Van Neste, David Wenzhong Gao
  • Patent number: 11585315
    Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of new energy utilization, and provides an offshore oscillating water column wave energy conversion device with an external permeable structure. The offshore oscillating water column wave energy conversion device with the external permeable structure comprises an oscillating water column system, an anchoring fixing system and a permeable structure. According to the offshore oscillating water column wave energy conversion device with the external permeable structure provided by the present disclosure, the offshore oscillating water column wave energy conversion device and the permeable structure are effectively combined. Using an offshore floating structure, the offshore oscillating water column wave energy conversion device with the external permeable structure can be applied to deep and far sea areas with higher wave energy density, and the output power of the device can be effectively improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dalian University of Technology
    Inventors: Dezhi Ning, Xiangyu Zhang, Yili Wang, Rongquan Wang, Mengzhao Cheng, Yaohua He
  • Patent number: 11572860
    Abstract: A wind power plant includes a shrouded wind turbine having an annular shroud which defines a longitudinal axis and which is rotationally symmetrical thereto. A radially inner upper side of the shroud forms a flow channel for the wind, wherein a propeller which can rotate about the longitudinal axis and is intended for driving an electrical generator is rotatably mounted in the flow channel. A support, which defines a support longitudinal direction, has arranged thereon an annular shroud bearing element on which the shroud, and hence the wind turbine, can be mounted in different pivoting positions about a pivot axis, which extends transversely with respect to the support longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: FLOWGEN DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT AG
    Inventor: Dirk Küster
  • Patent number: 11542916
    Abstract: Provided is a blade for a wind turbine including a structure having: a suction side and a pressure side extending between a leading edge and the trailing edge, a conducting or semi-conducting element. The blade further includes: a thermally conducting electrical insulation, at least partially in contact with the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Sri Markandeya Rajesh Ponnada
  • Patent number: 11512593
    Abstract: A propeller. The blades of the propeller are characterized by a blade center axis which corresponds to a generator line of a cone to which the blade, or blade thrust surface, conforms. The propeller hub is fixed to the blade at the root, in line with the blade center axis, such that the hub axis and blade center axis lie in the same plane, and the leading edge of the blade is positioned forward (referring to the upstream direction of movement caused by the propeller) of the trailing edge of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Conic Propulsion, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Russell
  • Patent number: 11506181
    Abstract: A smart wind turbine blade and lightning protection system for smart wind turbine blades thereof is provided. More in particular, it relates to a smart wind turbine blade including a lightning protection system including active components such as the type for de-icing systems, sensors and/or flaps among others wherein the path of the lightning current is guided to avoid the hub preventing currents to flow through the bearings which may causes significant damage to them and also to the metallic cabinet from where active components are electrically fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY S.L.
    Inventors: Victor March Nomen, Joan Montanyá Puig
  • Patent number: 11484814
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump separating gases from liquids pumps fluid containing gas comprises a pump housing divided into a working fluid chamber and an empty chamber by a baffle, the empty chamber connected to the working fluid chamber by an opening and connected to a gas separation assembly by a pumping chamber duct; an inlet for drawing liquid into pump, a outlet for pumping liquid outward and a separated gas exhaust port; an electric motor with protective cover drives an impeller cluster to create rotary movement; gas separator has a spring of sufficient hardness to control the gas discharge valve to open and close; this gas separator is connected to the empty chamber by the duct mentioned above and connected to the pump outlet by the bleed hole. During operation, when suction gas reaches a certain amount, reduced pressure at the pump outlet opens the valve to release the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: VIETTEL GROUP
    Inventors: Xuan Hai Mai, Hong Phu Pham, Trong Dai Vu
  • Patent number: 10221835
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide a multi-platform tower that allows production costs to be significantly reduced, since the tower is suitable for different types of turbines. For this purpose, the improvements consist in obtaining a profile which is based on frustoconical sections having various inclinations and which corresponds geometrically with a load envelope obtained from the superimposition of theoretical profiles of respective towers designed specifically for a plurality of different turbines. Given that the lower part of the turbine comprises securing means having a different diameter, it is necessary to include a series of adaptors or reels (4-4?) having a frustoconical configuration and which allow the tower to be adapted to any type of turbine. If necessary, a second adaptor (11), formed consisting of ring in the form of a wedge, could be included, the adaptor modifying the angle of the plane in which the blades rotate, thereby distancing the free end of the blades from the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: DREIVENTUM, S.L.U.
    Inventors: Jose Luis Lleyda Dionis, Jorge Enrique Jimeno Alonso
  • Patent number: 9587623
    Abstract: A wind turbine is described which comprises a tower, a nacelle mounted to the top of the tower, and a rotor mounted to the nacelle. The rotor comprises two or more blades mounted to a central hub. The hub supports two or more annular pitch bearings associated respectively with the two or more blades. Each pitch bearing defines a bearing plane inclined at a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane when the respective blade is oriented in a downwardly direction in alignment with the tower. Each pitch bearing is spanned by a hub plate; and a work platform integral with or mounted to the hub plate lies generally in a plane at a second angle to the horizontal plane when the respective blade is oriented in a downwardly direction in alignment with the tower, which second angle is less than the first angle. The work platform provides a substantially horizontal platform for use by maintenance personnel when installing or servicing components in and around the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Leif Christoffersen, Torben Friis Baun, Jesper Lykkegaard Neubauer
  • Patent number: 9004875
    Abstract: A flange is provided including a longitudinal axis defining a first direction, a radial direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a neck extending along the first direction, a flange plate connected to the neck and including a connecting portion adapted for holding a connecting device at a connecting side, the flange plate further including a non-connecting side being at a radially different location than the connecting side; the flange including a first plane defining a first level of the neck, a second plane defining a second level, where flange plate and neck are connected, and a third plane defining a third level of the flange plate, wherein the three planes extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange; the flange includes at least at the non-connecting side a bulge, which extends from a level between the first plane and the second plane to the third plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ingo Paura, Vajralingam Bennuri
  • Patent number: 8939708
    Abstract: A universal spherical reaction turbine for any flowing fluid at any depths or elevation that is capable of unidirectional rotation under reversible flow conditions. The turbine includes a rotatable shaft that is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation; turbine blade support members that are fixedly attached to the rotatable shaft and a plurality of meridian turbine blades. The meridian turbine blades are fixedly attached to diametrically-opposite points that define a geometrical north-south meridian axis that is oriented at a skew angle to the axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft. The skew angle is greater than zero and less than 180 degrees, and, more preferably, between 25 and 35 degrees. The skewing ensures that those turbine blades that are attached to the diametrically-opposite points move on a helical trajectory with respect to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Alexander M. Gorlov
  • Patent number: 8939726
    Abstract: A partial pitch wind turbine blade in which the pitch system of the blade functions as a lightning receptor. As the pitch system is of a relatively large dimension, it is able to dissipate the effects of a lightning strike without damage, and removes the needs for additional blade features normally used to conduct lightning around or away from the pitch system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Envision Energy (Denmark) ApS
    Inventor: Peter Grabau
  • Patent number: 8915714
    Abstract: A partial pitch wind turbine is described wherein the wind turbine blade has an inner blade section designed for stall-controlled operation and an outer blade section designed for pitch-controlled operation. The different blade profiles for the different sections allow for the efficient operation of the blade while providing for the control of the wind turbine to effectively reduce blade root moments. The outer blade sections can be pitched out of the wind to reduce root moments due to the outer blade sections, while the increasing power capture of the inner blade section maintains nominal power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Envision Energy (Denmark) ApS
    Inventors: Peter Grabau, Michael Friedrich
  • Patent number: 8915697
    Abstract: An articulated erection structure is disclosed for use in mobilizing a wind energy extraction device. The wind turbine has blades capable of being disposed in side-by-side, parallel alignment for transportation. The erection structure has a mast that can be configured in a horizontal orientation for transportation with the turbine generator lowered, and reconfigured for power-generating operations in a vertical orientation with the turbine raised. The turbine generator may be mounted with an erection structure to a variety of transportation platforms, such as on a self-propelled vehicle, towed trailer, or transportation pallet. A hybrid system may integrate photovoltaic cells in addition to a wind energy extraction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Natural Power Concepts Inc.
    Inventors: John Pitre, Stuart Huang
  • Patent number: 8888454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade with a lightning protection system, the lightning protection system comprises at least one lightning receptor arranged freely accessible in or on the shell unit surface at or in the immediate vicinity of the tip of the blade. The lightning protection system further comprises a lightning down conductor made of electrically conductive material extending within the shell body from the lightning receptor to the root end of the blade. The lightning receptor and the lightning down conductor are electrically connected. The shell body comprises at least a first conductive layer extending along at least a longitudinal part of the lightning down conductor in a transverse distance therefrom. The first conductive layer is electrically isolated from the lightning down conductor and from the lightning receptor, and has a sheet resistance in the range 1-5 Mega Ohm per square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Lars Bo Hansen
  • Patent number: 8858155
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of aligning a wind turbine component with a wind turbine rotor hub, comprising providing the component with a support comprising at least one adjustable element and adjusting said at least one element to align the wind turbine component. The invention further relates to a system for aligning a wind turbine component with a wind turbine rotor hub comprising a support with at least one adjustable element supporting said wind turbine component, such that said wind turbine component can be aligned by adjusting said at least one element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Wind, S.L.U.
    Inventors: Daniel Castell Martinez, Carlos Casanovas Bermejo
  • Patent number: 8834092
    Abstract: A fluid machine, a wind turbine, and a method for increasing velocity of an internal flow is provided. A basic shape of the casing has a cycloid curve having a convex portion at a throat section between the front and rear edges. The throat section and a vortex generating face disposed downstream of the throat section to generate the negative pressure region are formed on an inner circumferential face of the casing. A first outflow gradient is formed on an outer circumferential face of the casing and at the rear edge. A second outflow gradient is formed on a boundary of a throat-side adjacent face adjacent to the vortex generating portion to separate the internal flow. The negative pressure region of high vorticity is generated behind the vortex generating face by virtue of the non-streamline shaped casing to increase the velocity of the internal flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kyushu University, National University Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Ohya, Takashi Karasudani, Kimihiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8801363
    Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electrical power, the turbine having a rotor assembly comprising a hub, an annular rim and a plurality of blade members extending between the hub and rim, a pulley transfer box apparatus and a looped member extending circumferentially about the annular rim and through the pulley box transfer apparatus, the pulley box transfer apparatus having a pair of drum pulleys each having a plurality of annular grooves receiving the looped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Herbert Williams
  • Patent number: 8777557
    Abstract: The present invention provides a controllable compound rotor system for the WECS, with a pilot rotor working under low wind speed conditions and a main rotor working under high speed conditions. By proper switching of the clutch, the WECS can not only achieve a greater starting torque under low wind speed conditions, as well as to capture and utilize the low wind-speed wind energy after being started, but also give full play to the advantage of the main rotor having the excellent wind capturing efficiency under high wind speed and high turning speed conditions. Thus the WECS can capture and utilize wind energy under both low and high wind speed conditions, which greatly expands the speed and zone range wherein the WECS can be applied, facilitating wide application of the WECS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Shanghai Forevoo Windpower Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Powerfood Energy System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yunlong Zhang, Hongying Zhang
  • Patent number: 8764391
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic turbine system, including a plurality of hydrokinetic turbines is installed on a bed of a body of water. Each turbine has a shroud with a forward entrance portion and rear exit portion. The shroud includes a propeller disposed in a middle portion thereof. An inner surface of the shroud includes a plurality of rifling vanes formed therein to induce water entering the forward entrance portion to rotate in a vortex-like fashion. A plurality of pre-spin guard blades disposed adjacent the forward entrance portion also induce rotation of water and serve to provide a barrier preventing objects from passing into the forward entrance portion. A plurality of stabilizers extending from an exterior surface of the shroud that position the forward entrance portion in the direction of current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Osirius International
    Inventors: Timothy Smith, Eric Otte
  • Patent number: 8740543
    Abstract: A method of deploying offshore wind turbine assemblies includes mounting a wind turbine assembly horizontally on a vessel and transporting the wind turbine assembly to an offshore site. The wind turbine assembly is raised to a vertical condition at the site and attached to anchor weights. Blades are attached to the turbine head after the wind turbine assembly is in the vertical condition. In one embodiment, the wind turbine assembly can include a tower including tapered lower and upper sections joined together at their respective wide ends, a turbine head connected to the upper section, and a platform connected to the lower section. The platform includes a buoy tank partially filled with ballast to provide mass and buoyancy. A wave piercing cowling is rotatively attached to the lower section. The turbine head can include an adjustable journal bearing, scabbard blade mounts, and a gearless induction generator with flux adjusting capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Lloyd E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8708642
    Abstract: A new improved compact wind power turbine with multiple turbine blades and an isolated arrow point stationary nose is presented. Turbine blades (rotors) are connected to a circular cage, and at the center of the turbine, the isolated arrow point stationary nose points forward. Each turbine blade has a 90 degree right angle fin connected to its tip for capturing the force of the wind that applies to the blade tip, which otherwise spills over, reducing wind force and creating turbulence at the tip. The captured wind at the blade tip increases the rotational force on the turbine blades creating a greater rotational force than on other market-available wind turbines. Preferentially, the turbine is directed into the wind either manually, or by using a tail vane or other means for orientating turbine into a wind. A generator or alternator converts the mechanical power into electricity for use at industrial, commercial or home sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Romeo Prasad
  • Patent number: 8696301
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for extracting energy from flowing water typically a tidal stream flow, the apparatus including a float assembly (41) having pair of spaced buoyant bodies (42) between which an elongated flow passage or tunnel (47) is located with an impeller assembly (61) in the flow passage (47) which can drive an electrical generator (76) on the float assembly (41). The bodies (42) include or define ballast tanks which can be filled or partially filled with water to submerge the flow passage or tunnel (47).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Neville Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 8678746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising one or more turbulence generating strips, where the strips are placed on a surface of the blade. The blade is characterized in that at least one joint area of the turbulence generating strips and the surface of the blade are completely or partially covered by sealing means. The invention further relates to a pitch controlled wind turbine comprising at least two pitch controlled wind turbine blades and pitch controlling means for pitching the blades. The pitch controlled wind turbine is characterized in that the blades comprises one or more turbulence generating strips, wherein at least one joint area of the turbulence generating strips and a surface of the blades are completely or partially covered by sealing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Michael Drachmann Haag
  • Patent number: 8596956
    Abstract: A bidirectional water turbine including: an upstream rotor and a downstream rotor, wherein the upstream rotor and downstream rotor are contra-rotating and each rotor includes a plurality of blade, the blades of the upstream and downstream rotors having substantially the same profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Adam Chir, Gregory Collecutt
  • Patent number: 8579576
    Abstract: A support system for at least one water drivable turbine (1) that when in operation is immersed in a column of flowing water, characterized in that the system includes a deck or raft (3) for supporting said at least one turbine when immersed, the deck or raft (3) having an inherent buoyancy which is such as to enable the deck or raft (3) to rise through the column of water upon reduction of the buoyancy, the arrangement being such that the associated turbine or turbines (1) can be raised above the surface of said column in order to access the turbine for maintenance purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Marine Current Turbines Limited
    Inventor: Peter L. Fraenkel
  • Patent number: 8550769
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a tower and a nacelle which is rotatably mounted on the tower and whose alignment is adjustable by way of a yaw system, wherein the yaw system has at least one adjusting drive, a rotatable yaw bearing, at least one brake disk and at least two brake units which can exert a braking torque on the brake disk, wherein the at least one of the brake units has a first brake pad with a first coefficient of friction, and at least one of the brake units has a second brake pad with a second coefficient of friction, wherein the first and the second coefficient of friction are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Merten Behnke, Andre Sievers
  • Patent number: 8476784
    Abstract: In a wind turbine generating apparatus, a heat generating device is provided inside the rotor head and has a hermetically-sealed structure from outside. A rotor head cooling air passage is formed through the periphery of the heat generating device to the inside of a wind turbine blade. A cooling air introduction portion through which cooling air flows and an air outlet from which the cooling air is discharged are provided in the rotor head cooling air passage to thereby form the air outlet in the wind turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sato, Shigeto Hirai, Tatsuo Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8376686
    Abstract: Turbine systems for extracting energy from water traveling relative to the turbine system can include a rotor assembly for extracting the energy, a turbine shroud having a turbine shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the rotor assembly is disposed, and an ejector shroud disposed adjacent to the turbine shroud. The turbine shroud and the ejector shroud can each have a terminus comprising a plurality of turbine shroud mixer elements or ejector shroud mixer elements, respectively. One or more of the mixer elements and ejector shrouds comprise a mixer/ejector pump which increases the energy extraction potential of the turbine system. One or more of the turbine shroud mixer elements, ejector shroud mixer elements, and ejector shroud and turbine shroud inlets can be asymmetric along a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp.
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Michael J. Werle
  • Patent number: 8371801
    Abstract: A system for installing and extracting a flowing water turbine below the surface of the water includes a flow inducer assembly for improving the conversation of the kinetic energy of a waterway to mechanical energy. The flow inducer assembly includes a nozzle that may be shaped as a cowling and a outlet diffuser. The system may be useful in a number of settings, including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, dams, ocean currents, or tidal areas that have continuous or semi-continuous water flow rates and windy environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro Green Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Becker, Kerry N. Oliphant, Andrew R. Provo, Tsukasa Yoshinaka
  • Patent number: 8336687
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a vibration control apparatus that can be installed in a small pace and can be produced at low cost, as well as a wind turbine generator equipped with the vibration control apparatus and a vibration control method. The vibration control apparatus 7 includes a first vibration system 10 of inverted-pendulum type, second vibration systems 20 of inverted-pendulum type which are provided on both sides of the first vibration system 10, a restraining unit 30 which restrains a first weight 11 of the first vibration system 10 and a second weight 21 of the second vibration system 20 and a damper which damps vibration of the first weight 11 and the second weight 21. The vibration control apparatus 7 is installed on an upper floor 8a of a plurality of floors 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kawabata, Keisuke Sasajima, Atsushi Kubo, Hideaki Harada
  • Patent number: 8303241
    Abstract: A KHP system turbine for the production of energy in an underwater environment including a yaw stop arrangement for use in flowing steams where the flow direction of water therein is changeable, including bi-directional and multi-directional current flows, so that a rotatably mounted turbine remains in an optimal position within such changing flow conditions. The KHP turbine includes a rotational portion and one or two passive yaw stop assemblies that will control turbine yaw and keep the turbine oriented to capture energy from changeable underwater current flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Verdant Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Corren, John Gray, Christopher Gray
  • Patent number: 8282351
    Abstract: A gearbox for a wind turbine, comprising a first planetary gear set; and a second planetary gear set having the same transmission ratio as the first planetary gear set; and, a load splitter to split the torque between the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, wherein the load splitter is adapted to provide slip for absorbing deviations in the rotational position between the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set; and, wherein the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set are coupled in a split load arrangement for transmitting torque from a rotor shaft to a high speed shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
  • Patent number: 8251638
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for a wind diverter at least partially encircling a wind turbine support column to direct the wind from an area around a wind turbine to the rotor blades of the wind turbine. The wind diverter may also reduce turbulence and increases the laminar flow of the airstream delivered to the rotor blades. Additionally, the wind diverter increases both the volume of air and the velocity of the airstream reaching the rotor so as to increase the rotor speed. Increasing the rotor speed increases the energy available to the wind turbine. Energy increases as the cube of the rotor speed and the increased energy produces an increase in the power generated by the wind turbine. The wind diverter also allows a wind turbine to begin producing energy at lower initial wind speeds due to the concentration of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen David Boyd
  • Patent number: 8235651
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to protect, in a horizontal axis wind turbine with an exhaust aperture for exhausting air from within the nacelle, the exhaust aperture and the internal structures from storm winds through facing the exhaust aperture away from the storm wind, even when storm winds are received from all directions relative to the nacelle. A rotary duct is attached to the nacelle so as to be able to rotate freely in the yaw direction, and is rotated in the yaw direction in accordance with changes in the wind direction. The exhaust aperture is provided at a position that changes direction depending on the rotation of the rotary duct in the yaw direction. By rotating the rotary duct in the yaw direction so that the exhaust aperture will face the downwind side in accordance with changes in the wind direction, the exhaust aperture can be faced away from storm winds, even when storm winds are received from all directions in relation to the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Jikogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8133023
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing wind turbine damage includes a propeller having a plurality of blades projecting radially from a hub. The blades may be adjustably combined to form variable cross-sections that either increase or decrease propeller rotation speed dependent on wind speed and weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Elliott Reitz
  • Patent number: 8061964
    Abstract: The specification discloses a rotating turbine tower. The tower rotates to maintain the turbine facing into the wind. This allows structure optimization. The tower structure is comprised of a leading edge and a trailing edge, with joining panels between the edge structures. The tower edges are the main structural components of the tower. The separation of the edges tapers to follow the bending moment on the tower, reducing the need to taper material thickness. The tapering shape of the tower structure matches the primary edgewise moment distribution. The tower can be assembled on site from components, thereby facilitating transportation to the tower site. The material properties and shape can be selected based upon the tower maintaining a near constant orientation with the wind. This can save weight and costs. The tower architecture can be of differing shapes such as a triangle or a structure tapering at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Zuteck
  • Patent number: 8021101
    Abstract: A method of assembling a wind turbine is provided. The method includes coupling a support flange to an inner surface of a tower, and positioning a yaw bearing on the support flange. The yaw bearing includes a plurality of horizontally oriented rollers. A base of a nacelle assembly is positioned on the yaw bearing such that the base is rotatable with respect to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eugenio Yegro Segovia, Pedro Luis Benito Santiago
  • Patent number: 8007235
    Abstract: Orthogonal power unit contains a turbine with a shaft and blades of hydrofoil profile fixed around and along the shaft and the power generator. The turbine has six layers, and each layer has one blade fixed at the shaft. The blades of turbine layers are located uniformly in the peripheral direction around the turbine shaft forming three pairs of the adjacent blades. In each pair the blades are located at the opposite sides relative to the shaft, the blades in the utmost pairs have the same length L and the blades in the middle pair have the bigger length L0=L 20.25 each. The traverse masses of the middle and utmost blade pairs have the same ratio. The same balancing effect achieved by having the uniform length of all blades with the relative shift of balanced pairs of blades at 60° and with the uniform traverses masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Victor Lyatkher
  • Patent number: 7963743
    Abstract: A wind turbine with improved cooling, which provides liquid cooling for a wind turbine with a completely closed or at least partially closed cooling circuit, with which the heat to be dissipated from the cooling circuit is dissipated by a nacelle of the wind turbine. The wind turbine with improved cooling dissipates energy losses from heat and applied for the conversion of kinetic energy of wind into mechanical and electrical energy of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Curt B. Winter
  • Patent number: 7950901
    Abstract: A system and method provide a proactive mechanism to control pitching of the blades of a wind turbine to compensate for rotor imbalance during normal operation by pitching the blades individually or asymmetrically, based on turbulent wind gust measurements in front of the rotor, determined before it reaches the rotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Corneliu Barbu, Parag Vyas
  • Patent number: 7891939
    Abstract: The specification discloses a rotating turbine tower. The tower rotates to maintain the turbine facing into the wind. This allows structural optimization. The tower structure is comprised of a leading edge and a trailing edge, with joining panels between the edge structures. The tower edges are the main structural components of the tower. The separation of the edges tapers to follow the thrust bending moment on the tower, reducing the need to taper material thickness. The tapering shape of the tower structure matches the primary edgewise moment distribution. The tower can be assembled on site from components, thereby facilitating transportation to the tower site. The material properties and shape can be selected based upon the tower maintaining a near constant orientation with the wind. This can save weight and costs. The tower architecture can be of differing shapes such as a triangle or a structure tapering at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael D. Zuteck
  • Patent number: 7874788
    Abstract: A flow enhancement improvement for an underwater turbine generator (10) is disclosed wherein a longitudinal hole (240) is disposed in the central area (26), typically a hub (20) of the generator (10), and a second, augmentor duct (41), preferably rigid, is disposed about the outer duct (40) or housing of the unit to create a slot (200) area. The slot (200) and hollow hub (20) create areas of smooth, laminar fluid flow. The leading edges of the hub (20) or central ring and the augmentor (41) and outer ducts (40) are elliptical to enhance the fluid dynamics of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Clean Current Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Russell Stothers, Emmanuel Grillos
  • Patent number: 7857599
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a nacelle connected to a unitary tube bedplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli