Impeller Rotation Speed Responsive Patents (Class 416/44)
  • Patent number: 11746751
    Abstract: Electric and hydrogen technology automobiles and vehicles such as trucks, buses, ships and boats are believed to be the future of transportation; however for the time being, the problems surrounding the technologies are significant and have kept the consumers away for various reasons including the capacity of batteries and fuel cells, the lack of filling stations, and most of all the limited distance the vehicles can travel without a recharge, which for small electric vehicles can take up to 20 minutes before they can continue to travel with a full battery or fuel cell. Commercial vehicles in particular; cannot take the time to stop frequently and worst yet take the significant amount of time that it would take to recharge their systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Carlos Gabriel Oroza
  • Patent number: 11387704
    Abstract: Disclosed are a portable private power generation apparatus, and a module equipped with same, the portable private power generation apparatus being small in size, and capable of efficiently generating private power to charge a battery, and able to be linked and used with a variety of smart modules when customary power cannot be supplied in times of emergencies such as during military operations, in refugee camps, during disasters due to earthquakes and the like, emergency situations on ships, and outdoor activities. The present invention comprises: a rotatable fly-wheel member; first and second rotating members for rotating the fly-wheel member; first and second wires for rotating the first and second rotating members, respectively, by means of a pulling action; first and second spring members for carrying out winding actions of the respective first and second wires; and a power generation member for generating power from the rotation of the fly-wheel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: N-RIT Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae Up Sohn
  • Patent number: 11085416
    Abstract: Pitch control system (1) for at least one rotor blade (17) for a wind turbine comprising a nacelle (16), as well as a hub (15) both place on the top of a tower (18) and at least one rotor blade (17). The system comprises at least one electrical pitch drive system (3) each drive system (3) is connected to a rotor blade (17) and an electrical pitch motor (2). The electrical pitch drive system(s) (3) is/are adapted to communicate with units comprising the motor(s) (2) for pitching the rotor blade (17) it is attached to and in accordance with inputs registered from a first sensor and a second sensor (20). Each electrical pitch drive system (3) comprises a gyroscope (22) adapted to register an angle value of the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade (17) with respect to the gravity. A processor is adapted to calculate the position of the rotor blade (17) based on said values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: DEIF A/S
    Inventor: Jesper Thomsen
  • Patent number: 10787270
    Abstract: A boundary layer propulsor comprises a rotor and a plurality of first aerofoil blades. The rotor has an axis of rotation. The plurality of first aerofoil blades extends radially from the rotor and is arranged in a circumferential array around the axis of rotation. Each of the first aerofoil blades has, in a radially outward sequence, a radially proximal portion, a middle portion, and a radially distal portion. The radially proximal portion has a first cambered cross-section, the middle portion has a second uncambered cross-section, and the radially distal portion has a third cambered cross-section. The first cambered cross-section is cambered in an opposite sense to the third cambered cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Martin N. Goodhand, Matthew Moxon
  • Patent number: 9803623
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for wind power generation. In one aspect, a wind power generator includes a support base; inductors positioned over the support base in a circular array; an annulus ring track fixed to the base support and providing a circular track around which the inductors are located; an annulus ring rotor placed on the annulus ring track and engaged to rollers in the circular track so that the annulus ring rotor can rotate relative to the an annulus ring track, in which the annulus ring rotor include separate magnets to move through the circular array of inductors to cause generation of electric currents; and a wind rotor assembly coupled to the annulus ring rotor and including wind-deflecting blades that rotate with the rotor and a hollow central interior for containing a wind vortex formed from deflecting wind by the blades to convert into the electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: EIP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Burkle
  • Patent number: 9211958
    Abstract: An example ram air turbine biasing assembly includes a support member that holds a biasing member. The biasing member biases a component of a ram air turbine. The support member includes a step that limits movement of the component toward the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: David Everett Russ
  • Patent number: 9120559
    Abstract: A propeller blade pitch actuation system includes a propeller control module (PCM), a PCM drain line, a first drain line, a drain line restriction, a second drain line, and a valve. The PCM drain line connects to the PCM to drain hydraulic fluid. The first drain line is downstream of the PCM drain line and the drain line restriction is downstream of the first drain line. The second drain line is downstream of the PCM drain line. The valve includes a first valve position and a second valve position. The first valve position connects the PCM drain line to the first drain line and the second valve position connects the PCM drain line to the second drain line. Hydraulic pressure of the first drain line between the valve and the drain line restriction is greater than hydraulic pressure of the second drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Danielson, Paul A. Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20150132130
    Abstract: Embodiments of wind turbine control systems, and related methods, are disclosed herein. For example, a wind turbine control system may include: a measurement system, including one or more measurement devices disposed on a blade of a wind turbine, to generate a measurement signal representative of a response of the blade to turbulence or flow non-uniformity; a force generation system to generate lift proximate to a trailing edge of the blade by generating a blowing jet of air at the trailing edge of the blade in response to a control signal; and a controller device to generate the control signal, based at least in part on the measurement signal, for provision to the force generation system to reduce the response of the blade to turbulence or flow non-uniformity. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Neal A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150078894
    Abstract: A wind turbine control system includes a wind turbine, a power-converting device connected with the wind turbine, a control device and a human-machine interface. The control device is connected with the power-converting device. The control device includes a storage module having a first database, among which a first control data is stored in the first database. The human-machine interface having a GUI is connected with the control device. A second control data is set through the GUI and stored in the first database, such that the wind turbine is automatically controlled to rotate at a first rotational speed in a first time period and rotate at a second rotational speed in a second time period by the control device according to the first control data and the second control data. Therefore, the safety concerns are reduced, the operations are simplified, and the probable of inputting improper control parameters is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Chieh Chan, Yi-Kuan Hsu, Hsu-Fan Ai
  • Publication number: 20150064006
    Abstract: A ram air turbine (RAT) in which a cam follower is operably coupled to turbine blades such that a cam follower position determines turbine blade pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: David Everett Russ
  • Publication number: 20140377066
    Abstract: A portable airborne wind-energy power conversion system, alone or in a modular array, wherein each portable airborne system comprises tethered airship, hydrogen generation system, hydrogen recovery system, and control system, wherein the tethered airship comprises a self-inflating horizontal-axis wind turbine rotor, an electrical generator, a self-inflating aerodynamic shroud surrounding the wind turbine rotor, and stabilizing fins, wherein the aerodynamic shroud has the geometry of a wind concentrator and diffuser in fluid communication with the wind turbine rotor that is located in the narrowest section of the shroud between the concentrator and diffuser sections of said shroud, wherein the airship is additionally self-deflating and the entire system is collapsible into a volume less than one tenth of its original size, so that the portable airborne system can be easily transported, stored, or relocated, wherein the system can continue to produce usable power, even during the process of self-deflation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Alexander Anatoliy Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140363288
    Abstract: A method of assisting in rotor speed control in a rotorcraft can include measuring a rotor speed with a sensor; detecting a droop in the rotor speed beyond a lower droop limit; and commanding a decrease in collective in response to the rotor speed drooping beyond the lower droop limit. A system of assisting in rotor speed control in a rotorcraft, the system can include: a computer having a control law, the control law operable to generate an increase collective command to an actuator in response to a rotor speed decreasing below a lower droop limit; wherein the lower droop limit is below a normal lower rotor speed range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schaeffer, Jignesh Patel, Eric O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8882460
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine with a variable speed rotor, a control system and a safety system, including the steps of initiating a braking procedure of the rotor of the wind turbine by the control system when the rotational speed of the rotor exceeds a first threshold value (nc1), and activating a safety system for braking the rotor when the rotational speed of the rotor exceeds a second threshold value (ns1) and when the control system has not initiated a braking procedure, the second threshold value (ns1) being greater than the first threshold value (nc1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Maximillian Merkel
  • Publication number: 20140308127
    Abstract: This invention proposes a cross-flow turbine design with airfoil blades and self-alignment mechanisms. The airfoil blade self-alignment mechanisms rotate the airfoil blades at half of the turbine main shaft's speed and dynamically flip the blades after reaching the windward position to realign the airfoil blades or reset the attack angle of each airfoil blade so that the airfoil blade feathers the fluid flow at the windward position, generates maximum drag force at or near the leeward position, and produces both maximum lift and drag forces in between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Calvin Chunliang Lee
  • Patent number: 8821121
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a wind turbine includes a hub adapted to be carried by a shaft of the wind turbine, a plurality of prop arms extending from the hub, a plurality of blades carried by the plurality of prop arms, and a rotor speed regulating mechanism adapted to alter a pitch of the plurality of blades responsive to varying wind speeds, thereby regulating the speed of the plurality of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Mac E. Carter
  • Patent number: 8814520
    Abstract: A ram air turbine assembly includes a preferentially located mass that modifies the resonance frequency of the assembly so that vibration is reduced to desired levels. The example mass can be fixed in a specific location on the ram air turbine or can be deployable once the ram air turbine is moved to an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David Everett Russ, David G. Bannon
  • Publication number: 20140217742
    Abstract: Systems for increasing the power productivity of two bladed teetering hinge, yaw controlled wind turbines by varying rotor shaft restraining torque and yaw angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CONDOR WIND ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Silvestro Caruso, Martin Jakubowski, Luciano Caioli
  • Patent number: 8794903
    Abstract: A wind energy systems includes a shroud for each turbine. The shroud is adapted to direct and accelerate wind towards the turbine. A strong adaptable support assembly is provided for securing turbines to a structure. An air glide yaw assembly facilitates rotational movement of the structure allowing the turbines to face oncoming wind. The turbine blades are optimized for use with a shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Green Energy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Fedor, Mark L. Cironi
  • Patent number: 8786117
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for use with a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The sensor assembly includes an air data probe including a base shaft, a tip, and a rod portion extending therebetween, wherein the rod portion is fabricated from a composite material. The sensor assembly includes a receptacle configured to couple within the leading edge of the rotor blade for receiving the base shaft therein such that the tip extends a distance from the leading edge when the base shaft is received within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher James Winslow, Stefan Herr, Mark West, Alexander Kimberley Simpson, Ryan Michael LeClair
  • Publication number: 20140178195
    Abstract: A method and system for shutting down a wind turbine is presented. The method includes determining one or more pitch positions for one or more rotor blades of the wind turbine such that a sum of potential energy and kinetic energy in the wind turbine is minimized. The method further includes pitching the one or more rotor blades from an operating position to the determined pitch positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rogier Sebastiaan Blom, Rosa Castañé Selga, Matthijs Leonardus Gerardus Boerlage
  • Patent number: 8747068
    Abstract: Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, in one method of controlling an air moving device in an electronic system, the air moving device is operable to accelerate between rotational speeds at a maximum angular acceleration. The method includes limiting an angular acceleration of the air moving device to a first acceleration limit less than the maximum angular acceleration when changing the air moving device from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Iain Scott, Michael B. Dizon, Gordon Currie
  • Patent number: 8714925
    Abstract: An aerodynamic brake assembly for use with an airfoil such as the blade of a wind turbine rotor comprises deployable upper and/or lower spoiler plates incorporated in or attached to the airfoil. The spoiler plates can deploy under the influence of centrifugal forces when the rotating airfoil or rotor blade reaches a pre-determined rotational speed. The aerodynamic brake assembly may be integrated within the airfoil or attached to the tip of the airfoil such that, when not deployed, the upper and lower spoiler plates have a profile that approximately conforms to the profile of the part of the airfoil to which it the brake assembly is attached. Thus in a non-deployed state, the spoiler plates have a non-detrimental effect on the performance of the airfoil, and may even contribute to its aerodynamic lift properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stanley B. Smith, III, Christopher M. Werner
  • Patent number: 8702390
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a hub including at least three spaced projections and a hub cap; at least three blades each including a root plate at one end, with the root plate including a sleeve having a hole on a windward side; at least three shaft members each interconnecting the root plate and a corresponding projection; at least three sets of four abutment plates each secured to either side of the root plate or either side of the projection; U-shaped steel torsion bars each having both ends at an inclined angle of about 15 to 25 degrees fastened in the abutment plate and disposing the root plate at an angle of about 4 to 10 degrees with respect to the corresponding projection; a spring on the rotation shaft on a leeward side of the hub; and pins each installed in a hub cap and sticking into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Chang Gung University
    Inventor: Ming-Tsung Sun
  • Patent number: 8649911
    Abstract: A technique is provided for operating a wind farm at increased rated power output. The technique includes sensing a plurality of operating parameters of the wind turbine generator, assessing the plurality of operating parameters with respect to respective design ratings for the operating parameters, and intermittently increasing a rated power output of the wind turbine generator based upon the assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron John Avagliano, Ralph Teichmann, Kirk Gee Pierce, Paul David Hopewell, Ameet Shridhar Deshpande, Sukru Alper Eker
  • Patent number: 8608439
    Abstract: A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Daryl G. Hill
  • Patent number: 8568096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control and regulation method for a rotorcraft having at least one variable-pitch propulsive propeller driven by at least one power source, said method consisting in generating at least one mean pitch setpoint ?tcl* for the propeller(s) as a function of a thrust variation control order Tcl, wherein the method consists in defining a plurality of operating modes, including: a direct mode in which the value of the mean pitch value is a direct result of the control order Tcl; a forced mode in which the mean pitch is automatically forced to a calculated pitch value; a regulated mode in which the power of the propulsive propeller(s) is regulated as a function of a power setpoint from a pilot and of servo-controlling the mean pitch of the propeller(s); and a protected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Paul Eglin
  • Publication number: 20130280066
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method of operating a wind turbine including operating the wind turbine in a noise reduction mode based on at least one set point of a wind turbine parameter such that noise produced by said wind turbine remains below a predefined noise emission level, obtaining an actual air density related value, and applying a correction factor to the at least one set point of a wind turbine parameter is provided. The correction factor is determined in dependence of said actual air density related value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Saskia Honhoff, Benoit Petitjean
  • Publication number: 20130259684
    Abstract: A wind turbine having an attenuating unit is presented. One embodiment of the wind turbine includes a tower and a power unit disposed at a first end of the tower. The wind turbine further includes the attenuating unit that is operatively coupled to at least one of the tower and the power unit and configured to attenuate at least the portion of the vibrational bending waves having a frequency above a threshold frequency to reduce the tonal noise of the wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Arvin Hedeen, John Paul Davis
  • Publication number: 20130230401
    Abstract: A flyweight for use in a ram air turbine has a body with a circumferentially enlarged portion extending between flat sides spaced by an angle of between 45 degrees and 150 degrees. A pivot point is defined by a bore at a circumferentially intermediate point in the body, and in a relatively thin inner portion. The relatively thin inner portion extends beyond the pivot point to an end that will be radially inward when the flyweight is mounted in a ram air turbine. A governor, a ram air turbine and a method are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: David G. Bannon, David L. Jacques
  • Publication number: 20130177418
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine (10). The wind turbine (10) is operated with variable rotational speed between predeterminable minimum and maximum rotational speeds. A characteristic variable (51) of an oscillation of the wind turbine (10) is detected. The wind turbine (10) includes a tower (14) and a rotor (13). An open-loop or closed-loop control device (36, 50) provides open-loop control or closed-loop control of the rotational speed of the rotor (13) between a minimum rotational speed and a maximum rotational speed during a power-supplying operation of the wind turbine. A sensor (40) detects a characteristic variable (51) of an oscillation of the wind turbine (10) and the minimum rotational speed is changed depending on the characteristic value (51) of the oscillation. The minimum rotational speed is altered depending on the characteristic variable (51) of the oscillation by the open-loop or closed-loop control device (36, 50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: REPOWER SYSTEMS SE
    Inventors: Marco Hansen, Karsten Warfen
  • Patent number: 8428784
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the operation of a wind power plant (11) with a rotor (10) and a rotating apparatus (20, 22, 24) connected with the rotor (10), wherein a rotor speed (nR) and a rotating apparatus speed (n) are interrelated via a specifiable transmission ratio, wherein the rotating apparatus speed (n) is determined, and wherein a rotational speed measurement value (rpmi) is captured for the determination of the rotating apparatus speed (n). The method according to the invention is characterized in that the rotational speed measurement value (rpmi) is corrected with an intermittently variable correction value (rpmi,c) so that the determined rotating apparatus speed (rpmi,f) results, and wherein the determined rotating apparatus speed (rpmi,f) is fed as the actual value into a regulation apparatus (36) of the wind power plant (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Repower Systems SE
    Inventor: Thomas Krueger
  • Publication number: 20130064663
    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. Also provided is a pre-aligned configuration rotor whereby the rotor geometry and orientation does not change with wind speed, and instead is fixed at a constant downwind deflection consistent with alignment at or near the rated wind speed conditions. Also provided is a twist morphing rotor where the airfoil-shapes around the spars twist relative to the wind due to aerodynamic forces so as to unload the rotors when there is a gust. This can help reduce unsteady stresses on the blade and therefore may allow for reduced blade mass and cost. The twist morphing rotor may be combined with either downwind morphing rotor or pre-alignment rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Eric Loth, Michael Selig, Adam Steele
  • Publication number: 20130045080
    Abstract: A turbine (10) comprising a turbine rotor (11) having a blade support frame (13), and a plurality of blades (12) each pivotally mounted adjacent to its leading edge to the frame (13) for rotation about an axis extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor (11) with the trailing edge of each blade (12) being capable of pivoting downstream or downwind due to fluid dynamic forces on each blade. Pitch control means in the form of a ring or guide (23) is located around the shaft (15) and is coupled via links or lines (20) to the trailing end of each blade (12) to control the pitch of each blade (12) during rotation of the turbine rotor (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Kinloch Kirke
  • Publication number: 20130039739
    Abstract: A turbine includes a rotor, a fluid bearing for rotatably supporting the rotor, an air supply conduit system for supplying air towards the fluid bearing, a discharge conduit system for discharging a portion of the supplied air and a control system arranged to change an amount of air discharging through the discharge conduit system based on a running condition of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Trevor Milne, Christopher Sidney
  • Patent number: 8328515
    Abstract: An improved wind-powered generator, comprising a wind wheel with semi-flexible sails, a supporting tower that can rotate freely with the wind direction, a fairing that ensures the wind wheel is always downwind of the tower, energy generators affixed to the upper tower and mechanically coupled to the rim of the wind wheel, and a controller that changes the angle of attack of the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Guirguis Saad Dawoud, Annetta Atia Yacoub
  • Publication number: 20120282094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade tip and actuator assembly and method for controlling the speed of a wind turbine rotor blade. The invention consists of a moveable and turnable blade tip, an actuator assembly for turning the blade tip, control rods, cables and springs for controlling the blade tip, a magnet assembly for holding the blade tip in position and a hydraulic damping cylinder for controlling the rate at which the blade tip deploys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Paul L. Gay
  • Publication number: 20120257968
    Abstract: A wind power plant comprising a plurality of wind turbines, the power plant further comprising: a power plant controller connected to at least a first and a second of the plurality of wind turbines; the power plant controller comprising means for detecting a shutdown of the first wind turbine in response to current wind conditions; the power plant controller further comprising means to control the second wind turbine such that an operating parameter of the second wind turbine is modified in response to a detection of a shutdown of the first wind turbine in response to current wind conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Søren Dalsgaard
  • Patent number: 8282339
    Abstract: Turbine systems and apparatuses and methods for operating a turbine. The turbine has a shaft coupled to a generator and a segment and the segment has an asymmetric shaped wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Terrence C. Sankar
  • Patent number: 8267655
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine, the wind turbine including at least one movable portion which is movable during operation of the wind turbine and at least one movable portion device including at least one of a movable portion transmitter or a movable portion receiver, the movable portion transmitter or the movable portion receiver being disposed at the least one movable portion; the method including: at least one of sending to or receiving from at least three reference points at least one signal by at least one of the movable portion transmitter or movable portion receiver; and determining at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine depending on at least one characteristic of the at least one received signal. Further the present disclosure relates to a wind turbine arrangement and a system for controlling a wind turbine, comprising a controller of the wind turbine and a movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Friedrich Loh, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Till Hoffmann, Juergen Esser
  • Patent number: 8251657
    Abstract: The present invention includes a rotor blade (20) having a blade body (30) with a leading edge (26) and a trailing edge (28) and opposed first and second surfaces (34, 36) extending there between defining an airfoil shape (32) in cross-section. A passageway (42) extends through the blade body (30) between the first and second surfaces (34, 36). A flexible member (60) is sealed over one end (50) of the passageway (42). Advantageously, the flexible member (60) is passively responsive to changes in a differential pressure between the first and second surfaces (34, 36) to move between a deactivated position (62) and an activated position (64) where the flexible member (60) extends away from the airfoil shape (32) to function as a load mitigation device (40) for the wind turbine rotor blade (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: John M. Obrecht, Kevin J. Standish, Paul F. Medina
  • Patent number: 8240991
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for operating a wind turbine is disclosed. For operating the wind turbine a set of operational data points are sensed via a sensing module. The set of operational data points may include bending stress values. Based on the bending stress values, a load scenario indicator value may be computed. Further, based on the set of operational data points a loading threshold value may be obtained. At least one operating parameter of the wind turbine is changed if the load scenario indicator value exceeds the loading threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthijs Leonardus Gerardus Boerlage, Leonardo Cesar Kammer
  • Patent number: 8215906
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the aerodynamic load of a wind turbine blade by controlling the tip speed ratio (TSR) and/or blade pitch setting of the wind turbine blade so as to optimize power production. A wind turbine blade undergoes an aero-elastic response including deflection and twist that is a function of the blade loading. The blade loading is dependent on the wind speed, TSR, and pitch setting. The aero-elastic response requires a different TSR and/or pitch to be selected throughout the power curve in order to maintain the optimum power production and to improve energy capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirk Gee Pierce, Brandon Shane Gerber, Stefan Herr
  • Patent number: 8210811
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a rotor including at least one rotor blade and a pitch drive system coupled to the at least one rotor blade. The pitch drive system is adapted for pitching the rotor blade. The method includes: determining an actual value of a first variable indicative of an overspeed state of the wind turbine; determining an actual value of a second variable of the wind turbine correlated to the rate of change over time of the first variable; and, estimating an occurrence of an overspeed state of the wind turbine from at least the determined actual values of the first and second variables. The pitch drive system pitches the rotor blade for aerodynamically braking the rotor based on the result of the estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Friedrich Loh, Detlef Menke, Christoph Schulten, Gert Torbohm
  • Publication number: 20120153073
    Abstract: A rotorcraft may include an airframe and a rotor connected to the airframe. The rotor may include a hub and a rotor blade connected to the hub to extend radially away therefrom. The rotor blade may include biasing fibers, oriented to increase the twist of the rotor blade in response to an increase in the speed of rotation of the rotor corresponding to a mission, task, or maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: GROEN BROTHERS AVIATION, INC.
    Inventor: David L. Groen
  • Patent number: 8201662
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to selectively control lubricant supply flow to a rotating machine that is installed in an aircraft having ram air turbine that is movable between at least a deployed position and a stowed position. A controller determines at least when the ram air turbine is in the deployed position, and determining when rotational speed of the rotating machine exceeds a predetermined value. The electric motor driven lubrication pump is at least selectively energized to control the measured lubricant pressure to a predetermined minimum pressure at least when the ram air turbine is deployed and the rotational speed exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Delaloye, Matthew Christopher
  • Publication number: 20120141274
    Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes a root portion and an airfoil portion extending from the root portion and defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a trailing edge section that is pivotally connected to the main foil section along a span-wise extending hinge line. A passive torsion element is coupled between the main foil section and the trailing edge section. The torsion element is biased to a neutral position wherein the trailing edge section is pivoted chord-wise to a low wind speed position relative to the main foil section. The trailing edge section is self-actuating from the low wind speed position to an increased wind speed position relative to the main foil section against as a function of the biasing force of the torsion element and wind speed over the airfoil section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Megan M. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120134807
    Abstract: A method for preventing a possible overspeed of a wind turbine rotor with at least one rotor blade is provided. The method includes detecting a yaw misalignment of the rotor, and imposing a restriction on changes of a pitch angle towards a feathered position of the at least one rotor blade after detecting the yaw misalignment. Further, a wind turbine having a rotor and a control system configured to prevent a possible overspeed of the rotor is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Ulf AXELSSON, Christian HAAG, Mikael BJÖRK, Jacob Johannes NIES
  • Publication number: 20120114485
    Abstract: A ram air turbine (RAT) in which a cam follower is operably coupled to turbine blades such that a cam follower position determines turbine blade pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Everett Russ
  • Publication number: 20120107119
    Abstract: A Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is provided and includes a turbine hub having an end plate and a nose cone attached thereto at trailing and leading ends, respectively, a governor shaft, to which turbine blades are connected, which is coupled to the end plate and supported within the nose cone to be rotatable with the turbine blades about a central axis thereof and axially movable from a first position relative to the turbine hub to a second position relative to the turbine hub and a hub assembly operably coupled to the turbine hub, the governor shaft and the turbine blades whereby the hub assembly biases the governor shaft toward the first position at low rotational speeds such that the turbine blades assume a partial coarse pitch angle, and the second position at high rotational speeds such that the turbine blades assume a fine pitch angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: David G. Bannon
  • Publication number: 20120087793
    Abstract: A Multi Purpose Variable Speed Wind Powered Generator is configured to generate electrical power to all types of transportation and equipment in any wind condition. An on board trip computer monitors wind speed and calibrates settings. As wind speed increases in certain increments the wind speed activates the variable pitch modulation, which controls the blades angle of attack controlling rotor rpm. As the wind speed increases substantially wind speed activates the variable pitch modulation in the rotors decreasing pitch to keep rpm relative. At extreme wind speeds rotor pitch modulation adjusts almost to a neutral position to keep rotor rpm relative. Then the onboard trip computer responds in like sequence in union with wind monitor and rotors partially closing the grill diaphragm disk. This allows less airflow through the grill diaphragm disk to the rotors. Rotor modulation returns back to original pitch positioning and the processes are repeated as needed through every wind speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: John Michael McDuffie