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.

Abstract: In one aspect, an alarm mask for condition monitoring in a wind turbine is automatically generated. A reference data selecting definition is selected from a control definition repository in the wind turbine. The reference data selecting definition specifies a time interval of recorded reference data. Reference data is selected from a sensor located in the wind turbine recorded during the time interval. A reference value is calculated based on the reference data. A first and a second alarm mask factor are selected from the control definition repository. A first alarm mask is calculated based on multiplying the first alarm mask factor and the reference value. A second alarm mask is calculated based on multiplying the second alarm mask factor by the reference value.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to selectively control lubricant supply flow to one or more rotating machines in an aircraft when the rotating machines are windmilling. A controller determines if the rotating machines are windmilling. When the rotating machines are windmilling, the controller at least selectively energizes an electric motor driven lubrication pump, to thereby supply lubricant to the windmilling turbomachine.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods and systems for operating a wind turbine that, in some embodiments may include a gearbox. The wind turbine is provided with a blade having an adjustable pitch angle and the tip speed ratio (TSR) of the blade is monitored. In operation, the method and system is configured to increase the pitch angle of the blade concurrently with an increase in TSR to maintain turbine operation within an identified high power coefficient (Cp) operational region for the blade. TSR may be monitored by monitoring one of the velocity of the tip of the blade, wind speed, the rotational speed of the blade, or the rotational speed of a component within the gearbox.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine having a rotor with a number of wind turbine blades, wherein the rotor's axis of rotation is tilted in relation to the direction of the incoming wind, includes the steps of determining the azimuth angle (A) of the blades and adjusting the pitch angle of the blades in accordance with the azimuth angle (A) to ensure a substantially constant angle of attack (AoA) during at least a full rotation of the rotor. A wind turbine and use of the method are also contemplated.

Abstract: A method for mitigating loads on a wind turbine in yaw error events is disclosed. The method may include determining a yaw error and a speed of the wind turbine and determining a magnitude of de-rating of the wind turbine based upon magnitudes of the yaw error and the speed. The method may further include reducing power output of the wind turbine based upon the magnitude of de-rating.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one rotation parameter of a wind turbine rotor rotating with a rotation speed and a phase is provided. The method comprises the steps of: measuring an effective centrifugal force acting in a first pre-determined direction, which is defined in a co-ordinate system rotating synchronously with the rotor, on at least one reference object located in or at the rotor, establishing a first angular frequency representing the rotation speed of the rotor on the basis of variations in the measured effective centrifugal force due to gravitational force, establishing a second angular frequency representing the rotation speed of the rotor by use of at least one yaw rate gyro, and establishing the value of the rotation speed as the rotational parameter by correcting the second angular frequency by comparing it to the first angular frequency.

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.

Abstract: A wind turbine control system suitable for minimising actuation of pitch actuators is disclosed. The control system uses an error gain schedule in full load control for reducing pitch actuation when the difference between the rotor speed and the reference rotor speed is not critical for the load of wind turbine components. The error gain schedule may be a nonlinear function which reduces the gain for low rotor speed errors. The use of the error gain schedule may reduce wear of the pitch actuators and may improve reduction of structural oscillations since focus removed from tracking the rotor speed reference when the speed error is low.

Abstract: Proposed is a hydraulically controlled variable pitch propeller system for air, land or water craft, comprising an engine, an engine controller, a rotating propeller featuring at least two propeller blades (16), for the pitch control of which a propeller governor (30) is provided connecting the propeller (10) via at least one hydraulic line and comprising a governor body (32) housing a control spool (46) the position of which is determined by the cooperation of flyweights (40) rotating by means of the engine and a variably biased governor spring (48) supported by the control spool (46). In accordance with the invention, the propeller governor (30) comprises an electric motor (58) which sets the preload of the governor spring (48) for the desired rpm and is electrically connected to the engine controller.

Abstract: In a conventional technique, a shutdown sequence indicating a sequential operation from a start of the feathering of a wind turbine to the stop is started in response to an alert signal caused by an external factor. In the present invention, when the alert is called off during the shutdown sequence, the shutdown sequence is stopped, and the recovery control by which the pitch angle of the wind turbine blade is controlled toward the fine state is performed. By such a control, the stop period of the wind turbine under the shutdown can be shortened, so that the decrease in the operating rate of the wind farm can be suppressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine and a method for operating the wind turbine planted in the floor of a body of water. The wind turbine includes a support structure and a rotor, which is arranged on the support structure. The rotor has a rotor blade. The wind turbine operates in a trundle mode in order to reduce the oscillations in the support structure created through mechanical impacts on the support structure.

Abstract: Controller for a blade adjustment angle for at least one rotor blade of a wind power plant, in which a first controller branch is switched for the determination of the blade adjustment angle depending on the operating states of the wind power plant, wherein at least one differentiating member is provided in the switched first controller branch.

Abstract: A present invention's object is to maintain a discharge performance by making a discharge flow rate constant in a low rotation region of an engine rotation speed and to reduce the discharge flow rate in a high rotation region. The present invention consists of a housing case, an impeller base provided with plural holes and plural elliptical elongated holes, a vane body provided with a rotary shaft on an inner peripheral side and a rocking shaft on an outer peripheral side, a plate cam in which an elongated groove is formed on an outer peripheral side of a disc portion and a single torsion spring. The spring and the plate cam are housed in the housing case and the impeller base. The rotary shaft is inserted rotatably into the holes, and the rocking shaft is movably inserted into the elliptical elongated holes and the elongated groove.

Abstract: In a method for blade load reduction control of a rotor of a wind turbine, the rotor includes a plurality of blades, and a pitch angle of each blade is controllable by an actuator. The method includes measuring mechanical load parameters on the rotor, providing control for a collective pitch blade setting based on a rotor speed; providing individual pitch control including transforming the mechanical load parameters from a rotational reference frame to a mechanical load on the rotor in a fixed reference frame; determining from the mechanical load two multi-blade pitches; correcting the multi-blade pitches to corrected multi-blade pitches using actuator limitations; inversely transforming the corrected multi-blade pitches to an individual pitch deviation for each blade in the rotational reference frame; adding up for each blade, the individual pitch deviation to the collective pitch to form an individual pitch; and setting each blade to the respective individual pitch.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine having a rotor with a number of wind turbine blades, wherein the rotor's axis of rotation is tilted in relation to the direction of the incoming wind, includes the steps of determining the azimuth angle (A) of the blades and adjusting the pitch angle of the blades in accordance with the azimuth angle (A) to ensure a substantially constant angle of attack (AoA) during at least a full rotation of the rotor. A wind turbine and use of the method are also contemplated.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine generator having at least one wind turbine blade includes increasing a pitch angle of the at least one wind turbine blade as the at least one wind turbine blade rotates through a first range of blade azimuth values. Such increasing of the pitch angle reduces acoustic emissions generated by the wind turbine generator. The method also includes decreasing the pitch angle of the at least one wind turbine blade as the at least one wind turbine blade rotates through a second range of blade azimuth values. Such decreasing of the pitch angle increases electric power generated by the wind turbine generator.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for determining an angular position of a wind turbine rotor. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method for determining an angular position of a wind turbine may include measuring tangential acceleration and radial acceleration of the rotor, measuring speed of the rotor, determining rotational tangential acceleration of the rotor based at least in part on the change of rotor speed over time, determining rotational radial acceleration based at least in part on the rotor speed, adjusting the measured tangential acceleration based at least in part on the determined rotational tangential acceleration, adjusting the measured radial acceleration based at least in part on the determined rotational radial acceleration, and determining an angular position of the rotor based at least on the adjusted tangential acceleration and the adjusted radial acceleration.

Abstract: A method of assembling an air distribution system for use in a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a sidewall at least partially defining a cavity extending from a blade root towards a blade tip. The method includes positioning at least a portion of a manifold within the cavity and coupling the manifold to the sidewall. The manifold extends from the blade root towards the blade tip and has a root end and an opposing tip end. A passage is defined from the root end to the tip end. A flow control device is coupled to the manifold root end and configured to channel air through the manifold. A bypass flow assembly is coupled to the manifold and configured to channel air through the air distribution system with the flow control device in a non-operating configuration.

Abstract: A system for determining wind turbine tower base torque loads including a controller configured to determine a torque load of a base of a tower of a wind turbine according to a computation of an effective height of the wind turbine multiplied by a wind force upon a rotor of the wind turbine, and generate a control signal representing the torque load. A method for determining wind turbine tower base torque loads including determining a torque load of a base of a tower of a wind turbine according to the foregoing computation, and generating a control signal representing the torque load.

Abstract: A blade pitch regulating hub (1) having a circular base (4) having a base gear (5) pivotally attached thereto. Blade stems (6) are placed equally apart from one another around the hub base. The blade stems have stem gears (7) that all engage the base gear so that all of the blade stems rotate at equal distances and in the same direction. The pitch of the blade stems and blades (8) are also controlled by the regulating means (2). A speed regulating gear (12) regulates the rotational power output from a wind driven power generator by using a telescoping housing (14) and conical gear (19) that extend and retract depending on wind speed. A guide means (20) ensures that a sliding gear assembly (26) always stays engaged with the conical gear as the diameter of the conical gear changes as it retracts and extends. An output gear assembly (28) engages the sliding gear assembly and transfers power from the sliding gear assembly to an output axle (29).

Abstract: A wind driven energy source is providing integrated a series of radially extending masts from a central hub. The masts are supported by a series of cables. A mast-to-mast tension cable spans between distal ends of adjacent masts. A mast-to-axle tension cable spans between the distal end of each mast and each axial end of the central hub. A turbine blade is supported by each mast. The turbine blades can be of a rigid or pliant material. An angle of incidence of the rigid blades can be adjusted by rotating the mast. An angle of incidence of the pliant blades can be adjusted by applying tension to a blade control cable. Pliant blades can be retracted into the mast via a retracting mechanism to reduce the exposed surface area when subjected to excessive wind speeds.

Abstract: A new reduced cost easily manufactured light weight wind turbine design combining the use of downwind passive yaw, large take off rim on the outside of the semi rigid sails, a new method of furling or changing sail AOA, new semi rigid sail design, and new tower design that allows passive yaw for high installation of wind wheels to gain energy from higher wind speeds. Combining these features dramatically lowers weight/simplifies manufacture/avoids need for expensive composite materials/avoids the need for heavy high reduction gearboxes/reduces friction losses to air/reduces noise/reduces bird strikes/catches more energy per area of sails/and ultimately reduces cost in US$ per kwh generated ratio.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a wind turbine comprising a rotor with at least one rotor blade, a generator and a speed regulator for regulating the rotational speed of a drive train element by adjusting a generator torque and/or a blade pitch angle, comprising the steps of: determining the angular speed of the drive train element through the time derivative of an angular position signal, determining the angular acceleration of the drive train element, presetting desired values for the generator torque and/or the blade pitch angle taking into account the angular speed of the drive train element and the angular acceleration of the drive train element, wherein the angular acceleration of the drive train element is determined from the angular position signal, wherein a filtering with an upper cut off frequency is performed after the first time derivative of the angular position signal and before a second time derivative of the angular position signal, said upper cut off frequency being tuned to a maximum adjustme

Abstract: Provided are a wind turbine blade that can reduce the thickness of a turbulent-flow boundary layer generated on the blade surface of a blade tip portion to prevent noise generated at a trailing edge portion effectively, as well as a wind power generator using the same. Provided is a wind turbine blade, which is a wind turbine blade having an airfoil shape in cross section, wherein an angle-of-attack decreasing portion that decreases an angle of attack during rotation at at least a predetermined rotational speed is provided over a predetermined range from a blade tip to a blade root side.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for determining an angular position of a wind turbine rotor. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method for determining an angular position of a wind turbine may include measuring tangential acceleration and radial acceleration of the rotor, measuring speed of the rotor, determining rotational tangential acceleration of the rotor based at least in part on the change of rotor speed over time, determining rotational radial acceleration based at least in part on the rotor speed, adjusting the measured tangential acceleration based at least in part on the determined rotational tangential acceleration, adjusting the measured radial acceleration based at least in part on the determined rotational radial acceleration, and determining an angular position of the rotor based at least on the adjusted tangential acceleration and the adjusted radial acceleration.

Abstract: A method of operating a blade pitch change system of a gas turbine engine and its arrangement, the system comprising a blade, an actuator, a pressurised fluid system and a control system that regulates pressurised fluid to the actuator to control its position and thereby the blade's pitch; the blade pitch change system operates in a forward thrust mode and a reverse thrust mode, the control system comprises a main pitch control valve and a first reverse blade control valve through which the pressurised fluid passes. The method comprises the steps of a) continuously varying the main control valve to change the blade's pitch within the forward thrust mode at a first rotational rate, b) switching the first reverse blade control valve on to change the blades' pitch between the forward thrust mode and the reverse thrust mode at a second rotational rate that is greater than the first rotational rate.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for testing a wind turbine pitch control system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for testing a wind turbine pitch control system is provided. The method can include measuring tangential acceleration (At) of a wind turbine rotor, determining pitch angle of one or more turbine blades, and predicting torque applied to the one or more turbine blades based at least in part on the tangential acceleration (At) and the pitch angle.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a torque distribution device for distributing torque between two different shafts. Also a system for detecting the presence of snow/ice on a wind turbine using ultrasound sensors and a system for de-icing wind turbines in which when the removal of snow/ice is detected, the heaters are switched off. Also a wind turbine with a lightning sensor and a processing unit which can shut down sub-systems or the whole system in response to data from the lightning sensor. Also a wind turbine with an automated lubrication refill system for replenishing the lubricant in one or more components of the turbine. Also a wind farm comprising a plurality of wind turbines in which at least one wind turbine is communicatively coupled to at least one other wind turbine.

Abstract: Method for torque and pitch control/adjustment for a wind power plant according to the rotational speed according to a characteristic curve, in which at partial load operation in a first section the torque is adjusted up to a first predetermined rotational speed, at partial load operation in a second section the torque is adjusted from the first rotational speed up to a second rotational speed, at full load operation in a third section at least one pitch of a rotor blade is adjusted for rotational speeds greater than the second rotational speed, at full load operation, in a fourth section, the pitch is adjusted for rotational speeds lower than the second rotational speed and greater than the third rotational speed, if a control has been previously carried out according to the third section, and at partial load operation in a fifth section the torque is adjusted for rotational speeds lower than the third rotational speed, if a control has been previously carried out according to the fourth section.

Abstract: An embodiment of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with a turbine shaft for transmitting mechanical power. Coupled to the turbine shaft is a support structure with a vane rotatably coupled to the support structure at a vane shaft. The vane rotates the vane shaft, support structure and the turbine shaft around the center of the turbine shaft when the vane is acted upon by the wind. A centrifugal compensation rod is connected to the vane. The centrifugal compensation rod counteracts the centrifugal forces acting upon the vane as the vane rotates about the center of the turbine shaft. Embodiments of the vertical axis wind turbine increase the efficiency of the wind turbine by reducing wind resistance. Some embodiments develop power when the vanes move into the wind instead of simply reducing drag on the side of the turbine that moves into the wind.

Abstract: A predictive maintenance system for wind parks, the wind park comprising a group of wind turbines (Ai), a communications network (RS), and a supervision and control system (ST). The predictive maintenance system comprises a monitoring and processing equipment (SMP) connected to the control system (PLC) of the wind turbine (Ai), such that the monitoring and processing equipment sends alarms through the control system of the wind turbine to the supervision and control system. A monitoring and processing equipment (SMP) for wind turbines is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for doing an optimization of the performance envelope initially authorized for an existing rotorcraft engine (M) to enable the engine (M), to be used in an optimized performance envelope that is different from the performance envelope initially authorized for the engine, is remarquable in that this optimization is compensated by modifying the total service life of the engine (M).

Abstract: An electronic lead/lag damper algorithm implemented as part of the fly-by-wire flight control system to minimize or eliminate mechanical lead/lag dampers of a rotary wing aircraft. The electronic lead/lag damper algorithm uses a cross-feed control methodology that band-pass filters pitch and roll rates and feeds back a signal to the lateral and longitudinal cyclic inputs to provide electronic stability to rotor lag modes.

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.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine. The method includes providing a wind turbine having a variable speed control system, the control system having an initial rotational speed set point. At least two operational parameters are obtained from one or more sensors. An adjusted rotational speed set point greater than the initial rotational speed set point is determined in response to the operational parameter. The control system is configured with the adjusted rotational speed set point. A wind turbine and wind turbine plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: For constant-speed synchrophasing of the propellers (14) of the propulsion units (10) of an aircraft each equipped with an electronic control circuit (20) connected to a communications network (32) of the aircraft, each control circuit of a propulsion unit includes a clock delivering a clock signal at a frequency representing a rotational speed of the propulsion unit propeller corresponding to said constant speed, the control circuit clocks are kept substantially synchronous by communication via the communications network of the aircraft, and in each propulsion unit, the offset between the clock signal and a signal produced from a propeller rotational speed sensor is measured and compared to a determined propeller phase value assigned to the propulsion unit and, depending on the result of the comparison, an instantaneous variation of the propeller rotational speed is applied as necessary so as to bring the measured offset to the determined value.

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.

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.

Abstract: A windmill comprising a rotor having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (1a) and at least two blades (4) extending along a respective blade axis, about which the blade can be rotated to an adjustment angle for the blade, and a blade adjusting device (11, 13) for adjusting a common basic angle of adjustment for the blades (4), said windmill further comprising means (14) for detecting the size of the basic angle of adjustment, means for detecting the load on the windmill and means (15-22) for detecting the deflection of the blade, preferably in the direction of the axis of the rotor (1a), is controlled according to the invention by adjustment of the basic angle of adjustment, a control signal for the blade adjusting device being provided in dependency of the load and the wind speed, and, as a measure for the wind speed, the deflection (?) of the blade is used, preferably in the direction of the rotational axis (1a) of the rotor.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a wind turbine, and a wind turbine is provided with a control device for controlling a wind turbine. A method and a wind turbine are developed so that losses of yield, particularly as a result of variations in the conversion of the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy, e.g., in the rotor, drive train and generator, are minimized as far as possible. A method is provided for controlling a wind turbine, wherein at least one operational setting is varied within predefined limits.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the speed of blades rotating in a rotor plane on a wind turbine, wherein the angle between at least two blades in the rotor plane is changed, whereby the tip speed of each individual blade can be optimised relative to the current speed of the wind experienced by the blade. Hereby it is possible to take into consideration the variation of the wind as a function of the height above ground level, and the yield of the wind turbine can be increased. The angular displacement of each blade can be changed individually independently of the remainder of the blades and cyclically. The method also comprises that each blade is accelerated on its way upwards in the rotation cycle and decelerated on its way down. Further details are provided about a system for controlling blades in a wind turbine comprising one or more wind speed meters, position meters, and/or acceleration meters, based on which parameters control of the angular displacement of each blade in the rotor plane is performed.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one wind turbine blade during the stopping process of the rotor in a wind turbine system is disclosed. The method optimizes the control velocity of the process in response to one or more feedback values of the system and/or one or more feedback values from the surroundings of the system by altering the angular pitch velocity from 10°/sec during the initial stage of the stopping process to 5°/sec at the final stage of the stopping process. A control system and a wind turbine as well as use hereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A centrifugal turbomachine includes an impeller and a speed sensor arranged to detect a speed associated with an impeller speed. A temperature sensor is arranged to detect a temperature associated with an impeller exit temperature. A controls system has impeller parameters, which includes the impeller speed and exit temperature. A calculation methodology is used to mathematically manipulate the impeller parameters to determine a remaining life of the impeller. A program response, such as a warning indication, is triggered by the control system in response to the remaining life reaching a threshold. The controls system monitors the speed and temperature of the impeller. The controls system internally calculates the remaining life based upon the speed and the temperature. In one example, a change in remaining life is calculated in response to a change in speed that results in an impeller stress that exceeds an endurance strength for the impeller.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine is described. The wind turbine can include a top ring, a middle ring and a lower ring, wherein a plurality of vertical airfoils are disposed between the rings. For example, three vertical airfoils can be attached between the upper ring and the middle ring. In addition, three more vertical airfoils can be attached between the lower ring and the middle ring. When wind contacts the vertically arranged airfoils the rings begin to spin. By connecting the rings to a center pole which spins an alternator, electricity can be generated from wind.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing back flow in an air mover having one or more blades is described. A flap is attached to a blade of the air mover such that, when back flow occurs, the flap obscures all or a portion of the space between blades during back flow.

Abstract: An improved ram air turbine (RAT) prevents release of its turbine blades due an over-speed condition by detecting an over-speed condition with a trigger mechanism and rotating the blades to a fixed coarse pitch position with a release mechanism.

Abstract: An electronics cooling fan comprises at least one collapsible fan blade driven by centrifugal force to extend radially as the fan spins and driven by elastic force to retract as spinning slows or stops.

Abstract: A method for limiting loads in a wind turbine by using measured loads or wind speed to increase the minimum pitch angle for extended periods. The minimum pitch angle will be allowed to relax down to the default when load excursions diminish. The method will allow turbines to capture more energy by operating in higher wind speeds and/or utilizing larger rotors without additional loss of fatigue life.

Abstract: Actual temperatures of intake air, hydraulic oil, and coolant, to be cooled by a cooling fan, are detected. Target fan revolution speeds are determined by PI control units based on differences between the actual temperatures and target temperatures. The cooling fan is controlled based on the target fan revolution speeds. To restrict accumulation of negative integral elements when performing integration by the PI control units an integration start control system adapted to control the timing for each PI control unit to initiate integration is provided. Target temperatures for initiating integration are respectively set, and control is performed so that integral elements of each PI control unit are kept invalid until the actual temperature of the corresponding cooling target fluid, i.e. the intake air, the hydraulic oil, or the coolant, reaches the corresponding target temperature. Delay in rise of fan revolution speed is prevented.