Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a mass imbalance in a rotor of a wind turbine. The method includes receiving, with a computing device, sensor data indicative of an operating characteristic of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining, with the computing device, a mean amplitude of a designated frequency component of the operating characteristic. Furthermore, the method includes determining, with the computing device, when a mass imbalance is present within the rotor based on the mean amplitude of the designated frequency component.

Abstract: A technical object of the present disclosure is to provide an anemometer for a wind turbine which is capable of precisely measuring a wind velocity and a wind direction. To this end, an anemometer for a wind turbine of the present disclosure is an anemometer for a wind turbine which is used for a wind turbine including a plurality of rotating blades and a hub which is equipped at a rotation center of the plurality of rotating blades and has a nosecone and is equipped in the nosecone.

Abstract: A support structure for a propulsor blade includes at least one sleeve configured to support a root portion of the propulsor blade, the at least one sleeve fixedly attached to a surface of the root portion. The support structure also includes a preloading component configured to apply a residual compressive force to the at least one sleeve and the root portion of the propulsor blade, the residual compressive force configured to maintain an attachment of the at least one sleeve to the root portion. The propulsor blade and root portion may incorporate composite structural materials. The support structure and/or the preloading component increases the high cycle fatigue strength and bending capacity of blade retention assemblies (including, e.g., composite-to-metal joints) when subjected to high cycle bending loads under reduced centrifugal load conditions, thereby making further reductions in the size and weight of blade retention assemblies feasible.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a damage detection system includes: a physical quantity detection unit, a flight condition changing part and a damage detection part. The physical quantity detection unit detects a physical quantity of a structural object composing an aircraft during a flight of the aircraft. The flight condition changing part changes at least one flight condition of the aircraft to at least one specific flight condition when the physical quantity of the structural object has been detected by the physical quantity detection unit. The damage detection part determines whether a damage arose in the structural object, based on a physical quantity which has been detected, from the structural object of the aircraft flying with the at least one specific flight condition, by the physical quantity detection unit.

Abstract: There is provided a sliding component including, a first sliding part which is non-conductive and which has a sliding surface; and a conductive member provided in the first sliding part or provided on a side opposite to the sliding surface of the first sliding part.

Abstract: A method for customizing bedplates for a plurality of wind turbines having different loading requirements. The method includes forming a plurality of baseline bodies for the bedplates that includes a near net shape of one of the bedplates. Further, the method includes determining a loading requirement of the bedplates of each of the wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes applying additional material to an exterior surface of the plurality of baseline bodies via an additive manufacturing process so as to customize a structural capacity of each of the bedplates such that the structural capacity of each of the bedplates can withstand the loading requirement for each of the wind turbines. Accordingly, the structural capacity of each of the plurality of baseline bodies may be the same or may be different.

Abstract: A system is described for performing structural health monitoring of an object under study. The system comprises a hollow cavity structure comprising one or more cavities obtained using additive manufacturing. The cavity structure is sealable from its environment and forms an integral part of the object under study. The cavity structure furthermore is connectable to a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure in the cavity structure.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a damage detection system includes: a physical quantity detection unit, a flight condition changing part and a damage detection part. The physical quantity detection unit detects a physical quantity of a structural object composing an aircraft during a flight of the aircraft. The flight condition changing part changes at least one flight condition of the aircraft to at least one specific flight condition when the physical quantity of the structural object has been detected by the physical quantity detection unit. The damage detection part determines whether a damage arose in the structural object, based on a physical quantity which has been detected, from the structural object of the aircraft flying with the at least one specific flight condition, by the physical quantity detection unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a wind turbine. The wind turbine comprises at least one rotatable blade. The method comprises the steps of providing a load sensor configured to generate a load signal representing loading on the blade, generating a first load signal when the blade is in a first position, and generating a second load signal when the blade is in a second position. Additionally, the method comprises steps of detecting a rotational speed of the blade, calculating a weight force on the blade based on the first and the second load signal, and calculating a centrifugal force on the blade based on the first and the second load signal. Subsequently, the weight force is compared with a predetermined weight force, and the centrifugal force is compared with a predetermined centrifugal force at the detected rotational speed. Finally, a risk of ice throw is determined based on the comparisons of the weight force and the centrifugal force with the predetermined forces.

Abstract: A sensor system for a wind turbine blade, the system comprising: a blade load sensor providing a load measurement; a processing unit interfaced with the blade load sensor and configured to provide a corrected load parameter as an output. The processing unit includes: an axial force estimation module that determines an estimated axial force on the wind turbine blade in a direction along the length of the blade; and a load calculation module that 10 determines the corrected load parameter based on the estimated axial force and the load measurement of the blade load sensor.

Abstract: Blade feedback systems and methods for determining a blade angle position and rotational speed of a plurality of propeller blades of a variable pitch propeller assembly are provided. Exemplary blade feedback system includes features for determining an axial position of a beta tube. Based at least in part on the axial position of the beta tube, the blade angle of the plurality of propeller blades can be determined. Exemplary blade feedback system can also include features for determining the rotational speed of the beta tube such that the rotational speed of the propeller blades can be determined.

Abstract: A rotor hub for a wind turbine may generally include a hub body defining both a plurality of blade flanges and a plurality of access ports spaced apart from the blade flanges. In addition, the rotor hub may include a ladder assembly extending within an interior of the hub body. The ladder assembly may include a plurality of platforms, with each platform defining a planar surface and being circumferentially aligned with a respective one of the plurality of access ports. The ladder assembly may also include a connecting frame extending between each pair of adjacent platforms so as to couple the adjacent platforms to one another. The connecting frame may extend lengthwise along a reference line defined between the adjacent platforms. The platforms may be positioned relative to one another such that the reference line extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the planar surfaces defined by the adjacent platforms.

Abstract: A propeller blade for rotation about a hub assembly is provided, wherein the propeller blade defines a radial direction along its length from a blade root to a blade tip, the propeller blade including a radially inner region, a radially outer region located between the blade root and the blade tip at a position where rotational forces on the blade are sufficient, in use, to remove ice from an uncoated blade, a coating disposed at least along a leading edge of the propeller blade, the coating including an icephobic material, wherein the coating extends along the propeller blade from the radially inner region to the radially outer region. The coating overlays a substrate portion of the propeller blade defining a color visually indicative of wear of the coating.

Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling a wind turbine having a rotor supporting a plurality of blades and a main bearing supporting the rotor, the method comprising detecting a load profile around the circumference of the main bearing, generating a control signal based on the detected load profile and dynamically adjusting the load profile of the main bearing using the control signal.

Abstract: Groups of wind turbines at a wind farm are controlled based on detection of volant animal swarms. A risk score is defined for each of a plurality of wind turbine groups of the wind farm at a default risk score based on predetermined data. A respective operational parameter is set for each wind turbine of each of the wind turbine groups based on the respective risk score. The presence of a volant animal swarm is detected in a region associated with a given one of the wind turbine groups via a volant animal detection system. The risk score of the given one wind turbine group and an adjacent wind turbine group is changed from the default risk score to temporary risk scores in response to detection of the volant animal swarm.

Abstract: To identify abnormal behavior in a turbine blade, a failure detection system generates a “fingerprint” for each blade on a turbine. The fingerprint may be a grouping a dynamic, physical characteristics of the blade such as its mass, strain ratio, damping ratio, and the like. While the turbine is operating, the failure detection system receives updated sensor information that is used to determine the current characteristics of the blade. If the current characteristics deviate from the characteristics in the blade's fingerprint, the failure detection system may compare the characteristics of the blade that deviates from the fingerprint to characteristics of another blade on the turbine. If the current characteristics of the blade are different from the characteristics of the other blade, the failure detection system may change the operational mode of the turbine such as disconnecting the turbine from the utility grid or stopping the rotor.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a plurality of blades, a micro inertial measurement unit installed on each blade and configured to sense a plurality of detection parameter signals at corresponding installation positions, and a monitoring system configured to monitor an operating state of the blades. The monitoring system includes a signal processing unit configured to obtain a processing parameter signal through calculation based on the detection parameter signals, a signal analyzing unit configured to analyze each analysis parameter signal, selected from the plurality of detection parameter signals and the processing parameter signal, to obtain a fault estimation signal, used to estimate whether a corresponding blade works in a fault state, and a fault evaluating unit configured to evaluate, based on a plurality of fault estimation signals, whether a corresponding blade fails or a probability that the corresponding blade fails.

Abstract: Method for testing a rotor blade ice detection system for a wind turbine, the rotor blade ice detection system being configured to output a warning in the event of icing of a rotor blade being monitored, the method having the following steps of: acquiring data relating to a rotor blade to be monitored, providing at least one value of an operating and/or environmental parameter, modifying the at least one value provided in such a manner that the at least one modified value differs from an actual value of the parameter, evaluating the data relating to the rotor blade to be monitored and the at least one modified value via the rotor blade ice detection system, and testing whether the rotor blade ice detection system outputs a warning.

Abstract: An electric arc detection system is presented. The electric arc detection system comprises a receiving antenna that receives electromagnetic radiation generated by an electric arc formed in an internal cavity of a non-conductive hollow structure, and a processing subsystem for determining an existence of the electric arc in the internal cavity based upon signals representative of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the deflection or curvature of a rotating blade, such as a wind turbine blade or a helicopter blade. Also, methods and apparatus for establishing an inertial reference system on a rotating blade.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade (22) is cantilevered from a shaft (50) of a rotor (20). A pitch reference azimuth (74) of the blade may be located by generating a function (66, 67, 68, 69) of gravitational bending strain or moment magnitude of the blade versus pitch angle of the blade for a vector component (85, 86) of gravitational force (GF) relative to a predetermined transverse line (CL, 83) of the blade, such as a chord line, over a range of pitch angles of the blade. The pitch reference azimuth may be set at a characteristic point (70, 71, 72) on the function, such as an inflection point Two such functions (67, 69) may be generated with the blade in two respective positions on opposite sides of the rotor The intersection point (73) of these functions is a pitch reference point that is compensated for rotor tilt.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a machine element (02), which moves with respect to a base and rotates about its own axis, having a sensor (06) and evaluation electronics (09). According to the invention, the sensor (06) and the evaluation electronics (09) and also a power supply unit and a transmitter unit (12) are arranged on the moving machine element (02).

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine is provided. The method includes determining a wind condition, determining for the wind condition expected azimuthal positions of a rotating wind rotor of the wind turbine, and determining for the wind condition desired azimuthal positions of the rotating wind rotor so that at least one of a load balance of the rotating wind rotor and a power uptake of the rotating wind rotor is improved compared to the expected azimuthal positions.

Abstract: An assembly configuration between a wind turbine rotor blade and a rotor hub includes a rotor hub having one or more pitch bearings, with each pitch bearing having an outer diameter race and an inner diameter race. Rotor blades are affixed to the respective pitch bearing rings, with the rotor blades having a root end with an outer diameter. An adaptor is configured between the root end and the pitch bearing, with the adaptor affixed to the inner diameter race and the root end affixed to the adaptor. The adaptor defines a mounting surface for the root end radially inward of the pitch bearing such that the root end outer diameter is less than the diameter of the inner diameter race.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring creep in an object are provided. The creep monitoring system includes a creep sensor assembly that includes at least one image pattern pair disposed on a surface of the object. The creep monitoring method includes receiving information from the creep sensor assembly regarding an observed creep and an offset associated with the object, correcting the observed creep using the information regarding the offset and outputting the corrected information relative to the creep.

Abstract: A method for acoustically monitoring a wind turbine, in particular for monitoring the existence of loose objects inside the wind turbine is provided. A sound generated in a rotating part of the wind turbine is monitored during operation of the wind turbine which sound is analyzed with respect to specific parameter values of the sound within at least one specific frequency range and if such specific parameter values are detected, a signal for possible further actions is generated. An acoustic monitoring system for a wind turbine and a re-equipment kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade is equipped with an air chamber and equipped via the air chamber to route a modulation beam out of the rotor blade such that the air current along the rotor blade is changed. Thereby the laminar current is changed into a turbulent current on the one hand and its detachment and on the other hand its recreation is achieved in order to produce the laminar current. The control may occur via electrostatic actuators via a learnable control strategy based on neural forecasts, which take the complexity of the non-linear system into account and allow for the plurality of influencing factors. The stress on the rotor blades may be reduced, resulting in longer service life and reduced maintenance costs, a higher level of efficiency or quieter operation.

Abstract: The invention is a method for controlling and/or monitoring a wind turbine 1 equipped with a LIDAR sensor 2. Control and/or monitoring provides an estimation of the wind speed at the rotor obtained an estimator and a LIDAR sensor 2. The estimator of the wind speed at the rotor is constructed from a representation of the wind, a model of the LIDAR sensor and a wind propagation model.

Abstract: A system and method for blade angle position feedback. The system comprises an annular member operatively connected to rotate with a propeller, a sensor fixedly mounted adjacent the annular member and configured for detecting a passage of each singularity as the annular member is rotated and axially displaced and for generating a sensor signal accordingly, the annular member and sensor configured for relative axial displacement between a first relative axial position and a second relative axial position respectively corresponding to the first and the second mode of operation, and a detection unit connected to the sensor for receiving the sensor signal therefrom, determining on the basis of the sensor signal a time interval elapsed between the passage of successive singularities, and computing from the time interval blade angle position.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor includes a hub with a rotor blade mounted to a bearing of the hub wherein the rotor blade has a longitudinal axis extending in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation of the hub, and the rotor blade is rotatable about its longitudinal axis whereby the pitch of the rotor blade is adjustable. The rotor blade has a tag such as an RFID tag fixed on the rotor blade at a predetermined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade; and a sensor is fixed on the hub for contactless sensing of the tag when the tag is in a predetermined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. Repeated and accurate calibration of rotor blade pitch is hereby made possible.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system of monitoring bending strain on a wind turbine blade. The method in one aspect comprises: locating at least three strain sensors on the turbine blade, in use each strain sensor providing a strain measurement, the strain sensors located such that edgewise and flapwise bending can be determined from the strain measurements; calculating a plurality of resultant bending strains using the strain measurements; calculating an average resultant bending strain from the plurality of resultant bending strains; and calculating a confidence value for a first sensor based on a comparison of resultant bending strains derived from the strain measurement from the first sensor with the average resultant bending strain.

Abstract: A system may include at least one computer device configured to attain a two-dimensional used profile of a leading edge at a specified radial position on a turbomachine airfoil after use. The system aligns opposing substantially straight alignment portions of the two-dimensional used profile with opposing substantially straight alignment portions of a previously attained, two-dimensional, baseline profile of the turbomachine airfoil. The alignment portions of each profile are in substantially identical radial locations of the turbomachine airfoil. Comparing the used profile to the baseline profile determines whether the leading edge at the specified radial position of the used turbomachine airfoil has erosion. The system may also include a laser profiler for measuring the turbomachine airfoil.

Abstract: A method for determining parameters of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving signals from at least one Micro Inertial Measurement Unit (MIMU) mounted on or within a component of the wind turbine and determining at least one parameter of the wind turbine based on the signals received from the at least one MIMU.

Abstract: An electric arc detection system is presented. The electric arc detection system comprises a receiving antenna that receives electromagnetic radiation generated by an electric arc formed in an internal cavity of a non-conductive hollow structure, and a processing subsystem for determining an existence of the electric arc in the internal cavity based upon signals representative of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method for noise-reduced operation a wind is provided. The method includes determining a wind speed during normal operation of the wind turbine and determining a weighted rotor speed setpoint for a rotor of the wind turbine so that a noise emission of the wind turbine for the wind speed is reduced compared to nominal noise emission of the wind turbine at the wind speed. Using the weighted rotor speed setpoint, a torque setpoint for a power conversion assembly connected to the rotor is determined. The torque setpoint is applied to the power conversion assembly to control the wind turbine.

Abstract: A control system for calibrating a wind turbine sensor placed on a component of a wind turbine and related methods are disclosed. The wind turbine includes a rotor having at least one wind turbine blade. The method comprises pitching one or more of the at least one of the wind turbine blades according to a predetermined pitch movement which induces a vibratory motion in the at least one turbine blade. A wind turbine sensor measures a vibratory response signal at least partly caused by the vibratory motion. A characteristic sensor response value is determined from the vibratory response signal. The characteristic sensor response value may be compared to a predetermined sensor calibration parameter to determine whether a difference is greater than a predefined tolerance parameter. In this manner, the wind turbine sensor may be calibrated.

Abstract: A system for detecting deformation of a fan for an aeroengine, the fan including a rotor including plural blades made of composite material including woven fibers. At least one of the fibers in each of the blades is an optical fiber including at least one portion defining a Bragg grating. The system further includes a transceiver connected to the optical fiber and configured to send an optical signal into the optical fiber and to receive an optical signal in response from the optical fiber, and a detector module connected to the transceiver to detect deformation of the fan when the received optical signal presents correlation with a predetermined signature of a damped impact on a blade at a determined speed of rotation. This deformation may be the result of a foreign object impacting against a blade of the fan or may follow from variation in an internal defect.

Abstract: A turbine is provided and includes a rotor, which is rotatable about a centerline thereof, a sensor to measure a condition at a point of measurement interest defined on the rotor at a radial distance from the centerline, a communication system by which condition measurements are transmittable from the sensor to a non-rotating recording system and a probe holder to secure the sensor and a portion of the communication system on the rotor proximate to the point of measurement interest.

Abstract: A total air temperature sensor includes an airfoil body extending from an airfoil base to an opposed airfoil tip along a longitudinal axis. The airfoil body defines a leading edge and opposed trailing edge. The airfoil body defines an interior flow passage with an inlet for fluid communication of fluid into the interior flow passage and an outlet for exhausting fluid out from the interior flow passage, and wherein the airfoil body defines a bleed passage through the airfoil body between the leading edge and the interior flow passage. A temperature probe is mounted within the interior flow passage for measuring temperature of flow through the interior flow passage to determine total air temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining and applying a pitch angle offset signal for controlling a rotor frequency of a rotor of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a motion quantity indicative of a motion of the rotor and determining the pitch angle offset signal based on the motion quantity such that the pitch angle offset signal is adapted to be used for adjusting a blade pitch angle of a rotor blade mounted at the rotor for controlling the rotor frequency in order to reduce a time span during which the rotor is in a critical motion region. A corresponding system and a method for controlling a rotor frequency are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wind turbine system is presented. The wind turbine system includes a rotor comprising a plurality of blades and a hub, and a turbine controller configured to reduce an abnormal amplitude modulation of the wind turbine by adjusting pitch angles of the plurality of blades during a rotation of the rotor based upon aerodynamic loads acting on the rotor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring wind turbine loading are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a main shaft, a bedplate, and a gearbox coupled to the main shaft and mounted to the bedplate. The gearbox includes an outer casing and a torque arm extending from the outer casing. The system further includes an isolation mount coupled to the torque arm, and a sensor configured to measure displacement of the torque arm. In another embodiment, a method includes operating the wind turbine, and detecting displacement of a torque arm of a gearbox of the wind turbine. The method further includes calculating a moment for a main shaft of the wind turbine based on the displacement of the torque arm.

Abstract: A method for estimating an operating temperature of component in turbo machinery includes providing body detachably affixed to component, operating machinery, stopping operation of machinery, and removing body. The method includes obtaining concentration profile by determining final concentration of at least one species in first material and in second material, and determining a transient concentration of at least one species between first material and second material. The method includes determining an operating temperature by correlating concentration profile to corresponding operating temperature for system. A system including body is also provided. Body includes at least one species, a first material having a starting first concentration of the species, a second material arranged to permit migration of the species from first material to second material. Species migrates from first material to second material during operation of turbo machinery allowing body to estimate temperature during operation.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a number of blades and an optical measurement system comprising a light source, such as a laser, an optical transmitter part, an optical receiver part, and a signal processor. The light source is optically coupled to the optical transmitter part, which includes an emission point for emitting light in a probing direction. The optical receiver part comprises a receiving point and a detector. The optical receiver part is adapted for receiving a reflected part of light from a probing region along the probing direction and directing the reflected part of light to the detector to generate a signal used to determine a first velocity component of the inflow. The emission point is located in a first blade at a first radial distance from a center axis, and the receiving point is located in the first blade at a second radial distance from the center axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes: measuring an actual wind parameter upwind from the wind turbine using one or more sensors; providing the measured wind parameter to a processor; providing a plurality of wind turbine operating data to the processor; utilizing the plurality of operating data to determine an estimated wind turbine condition at the wind turbine; generating a control wind profile based on the actual wind parameter and the estimated wind turbine condition; and, implementing a control action based on the control wind profile to prevent excessive loading from acting on the wind turbine.

Abstract: A detection system for a turbine engine that is configured to identify the presence of at least a partial blockage of guide vanes by monitoring deflection of an adjacent row of turbine blades. The detection system may include one or more sensors positioned radially outward from tips of turbine blades in a row of turbine blades adjacent an upstream row of guide vanes that remain stationary. The detection system may also include a conditioning module in communication with the sensor to amplify the output signals received from the sensor. A processing module may be in communication with conditioning module to analyze signals produced by the sensor via the conditioning module and generate an alarm if the processing module detects a change in amplitude, such as an increase of amplitude at frequencies between about 400 Hertz and about 900 Hertz.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting rotor blade damage in a wind turbine are provided herein. A monitoring system includes a filter module and a damage determination module. The filter module is configured to determine an amplitude of a 1P frequency component of at least one operating condition of the wind turbine. The damage determination module is configured to compare the determined 1P frequency component amplitude to a threshold 1P frequency component amplitude.

Abstract: The disclosure presents systems, methods and computer program products relating to a wind farm. The presence of flying animals, such as birds, bats, and insects may be determined. Deterrence elements such as acoustic and/or visual deterrence elements may be activated in an attempt to deter animals whose presence was determined, and/or independently of a determination of animal presence. The rotation of the blades of one or more wind turbines may be slowed down and/or halted if collision is probable, in order to prevent flying animal casualties. Energy from deterrence elements may produce a predetermined tempo-spatial pattern of lights and/or sounds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optically detecting an angle of attack for an airfoil using light detection and ranging (LIDAR). To determine the angle of attack, one or more light beam pulses may be emitted from the leading edge of the airfoil into an (apparently) flowing fluid at various emission angles. The emitted pulses may be backscattered by particles in the fluid, and the backscattered light may be received by a detector at the airfoil. By range gating the returning pulses of backscattered light, a fluid velocity may be determined for each of the emission angles. The angle of attack is identified as the emission angle corresponding to the maximum velocity. A parameter (e.g., pitch or speed) of the airfoil may be controlled based on the angle of attack. In this manner, the airfoil may be manipulated or the shape of the airfoil may be adjusted for increased performance or efficiency.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor wheel including a hub, a web extending radially from the hub, and a plurality of blades carried by the wheel. The web includes an erosion indicator of the wheel.