Patents Assigned to Modular Wind Energy, Inc.
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Patent number: 8506258Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 8500408Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Patent number: 8500409Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 8480370Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Patent number: 8475133Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Patent number: 8449259Abstract: Lightning protection for wind turbine blades, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an external skin having a hub region and a tip region, at least one electrically exposed, electrically conductive element positioned at the external skin, and an electrically conductive cable positioned inwardly from the external skin and conductively coupled to the at least one electrically exposed, electrically conductive element. A covering is positioned around the cable and has a first dielectric value at a first portion of the cable positioned toward the hub region and a second dielectric value higher than the first dielectric value at a second portion of the cable positioned toward the tip region.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth Kaser
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Publication number: 20130108453Abstract: A lightweight wind turbine blade formed with a truss support structure assembly of composite truss joints including composite spar and cross members attached to and supporting in spaced relation a spine of lightweight rib panels. The rib panels are oriented in parallel spaced relation from one another and individually molded with perimeters defining individual areas of curvature for the finished blade assembly. The truss support structure is covered with a lightweight fiberglass or hardened fabric skin attached to and fitted on respective rib panel edges forming an airfoil structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventor: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.
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Patent number: 8382440Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Publication number: 20120195765Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 7891950Abstract: A lightweight wind turbine blade formed with a truss support structure assembly of composite truss joints including composite spar and cross members attached to and supporting in spaced relation a spine of lightweight rib panels. The rib panels are oriented in parallel spaced relation from one another and individually molded with perimeters defining individual areas of curvature for the finished blade assembly. The truss support structure is covered with a lightweight fiberglass or hardened fabric skin attached to and fitted on respective rib panel edges forming an airfoil structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Patent number: 7891949Abstract: A lightweight wind turbine blade formed with a truss support structure assembly of composite truss joints including composite spar and cross members attached to and supporting in spaced relation a spine of lightweight rib panels. The rib panels are oriented in parallel spaced relation from one another and individually molded with perimeters defining individual areas of curvature for the finished blade assembly. The truss support structure is covered with a lightweight fiberglass or hardened fabric skin attached to and fitted on respective rib panel edges forming an airfoil structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arondt
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Patent number: 7891948Abstract: A lightweight wind turbine blade formed with a truss support structure assembly of composite truss joints including composite spar and cross members attached to and supporting in spaced relation a spine of lightweight rib panels. The rib panels are oriented in parallel spaced relation from one another and individually molded with perimeters defining individual areas of curvature for the finished blade assembly. The truss support structure is covered with a lightweight fiberglass or hardened fabric skin attached to and fitted on respective rib panel edges forming an airfoil structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Patent number: 7517198Abstract: A lightweight wind turbine blade formed with a truss support structure assembly of composite truss joints including composite spar and cross members attached to and supporting in spaced relation a spine of lightweight rib panels. The rib panels are oriented in parallel spaced relation from one another and individually molded with perimeters defining individual areas of curvature for the finished blade assembly. The truss support structure is covered with a lightweight fiberglass or hardened fabric skin attached to and fitted on respective rib panel edges forming an airfoil structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt