Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine includes implementing, via a controller, a control scheme for monitoring blade damage of the at least one rotor blade. The control scheme includes monitoring at least one electrical condition of a pitch system of the wind turbine. The method also includes converting the electrical condition(s) of the pitch system into a frequency domain. Further, the method includes determining one or more peaks of the frequency domain around a frequency component related to a natural frequency of the rotor blade. Moreover, the method includes determining a frequency deviation between the one or more peaks of the frequency domain and the frequency component related to the natural frequency of the rotor blade. As such, a frequency deviation outside of a predetermined frequency range is indicative of a rotor blade anomaly. Thus, the method includes implementing a control action when the frequency deviation is outside of the predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: An application-level memory control group of a first application may be created when the first application is opened. An anonymous page of the first application is added to a least recently used linked list of the application-level memory control group, and a file page of the first application is added to a global least recently used linked list. An application-level memory control group is created in a dimension of an application, and an anonymous page of the application is managed in a refined manner. In addition, a file page of the application-level memory control group may be managed based on a global least recently used linked list.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for manufacturing a tower structure. Accordingly, a first printed layer of a wall element is deposited with a printhead assembly, and an actual midline perimeter length of the first printed layer is determined. A horizontal reinforcement assembly is then formed based, at least in part, on the actual midline perimeter length. The formed horizontal reinforcement assembly is positioned in a horizontal orientation on the first printed layer and in axial alignment with the vertical axis of the tower structure. With the horizontal reinforcement assembly positioned on the first printed layer, a second printed layer of the wall element is deposited via the printhead assembly on the horizontal reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tower structure of a wind turbine includes printing, via an additive printing device, a plurality of concentric sections of the tower structure of the wind turbine. The concentric sections may be printed simultaneously from concrete, may include tensioning cables or other structural supports, and may define other support flanges or overhangs. After curing, the method may include raising an inner section of the plurality of concentric sections to a top of an adjacent outer section and joining the two sections. This process may be repeated to telescope the concentric sections and raise the tower structure.

Abstract: Example split valves for regulating a first flowrate and a second flowrate of a fluid within a closed loop systems are disclosed herein. An example split valve includes an electrohydraulic servo valve coupled to a first piston via a first hydraulic flowline and a second hydraulic flowline, the first piston to include a piston shaft, a first head, and a second head, the first hydraulic flowline to output a first pressure of a hydraulic fluid, the second hydraulic flowline to output a second pressure of the hydraulic fluid, a bellows fixed to at least one of the first head or the second head, the bellows to hermetically seal the fluid from the hydraulic fluid, and a control system connected to the electrohydraulic servo valve, the control system to adjust the first flowrate and the second flowrate of the fluid through a first fluid chamber.

Abstract: Example split valves for regulating a first flowrate and a second flowrate of a fluid within a closed loop systems are disclosed herein. An example split valve includes an electrohydraulic servo valve coupled to a first piston via a first hydraulic flowline and a second hydraulic flowline, the first piston to include a piston shaft, a first head, and a second head; one or more bellows fixed to at least one of the first head or the second head, the one or more bellows to hermetically seal the fluid from a hydraulic fluid; and a control system connected to the electrohydraulic servo valve, the control system to adjust the first flowrate and the second flowrate of the fluid through a first fluid chamber, the first piston to be located in the first fluid chamber.

Abstract: A tower structure particularly suited for a wind turbine includes a lower tower section formed of concrete and an upper tower section formed of steel. A transition system connects the upper tower section to the lower tower section, the transition system including a concrete component having a tubular wall with a base portion fixed on the lower tower section and a head portion connected to the upper tower section. The head portion extends radially outward beyond the upper tower section. A plurality of first tensioning tendons extend longitudinally at least partially through the tubular wall and are anchored to the concrete component at a top face of the head portion at locations radially outward of the upper tower section.

Abstract: A thermal structure for management of thermal energy, the thermal structure including: a first wall structure defining a first cavity; a second wall structure defining a second cavity, the second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity; and a barrier cavity defined at least in-part by the first wall structure and the second wall structure, wherein the barrier cavity is disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity and includes a pressurized barrier fluid therein or is configured to receive the pressurized barrier fluid during operation of the thermal structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tower structure of a wind turbine at a wind turbine site. The method includes determining an optimized shape of the tower structure based on one or more site parameters. Further, the optimized shape of the tower structure is non-symmetrical. In a further step, the method include printing, via an additive printing device, the optimized shape of the tower structure of the wind turbine at the wind turbine site, at least in part, of a cementitious material. In addition, the method includes allowing the cementitious material to cure so as to form the tower structure of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tower structure, the method including printing and depositing, with at least one variable-width deposition nozzle of a printhead assembly, one or more layers of at least one wall element of the tower structure, the at least one wall element having an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface. The method also including forming, with the at least one variable-width deposition nozzle, at least one void into the at least one wall element. The method also including placing at least one reinforcement member within the at least one void so as to position the at least one reinforcement member closer to a neutral axis of the at least one wall element than at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of a tower structure with at least partially additively manufactured, stacked tower sections. Embodiments of the tower structure have a plurality of stacked tower sections, wherein at least one tower section of the plurality of stacked tower sections includes a wall element having one or more printed layers, and a base holding thereon the one or more printed layers. The present disclosure also is directed to a method of manufacturing a tower structure using a stacked tower sections and additive manufacturing. Embodiments of the method include forming a base of poured concrete or cast material, printing and depositing one or more printed layers to form a wall element, and stacking the plurality of tower sections to form the tower structure.

Abstract: An additive printing device and a method for using the same to manufacture a tower structure of a wind turbine is provided. The additive printing device includes a vertical support structure, a support ring suspended from the vertical support structure, and a printer head movably coupled to the support ring for selectively depositing cementitious material. A drive mechanism, such as a rack and pinion, moves the printer head around the support ring while selectively depositing cementitious material. The vertical support structure may be raised and/or the relative position between the vertical support structure and the printer head may be adjusted to raise the printer head to print subsequent layers. This process may be repeated to print the tower structure layer-by-layer from the ground up.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for manufacturing a tower structure. Accordingly, one or more layers of a wall element are deposited with a printhead assembly. At least one recess is defined in the wall element. The recess(es) has a single, circumferential opening positioned along an inner reference curve or an outer reference curve of the wall element. The recess(es) also has a depth which extends in a radial direction and intersects a midline reference curve. A reinforcing element is placed entirely within the recess(es) at the midline reference curve.

Abstract: Example split valves for regulating a first flowrate and a second flowrate of a fluid within a closed loop systems are disclosed herein. An example split valve includes an electrohydraulic servo valve coupled to a first piston via a first hydraulic flowline and a second hydraulic flowline, the first piston to include a piston shaft, a first head, and a second head; one or more bellows fixed to at least one of the first head or the second head, the one or more bellows to hermetically seal the fluid from a hydraulic fluid; and a control system connected to the electrohydraulic servo valve, the control system to adjust the first flowrate and the second flowrate of the fluid through a first fluid chamber, the first piston to be located in the first fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method and system of additively-manufacturing a structure having a reinforced access opening includes printing, via an additive printing device having at least one printer head, a portion of the structure adjacent to a support surface. The portion of the structure is printed of a cementitious material, and the printed portion of the structure defines an access opening for the structure. Moreover, the method includes providing a void of the cementitious material at a top boundary of the access opening, placing one or more reinforcement members in the void such that the one or more reinforcement members extend across the void, and continuing to print the printed portion of the structure around the void to build up the structure. Thus, the method also includes backfilling the void with a backfill material to incorporate the one or more reinforcement members within the void into the printed portion of the structure.

Abstract: A method and system of additively-manufacturing a structure having a reinforced access opening includes printing, via an additive printing device having at least one printer head, a portion of the structure adjacent to a support surface. The portion of the structure is printed of a cementitious material, and the printed portion of the structure defines an access opening for the structure. Moreover, the method includes providing a void of the cementitious material at a top boundary of the access opening, placing one or more reinforcement members in the void such that the one or more reinforcement members extend across the void, and continuing to print the printed portion of the structure around the void to build up the structure. Thus, the method also includes backfilling the void with a backfill material to incorporate the one or more reinforcement members within the void into the printed portion of the structure.

Abstract: A thermal structure for management of thermal energy, the thermal structure including: a first wall structure defining a first cavity; a second wall structure defining a second cavity, the second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity; and a barrier cavity defined at least in-part by the first wall structure and the second wall structure, wherein the barrier cavity is disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity and includes a pressurized barrier fluid therein or is configured to receive the pressurized barrier fluid during operation of the thermal structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tower structure includes providing an additive printing device having at least one printer head atop a support surface. The method also includes positioning a pre-fabricated component adjacent to the support surface. The pre-fabricated component is constructed of a composite material reinforced with a plurality of reinforcement members. Further, portions of the plurality of reinforcement members protrude from the composite material. Moreover, the method includes printing and depositing, via the at least one printer head, a cementitious material onto the support surface to build up the tower structure layer by layer around the pre-fabricated component. Thus, the portions of the plurality of reinforcement members that protrude from the composite material reinforce the cementitious material around the pre-fabricated component.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine includes implementing, via a controller, a control scheme for monitoring blade damage of the at least one rotor blade. The control scheme includes monitoring at least one electrical condition of a pitch system of the wind turbine. The method also includes converting the electrical condition(s) of the pitch system into a frequency domain. Further, the method includes determining one or more peaks of the frequency domain around a frequency component related to a natural frequency of the rotor blade. Moreover, the method includes determining a frequency deviation between the one or more peaks of the frequency domain and the frequency component related to the natural frequency of the rotor blade. As such, a frequency deviation outside of a predetermined frequency range is indicative of a rotor blade anomaly. Thus, the method includes implementing a control action when the frequency deviation is outside of the predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for manufacturing a tower structure. Accordingly, one or more layers of a wall element are deposited with a printhead assembly. At least one recess is defined in the wall element. The recess(es) has a single, circumferential opening positioned along an inner reference curve or an outer reference curve of the wall element. The recess(es) also has a depth which extends in a radial direction and intersects a midline reference curve. A reinforcing element is placed entirely within the recess(es) at the midline reference curve.