Patents by Inventor Chad Robert Conrad

Chad Robert Conrad has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140041474
    Abstract: A yaw drive assembly for a wind turbine has a releasable and re-engageable coupling operably configured between a drive gear that engages with a yaw bearing and the output of a gear assembly that is coupled to a drive motor. The coupling maintains a rotational drive engagement between the gear assembly output and drive gear up to a defined rotational torque, wherein the coupling disengages the gear assembly output from the drive gear. The coupling re-engages the gear assembly output to the drive gear upon the rotational torque decreasing to below the defined rotational torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ryan Close, Chad Robert Conrad, Kristina Anne Cruden
  • Patent number: 8115359
    Abstract: A modular life extension kit is configured to extend a useful life of a support frame for a wind turbine generator. The support frame includes a support member coupled to a support cross-member. The support member has a first length, and the support cross-member has a second length. The modular life extension kit includes a plurality of plates configured to be coupled to the support frame. At least a first plate of the plurality of plates has a first side configured to be coupled to the support member and a second side configured to be coupled to the support cross-member. The first side extends at least five percent of the first length and the second side extends at least five percent of the second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John P. Davis, James Antalek, Chad Robert Conrad
  • Publication number: 20110243754
    Abstract: A pillow block for a bed plate of a wind turbine is disclosed. In one embodiment, the pillow block includes a sleeve defining a generally horizontal centerline and an axial centerline. The sleeve is configured to accommodate a shaft generally extending along the axial centerline therethrough. The pillow block further includes a mount extending from the sleeve. The mount defines a generally horizontal axis and at least one mounting surface. The at least one mounting surface is configured for directly mounting the pillow block to the bed plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael James Luneau, Mohan Muthu Kumar Sivanantham, Chad Robert Conrad
  • Publication number: 20110133588
    Abstract: A modular life extension kit is configured to extend a useful life of a support frame for a wind turbine generator. The support frame includes a support member coupled to a support cross-member. The support member has a first length, and the support cross-member has a second length. The modular life extension kit includes a plurality of plates configured to be coupled to the support frame. At least a first plate of the plurality of plates has a first side configured to be coupled to the support member and a second side configured to be coupled to the support cross-member. The first side extends at least five percent of the first length and the second side extends at least five percent of the second length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: John P. Davis, James Antalek, Chad Robert Conrad