Abstract: A method for operating and maintaining a wind farm comprising a plurality of wind turbines includes determining an odometer for one or more components of at least one of the pluralities of wind turbines in the wind farm, the odometer representing operational usage of the component(s). The method also includes tracking the operational usage for the component(s) using the odometer and a usage threshold. Further, the method includes predicting an expected time frame for one or more preventative maintenance actions based on a comparison of the tracked operational usage and the usage threshold. Moreover, the method includes triggering scheduling of the one or more preventative maintenance actions when the prediction indicates that the tracked operational usage will exceed the usage threshold. In addition, the method includes shutting down the wind turbine or idling the wind turbine once the one or more preventative maintenance actions are scheduled.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for monitoring wear on a gearbox of a wind turbine. A controller of the system is configured to determine a torque exerted on a rotor shaft of the wind turbine or a generator shaft of the wind turbine based on measurement signals received from a first sensor of the system. The controller is also configured to determine an accumulated wear value for the gearbox based on the torque.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer races, and at least one wire race arranged with the plurality of rolling elements between the inner and outer races.

Abstract: A drive train of a wind turbine is disclosed as having a rotatable hub, a gearbox, a rotatable rotor shaft extending between the rotatable hub and the gearbox, and a main bearing assembly supporting the rotatable rotor shaft, the main bearing assembly having a main bearing housing enclosing one or more compound bearings, each of the one or more compound bearings having at least two axial thrust bearings and a radial bearing.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for monitoring wear on a gearbox of a wind turbine. A controller of the system is configured to determine a torque exerted on a rotor shaft of the wind turbine or a generator shaft of the wind turbine based on measurement signals received from a first sensor of the system. The controller is also configured to determine an accumulated wear value for the gearbox based on the torque.

Abstract: A drive train of a wind turbine is disclosed as having a rotatable hub, a gearbox, a rotatable rotor shaft extending between the rotatable hub and the gearbox, and a main bearing assembly supporting the rotatable rotor shaft, the main bearing assembly having a main bearing housing enclosing one or more compound bearings, each of the one or more compound bearings having at least two axial thrust bearings and a radial bearing.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer races, and at least one wire race arranged with the plurality of rolling elements between the inner and outer races.

Abstract: A method for shutdown of a wind turbine having one or more wind turbine blades includes detecting an operational condition of the wind turbine that calls for an expedited or emergency shutdown of the wind turbine by a manner other than normal pitch control shutdown. Upon detection of the operational condition, one or more air brake flaps configured on each of the turbine blades is deployed by removing power to a fail-safe actuator operatively coupled to each of the air brake flaps. The fail-safe actuator is configured to hold the respective air brake flap at a retracted position relative to a suction side of the turbine blade in a powered state of the fail-safe actuator and to release the air brake flap for automatic deployment to an open position upon loss of power to the fail-safe actuator.

Abstract: A method for shutdown of a wind turbine having one or more wind turbine blades includes detecting an operational condition of the wind turbine that calls for an expedited or emergency shutdown of the wind turbine by means other than normal pitch control shutdown. Upon detection of the operational condition, one or more air brake flaps configured on each of the turbine blades is deployed by removing power to a fail-safe actuator operatively coupled to each of the air brake flaps. The fail-safe actuator is configured to hold the respective air brake flap at a retracted position relative to a suction side of the turbine blade in a powered state of the fail-safe actuator and to release the air brake flap for automatic deployment to an open position upon loss of power to the fail-safe actuator.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes an air brake flap flush mounted within a recess in the suction side of the blade. The air brake flap is actuatable from a retracted position within the recess to an open position wherein the air brake flap extends transversely or vertically from the suction side. A fail-safe actuator is operatively coupled to the air brake flap and is configured to hold the air brake flap at the retracted position in a powered state of the actuator and to release the air brake flap to the open position upon loss of power to the actuator.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may generally include a shell having a pressure side and a suction side. The shell may define an opening in at least one of the pressure and suction sides. The rotor blade may also include a base and at least two surface features spaced apart along the outer perimeter of the base. The base may generally be movable relative to the opening between a recessed position and an actuated position. Additionally, the base may be rotatable within the shell in order to adjust which of the surface features is received within the opening when the base is moved to the actuated position.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a plurality of rotor blades, with each blade having a root portion connected to a rotor hub and an airfoil portion extending radially outward from the rotor hub. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a winglet pivotally connected to the main foil section so as to pivot from an in-line position wherein the rotor blade has a first sweep length to an articulated position wherein the rotor blade has a second sweep length. In the articulated position, the winglet may pivot to not more than 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the main foil section. A deployable sleeve may be connected to the winglet so as to extend between the winglet and the main foil section in the articulated position of the winglet. The sleeve is stowable within either or both of the main foil section or the winglet in the in-line position of the winglet.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may generally include a shell having a pressure side and a suction side. The shell may define an opening in at least one of the pressure and suction sides. The rotor blade may also include a base and at least two surface features spaced apart along the outer perimeter of the base. The base may generally be movable relative to the opening between a recessed position and an actuated position. Additionally, the base may be rotatable within the shell in order to adjust which of the surface features is received within the opening when the base is moved to the actuated position.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may generally include a shell having a pressure side and a suction side. The shell may define an outer surface along the pressure and suction sides over which an airflow travels. The rotor blade may also include a spoiler movable relative to the outer surface between a recessed position and an actuated position. The spoiler may generally be configured to separate the airflow from the outer surface when the spoiler is in the actuated position. Additionally, the spoiler may generally be linearly displaced between the recessed and actuated positions.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes a pressure side and a suction side. At least one airfoil passage is defined through the blade between the pressure side and suction side. A respective cover is configured over the airfoil passage at each of the pressure and suction sides. The covers are actuatable between a closed position wherein the cover is flush with the respective pressure or suction side and an open position wherein the cover moves to open the airfoil passage.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a plurality of rotor blades, with each blade having a root portion connected to a rotor hub and an airfoil portion extending radially outward from the rotor hub. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a winglet pivotally connected to the main foil section so as to pivot from an in-line position wherein the rotor blade has a first sweep length to an articulated position wherein the rotor blade has a second sweep length. In the articulated position, the winglet may pivot to not more than 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the main foil section. A deployable sleeve may be connected to the winglet so as to extend between the winglet and the main foil section in the articulated position of the winglet. The sleeve is stowable within either or both of the main foil section or the winglet in the in-line position of the winglet.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes a pressure side and a suction side. At least one airfoil passage is defined through the blade between the pressure side and suction side. A respective cover is configured over the airfoil passage at each of the pressure and suction sides. The covers are actuatable between a closed position wherein the cover is flush with the respective pressure or suction side and an open position wherein the cover moves to open the airfoil passage.

Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine includes a leading edge, a trailing edge a tip plate, a first sidewall extending in radial span between an airfoil root and the tip plate, and a second sidewall connected to the first sidewall at the leading edge and the trailing edges, to define a cooling cavity therein. The sidewall extends in radial span between the airfoil root and the tip plate. The airfoil also includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart trailing edge cooling slots arranged in a column extending through the first sidewall. The slots are in flow communication with the cooling cavity and arranged in a non-uniform distribution along the trailing edge so that the number of slots in at least one portion of the trailing edge is greater than a different portion of the trailing edge.

Abstract: A turbine bucket comprising an airfoil portion, a shank portion and a dovetail mounting portion; an internal cooling circuit including inlet passages in the shank portion and the dovetail mounting portion connected to a cooling circuit in the airfoil portion, the inlet passages including a primary inlet passage on one side of a radial centerline of the bucket, and a secondary inlet cavity on an opposite side of the radial centerline; and a purge passage connecting the secondary inlet passage to the primary inlet passage.

Abstract: The cooling system for the nozzle edges includes a chamber containing a cooling medium. First and second elongated plenums are disposed along opposite side edges of each platform. Inlet passages communicate cooling medium from the chamber into each plenum. Outlet passages from each plenum terminate in outlet holes in the side edges of the platform to cool the gap between adjacent nozzle segments. Passageways communicate with each plenum and terminate in film cooling holes to film cool platform surfaces. In each plenum, the inlet passages are not in direct line-of-sight flow communication with the outlet passages and passageways.