Patents by Inventor Finn Gunnar Nielsen
Finn Gunnar Nielsen 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).
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Patent number: 11204018Abstract: A method of controlling a turbine of a floating wind turbine structure to reduce fatigue of moorings of the floating wind turbine structure includes curtailing the turbine based on a pitching motion of the floating wind turbine structure and on a wind direction at the floating wind turbine structure relative to an orientation of the moorings of the floating wind turbine structure. Optionally, the curtailment may be further based on a degree of displacement of the floating wind turbine structure from a reference location.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: HYWIND ASInventors: Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Bjørn Skaare
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Publication number: 20190277255Abstract: A method of controlling a turbine of a floating wind turbine structure to reduce fatigue of its moorings comprises curtailing the turbine based on a pitching motion of the wind turbine structure and on a wind direction at the wind turbine structure relative to the orientation of moorings of the wind turbine structure. Optionally, the curtailment may be further based on the degree of displacement of the wind turbine structure from a reference location.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Finn Gunnar NIELSEN, Bjørn SKAARE
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Patent number: 10087913Abstract: A motion controller for a floating wind turbine with a plurality of rotor blades, is arranged to control a motion of the floating wind turbine in a yaw direction. The controller adjusts the blade pitch of each rotor blade so as to create a net force to control the motions. The controller includes a control action which is proportional to a yaw offset angle and/or a control action which is proportional to an integral of the yaw offset angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUMInventors: Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Bjørn Skaare
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Publication number: 20150354532Abstract: A motion controller for a floating wind turbine with a plurality of rotor blades, is arranged to control a motion of the floating wind turbine in a yaw direction. The controller adjusts the blade pitch of each rotor blade so as to create a net force to control the motions. The controller includes a control action which is proportional to a yaw offset angle and/or a control action which is proportional to an integral of the yaw offset angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Finn Gunnar NIELSEN, Bjørn SKAARE
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Patent number: 8770126Abstract: A method of moving a floating wind turbine relative to a body of water, the floating wind turbine having a buoyant body with a nacelle at the upper end thereof, including the steps of floating the floating wind turbine in the body of water, and towing the floating wind turbine while holding the buoyant body in an inclined position, whereby the nacelle is held clear of the water. As the wind turbine is held in an inclined position, it can be towed through regions of shallower water than if it were in a vertical position.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Statoil ASAInventor: Finn Gunnar Nielsen
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Patent number: 8487464Abstract: The present invention relates to a blade pitch controller for a floating wind turbine structure, wherein the floating wind turbine structure may include a support structure supporting a rotor having a number of blades. The controller may include standard blade pitch control means and active damping means. The standard blade pitch control means is arranged to control a blade pitch using a transfer function between a rotor speed error and the blade pitch. The active damping means is arranged to further control the blade pitch on the basis of a speed of a point on the wind turbine structure by converting the speed of a point on the wind turbine structure into a rotor speed error and using the same transfer function that is used in the standard blade pitch control means to convert the rotor speed error into a correction to the blade pitch.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Hywind ASInventors: Bjorn Skaare, Finn Gunnar Nielsen
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Patent number: 8186949Abstract: A method in connection with a wind turbine installation for damping tower vibrations, in particular a floating wind turbine installation comprising a floating cell, a tower arranged over the floating cell, a generator mounted on the tower that is rotatable in relation to the wind direction and fitted with a wind turbine, and an anchor line arrangement connected to anchors or foundations on the sea bed. The tower's eigenvibrations, ?eig, are damped by, in addition to control with the controller in the constant power or RPM range of the wind turbine, an increment, ??, being added to the blade angle of the turbine blades on the basis of the tower velocities, ?Z, so that the eigenvibrations are counteracted.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: StatoilHydro ASAInventors: Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Bjorn Skaare, John Olav G. Tande, Ian Norheim, Kjetil Uhlen
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Publication number: 20110316277Abstract: The present invention relates to a blade pitch controller for a floating wind turbine structure, wherein the floating wind turbine structure may include a support structure supporting a rotor having a number of blades. The controller may include standard blade pitch control means and active damping means. The standard blade pitch control means is arranged to control a blade pitch using a transfer function between a rotor speed error and the blade pitch. The active damping means is arranged to further control the blade pitch on the basis of a speed of a point on the wind turbine structure by converting the speed of a point on the wind turbine structure into a rotor speed error and using the same transfer function that is used in the standard blade pitch control means to convert the rotor speed error into a correction to the blade pitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: STATOIL, ASAInventors: Bjorn Skaare, Finn Gunnar Nielsen
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Publication number: 20110179986Abstract: A method of moving a floating wind turbine relative to a body of water, the floating wind turbine having a buoyant body with a nacelle at the upper end thereof, including the steps of floating the floating wind turbine in the body of water, and towing the floating wind turbine whilst holding the buoyant body in an inclined position, whereby the nacelle is held clear of the water. As the wind turbine is held in an inclined position, it can be towed through regions of shallower water than if it were in a vertical position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: STATOILHYDRO ASAInventor: Finn Gunnar Nielsen
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Patent number: 7819073Abstract: A method for coordinating a floating wind turbine installation. The wind turbine installation includes a buoyant body (1), a tower (2) arranged over the buoyant body, a generator (3) mounted on the tower which is rotatable in relation to the wind direction and fitted with a wind rotor (4), and an anchor line arrangement (5) connected to anchors or anchor points on the sea bed. Static heeling, ?s—max, at full wind load on the wind turbine is as low as possible, but preferably less than 8 degrees, and all eigenperiods for the installation are outside the waves' period range. The eigenperiod in pitch, T05 (roll, T04), is preferably less than 80% of the T03 eigenperiod in heave. Moreover, the ratio between T03 and T05 is not close to 0.5 or 1.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Dagfinn Sveen, Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Tor David Hanson
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Publication number: 20090120345Abstract: A method for coordinating a floating wind turbine installation. The wind turbine installation comprises a buoyant body (1), a tower (2) arranged over the buoyant body, a generator (3) mounted on the tower which is rotatable in relation to the wind direction and fitted with a wind rotor (4), and an anchor line arrangement (5) connected to anchors or anchor points on the sea bed. Static heeling, ?s-max, at full wind load on the wind turbine is as low as possible, but preferably less than 8 degrees, and all eigenperiods for the installation are outside the waves' period range. The eigenperiod in pitch, T05 (roll, T04), is preferably less than 80% of the T03 eigenperiod in heave. Moreover, the ratio between T03 and T05 is not close to 0.5 or 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Dagfinn Sveen, Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Tor David Hanson
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Patent number: 7456515Abstract: A procedure and a device in connection with the use of a wind turbine offshore, including a wind turbine (2) connected via a shaft to a generator (3), which is rotationally mounted on a tower (4), and a foundation underneath in the form of a float (6) on which the tower (4) is mounted. The float is anchored so that it can move freely in the vertical plane via an anchor or a mooring in the form of mooring lines, hinges or tethers (7). As a consequence of the effect of the waves on the float, the motion of the wind turbine will act as a damping mechanism on the motion and thus extract energy from the waves. The wind turbine's resonance period can be adjusted by adjusting the platform's center of gravity and/or the tension in the anchor with which the wind turbine is attached to the sea bed.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventor: Finn Gunnar Nielsen
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Publication number: 20080260514Abstract: A method in connection with a wind turbine installation for damping tower vibrations, in particular a floating wind turbine installation comprising a floating cell, a tower arranged over the floating cell, a generator mounted on the tower that is rotatable in relation to the wind direction and fitted with a wind turbine, and an anchor line arrangement connected to anchors or foundations on the sea bed. The tower's eigenvibrations, ?eig, are damped by, in addition to control with the controller in the constant power or RPM range of the wind turbine, an increment, ??, being added to the blade angle of the turbine blades on the basis of the tower velocities, ?Z, so that the eigenvibrations are counteracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2006Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: STATOILHYDRO ASAInventors: Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Bjorn Skaare, John Olav G. Tande, Ian Norheim, Kjetil Uhlen
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Patent number: 6138598Abstract: Method and means to direct an anchored floating structure (1) against the direction of the waves, where said structure at its fore end is moored to a buoy or the like. The floating structure is provided with one or more turnable wind rudder(s) (5) at its aft end, where said rudder(s) may be adjusted versus the direction of the wind in a manner that secures to direct the floating structure against the direction of the waves in a stable manner. The wind rudder or rudders (5) sections may advantageously have a wind profile- or a droplet-like shape.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1997Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASAInventors: Sigmund Askestad, Finn Gunnar Nielsen