Patents by Inventor Frank Knoop

Frank Knoop 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).

  • Patent number: 11933266
    Abstract: Thus there is provided a method of installing rotor blades of a wind turbine to a rotor hub of the wind turbine. The wind turbine has a tower having a tower longitudinal axis. The rotor hub has a first, a second and a third rotor blade connection. The rotor hub is rotated until the first rotor blade connection is at an angle of 90° or 270° with respect to the tower longitudinal axis. The first rotor blade is lifted substantially horizontally and fixed to the rotor blade connection. The rotor hub is rotated so that the second rotor blade connection is at an angle of 90° or 270° with respect to the tower longitudinal axis. The second rotor blade is lifted substantially horizontally and fixed to the second rotor blade connection. The rotor hub is further rotated until the third rotor blade connection is at an angle of 60° or 300° with respect to the tower longitudinal axis. The third rotor blade is lifted at an angle of ?=30° with respect to a horizontal and fixed to the third rotor blade connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Florian Rubner, Klaas Schumann, Felix Fettback, Wolfgang Meyer-Stöver, Frank Knoop, Klaus Bünting, Frank Zimmermann, Martin Hüller, Thomas Rehberger
  • Patent number: 11859593
    Abstract: A method for transporting a tower section of a wind turbine, comprising the steps of: providing a tower section which is adapted to be transported in a predetermined transport position, wherein the tower section when in the transport position has a longitudinal axis extending in the horizontal direction and a wall extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the tower section is adapted to adopt a first vertical height when in an unstressed state in the transport position, applying a deformation force to the wall so as to elastically deform at least one portion of the tower section in such a way that the tower section adopts a second vertical height that is smaller than the first vertical height when in an elastically deformed state in the transport position, and locking the tower section in the elastically deformed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Knoop, René Mertens
  • Patent number: 11795922
    Abstract: A wind turbine with a nacelle with a nacelle floor is thus provided. The wind turbine further has an aerodynamic rotor with at least two rotor blades. The wind turbine further has a tower, on which the nacelle is arranged. At least one first and second opening are provided in the nacelle floor. The first opening is used to transport first components of the wind turbine, and has corresponding first dimensions. The second opening has second dimensions, and is used to transport a transformer into the nacelle. The transformer has a floor that closes the second opening when the transformer has been conveyed through the second opening into the nacelle and mounted in the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Krausche, Ihno Coordes, Frank Knoop
  • Patent number: 11795921
    Abstract: A nacelle of a wind turbine comprising a machine carrier which is adapted to be installed on a tower of the wind turbine and to carry a generator and a rotor hub of the wind turbine, a working frame installed on the machine carrier and having one or more working planes, and a nacelle housing which encloses the machine carrier and the working frame for protection from weather influences, wherein the nacelle housing has a nacelle base compartment accessible from the working frame. It is proposed that the nacelle base compartment is adapted to be lowerable relative to the working platform. A wind turbine and a maintenance method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Knoop, Wilko Gudewer, Joan Kreikenbaum
  • Patent number: 11674499
    Abstract: A coupling device for coupling tower segments, which are arranged on one another, of a tubular tower of a wind power installation, having a coupling plate for contact against a circumferential surface of the tower segments, which are arranged on one another, in an abutting region, comprising a fastening portion having a first contact surface for arranging on a circumferential surface of a first tower segment and a connecting portion having a second contact surface for arranging on a circumferential surface of a second tower segment, and at least one through-opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Lütkemeyer, Frank Knoop, Ihno Coordes, Jan-Ulfert Smit, Ronald Lange
  • Publication number: 20230064535
    Abstract: A wind turbine with a nacelle with a nacelle floor is thus provided. The wind turbine further has an aerodynamic rotor with at least two rotor blades. The wind turbine further has a tower, on which the nacelle is arranged. At least one first and second opening are provided in the nacelle floor. The first opening is used to transport first components of the wind turbine, and has corresponding first dimensions. The second opening has second dimensions, and is used to transport a transformer into the nacelle. The transformer has a floor that closes the second opening when the transformer has been conveyed through the second opening into the nacelle and mounted in the nacelle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Krausche, Ihno Coordes, Frank Knoop
  • Patent number: 11547881
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a tower, a pod, at least one smoke detector in the region of the tower and/or in the region of the pod, at least one fan arranged in the tower and/or in the pod, and a control unit which detects a fire situation or smoke development in the wind turbine by means of the smoke detectors and activates the fans disposed in the tower and/or in the pod in order to suck away the smoke produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Knoop, Ihno Coordes, Jörg Grünhagel
  • Publication number: 20220170445
    Abstract: A method for transporting a tower section of a wind turbine, comprising the steps of: providing a tower section which is adapted to be transported in a predetermined transport position, wherein the tower section when in the transport position has a longitudinal axis extending in the horizontal direction and a wall extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the tower section is adapted to adopt a first vertical height when in an unstressed state in the transport position, applying a deformation force to the wall so as to elastically deform at least one portion of the tower section in such a way that the tower section adopts a second vertical height that is smaller than the first vertical height when in an elastically deformed state in the transport position, and locking the tower section in the elastically deformed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Knoop, René Mertens
  • Publication number: 20220145859
    Abstract: Thus there is provided a method of installing rotor blades of a wind turbine to a rotor hub of the wind turbine. The wind turbine has a tower having a tower longitudinal axis. The rotor hub has a first, a second and a third rotor blade connection. The rotor hub is rotated until the first rotor blade connection is at an angle of 90° or 270° with respect to the tower longitudinal axis. The first rotor blade is lifted substantially horizontally and fixed to the rotor blade connection. The rotor hub is rotated so that the second rotor blade connection is at an angle of 90° or 270° with respect to the tower longitudinal axis. The second rotor blade is lifted substantially horizontally and fixed to the second rotor blade connection. The rotor hub is further rotated until the third rotor blade connection is at an angle of 60° or 300° with respect to the tower longitudinal axis. The third rotor blade is lifted at an angle of ?=30° with respect to a horizontal and fixed to the third rotor blade connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Florian RUBNER, Klaas SCHUMANN, Felix FETTBACK, Wolfgang MEYER-STÖVER, Frank KNOOP, Klaus BÜNTING, Frank ZIMMERMANN, Martin HÜLLER, Thomas REHBERGER
  • Publication number: 20220145848
    Abstract: A flange connection for a wind turbine, in particular a blade flange connection, having—a first flange part, in particular a blade receptacle of a rotor blade hub, a second flange part, in particular a rotor blade flange, and multiple bolts which hold the second component against the first flange part in a connected state, wherein the bolts are each screwed to the first flange part. It is proposed that the at least two bolts are in each case connected to one another by a tension means, a sensor arrangement, which detects a change in a tensile force transmitted by the tension means, being actively connected to the tension means. A wind turbine and a method for monitoring the flange connection of the wind turbine are also proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Rainer SCHLÜTER, Wilko GUDEWER, Ihno COORDES, Frank KNOOP, Nico GLOYSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20220090580
    Abstract: A coupling device for coupling tower segments, which are arranged on one another, of a tubular tower of a wind power installation, having a coupling plate for contact against a circumferential surface of the tower segments, which are arranged on one another, in an abutting region, comprising a fastening portion having a first contact surface for arranging on a circumferential surface of a first tower segment and a connecting portion having a second contact surface for arranging on a circumferential surface of a second tower segment, and at least one through-opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Lütkemeyer, Frank Knoop, Ihno Coordes, Jan-Ufert Smit, Ronald Lange
  • Patent number: 11085200
    Abstract: A climbing device for carrying out a movement relative to a tower, to a part-ring segment for a tower, to a tower, to a wind power installation, and to a method for producing a tower. A climbing device for carrying out a movement relative to a tower, comprising a main body having a longitudinal extent from a first end to a second end, wherein the second end in an operating state faces a foundation of a tower; at least one first climbing element having an extent between a first inner end and a first holding end; at least one second climbing element having an extent between a second inner end and a second holding end; wherein the first climbing element is disposed and configured for carrying out a first holding movement of the first holding end relative to the main body, by way of a first holding movement direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extent, and/or for carrying out a first climbing movement of the first holding end relative to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Knoop
  • Patent number: 10954923
    Abstract: A wind-turbine rotor blade, comprising a blade root and a blade tip, a flange arranged on the blade root side for fastening the rotor blade to a rotor hub of a wind turbine, and a pitch bearing for adjusting the angle of attack of the rotor blade. The rotor blade has a non-pitched carrier, on which the flange is embodied, wherein the pitch bearing is fastened to the carrier and is spaced apart from the flange toward the blade tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Knoop, Wilko Gudewer, Alexander Hoffmann, Samer Mtauweg
  • Publication number: 20200355167
    Abstract: A nacelle of a wind turbine comprising a machine carrier which is adapted to be installed on a tower of the wind turbine and to carry a generator and a rotor hub of the wind turbine, a working frame installed on the machine carrier and having one or more working planes, and a nacelle housing which encloses the machine carrier and the working frame for protection from weather influences, wherein the nacelle housing has a nacelle base compartment accessible from the working frame. It is proposed that the nacelle base compartment is adapted to be lowerable relative to the working platform. A wind turbine and a maintenance method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Frank KNOOP, Wilko GUDEWER, Joan KREIKENBAUM
  • Patent number: 10823149
    Abstract: A method of erecting a wind power installation which has an aerodynamic rotor having rotor blade connections. A lifting beam having a ballast unit is fixed to a crane hook of a crane. A rotor blade is fixed to a second crane hook at an underside of the ballast unit by means of lifting cables. The lifting beam and the rotor blade are lifted by the crane for mounting the rotor blade at one of the rotor blade connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Knoop
  • Publication number: 20200308864
    Abstract: A climbing device for carrying out a movement relative to a tower, to a part-ring segment for a tower, to a tower, to a wind power installation, and to a method for producing a tower. A climbing device for carrying out a movement relative to a tower, comprising a main body having a longitudinal extent from a first end to a second end, wherein the second end in an operating state faces a foundation of a tower; at least one first climbing element having an extent between a first inner end and a first holding end; at least one second climbing element having an extent between a second inner end and a second holding end; wherein the first climbing element is disposed and configured for carrying out a first holding movement of the first holding end relative to the main body, by way of a first holding movement direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extent, and/or for carrying out a first climbing movement of the first holding end relative to the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Frank KNOOP
  • Patent number: 10781081
    Abstract: A rotating tower crane for erecting a wind turbine, having a tower and a tower substructure, which is connected to the tower and is intended for supporting the tower, wherein the tower substructure has a supporting cross frame, which has three or more, preferably four, legs, extending from the tower. It is proposed that each leg has fastened on it, on the ground side, a load-distributor plate, which is not connected to the foundation, wherein the load-distributor plates together form the ballast of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Roy Kersten, Frank Knoop, Ludger Janssen, Tim Janssen, Rolf Coners
  • Publication number: 20200078622
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a tower, a pod, at least one smoke detector in the region of the tower and/or in the region of the pod, at least one fan arranged in the tower and/or in the pod, and a control unit which detects a fire situation or smoke development in the wind turbine by means of the smoke detectors and activates the fans disposed in the tower and/or in the pod in order to suck away the smoke produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Frank KNOOP, Ihno COORDES, Jörg GRÜNHAGEL
  • Publication number: 20190309730
    Abstract: A method of erecting a wind power installation which has an aerodynamic rotor having rotor blade connections. A lifting beam having a ballast unit is fixed to a crane hook of a crane. A rotor blade is fixed to a second crane hook at an underside of the ballast unit by means of lifting cables. The lifting beam and the rotor blade are lifted by the crane for mounting the rotor blade at one of the rotor blade connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventor: Frank KNOOP
  • Patent number: 10378511
    Abstract: An adjusting device for adjusting a yaw position of a nacelle of a wind turbine, comprising a circumferential holed flange provided with drilled holes, and at least one adjusting means, having a gripping portion for gripping on the holed flange, a fastening portion for fastening to an anchorage point of the wind turbine, and a linear drive for exerting a linear movement between the gripping portion and the fastening portion, wherein the holed flange is fixedly connected to the nacelle, and the anchorage point is fixedly connected to stationary part of the wind turbine, in particular a wind turbine tower, or vice versa, and the nacelle is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to this stationary part of the wind turbine, such that the holed flange and the anchorage point can also execute a rotational movement relative to each other, such that a linear movement exerted between the gripping portion and the fastening portion by the linear drive effects a rotational movement between the holed flange and the anchor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Knoop