Patents by Inventor Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer
Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer 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: 10890157Abstract: A system for enabling servicing of a rotor of a wind turbine has a rotor blade sling with at least one strap configured to be placed over the top of a rotor blade in a ten o'clock position or a two o'clock position. One or more rigid bars extend from the hub and out away from the hub, and the one or more rigid bars are coupled to the at least one strap. One or more support straps are coupled to the at least one strap, and the one or more support straps are configured to couple and support a rotor blade in a six o'clock position.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Michael Royce Johnson, Kevin Thomas Costain, Forrest Christopher Hach, Howard Lee Hansen, Jr.
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Patent number: 10822207Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The lift system includes a lifting device having at least one cradle. The cradle has a profile that corresponds to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the rotor blade so as to support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Further, the lift system includes a positioning assembly having at least one distance sensor mounted to the hub and at least one visual sensor mounted to the lifting device. Thus, the distance sensor is configured to identify a distance from the hub to the lifting device and the visual sensor is configured to identify a position of the rotor blade in the cradle.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Lopez-Benedito, John Carl Bell, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Theodore Steven Wilmot, Adam Sean Davis, Marc Cavalle, Jordi Escola Belarte, Bart Jan Veldkamp, Christoph Lammen
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Patent number: 10655609Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for removing a drive train component, such as a gearbox, from a rotor shaft uptower in a wind turbine, wherein the component is supported by transversely extending mounting arms at mount locations on the wind turbine frame. The drive train component is supported from above or below and the mount locations. At each mount location, a removal fixture is installed that includes an actuator that moves linearly essentially parallel to the rotor shaft. The mounting arms are simultaneously engaged with the respective actuators, which are controlled to linearly push the mounting arms until the drive train component disengages from the rotor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Paul Signore, Michael R. Johnson, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Gregory Clarence Thomas
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Patent number: 10598148Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling a yaw drive of a wind turbine when a native yaw drive control system is non-operational. The system includes an external sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a wind condition experienced by the wind turbine. The system also includes an external controller communicatively coupled to the external sensor. The external controller is configured to control the yaw drive based on measurement signals received from the external sensor. The external sensor and the external controller are electrically isolated from the native yaw drive control system.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Theodore Steven Wilmot, Jonathan Paul Signore, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 10465663Abstract: A method for removing a rotor blade from a wind turbine may generally include installing a blade sock around an outer perimeter of the rotor blade, coupling a support cable to the blade root, lowering the rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable, coupling at least one pulley cable between the rotor blade and a winch using at least one pulley, moving the pulley cable relative to the pulley to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub, applying a force through the blade sock as the pulley cable is moved relative to the pulley in order to control an orientation of the rotor blade and further lowering the rotor blade to a location on or adjacent to the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Hamilton Holloway, Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Michael R. Johnson, Forrest Christopher Hach, Kevin Costain
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Publication number: 20190063402Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling a yaw drive of a wind turbine when a native yaw drive control system is non-operational. The system includes an external sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a wind condition experienced by the wind turbine. The system also includes an external controller communicatively coupled to the external sensor. The external controller is configured to control the yaw drive based on measurement signals received from the external sensor. The external sensor and the external controller are electrically isolated from the native yaw drive control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Theodore Steven Wilmot, Jonathan Paul Signore, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer
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Publication number: 20180362306Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The lift system includes a lifting device having at least one cradle. The cradle has a profile that corresponds to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the rotor blade so as to support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Further, the lift system includes a positioning assembly having at least one distance sensor mounted to the hub and at least one visual sensor mounted to the lifting device. Thus, the distance sensor is configured to identify a distance from the hub to the lifting device and the visual sensor is configured to identify a position of the rotor blade in the cradle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Daniel LOPEZ-BENEDITO, John Carl BELL, Gaylon Mitchell PFEIFFER, Theodore Steven WILMOT, Adam Sean DAVIS, Marc CAVALLE, Jordi ESCOLA BELARTE, Bart Jan VELDKAMP, Christoph LAMMEN
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Publication number: 20180238308Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for removing a drive train component, such as a gearbox, from a rotor shaft uptower in a wind turbine, wherein the component is supported by transversely extending mounting arms at mount locations on the wind turbine frame. The drive train component is supported from above or below and the mount locations. At each mount location, a removal fixture is installed that includes an actuator that moves linearly essentially parallel to the rotor shaft. The mounting arms are simultaneously engaged with the respective actuators, which are controlled to linearly push the mounting arms until the drive train component disengages from the rotor shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Jonathan Paul Signore, Michael R. Johnson, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Gregory Clarence Thomas
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Publication number: 20180209399Abstract: A system for enabling servicing of a rotor of a wind turbine has a rotor blade sling with at least one strap configured to be placed over the top of a rotor blade in a ten o'clock position or a two o'clock position. One or more rigid bars extend from the hub and out away from the hub, and the one or more rigid bars are coupled to the at least one strap. One or more support straps are coupled to the at least one strap, and the one or more support straps are configured to couple and support a rotor blade in a six o'clock position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Michael Royce Johnson, Kevin Thomas Costain, Forrest Christopher Hach, Howard Lee Hansen, JR.
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Patent number: 9964095Abstract: A method for enabling servicing of a wind turbine rotor includes coupling a support cable to the blade root, the support cable extends from the blade root to a hub of the wind turbine. A lowering step lowers a rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable so the rotor blade is spaced apart from the hub by an initial vertical distance. An installing step installs a rotor blade sling on the rotor, the rotor blade sling supports the rotor blade. Other steps are used for coupling the rotor blade to the rotor blade sling, lowering the rotor blade such that the rotor blade is spaced apart from the hub by a distance greater than the initial vertical distance, de-coupling the support cable from the blade root, and interposing a rotor servicing fixture between the rotor blade and hub. The rotor servicing fixture is configured to transport a rotor part.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Michael Royce Johnson, Kevin Thomas Costain, Forrest Christopher Hach, Howard Lee Hansen, Jr.
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Patent number: 9890022Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a suspension system for a wind turbine rotor blade and methods for suspending said rotor blade from a hub thereof. The method includes positioning the rotor blade in a substantially six o'clock position. Another step includes removing at least one root attachment assembly from an adjacent rotor blade and providing at least one passageway from an exterior surface of the adjacent rotor blade to the root attachment assembly. Still another step includes inserting a cable through the passageway such that the cable engages an interior surface of the adjacent rotor blade and extends from within the adjacent rotor blade to the lowered rotor blade. The method further includes securing the cable to the rotor blade at an attachment location. Next, the method includes lowering the rotor blade a vertical distance from the hub until the blade is supported by the cable.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Kevin Costain, Stephanie Willman
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Patent number: 9821417Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for removing or installing a pitch bearing of a wind turbine. The method includes installing a first pulley block at an up-tower location of the wind turbine and configuring a second pulley block with the pitch bearing. A pulley cable is routed from a ground location over the first pulley block to the second pulley block such that the second pulley block is configured to slide along the pulley cable. The method also includes rotating the pitch bearing to a tilted position. Thus, the method further includes lowering or lifting the pitch bearing in the tilted position so as to prevent the pitch bearing from colliding with the tower.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Adam S. Davis, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Michael R. Johnson, Forrest Christopher Hach, Kevin Costain, Stephanie Willman, Theodore Steven Wilmot
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Patent number: 9777705Abstract: A method is provided for re-indexing a pitch bearing configured with a rotor blade of a wind turbine. A hoisting system is anchored within the rotor hub and includes a plurality of support elements connected to a drive system. The support elements are connected to the root flange of the rotor blade, and the rotor hub is rotated so that the rotor blade is in a vertical six o'clock position. The root flange is disconnected from the inner race such that the rotor blade is fully supported by the hoisting system. With the hoisting system, the rotor blade is lowered a predetermined distance from the hub and the pitch bearing is re-indexed to a position so as to engage a new set of pitch bearing teeth with a pitch drive that engages the pitch bearing.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Stephanie Willman
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Patent number: 9745953Abstract: A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes connecting a plurality of first hoisting devices between a wind turbine support hub and the wind turbine blade, suspending the wind turbine blade from the wind turbine support hub through the plurality of first hoisting devices, connecting a plurality of second hoisting devices between the wind turbine support hub and the wind turbine blade, supporting the wind turbine support blade with the plurality of second hoisting devices, disconnecting the plurality of first hoisting devices from the wind turbine blade, and lowering the wind turbine blade to the ground.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Kevin Thomas Costain, Forrest Christopher Hach, Michael Royce Johnson, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Rodney Robert Redd, II, Stephanie Lohberg Willman
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Publication number: 20170218927Abstract: A method for removing a rotor blade from a wind turbine may generally include installing a blade sock around an outer perimeter of the rotor blade, coupling a support cable to the blade root, lowering the rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable, coupling at least one pulley cable between the rotor blade and a winch using at least one pulley, moving the pulley cable relative to the pulley to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub, applying a force through the blade sock as the pulley cable is moved relative to the pulley in order to control an orientation of the rotor blade and further lowering the rotor blade to a location on or adjacent to the support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Brent Hamilton Holloway, Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Michael R. Johnson, Forrest Christopher Hach, Kevin Costain
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Patent number: 9651021Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for lifting and/or removing a rotor blade to and from a wind turbine. In one embodiment, the system includes an up-tower pulley mounted on an up-tower location of the wind turbine, first and second ground winches, a pulley cable from the first ground winch over the up-tower pulley and attached to the rotor blade, a guide line attached between an up-tower location of the wind turbine and the second ground winch, a guide pulley mounted on the guide line, and a guide cable from the guide line over the guide pulley to the rotor blade. Thus, the guide pulley is configured to move along the guide line during lifting and removing of the rotor blade so that the guide cable can control an orientation of the rotor blade relative to the tower during lifting and removing of the rotor blade.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Michael R. Johnson, Forrest Christopher Hach, Kevin Costain, Stephanie Willman
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Patent number: 9638163Abstract: A method for removing a rotor blade from a wind turbine may generally include installing a blade sock around an outer perimeter of the rotor blade, coupling a support cable to the blade root, lowering the rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable, coupling at least one pulley cable between the rotor blade and a winch using at least one pulley, moving the pulley cable relative to the pulley to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub, applying a force through the blade sock as the pulley cable is moved relative to the pulley in order to control an orientation of the rotor blade and further lowering the rotor blade to a location on or adjacent to the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Hamilton Holloway, Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Michael R. Johnson, Forrest Christopher Hach, Kevin Costain
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Publication number: 20170067437Abstract: A method is provided for re-indexing a pitch bearing configured with a rotor blade of a wind turbine. A hoisting system is anchored within the rotor hub and includes a plurality of support elements connected to a drive system. The support elements are connected to the root flange of the rotor blade, and the rotor hub is rotated so that the rotor blade is in a vertical six o'clock position. The root flange is disconnected from the inner race such that the rotor blade is fully supported by the hoisting system. With the hoisting system, the rotor blade is lowered a predetermined distance from the hub and the pitch bearing is re-indexed to a position so as to engage a new set of pitch bearing teeth with a pitch drive that engages the pitch bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Stephanie Willman
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Publication number: 20160327016Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a suspension system for a wind turbine rotor blade and methods for suspending said rotor blade from a hub thereof. The method includes positioning the rotor blade in a substantially six o'clock position. Another step includes removing at least one root attachment assembly from an adjacent rotor blade and providing at least one passageway from an exterior surface of the adjacent rotor blade to the root attachment assembly. Still another step includes inserting a cable through the passageway such that the cable engages an interior surface of the adjacent rotor blade and extends from within the adjacent rotor blade to the lowered rotor blade. The method further includes securing the cable to the rotor blade at an attachment location. Next, the method includes lowering the rotor blade a vertical distance from the hub until the blade is supported by the cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Kevin Costain, Stephanie Willman
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Publication number: 20160327017Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for removing or installing a pitch bearing of a wind turbine. The method includes installing a first pulley block at an up-tower location of the wind turbine and configuring a second pulley block with the pitch bearing. A pulley cable is routed from a ground location over the first pulley block to the second pulley block such that the second pulley block is configured to slide along the pulley cable. The method also includes rotating the pitch bearing to a tilted position. Thus, the method further includes lowering or lifting the pitch bearing in the tilted position so as to prevent the pitch bearing from colliding with the tower.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Adam S. Davis, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Michael R. Johnson, Forrest Christopher Hach, Kevin Costain, Stephanie Willman, Theodore Steven Wilmot