Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Michael Daniels

Jeffrey Michael Daniels 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: 8510943
    Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing a frame configured to support a wind turbine generator. The method includes providing a frame support including a stand, tension member, and jack. The frame support includes a stand coupled to a first portion of the frame. The tension member is coupled to the stand and a second portion of the frame. The jack is configured to move the stand. The jack is actuated to move the stand and increase a tension in the tension member to move the second portion with respect to the first portion. The frame is repaired while the frame support is coupled to the frame. The jack is actuated to move the stand and decrease the tension in the tension member to move the second portion with respect to the first portion. The tension member is decoupled from the second portion. The stand is decoupled form the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Christoph Spitzenpfeil, John P. Davis, James Daniel Antalek, Win Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8317462
    Abstract: A system for monitoring wear on a brake pad of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system may include a brake assembly having a brake pad and a moveable component. The brake pad may be configured to engage a friction surface of the wind turbine. The movable component may be configured to move relative to the friction surface as the brake pad wears. Additionally, the system may include a sensor at least partially mounted within the brake assembly. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the movable component relative to the sensor or a position of the friction surface relative to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Ulrich Neumann
  • Publication number: 20120027585
    Abstract: A system for monitoring wear on a brake pad of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system may include a brake assembly having a brake pad and a moveable component. The brake pad may be configured to engage a friction surface of the wind turbine. The movable component may be configured to move relative to the friction surface as the brake pad wears. Additionally, the system may include a sensor at least partially mounted within the brake assembly. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the movable component relative to the sensor or a position of the friction surface relative to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Ulrich Neumann
  • Patent number: 8043048
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a structural health of a wind turbine. The method includes transmitting, from a sensor to a controller, at least one monitoring signal indicative of a structural discontinuity, the sensor operatively coupled to a structural component of the wind turbine. A first notification signal is transmitted from the controller to a user computing device upon receiving the monitoring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Dinesh Kumar Annadurai, Satish Vemuri
  • Patent number: 8004106
    Abstract: A yaw bearing cleaning assembly for use with a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a yaw bearing that is coupled between a nacelle and a tower for rotating the nacelle about a yaw axis. The yaw bearing cleaning assembly includes a support bracket that is coupled to the nacelle. At least one cleaning member is coupled to the support bracket. The at least one cleaning member extends from the support bracket and positioned adjacent an outer radial surface of the yaw bearing to facilitate removing debris from at least a portion of the yaw bearing when the nacelle is rotated about the yaw axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Chad Kegan Robey
  • Publication number: 20110140442
    Abstract: A yaw bearing cleaning assembly for use with a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a yaw bearing that is coupled between a nacelle and a tower for rotating the nacelle about a yaw axis. The yaw bearing cleaning assembly includes a support bracket that is coupled to the nacelle. At least one cleaning member is coupled to the support bracket. The at least one cleaning member extends from the support bracket and positioned adjacent an outer radial surface of the yaw bearing to facilitate removing debris from at least a portion of the yaw bearing when the nacelle is rotated about the yaw axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Chad Kegan Robey
  • Publication number: 20110135468
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a structural health of a wind turbine. The method includes transmitting, from a sensor to a controller, at least one monitoring signal indicative of a structural discontinuity, the sensor operatively coupled to a structural component of the wind turbine. A first notification signal is transmitted from the controller to a user computing device upon receiving the monitoring signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Dinesh Kumar Annadurai, Satish Vemuri
  • Publication number: 20100139069
    Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing a frame configured to support a wind turbine generator. The method includes providing a frame support including a stand, tension member, and jack. The frame support includes a stand coupled to a first portion of the frame. The tension member is coupled to the stand and a second portion of the frame. The jack is configured to move the stand. The jack is actuated to move the stand and increase a tension in the tension member to move the second portion with respect to the first portion. The frame is repaired while the frame support is coupled to the frame. The jack is actuated to move the stand and decrease the tension in the tension member to move the second portion with respect to the first portion. The tension member is decoupled from the second portion. The stand is decoupled form the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, Christoph Spitzenfeil
  • Publication number: 20100143136
    Abstract: A method of assembling a pitch assembly for use in a wind turbine. The method includes coupling a pitch bearing to a hub of the wind turbine, wherein the pitch bearing includes a plurality of bearing teeth. A pitch drive system is coupled to the pitch bearing such that the pitch drive system contacts a first set of bearing teeth. A plurality of bearing segments is coupled to the pitch bearing to cause the pitch drive system to selectively contact a second set of bearing teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Daniels, David Charles Korim