Patents by Inventor Kevin Kinzie

Kevin Kinzie 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: 10400744
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge, each extending between a blade tip and a root. The rotor blade additionally defining a span and a chord. The blade assembly further includes a plurality of micro boundary layer energizers positioned on a surface of the pressure side of the rotor blade. The plurality of micro boundary layer energizers extending one of above or below a neutral plane of the rotor blade. The micro boundary layer energizers are shaped and positioned chordwise to delay separation of a boundary layer at a low angle of attack. A wind turbine including the blade assembly is additionally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andreas Herrig, Saskia Gerarda Honhoff, Stefan Herr, Jonathan Luedke, Kevin Kinzie
  • Publication number: 20170314530
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge, each extending between a blade tip and a root. The rotor blade additionally defining a span and a chord. The blade assembly further includes a plurality of micro boundary layer energizers positioned on a surface of the pressure side of the rotor blade. The plurality of micro boundary layer energizers extending one of above or below a neutral plane of the rotor blade. The micro boundary layer energizers are shaped and positioned chordwise to delay separation of a boundary layer at a low angle of attack. A wind turbine including the blade assembly is additionally disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas Herrig, Saskia Gerarda Honhoff, Stefan Herr, Jonathan Luedke, Kevin Kinzie
  • Patent number: 8013460
    Abstract: A method for controlling a tip speed of a blade of a wind turbine. The method includes determining the wind speed proximate the wind turbine; maintaining a first substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a first predetermined nominal wind speed and below the second predetermined nominal wind speed; maintaining a second substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a second predetermined nominal wind speed. The noise generated by wind at the second predetermined nominal wind speed is greater than noise generated by the blade at the second constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Kinzie, Stefan Herr, Benoit Petitjean
  • Patent number: 7945350
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling noise generated from a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes selectively adjusting the angle of pitch of the blade in response to an amount of noise generated being above a predetermined amount and maintaining the amount of noise generated at or below the predetermined amount of noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Kinzie, Stefan Herr, Benoit Petitjean
  • Patent number: 7902689
    Abstract: A method for controlling noise generated from a wind turbine. The method including providing a blade attached to a hub having a rotor shaft, and a generator in communication with the rotor shaft. The at least one blade includes an adjustable pitch angle. The method further includes providing a wind turbine acoustical profile and a wind turbine power profile. The wind turbine acoustical profile and the wind turbine power profile are compared to determine a noise reduced operational condition. The wind turbine is controlled to provide a rotor speed and the pitch angle of the blade corresponding to the noise reduced operational condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Kinzie, Stefan Herr, Benoit Petitjean
  • Patent number: 7763989
    Abstract: A method for controlling a tip speed of a blade of a wind turbine. The method includes determining the wind speed proximate the wind turbine; maintaining a first substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a first predetermined nominal wind speed and below the second predetermined nominal wind speed; maintaining a second substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a second predetermined nominal wind speed. The noise generated by wind at the second predetermined nominal wind speed is greater than noise generated by the blade at the second constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Kinzie, Stefan Herr, Benoit Petitjean
  • Publication number: 20100133818
    Abstract: A method for controlling noise generated from a wind turbine. The method including providing a blade attached to a hub having a rotor shaft, and a generator in communication with the rotor shaft. The at least one blade includes an adjustable pitch angle. The method further includes providing a wind turbine acoustical profile and a wind turbine power profile. The wind turbine acoustical profile and the wind turbine power profile are compared to determine a noise reduced operational condition. The wind turbine is controlled to provide a rotor speed and the pitch angle of the blade corresponding to the noise reduced operational condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin Kinzie, Stefan Herr, Benoit Petitjean
  • Publication number: 20100133817
    Abstract: A method for controlling a tip speed of a blade of a wind turbine. The method includes determining the wind speed proximate the wind turbine; maintaining a first substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a first predetermined nominal wind speed and below the second predetermined nominal wind speed; maintaining a second substantially constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade during variable wind speeds above a second predetermined nominal wind speed. The noise generated by wind at the second predetermined nominal wind speed is greater than noise generated by the blade at the second constant rotational speed of the tip of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin Kinzie, Stefan Herr, Benoit Petitjean
  • Publication number: 20070256420
    Abstract: A method of assembling an ejector is provided, wherein the method includes providing a motive nozzle tip having a centerline axis and including a nozzle tip edge having at least one protrusion extending through a plane substantially normal to the centerline axis. The method also includes coupling the motive nozzle tip to the ejector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Carl Schott, Kevin Kinzie, John Lynch, David Ball, Gunnar Siden, Kenneth Whaling