Patents by Inventor Kevin Tyler Eherts

Kevin Tyler Eherts 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: 10781796
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for positioning a main bearing of a wind turbine includes a push component arranged between a main flange of a main shaft of the wind turbine and a cover of the main bearing. Further, the clamping apparatus includes a spacer plate located within a gap between the cover and the main bearing. As such, the push component is configured to apply a force to the cover so as to push the spacer plate against the main bearing such that the main bearing is pushed into and secured in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Kevin Tyler Eherts
  • Patent number: 10570888
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a working platform mounted within a nacelle of the wind turbine during a repair procedure. More specifically, the working platform may be mounted to a bedplate within the nacelle in an area where one or more drivetrain component(s) would normally be during operation of the wind turbine, but have been removed due to repair or replacement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Brian Thomas Misavage, Michael Frederick Sander, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Kevin Tyler Eherts, Brian William Manikas, Hunter Ryan Anderson, Waylon James Esser
  • Patent number: 10550826
    Abstract: A disassembled wind turbine under repair includes a tower secured to a foundation and a nacelle mounted atop the tower. The nacelle includes a base wall, side walls, a front wall, a rear wall, and a top wall. The front wall includes an opening configured to receive a main shaft of the wind turbine; however, the main shaft and a rotor of the wind turbine have been removed from the nacelle during a repair procedure. As such, the disassembled wind turbine further includes an external platform assembly secured at the opening of the front wall of the nacelle during the repair procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Frederick Sander, Brian Thomas Misavage, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Brian William Manikas, Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Kevin Tyler Eherts
  • Patent number: 10337503
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for removing or installing a main shaft and attached main bearing assembly of a wind turbine from a bedplate. The method and system use rigging and specialized tooling and procedures to perform the method in the field with the machine head remaining atop the tower or removed from the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Jonathan Paul Signore, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Rodney Robert Redd, II, Kevin Tyler Eherts, Hunter Ryan Anderson
  • Patent number: 10190577
    Abstract: A maintenance tool and method for detaching mechanically-connected components of a drive train in a wind turbine is disclosed. The method involves positioning the maintenance tool below a hoist and hoisting only the lift assembly portion of the maintenance tool into a nacelle of a wind turbine. Connecting the lift assembly portion to a power source in the nacelle and extending at least two induction cables from an induction generator disposed on the lift assembly portion to wrap at least a portion of a component of the mechanically-connected components. Then operating the induction generator to pass alternating current through the induction cables and inductively heat the wrapped component such that thermal expansion creates a clearance between the mechanically-connected components thereby assisting in separating the mechanically-connected components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian William Manikas, Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Kevin Tyler Eherts, Hunter Ryan Anderson, Michael Royce Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190024638
    Abstract: A disassembled wind turbine under repair includes a tower secured to a foundation and a nacelle mounted atop the tower. The nacelle includes a base wall, side walls, a front wall, a rear wall, and a top wall. The front wall includes an opening configured to receive a main shaft of the wind turbine; however, the main shaft and a rotor of the wind turbine have been removed from the nacelle during a repair procedure. As such, the disassembled wind turbine further includes an external platform assembly secured at the opening of the front wall of the nacelle during the repair procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Frederick Sander, Brian Thomas Misavage, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Brian William Manikas, Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Kevin Tyler Eherts
  • Publication number: 20190017552
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for positioning a main bearing of a wind turbine includes a push component arranged between a main flange of a main shaft of the wind turbine and a cover of the main bearing. Further, the clamping apparatus includes a spacer plate located within a gap between the cover and the main bearing. As such, the push component is configured to apply a force to the cover so as to push the spacer plate against the main bearing such that the main bearing is pushed into and secured in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Kevin Tyler Eherts
  • Publication number: 20180313335
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a working platform mounted within a nacelle of the wind turbine during a repair procedure. More specifically, the working platform may be mounted to a bedplate within the nacelle in an area where one or more drivetrain component(s) would normally be during operation of the wind turbine, but have been removed due to repair or replacement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Brian Thomas Misavage, Michael Frederick Sander, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Kevin Tyler Eherts, Brian William Manikas, Hunter Ryan Anderson, Waylon James Esser
  • Publication number: 20180313329
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for removing or installing a main shaft and attached main bearing assembly of a wind turbine from a bedplate. The method and system use rigging and specialized tooling and procedures to perform the method in the field with the machine head remaining atop the tower or removed from the tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Jonathan Paul Signore, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Rodney Robert Redd, II, Kevin Tyler Eherts, Hunter Ryan Anderson
  • Publication number: 20180313334
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hoistable platform assembly used in uptower wind turbine repairs. The platform assembly includes at least one working platform having a working surface and a platform frame. The platform frame is configured for securement within a nacelle of the wind turbine. The platform assembly also includes a plurality of tooling containers secured to the working surface. Each of the tooling containers includes at least one tool secured therein that is required for the uptower wind turbine repairs. Further, the platform assembly includes a frame structure arranged above the plurality of tooling containers and secured to the working surface via one or more connecting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brian William Manikas, Brian Thomas Misavage, Michael Frederick Sander, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Kevin Tyler Eherts, Hunter Ryan Anderson, Darrick Adam Vanderwalker, Waylon James Esser