Abstract: In one aspect, a dual pitch bearing configuration for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. The dual pitch bearing configuration including a first pitch bearing and at least one additional pitch bearing disposed axially a distance LB from the first pitch bearing. The dual pitch bearing configuration further including one or more spacers disposed between the first pitch bearing and the at least one additional pitch bearing and extending the distance LB. The dual pitch bearing disposed radially within one of a blade root of the rotor blade, a hub extension or a bearing housing and coupled thereto. The dual pitch bearing configuration minimizing moment loading on the first pitch bearing and the at least one additional pitch bearing. A wind turbine including the dual pitch bearing configuration is further disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a dual pitch bearing configuration for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. The dual pitch bearing configuration including a first pitch bearing and at least one additional pitch bearing. The first pitch bearing and the and at least one additional pitch bearing are coupled to opposed surfaces of a static shaft. The at least one additional pitch bearing is disposed radially a distance LR and axially a distance LA from the first pitch bearing along the static shaft. The dual pitch bearing is disposed radially within a blade root of the rotor blade. The dual pitch bearing configuration minimizing moment loading on the first pitch bearing and the at least one additional pitch bearing. A wind turbine including the dual pitch bearing configuration is further disclosed.

Abstract: A shell unit cell structure includes at least one junction and a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors are coupled to the at least one junction. The at least one junction and the plurality of connectors form an integral surface. The shell unit cell structure has an isotropic stiffness.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a component is presented. The inspection system includes a probe unit, wherein the probe unit includes a first flux concentrator operatively coupled to a first surface of the component. Also, the probe unit includes at least one inductive coil positioned around the first flux concentrator, and configured to induce an electrical current flow in at least a portion of the component via the first flux concentrator. Further, the inspection system includes an infrared (IR) camera configured to capture a plurality of frames corresponding to the portion of the component. In addition, the inspection system includes a processing unit electrically coupled to the IR camera and configured to determine an anomaly in the component based on the captured plurality of frames.

Abstract: In one aspect, a dual pitch bearing configuration for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. The dual pitch bearing configuration including a first pitch bearing and at least one additional pitch bearing. The first pitch bearing and the and at least one additional pitch bearing are coupled to opposed surfaces of a static shaft. The at least one additional pitch bearing is disposed radially a distance LR and axially a distance LA from the first pitch bearing along the static shaft. The dual pitch bearing is disposed radially within a blade root of the rotor blade. The dual pitch bearing configuration minimizing moment loading on the first pitch bearing and the at least one additional pitch bearing. A wind turbine including the dual pitch bearing configuration is further disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a dual pitch bearing configuration for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. The dual pitch bearing configuration including a first pitch bearing and at least one additional pitch bearing disposed axially a distance LB from the first pitch bearing. The dual pitch bearing configuration further including one or more spacers disposed between the first pitch bearing and the at least one additional pitch bearing and extending the distance LB. The dual pitch bearing disposed radially within one of a blade root of the rotor blade, a hub extension or a bearing housing and coupled thereto. The dual pitch bearing configuration minimizing moment loading on the first pitch bearing and the at least one additional pitch bearing. A wind turbine including the dual pitch bearing configuration is further disclosed.

Abstract: An aerodynamic hub assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The hub assembly may include a hub extension, a rotor blade having a blade root and a blade tip, and a hub airfoil section mounted at least partially over the hub extension. The hub airfoil section may be fixed relative to the rotor blade or may be configured to rotate about a common pitch axis with the rotor blade. The hub extension may be connected to and extend radially from a center of the hub assembly. Further, the hub assembly may include a pitch bearing having an inner race and an outer race, wherein the pitch bearing may be coupled between the hub extension and the blade root. Additionally, the hub assembly may also include an aerodynamically-shaped spinner, wherein the spinner may house at least a portion of a root structure extending radially from the center of the hub assembly.

Abstract: The present application provides for metal rings and ceramic collars for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The metal rings may be outer and inner Ni rings configured for sealing to an alpha-alumina collar via active brazing for use in NaMx cells. The inner and outer Ni metal rings may be sealed to differing portions of the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the alpha-alumina collar may define a tapered thickness that reduces internal stresses at the active brazed joints resulting from differing coefficients of thermal expansion between the Ni metal rings and the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings and alpha-alumina collar sealed by active brazing, and thereby the active braze joints themselves, may be oriented to control or dictate the stresses on the joints during use.

Abstract: The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof.

Abstract: An aerodynamic hub assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The hub assembly may include a hub extension, a rotor blade having a blade root and a blade tip, and a hub airfoil section mounted at least partially over the hub extension. The hub airfoil section may be fixed relative to the rotor blade or may be configured to rotate about a common pitch axis with the rotor blade. The hub extension may be connected to and extend radially from a center of the hub assembly. Further, the hub assembly may include a pitch bearing having an inner race and an outer race, wherein the pitch bearing may be coupled between the hub extension and the blade root. Additionally, the hub assembly may also include an aerodynamically-shaped spinner, wherein the spinner may house at least a portion of a root structure extending radially from the center of the hub assembly.

Abstract: An actuator decoupler for selectively coupling and decoupling a driving part and a driven part of an actuation system is disclosed. The driving part can be coupled to the actuator decoupler, and the actuator decoupler can be coupled to the driven part via at least one coupling pin. In a selectively coupled state, the driven part can be at least one of rotationally and longitudinally fixed to the actuator decoupler and, thereby, the driving part. The actuator decoupler can be decoupled from the driven part through the use of a preloaded energy mechanism configured to disengage the at least one coupling pin from the driven part. Thereby, the actuator may be responsive to a jam in the actuation system to selectively decouple the driven part from the actuator decoupler and the driving part so that the driven part has freedom to translate at least one of rotationally and longitudinally.

Abstract: The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof.

Abstract: The present application provides for metal rings and ceramic collars for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The metal rings may be outer and inner Ni rings configured for sealing to an alpha-alumina collar via active brazing for use in NaMx cells. The inner and outer Ni metal rings may be sealed to differing portions of the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the alpha-alumina collar may define a tapered thickness that reduces internal stresses at the active brazed joints resulting from differing coefficients of thermal expansion between the Ni metal rings and the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings and alpha-alumina collar sealed by active brazing, and thereby the active braze joints themselves, may be oriented to control or dictate the stresses on the joints during use.

Abstract: An actuator decoupler for selectively coupling and decoupling a driving part and a driven part of an actuation system is disclosed. The driving part can be coupled to the actuator decoupler, and the actuator decoupler can be coupled to the driven part via at least one coupling pin. In a selectively coupled state, the driven part can be at least one of rotationally and longitudinally fixed to the actuator decoupler and, thereby, the driving part. The actuator decoupler can be decoupled from the driven part through the use of a preloaded energy mechanism configured to disengage the at least one coupling pin from the driven part. Thereby, the actuator may be responsive to a jam in the actuation system to selectively decouple the driven part from the actuator decoupler and the driving part so that the driven part has freedom to translate at least one of rotationally and longitudinally.