Patents by Inventor Miguel Nunez Polo

Miguel Nunez Polo 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: 8704398
    Abstract: A generator having a rotor which comprises rotor excitation element-carrying modules, for example magnets, radially movable in relation to the generator shaft in such a manner, when in their retracted position, as to significantly ease generator transport and assembly. The use of these movable magnet-carrying modules is particularly useful in direct drive-type generators which do not require a multiplier. Another object of the invention is an assembly process which comprises a generator equipped with the radially movable magnet-carrying modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Eduardo Azanza Ladrón, José Miguel Garcia Sayés, Teresa Arlabán Gabeiras, Miguel Núñez Polo
  • Patent number: 8696246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting element (8) for an offshore wind turbine (3), comprising a base body (1) formed by a circular or polygonal basement (4), a shaft (5) with vertical walls and a plurality of vertical cavities (6) extending over the entire height thereof and a slab (2) dispose on the shaft (5) of the base body (1), on which slab (2) a wind turbine (3) is positioned and secured. The base body (1) of the supporting element (8) is produced using sliding formwork, from the basement (4) up to the upper base thereof. In addition, the method includes the following steps: ballasting the supporting element (8) by partially filling the above-mentioned vertical cavities (6); seaward towing the supporting element (8) from the production site thereof to the offshore wind turbine installation site; anchoring the supporting element (8) by filling the vertical cavities (6) completely; until the supporting element (8) rests on a stone bed (19) on the sea bed; and mounting the wind turbine (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Acciona Windpower, S.A., Acciona Energia, S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Nunez Polo, Raul Manzanas Ochagavía, Federico Sancho Castiello
  • Publication number: 20140097619
    Abstract: A wind turbine control method is described based on the performance of various measurements of the oscillations of the nacelle of the wind turbine for the purpose of carrying out a series of calculations, the results of which allow parameterisation of certain actions on different wind turbine elements in order to dampen oscillations. In summary, it may be said that the object of the invention described herein is a wind turbine control method whereby the oscillations of the nacelle of the wind turbine are dampened in the presence of voltage dips in particular and, in general, in any event that is susceptible of reducing active current generation capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: ACCIONA WINDPOWER, S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Luis LABORDA RUBIO, Alberto Garcia Barace, Teresa Arlaban Gabeiras, Igor Egana Santamarina, Alejandro Gonzalez Murua, Jose Miguel Garcia Sayes, Miguel Nunez Polo
  • Patent number: 8659178
    Abstract: A wind turbine control method for dampening vibrations of a transmission system, even in the presence of voltage dips and in any event that is susceptible to reducing active current generation capacity, is provided. First, for example, an initial torque or power instruction may be calculated based on a turbine operating state. Next, a torque or power adjustment term associated with dampening vibration modes of a turbine transmission system may be calculated. Then, a final torque or power instruction may be calculated by, for example, applying the adjustment term to the initial instruction. Finally, the final torque or power instruction may be transformed into a current instruction for controlling the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Teresa Arlabán Gabeiras, Oscar Alonso Sádaba, Alberto Garcia Barace, Ricardo Royo García, Stephen Tonks, José Miguel García Sayés, Miguel Nuñez Polo
  • Publication number: 20140028024
    Abstract: A wind turbine control method is described comprising the detection of the presence of an anomaly in the aerodynamic profile of the blades and operation of the wind turbine in accordance not only with the determination of said anomaly, but also taking into account the characteristics thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: ACCIONA WINDPOWER, S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto GARCIA BARACE, Oscar LUQUIN HERMOSO DE MENDOZA, Igor EGANA SANTAMARINA, Teresa ARLABAN GABEIRAS, Stephen TONKS, Jose Miguel GARCIA SAYES, Miguel NUNEZ POLO
  • Publication number: 20130318789
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for assembling or disassembling a blade of a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a tower resting on a base, a rotor including at least one rotor blade having a blade connection flange and a nacelle mounted atop the tower, a hub rotatably connected to the nacelle and including a hub connection flange adapted to be detachably connected to a blade connection flange of a rotor blade. Thy wind turbine further includes a first positioning element adapted to be attached to the nacelle or to the tower in a top area and a second positioning element adapted to be joined to the blade in a root blade area, where the first and second positioning elements are configured to cooperate to provide an accurate position of the blade connection flange prior to connection to the hub connection flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Teresa Arlaban Gabeiras, José Miguel Garcia Sayés, Ander Gastón Lujambio, Miguel Núñez Polo, Alvaro Gorostidi Martinez de Lecea
  • Patent number: 8550522
    Abstract: A tool to enable removal of a wind turbine blade, wherein the weight of the blade itself secures the blade without need for additional fixation. The tool includes an articulated structure, composed of an upper part and a lower part articulated to each other; a cradle-shaped support attached to the lower part of the structure and configured to house a blade, the cradle-shaped support having two portions being moveable to each other; a hooking element which allows the tool to be suspended from a first crane; and springs fixed to the structure for exerting an aperture force on the structure, which allows automatic aperture of the structure in the absence of blades in the interior of the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Román Echarri Latasa, Sayoa Clavería Ibarrola, Eduardo Arraiza Arbeloa, Javier Fernández De Manzanos Domínguez, JoséMiguel García Sayés, Miguel Núñez Polo
  • Patent number: 8520417
    Abstract: The disclosure details implementations of apparatuses, methods, and systems for regulating DC bus voltages. In an implementation, the system is configured to regulate the DC bus voltage directly by operating at the DC bus rather than indirectly on the AC side of the DC bus. In one implementation, the DC voltage regulator is configured with components including a DC voltage regulator power control board, a switching device, a resistor, and a flyback diode. In one non-limiting implementation example, the DC voltage regulator may be used to control the DC bus voltage of a doubly fed induction generator of a wind turbine. In this implementation, the DC voltage regulator effectively protects the converter of the induction generator and also reduces the transient torques on the generator shaft during voltage irregularities. This, in turn, reduces excessive wear on the wind turbine gearbox by limiting fatigue loads on the gear teeth that may result from transient torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: William L. Erdman, Michael R. Behnke, Miguel Núñez Polo, Ricardo Royo Garcia
  • Publication number: 20130125480
    Abstract: The invention describes a process and a unit, both enabling to attach a wind turbine tower to a foundation, as well as describes also a wind turbine incorporating the unit. The process features a stage of installation of a support element for the transmission of stresses from the tower to the foundation, followed by a stage of levelling the support element and pouring foundation concrete up to the support element's lower side so that the lower side is adhered to the poured concrete once it has set. The unit comprises at least one support element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: ACCIONA WINDPOWER, S.A.
    Inventors: Iván García Maestre, Eduardo Azanza Ladrón, Koldo Larumbe Fernandino, Carlos Cerdán Martínez, Teresa Arlabán Gabeiras, Javier Ciáurriz Martín, Javier Fernández De Manzanos, José Miguel García Sayés, Miguel Nuñez Polo
  • Patent number: 8380357
    Abstract: Wind turbine control may be provided. First, a control parameter indicative of foreseeable fluctuations in a rotational speed of a rotor due to wind turbulence may be obtained. The first control parameter may be calculated based on a first signal indicative of a wind power and a second signal indicative of wind turbulence intensity. Then, the control parameter may be compared with a threshold value. Next, a maximum power to be generated by the wind turbine may be reduced if the control parameter exceeds said threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Garcia Barace, Igor Egaña Santamarina, Antonio Torres Elizondo, Stephen Tonks, Eduardo Azanza Ladrón, José Miguel García Sayes, Miguel Nuñez Polo
  • Patent number: 8355825
    Abstract: Wind farm, of the kind that comprises a series of wind turbine generators, which consist of a rotor, a generator, a control unit and means of connection to the computing network for the wind farm of which they form part, in such a way that at least two of the wind turbine generators in the farm can assume a leader hierarchy for the wind farm, accessing the operating data of the rest of the wind turbine generators, calculating and sending instructions to the rest of the wind turbine generators making up that wind farm, and a subject hierarchy, receiving and following the instructions coming from the leader wind turbine generator of the wind farm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Oscar Alonso Sádaba, Ricardo Royo García, Miguel Núnez Polo
  • Publication number: 20130001954
    Abstract: The method allows higher speed in assembling a wind turbine a tower, a nacelle and a rotor, the tower comprising at least two stackable annular sections made of concrete, the method comprising the steps of a) stacking the annular sections by using lifting and positioning means; b) stacking the nacelle onto the upper annular section by using lifting and positioning means; and c) connecting the annular sections to each other, as well as the upper annular section to the nacelle, through main connecting means adapted to withstand loads induced by the wind turbine rotor, wherein the step c) is performed after stacking the nacelle onto the upper annular section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Iván GARCÍA MAESTRE, Asier GÓMEZ ANDUEZA, Eduardo AZANZA LADRÓN, Ander GASTÓN LUJAMBIO, José Miguel GARCÍA SAYÉS, Miguel NUÑEZ POLO
  • Publication number: 20120203384
    Abstract: The present invention describes a process for controlling the active power injected into the grid by a generating plant for contributing to the stability of the power grid in the event of frequency variations where, in response to a deviation in grid frequency, each generating unit calculates an active power variation parameter generated based on a first parameter stored in said generating unit, said first parameter being representative of a respective contribution of said generating unit to a required variation in total active power of the generating plant, and where a central control unit of the generating plant connected to each generating unit updates the value of the first parameters when changes are produced therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: ACCIONA WINDPOWER, S.A.
    Inventors: Teresa ARLABAN GABEIRAS, Oscar Alonso Sadaba, Jose Miguel Garcia Sayes, Ricardo Royo Garcia, Miguel Nunez Polo
  • Publication number: 20120171034
    Abstract: The invention allows orientation of the platform (1) in order to obtain conditions of maximum efficiency in the wind turbine (16). It comprises first sensors (8) for detecting an effective rotation axis angle (?) formed between the rotation axis (2) and a horizontal plane (24); second sensors (9) for detecting wind direction (23); platform orientation means (11) for modifying the effective rotation axis angle (?); and at least one control unit (12) adapted for receiving a first input (13) from the first sensors (8) and a second input (14) from the second sensors (9) and, based on said inputs (13, 14), transmitting orders to the platform orientation means (11) and yaw mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Teresa Arlabán Gabeiras, José Miguel García Sayés, Miguel Núñez Polo
  • Publication number: 20120038169
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a generator having a rotor which comprises rotor excitation element-carrying modules, for example magnets, radially movable in relation to the generator shaft in such a manner, when in their retracted position, as to significantly ease generator transport and assembly. The use of these movable magnet-carrying modules is particularly useful in direct drive-type generators which do not require a multiplier. Another object of the invention is an assembly process which comprises a generator equipped with said radially movable magnet-carrying modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: ACCIONA WINDPOWER, S.A.
    Inventors: EDUARDO AZANZA LADRÓN, José Miguel García Sayés, Teresa Arlabán Gabeiras, Miguel Núñez Polo
  • Publication number: 20120025552
    Abstract: A tool for raising and lowering a wind turbine blade, wherein it allows removal of a wind turbine blade (2), wherein the weight of the blade (2) itself secures said blade (2) without need for additional fixations by means of a tool (1) that includes an articulated structure (3), composed of an upper part and a lower part articulated therebetween; a cradle-shaped support (16) attached to the lower part of the structure and configured to house a blade (2), said cradle-shaped support (16) comprising two portions (17) being movable therebetween; a hooking element (20) which allows the tool (1) to be suspended from a first crane (22); and springs fixed to the structure (3) for exerting an aperture force on the structure (3), which allows automatic aperture of said structure in the absence of blades (2) in the interior of the cradle (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: ROMÁN ECHARRI LATASA, SAYOA CLAVERÍA IBARROLA, EDUARDO ARRAIZA ARBELOA, JAVIER FERNÁNDEZ DE MANZANOS DOMÍNGUEZ, JOSÉ MIGUEL GARCÍA SAYÉS, MIGUEL NÚÑEZ POLO
  • Patent number: 8035240
    Abstract: The disclosure details implementations of apparatuses, methods, and systems for facilitating efficient operational characteristics for wind turbine generators. The system includes features that facilitate protecting the power semiconductors used in the power converters of variable speed power generation systems from excessive junction temperatures. These features may be achieved by implementing a synchronous speed avoidance (SSA) controller implemented to facilitate a determined active control range as an electrical torque/power-generator rotor speed controller. The determined active control range may be centered around a generator synchronous speed. The upper and lower bounds of the active control range are determined based on operational junction temperature characteristics of power semiconductors used within a power converter, reliability characteristics of the power semiconductors and/or current ratings of the power semiconductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: William L. Erdman, Michael R. Behnke, Steve Tonks, Miguel Núñez Polo
  • Publication number: 20110239563
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wind generator tower and a process for assembly thereof. A truncated conical tower assembled from reinforced concrete modules disposes of a tensioning system which provides greater resistance to the same and, in turn, the joints defined between the modules which form the tower are sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: ACCIONA WINDPOWER, S.A.
    Inventors: Ivan Garcia Maestre, Eduardo Azanza Ladron, Jose Miguel Garcia Sayes, Miguel Nunez Polo
  • Publication number: 20110156389
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine of the type including a rotor, a generator, a frequency converter, a control unit and means for connecting to a wind farm grid, using means for receiving a local voltage reference value (VREF) and a regulator (1) which calculates the reactive power to be generated (QT) as a function of the voltage error (?V), such that it can be operated over the entire voltage range. The system also includes: at least one saturator element (2, 6, 7) in which the reactive power to be generated is limited, whereby the limits (Q—MAX, Q—MIN, QC—MAX, QC—MIN, QS—MAX, QS—MIN) are calculated dynamically as a function of the voltage, this block outputting a reference reactive power of the wind turbine (Q—REF, QC—REF, Qs—REF); and an element (3) for calculating the actual limit of the active power (PMAX) as a function of the pre-limited reactive power (Q—REF, Qs—REF) and the apparent power available at that moment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Teresa Arlaban Gabeiras, Oscar Alonso Sadaba, Ana Huarte Amezqueta, Alberto García Barace, José Miguel García Sayes, Ricardo Royo García, Stephen Tonks, Miguel Núñez Polo
  • Publication number: 20110142645
    Abstract: It discloses a wind turbine blade bearing that makes it possible to avoid the collision of the blade with the wind turbine tower by providing a separation thereof via the disposal of the blades at an angle with respect to the wind turbine hub; where said angle is given by the bearing of the blade pitch change system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Miguel NUÑEZ POLO, José Miguel GARCÍA SAYÉS