Patents by Inventor Myles L. Baker
Myles L. Baker 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).
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Patent number: 9845787Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 9518558Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 9500179Abstract: Segmented wind turbine blades with truss connection regions, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A wind turbine system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a wind turbine with a first segment having a first position along the longitudinal axis and having a first internal load-bearing structure for which non-truss structure elements carry at least 90% of the shear loads in the first segment. The blade further includes a second segment having a second position along the longitudinal axis and having a second internal load-bearing structure for which non-truss structure elements carry at least 90% of the shear loads in the first segment. A connection region between the first and second segments includes an internal load-bearing truss structure connected between the first internal load-bearing structure and the second internal load-bearing structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Cory P. Arendt, Myles L. Baker, Rick Thomas Wright
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Patent number: 9470205Abstract: Wind turbine blades with layered, multi-component spars, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A wind turbine blade system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first blade segment having a first spar element that includes first planks having a first thickness and a first plank composition, and a second blade segment having a second spar element that includes second planks having a second thickness and a second plank composition different than the first plank composition. The second blade segment is joined to the first blade segment at a joint, and, in particular embodiments, an overall product of thickness and elastic modulus of the first planks is approximately equal to an overall product of thickness and elastic modulus for the second planks.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Qiang Liu, Myles L. Baker
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Publication number: 20150369212Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Publication number: 20140303907Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic force measurement are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes applying forces to a model in at least one direction at at least one location, receiving information from at least one sensor, and identifying a math model of a model support structure. In particular embodiments, the method can further include generating a force estimator. In further particular embodiments, the method the force estimator can be an optimal unbiased minimum-variance input and state estimator based on a linear time invariant math model taking the form of a digital filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Kevin M. Roughen, Myles L. Baker, Dan Stuewe
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Publication number: 20140271198Abstract: Wind turbine blades with layered, multi-component spars, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A wind turbine blade system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first blade segment having a first spar element that includes first planks having a first thickness and a first plank composition, and a second blade segment having a second spar element that includes second planks having a second thickness and a second plank composition different than the first plank composition. The second blade segment is joined to the first blade segment at a joint, and, in particular embodiments, an overall product of thickness and elastic modulus of the first planks is approximately equal to an overall product of thickness and elastic modulus for the second planks.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Qiang Liu, Myles L. Baker
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Publication number: 20140154091Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: MODULAR WIND ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 8506258Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 8500408Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Patent number: 8500409Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 8480370Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Patent number: 8475133Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Publication number: 20130061683Abstract: Systems and methods for performing structural tests on wind turbine blades are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a test stand positioned to carry a test article that includes at least a portion of a wind turbine blade. The system can further include first and second reaction anchors movably positioned relative to the test stand. A first generally horizontal force link is attached to the first reaction anchor and coupleable to the test article to apply a first horizontal load to the test article. A second generally horizontal force link is attached to the second reaction anchor and is coupleable to the test article to apply a second horizontal load to the test article. The test stand can be positioned to apply a test stand force to the test article equal and opposite to the sum of the first and second horizontal loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: Modulr Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Patent number: 8382440Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Publication number: 20120195765Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
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Publication number: 20120124833Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting and assembling segmented wind turbine blades are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes multiple transport devices that are each moveable as a unit from a blade fabrication site to a blade assembly site, and that have corresponding carriers positioned to carry corresponding spanwise segments of a wind turbine blade. The system can still further include a guide structure carried by at least one of the transport devices and coupled to a corresponding one of the carriers, with a motion path aligned with a corresponding blade axis. The guide structure can be positioned to guide the corresponding carrier along the motion path toward the other transport devices, e.g., to facilitate assembly of the blade segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: Cory P. Arendt, Myles L. Baker, Sheldon Vilhauer, Michael Johnson
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Publication number: 20120082555Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Publication number: 20120082557Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
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Publication number: 20120082547Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt