Patents by Inventor Paul William Judge

Paul William Judge 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: 9790919
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly and/or a joint assembly for a wind turbine blade. In one embodiment, the rotor blade assembly includes at least first and second blade segments connected together at a chord-wise extending joint, one or more shear-loaded pins configured through the chord-wise extending joint, and an anti-rotation locking feature. As such, the rotor blade assembly includes a maintenance-free bolted joint. The first blade segment has a body shell defining a generally aerodynamic profile. The body shell includes a suction side surface and a pressure side surface. The shear-loaded pin may extend in a generally flap-wise direction (i.e. from the suction side surface to the pressure side surface of the body shell) or in a generally chord-wise direction (i.e. from the pressure side to the suction side of the body shell).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jay F. Leonard, Paul William Judge
  • Publication number: 20150240780
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a rotor blade assembly and/or a joint assembly for a wind turbine blade. In one embodiment, the rotor blade assembly includes at least first and second blade segments connected together at a chord-wise extending joint, one or more shear-loaded pins configured through the chord-wise extending joint, and an anti-rotation locking feature. As such, the rotor blade assembly includes a maintenance-free bolted joint. The first blade segment has a body shell defining a generally aerodynamic profile. The body shell includes a suction side surface and a pressure side surface. The shear-loaded pin may extend in a generally flap-wise direction (i.e. from the suction side surface to the pressure side surface of the body shell) or in a generally chord-wise direction (i.e. from the pressure side to the suction side of the body shell).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jay F. Leonard, Paul William Judge
  • Patent number: 7854594
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a plurality of individual blade segments, with each blade segment defining an internal passage extending between the longitudinal ends of the blade segment. A rigid spar member extends longitudinally through the internal passages of the individual blade segments such that the blade segments are aligned and connected end-to-end on said spar member to define a complete rotor blade from a root to a blade tip. The spar member has a cross-sectional profile that is keyed to the cross-sectional profile of the internal passage in the blade segments. The spar member includes oppositely facing spar caps that engage against the inside surfaces of the blade segments within the internal passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul William Judge
  • Publication number: 20100143143
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a plurality of individual blade segments, with each blade segment defining an internal passage extending between the longitudinal ends of the blade segment. A rigid spar member extends longitudinally through the internal passages of the individual blade segments such that the blade segments are aligned and connected end-to-end on said spar member to define a complete rotor blade from a root to a blade tip. The spar member has a cross-sectional profile that is keyed to the cross-sectional profile of the internal passage in the blade segments. The spar member includes oppositely facing spar caps that engage against the inside surfaces of the blade segments within the internal passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: PAUL WILLIAM JUDGE