Patents by Inventor Priyangu Chunilal Patel
Priyangu Chunilal Patel 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: 10935001Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for monitoring wear on a gearbox of a wind turbine. A controller of the system is configured to determine a torque exerted on a rotor shaft of the wind turbine or a generator shaft of the wind turbine based on measurement signals received from a first sensor of the system. The controller is also configured to determine an accumulated wear value for the gearbox based on the torque.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Raed Zuhair Hasan, Farong Zhu, Lawrence Keith Taliaferro, Jr., Priyangu Chunilal Patel, James Edward Cencula, Edward Lee McGrath
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Patent number: 10655610Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer races, and at least one wire race arranged with the plurality of rolling elements between the inner and outer races.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edward Lee McGrath, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
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Publication number: 20190128243Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for monitoring wear on a gearbox of a wind turbine. A controller of the system is configured to determine a torque exerted on a rotor shaft of the wind turbine or a generator shaft of the wind turbine based on measurement signals received from a first sensor of the system. The controller is also configured to determine an accumulated wear value for the gearbox based on the torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Raed Zuhair Hasan, Farong Zhu, Lawrence Keith Taliaferro, JR., Priyangu Chunilal Patel, James Edward Cencula, Edward Lee McGrath
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Patent number: 10145363Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing up-tower maintenance on a gearbox bearing of a wind turbine. In particular, a method for performing up-tower maintenance on a gearbox of a wind turbine is disclosed. The gearbox has at least one bearing with an outer race and an inner race that rotates with respect to the outer race. The method includes forming a through-hole in a front cover of the gearbox, the front cover being stationary with respect to an axis of rotation of the bearing. The method also includes forming a recess in the outer race of the bearing. Further, the method includes inserting a connecting member through the through-hole and the recess so as to prevent movement of the outer race of the bearing with respect to a torque arm of the gearbox.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rong Li, Michael Garry, John Thomas Murphy, Priyangu Chunilal Patel, Lawrence Keith Taliaferro, Gregory Clarence Thomas
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Publication number: 20180313337Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer races, and at least one wire race arranged with the plurality of rolling elements between the inner and outer races.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Edward Lee McGrath, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
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Publication number: 20170122296Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing up-tower maintenance on a gearbox bearing of a wind turbine. In particular, a method for performing up-tower maintenance on a gearbox of a wind turbine is disclosed. The gearbox has at least one bearing with an outer race and an inner race that rotates with respect to the outer race. The method includes forming a through-hole in a front cover of the gearbox, the front cover being stationary with respect to an axis of rotation of the bearing. The method also includes forming a recess in the outer race of the bearing. Further, the method includes inserting a connecting member through the through-hole and the recess so as to prevent movement of the outer race of the bearing with respect to a torque arm of the gearbox.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Rong Li, Michael Garry, John Thomas Murphy, Priyangu Chunilal Patel, Lawrence Keith Taliaferro, Gregory Clarence Thomas
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Patent number: 8869940Abstract: A system and method are provided for supplying oil at different temperatures to different locations within a wind turbine gearbox, wherein oil is pumped from a common oil sump to the different locations via a common header. The different gear box locations are divided into at least two groups, wherein each of said groups receives inlet oil at a respective inlet oil temperature. A first temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the first group, and a second temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the second group of gearbox locations.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Stephen Bertram Johnson, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
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Patent number: 8506446Abstract: A planetary gear system and a pin for coupling a planet gear to a carrier in a planetary gear system are disclosed. The planetary gear system includes a planet gear defining a central planet axis, a carrier disposed adjacent the at least one planet gear, and a pin extending from the carrier through the planet gear generally along the central planet axis. The pin includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending therebetween. The pin further defines an opening extending from the outer surface generally along the central planet axis and at least partially through the pin.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, Daniel Jason Erno, Priyangu Chunilal Patel, Fulton Jose Lopez
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Publication number: 20130183138Abstract: A system and method are provided for supplying oil at different temperatures to different locations within a wind turbine gearbox, wherein oil is pumped from a common oil sump to the different locations via a common header. The different gear box locations are divided into at least two groups, wherein each of said groups receives inlet oil at a respective inlet oil temperature. A first temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the first group, and a second temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the second group of gearbox locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Stephen Bertram Johnson, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
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Patent number: 8414448Abstract: A gear system, such as for use in a wind turbine, is disclosed. The gear system includes a carrier, a gear defining a central axis, and a pin extending along the central axis and coupling the gear to the carrier. The gear system further includes a roller bearing surrounding the pin, the roller bearing comprising a plurality of roller elements, and a journal bearing surrounding the pin.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Henry Madge, Adam Daniel Minadeo, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
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Publication number: 20130052017Abstract: A gear system, such as for use in a wind turbine, is disclosed. The gear system includes a carrier, a gear defining a central axis, and a pin extending along the central axis and coupling the gear to the carrier. The gear system further includes a roller bearing surrounding the pin, the roller bearing comprising a plurality of roller elements, and a journal bearing surrounding the pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: James Henry Madge, Adam Daniel Minadeo, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
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Patent number: 8338980Abstract: A drive train for a wind turbine includes individual rotor blades connected to a rotor hub. The drive train includes a gearbox, with the rotor hub mounted directly to the gearbox. The gearbox further includes a stationary gear carrier mounted to a mainframe of the wind turbine such that the gearbox substantially supports the weight of the rotor hub. A generator includes a rotor and stationary stator, with the gearbox comprising an output shaft coupled to the rotor such that the gearbox substantially supports the weight of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, James Henry Madge, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
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Publication number: 20120141270Abstract: A drivetrain for a wind turbine and a method for lubricating a bearing in a drivetrain of a wind turbine are disclosed. The drivetrain includes a rotatable component and a bearing surrounding the rotatable component. The drivetrain further includes a lubrication passage in fluid communication with the bearing for providing lubrication fluid thereto, and a drainage passage in fluid communication with the bearing for removing lubrication fluid therefrom. Further, the drivetrain includes a dry sump in fluid communication with the drainage passage. The dry sump includes a pump operable to flow lubrication fluid from the drainage passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, Priyangu Chunilal Patel, Michael Jay Burkett
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Publication number: 20120133154Abstract: A drive train for a wind turbine includes individual rotor blades connected to a rotor hub. The drive train includes a gearbox, with the rotor hub mounted directly to the gearbox. The gearbox further includes a stationary gear carrier mounted to a mainframe of the wind turbine such that the gearbox substantially supports the weight of the rotor hub. A generator includes a rotor and stationary stator, with the gearbox comprising an output shaft coupled to the rotor such that the gearbox substantially supports the weight of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, James Henry Madge, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
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Patent number: 8147183Abstract: A wind turbine and a drivetrain for a generator is provided. The drivetrain includes a hub configured to provide an input rotational speed, and a planetary gearbox in communication with the hub. The planetary gearbox includes a stationary or rotatable carrier and a plurality of planet gears. The planetary gearbox is configured to convert the input rotational speed to an output rotational speed, and includes at least one sun gear. The hub can be rigidly connected to the rotatable ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Henry Madge, Priyangu Chunilal Patel, Adam Daniel Minadeo
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Publication number: 20120053009Abstract: A planetary gear system and a pin for coupling a planet gear to a carrier in a planetary gear system are disclosed. The planetary gear system includes a planet gear defining a central planet axis, a carrier disposed adjacent the at least one planet gear, and a pin extending from the carrier through the planet gear generally along the central planet axis. The pin includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending therebetween. The pin further defines an opening extending from the outer surface generally along the central planet axis and at least partially through the pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, Daniel Jason Erno, Priyangu Chunilal Patel, Fulton Jose Lopez
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Publication number: 20110211962Abstract: A wind turbine and a drivetrain for a generator is provided. The drivetrain includes a hub configured to provide an input rotational speed, and a planetary gearbox in communication with the hub. The planetary gearbox includes a stationary or rotatable carrier and a plurality of planet gears. The planetary gearbox is configured to convert the input rotational speed to an output rotational speed, and includes at least one sun gear. The hub can be rigidly connected to the rotatable ring gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Inventors: James Henry Madge, Priyangu Chunilal Patel, Adam Daniel Minadeo
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Publication number: 20110143880Abstract: A drivetrain for a generator in a wind turbine is disclosed. In one embodiment, the drivetrain includes an input shaft configured to provide an input rotational speed, and a planetary gearbox in communication with the input shaft. The planetary gearbox includes a stationary carrier and a plurality of rotatable gears. The planetary gearbox is configured to convert the input rotational speed to an output rotational speed. The drivetrain additionally includes an output shaft in communication with the planetary gearbox. The output shaft is configured to rotate at the output rotational speed. The drivetrain further includes a load isolation device disposed between the input shaft and the planetary gearbox. The load isolation device is configured to reduce transmission to the planetary gearbox of bending loads on the input shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, James Henry Madge, Priyangu Chunilal Patel