Patents by Inventor Richard Arland Ohl, Jr.

Richard Arland Ohl, Jr. 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: 10443572
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for removing or installing a main shaft of a drivetrain assembly of a wind turbine to and from a nacelle installed atop a wind turbine tower. The rail system includes at least one support component configured to support the main shaft. Further, the support component is configured horizontally with respect to the main shaft. The rail system also includes at least one sliding component connected between the support component and the main shaft. Thus, the sliding component is configured to move horizontally with respect to the support component so as to slide the main shaft between an installed position and an uninstalled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Clarence Thomas, Richard Arland Ohl, Jr., Jonathan Paul Signore, Charles Wade Trojcak
  • Patent number: 10107255
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gearbox repair apparatus for repairing a bore hole of a gearbox torque arm. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a mounting structure configured to mount to the torque arm. The mounting structure includes a through hole that aligns with the bore hole of the torque arm when mounted thereto. As such, when mounted to the torque arm, the mounting structure is configured to locate a boring bar at a center of the bore hole such that the boring bar is perpendicular to a face of the torque arm. Further, the mounting structure is configured to receive the boring bar through the aligned through hole and bore hole such that, when inserted therethrough, the boring bar is configured to machine and thus repair the bore hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Arland Ohl, Jr., Gregory Clarence Thomas
  • Patent number: 9803739
    Abstract: A system for adjusting and/or restraining a gearbox of a wind turbine includes a base component fixed to the gearbox and a vertical displacement device configured atop the base component. As such, the vertical displacement device is configured to apply a force to the base component. Accordingly, by lifting the vertical displacement device, a downward vertical force is applied to the base component so as to adjust (i.e. lower) the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Arland Ohl, Jr., Gregory Clarence Thomas
  • Patent number: 9757821
    Abstract: A method is provided for in-situ resurfacing of a main rotor shaft of a wind turbine, wherein in an operational state, the main rotor shaft is coupled at a first end to a rotor hub and at the opposite second end to a gearbox or directly to a generator within a nacelle. The method includes uncoupling the rotor shaft from the gearbox or generator so as to expose an end face of the second end of the rotor shaft. A fixture is attached to the exposed end face concentric with the rotational axis of the rotor shaft. A lathe system in then attached to the fixture. The rotor shaft surface adjacent to the exposed end is machined with the lathe system such that the resurfaced portion of the rotor shaft surface is brought to a round state concentric with the rotational axis of the rotor shaft. The method is conducted within the nacelle with the first end of the rotor shaft remaining coupled to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Clarence Thomas, Richard Arland Ohl, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170211547
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for removing or installing a main shaft of a drivetrain assembly of a wind turbine to and from a nacelle installed atop a wind turbine tower. The rail system includes at least one support component configured to support the main shaft. Further, the support component is configured horizontally with respect to the main shaft. The rail system also includes at least one sliding component connected between the support component and the main shaft. Thus, the sliding component is configured to move horizontally with respect to the support component so as to slide the main shaft between an installed position and an uninstalled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory Clarence Thomas, Richard Arland Ohl, JR., Jonathan Paul Signore, Charles Wade Trojcak
  • Publication number: 20170002790
    Abstract: A method is provided for in-situ resurfacing of a main rotor shaft of a wind turbine, wherein in an operational state, the main rotor shaft is coupled at a first end to a rotor hub and at the opposite second end to a gearbox or directly to a generator within a nacelle. The method includes uncoupling the rotor shaft from the gearbox or generator so as to expose an end face of the second end of the rotor shaft. A fixture is attached to the exposed end face concentric with the rotational axis of the rotor shaft. A lathe system in then attached to the fixture. The rotor shaft surface adjacent to the exposed end is machined with the lathe system such that the resurfaced portion of the rotor shaft surface is brought to a round state concentric with the rotational axis of the rotor shaft. The method is conducted within the nacelle with the first end of the rotor shaft remaining coupled to the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory Clarence Thomas, Richard Arland Ohl, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160305397
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gearbox repair apparatus for repairing a bore hole of a gearbox torque arm. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a mounting structure configured to mount to the torque arm. The mounting structure includes a through hole that aligns with the bore hole of the torque arm when mounted thereto. As such, when mounted to the torque arm, the mounting structure is configured to locate a boring bar at a center of the bore hole such that the boring bar is perpendicular to a face of the torque arm. Further, the mounting structure is configured to receive the boring bar through the aligned through hole and bore hole such that, when inserted therethrough, the boring bar is configured to machine and thus repair the bore hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Arland Ohl, JR., Gregory Clarence Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160305532
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for adjusting and/or restraining a gearbox of a wind turbine. The system includes a base component fixed to the gearbox and a vertical displacement device configured atop the base component. As such, the vertical displacement device is configured to apply a force to the base component. Accordingly, by lifting the vertical displacement device, a downward vertical force is applied to the base component so as to adjust (i.e. lower) the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Arland Ohl, JR., Gregory Clarence Thomas
  • Patent number: 9404559
    Abstract: Fixtures, maintenance assemblies, and methods for maintaining a wind turbine gearbox are provided. The gearbox includes a sun pinion and a bull gear surrounding the sun pinion. The sun pinion and the bull gear each define a central aperture therethrough and have a central axis. The gearbox further includes a casing, at least a portion of the casing coupled to the bull gear. The fixture includes a frame member and a shaft extending from the frame member. The shaft is insertable through the central aperture of the sun pinion. The fixture further includes an attachment mechanism removably attachable to the sun pinion. Upon attachment of the attachment mechanism to the sun pinion, the fixture is configured for moving the sun pinion along the central axis of the sun pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Van Buchan, Gregory Thomas, Forrest Christopher Hach, Richard Arland Ohl, Jr., Cody Gregory
  • Patent number: 9083220
    Abstract: A method for servicing a rotor of a generator includes the steps of, dismantling a non-drive end of the generator, removing insulation from portions of an existing Wye ring and existing connection lugs, removing portions of the existing Wye ring near the existing connection lugs, installing a replacement Wye ring in the generator, connecting the replacement Wye ring to the existing connection lugs, and insulating the replacement Wye ring and the existing connection lugs. The method is performed on the generator in-situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gary Randall Barnes, Richard Arland Ohl, Jr., Brent Hamilton Holloway
  • Publication number: 20150026964
    Abstract: A method for servicing a rotor of a generator includes the steps of, dismantling a non-drive end of the generator, removing insulation from portions of an existing Wye ring and existing connection lugs, removing portions of the existing Wye ring near the existing connection lugs, installing a replacement Wye ring in the generator, connecting the replacement Wye ring to the existing connection lugs, and insulating the replacement Wye ring and the existing connection lugs. The method is performed on the generator in-situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gary Randall Barnes, Richard Arland Ohl, JR., Brent Hamilton Holloway
  • Patent number: 8695196
    Abstract: A system and associated method for disengaging a shrink coupling that secures a shaft to a drive train component, such as a gearbox, includes a reaction plate erected around the shaft at a location displaced from the shrink coupling, with the reaction plate being anchored in place relative to the shaft. A plurality of jacking devices, such as hydraulic jacks, are operationally disposed between the reaction plate and shrink coupling and spaced circumferentially around the shaft. The jacking devices have a first end engaged against the reaction plate and a second opposite end mechanically fastened to the shrink coupling. To remove the shrink coupling from the drive train component, the shrink coupling is released from its clamped state and the jacking devices are activated to exert a pulling force on the shrink coupling, which causes the shrink coupling to be pulled off of the drive train component and moved axially along the shaft to a resting position on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard Arland Ohl, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140073477
    Abstract: Fixtures, maintenance assemblies, and methods for maintaining a wind turbine gearbox are disclosed. The gearbox includes a sun pinion and a bull gear surrounding the sun pinion. The sun pinion and the bull gear each define a central aperture therethrough and have a central axis. The gearbox further includes a casing, at least a portion of the casing coupled to the bull gear. The fixture includes a frame member and a shaft extending from the frame member. The shaft is insertable through the central aperture of the sun pinion. The fixture further includes an attachment mechanism removably attachable to the sun pinion. Upon attachment of the attachment mechanism to the sun pinion, the fixture is configured for moving the sun pinion along the central axis of the sun pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Charles Van Buchan, Gregory Thomas, Forrest Christopher Hach, Richard Arland Ohl, JR., Cody Gregory
  • Publication number: 20110072627
    Abstract: A system and associated method for disengaging a shrink coupling that secures a shaft to a drive train component, such as a gearbox, includes a reaction plate erected around the shaft at a location displaced from the shrink coupling, with the reaction plate being anchored in place relative to the shaft. A plurality of jacking devices, such as hydraulic jacks, are operationally disposed between the reaction plate and shrink coupling and spaced circumferentially around the shaft. The jacking devices have a first end engaged against the reaction plate and a second opposite end mechanically fastened to the shrink coupling. To remove the shrink coupling from the drive train component, the shrink coupling is released from its clamped state and the jacking devices are activated to exert a pulling force on the shrink coupling, which causes the shrink coupling to be pulled off of the drive train component and moved axially along the shaft to a resting position on the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard Arland Ohl, JR.
  • Patent number: 7836595
    Abstract: A system and associated method for disengaging a shrink coupling that secures a shaft to a drive train component, such as a gearbox, includes a reaction plate erected around the shaft at a location displaced from the shrink coupling, with the reaction plate being anchored in place relative to the shaft. A plurality of jacking devices, such as hydraulic jacks, are operationally disposed between the reaction plate and shrink coupling and spaced circumferentially around the shaft. The jacking devices have a first end engaged against the reaction plate and a second opposite end mechanically fastened to the shrink coupling. To remove the shrink coupling from the drive train component, the shrink coupling is released from its clamped state and the jacking devices are activated to exert a pulling force on the shrink coupling, which causes the shrink coupling to be pulled off of the drive train component and moved axially along the shaft to a resting position on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard Arland Ohl, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100275442
    Abstract: A system and associated method for disengaging a shrink coupling that secures a shaft to a drive train component, such as a gearbox, includes a reaction plate erected around the shaft at a location displaced from the shrink coupling, with the reaction plate being anchored in place relative to the shaft. A plurality of jacking devices, such as hydraulic jacks, are operationally disposed between the reaction plate and shrink coupling and spaced circumferentially around the shaft. The jacking devices have a first end engaged against the reaction plate and a second opposite end mechanically fastened to the shrink coupling. To remove the shrink coupling from the drive train component, the shrink coupling is released from its clamped state and the jacking devices are activated to exert a pulling force on the shrink coupling, which causes the shrink coupling to be pulled off of the drive train component and moved axially along the shaft to a resting position on the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: RICHARD ARLAND OHL, JR.