Patents by Inventor Robert Peter Slack
Robert Peter Slack 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: 11441541Abstract: A main shaft assembly of a wind turbine and method for manufacturing the same are provided. Accordingly, the main shaft assembly includes a structural/shaft body defining a cavity therein. The shaft body is configured to transmit a load of the wind turbine developed in response to the wind. An inner body is located within the cavity. The inner body is non-loadbearing with respect to the load. At least one sensor is coupled to the inner body and positioned within the cavity for detecting a deflection of the shaft body in response to the load.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.Inventors: Robert Peter Slack, Roberto Leal Rodriguez, Michael A. Garry, Matteo Bellucci
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Patent number: 11372384Abstract: A method for adjusting a multi-dimensional operating space of a wind turbine includes receiving, via a central multi-dimensional operating space controller, a plurality of signals from a plurality of requestors of modified operating space. Each of the plurality of signals includes a data structure having requested set points for a plurality of dimensions in the operating space. The method also includes tracking, via the central multi-dimensional operating space controller, current set points for the plurality of dimensions in the operating space. Further, the method includes dynamically determining, via the central multi-dimensional operating space controller, an output signal based on the requested set points, the output signal comprising one or more changes for the current set points for the plurality of dimensions in the operating space. Moreover, the method includes controlling the wind turbine based on the output signal so as to provide a modified multi-dimensional operating space.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert Peter Slack
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Publication number: 20220056886Abstract: A main shaft assembly of a wind turbine and method for manufacturing the same are provided. Accordingly, the main shaft assembly includes a structural/shaft body defining a cavity therein. The shaft body is configured to transmit a load of the wind turbine developed in response to the wind. An inner body is located within the cavity. The inner body is non-loadbearing with respect to the load. At least one sensor is coupled to the inner body and positioned within the cavity for detecting a deflection of the shaft body in response to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Robert Peter Slack, Roberto Leal Rodriguez, Michael A. Garry, Matteo Bellucci
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Patent number: 10954917Abstract: A method for reducing loads of a wind turbine includes determining a wind speed at the wind turbine. Further, the method includes determining an operational state of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining whether a rotor of the wind turbine is imbalanced beyond a predetermined threshold when the operational state corresponds to a predetermined operational state as a rotor imbalance beyond the predetermined threshold is indicative of a pitch fault in one or more of the rotor blades. In addition, the method includes yawing a nacelle of the wind turbine to a predetermined angular position when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined speed threshold and the rotor is imbalanced beyond the predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hubert Oing, Robert Peter Slack, Darren John Danielsen, Santiago Tomas
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Publication number: 20210079891Abstract: A method for adjusting a multi-dimensional operating space of a wind turbine includes receiving, via a central multi-dimensional operating space controller, a plurality of signals from a plurality of requestors of modified operating space. Each of the plurality of signals includes a data structure having requested set points for a plurality of dimensions in the operating space. The method also includes tracking, via the central multi-dimensional operating space controller, current set points for the plurality of dimensions in the operating space. Further, the method includes dynamically determining, via the central multi-dimensional operating space controller, an output signal based on the requested set points, the output signal comprising one or more changes for the current set points for the plurality of dimensions in the operating space. Moreover, the method includes controlling the wind turbine based on the output signal so as to provide a modified multi-dimensional operating space.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventor: Robert Peter Slack
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Patent number: 10830208Abstract: A method for identifying a blade run-away condition in the event of a pitch system failure of a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes determining, via one or more sensors, an actual rotor loading of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining, via a turbine controller, an estimated rotor loading of the wind turbine based on at least one of one or more operating conditions of the wind turbine or one or more wind conditions of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes determining a difference between the actual rotor loading and the estimated rotor loading. The method also includes determining whether the blade run-away condition is present based on the difference. The method may also include implementing a corrective action that mitigates loads caused by the blade run-away condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Santiago Tomas, Raveendra Penmatsa, Soeren Georg, Ramy Michael Souri, Ryan Michael Sunyak, Darren John Danielsen, Robert Peter Slack
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Patent number: 10823146Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling a wind turbine to minimize rotor blade damage includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors indicative of at least one blade parameter of the rotor blade over a predetermined time period. The method also includes trending the sensor data for the predetermined time period with respect to at least one wind parameter. Further, the method includes determining at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data. Moreover, the method includes comparing the at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data to an operating threshold. In addition, the method includes implementing a control action if the comparison of the at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data and the operating threshold indicates blade damage is occurring or is likely to occur.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Clovis Dillon Vaughn, Robert Peter Slack, Michael James Rizzo
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Patent number: 10781792Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling a pitch angle of a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The system includes a pitch adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch angle of the rotor blade and a controller communicatively coupled to the pitch adjustment mechanism. The controller is configured to determine a wind asymmetry parameter based on an operating parameter of the wind turbine. The controller is also configured to determine first and second signal components of the wind asymmetry parameter, which are respectively indicative of a maximum load on a first wind turbine component and fatigue on a second wind turbine component. The controller is also configured to calculate a wear parameter based on the first and second signal components and initiate an adjustment of the pitch angle of the rotor blade based on the wear parameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Prashanth Reddy Vaddi, Mark Edward Cardinal, Robert Peter Slack
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Publication number: 20200025170Abstract: A method for reducing loads of a wind turbine includes determining a wind speed at the wind turbine. Further, the method includes determining an operational state of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining whether a rotor of the wind turbine is imbalanced beyond a predetermined threshold when the operational state corresponds to a predetermined operational state as a rotor imbalance beyond the predetermined threshold is indicative of a pitch fault in one or more of the rotor blades. In addition, the method includes yawing a nacelle of the wind turbine to a predetermined angular position when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined speed threshold and the rotor is imbalanced beyond the predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Hubert Oing, Robert Peter Slack, Darren John Danielsen, Santiago Tomas
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Publication number: 20190383266Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling a wind turbine to minimize rotor blade damage includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors indicative of at least one blade parameter of the rotor blade over a predetermined time period. The method also includes trending the sensor data for the predetermined time period with respect to at least one wind parameter. Further, the method includes determining at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data. Moreover, the method includes comparing the at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data to an operating threshold. In addition, the method includes implementing a control action if the comparison of the at least one characteristic of the trended sensor data and the operating threshold indicates blade damage is occurring or is likely to occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2018Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Clovis Dillon Vaughn, Robert Peter Slack, Michael James Rizzo
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Patent number: 10436181Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for determining an estimated rotor shaft position of a rotor shaft of a wind turbine. The method includes generating, with a rotor shaft position sensor, a measured rotor shaft position signal associated with a measured rotor shaft position of the rotor shaft. The method also includes generating, with a plurality of accelerometers positioned in an axisymmetric arrangement, a plurality of rotor hub acceleration signals associated with a plurality of rotor hub accelerations of a rotor hub coupled to the rotor shaft. The method further includes determining, with a controller, a phase adjustment based on one of the plurality of rotor hub acceleration signals or a predetermined correction value. Furthermore, the method includes adjusting, with the controller, the measured rotor shaft position by the phase adjustment to determine the estimated rotor shaft position of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Peter Slack, Mark Edward Cardinal
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Publication number: 20190113021Abstract: A method for identifying a blade run-away condition in the event of a pitch system failure of a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes determining, via one or more sensors, an actual rotor loading of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining, via a turbine controller, an estimated rotor loading of the wind turbine based on at least one of one or more operating conditions of the wind turbine or one or more wind conditions of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes determining a difference between the actual rotor loading and the estimated rotor loading. The method also includes determining whether the blade run-away condition is present based on the difference. The method may also include implementing a corrective action that mitigates loads caused by the blade run-away condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: Santiago Tomas, Raveendra Penmatsa, Soeren Georg, Ramy Michael Souri, Ryan Michael Sunyak, Darren John Danielsen, Robert Peter Slack
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Publication number: 20180335016Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling a pitch angle of a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The system includes a pitch adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch angle of the rotor blade and a controller communicatively coupled to the pitch adjustment mechanism. The controller is configured to determine a wind asymmetry parameter based on an operating parameter of the wind turbine. The controller is also configured to determine first and second signal components of the wind asymmetry parameter, which are respectively indicative of a maximum load on a first wind turbine component and fatigue on a second wind turbine component. The controller is also configured to calculate a wear parameter based on the first and second signal components and initiate an adjustment of the pitch angle of the rotor blade based on the wear parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Prashanth Reddy VADDI, Mark Edward CARDINAL, Robert Peter SLACK
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Publication number: 20180230970Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for determining an estimated rotor shaft position of a rotor shaft of a wind turbine. The method includes generating, with a rotor shaft position sensor, a measured rotor shaft position signal associated with a measured rotor shaft position of the rotor shaft. The method also includes generating, with a plurality of accelerometers positioned in an axisymmetric arrangement, a plurality of rotor hub acceleration signals associated with a plurality of rotor hub accelerations of a rotor hub coupled to the rotor shaft. The method further includes determining, with a controller, a phase adjustment based on one of the plurality of rotor hub acceleration signals or a predetermined correction value. Furthermore, the method includes adjusting, with the controller, the measured rotor shaft position by the phase adjustment to determine the estimated rotor shaft position of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Robert Peter Slack, Mark Edward Cardinal
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Patent number: 9631606Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for dynamically controlling a wind turbine. The method includes operating the wind turbine based on a thrust set point and a speed set point. A next step includes determining a desired change in actual speed of the wind turbine in response to control actuations starting from an instantaneous operating point. The method also includes determining a desired change in thrust of the wind turbine in response to control actuations starting from the instantaneous operating point. Next, the method determines at least one parameter set point that achieves the desired change in speed and the desired change in thrust and controls the wind turbine based on the parameter set point so as to maintain the actual thrust and the actual speed of the wind turbine within a certain tolerance of the thrust set point and the speed set point, thereby regulating loads acting on the wind turbine while simultaneously maintaining optimal or near optimal power output.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Peter Slack, Brandon Shane Gerber, Thomas Franklin Perley, Bernardo Adrian Movsichoff
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Publication number: 20150292483Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for dynamically controlling a wind turbine. The method includes operating the wind turbine based on a thrust set point and a speed set point. A next step includes determining a desired change in actual speed of the wind turbine in response to control actuations starting from an instantaneous operating point. The method also includes determining a desired change in thrust of the wind turbine in response to control actuations starting from the instantaneous operating point. Next, the method determines at least one parameter set point that achieves the desired change in speed and the desired change in thrust and controls the wind turbine based on the parameter set point so as to maintain the actual thrust and the actual speed of the wind turbine within a certain tolerance of the thrust set point and the speed set point, thereby regulating loads acting on the wind turbine while simultaneously maintaining optimal or near optimal power output.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Peter Slack, Brandon Shane Gerber, Thomas Franklin Perley, Bernardo Adrian Movsichoff
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Patent number: 8360722Abstract: A method of validating a wind turbine including a rotor includes intentionally inducing a loading imbalance to the rotor. The method also includes measuring the loading imbalance induced to the rotor, transmitting a signal representative of the measured loading imbalance to a calibration module, and at least one of detecting an error and calibrating at least one component of the wind turbine based on the signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Till Hoffmann, Gert Torbohm, Jignesh Gandhi, Robert Peter Slack
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Patent number: 8215905Abstract: A method for correcting offsets in sensors includes mounting, on a rotating machine, a first set of sensors in locations selected to measure vector loads in a first set of coordinates. The method further includes mounting, on the rotating machine, a second set of sensors in locations selected to measure vector loads in a second set of coordinates, wherein the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates rotate with respect to one another when the rotating machine is operating. The method also includes utilizing measurements from either or both of the two sets of sensors to correct offset errors in vector loads measured by the other set of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: General Electric CorporationInventor: Robert Peter Slack
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Publication number: 20110142593Abstract: A method of validating a wind turbine including a rotor includes intentionally inducing a loading imbalance to the rotor. The method also includes measuring the loading imbalance induced to the rotor, transmitting a signal representative of the measured loading imbalance to a calibration module, and at least one of detecting an error and calibrating at least one component of the wind turbine based on the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Till Hoffmann, Gert Torbohm, Jignesh Gandhi, Robert Peter Slack, Kirk Gee Pierce
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Patent number: 7874797Abstract: A method for balancing a rotor of a rotary machine, wherein the rotor includes at least two rotor blades and a rotor shaft, includes receiving at least one measurement of either a load, an acceleration, or a displacement that pertains to at least one bending moment acting on the rotor shaft, determining at least one value of the at least one bending moment acting on the rotor shaft based, at least in part, on the received at least one measurement, and determining a pitch offset angle value of at least one rotor blade that facilitates reducing the at least one bending moment acting on the rotor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kirk Gee Pierce, Robert Peter Slack