Patents by Inventor Till Hoffmann
Till Hoffmann 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: 11946448Abstract: A system for measuring displacements of a blade root of a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes a hub, and a rotor blade coupled to the hub by a pitch bearing. The system further comprises a reference plane and at least one displacement sensor. The reference plane is configured to move with the rotor blade as the rotor blade moves relative to the hub while the displacement sensor is fixed to the hub and the displacement sensor is configured to detect a displacement of the reference plane relative to the hub without physical contact. Alternatively, the reference plane has a fixed position with respect to the hub while the displacement sensor is fixed to the rotor blade and the displacement sensor is configured to detect a displacement of the reference plane relative to the rotor blade without physical contact.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bart Jan Veldkamp, Till Hoffmann
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Patent number: 11686291Abstract: A method (100) of mounting blades (22) to a rotor hub (20) of a wind turbine (10), the wind turbine (10) comprising a tower (12), a nacelle (16) mounted on the tower (12), the rotor hub (20) being coupled to the nacelle (16), and blades (22), each blade (22) comprising a blade root segment (56) and a blade extension segment (66), the method (100) comprising mounting a first blade root segment (50) to the rotor hub (20), mounting a second blade (72) to the rotor hub (20) after mounting the first blade root segment (50), the second blade (72) comprising a second blade root segment (52) and a second blade extension segment (62), and connecting a first blade extension segment (60) to the first blade root segment (50) after mounting the second blade (72).Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.Inventors: Bart Veldkamp, Till Hoffmann, Jacob Johannes Nies
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Publication number: 20220260056Abstract: A method (100) of mounting blades (22) to a rotor hub (20) of a wind turbine (10), the wind turbine (10) comprising a tower (12), a nacelle (16) mounted on the tower (12), the rotor hub (20) being coupled to the nacelle (16), and blades (22), each blade (22) comprising a blade root segment (56) and a blade extension segment (66), the method (100) comprising mounting a first blade root segment (50) to the rotor hub (20), mounting a second blade (72) to the rotor hub (20) after mounting the first blade root segment (50), the second blade (72) comprising a second blade root segment (52) and a second blade extension segment (62), and connecting a first blade extension segment (60) to the first blade root segment (50) after mounting the second blade (72).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Bart Veldkamp, Till Hoffmann, Jacob Johannes Nies
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Patent number: 11274654Abstract: A wind turbine and associated control method includes a controller configured with a high speed shaft brake in the generator gear train. The controller receives an input signal corresponding to rotational speed of the high speed shaft, wherein upon the high speed shaft reaching a predefined rotational speed and under a braking condition that calls for the rotor to come to a complete standstill, the controller generates an activate signal to activate the brake. An interlock system is in communication with the low speed shaft sensor and the controller and is configured to override the activate signal when the rotational speed of the low speed shaft is above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Justin Richard Curtis, Joseph Andrew Trzemzalski, Hammad Ahmad, Zachary Kurt Blaettler, Till Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20210374555Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for performing random walks on knowledge graphs. Knowledge graphs are received and for each knowledge graph there is constructed a multilayer network having unipartite layers and bipartite layers and interlayer couplings that (i) connect nodes of the unipartite layers and the bipartite layers representing the same entity (ii) are directed and (iii) weighted with a weight that depends on an activity of a target node in the unipartite layer or bipartite layer in which the target node resides. A walk on a random walk model of the multilayer network that takes into account saliencies of the different interlayer and intralayer connections of the nodes is then processed and one or more actions based on the random walk model are performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: Spotify ABInventors: Mariano Beguerisse-Díaz, Till A. Hoffmann, Dimitrios Korkinof
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Publication number: 20210115904Abstract: A system for measuring displacements of a blade root of a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system comprises a hub, a rotor blade coupled to the hub by a pitch bearing. The system further comprises a reference plane and at least one displacement sensor. The reference plane is configured to move with the rotor blade as the rotor blade moves relative to the hub while the displacement sensor is fixed to the hub and the displacement sensor is configured to detect a displacement of the reference plane relative to the hub without physical contact. Alternatively, the reference plane has a fixed position with respect to the hub while the displacement sensor is fixed to the rotor blade and the displacement sensor is configured to detect a displacement of the reference plane relative to the rotor blade without physical contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Bart Jan Veldkamp, Till Hoffmann
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Patent number: 10914290Abstract: A method for testing capacity of at least one energy storage device of a pitch drive mechanism to drive a first rotor blade of a wind turbine connected to a power grid includes defining a rotor position range for implementing a first test procedure for the energy storage device(s). Further, the method includes monitoring a rotor position of the first rotor blade. When the rotor position of the first rotor blade enters the rotor position range, the method includes initiating the first test procedure. The first test procedure includes pitching the first rotor blade via the energy storage device(s), measuring at least one operating condition of the energy storage device(s) during pitching, and determining a capacity of the energy storage device(s) to drive the first rotor blade based on the operating condition(s) thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Till Hoffmann, Jorge Gonzalez Castro, Jeffrey Alan Melius
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Patent number: 10776420Abstract: Methods and a computer-readable storage device for detecting shared audio content between first audio content information and second audio content information is provided. The methods cluster similar fingerprints to lessen the impact that similar or repetitive sounds have on the final decision, thereby producing a more accurate final decision about whether the first audio content information shares audio content with the second audio content information.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Spotify ABInventors: Jonathan Donier, Till Hoffmann
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Patent number: 10657175Abstract: Methods and a computer-readable storage device are disclosed for generating a frequency representation of a query audio file. The frequency representation represents information about at least a number of frequencies within a time range containing a number of time frames of the audio content information and a level associated with each of said frequencies. At least one of area of data points in the frequency representation is selected. A fingerprint for each selected area of data points is generated by applying a trained neural network onto said selected area of data points thereby generating a vector in a metric space. A distance between at least one of the generated query fingerprints and at least one reference fingerprint is calculated using a specified distance metric. A reference audio file having associated reference fingerprints which have produced at least one associated distance satisfying a predetermined threshold is identified.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Spotify ABInventors: Jonathan Donier, Till Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20200132045Abstract: A wind turbine and associated control method includes a controller configured with a high speed shaft brake in the generator gear train. The controller receives an input signal corresponding to rotational speed of the high speed shaft, wherein upon the high speed shaft reaching a predefined rotational speed and under a braking condition that calls for the rotor to come to a complete standstill, the controller generates an activate signal to activate the brake. An interlock system is in communication with the low speed shaft sensor and the controller and is configured to override the activate signal when the rotational speed of the low speed shaft is above a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Justin Richard Curtis, Joseph Andrew Trzemzalski, Hammad Ahmad, Zachary Kurt Blaettler, Till Hoffmann
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Patent number: 10634117Abstract: A method for protecting personnel working in a wind turbine nacelle or hub includes monitoring a nacelle roof hatch and a hub access hatch, each hatch having a switch configured therewith. When at least one of the hatches is detected as opened, a control system detects if a rotor lock has been engaged. If the rotor lock has not been engaged, the control system triggers a rotor brake to stop rotor and drivetrain component rotational movement and actuates a first control lockout between the respective switch configured with the open hatch and the rotor brake. The control system also initiates a control lockout that prevents release of the rotor brake until the switch indicates that the open hatch has been closed and the first control lockout has been reset.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Till Hoffmann, Andreas Schubert, Frank Hinken, Hartmut Andreas Scholte-Wassink
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Publication number: 20190285058Abstract: A method for testing capacity of at least one energy storage device of a pitch drive mechanism to drive a first rotor blade of a wind turbine connected to a power grid includes defining a rotor position range for implementing a first test procedure for the energy storage device(s). Further, the method includes monitoring a rotor position of the first rotor blade. When the rotor position of the first rotor blade enters the rotor position range, the method includes initiating the first test procedure. The first test procedure includes pitching the first rotor blade via the energy storage device(s), measuring at least one operating condition of the energy storage device(s) during pitching, and determining a capacity of the energy storage device(s) to drive the first rotor blade based on the operating condition(s) thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Till Hoffmann, Jorge Gonzalez Castro, Jeffrey Alan Melius
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Patent number: 10415544Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for determining a torque exerted on a shaft of a wind turbine. The system includes a gearbox coupled to the shaft. The gearbox includes a first arm and a second arm. First and second fluid dampers respectively couple to the first and second arms of the gearbox. A first fluid conduit fluidly couples the first and second fluid dampers. A first pressure sensor is in operative association with the first fluid conduit to detect a fluid pressure of fluid within the first fluid conduit. A controller communicatively couples to the first pressure sensor. The controller is configured to determine the torque exerted on the shaft based on signals received from the first pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Till Hoffmann
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Patent number: 10316822Abstract: A method for overspeed monitoring of a wind turbine may generally include monitoring an actual rotor speed of the wind turbine while the wind turbine is operating at a current speed setpoint and referencing a dynamic overspeed setting for the wind turbine. The method may also include determining a final overspeed setting to be applied for the wind turbine based on a comparison between the dynamic overspeed setting and a predetermined overspeed setting for the wind turbine. In addition, the method may include comparing the actual rotor speed of the wind turbine to the final overspeed setting, and when the actual rotor speed is equal to or exceeds the final overspeed setting, initiating a control action to adjust an operation of the wind turbine in a manner that reduces the actual rotor speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Till Hoffmann, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Andreas Joergens, Thomas Joseph Fischetti
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Publication number: 20190130032Abstract: Methods and a computer-readable storage device are disclosed for generating a frequency representation of a query audio file. The frequency representation represents information about at least a number of frequencies within a time range containing a number of time frames of the audio content information and a level associated with each of said frequencies. At least one of area of data points in the frequency representation is selected. A fingerprint for each selected area of data points is generated by applying a trained neural network onto said selected area of data points thereby generating a vector in a metric space. A distance between at least one of the generated query fingerprints and at least one reference fingerprint is calculated using a specified distance metric. A reference audio file having associated reference fingerprints which have produced at least one associated distance satisfying a predetermined threshold is identified.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Jonathan DONIER, Till HOFFMANN
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Publication number: 20190130034Abstract: Methods and a computer-readable storage device for detecting shared audio content between first audio content information and second audio content information is provided. The methods cluster similar fingerprints to lessen the impact that similar or repetitive sounds have on the final decision, thereby producing a more accurate final decision about whether the first audio content information shares audio content with the second audio content information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Jonathan DONIER, Till HOFFMANN
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Publication number: 20190048851Abstract: A method for protecting personnel working in a wind turbine nacelle or hub includes monitoring a nacelle roof hatch and a hub access hatch, each hatch having a switch configured therewith. When at least one of the hatches is detected as opened, a control system detects if a rotor lock has been engaged. If the rotor lock has not been engaged, the control system triggers a rotor brake to stop rotor and drivetrain component rotational movement and actuates a first control lockout between the respective switch configured with the open hatch and the rotor brake. The control system also initiates a control lockout that prevents release of the rotor brake until the switch indicates that the open hatch has been closed and the first control lockout has been reset.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Till Hoffmann, Andreas Schubert, Frank Hinken, Hartmut Andreas Scholte-Wassink
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Publication number: 20180187655Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for determining a torque exerted on a shaft of a wind turbine. The system includes a gearbox coupled to the shaft. The gearbox includes a first arm and a second arm. First and second fluid dampers respectively couple to the first and second arms of the gearbox. A first fluid conduit fluidly couples the first and second fluid dampers. A first pressure sensor is in operative association with the first fluid conduit to detect a fluid pressure of fluid within the first fluid conduit. A controller communicatively couples to the first pressure sensor. The controller is configured to determine the torque exerted on the shaft based on signals received from the first pressure sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Till Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20180119671Abstract: A method for overspeed monitoring of a wind turbine may generally include monitoring an actual rotor speed of the wind turbine while the wind turbine is operating at a current speed setpoint and referencing a dynamic overspeed setting for the wind turbine. The method may also include determining a final overspeed setting to be applied for the wind turbine based on a comparison between the dynamic overspeed setting and a predetermined overspeed setting for the wind turbine. In addition, the method may include comparing the actual rotor speed of the wind turbine to the final overspeed setting, and when the actual rotor speed is equal to or exceeds the final overspeed setting, initiating a control action to adjust an operation of the wind turbine in a manner that reduces the actual rotor speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Till Hoffmann, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Andreas Joergens, Thomas Joseph Fischetti
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Patent number: D831205Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Inventors: Markus Fieber, Dylan Ilg, Felix Abicht, Günter Schütz, Till Hoffmann