Patents by Inventor Ulf Schaper

Ulf Schaper 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).

  • Publication number: 20260153398
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a measuring device for measuring the load on a rotor blade of a wind power installation is disclosed. At least one conversion factor for converting a detected sensor value of a load sensor into a load value acting on the rotor blade is determined for each rotor blade, a sensor value is recorded by the load sensor, and the conversion factor is determined from a relationship between a load value and a load value acting on the rotor blade A sensor value is recorded by the load sensor, and the conversion factor is calculated from a relationship between the sensor value and the comparative force acting on the rotor blade. The comparative force is calculated based on a weight force acting on the rotor blade, and is determined based on a deviation between the comparative force and the weight force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2025
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Applicant: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Frank Bunge, Georg Eden
  • Patent number: 12480470
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of operating a wind turbine, a corresponding wind turbine, a method of controlling a wind farm and a corresponding wind farm. The method comprises the steps of: determining a target maximum active power to be fed by the wind turbine into a power grid, in particular into an electricity power grid; monitoring a current active power fed from the wind turbine into the power grid; determining a reference time period corresponding to the determined target maximum active power; deriving an average of the active power fed from the wind turbine into the power grid during the reference time period; comparing the average of the active power with the target maximum active power; and operating the wind turbine at a set operating point permitting active power above the target maximum active power in case the average of the active power is below the target maximum active power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang de Boer, Enno von Aswege, Ulf Schaper, Johannes Frommann, Gnanasekaran Rengaraj
  • Patent number: 12435701
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one blade misposition of a rotor blade of a rotor of a wind power installation having multiple rotor blades with an adjustable blade angle, wherein the blade misposition describes a blade angle variance of the blade angle of the rotor blade from a reference blade angle, the wind power installation has a nacelle having the rotor and an azimuth adjustment device, wherein a circumferential rotational position of the rotor is referred to as the rotor position, and the azimuth adjustment device has at least one activable azimuth actuator in order to adjust an azimuthal position of the nacelle, comprises the steps of a detection step comprising detecting an azimuthal movement of the nacelle while the at least one azimuth actuator is inactive, and a determination step comprising determining the blade misposition on the basis of the azimuthal movement detected in the detection step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Wolfgang de Boer, Dennis Gäbel, Rainer Kuhlemann, Wenzel Laska
  • Patent number: 12429026
    Abstract: A method for control of a wind power installation which is connected to an electrical supply network and which has a rotor with rotor blades which are adjustable in terms of their blade angle, is able to be operated at a variable speed and is prepared for generating an installation power from wind, wherein a blade angle control is provided for adjusting the blade angles, a closed-loop speed control is provided for closed-loop control of the speed, a closed-loop power control is provided for limiting the installation power, and the wind power installation is able to be operated at an operating point which can be specified, wherein the operating point is characterized at least by the speed and the installation power comprises operating the wind power installation at a first operating point with a first blade angle, checking for a curtailment request, where a reduction in the speed and/or installation power is requested, and if there is a curtailment request, determining a new operating point as the target opera
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Enno von Aswege, Ulf Schaper, Henry Mühlenbrock
  • Patent number: 12258940
    Abstract: Method for controlling a rotor speed of a rotor of a wind turbine at rated or curtailed operation conditions the rotor being an aerodynamic rotor having one or a plurality of rotor blades, and the wind turbine further having a tower and a generator wherein a pitch control provides a pitch angle set value depending on an actual rotor speed for setting a pitch angle of the rotor blades, a main control provides a main power or torque set value for controlling the power or torque of the generator, and an additional control provides an additional power or torque set value depending on the actual rotor speed, wherein the additional power or torque set value is provided as an offset value and is added to the main power or torque set value respectively, wherein the additional power or torque set value is calculated depending on a control deviation of the rotor speed, and optionally, in combination with the additional control, or instead of it, a maximum power control provides a maximum power value as a varying value
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Frommann, Enno von Aswege, Ulf Schaper, Gnanasekaran Rengaraj
  • Publication number: 20240218854
    Abstract: A method for control of a wind power installation which is connected to an electrical supply network and which has a rotor with rotor blades which are adjustable in terms of their blade angle, is able to be operated at a variable speed and is prepared for generating an installation power from wind, wherein a blade angle control is provided for adjusting the blade angles, a closed-loop speed control is provided for closed-loop control of the speed, a closed-loop power control is provided for limiting the installation power, and the wind power installation is able to be operated at an operating point which can be specified, wherein the operating point is characterized at least by the speed and the installation power comprises operating the wind power installation at a first operating point with a first blade angle, checking for a curtailment request, where a reduction in the speed and/or installation power is requested, and if there is a curtailment request, determining a new operating point as the target opera
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Enno von Aswege, Ulf Schaper, Henry Mühlenbrock
  • Patent number: 11952980
    Abstract: A method for controlling a wind power installation having a rotor operated with variable speed and having rotor blades that are adjustable in their blade angle. The installation is controlled in a partial-load range by an open-loop operating-characteristic control, which uses an operating characteristic. The operating characteristic presets a relationship between the rotational speed and a generator state variable to be set that is a generator power or torque. A value of the generator state variable preset by the operating characteristic is set in dependence on a detected speed. The installation is controlled in a full-load range by a closed-loop pitch control, in which the rotational speed is controlled to a speed setpoint value by adjusting the blade angles. In a presettable range of the partial-load range and/or in a transitional range from the partial-load range to the full-load range, the installation is controlled by a speed-power control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Enno von Aswege, Paul Gerke Funcke
  • Publication number: 20240052811
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one blade misposition of a rotor blade of a rotor of a wind power installation having multiple rotor blades with an adjustable blade angle, wherein the blade misposition describes a blade angle variance of the blade angle of the rotor blade from a reference blade angle, the wind power installation has a nacelle having the rotor and an azimuth adjustment device, wherein a circumferential rotational position of the rotor is referred to as the rotor position, and the azimuth adjustment device has at least one activable azimuth actuator in order to adjust an azimuthal position of the nacelle, comprises the steps of a detection step comprising detecting an azimuthal movement of the nacelle while the at least one azimuth actuator is inactive, and a determination step comprising determining the blade misposition on the basis of the azimuthal movement detected in the detection step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Wolfgang de Boer, Dennis Gäbel, Rainer Kuhlemann, Wenzel Laska
  • Patent number: 11852120
    Abstract: A method of adjusting at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine which includes the steps of receiving a command for adjustment of the rotor blade at an adjustment speed, ascertaining a current moment of inertia of the rotor blade and acceleration of the rotor blade until reaching the adjustment speed, wherein the acceleration until reaching the adjustment speed is limited in dependence on the ascertained moment of inertia. A system and a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Lukas Wernicke, Kai-Uwe Wegner
  • Patent number: 11719225
    Abstract: A method for setting a pitch angle of a rotor blade for a rotor of a wind turbine, a control device for setting a pitch angle of a rotor blade for a rotor of a wind turbine, and a wind turbine. In particular, a method for setting a pitch angle of a rotor blade for a rotor of a wind turbine, in particular for avoiding suction-side flow separation, wherein the rotor blade is movable rotationally about a rotor blade longitudinal axis for setting the pitch angle by means of a pitch drive, comprising the steps: determining an aerodynamic power of the rotor, establishing a nominal pitch angle as a function of the aerodynamic power, and setting the pitch angle to the established nominal pitch angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Ulf Schaper
  • Publication number: 20220397093
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of operating a wind turbine, a corresponding wind turbine, a method of controlling a wind farm and a corresponding wind farm. The method comprises the steps of: determining a target maximum active power to be fed by the wind turbine into a power grid, in particular into an electricity power grid; monitoring a current active power fed from the wind turbine into the power grid; determining a reference time period corresponding to the determined target maximum active power; deriving an average of the active power fed from the wind turbine into the power grid during the reference time period; comparing the average of the active power with the target maximum active power; and operating the wind turbine at a set operating point permitting active power above the target maximum active power in case the average of the active power is below the target maximum active power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Wolfgang de Boer, Enno von Aswege, Ulf Schaper, Johannes Frommann, Gnanasekaran Rengaraj
  • Publication number: 20220397092
    Abstract: Method for controlling a rotor speed of a rotor of a wind turbine at rated or curtailed operation conditions the rotor being an aerodynamic rotor having one or a plurality of rotor blades, and the wind turbine further having a tower and a generator wherein a pitch control provides a pitch angle set value depending on an actual rotor speed for setting a pitch angle of the rotor blades, a main control provides a main power or torque set value for controlling the power or torque of the generator, and an additional control provides an additional power or torque set value depending on the actual rotor speed , wherein the additional power or torque set value is provided as an offset value and is added to the main power or torque set value respectively, wherein the additional power or torque set value is calculated depending on a control deviation of the rotor speed, and optionally, in combination with the additional control, or instead of it, a maximum power control provides a maximum power value as a varying value
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Johannes Frommann, Enno von Aswege, Ulf Schaper, Gnanasekaran Rengaraj
  • Patent number: 11415112
    Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a wind turbine which has at least two rotor blades. A first ice detection method is performed by a first ice accretion detection unit. A first warning signal is output if an ice accretion which exceeds a first threshold value is detected at one of the rotor blades by the first ice detection method. A second ice detection method is performed by a second ice accretion detection unit. A second warning signal is output if an ice accretion which exceeds a second threshold value is detected at one of the rotor blades by the second ice detection method. An enable signal is output if a freedom from ice is detected at the at least two rotor blades by the second ice detection method. Intervention in the operation of the wind turbine is effected by a control unit if the first or second warning signal has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Ulf Schaper
  • Publication number: 20220235737
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a wind power installation having a rotor operated with variable speed and having rotor blades that are adjustable in their blade angle. The installation is controlled in a partial-load range by an open-loop operating-characteristic control, which uses an operating characteristic. The operating characteristic presets a relationship between the rotational speed and a generator state variable to be set that is a generator power or torque. A value of the generator state variable preset by the operating characteristic is set in dependence on a detected speed. The installation is controlled in a full-load range by a closed-loop pitch control, in which the rotational speed is controlled to a speed setpoint value by adjusting the blade angles. In a presettable range of the partial-load range and/or in a transitional range from the partial-load range to the full-load range, the installation is controlled by a speed-power control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Enno von Aswege, Paul Gerke Funcke
  • Publication number: 20220178348
    Abstract: A method of adjusting at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine which includes the steps of receiving a command for adjustment of the rotor blade at an adjustment speed, ascertaining a current moment of inertia of the rotor blade and acceleration of the rotor blade until reaching the adjustment speed, wherein the acceleration until reaching the adjustment speed is limited in dependence on the ascertained moment of inertia. A system and a wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Lukas Wernicke, Kai-Uwe Wegner
  • Publication number: 20210372375
    Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a wind turbine which has at least two rotor blades. A first ice detection method is performed by a first ice accretion detection unit. A first warning signal is output if an ice accretion which exceeds a first threshold value is detected at one of the rotor blades by the first ice detection method. A second ice detection method is performed by a second ice accretion detection unit. A second warning signal is output if an ice accretion which exceeds a second threshold value is detected at one of the rotor blades by the second ice detection method. An enable signal is output if a freedom from ice is detected at the at least two rotor blades by the second ice detection method. Intervention in the operation of the wind turbine is effected by a control unit if the first or second warning signal has been detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Ulf SCHAPER
  • Publication number: 20210190036
    Abstract: A method for setting a pitch angle of a rotor blade for a rotor of a wind turbine, a control device for setting a pitch angle of a rotor blade for a rotor of a wind turbine, and a wind turbine. In particular, a method for setting a pitch angle of a rotor blade for a rotor of a wind turbine, in particular for avoiding suction-side flow separation, wherein the rotor blade is movable rotationally about a rotor blade longitudinal axis for setting the pitch angle by means of a pitch drive, comprising the steps: determining an aerodynamic power of the rotor, establishing a nominal pitch angle as a function of the aerodynamic power, and setting the pitch angle to the established nominal pitch angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventor: Ulf Schaper
  • Patent number: 10961986
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gearless wind turbine, wherein the wind turbine comprises a generator having a stator and a rotor and an air gap therebetween which has an air gap thickness, wherein the generator is designed as an internal rotor, with the stator as an outer part and the rotor as an inner part, or the generator is designed as an external rotor, with the rotor as an outer part and the stator as an inner part, said method comprising the following steps: detecting a temperature of the outer part as an outer part temperature, detecting a temperature of the inner part as an inner part temperature, calculating a temperature difference as the difference between the outer part temperature and the inner part temperature, and controlling the generator according to the temperature difference such that a reduction in the air gap thickness by thermal expansion of the generator is counteracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Ulf Schaper, Kai Enskonatus, Wojciech Giengiel
  • Publication number: 20200149514
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gearless wind turbine, wherein the wind turbine comprises a generator having a stator and a rotor and an air gap therebetween which has an air gap thickness, wherein the generator is designed as an internal rotor, with the stator as an outer part and the rotor as an inner part, or the generator is designed as an external rotor, with the rotor as an outer part and the stator as an inner part, said method comprising the following steps: detecting a temperature of the outer part as an outer part temperature, detecting a temperature of the inner part as an inner part temperature, calculating a temperature difference as the difference between the outer part temperature and the inner part temperature, and controlling the generator according to the temperature difference such that a reduction in the air gap thickness by thermal expansion of the generator is counteracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Ulf SCHAPER, Kai ENSKONATUS, Wojciech GIENGIEL
  • Patent number: 9878885
    Abstract: The present invention shows a crane controller for the semi-automatic control of a rotary crane, the crane comprising at least a slewing actuator for creating a slewing motion of the crane and/or a luffing actuator for creating a luffing motion of the crane, the crane controller comprising an input unit which can be operated by a operator to provide a desired slewing speed and/or a desired luffing speed as an operator input and a model-predictive reference trajectory planning module comprising an optimization unit for calculating a reference trajectory that obeys the system dynamics and follows the operator input, and a feedforward-controller using the reference trajectory for controlling the slewing actuator and/or the luffing actuator. Further, the optimization unit takes into account the deflection of the rope in the tangential and/or radial direction when solving the optimization problem that provides the reference trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK NENZING GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Scheider, Oliver Sawodny, Ulf Schaper, Eckhard Arnold