Patents by Inventor Ulrich Uphues
Ulrich Uphues 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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Publication number: 20220356924Abstract: It is provided a wind turbine having a modified eigenfrequency, the wind turbine having a tower including a first tower flange arranged at an upper end portion of a top part of the tower; and, an eigenfrequency modifier including a plurality of weights suspended from the first tower flange by a plurality of rigid supports. It is further provided a method of modifying an eigenfrequency of a wind turbine, the method including modifying the eigenfrequency of the wind turbine by suspending a plurality of weights from a first tower flange arranged at an upper end portion of a top part of a tower of the wind turbine using a plurality of rigid supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Stefan Bernhard Voss, Alexander Miller, Ulrich Uphues
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Patent number: 11353007Abstract: A method of mounting a nacelle of a wind turbine and at least one component of the wind turbine on a tower of the wind turbine, the method including hooking a roof of the nacelle to a crane hook of a crane, hooking the at least one component to the crane hook of the crane, and lifting the roof of the nacelle together with the at least one component using the crane.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Uphues, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Sjoerd van Steinvoren
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Publication number: 20210062791Abstract: A method of mounting a nacelle of a wind turbine and at least one component of the wind turbine on a tower of the wind turbine, the method including hooking a roof of the nacelle to a crane hook of a crane, hooking the at least one component to the crane hook of the crane, and lifting the roof of the nacelle together with the at least one component using the crane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Ulrich Uphues, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Sjoerd van Steinvoren
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Patent number: 8757973Abstract: An adjusting device for adjusting the rotation angle position of the rotor of a wind energy system should be improved by the invention, whereby a complicated processing of the brake disc previously used for engagement of the drive is no longer necessary, and whereby said brake disc can be flexibly arranged in an area with sufficient construction space. For this purpose, the adjusting device has at least one force transducer wheel and/or a force transducing disc which is mounted or can be mounted on a shaft (1) of the drive train which is switched downstream from the rotor, which is structured for engagement of a force transmitting means, and is designed as an independent component. The device also has a drive means for producing a drive force, and at least one force transmission means for transmitting the drive force to the force transducer wheel and/or the force transducing disc.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Kenersys GmbHInventors: Michael Hüsken, Ulf Nosthoff, Ulrich Uphues, Markus Becker
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Patent number: 8738192Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine having at least one blade includes determining an ambient air operating envelope and controlling a power output of the wind turbine at least partially based on the determined ambient air operating envelope. Determining an ambient air operating envelope includes measuring at least one of an ambient air temperature, an ambient air pressure, an ambient air humidity, and wind turbine power output. The method also includes comparing at least one of a measured ambient air temperature, a measured ambient air humidity and a measured ambient air pressure to predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values. The method further includes referencing the predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values to at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining if an existing wind turbine power output is within a range associated with the determined ambient air operating envelope.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Uphues, Craig Leonard Christenson, Donald Rogers, Peter Gregg, Henk-Jan Kooijman, Ryan LeClair, Thomas Siebers, Frank T. Ormel
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Patent number: 8482149Abstract: What is disclosed is a wind turbine comprising a tower with a closable climbing opening and electrical components disposed inside the tower. In order to provide said wind turbine with the ability to provide a cooling system for cooling the electrical components, in particular the electrical components disposed in the area near the base of the tower, said cooling system able to be cost-effectively installed, it is proposed that the door opening of the wind turbine be located in a continuous tower port which is larger than the door opening, with air intake and exhaust openings passing through said tower port for passage of cooling air.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Kenersys GmbHInventors: Ulrich Uphues, Markus Becker
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Patent number: 8186940Abstract: A ventilation arrangement for a wind turbine includes an air inlet opening located in a nose cone of said wind turbine, a manhole cover for covering a manhole of a rotor hub of said wind turbine, the manhole cover providing a vent opening for venting hot air from an internal space of said rotor hub, and a flexible piping establishing fluid communication between the internal space of the rotor hub and the air inlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bernard P. Landa, Lane Porter, Ulrich Uphues, Lawrence D. Willey, Ulrich Neumann, Negel E. Martin
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Patent number: 8146320Abstract: The modular kit for a tower has a height ranging between a minimum height and a maximum height, in particular for a wind energy turbine, comprises a first conical tower segment (10) comprising a steel tube having a predetermined length (11), a second conical tower segment (12) comprising a steel tube having a predetermined length (12), and a first cylindrical tower segment (14) comprising a steel tube having a length between a predetermined minimum length and a predetermined maximum length. The length of the first cylindrical tower segment (14) can be adapted to the necessary height of the tower between its minimum height and its maximum height. The minimum height is the sum of the predetermined lengths (11,12) of the first and second conical tower segments (10,12) and the minimum length of the first cylindrical tower segment (14).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Marc Seidel, Martin Von Mutius, Ulrich Uphues
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Publication number: 20110206447Abstract: In order to provide an attachment element for fastening of attachment parts (P) to a metal inner tower wall (T) of a tower of a wind energy system, comprising a first end side for welding to the inner tower wall (T) and a second end side for fastening an attachment part (P), said second side opposite the first end side, wherein the resultant weld connection between said attachment element and the tower wall is under a reduced stress, thereby enabling the connection point to be assigned to a higher fatigue class, it is proposed that such an attachment part have a total cross-sectional material thickness that is reduced near the first end side in comparison to a total material thickness in a cross-section shifted toward the second end side.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Ulrich Uphues, Lorenz Meesenburg
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Publication number: 20110142647Abstract: An adjusting device for adjusting the rotation angle position of the rotor of a wind energy system should be improved by the invention, whereby a complicated processing of the brake disc previously used for engagement of the drive is no longer necessary, and whereby said brake disc can be flexibly arranged in an area with sufficient construction space. For this purpose, the adjusting device has at least one force transducer wheel and/or a force transducing disc which is mounted or can be mounted on a shaft (1) of the drive train which is switched downstream from the rotor, which is structured for engagement of a force transmitting means, and is designed as an independent component. The device also has a drive means for producing a drive force, and at least one force transmission means for transmitting the drive force to the force transducer wheel and/or the force transducing disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Michael Hüsken, Ulf Nosthoff, Ulrich Uphues, Markus Becker
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Publication number: 20110037270Abstract: What is disclosed is a wind turbine comprising a tower with a closable climbing opening and electrical components disposed inside the tower. In order to provide said wind turbine with the ability to provide a cooling system for cooling the electrical components, in particular the electrical components disposed in the area near the base of the tower, said cooling system able to be cost-effectively installed, it is proposed that the door opening of the wind turbine be located in a continuous tower port which is larger than the door opening, with air intake and exhaust openings passing through said tower port for passage of cooling air.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Ulrich Uphues, Markus Becker
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Patent number: 7811057Abstract: A method facilitates lubrication of components. The method includes coupling a blade to a pitch control mechanism such that a bearing is positioned between the blade and the pitch control mechanism. The method further includes coupling a control system to the pitch control mechanism and configuring the control system to control the blade pitch mechanism for controlling movement of the blade and rotate the blade from a first position to a second position when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ulrich Uphues
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Publication number: 20090110539Abstract: A windfarm including a plurality of wind turbines, an ice detection sensor adapted to detect an icing condition of at least one of said plurality of wind turbines, and a main controller connected to said ice detection sensor and to at least two of said wind turbines, wherein the main controller is adapted to control the operation of said at least two wind turbines based on an icing condition detected by said ice detection sensor. A method for controlling the wind farm is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventor: Ulrich Uphues
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Publication number: 20090060748Abstract: A ventilation arrangement for a wind turbine includes an air inlet opening located in a nose cone of said wind turbine, a manhole cover for covering a manhole of a rotor hub of said wind turbine, the manhole cover providing a vent opening for venting hot air from an internal space of said rotor hub, and a flexible piping establishing fluid communication between the internal space of the rotor hub and the air inlet opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Bernard P. Landa, Lane Poter, Ulrich Uphues, Lawrence D. Willey, Ulrich Neumann, Negel E. Martin
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Publication number: 20080159863Abstract: A method facilitates lubrication of components. The method includes coupling a blade to a pitch control mechanism such that a bearing is positioned between the blade and the pitch control mechanism. The method further includes coupling a control system to the pitch control mechanism and configuring the control system to control the blade pitch mechanism for controlling movement of the blade and rotate the blade from a first position to a second position when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventor: Ulrich Uphues
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Publication number: 20080112807Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine having at least one blade includes determining an ambient air operating envelope and controlling a power output of the wind turbine at least partially based on the determined ambient air operating envelope. Determining an ambient air operating envelope includes measuring at least one of an ambient air temperature, an ambient air pressure, an ambient air humidity, and wind turbine power output. The method also includes comparing at least one of a measured ambient air temperature, a measured ambient air humidity and a measured ambient air pressure to predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values. The method further includes referencing the predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values to at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining if an existing wind turbine power output is within a range associated with the determined ambient air operating envelope.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventors: Ulrich Uphues, Craig Leonard Christenson, Donald Rogers, Peter Gregg, Henk-Jan Kooijman, Ryan LeClair, Thomas Siebers, Frank T. Ormel
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Patent number: 7357462Abstract: The hydraulic brake system comprises a piston/cylinder unit (14) for activating and releasing a brake (12), comprising a volume (16) adapted to have a pressurized working fluid supplied thereto for moving the piston (24) from a braking position into a release position for releasing the brake. Further, the hydraulic brake system comprises a supply line (18) for the supply of working fluid from a reservoir (22), a discharge line (30) for the discharge of working fluid from the volume (16) of the piston/ cyliinder unit (14), a first valve (34) and an element (36) for determining the flow resistance, a bypass line (32) provided with a second ON/OFF valve (38) and arranged for a flow in parallel to the discharge line (30).Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ulrich Uphues
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Patent number: 7352075Abstract: A method for controlling a rotational speed of a rotor having at least one rotor blade, a rotor shaft, and an electrical generator coupled thereto. The method includes controlling a torque of the rotor shaft by controlling a torque of the electrical generator, alternating between changing an angle of pitch of the at least one rotor blade and maintaining the angle of pitch of the at least one rotor blade substantially constant, and maintaining a substantially constant rotational speed of the rotor during variable wind speeds above a predetermined rated wind speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lawrence Donald Willey, John Noel Cunningham, Eric Gebhardt, Ulrich Uphues, William Edwin Holley, Kirk Gee Pierce
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Publication number: 20070205602Abstract: A method for controlling a rotational speed of a rotor having at least one rotor blade, a rotor shaft, and an electrical generator coupled thereto. The method includes controlling a torque of the rotor shaft by controlling a torque of the electrical generator, alternating between changing an angle of pitch of the at least one rotor blade and maintaining the angle of pitch of the at least one rotor blade substantially constant, and maintaining a substantially constant rotational speed of the rotor during variable wind speeds above a predetermined rated wind speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Lawrence Willey, John Cunningham, Eric Gebhardt, Ulrich Uphues, William Holley, Kirk Pierce
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Patent number: 7261517Abstract: The device for adjusting a rotor blade of a wind energy turbine is provided with a driving device (12) for driving an adjusting element (24) for selectably rotating the rotor blade (26) in both directions about its longitudinal axis (28), an energy storage unit (30) and a free-running means (32) adapted to be selectively activated, said free-running means (32), in its activated state, allowing rotation of the rotor blade (26) by means of energy stored in the energy storage unit (30) only in one of the two directions up to a desired rotational position.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Uphues, Patrik Achenbach, Martin Von Mutius