Patents by Inventor Ulrich Werner Neumann
Ulrich Werner Neumann 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: 20150300175Abstract: A method for enabling servicing of a wind turbine rotor includes coupling a support cable to the blade root, the support cable extends from the blade root to a hub of the wind turbine. A lowering step lowers a rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable so the rotor blade is spaced apart from the hub by an initial vertical distance. An installing step installs a rotor blade sling on the rotor, the rotor blade sling supports the rotor blade. Other steps are used for coupling the rotor blade to the rotor blade sling, lowering the rotor blade such that the rotor blade is spaced apart from the hub by a distance greater than the initial vertical distance, de-coupling the support cable from the blade root, and interposing a rotor servicing fixture between the rotor blade and hub. The rotor servicing fixture is configured to transport a rotor part.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Michael Royce Johnson, Kevin Thomas Costain, Forrest Christopher Hach, Howard Lee Hansen, JR.
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Patent number: 9143022Abstract: A Wye ring system for a rotor of a generator includes a replacement Wye ring configured to replace an existing Wye ring serving as a floating neutral connection in the rotor. The replacement Wye ring is positioned radially inside the existing Wye ring and co-axial with the rotor. A fastening system is configured for mechanically and electrically connecting the replacement Wye ring to a plurality of connection lugs. The plurality of connection lugs are electrically connected to the rotor windings. The replacement Wye ring replaces the floating neutral connection of the existing Wye ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gary Randall Barnes
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Publication number: 20150260096Abstract: Combustor maintenance assemblies, tools and methods for manipulating cross-fire tubes in combustor assemblies are provided. A tool includes a base and an arm pivotally connected to the base. The arm includes an effort portion and a load portion, the load portion extendable into a passage defined by the compressor discharge casing. The tool further includes a contact member extending from the load portion to contact the cross-fire tube. The contact member includes a head end for contacting a second end of the cross-fire tube, and a joint disposed between the head end and the load portion, the joint allowing movement of the head end relative to the load portion. The arm is movable such that the contact member contacts the cross-fire tube and applies a force to the cross-fire tube generally along a longitudinal axis of the cross-fire tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Michael Oden, Ulrich Werner Neumann, John William Herbold
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Publication number: 20150232307Abstract: A method for removing a rotor blade from a wind turbine may generally include installing a blade sock around an outer perimeter of the rotor blade, coupling a support cable to the blade root, lowering the rotor blade relative to the hub using the support cable, coupling at least one pulley cable between the rotor blade and a winch using at least one pulley, moving the pulley cable relative to the pulley to lower the rotor blade relative to the hub, applying a force through the blade sock as the pulley cable is moved relative to the pulley in order to control an orientation of the rotor blade and further lowering the rotor blade to a location on or adjacent to the support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Hamilton Holloway, Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Michael R. Johnson, Forrest Christopher Hach, Kevin Costain
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Publication number: 20150233341Abstract: In one aspect, a method for installing a blade sock onto a rotor blade of a wind turbine may generally include positioning the blade sock adjacent to a blade tip of the rotor blade, wherein the blade sock comprises a sock strap forming a closed-shape. In addition, the method may include moving the blade sock relative to the rotor blade such that the blade tip is received within the closed-shape formed by the sock strap and moving the blade sock spanwise along the rotor blade towards a blade root of the rotor blade until the blade sock is positioned at an intermediate location defined between the blade root and the blade tip, wherein the sock strap is configured to fit tightly around an outer perimeter of the rotor blade at the intermediate location.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Stephanie Willman, Michael Cade Foster
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Publication number: 20150226179Abstract: A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes connecting a plurality of first hoisting devices between a wind turbine support hub and the wind turbine blade, suspending the wind turbine blade from the wind turbine support hub through the plurality of first hoisting devices, connecting a plurality of second hoisting devices between the wind turbine support hub and the wind turbine blade, supporting the wind turbine support blade with the plurality of second hoisting devices, disconnecting the plurality of first hoisting devices from the wind turbine blade, and lowering the wind turbine blade to the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Kevin Thomas Costain, Forrest Christopher Hach, Michael Royce Johnson, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Rodney Robert Redd, II, Stephanie Lohberg Willman
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Patent number: 9093886Abstract: A system for rebalancing a generator rotor includes a temporary bearing shield configured to support a non-drive end of the generator rotor, and a pony motor assembly configured for attachment to a drive end of the generator rotor. The pony motor assembly is configured to rotate the generator rotor during a rebalancing operation. The temporary bearing shield and the pony motor assembly enable the generator rotor to be rotated during an in-situ rebalancing operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Mark Randall Stewart
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Patent number: 9083220Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gary Randall Barnes, Richard Arland Ohl, Jr., Brent Hamilton Holloway
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Patent number: 9036987Abstract: A device for heating a bearing race mounted on a shaft including a quartz halogen lamp for heating the bearing race and a reflector for reflecting heat from the quartz halogen lamp towards the bearing race.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ulrich Werner Neumann
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Patent number: 9027243Abstract: A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes suspending the wind turbine blade from support hub of a wind turbine, connecting one or more cable climbing members between the support hub and the wind turbine blade, and lowering the one or more cable climbing members and the wind turbine blade from the support hub.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Charles Van Buchan, Blake Allen Fulton, Vishan Rashmi Kulasekera, Bradley Graham Moore, Esat Sadi Yenigun
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Publication number: 20150101180Abstract: A method for repairing or servicing a wye ring of a generator includes the steps of, dismantling the generator to gain access to the wye ring, determining a fault location in the wye ring; and attaching a patch to the wye ring in an area of the fault location. The patch provides an electrical path around the fault location so that the generator is repaired.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway
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Publication number: 20150059163Abstract: A wye ring centering system and method are provided. The system includes a plurality of rollers configured for contacting a wye ring, and a plurality of mounting fasteners configured for supporting the plurality of rollers. Each of the mounting fasteners is configured to pass through a fan hub. The plurality of rollers and the plurality of mounting fasteners are distributed at substantially equal intervals around the fan hub. The wye ring is placed over the plurality of rollers to center the wye ring around a shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Mark Randall Stewart
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Publication number: 20150059183Abstract: A method of removing a part from a shaft is provided. The part is attached to the shaft with an interference fit. The method includes the steps of, inserting an expandable plug into the shaft, and adding coolant to an interior of the shaft. The coolant cools the shaft from the interior of the shaft to an exterior of the shaft. Another step removes the part from the shaft. The part is removed from the shaft without sustaining damage to either the part or the shaft, so that the part and the shaft may be refurbished or reused.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ulrich Werner Neumann
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Publication number: 20150026965Abstract: A system for rebalancing a generator rotor includes a temporary bearing shield configured to support a non-drive end of the generator rotor, and a pony motor assembly configured for attachment to a drive end of the generator rotor. The pony motor assembly is configured to rotate the generator rotor during a rebalancing operation. The temporary bearing shield and the pony motor assembly enable the generator rotor to be rotated during an in-situ rebalancing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Mark Randall Stewart
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Publication number: 20150026964Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gary Randall Barnes, Richard Arland Ohl, JR., Brent Hamilton Holloway
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Publication number: 20150028703Abstract: A Wye ring system for a rotor of a generator includes a replacement Wye ring configured to replace an existing Wye ring serving as a floating neutral connection in the rotor. The replacement Wye ring is positioned radially inside the existing Wye ring and co-axial with the rotor. A fastening system is configured for mechanically and electrically connecting the replacement Wye ring to a plurality of connection lugs. The plurality of connection lugs are electrically connected to the rotor windings. The replacement Wye ring replaces the floating neutral connection of the existing Wye ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Gary Randall Barnes
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Publication number: 20140270737Abstract: A device for heating a bearing race mounted on a shaft including a quartz halogen lamp for heating the bearing race and a reflector for reflecting heat from the quartz halogen lamp towards the bearing race.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Ulrich Werner Neumann
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Publication number: 20140109407Abstract: A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes suspending the wind turbine blade from support hub of a wind turbine, connecting one or more cable climbing members between the support hub and the wind turbine blade, and lowering the one or more cable climbing members and the wind turbine blade from the support hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Charles Van Buchan, Blake Allen Fulton, Vishan Rashmi Kulasekera, Bradley Graham Moore, Esat Sadi Yenigun