Patents by Inventor Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath
Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath 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).
-
Patent number: 10519929Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for minimizing energy loss caused by yaw untwist of a nacelle of a wind turbine. The method includes monitoring, via at least on sensor, one or more wind conditions near the wind turbine. The method also includes processing, via a controller, the one or more wind conditions for a given time interval. Further, the method includes monitoring, via the controller, a position of the nacelle. The method also includes triggering, via the controller, a yaw untwist operation when the position of the nacelle has rotated from an original position above a predetermined yaw threshold and the processed wind conditions are below a predetermined wind condition threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Steven Yi-Chi Kong, Sri Praabhu Jayaraman, Karthikeyan Appuraj
-
Patent number: 10288045Abstract: A system for repairing dents in a wind turbine tower section may generally include a dent repair tool having a tool hub and a plurality of arms configured to extend radially outwardly from the tool hub towards an inner surface of the tower section. The tool may also include a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate a plunger of the actuator arm relative to the tool hub such that the plunger applies a radially outward force against the inner surface of the tower section at or adjacent to a location of a dent formed in the tower section. In addition, the system may include a load sensor configured to provide an indication of a load associated with the radially outward force applied against the inner surface of the tower section by the plunger and a controller configured to monitor the load based on signals received from the load sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Suneel Basavaraj Karesangannavar, Biju Nanukuttan, Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli, Chickballapur Venkatakrishnappa Raghunandan, Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Manjunath Basavanneppa Sampagavi
-
Publication number: 20180128241Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for minimizing energy loss caused by yaw untwist of a nacelle of a wind turbine. The method includes monitoring, via at least on sensor, one or more wind conditions near the wind turbine. The method also includes processing, via a controller, the one or more wind conditions for a given time interval. Further, the method includes monitoring, via the controller, a position of the nacelle. The method also includes triggering, via the controller, a yaw untwist operation when the position of the nacelle has rotated from an original position above a predetermined yaw threshold and the processed wind conditions are below a predetermined wind condition threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Steven Yi-Chi Kong, Sri Praabhu Jayaraman, Karthikeyan Appuraj
-
Patent number: 9920742Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for operating a wind turbine. More specifically, the system and method determines a dynamic cut-in wind speed for the wind turbine based on one or more environmental conditions. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a predetermined cut-in wind speed for the wind turbine based on at least one estimated environmental condition for a wind turbine site; determining one or more actual environmental conditions near the wind turbine for a predetermined time period at the wind turbine site; determining a variance between the at least one estimated environmental condition and the one or more actual environmental conditions; calculating a dynamic cut-in wind speed based on the variance; and, operating the wind turbine based on the dynamic cut-in wind speed so as to increase wind turbine operational efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Shimnamol Padmanabhan Nair, Aswini Karteek Bommareddy, Karthikeyan Appuraj
-
Publication number: 20170175715Abstract: A system for repairing dents in a wind turbine tower section may generally include a dent repair tool having a tool hub and a plurality of arms configured to extend radially outwardly from the tool hub towards an inner surface of the tower section. The tool may also include a linear actuator configured to linearly actuate a plunger of the actuator arm relative to the tool hub such that the plunger applies a radially outward force against the inner surface of the tower section at or adjacent to a location of a dent formed in the tower section. In addition, the system may include a load sensor configured to provide an indication of a load associated with the radially outward force applied against the inner surface of the tower section by the plunger and a controller configured to monitor the load based on signals received from the load sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Suneel Basavaraj Karesangannavar, Biju Nanukuttan, Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli, Chickballapur Venkatakrishnappa Raghunandan, Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Manjunath Basavanneppa Sampagavi
-
Publication number: 20150233348Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for operating a wind turbine. More specifically, the system and method determines a dynamic cut-in wind speed for the wind turbine based on one or more environmental conditions. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a predetermined cut-in wind speed for the wind turbine based on at least one estimated environmental condition for a wind turbine site; determining one or more actual environmental conditions near the wind turbine for a predetermined time period at the wind turbine site; determining a variance between the at least one estimated environmental condition and the one or more actual environmental conditions; calculating a dynamic cut-in wind speed based on the variance; and, operating the wind turbine based on the dynamic cut-in wind speed so as to increase wind turbine operational efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Shimnamol Padmanabhan Nair, Aswini Karteek Bommareddy, Karthikeyan Appuraj
-
Patent number: 9086052Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed for transporting a rotor blade having a first end and a second end defining a rotor blade length. The transportation system includes a truck configured to transport the rotor blade, the truck including a bed having a forward end and a distal end defining a bed length. The transportation system further includes a first fixture configured on the bed, the first fixture comprising a generally arcuate guide member and a support frame slidable along the guide member, the support frame configured to support the rotor blade. The transportation system further includes a second fixture configured on the bed for one of slidable support or rotatable support of the rotor blade. Movement of at least one of the first fixture or the second fixture rotates the rotor blade within a plane defined by the bed.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Umesh B. Shingne
-
Publication number: 20140050547Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed for transporting a rotor blade having a first end and a second end defining a rotor blade length. The transportation system includes a truck configured to transport the rotor blade, the truck including a bed having a forward end and a distal end defining a bed length. The transportation system further includes a first fixture configured on the bed, the first fixture comprising a generally arcuate guide member and a support frame slidable along the guide member, the support frame configured to support the rotor blade. The transportation system further includes a second fixture configured on the bed for one of slidable support or rotatable support of the rotor blade. Movement of at least one of the first fixture or the second fixture rotates the rotor blade within a plane defined by the bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Umesh B. Shingne
-
Patent number: 8454311Abstract: A monitoring system and associated operational method are operatively configured with a wind turbine for detecting separation of shell members along an edge of a wind turbine rotor blade. The system includes any configuration of sensors disposed within an internal cavity of the rotor blade, with the sensor oriented relative to a leading or trailing edge of the blade and configured to detect a physical characteristic within the blade that is indicative of onset of a separation between the shell members along the monitored edge. A controller is configured to receive signals from the sensor and to initiate an automatic response to a detected separation.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Vishal Chandra Harupka, D. Mallikarjuna Reddy
-
Patent number: 8062431Abstract: A method of cleaning at least one of grime and built-up ice off a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, positioning a rotor blade in an immobile position in a downward orientation substantially parallel to the tower, positioning a tank containing a cleaning solution directly below the rotor blade, and positioning a plurality of lifting arms adjacent the tank. The plurality of lifting arms are attached to an elliptical spray head with at least one pipe connected to the elliptical spray head and to a pump operatively coupled to the tank. The method also includes raising the lifting arms to lift the elliptical spray head to a predetermined position along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, pumping cleaning solution from the tank to the elliptical spray head, spraying the cleaning solution onto an outer surface of the rotor blade to clean the rotor blade, and collecting the spent cleaning solution in the tank.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Raj Kumar, Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Dhanasekarakannan Sakkaraju, Kavala Venkateswara Rao, Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli
-
Patent number: 7942640Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate protecting wind turbine blades from lightning damage include a turbine blade for use with a wind turbine, wherein the turbine blade includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The second sidewall is coupled to the first sidewall along a leading edge and along an axially-spaced trailing edge such that a cavity is defined between the first and second sidewalls. A relief system is coupled to at least one of the first and second sidewalls. The relief system is configured to discharge flow from the cavity when a pressure within the cavity exceeds a predetermined threshold. A method for assembling the same is described.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Kavala Venkateswara Rao
-
Publication number: 20100143134Abstract: A method and apparatus facilitate protecting wind turbine blades from lightning damage. A turbine blade for use with a wind turbine includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The second sidewall is coupled to the first sidewall along a leading edge and along an axially-spaced trailing edge such that a cavity is defined between the first and second sidewalls. A relief system is coupled to at least one of the first and second sidewalls. The relief system is configured to discharge flow from the cavity when a pressure within the cavity exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Kavala Venkateswara Rao
-
Publication number: 20100132738Abstract: A method of cleaning at least one of grime and built-up ice off a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, positioning a rotor blade in an immobile position in a downward orientation substantially parallel to the tower, positioning a tank containing a cleaning solution directly below the rotor blade, and positioning a plurality of lifting arms adjacent the tank. The plurality of lifting arms are attached to an elliptical spray head with at least one pipe connected to the elliptical spray head and to a pump operatively coupled to the tank. The method also includes raising the lifting arms to lift the elliptical spray head to a predetermined position along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, pumping cleaning solution from the tank to the elliptical spray head, spraying the cleaning solution onto an outer surface of the rotor blade to clean the rotor blade, and collecting the spent cleaning solution in the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Raj Kumar, Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Dhanasekarakannan Sakkaraju, Kavala Venkateswara Rao, Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli