Patents by Inventor William Earl Fish
William Earl Fish 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: 10167849Abstract: A system for controlling a wind turbine may include at least one sensor configured to provide at least one of a wind speed signal or a wind direction signal and a turbine controller configured to control the operation of the wind turbine. The system may also include a secondary controller inserted between the sensor(s) and the turbine controller. The secondary controller may be separated from the turbine controller by a distance and may be configured to receive the wind speed signal and/or the wind direction signal from the sensor(s) over a communication interface. In addition, the secondary controller may be configured to adjust the wind speed signal and/or wind direction signal based at least in part on a signal bias value(s) to an adjusted signal(s) and to provide the adjusted signal(s) to the turbine controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joseph Lawrence Chacon, William Earl Fish, Noah Pennington
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Patent number: 10012213Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling and/or upgrading aftermarket multivendor wind turbines. The system includes a turbine controller configured to control operations of the wind turbine, a safety device configured to provide a signal indicative of a health status of the safety device, and a secondary controller inserted between the safety device and the turbine controller. The secondary controller is configured to receive the signal from the safety device over a communication interface. As such, if the signal indicates a normal health status, the secondary controller is configured to send the signal to the turbine controller, i.e. maintain normal operation. Alternatively, if the signal indicates a poor health status, the secondary controller is configured to adjust the signal based at least in part on a signal bias to an adjusted signal and to provide the adjusted signal to the turbine controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joseph Lawrence Chacon, William Earl Fish, Noah Pennington, Mark Edward Cardinal
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Patent number: 9762016Abstract: An apparatus for use with a dynamoelectric machine includes a main body configured for attachment to a brush holder. A proximity sensor is on the main body, and the proximity sensor is configured for detecting the presence of a brush located at least partially inside the brush holder. The apparatus receives power from a battery located inside the apparatus, and transmits a wireless signal. The wireless signal is transformable into an indication of a remaining life of the brush. The apparatus is configured to be fully operational when the dynamoelectric machine is neither energized nor in operation, as the apparatus receives power from the battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Earl Fish, Albert Eugene Steinbach, James Warren Pemrick
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Publication number: 20170226987Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling and/or upgrading aftermarket multivendor wind turbines. The system includes a turbine controller configured to control operations of the wind turbine, a safety device configured to provide a signal indicative of a health status of the safety device, and a secondary controller inserted between the safety device and the turbine controller. The secondary controller is configured to receive the signal from the safety device over a communication interface. As such, if the signal indicates a normal health status, the secondary controller is configured to send the signal to the turbine controller, i.e. maintain normal operation. Alternatively, if the signal indicates a poor health status, the secondary controller is configured to adjust the signal based at least in part on a signal bias to an adjusted signal and to provide the adjusted signal to the turbine controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Joseph Lawrence Chacon, William Earl Fish, Noah Pennington, Mark Edward Cardinal
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Publication number: 20170030332Abstract: A system for controlling a wind turbine may include at least one sensor configured to provide at least one of a wind speed signal or a wind direction signal and a turbine controller configured to control the operation of the wind turbine. The system may also include a secondary controller inserted between the sensor(s) and the turbine controller. The secondary controller may be separated from the turbine controller by a distance and may be configured to receive the wind speed signal and/or the wind direction signal from the sensor(s) over a communication interface. In addition, the secondary controller may be configured to adjust the wind speed signal and/or wind direction signal based at least in part on a signal bias value(s) to an adjusted signal(s) and to provide the adjusted signal(s) to the turbine controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Joseph Lawrence Chacon, William Earl Fish, Noah Pennington
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Publication number: 20160211634Abstract: An apparatus for use with a dynamoelectric machine includes a main body configured for attachment to a brush holder. A proximity sensor is on the main body, and the proximity sensor is configured for detecting the presence of a brush located at least partially inside the brush holder. The apparatus receives power from a battery located inside the apparatus, and transmits a wireless signal. The wireless signal is transformable into an indication of a remaining life of the brush. The apparatus is configured to be fully operational when the dynamoelectric machine is neither energized nor in operation, as the apparatus receives power from the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Earl Fish, Albert Eugene Steinbach, James Warren Pemrick
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Patent number: 9331555Abstract: An apparatus, brush holder and system are provided. The apparatus includes a main body configured for attachment to a brush holder, and a proximity sensor on the main body. The proximity sensor is configured for detecting the presence of a brush located at least partially inside the brush holder. The apparatus is configured to transmit a wireless signal to a remote location, and the wireless signal is transformable into an indication of a remaining life of the brush.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Earl Fish, Albert Eugene Steinbach
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Patent number: 9013087Abstract: An apparatus including: a brush holder; a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including: a temperature sensor system for determining temperature(s) at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder; and a transmitter for providing indication of the temperature(s).Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Earl Fish, Frank Austin Scalzo, III, Albert Eugene Steinbach
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Publication number: 20140346931Abstract: An apparatus including: a brush holder; a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including: a temperature sensor system for determining temperature(s) at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder; and a transmitter for providing indication of the temperature(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: William Earl Fish, Frank Austin Scalzo, III, Albert Eugene Steinbach
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Patent number: 8836197Abstract: An apparatus including: a brush holder; a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including: a temperature sensor system for determining temperature(s) at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder; and a transmitter for providing indication of the temperature(s).Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Earl Fish, Frank Austin Scalzo, III, Albert Eugene Steinbach
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Publication number: 20140125206Abstract: An apparatus, brush holder and system are provided. The apparatus includes a main body configured for attachment to a brush holder, and a proximity sensor on the main body. The proximity sensor is configured for detecting the presence of a brush located at least partially inside the brush holder. The apparatus is configured to transmit a wireless signal to a remote location, and the wireless signal is transformable into an indication of a remaining life of the brush.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Earl Fish, Albert Eugene Steinbach
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Publication number: 20130249355Abstract: An apparatus including: a brush holder; a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including: a temperature sensor system for determining temperature(s) at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder; and a transmitter for providing indication of the temperature(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: William Earl Fish, Frank Austin Scalzo, III, Albert Eugene Steinbach
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Patent number: 8536816Abstract: A method of operating an electrical machine is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a brushless excitation system including a diode rectifier having at least one diode, sensing heat energy generated by at least one resistor connected in parallel with the at least one diode, wirelessly transmitting a signal representative of the heat energy, detecting a deviation of generated heat energy from the at least one resistor, and generating a signal indicating an error if the deviation in generated heat energy exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: William Earl Fish
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Patent number: 8461731Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine pressurization apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a dynamoelectric machine air shield including a channel configured to fluidly connect an outlet of a rotor fan with an ambient air source.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: William Earl Fish
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Publication number: 20130063066Abstract: A method of operating an electrical machine is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a brushless excitation system including a diode rectifier having at least one diode, sensing heat energy generated by at least one resistor connected in parallel with the at least one diode, wirelessly transmitting a signal representative of the heat energy, detecting a deviation of generated heat energy from the at least one resistor, and generating a signal indicating an error if the deviation in generated heat energy exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventor: William Earl Fish
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Patent number: 8384266Abstract: A brush wear detector system for a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The brush wear detector system includes a brush holder, and at least one brush located within the brush holder. At least one spring is in contact with the brush and the spring operates to force the brush against an electrically conductive member of the dynamoelectric machine. A wireless sensor is configured to detect when a predetermined amount of wear has occurred to the at least one brush, and is also configured to identify the brush having the predetermined amount of wear. The wireless sensor is attached to the at least one brush.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Earl Fish, Jorge Cano Casas, Frank Austin Scalzo, III, Luis Alejandro De Leon Teran, Albert Eugene Steinbach
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Publication number: 20120280583Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine pressurization apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a dynamoelectric machine air shield including a channel configured to fluidly connect an outlet of a rotor fan with an ambient air source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: William Earl Fish
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Publication number: 20120248929Abstract: A brush wear detector system for a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The brush wear detector system includes a brush holder, and at least one brush located within the brush holder. At least one spring is in contact with the brush and the spring operates to force the brush against an electrically conductive member of the dynamoelectric machine. A wireless sensor is configured to detect when a predetermined amount of wear has occurred to the at least one brush, and is also configured to identify the brush having the predetermined amount of wear. The wireless sensor is attached to the at least one brush.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: William Earl Fish, Jorge Cano Casas, Frank Austin Scalzo, III, Luis Alejandro De Leon Teran, Albert Eugene Steinbach
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Patent number: 8186955Abstract: A rotating machine includes a stationary member and a rotating member moveable relative to the stationary member. The rotating member includes at least one balancing member assembly receiving portion having a plurality of internal threads. The rotating machine also includes a balancing member assembly including first and second interlocking balancing members. The balancing member assembly also includes a plurality of external threads that are operatively connected to the internal threads of the balancing member assembly receiving portion. With this arrangement, the balancing member assembly provides a dynamic balance for the rotating member.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric Steven Buskirk, William Earl Fish, Karsten Johannes Tessarzik
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Publication number: 20110295558Abstract: A method and system is provided for operating an electrical machine. The method includes the steps of, providing a brushless excitation system including a diode rectifier having at least one diode, sensing heat energy generated by at least one resistor connected in parallel with the diode, and detecting a deviation of the generated heat energy from the at least one resistor. Another step generates a signal indicating an error in a diode or a failed or faulty diode if the deviation in generated heat energy exceeds a predetermined threshold deviation level.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Earl Fish, John Harold Parslow, Albert Eugene Steinbach