Wind Patents (Class 290/44)
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Patent number: 11286903Abstract: Provided is a method for starting a wind park including plural wind turbines connectable in a collector system connectable to a utility grid, the method including: starting at least one first wind turbine, each being equipped with an utility grid independent energy supply and a grid forming function, to produce electrical energy from wind energy, thereby utilizing the respective grid independent energy supply for starting; performing the grid forming function by the first wind turbine to achieve a reference voltage in the collector system; starting at least one second wind turbine and/or at least one third wind turbine to produce energy by conversion of wind energy, thereby utilizing energy provided in the collector system for starting.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Inventors: Paul Brian Brogan, Nikolaus Goldenbaum, Thyge Knueppel
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Patent number: 11286909Abstract: A method 400 of predicting tonal noise produced by a wind turbine is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Mranal Gupta, Janne-Pekka Yrjönen, Jan Johansen, Niels Christian M. Nielsen, Edgar Anahua, Kaj Dam Madsen, Jens Demtröder
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Patent number: 11286905Abstract: A method for rebuilding an electric supply grid of a grid operator by means of at least one wind power installation, wherein the electric supply grid has a first grid section and at least one further grid section, wherein the first grid section is connected to the at least one wind power installation and has a first grid nominal voltage, the first grid section is coupled to the at least one further grid section via at least one switching device in order to transmit electric energy between the grid sections, wherein the at least one switching device is set up to disconnect the first grid section from the at least one further grid section in the event of a fault, comprising the steps of operating the at least one wind power installation in an observation mode if the fault occurs, wherein the wind power installation does not feed the first grid section in the observation road and a status of the first grid section is checked, and operating the at least one wind power installation in a grid rebuilding mode if theType: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventors: Johannes Brombach, Ingo Mackensen, Kai Busker
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Patent number: 11280315Abstract: A measurement system is provided for a wind turbine having a plurality of rotor blades mounted to a spinner at the front of a nacelle and arranged to rotate in a rotor plane. The measurement system includes a measuring device for determining a pressure at a number of pressure measurement points. The pressure measurement points are arranged in front of the rotor plane, an analysis module for generating a control signal on the basis of the pressure measurements, and output means for issuing the control signal to a controller of the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/SInventors: Jimmi Andersen, Jan Martin Jensen
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Patent number: 11274656Abstract: Provided is a method of determining a power curve, which specifies a correlation between wind speed and a power output of a first turbine. Wind speed is calculated based on a measurement correlation, specifies a correlation between the rotor behavior and the wind speed, derived from rotor behavior. The measurement correlation is trained using a second turbine of identical construction having a sensor. While the second turbine is operated at varying wind speeds, the sensor repeatedly records and assigns a wind speed to a simultaneously recorded rotor behavior of the second turbine to produce the measurement correlation. The power curve is produced by repeatedly and simultaneously recording a power output of the first turbine and an associated wind speed while operating the first turbine at varying wind speeds. The wind speed is calculated from rotor behavior of the first turbine based on the measurement correlation trained using the second turbine.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventors: Rodolphe Lebosq, Dennis Peter
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Patent number: 11274654Abstract: A wind turbine and associated control method includes a controller configured with a high speed shaft brake in the generator gear train. The controller receives an input signal corresponding to rotational speed of the high speed shaft, wherein upon the high speed shaft reaching a predefined rotational speed and under a braking condition that calls for the rotor to come to a complete standstill, the controller generates an activate signal to activate the brake. An interlock system is in communication with the low speed shaft sensor and the controller and is configured to override the activate signal when the rotational speed of the low speed shaft is above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Justin Richard Curtis, Joseph Andrew Trzemzalski, Hammad Ahmad, Zachary Kurt Blaettler, Till Hoffmann
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Patent number: 11268492Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine comprises capturing an actual value of a fed-in power (Pact) and determining a power deviation based on the captured actual value of the fed-in power (Pact). A signal value is set for a correction of a setpoint value for the rotor blade pitch angle when one of the power deviation exceeds a predetermined maximum value and the power deviation exceeds a maximum gradient threshold value over a specified period of time. The signal value is cleared when one of the power deviation falls below a predetermined minimum value and a grid voltage value is located in a predetermined band around a specified target voltage value. A correction value (d?/dt*) is determined for the setpoint value of the rotor blade pitch angle depending on the power deviation and applied to a rotor blade pitch control when the signal value is set.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbHInventors: Detlef Drossel, Ulrich Harms
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Patent number: 11268494Abstract: A wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a mechanical system, an electrical system and a controller. The controller is for determining an electrical capability limit of the electrical system according at least in part to one or more operating conditions of the wind turbine and one or more environment conditions of a site of the wind turbine, comparing the electrical capability limit of the electrical system and a mechanical capability limit of the mechanical system, and controlling the electrical system to operate at the smaller one of the electrical capability limit and the mechanical capability limit. A method for controlling a wind turbine comprising a mechanical system and an electrical system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Zhuohui Tan, Bo Qu, Xiongzhe Huang, Xu Fu, Shuang Gu, Fernando Javier D'Amato
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Patent number: 11261849Abstract: A cooling system for a shafting and a control method therefor, and a wind turbine are provided. The cooling system includes a cold air supply unit and a rotating-shaft air blow box. The rotating-shaft air blow box is mounted on an inner surface of the stationary shaft and in the shape of a circular ring-shaped box, multiple first air blow openings are uniformly distributed in a surface, facing the rotating shaft, of the rotating-shaft air blow box in a circumferential direction, to blow cold air from the cold air supply unit to the rotating shaft. Each first air blow opening is in the shape of a slit to form a jet.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: BEIJING GOLDWIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yang Gao, Luolin Bai, Ran Yin, Tao Fang, Kunfeng Liang
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Patent number: 11261847Abstract: A wind turbine is presented. The wind turbine includes a rotor having a plurality of blades. The wind turbine further includes a shaft coupled to the rotor. Moreover, the wind turbine includes a superconducting generator coupled to the rotor via the shaft. The superconducting generator includes an armature configured to be rotated via the shaft. The superconducting generator further includes a stationary field disposed concentric to and radially outward from the armature.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Allan Torrey, Mark Ernest Vermilyea, Siddharth Navinchandra Ashar, Alexander Kagan, Joseph John Zierer, Ernst Wolfgang Stautner, Paul St. Mark Shadforth Thompson
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Patent number: 11264918Abstract: An isolated bus inverter system including inverter circuits and a controller. The inverter circuits include a switching array to provide a polyphase alternating current (AC) signal to an output. Each of the inverter circuits includes an energy source isolated from the other inverter circuits of the inverter circuits or a reference isolated from the other inverter circuits of the inverter circuits. The controller is configured to generate timing signals for the inverter circuits to generate the AC signals for the output based on DC signals received from one or more rectifier circuits.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Adam Larson, Isaac S. Frampton
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Patent number: 11258345Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for simultaneous operation of a plurality of chopper circuits of a wind turbine power converter, the method comprising the steps of operating a controllable switching member of a first chopper circuit in accordance with a first switching pattern, and operating a controllable switching member of a second chopper circuit in accordance with a second switching pattern, wherein the first switching pattern is different from the second switching pattern during a first time period. In order to reduce switching losses the first switching pattern may involve that the controllable switching member of the first chopper circuit is clamped during the first time period. Additional chopper circuits may be provided in parallel to the first and second chopper circuits. The present invention further relates to a power dissipation chopper being operated in accordance with the before mentioned method.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Lars Helle, Torsten Lund
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Patent number: 11255309Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine connected to a power grid in response to one or more grid events occurring in the power grid includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, the power grid (such as a frequency thereof) so as to detect one or more grid events occurring in the power grid. In response to detecting one or more grid events occurring in the power grid, the method includes increasing mechanical inertia of a rotor of the wind turbine during a first time frame after one or more grid events occurs in the power grid. After the first time frame, the method includes providing a required additional power output to the power grid during a subsequent, second time frame so as to stabilize the power grid after one or more grid events occurs in the power grid.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Christoph Schulten
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Patent number: 11258262Abstract: Provided is a method for feeding electrical power into an electrical supply grid having a grid voltage by a wind power installation. The installation comprises a generator for generating a generator current, an active rectifier for rectifying the generator current into a rectified current, a direct voltage intermediate circuit having an intermediate circuit voltage for receiving the rectified current, a chopper circuit for diverting excess energy out of the direct voltage intermediate circuit, and an inverter for generating an infeed current for feeding into the electrical supply grid. The feed takes place in a voltage-impressing manner, so that the inverter counteracts a deviation of the grid voltage from a voltage setpoint value through an adjustment of the fed current. The active rectifier has a lower current limit to limit a fall of the rectified current to protect the generator during a change of the grid voltage amplitude or phase.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventors: Johannes Brombach, Eckard Quitmann, Hanna Emanuel
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Patent number: 11243331Abstract: A wireless mesh network includes a group of nodes configured to predict cloud movements based on voltage time series data. A node residing in the wireless mesh network records voltage fluctuations at a site where solar power is generated. The voltage fluctuations occur when an advancing cloud reduces solar irradiance at the site, thereby reducing solar power generation. The node correlates these voltage fluctuations with other voltage fluctuations recorded by other nodes at other sites where solar power is generated. The node computes a time offset between these voltage fluctuations that corresponds to the time needed for the cloud to advance between the different sites. Based on this time offset and the locations of the various nodes, the node estimates a wind vector. The wind vector can be used to perform near-term solar forecasting by predicting when the cloud will advance to other sites and reduce solar power generation.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: ITRON, INC.Inventor: Michael Hogan Dann
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Patent number: 11245261Abstract: A method for controlling a wind power plant comprising a plurality of wind turbine generators, wherein the method comprises: deriving an estimated value for electrical losses in the wind power plant, deriving a measured value for electrical losses in the wind power plant, based on a difference between an aggregated power production from the plurality of wind turbine generators and a power measurement at a point of common coupling; applying the estimated value for electrical losses and the measured value for electrical losses in an active power control loop, comprising a regulator; and controlling by means of the active power control loop an active power production of the wind power plant at the point of common coupling.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Dumitru-Mihai Valcan, Jorge Martinez Garcia, Kouroush Nayebi, Jesper Sandberg Thomsen, Martin Ansbjerg Kjær
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Patent number: 11239661Abstract: Provided is a method for exchanging electric power with an electricity supply grid that has a grid frequency using a converter-controlled generation unit that may be a wind power installation or a wind farm, at a grid connection point. The method includes exchanging electric power depending on a control function. The electric power includes active and reactive power and the control function controls the power depending on at least one state variable of the electricity supply grid. It is possible to switch between a normal control function and a support control function, different from the normal control function, as the control function. The normal control function is used when it has been recognized that the electricity supply grid is operating stably and the support control function is used when a grid fault or an end of the grid fault has been recognized.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventors: Eckard Quitmann, Johannes Brombach
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Patent number: 11236723Abstract: The present invention provides a system of wind turbines connected to a single unit electric generator to produce electrical power whereby the wind turbine blades rotate coaxially with a main rotor shaft instead of perpendicular to the shaft axis. In this respect, the wind turbine rotor can face the wind from any direction and does not need to be pointed into the wind to be effective, thus, eliminating the need for a yaw system. Moreover, translation of mechanical to torque of the main rotor drive allows the drive components such as the gearbox and generator to be placed near the ground of each wind turbine improving accessibility for maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: WiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.Inventor: Md Maruf Hossain
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Patent number: 11235668Abstract: The present disclosure provides an efficient control system and method for a brushless motor with a wide working range, which are applied to an aerospace vehicle energy system. The system of the present disclosure includes a power supplying module, a first DC-DC circuit, a battery pack, a second DC-DC circuit, an anti-reverse-connection circuit, an electronic speed control (ESC), a brushless direct current motor (BLDC), an airborne controller and a communication link. Electric energy from the power supplying module is configured to charge the battery pack via the first DC-DC circuit, and electric energy of the battery pack sequentially flows through the second DC-DC circuit and the anti-reverse-connection circuit to energize the ESC, wherein output voltage of the second DC-DC circuit and throttle signal input of the ESC are controlled in real time by the airborne controller according to a power demand of an aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2021Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Zhejiang UniversityInventors: Yao Zheng, Junyin Chen, Changping Du, Guanghua Song, Rui Yang, Zhixian Ye, Zekun Zhang
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Patent number: 11231016Abstract: A method for calibrating a wind direction measurement for a wind turbine is provided. The method including: measuring plural samples of a relative wind direction representing a difference angle between a real wind direction and an orientation of a measurement equipment, in particular a direction orthogonal to a rotor blade plane, to obtain plural measured relative wind directions; deriving a measured relative wind direction change based on the measured relative wind directions; measuring plural samples of a performance parameter indicating a performance of the wind turbine; deriving a performance change based on the plural samples of the performance parameter; determining a correlation value between the measured relative wind direction change and the performance change; measuring further plural samples of the relative wind direction; and correcting the further measured relative wind directions based on the correlation value, to obtain corrected further measured relative wind directions.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Inventor: Torben Nielsen
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Patent number: 11231014Abstract: A method for operating a inverter-based resource connected to a power grid includes receiving one or more voltage feedback signals created by at least one component of the inverter-based resource, wherein distortion components of the one or more voltage feedback signals are more sensitive to voltage distortion created by the inverter-based resource than by external sources of voltage distortion. Further, the method includes extracting a distortion component of the one or more feedback signals having a certain phase sequence and frequency. Moreover, the method includes determining a voltage command for the power converter as a function of, at least, the distortion component. Thus, the method includes controlling the power converter based on the voltage command such that the voltage distortion created by the at least one component of the inverter-based resource is reduced in a manner that is relatively insensitive to voltage distortion created by sources external to the inverter-based resource.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Dustin Howard, Min Naing Lwin, Ignacio Vieto Miranda
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Patent number: 11225945Abstract: A method for controlling an inclination of a floating wind turbine platform to optimize power production, or to reduce loads on the turbine, tower, and platform, or both, includes receiving data associated with the inclination of the floating wind turbine platform and wind speed and direction data. An angle of difference between the turbine blade plane and the wind direction is determined, where the angle of difference has a vertical component. A platform ballast system is then caused to distribute ballast to reduce the vertical component to a target angle chosen to optimize power production, or reduce turbine, tower, and platform loads, or both.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Inventors: Pauline Louazel, Bingbin Yu, Sam Kanner, Antoine Peiffer, Dominique Roddier
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Patent number: 11223208Abstract: A hybrid power generation system is presented. The hybrid power generation system includes a generator operable via a prime mover and configured to generate an alternating current (AC) power. The hybrid power generation system further includes a first power converter electrically coupled to the generator, where the first power converter includes a direct current (DC) link. Furthermore, the hybrid power generation system includes a DC power source configured to be coupled to the DC-link. Moreover, the hybrid power generation system also includes a second power converter. Additionally, the hybrid power generation system includes an integration control sub-system operatively coupled to the first power converter and the DC power source. The integration control sub-system includes at least one bypass switch disposed between the DC power source and the DC-link and configured to connect the DC power source to the DC-link via the second power converter or bypass the second power converter.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Govardhan Ganireddy, Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Yashomani Y. Kolhatkar
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Patent number: 11220999Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for facilitating fault diagnosis. During operation, the system collects current signals associated with a physical object which comprises a rotating machine. The system demodulates the collected signals to obtain current envelope signals, which eliminates fundamental frequencies and retains fault-related frequencies. The system resamples the current envelope signals, which converts the fault-related frequencies to constant frequency components. The system enlarges, by a fault-amplifying convolution layer, the resampled envelope signals to obtain fault information. The system provides the fault information as input to a deep convolutional neural network (CNN). The system generates, by the deep CNN, an output which comprises the fault diagnosis for the physical object.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventor: Fangzhou Cheng
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Patent number: 11208984Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for controlling a pitch of a wind turbine under an extreme turbulence wind condition. The method includes: obtaining a first pitch parameter for a current time; obtaining a historical second pitch parameter in a predetermined time period before the current time; determining an updated threshold based on the obtained historical second pitch parameter; comparing the first pitch parameter for the current time with the determined updated threshold; and updating the first pitch parameter for the current time based on a result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: XINJIANG GOLD WIND SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yongming Li, Shuchun Zhao
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Patent number: 11204018Abstract: A method of controlling a turbine of a floating wind turbine structure to reduce fatigue of moorings of the floating wind turbine structure includes curtailing the turbine based on a pitching motion of the floating wind turbine structure and on a wind direction at the floating wind turbine structure relative to an orientation of the moorings of the floating wind turbine structure. Optionally, the curtailment may be further based on a degree of displacement of the floating wind turbine structure from a reference location.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: HYWIND ASInventors: Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Bjørn Skaare
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Patent number: 11204019Abstract: This system includes a belt drive system for a wind turbine generator comprising: a tower having a wind turbine wheel rotatably attached to the tower; a generator platform attached to the tower; a generator supported by the generator platform; and, a turbine drive belt adapted to engaged with the wind turbine wheel and the generator to transfer rotational energy from the wind turbine wheel to the generator to generate electricity.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Inventor: Gerald L. Barber
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Patent number: 11204017Abstract: Embodiments herein describe validating an emergency stop signal before activating a brake within a wind turbine. The emergency stop signal is received from a control node of a plurality of control nodes distributed throughout the wind turbine, and the emergency stop signal indicates that the wind turbine should be shut down. The wind turbine is shut down by transmitting a shutdown signal to the plurality of control nodes. Upon determining there is no indication a person is present within the wind turbine, the emergency stop signal is validated. Additionally, upon determining the emergency stop signal is valid, a brake within the wind turbine is activated to bring the rotor to a stop.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Lars Rohrmann Andersen, Peter Gjellerup Schiønning, David Steele
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Patent number: 11199172Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for wave power generation. In one aspect, a wave power generator device includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly encased within a tube frame. The stator assembly includes an array of inductor coils in a fixed position within a cavity of the tube frame and a plurality of bearings coupled to the tube frame. The rotor assembly includes a turbine rotor having a central hub and peripheral blades coupled to a high inertia annular flywheel that is moveably engaged with the bearings of the stator assembly, and an array of magnets arranged to be evenly spaced and of alternating axial polarity from one another extending from the annular flywheel into the cavity between the array of inductor coils, such that electric currents are produced based on magnetic field interaction of the magnets with the inductor coils during the rotation of the annular flywheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: EIP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Steve Burkle
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Patent number: 11193472Abstract: A method of controlling a wind power plant for generating electrical power from wind is provided. The plant comprises a rotor having rotor blades with adjustable blade angles and the rotor can be operated at a variable rotational speed. The method includes controlling the plant in a partial load mode when wind speed is below a nominal speed and, controlling the plant in a storm mode when the wind speed is above a storm commencement speed. An output power of the plant in the partial load mode and storm mode is adjusted according to an operating characteristic curve that determines a relationship between the rotational speed and the output power. A partial load characteristic curve is used as the operating characteristic curve for controlling the power plant in partial load mode, and a storm mode characteristic curve is used as the operating characteristic curve for controlling the plant in storm mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventors: Ralf Messing, Mustafa Onur Kimilli, Daniel Senftleben
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Patent number: 11196260Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system that supplies real and reactive power to a grid includes receiving a reactive power demand made on the power generation system at an operating state of the power generation system and a grid state. Further, the method includes decoupling reactive power control and voltage control between a generator and a reactive power compensation device so as to reduce an oscillatory response of a reactive power output from the reactive power compensation device and the generator. Moreover, the method includes operating, via a device controller, the reactive power compensation device in a reactive power control mode to generate at least a portion of the reactive power demand.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jayanti Navilgone Ganesh, Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Kasi Viswanadha Raju Gadiraju, Igor Berroteran, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Cornelius Edward Holliday, III
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Patent number: 11196262Abstract: A method for feeding electrical power into an electrical supply grid by means of at least one wind power installation at a grid connection point, wherein the at least one wind power installation has an aerodynamic rotor with rotor blades and the rotor has a moment of inertia and can be operated with variable rotor speed, the at least one wind power installation has a generator for generating a generator power, multiple energy generators feed power into the electrical supply grid and multiple consumers take power from the electrical supply grid, so that a power balance in the electrical supply grid between the power fed in and the power taken is produced and is positive if more power is fed in than is taken, and the method comprises the steps of: feeding in a basic electrical power in dependence on available wind power, specifying a supporting power to be additionally fed in and additionally feeding in the specified supporting power to be additionally fed in for supporting the electrical supply grid, an amountType: GrantFiled: November 23, 2017Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventor: Johannes Brombach
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Patent number: 11193470Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine, in particular at a location characterized by a cold climate is provided. The method includes, specifying an air density at a location of the wind turbine, setting a blade angle of an adjustable rotor blade based on an output power, torque and/or rotor speed. The method includes setting the blade angle as a function of a at pitch characteristic curve which specifies the blade angle as a function of the output power, the torque and/or the rotor speed and as a function of the air density. According to the pitch characteristic curve, the blade angle has a minimum as a function of the air density in a region of a reference density of an atmosphere at the location which is characterized by a cold climate.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventors: Ralf Messing, Stefanie Bott, Hendrik Schnell
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Patent number: 11181098Abstract: The present invention relates to an offshore wind turbine on a floating support (1) comprising either a rotor with a horizontal rotation axis (horizontal-axis wind turbine HAWT) or a rotor with a vertical rotation axis (vertical-axis wind turbine VAWT) with the rotor being mounted on a floating support having a principal axis. According to the invention, the principal axis of the floating support is offset by an angle ? with respect to either the axis of a tower carrying the horizontal-axis rotor or to the rotation axis of the vertical-axis rotor.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Claude Mabile, Jean-Christophe Gilloteaux
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Patent number: 11181096Abstract: Controlling a wind turbine comprising a wind direction sensor, a yawing system, and a control system for turning the wind turbine rotor relative to the wind. Over one or more time intervals a data set comprising a direction of the wind relative to the wind turbine as measured by the wind direction sensor and a wind power parameter determined as one of a power, a torque, or a blade load of the wind turbine are obtained. The data sets are sorted into a number of bins of different intervals of wind power parameter. or each power bin, a statistical representation of the wind power parameter as a function of the relative wind direction is determined and then used in estimating a wind direction offset corresponding to the relative wind direction where the wind power parameter attains a peak value. The relative wind direction is then adjusted as a function of the set of wind direction offsets to yield more accurate wind direction data which can be used in controlling the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Johnny Nielsen
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Patent number: 11180249Abstract: In an aspect, in general, a spooling apparatus includes a filament feeding mechanism for deploying and retracting filament from the spooling apparatus to an aerial vehicle, an exit geometry sensor for sensing an exit geometry of the filament from the spooling apparatus, and a controller for controlling the feeding mechanism to feed and retract the filament based on the exit geometry.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: FLIR DETECTION, INC.Inventors: Jason S. Walker, John W. Ware, Samuel A. Johnson, Andrew M. Shein
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Patent number: 11174842Abstract: A yaw control method for a wind turbine, comprising the following steps: acquiring the current or future ambient wind speed and yaw angle of a wind turbine; estimating a power change value of the wind turbine caused by performing a yaw action on the basis of the yaw angle at the ambient wind speed; determining a yaw control strategy of the wind turbine according to the estimated power change value; transmitting a command to the wind turbine, so as to enable the wind turbine to perform the determined yaw control strategy. In addition, also provided are a device and system for performing the control method. The yaw control method, device and system can lower the loss of the wind turbine, reduce the overall load under certain extreme working conditions, and can also exploit the power generation potential of the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: BEIJING GOLDWIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Fashun Ou, Fangchao Wang, Qiang Li
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Patent number: 11174838Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling a wind turbine comprising a wind direction sensor, a yawing system, and a control system for yawing the wind turbine rotor relative to the wind. The method comprises obtaining an estimate for a wind power parameter as a function of a relative wind direction, where the wind power parameter is determined as one of a power, a torque, a blade load, or a blade pitch angle of the wind turbine. At time intervals, a data set is established comprising a wind power parameter and a wind direction parameter as measured by the wind direction sensor. Over time a group of data sets is then obtained for a number of pre-defined wind direction intervals, and a wind direction offset is determined for each interval by comparing the average wind power parameter for that interval with the estimate of the wind power parameter.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Johnny Nielsen
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Patent number: 11174840Abstract: A wind power plant supplies power to a utility grid in accordance with an active power reference, where the wind power plant comprises a plurality of wind turbine generators and a power plant controller arranged to send an active power set point to the wind turbine controller of each of the plurality of wind turbine generators.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Steve Jessen, Søren Kappelgaard, Jacob Barsøe Kjærgaard, Kouroush Nayebi, Mads Rajczyk Skjelmose, Mu Wei
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Patent number: 11169272Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a property of a gas comprising: emitting a light, comprising a plurality of wavelengths covering a plurality of absorption lines of the gas, along a first axis, the light being scattered by particles of the gas resulting in a scattered light, generating a sensor image using a detection arrangement configured to receive the scattered light and comprising: an optical arrangement having an optical plane and being configured to direct the scattered light on to a light sensor, the light sensor having at least one pixel columns, wherein the pixel columns are aligned to an image plane and configured to output a sensor image, wherein the first axis, the optical plane, and the image plane intersect such that a Scheimpflug condition is achieved, determining, from the sensor image, properties of the gas at a plurality of positions along the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: NEOLund ABInventor: Mikkel Brydegaard
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Patent number: 11156208Abstract: A method for detecting a shadow condition from a wind turbine and a system for detecting a shadow condition are provided. An atmospheric condition detected from an atmospheric condition detector is compared to a threshold. From the comparison a determination is made that the atmospheric condition is shadow producing. The shadow condition is detected using the determination.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/SInventors: Albert Leyte-Vidal, Kurt Straub, Nakiesa Faraji-Tajrishi, Pamela S. Caraballo
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Patent number: 11149711Abstract: Method of controlling a wind turbine. A data set is obtained that includes a direction of the wind relative to the wind turbine and a pitch angle parameter representing a pitch angle of at least one of the wind turbine blades. Based on the obtained data sets, a statistical representation of the pitch angle parameter as a function of the relative wind direction is determined, which is then used in estimating a wind direction offset corresponding to the relative wind direction where the pitch angle parameter attains a maximum. The relative wind direction of the wind turbine is then adjusted as a function of the wind direction offset.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Johnny Nielsen
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Patent number: 11149714Abstract: A method for optimizing auxiliary loads of a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines includes tracking, via a farm-level controller of the wind farm, operational usage for one or more auxiliary components of at least one of the wind turbines in the wind farm as the operational usage for the one or more auxiliary components induces a load on the auxiliary component(s). The method also includes determining, via the farm-level controller, a power consumption of the load induced on the one or more auxiliary components based on the operational usage. Further, the method includes receiving, via the farm-level controller, at least one additional parameter of the wind farm. Moreover, the method includes implementing, via the farm-level controller, a control command for one or more of the one or more auxiliary components based on the power consumption and the at least one additional parameter.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anthony Perez-Santiago, Hammad Ahmad, Devendra Shashikant Dange
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Patent number: 11143165Abstract: A method for determining the load on a wind turbine blade, comprising: measuring the blade load by way of a wind turbine blade load sensor; estimating the temperature of the blade; and determining, based on the estimated temperature and the measured load, a temperature-corrected value for the load on the wind turbine blade. The invention also relates to a sensor system for a wind turbine blade, the system comprising a load sensor; a processing unit interfaced with the load sensor and configured to provide a temperature-corrected load parameter as an output, wherein the processing unit includes: a temperature estimation module that determines an estimated temperature of the blade in the vicinity of the load sensor based on at least one wind turbine parameter; and a load compensation module that determines the temperature-corrected load parameter based on the estimated temperature and the measurement of the load sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Fabio Caponetti, Dan Hilton
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Patent number: 11146200Abstract: A system for controlling a motor may include an alternating current (AC) bus configured to transmit an AC power signal to a set of stator windings, where the AC power signal produces a first rotating magnetic flux at the set of stator windings. The system may also include a high frequency contactless transformer configured to transmit an excitation signal to a set of rotor windings, where the excitation signal produces a second rotating magnetic flux at the rotor. The system may also include electrical circuitry configured to determine a rotor voltage and a rotor current associated with the excitation signal, determine a rotor flux magnitude estimate and a rotor flux angle estimate based on the rotor voltage and the rotor current, and determine an inverter control signal operable to generate the excitation signal based at least partially on the rotor flux magnitude estimate and the rotor flux angle estimate.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu
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Patent number: 11136960Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine comprising a generator in the event of a voltage dip is disclosed. The method comprises detecting an end of the voltage dip, determining an acceleration of a rotor of the generator, and increasing a torque of the generator when the end of the voltage dip is detected according to a selected torque profile. The selected torque profile is selected from a plurality predetermined torque profiles, wherein the predetermined torque profiles describe torque as a function of time. The selected torque profile is selected based on the determined acceleration of the rotor of the generator. Also provided are wind turbines configured for such methods.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Miriam Monros Garrigosa, Matthew Paul Richwine
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Patent number: 11136966Abstract: This invention relates to system for determining the wind yaw misalignment of a horizontal axis on-shore wind turbine comprising the wind turbine, a lidar, a topographical station, an external computing unit and a telecommunication network connecting them. Said wind turbine further comprises two target points made of reflective materials placed on the external surface of the nacelle on its side facing the ground, such that be detected by the topographic station. The lidar is configured to determine wind direction angle in respect to the north and wind speed, the topographic station is configured to determine the geographical position and orientation of the pair of target points. The lidar and the topographical station communicate the values determined to the external computing unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: OVIDIU DEVELOPMENT SAInventors: Laurentiu-Dragos Sopoglu, Liviu Cristian
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Patent number: 11131292Abstract: To provide a wind power generation device that can be suitably increased in size while increasing the electricity generation efficiency. A wind power generation device (10) is characterized by being provided with: a first wind turbine unit (12) comprising multiple wind turbines (30a to 30d) aligned in one line; a pair of blade units (16), each of the blade units being disposed adjacent to the first wind turbine unit (12) and having an inner-side shape extending along the circumferences of circles defined by rotation of the wind turbines (30a to 30d) to enhance collection of wind by the rotation; and a conversion unit for converting energy obtained by the rotation of the first wind turbine unit (12) to electricity.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Inventor: Akinori Satou
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Patent number: 11125209Abstract: A wind turbine system comprising a nacelle mounted on a tower, a rotor having a plurality of blades and a boundary layer control system configured to control airflow through blade surface openings in each of the blades. The wind turbine system includes a control system configured to: monitor an operational speed parameter of the wind turbine, and activate the boundary layer control system if it is determined that the operational speed parameter exceeds a predetermined speed parameter threshold; monitor tower motion and to activate the boundary layer control system based on a determination of excessive tower motion; monitor for a wind turbine shutdown condition, activate the boundary layer control system if it is determined that the shutdown condition has been identified; monitor the aerodynamic loads on the blades, and activate the boundary layer control system based on a determination of excessive blade loads.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Martin Ansbjerg Kjær, Tobias Gybel Hovgaard
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Patent number: 11118568Abstract: The present invention relates to control of wind turbines in a situation where a fault condition is detected. Control of a wind turbine is described where a control trajectory and a safe-mode trajectory are calculated based on the current operational state of the wind turbine. If the fault condition is detected the wind turbine is controlled using the safe-mode trajectory, otherwise, the normal operation of the wind turbine is continued where the wind turbine is controlled using the control trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Keld Hammerum, Tobias Gybel Hovgaard