Wind Patents (Class 290/55)
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Patent number: 8941256Abstract: A data center includes a computing room, computing devices in the computing room, an air handling system, and a turbine system. Air moved by the air handling system flows across heat producing components in the computing devices in the computing room. A rotor of the turbine system rotates in response to at least a portion of the air moved by the air handling system. The turbine system generates electricity from rotation of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Czamara, Brock R. Gardner, Osvaldo P. Morales
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Patent number: 8941255Abstract: A generator for a wind turbine is provided. The generator includes a housing with a multi-piece stator arrangement mounted to the housing, the stator arrangement surrounding radially inward and radially outwardly directed faces of a rotor assembly, also surrounded by the housing. The rotor assembly is configured for direct attachment to a wind turbine main shaft so that rotation of the main shaft results in like rotation of the rotor assembly. The housing is mechanically coupled to the rotor by anti-friction elements such that the rotor is free to rotate about its central axis relative to the housing, and such that radial displacement of the rotor due to main shaft deflections results in a like radial displacement of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: D-Cube Wind Technologies, LLCInventors: Giovanni Bonomi, Lodovico Oldani, Marco Venturini, Davide Tenti
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Publication number: 20150022005Abstract: Systems and methods here are described for harvesting energy, certain embodiments including a power generator, a rotatable base attached to the power generator, one or more protruding blades attached to the rotatable base, a kinetic energy harvesting device mounted on the base, and a gear shaft for associating the base with the power generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventor: Donnie E. JORDAN, SR.
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Publication number: 20150021922Abstract: A wind energy apparatus is made up of a plurality of modular wind energy devices or units. Each unit has a housing and at least two turbines mounted on the housing. Each of the turbines has a blade set extending upward from the housing. Each blade set has a vertical axis extending upward in relation to the housing. Each of the turbines has a generator connected thereto, each generator being disposed in the housing, and having a rotor and a stator. Each turbine is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing, and mounted to the rotor so that they rotate together. Each housing has a positive connector and negative connector on each side of the respective unit. The units, when placed together, connect their respective poles, positive and negative, together completing a circuit. Therefore, one may connect multiple units together.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Daniel L. Bates, Bob G. Schlicher, John R. Owen, Ravi K. Tangirala, Srinivas K. Guntur, Gary E. Johnson
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Publication number: 20150021915Abstract: An apparatus comprising: (a) a bladeless rotatable element with a smooth outer surface, said rotatable element connected to a drive mechanism; and (b) a dynamo powered by said drive mechanism so as to output an electric current.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: RE10 LTD.Inventors: Carmi Raz, Tzahi Shneider
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Patent number: 8937397Abstract: An electric energy producing wind power turbine having a nacelle, an electric generator having a stator and a rotor, a rotary assembly connected to the nacelle to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a bearing located between the rotary assembly and the nacelle, the nacelle having a first sector, which is located at the bearing, which is removable from the nacelle, and which is configured to form, when removed, an opening in the nacelle to allow passage of the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Wilic S.A.R.L.Inventor: Emmanuele Gelmini
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Patent number: 8937399Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a mobile wind power support structure, comprising a superstructure with mobile platform support structures, and a plurality of deployable rotating wind power structures, wherein the plurality of deployable rotating wind power structures are positioned in the superstructure through a wind orientation facility.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: V Squared Wind, Inc.Inventor: Robert M. Freda
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Patent number: 8937398Abstract: A wind turbine rotary electric machine having a rotor, which rotates about a designated axis and has a rotary body; a plurality of permanent magnets fitted to the rotary body; a plurality of cooling channels close to the permanent magnets; and a plurality of heat-conducting bodies, each located partly contacting at least one permanent magnet and partly inside a cooling channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Wilic S.ar.l.Inventors: Matteo Casazza, Georg Folie
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Publication number: 20150014997Abstract: A working medium circuit that includes a conveyor unit, a heat exchanger, an expansion unit, and a condenser, includes a device for recovering energy from a waste heat flow of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle. A Clausius-Rankine cycle is carried out within the working medium circuit, and the expansion unit includes an electrical generator or is coupled thereto. The electrical generator is a gap generator and a working medium of the working medium circuit flows through the electrical generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Jan Gaertner, Thomas Koch, Frank Obrist, Christian Schmaelzle
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Patent number: 8933578Abstract: A wind turbine having one or more magnets for reducing friction between the turbine support and a turbine rotor. The reduction of friction between the turbine rotor and the turbine support allows for an increase in energy production and scale of the wind turbines. The magnet configuration employs a ring of cylindrically-shaped magnets at the bottom and opposed by a corresponding number of generally rectangular-shaped magnets. Bearing magnets are also employed for axial stabilization.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Regenedyne LLCInventors: Cheong S. Choi, Michael Anthony Jenkins
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Patent number: 8933572Abstract: The adaptive superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) control method and system control a SMES device connected to a power generation system. A radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) connected to the controller adaptively adjusts gain constants of the controller. A processor executes an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) procedure to train the RBFNN from input-output training data created by the IPSO, and thereafter generate starting weights for the neural network. Tests carried out show that the proposed adaptive SMES controller maintains the DC capacitor voltage constant, thus improving the efficiency of wind energy transfer. The power output (reactive and real) of the SMES device improves the voltage profile following large voltage dips and provides added damping to the system.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Abu Hamed Abdur-Rahim, Muhammad Haris Khan
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Patent number: 8933577Abstract: A pitch system of a wind energy system includes an emergency energy store for moving a rotor blade into a safety position in the event of the failure of an external energy supply. The emergency energy store can be tested, for example to assess aging, by supplying electrical energy to an actuating device configured to set a pitch angle of a rotor blade even in a normal operating mode of the wind energy system temporarily exclusively from the emergency energy store. This configuration ensures reliable operation of a wind energy system.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Karsten Ahnert, Thomas Demuth, Steffen Hellmich, Markus Mauersberger, Andres Männer
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Patent number: 8932017Abstract: A wind turbine power generating system includes a wind turbine connected to a speed increasing gearbox having an output shaft. An electrical generator having an input shaft is also provided. An asymmetrical coupling interconnects the input and output shafts. The coupling includes a first torque limiting clutch in series connection with a one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. A second torque limiting clutch is provided in parallel connection with the one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. The first and second torque limiting clutches have different characteristic slip torques. The interconnection of the clutches, and the implementation of the one-way clutch, provides for effective operation of the first and second torque limiting clutches in opposite rotational directions of the input and output shafts.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: EBO Group, Inc.Inventors: David C. Heidenreich, Erik L. Olson, Gregg W. Cullings, David A. Peterman
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Patent number: 8933576Abstract: A drivetrain for a wind turbine is provided. The drivetrain may include a first stage speed increaser adapted for low speed operations, and a second stage speed increaser adapted for moderate and high speed operations. The first stage speed increaser may include at least one drive wheel being rotatably driven by a main shaft of the wind turbine and at least one driven wheel in frictional communication with the drive wheel. The second stage speed increaser may include a gearbox coupled to each driven wheel and a generator coupled to each gearbox.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
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Publication number: 20150008677Abstract: A wind turbine includes a shroud which has an upstream opening and a downstream opening. The shroud is mounted to a pole which supports the wind turbine. Turbine blades within the shroud rotate about an axis and cause a shaft to rotate. A gearbox is connected to the shaft. Preferably, the gearbox has a gear ratio of between 1:5 to 1:15. A fluid reservoir is mounted to the pole containing hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic pump pumps hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic pump is driven by the gear drive. A hydraulic motor is attached to the pole and is driven by the hydraulic pump. An electrical generator is driven by the hydraulic motor. The electrical generator generates electrical energy in response to the rotating shaft of the hydraulic motor. The gearbox, fluid reservoir, hydraulic pump, hydraulic motor and electrical generator are all mounted to the pole between the inlet and outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventor: Gerald E. Brock
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Publication number: 20150008678Abstract: Airborne wind energy conversion system with a propeller (4102) and a ground generator (4107), comprising a cross wind flying wing (4101), in which mechanical energy is transferred from the wing to the ground generator using an endless belt (4105). Another airborne wind energy conversion system, comprising a rotor, formed by freely moving wings, transferring its mechanical power to a ground based generator via a belt. The system can utilize a ribbon, connecting the wings. The belt can move continuously or reciprocally. The rotor can be axial flow, cross flow, diagonal flow or 3D flow. Related AWECS raising and landing methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventor: Leonid Goldstein
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Patent number: 8928165Abstract: A fault-tolerant control system and method for variable-speed variable-pitch wind turbines with an inverter-fed generator. When generator faults are detected, the generator torque and/or flux is limited to prevent propagation of the faults and possible failure and shutdown of the generator. The control system and method improves on two-loop control methods for variable-speed variable-pitch wind turbines and provides improved power delivery under fault conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and ComputingInventors: Mario Vasak, Vinko Lesic, Thomas Wolbank, Nedjeljko Peric
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Patent number: 8928169Abstract: An energy generation apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base, a sidewall enclosing a perimeter of the base to define a first volume, and a tube having a first end and a second end. The base includes a solar energy collection surface. The first end of the tube is disposed in the first volume adjacent the base, and the second end of the tube is disposed in a second volume outside of the first volume. The apparatus also includes a fluid flow initiator to initiate a flow of a fluid from the first volume to the second volume through the tube when the fluid in the first volume has been heated by the solar energy collection surface to generate a super-adiabatic lapse rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: The Aerospace CorporationInventor: Robert A. Hickman
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Patent number: 8928163Abstract: The present invention describes a process for controlling the active power injected into the grid by a generating plant for contributing to the stability of the power grid in the event of frequency variations where, in response to a deviation in grid frequency, each generating unit calculates an active power variation parameter generated based on a first parameter stored in said generating unit, said first parameter being representative of a respective contribution of said generating unit to a required variation in total active power of the generating plant, and where a central control unit of the generating plant connected to each generating unit updates the value of the first parameters when changes are produced therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.Inventors: Teresa Arlaban Gabeiras, Oscar Alonso Sadaba, Jose Miguel Garcia Sayes, Ricardo Royo Garcia, Miguel Nuñez Polo
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Publication number: 20150001851Abstract: The present invention pertains to a wind power installation (1) for generating energy, especially electric power, by means of the movement of ambient air, which installation comprises a flow channel (3), in which the ambient air is formed into a stream which flows through the channel, wherein the flow channel (3) comprises an outer jacket (5) forming its boundary, with: a first section (A) with a tapering, funnel-like cross section, into which a first portion of ambient air enters and is accelerated; a second section (B) of essentially constant cross section, in which a rotor (20) is present, which can be set into rotation by the through-flowing ambient air, wherein the second section (B) comprises a tubular extension (67); a third section (C), through which the tubular extension (67) of the second section (B) extends and which comprises a tapering, tubular inlet funnel (44), which surrounds the tubular extension (67) and serves to allow a second portion of ambient air to enter the flow channel (3); a fourthType: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventor: Maria Hoernig
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Publication number: 20150001850Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine includes a support axis and a wind wheel. The wind wheel includes a rotation base, plural rotation stand sets, plural deflection structures, plural blades, and plural deflection-limiting structures corresponding to the plural blades. The rotation base is rotatably disposed on the support axis. The plural rotation stand sets may define a rotation plane. A first end of each rotation stand set is fixedly disposed on the rotation base. Each blade is pivotally coupled to a second end of the corresponding rotation stand set through the corresponding deflection structure. Consequently, an angle of attack of the blade in an airflow is correspondingly adjusted. When one of the plural blades is deflected, the corresponding deflection-limiting structure generates a first rotational torque in a first rotating direction or a second rotational torque in a second rotating direction so as to rotate the rotation base.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL TAIWAN OCEAN UNIVERSITYInventors: SHENQ-YUH JAW, JIAHN-HORNG CHEN, CHING-YEH HSIN
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Patent number: 8922042Abstract: The control system of this floating wind turbine generator is a control system of a floating wind turbine generator in which the control system controls a pitch angle control section by a pitch angle instruction value calculated on the basis of signals detected by a second sensor detecting a relative angle between a nacelle and a tower and a third sensor detecting a yaw angle from a reference position of the tower so that a signal detected by a first sensor detecting wind direction deviation relative to a vertical direction of a rotation plane of wind turbine blades indicates an angle within a predetermined range from the vertical direction of the rotation plane of the wind turbine blades, and controls a yaw driving device by a yaw driving instruction value calculated on the basis of the signals detected by the second sensor and the third sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind A/SInventors: Kazunari Ide, Takatoshi Matsushita
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Patent number: 8922046Abstract: A crosswind kite system adapted to operate in an alternate mode in high winds. The system may operate at reduced efficiency in high winds in order to moderate loading on the system during those high winds. The system may use multi-element airfoils which are actuated to reduce the coefficient of lift of the airfoils in order to moderate loading in high wind conditions. Other flight aspects may be controlled, including flying the crosswind kite in side slip to induce drag which may lower loading on the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Damon Vander Lind
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Patent number: 8922039Abstract: A wind turbine for producing power to a utility grid includes a rotor having one or more blades, wherein the rotor further includes one or more hydraulic pitch actuators for actively controlling the pitch angle of one or more of the blades. The wind turbine also includes one or more actuator hydraulic pumps adapted for powering the hydraulic pitch actuators, wherein the one or more actuator hydraulic pumps are powered by a normal operation energy source. The wind turbine further includes an emergency hydraulic pump also adapted for powering the hydraulic actuators, the emergency hydraulic pump being powered by an electrical energy storage. A method for powering one or more hydraulic pitch actuators for actively controlling the pitch angle of one or more blades of a wind turbine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Jesper Lykkegaard Andersen, Jens Bay Madsen
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Patent number: 8922037Abstract: A wind power installation is provided having a pylon made up of a plurality of pylon segments, a generator arranged in the region of the head of the pylon, a power module arranged in the region of the pylon base or separate from the pylon, busbar elements which are installed segmented in the associated pylon segments for current transfer from the generator to the power module, and connecting elements for connecting busbar elements which are installed in adjacent pylon segments. Clamping holders may be mounted to the inside wall in the end region, that is the lower end region in the erected condition, of the pylon segments with end portions of the busbar elements clamped or inserted into the clamping holders.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Aloys WobbenInventor: Frank Knoop
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Patent number: 8922173Abstract: A DC chopper comprising a control unit and a power circuit and a DC chopping method for a DFIG (doubly fed induction generator) system are provided. The input terminal of the control unit is coupled to a DC capacitor of a converter to detect a DC voltage. The power circuit includes input terminals, an overvoltage protection module, a rectifier module and output terminals. The overvoltage protection module comprises at least one discharge unit formed from a discharge resistor and a switch element, and the rectifier module is coupled in parallel to the overvoltage protection module. When a grid voltage drops, the control unit outputs a corresponding control signal to drive the switch element to be ON or OFF, and the output terminal of the power circuit absorbs a portion of rotor inrush current, so as to impose over-current protection.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chang-Yong Wang, Jian-Fei Zheng, Fei Lu, Jian-Ping Ying
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Patent number: 8922043Abstract: A time variant droop-based inertial control method of a wind generator includes the steps of acquiring a nominal frequency value and a system frequency value of a power system; calculating a difference between the system frequency value and the nominal frequency value; calculating a rate of change of the system frequency; acquiring a droop coefficient Rvariant using the rate of change of the system frequency; and controlling the wind generator based on the difference between the system frequency value and the nominal frequency value and the droop coefficient Rvariant.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Industrial Cooperation Foundation Chonbuk National UniversityInventors: Yong Cheol Kang, Hyewon Lee, Min Hwang
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Patent number: 8922041Abstract: A kite system includes a kite and a ground station. The ground station includes a sensor that can be utilized to determine an angular position and velocity of the kite relative to the ground station. A controller utilizes a fuzzy logic control system to autonomously fly the kite. The system may include a ground station having powered winding units that generate power as the lines to the kite are unreeled. The control system may be configured to fly the kite in a crosswind trajectory to increase line tension for power generation. The sensors for determining the position of the kite are preferably ground-based.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: David D. North, Mark J. Aull
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Patent number: 8922047Abstract: A horizontal-axis wind turbine includes a rotor having a hub and blades rotatable by wind; a nacelle assembly for rotatably supporting the rotor through a main shaft, the main shaft being connected to the rotor; a tower for rotatably supporting the nacelle assembly; a dynamo placed near to a location at which the tower is built up; a rotatable vertical shaft orthogonally disposed to the main shaft inside the tower for transferring a rotating force of the main shaft to the dynamo; and a repulsive torque-balancing mechanism for transferring a rotating force of the nacelle assembly, the rotating force of the nacelle assembly being derived from repulsive torque due to a load of the dynamo, to the vertical shaft in a direction in which the repulsive torque is balanced.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Inventor: Jeen Mok Yoon
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Publication number: 20140375061Abstract: A system for generating wind energy or wind power through multiple wind turbines. Each wind turbine can be smaller than a single conventional wind turbine. A series of wind turbines are mechanically connected by a chain, cable, or similar mechanical linkage to each other and to a single generator, which is located elsewhere (i.e., not in the nacelle or on the turbine tower). This permits the size and weight of each turbine to be reduced, resulting in the ability to generate electricity at lower wind speeds (e.g., where the wind speed is below the cut-in wind speed of 4 m/s or 9 mph for conventional wind turbines). The reduction in size and weight also reduces the inertia of each turbine, increasing its efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: MD MARUF HOSSAIN, MOHD HASAN ALI
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Publication number: 20140375063Abstract: A novel oscillator comprises a curved sheet structure. The curved sheet structure comprises a curved sheet and a tensioner. The curved sheet structure oscillates when the tensioner of the curved sheet structure is extended between two rigidly or semi rigidly fixed points and the curved sheet structure is exposed to a fluid flow. The oscillation results in oscillating tension in the tensioner and oscillating motion of the tensioner in directions perpendicular and parallel to the direction of fluid flow. Energy conversion devices to couple the energy out of the oscillator include a coupling in line with the tensioner and a coupling generally perpendicular to the extension of the tensioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: RICHARD NEIFELD
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Publication number: 20140375060Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine includes a wind guide module installed at the periphery of a vane module for turning axially, and a magnetic field module and a coil module installed at the periphery of a turntable of the vane module for generating induced electromotive forces, such that when the vane module is rotated by the action of air current, the magnetic field module is driven to rotate a coil of the coil module generates an electric current by the magnetic induction of the magnetic element of the magnetic field module. In particular, the whole vertical axis power generator can guide and concentrate the surrounding air current at flaps of the vane module by the action of the wind guide module, so that the vane module is capable of starting an operation easily, providing a high operating performance, and featuring an easy manufacture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Chun-Shuan Lin, Jung-Hsi Su
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Publication number: 20140375062Abstract: The invention concerns a method of reconditioning a slip ring transmitter of the gold wire type which has a slip ring, in particular a gold ring, for use with a gold wire board as the circuit board, including the steps: removing a gold wire board from the slip ring transmitter, and fitting a multi-brush board as a replacement for the gold wire board.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: Alfred Beekmann
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Patent number: 8916988Abstract: A control system is provided. The control system includes a turbine controller that is configured to generate at least a first signal that is representative of pitch control commands for a plurality of turbine blades and a second signal that is representative of the pitch control commands for the turbine blades. A first pitch controller is coupled to the turbine controller, wherein the first pitch controller is configured to receive the first signal and to implement the pitch control commands for each of the turbine blades in response to receiving the first signal. A second pitch controller is coupled to the turbine controller and to the first pitch controller, wherein the second pitch controller is configured to receive the second signal and to implement the pitch control commands to each of the turbine blades when the first pitch controller is unable to implement the pitch control commands.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert William Ridgway, Minesh Ashok Shah
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Publication number: 20140367973Abstract: The invention is a power generator using fluid flow which may include intermittent fluid flow. The invention facilitates the harnessing of electric power from intermittent wind sources but may also be deployed in near constant winds. The apparatus includes airfoils that are pivotally to vertical supports. The supports are attached to power generating devices. As wind blows, the airfoils lift upward relative to the horizontal. The motion may be transferred by actuating a hydraulic cylinder. This motion pressurizes the cylinder and the pressurized hydraulic fluid may later be transferred into electric power via a hydraulic generator. The upward motion may also be transferred to a permanent magnet alternator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventor: John A. Saavedra
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Publication number: 20140367969Abstract: A system for maintaining buoyant, energy-capture devices in general relative position in water in the presence of surface waves allows heeling of the energy capture devices while preventing collision. The system includes a grid of structural members that resists compression while permitting limited relative surface displacement between the first and second energy-capture devices. The structural members may be partially compressible and provide a restoring force, and they may allow heeling. Electricity from wave energy capture devices is combined in a way that smoothes variations inherent in wave action. Electricity from wind energy capture devices is combined with energy from wave energy capture devices for transmission to shore.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: John Pitre, Stuart Huang
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Publication number: 20140367972Abstract: According to the present invention, use is made of a drag-type blade in which the blade is constituted vertically and in multiple blocks while the inside thereof is formed so as to have an overlapping region, thereby achieving an aerodynamic characteristic whereby there is a large initial torque for rotating the blade of the wind energy electricity generator from the stationary state such that the rotational moment is increased. On the outside thereof, use is made of airfoil-type blades, thereby obtaining rapid rotational acceleration with tip-speed ratio no less than 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2012Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventor: Yeong Won Rhee
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Patent number: 8912680Abstract: A rotary electric machine for a wind power turbine for generating electric power has a tubular stator having a plurality of stator segments; a tubular rotor which has a plurality of rotor segments, is located inside the tubular stator, and rotates about an axis of rotation with respect to the tubular stator; a sleeve located at least partly inside the tubular rotor and connectable to a supporting frame of the wind power turbine; and a bearing located inside and fixed to the sleeve, and which supports the tubular rotor rotating with respect to the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Wilic S.AR.L.Inventors: Emmanuele Gelmini, Matteo Casazza
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Patent number: 8912681Abstract: A staged cluster wind generator system generates electrical power from wind. The system includes a base and a housing coupled to a top end of the base. A primary generator is coupled to and positioned in the housing. A drive shaft is mechanically coupled to and extends from the primary generator through the housing. A propeller is coupled to the drive shaft and configured for being rotated by wind wherein the drive shaft drives the primary generator. An annular main gear is coupled to the drive shaft and rotated by rotation of the drive shaft. Each of a plurality of secondary generators is coupled to the housing. Each secondary generator has a drive gear operationally coupled to the annular main gear wherein rotation of the drive shaft drives each secondary generator.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Inventor: Steven J. Filkins
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Patent number: 8912679Abstract: A modular wind turbine system comprises modules with electrically conductive structural rails supporting wind turbines. The wind turbines drive generators electrically connected to the rails. Individual modules are electrically and mechanically linked to adjacent modules, simultaneously bracing the overall structure and providing a means of conveying the electricity, produced by the generators, to the location or locations required for consumption, storage or onward transmission of that electricity.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Spinetic Energy LimitedInventor: Giles Henry Rodway
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Patent number: 8912676Abstract: A wind turbine having a generator for generating electrical energy and a transformer is disclosed. The transformer is designed to receive electrical energy from the generator on a secondary side and to discharge said electrical energy again on a primary side at a higher voltage. The wind turbine also comprises a temperature monitoring means for the transformer. The voltage supply to the temperature monitoring means is fed from the primary side of the transformer. The temperature monitoring means is thereby independent of the control system of the wind turbine. The temperature monitoring means reduces the risk of the transformer overheating. A method for operating such a wind turbine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Senvion SEInventors: Bjoern Matzen, Lars Nietmann, Jan Boetger, Sebastian Schluricke
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Publication number: 20140361544Abstract: An enclosure associated with a wind turbine tower includes a plurality of pre-assembled sections configured to be attached to a section of the wind turbine tower. The plurality of pre-assembled sections form an enclosure around the section. The enclosure is configured for storage of electrical components associated with a wind turbine. The enclosure is also configured to increase available space within the wind turbine tower by storage of the electrical components in the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: James Eric Reed, James Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20140361545Abstract: A hybrid vertical axis wind turbine using a highly aerodynamic blade-profile is disclosed. The blade-profile is simple, asymmetrical with unequal upper and lower surfaces cambers and is capable of generating high starting torque even at low wind. Wind tunnel tests demonstrated that this aerodynamic profile would generate high torque of similar magnitude when wind comes from leading or trailing edge. Other characteristics of this profile are that it is compact, lightweight, durable and economical. The target users for this patent will be 44% of the world population that live in rural areas where roof-top wind turbine will be cost effective to provide enough household required electric power. This compact turbine can also use batteries to store energy, thereby reducing and possibly eliminating the need for grid power.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Anjik Ghosh
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Publication number: 20140361543Abstract: A wind powered apparatus (or wind turbine) comprising a stator blade assembly and a rotor blade assembly wherein said stator blades assembly and said rotor blade assembly have counter rotating blades. Both sets of blades assemblies are connected to a generator and are operable to rotate the stator and rotor thereof in opposite directions relative to one another due to the blade arrangement between assemblies. The blades assemblies comprise a hub connected to an outer ring, wherein said outer ring comprises inward blades. The win turbine, more particularly the blade arrangement co-operates to improve performance of the apparatus by affecting its orientation and the rotational speed of the blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Carlos Miro, Miguel Hernandez
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Publication number: 20140361547Abstract: A direct-drive wind turbine comprising an external rotor having an external annular body and a stator, a nacelle which is mounted on an upper part of a tower and which houses a shaft-holder mechanism for supporting the horizontal shaft, a plurality of blade-holder structures arranged equidistantly on external peripheral portions of the external annular body, and a blade root connected to the blade-holder structure, said turbine also including a distal end part connected to the blade root, a lateral hatch for accessing an internal chamber in the blade extender and a door for closing the hatch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: GAMESA INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, S.L.Inventors: Ignacio Alti Barbon, Mauro Villanueva Monzon
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Publication number: 20140361548Abstract: The invention relates to a wind power plant having a tower that has at least one bottom tower segment and a pre-manufactured fire protection module for fireproof receiving of a transformer. The fire protection module is placed within the bottom tower segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Norbert Holscher, Mischa Braske
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Publication number: 20140361546Abstract: It comprises stator segments forming a stator structure and a transverse structure connected to the stator structure and arranged between at least two stator segments. The transverse structure may have reinforcing ribs extending therealong and a handling device at longitudinally opposite portions of the transverse structure. A wind turbine generator comprising a rotor and said stator assembly and a wind turbine comprising such a generator are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Pere Cortada Acosta
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Patent number: 8907515Abstract: An energy transfer system comprising a central shaft, a set of vanes mounted to the central shaft, at least one pump, at least one pulley system, mounted between the central shaft and the pump and an electromagnetic generator located within the central shaft, whereby rotation of the set of vanes by the wind causes the pulley system to generate power and the electromagnetic generator to generate electricity.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Inventor: Glenn Trachsell
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Patent number: 8907518Abstract: Disclosed therein is a hybrid aerogenerator including: blades rotating by winds; a main rotary shaft disposed on a fixed structure to rotatably mount the blades; an engine part having an engine shaft and generating rotary power using fossil fuel; a generation part having a generation shaft and generating electric currents by rotary power of the generation shaft; transferring means adapted to connect at least one of the main rotary shaft and the engine shaft to the generation shaft; a sensor adapted to measure RPM (Revolution Per Minute) of the blades; a controlling part adapted to control the transferring means and the engine part according to the RPM measured by the sensor; and an electricity storing part adapted to store the electric currents of the generation part.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Inventors: Adrian Hawkins, Marty Schmitz
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Patent number: 8907516Abstract: A power generation system including an airborne electricity generator, a tether assembly configured to carry electricity from the generator to land, the tether assembly having a first end portion coupled to the generator, and a winch assembly configured to reel the tether assembly onto a drum, wherein the winch assembly is configured to apply a reel tension to the tether assembly reeled onto the drum that is lower than a tension in the first end portion of the tether assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: JST LLCInventor: Joseph A. Carroll