Wind Patents (Class 290/55)
  • Patent number: 9407123
    Abstract: A generator, particularly for a wind turbine, having a rotor and a stator is provided. The rotor includes at least one disc-like shaped rotor end plate supporting the rotor and the stator includes at least one disc-like shaped stator end plate supporting the stator, wherein the at least one rotor end plate and/or the at least one stator end plate at least partially extends tilted relative to the center axis of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: James Kenneth Booth, Uffe Eriksen, Jacob Blach Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9397543
    Abstract: An electromagnetic machine, comprising: a first stator winding having a first number of pole pairs; a second stator winding having a second number of pole pairs which is different to the first number of pole pairs; and, a modulator having a plurality of pole pieces arranged relative to the first and second stator windings so as to modulate the electromagnetic fields produced by the first and second stator windings, thereby matching harmonic spectra of the first and second stator windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Stephen J. Mountain, Ellis F H Chong
  • Patent number: 9388796
    Abstract: An assembly for absorbing torques at the rotor hub of a wind turbine whose rotation axis extends toward the wind, and for diverting axial and radial forces and tilting moments into a load-bearing structure by means of a main bearing, and for extracting rotational energy from the rotor hub by means of a gear whose planet gears mesh with a sun gear and a ring gear, and comprising a generator connectable to an output side of the planetary gear, and operates to convert the rotational energy into electrical energy, wherein the planetary gear is integrated with a main bearing of a wind power plant, and the ring gear of the planetary gear is driven by the rotor hub, while the planet gear carrier is fixed to the chassis of a gondola of the power plant, and the sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism is drivingly connected to the generator, and the generator does nor protrude radially beyond the rotor bearing or main bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: IMO Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Hubertus Frank
  • Patent number: 9379602
    Abstract: Systems, power modules (108), and methods (200) for using in controlling a converter (110) coupled between a power generator (104) and an electric grid (102) are provided. One of the power modules (108) includes the converter (110) configured to supply an output from the power generator (104) to the electric grid (102), and a controller (112) coupled to the converter (110). The controller (112) includes a phase-lock-loop (PLL) module (123) and at least one regulator (128, 130). The at least one regulator (128, 130) is configured to at least partially control the converter (110) as a function of at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Huibin Zhu, David Smith, Jun Zhu, Xueqin Wu
  • Patent number: 9371661
    Abstract: A wind mitigation system for attachment to a residential or commercial building to mitigate wind suction forces known to damage roof structures, and to harness wind energy to create electricity. The system may comprise one or more rotating cylinders which make use of the Magnus effect, a scientific phenomenon involving air flow over a rotating cylindrical object. Rotating Magnus cylinders are installed on the roof, preferably at or near the roof-wall junction of a building in order to provide the greatest suppression of perpendicular wind forces and resulting vortices. Wind flowing across the Magnus cylinders creates a downward force that is transferred to the roof by structural support brackets. The downward force counters the upward lifting forces generated by high winds so as to prevent uplifting of the roof structure. Electrical energy is generated from oscillations resulting from variations in wind speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Winston Grace
  • Patent number: 9371820
    Abstract: A direct-drive wind turbine includes a tower with a nacelle having a direct-drive generator and a rotatable hub carrying turbine blades, wherein the direct-drive generator comprises an outer stator and an inner rotor and has a first side facing the turbine blades and a second side facing away from the turbine blades. A slip ring at the second side transfers power and/or signals from the nacelle to the rotatable hub being mounted coaxially with the centerline of the direct-drive generator. The slip ring mounts on a first arm. An end of a second arm distal to the slip ring can engages the rotor or a shaft. The assembly of the first arm, slip ring and second arm may be at a first position where the slip ring is aligned with the centerline of the direct drive generator and at a second position to provide access to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: XEMC VWEC B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Johannes Antonius Versteegh, Gerard Albert Jacobus Treur
  • Patent number: 9366152
    Abstract: A co-generation apparatus for the generation of electricity from an external source of forced air is described in which the co-generation apparatus comprises a turbine, a generator, a co-generation control unit, and an adjustable standoff. The turbine is connected to the generator for the production of electricity. The generator interface electrically connects the generator to an electrical system. The co-generation control unit is connected to the turbine and generator interface. The forced air drives the turbine. The turbine can be positioned in a turbine housing that receives the forced air. An adjustable standoff is connected to the turbine. The standoff adjusts the position of the turbine relative to the forced air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Evans, Steven Evans, II, Frank Clark
  • Patent number: 9359911
    Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electrical energy may include a tower, a nacelle at the top of the tower, and a rotor coupled to a generator within the nacelle. The wind turbine further includes a cooler including a spoiler and at least one cooler panel projecting above a roof of the nacelle. A heliplatform includes a support structure extending from the nacelle and at least partially integrated with the cooler. The wind turbine may also include a crane coupled to the nacelle and configured to move between a first stowed position underneath the nacelle roof and a second operational position. In the operational position, the crane is selectively positionable over the heliplatform. A method of using the wind turbine and crane is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Mazyar Abolfazlian, Morten Mogensen
  • Patent number: 9353729
    Abstract: An aerodynamic hub assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The hub assembly may include a hub extension, a rotor blade having a blade root and a blade tip, and a hub airfoil section mounted at least partially over the hub extension. The hub airfoil section may be fixed relative to the rotor blade or may be configured to rotate about a common pitch axis with the rotor blade. The hub extension may be connected to and extend radially from a center of the hub assembly. Further, the hub assembly may include a pitch bearing having an inner race and an outer race, wherein the pitch bearing may be coupled between the hub extension and the blade root. Additionally, the hub assembly may also include an aerodynamically-shaped spinner, wherein the spinner may house at least a portion of a root structure extending radially from the center of the hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian David Wilson, Kevin Wayne Kinzie, James Henry Madge, Daniel Jason Erno, Michael Colan Moscinski, Zaeem Ashraf Khan, Dmytro Floriyovych Opaits
  • Patent number: 9356411
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Beekmann
  • Patent number: 9334853
    Abstract: A transpired solar collector chimney tower is provided. Specifically, disclosed herein is a transpired solar air heating collector device comprising: a heat absorbing root an interior space adjacent the heat absorbing root and, a plurality of air inlet openings distributed over the heat absorbing roof and configured to allow ambient air to flow from outside the heat absorbing roof into the interior space, a porosity of the heat absorbing roof due to the plurality of air inlet openings being in a range of about 0.25% open area to about 5% open area; a chimney tower extending from the transpired solar air heating collector device and connected to the interior space such that heated air in the interior space flows from the interior space through the chimney tower; and, one or more turbines positioned on a path of airflow from the interior space through the chimney tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HOLLICK SOLAR SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: John C. Hollick, Dogan Eryener
  • Patent number: 9337708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic gear type electric rotating machine. Specifically, the purpose is to provide a magnetic gear type electric rotating machine with which the intensity of a permanent magnetic field can be improved without increasing material and manufacturing costs, and deterioration of torque transmission characteristics can be prevented. To this end, in the present invention, concave and convex sections are provided on a surface of at least one of cores (12, 22) for a first permanent magnetic field (1) and a second permanent magnetic field (2). The convex sections (13) are arranged along the circumferential direction at the center sections of permanent magnetic poles (11a, 11b), and the concave sections (14) are arranged along the circumferential direction at the edge sections of the permanent magnetic poles (11a, 11b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junnosuke Nakatsugawa, Yuji Enomoto, Norihisa Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9322393
    Abstract: A wind power generation device, comprising a base (1), a wind concentrating tower (2), a vertical generator (3), a vertical spiral turbine (4), a turbine air inlet duct (5), a trumpet-shaped wind pushing duct (6) and an umbrella-shaped wind drawing duct (7). The wind concentrating tower concentrates the wind, the trumpet-shaped wind pushing duct pushes the wind, and the umbrella-shaped wind drawing duct draws the wind to form an artificial tornado, generate a low air pressure in the center, and generate a great drawing and pushing force to the turbine, thus driving the vertical spiral turbine to drive the vertical generator to generate power. The wind power generation device achieves wind power generation of large installed capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventors: Lirong Sun, Xiping Hua, Xinhua Yu, Xiaojuan Shi, Yun Sun, Pingbao Chen
  • Patent number: 9322395
    Abstract: A power generating device includes an input rotor that is provided to an output shaft of speed up gears so as to be capable of rotating together with the output shaft, an output rotor that is provided to a drive shaft of a generator so as to be capable of rotating together with the drive shaft, and a one-way clutch that is disposed between the input rotor and the output rotor. The one-way clutch connects the input rotor with the output rotor so as to rotate together with the input rotor and the output rotor when the rotation speed of the input rotor exceeds the rotation speed of the output rotor, and the one-way clutch is configured to release the connection between the input rotor and the output rotor when the rotation speed of the input rotor falls below the rotation speed of the output rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Fujiwara, Masaaki Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 9322391
    Abstract: A housing for a wind turbine includes a plurality of spine members with a central rib and opposed channels. Frame members are attached to adjacent spine members. The housing includes divergent frame members having a pair of longitudinal members which are inserted into channels of a spine member. The housing includes central support members, each central support member is attached to a divergent frame member. Each of the central support members is attached near the center of one of the divergent frame members. The housing also includes outer plates, each outer plate attached to and between adjacent spine members. Channels face in the opposite direction from adjacent channels on the spines. An inner shroud is attached to the spine members. Air passages are created underneath the arcuate outer plates. A cowling is attached to the end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SKYWOLF WIND TURBINE CORP.
    Inventor: Gerald E. Brock
  • Patent number: 9318925
    Abstract: A generator for a wind turbine is proposed. The generator has a stator, a rotor having a rotor housing surrounding the stator, and a main bearing to support the rotor housing such that the rotor housing is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The stator has a plurality of cylindrical elements extending in parallel with the axis of rotation, and the rotor has a front element having a plurality of holes at positions alignable with the cylindrical elements, such that the rotor is fixable to the stator by inserting a fastening member through a cylindrical element and a hole aligned with the cylindrical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Edom Lemma
  • Patent number: 9306414
    Abstract: The invention is an electrical power system for powering quasi-remote loads wherein local electric utility power is stepped up in voltage and transmitted to a remote battery bank via a low cost, two-conductor, direct burial cable. The system is configured such that current in is this cable is relatively low and constant. The battery bank is used to buffer the low power feed from the electric utility source and the high power, high crest factor remote loads. An inverter, like the type used with off-grid solar power systems, converts the DC battery power to AC power to supply the remote loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: RENEWABLE POWER CONVERSION, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Travis West
  • Patent number: 9297362
    Abstract: An exemplary wind turbine for providing electrical energy includes a tower having a turret and switchgear for switching an electric current. The switchgear is arranged in a housing in the turret. The wind turbine also includes a discharge chamber separate from the turret; and a pressure-relief device, which is connected between the interior of the housing and the discharge chamber, in order to relieve pressure when there is a pressure difference between the interior of the housing of the switchgear and the discharge chamber so that an overpressure in the discharge chamber can be dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Marco Becker, Stefan Kämpfer
  • Patent number: 9296346
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted cable mounted in a vehicle provided with a cable port includes: a first cable that can be pulled out through the cable port; a second cable connected to the vehicle; and a connection device that connects the first cable and the second cable together, and disconnects the first cable and the second cable when the connection device experiences tension equal to or larger than prescribed tension, the connection device being provided at a position allowing the connection device to be pulled out through the cable port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Michiaki Arasu
  • Patent number: 9273670
    Abstract: A cooling system and method for a wind power generator and a wind power generator set. The cooling system for a wind power generator includes air extraction pipelines and air discharge devices. The air extraction pipelines are located inside a generator case. A pipeline inlet in communication with a generator, a first pipeline outlet in communication with the outside of the generator case, and a second pipeline outlet in communication with the inside of the generator case are arranged on the air extraction pipelines, and the first and second pipeline outlets are provided with air doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Beijing Goldwind Science & Creation Windpower Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoqian Li, Guoqing Wu, Kai Wu
  • Patent number: 9270150
    Abstract: Direct drive rotating electrical machines with axial air gaps are disclosed. In these machines, a rotor ring and stator ring define an axial air gap between them. Sets of gap-maintaining rolling supports bear between the rotor ring and the stator ring at their peripheries to maintain the axial air gap. Also disclosed are wind turbines using these generators, and structures and methods for mounting direct drive rotating electrical generators to the hubs of wind turbines. In particular, the rotor ring of the generator may be carried directly by the hub of a wind turbine to rotate relative to a shaft without being mounted directly to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Clear Path Energy, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Sharples, Patrick J. McCleer
  • Patent number: 9261080
    Abstract: A method for reducing vibrations of a wind turbine includes a plurality of set points characterizing set values of operation parameters of the wind turbine. The method includes measuring an acceleration force value corresponding to acceleration forces acting on the turbine, and determining whether the measured acceleration force value is above a predetermined threshold value. Furthermore, in case it is determined that the acceleration force value is above the predetermined threshold value, the set point value of at least one set point of the plurality of set points is modified in order to reduce the vibrations in such a way that a power output of the wind turbine is not reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Per Egedal, Dennis Soebye Jensen
  • Patent number: 9257929
    Abstract: The present invention provides an excitation control circuit, a control method using the same and an electrically excited wind power system having the same. The excitation control circuit comprises at least one converter and at least one AC/DC conversion module. The converter is located between an AC electric grid and a wind power generator, so as to convert AC power generated by the wind power generator into AC power corresponding to the AC electric grid. The input side of the AC/DC conversion module is electrically connected between the converter and the wind power generator, and the output side is coupled to an excitation device. The AC/DC conversion module is used to convert the AC power from the wind power generator into a DC voltage, and provides an excitation current for the wind power generator using the DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Yong Wang, Yan-Song Lu, Jun Chen, Xue-Xiao Luo, Jun-Sheng Mu
  • Patent number: 9257938
    Abstract: This invention provides a simple integrated system that uses roof-spray, water collection, and water storage components to cool a building, collect and store rainwater, and clean a rooftop solar array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Curtis Bourne
  • Patent number: 9243614
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventors: Carlos Miro, Miguel Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9222462
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a turbine housing, a turbine wheel system housed in the turbine housing, and a wind power converting system for converting kinetic energy generated by the turbine wheel system into electrical energy. The turbine wheel system includes a turbine rotor being driven to rotate circumferentially around an interior of the turbine housing, and a rail frame guiding a rotational movement of a turbine rotor. The wind turbine not only allows airflow to move across and through the turbine wheel system but also allows airflow to be directed and exhausted to maximize and control energy generation. The wind turbine is able to efficiently convert wind power to electrical power via a turbine wheel system which allows for the load generated to be distributed across the circumference of the turbine wheel system instead of localized in the center as the traditional wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SP Power Farm Group Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas B. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9217412
    Abstract: A wind energy system comprising a wind turbine comprising a cowling surrounded by a diffuser and a plurality of inner rotor blades located inside of the cowling that rotate about an inner hub, a plurality of outer rotor blades positioned between the diffuser and the cowling that are counter-rotating relative to the plurality of inner rotor blades, a drive mechanism located within the inner rotor hub, a dynamic telescopic tower, and a tower support that connects the wind turbine to the dynamic telescopic tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: LGT Advanced Technology Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Blake, George Harold Ryton, Hassan Mansir, Nicholas James Hemingway
  • Patent number: 9217421
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a modified drag based wind turbine apparatus, a method of making the wind turbine and a method of using the wind turbine apparatus. The apparatus is based on a modified drag based concept whereby during a complete turn of the rotor, there will be an augmentation of a positive torque and a decrease of a negative torque resulting in double effect enhancement. The disclosed wind turbine can capture more wind kinetic energy than that energy captured by the traditional drag based wind turbines. The wind turbine apparatus comprises of a turbine supporting frame, a turbine rotor, a sail supporting arm, a sail rotational axis along with sail swinging rods, and extendable and/or shrinkable turbine sails. A simple design and construction is made for cost-effectiveness, and has small as well as large scale scalability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Alfaisal University
    Inventor: Hassan Zohair Hassan Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9206784
    Abstract: A high-performance turbine, particularly with increased specific power, including a rotor and a distribution apparatus which is adapted to convey a fluid stream onto the elements of the rotor for the rotation of the rotor about its own rotation axis, where the rotor includes a plurality of thrust ducts adapted to receive the fluid stream conveyed by the distribution apparatus to generate a rotary thrust on the surrounding walls of the thrust ducts, the turbine further including at least one slot, which is formed on the walls of the thrust ducts and/or of the distribution apparatus and is adapted to connect the fluid stream to the outside environment of the turbine, where at least one of the thrust ducts and the distribution apparatus crossed by the fluid stream includes at least one portion that converges in the direction in which the fluid stream travels, which is defined upstream of the slot in the direction of travel of the fluid stream for the at least local lowering of the pressure inside the thrust duct
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Giancarlo Alfonsi
  • Patent number: 9203333
    Abstract: A method for reactive power generation for a wind turbine generator includes receiving a voltage command signal, and adjusting this voltage command signal as a function of the wind turbine reactive power. A reactive current is determined for the wind turbine generator in response to the adjusted voltage command signal and is transmitted to a controller of the wind turbine generator for generating a real and reactive power based on the reactive current command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Einar Vaughn Larsen, Alfredo Sebastian Achilles
  • Patent number: 9194367
    Abstract: A wind turbine built on a vertical axle rotationally mounted within a base. A plurality of frame assemblies mounted to the axle in spaced apart radial positions where each frame assembly engages a plurality of vertically oriented peaked screens, the peaked screens arranged in radially directed side-by-side fixed positions. A plurality of light-weight flexible fabrics, each one of said flexible fabrics pivotally engaged adjacent to one of the peaked screens and of sufficient size for covering the peaked screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Phil Feldhaus
  • Patent number: 9194375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for mounting elements when installing a wind turbine by hoisting the hub to the nacelle. The hub includes the main bearing mounted to the hub with fastening members such as bolts. Also disclosed is a nacelle for a wind turbine, said nacelle provided with a slot for accommodating a main bearing for the hub. Also disclosed is a method for transporting elements of a wind turbine, said elements comprising a nacelle, a hub and a main bearing for the hub, and said method comprising assembling the hub and the main bearing with fastening members at the site of production or at another preliminary site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Gunnar Kamp Storgaard Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9193472
    Abstract: An actuator for a ram air turbine includes a housing that supports a piston rod arranged in a cylinder. The piston rod and the cylinder are slideably moveable relative to one another between retracted and deployed positions. A can surrounds the cylinder and is loosely fixed relative to the housing. The can is permitted to pivot relative to the housing and cylinder relative to the cylinder in a radial direction during operation. In operation, the ram air turbine is deployed by initiating a deploy sequence. The piston rod and the cylinder are extended relative to one another to the deployed position. The method includes pivoting a can that surrounds the cylinder and the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gary Sasscer
  • Patent number: 9188103
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate power using wind and controlled air movement and related structures to more cost effectively produce energy and protect system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: AeroDynEnergy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Krietzman, Peter J. Gluck, William A. Farone, Yung Chow
  • Patent number: 9188108
    Abstract: A floating wind farm having wind machines positioned on a generally V-shaped floating platform, the platform being tethered to an anchor such that the platform is free to be repositioned by the wind for optimum production. The wind machines power air compressors and the floating platform itself comprises large storage chambers to receive the compressed air, or storage chambers to receive liquefied air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Herbert L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9183747
    Abstract: Pedestrian and motorist warning system that is powered from vehicle generated movement where there is little or no access to a power grid. Pedals maybe disposed on the road such that when a vehicle passes over it, it informs a controller system to activate a warning board or light to notify people of the oncoming vehicle, the signs or lights maybe placed besides a pedestrian crossing to alert pedestrians of the risk of an oncoming vehicle. Illuminating road corner LEDs, roadside lights and road arrows disposed in various sections of the road are also powered from vehicle generated movement operate on a set of programmed criteria's. Variables such as time of day, the speed of the vehicle, the weather, the temperature or fog all determine the way all the connected devices operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Bader A. Almalki
  • Patent number: 9169824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine with internal transport devices which comprises: a power train including a generator (41) located in front of the rotor (15) and actuated directly by said rotor (15), a tower (11) and a supporting structure (13) mounted on the tower (11); the rotor (15), which is supported by a main non-rotating shaft (29) connected to the supporting structure (13) by means of at least one bearing, comprising a hub (17) and at least one blade; the generator rotor (45) being rigidly connected to the rotor hub (17) and the generator stator (43) being rigidly connected to the main shaft (29), the main shaft (29) being a hollow shaft which includes one or more transport devices, such as a device (61) for transporting hanging loads or a carriage (71) for making it easier to replace parts of the generator and/or to transport persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GAMESA INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, S.L.
    Inventor: Karl Aarhus
  • Patent number: 9163607
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to wind and hydropower vessel plant. The vessel plant is configured for generating renewable electrical energy. The wind and hydropower vessel plant comprises apparatus which relates to exposable turbine and/or submersible turbine configuration. Both exposable and submersible turbines are incorporated in a system by reference, comprising a platform for producing renewable electrical energy that is storable and/or transportable. The disclosed embodiments further include a plant for the production of hydrogen, methane, oxygen, desalinated water, salt and supplemental energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Akwo Tabe
  • Patent number: 9156565
    Abstract: An airborne wind turbine system including an aerial vehicle having a fuselage, an electrically conductive tether having a first end secured to the aerial wing and a second end secured to a platform, a rotatable drum positioned on the platform onto which the tether is wrapped when the aerial vehicle is reeled in, a perch panel extending from the platform, first and second extensions extending from opposite sides of the perch panel, a peg positioned on the fuselage, first and second hooks extending from the aerial vehicle on opposite sides of the peg, wherein when the aerial vehicle is perched on the perch panel, the peg is in contact with the perch panel, the first hook is positioned over the first extension, and the second hook is positioned over the second extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hachtmann, Damon Vander Lind
  • Patent number: 9151271
    Abstract: A control system for a wind park includes a plurality of limit controllers. Each limit controller is configured to output a limit value set based upon a specific grid code requirement. A selection unit compiles a limit value set from the plurality of limit value sets according to a number of grid code requirements. The control system further includes a plurality of main controllers, wherein a main controller is configured to generate a setpoint for one or more wind turbines of the wind park according to the compiled limit value set. Further, a wind park and a method of controlling a wind park are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCAHFT
    Inventor: Bo Yin
  • Patent number: 9133585
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of superstructures carrying renewable energy means along a section comprising, or in the proximity of a circulation area and addresses the goal of minimizing the visual impact resulting from such superstructures by means of a variation of at least some of the design parameters of said superstructures or of respective renewable energy means, preferentially at least as perceived by people circulating along said section. The present invention further relates to a section, for example of a traffic infrastructure, presenting such system of superstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Paulo Alexandre Teixeira E. Silva Cardoso
  • Patent number: 9133820
    Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a vertical axis wind turbine comprising a plurality of support arms, a housing coupled to the arms, a bridging connector having a first end portion and a second end portion, a blade coupled to the second end portion, and an electric generator housed within the housing. The first portion is coupled to the housing. The blade vertically extends along the housing. The generator operative based at least in part on the housing vertically rotating between the arms via the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Jones
  • Patent number: 9127648
    Abstract: A system to cool the air inside a nacelle and the heat generating components housed in the nacelle of an offshore wind turbine is presented. An upper cooling circuit is disposed in the nacelle. A reservoir is disposed below the upper cooling circuit and has a lid that freely rotates about a vertical axis of the reservoir along with an inlet and an outlet pipe of the upper cooling circuit as the nacelle yaws, the vertical axis of the reservoir being coincident with a yaw axis of the nacelle. A lower cooling circuit is disposed below the reservoir. Coolant is circulated through the upper cooling circuit using a cooling pump disposed between the nacelle and the upper cooling circuit. The upper cooling circuit carries heat from the heat generating components and from the air inside the nacelle to the reservoir. The lower cooling circuit carries heat from the reservoir to the bottom of the tower and dissipates the heat to the sea water through a heat exchanger that is cooled by the sea water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: GAMESA INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, S.L.
    Inventor: Peri Sabhapathy
  • Patent number: 9127647
    Abstract: A wind turbine nacelle is provided. The wind turbine nacelle includes a longitudinal extension and a bottom part. The longitudinal extension has a rear end and a front end. At the bottom part, an opening is located which serves as an interface to a tower of a wind turbine at a designated assembly situation of the nacelle. A first detachable leg arrangement is attached to at least one of the front end and the rear end. A second detachable leg arrangement is attached at the bottom part. Further embodiments are directed to a transport system for a wind turbine nacelle and to a method for transporting a wind turbine nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Henning Poulsen
  • Patent number: 9115692
    Abstract: A system and method for a piezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) are disclosed. The piezoelectric-based VAWT may generate electricity in response to a deformation (e.g., a stretching or bending) of piezoelectric material. For example, the piezoelectric material may be included on or within a wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blade may be struck by an object or may hit an object. Such an action may cause the wind turbine blade to vibrate and subsequently cause the piezoelectric material to deform and generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventors: Vinod Shekher, Rahul Shekher
  • Patent number: 9110481
    Abstract: Electrical power is fed from a wind energy installation into an AC voltage system via an energy transmission path, which is delimited by an installation-side transformer and a system-side transformer. A power factor correction device is connected, at a common node between the energy transmission path and the AC voltage system using a closed-loop control device, which controls the wind energy installation and which receives a variable which is proportional to the reactive power on the energy transmission path and a further measured variable. A measurement signal produced at the output of the power factor correction device is used as further measured variable. The closed-loop controller has such a control characteristic that the voltage on the low-voltage side of the system-side transformer increases, depending on the reactive power on the energy transmission path, from the inductive range to the capacitive range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Strobl
  • Patent number: 9080554
    Abstract: A floating, anchored installation for energy production where the installation comprises at least one windmill, and where the installation is provided with at least one float driven pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Pelagic Power AS
    Inventor: Dagfinn Jarl Røyseth
  • Patent number: 9080551
    Abstract: An energy generation system works to convert wind created by aircraft exhaust into electrical power. The system uses a wind turbine including a plurality of blades extending from a shaft with a generator coupled to the shaft. The wind turbine is placed behind a runway to collect the wind from the engine of an aircraft, generating energy and converting the energy into electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Jay Yudkovitz, Sheran Ranchith Perera, Paul Roche Bartholomew, Samuel David Faggert, Michael Andrew Cwietniewicz
  • Patent number: 9080552
    Abstract: A wind-driven machine for generating power, which includes a structure divided so as to facilitate its transportation and assembly constituted by a tower, a gondola on its top end, a plurality of wind collecting blades and a rotary equipment which includes an electric power generator constituted by an inner stator fixed to the gondola and an outer rotor enclosing the inner stator, a plurality of supporting cups inside which a blade pitch regulating rotary hub is mounted and to which each wind collecting blade is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAS METALURGICAS PESCARMONA S.A.I.C.Y F.
    Inventor: Enrique Pescarmona
  • Patent number: 9074579
    Abstract: A power generator according to an embodiment includes a hollow shaped speed-increasing gear, a hollow shaped power generation unit, a rotor shaft, and a position detector. With the input shaft and the output shaft of the hollow shaped speed-increasing gear coaxially disposed with a propeller shaft, and coupled to the propeller shaft. With the input shaft of the power generation unit coaxially disposed with the speed-increasing gear, the power generation unit generates power through the output of the speed-increasing gear. The rotor shaft is coaxially disposed with the speed-increasing gear and the power generation unit and rotates integrally with a propeller while being provided in hollow portions of the speed-increasing gear and the power generation unit. The position detector detects a rotational position of the propeller by detecting the rotational position of the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Miyamoto, Shinichi Nishi, Masayuki Utsunomiya