With Measuring, Testing, Signalling Or Inspection Means Patents (Class 416/61)
-
Patent number: 10864979Abstract: A system and method for determining a position of a feedback ring of a propeller of an aircraft engine are provided. The feedback ring is coupled to the propeller to rotate with the propeller and to be displaced along a longitudinal axis with adjustment of a blade angle. An engagement member is configured to engage the feedback ring and to be displaced along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis with displacement of the feedback ring. A sensor comprises a first member coupled to the engine and a second member coupled to the engagement member. The second member is moveable relative to the first member along the longitudinal direction as the engagement member is displaced. The sensor generates a signal indicative of a longitudinal position of the second member relative to the first member. A controller determines an axial position of the feedback ring from the sensor signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Joseph Ernesto Marone, Ian Farrell
-
Patent number: 10844833Abstract: A blade adapter for rotor blades of wind turbines, for increasing the rotor diameter, has a first end for attaching to the rotor hub, and a second end, spaced apart in the axial direction, for connecting to the blade root of a rotor blade. In addition, the blade adapter, at its first and second end, has a pitch circle for connecting to the rotor hub or to the rotor blade, wherein the wall of the blade adapter extending in the axial direction is open outwardly, in the form of a truncated cone, from the first end toward the second end, in at least one portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: SENVION GmbHInventor: Alf Trede
-
Patent number: 10781795Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a mass imbalance in a rotor of a wind turbine. The method includes receiving, with a computing device, sensor data indicative of an operating characteristic of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining, with the computing device, a mean amplitude of a designated frequency component of the operating characteristic. Furthermore, the method includes determining, with the computing device, when a mass imbalance is present within the rotor based on the mean amplitude of the designated frequency component.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Oladodja Achraf Gbadamassi, Akshay Krishnamurty Ambekar, Soeren Georg
-
Patent number: 10767635Abstract: A technical object of the present disclosure is to provide an anemometer for a wind turbine which is capable of precisely measuring a wind velocity and a wind direction. To this end, an anemometer for a wind turbine of the present disclosure is an anemometer for a wind turbine which is used for a wind turbine including a plurality of rotating blades and a hub which is equipped at a rotation center of the plurality of rotating blades and has a nosecone and is equipped in the nosecone.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research InstituteInventor: Byeong Hee Chang
-
Patent number: 10717516Abstract: A support structure for a propulsor blade includes at least one sleeve configured to support a root portion of the propulsor blade, the at least one sleeve fixedly attached to a surface of the root portion. The support structure also includes a preloading component configured to apply a residual compressive force to the at least one sleeve and the root portion of the propulsor blade, the residual compressive force configured to maintain an attachment of the at least one sleeve to the root portion. The propulsor blade and root portion may incorporate composite structural materials. The support structure and/or the preloading component increases the high cycle fatigue strength and bending capacity of blade retention assemblies (including, e.g., composite-to-metal joints) when subjected to high cycle bending loads under reduced centrifugal load conditions, thereby making further reductions in the size and weight of blade retention assemblies feasible.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: ROTATING COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: John A. Violette, Eric Stephen Loos
-
Patent number: 10689127Abstract: According to one implementation, a damage detection system includes: a physical quantity detection unit, a flight condition changing part and a damage detection part. The physical quantity detection unit detects a physical quantity of a structural object composing an aircraft during a flight of the aircraft. The flight condition changing part changes at least one flight condition of the aircraft to at least one specific flight condition when the physical quantity of the structural object has been detected by the physical quantity detection unit. The damage detection part determines whether a damage arose in the structural object, based on a physical quantity which has been detected, from the structural object of the aircraft flying with the at least one specific flight condition, by the physical quantity detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Masakatsu Abe, Hideki Soejima, Takeshi Fukurose
-
Patent number: 10690115Abstract: There is provided a sliding component including, a first sliding part which is non-conductive and which has a sliding surface; and a conductive member provided in the first sliding part or provided on a side opposite to the sliding surface of the first sliding part.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.Inventor: Tatsuhiko Murakami
-
Patent number: 10677223Abstract: A method for customizing bedplates for a plurality of wind turbines having different loading requirements. The method includes forming a plurality of baseline bodies for the bedplates that includes a near net shape of one of the bedplates. Further, the method includes determining a loading requirement of the bedplates of each of the wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes applying additional material to an exterior surface of the plurality of baseline bodies via an additive manufacturing process so as to customize a structural capacity of each of the bedplates such that the structural capacity of each of the bedplates can withstand the loading requirement for each of the wind turbines. Accordingly, the structural capacity of each of the plurality of baseline bodies may be the same or may be different.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Peter Joseph Rock, Jr., Trevor Allen Montre, Aaron Janicz, Matteo Bellucci
-
Patent number: 10663370Abstract: A system is described for performing structural health monitoring of an object under study. The system comprises a hollow cavity structure comprising one or more cavities obtained using additive manufacturing. The cavity structure is sealable from its environment and forms an integral part of the object under study. The cavity structure furthermore is connectable to a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure in the cavity structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSELInventor: Dieter De Baere
-
Patent number: 10654586Abstract: According to one implementation, a damage detection system includes: a physical quantity detection unit, a flight condition changing part and a damage detection part. The physical quantity detection unit detects a physical quantity of a structural object composing an aircraft during a flight of the aircraft. The flight condition changing part changes at least one flight condition of the aircraft to at least one specific flight condition when the physical quantity of the structural object has been detected by the physical quantity detection unit. The damage detection part determines whether a damage arose in the structural object, based on a physical quantity which has been detected, from the structural object of the aircraft flying with the at least one specific flight condition, by the physical quantity detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Masakatsu Abe, Hideki Soejima, Takeshi Fukurose
-
Patent number: 10641250Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a wind turbine. The wind turbine comprises at least one rotatable blade. The method comprises the steps of providing a load sensor configured to generate a load signal representing loading on the blade, generating a first load signal when the blade is in a first position, and generating a second load signal when the blade is in a second position. Additionally, the method comprises steps of detecting a rotational speed of the blade, calculating a weight force on the blade based on the first and the second load signal, and calculating a centrifugal force on the blade based on the first and the second load signal. Subsequently, the weight force is compared with a predetermined weight force, and the centrifugal force is compared with a predetermined centrifugal force at the detected rotational speed. Finally, a risk of ice throw is determined based on the comparisons of the weight force and the centrifugal force with the predetermined forces.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Ib Svend Olesen, Avanindra Gupta
-
Patent number: 10612524Abstract: A sensor system for a wind turbine blade, the system comprising: a blade load sensor providing a load measurement; a processing unit interfaced with the blade load sensor and configured to provide a corrected load parameter as an output. The processing unit includes: an axial force estimation module that determines an estimated axial force on the wind turbine blade in a direction along the length of the blade; and a load calculation module that 10 determines the corrected load parameter based on the estimated axial force and the load measurement of the blade load sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Fabio Caponetti, Aleks Kvartborg Jakobsen, Dan Hilton, Kasper Zinck Ostergaard
-
Patent number: 10577078Abstract: Blade feedback systems and methods for determining a blade angle position and rotational speed of a plurality of propeller blades of a variable pitch propeller assembly are provided. Exemplary blade feedback system includes features for determining an axial position of a beta tube. Based at least in part on the axial position of the beta tube, the blade angle of the plurality of propeller blades can be determined. Exemplary blade feedback system can also include features for determining the rotational speed of the beta tube such that the rotational speed of the propeller blades can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Christopher Michael Chapman
-
Patent number: 10487581Abstract: A rotor hub for a wind turbine may generally include a hub body defining both a plurality of blade flanges and a plurality of access ports spaced apart from the blade flanges. In addition, the rotor hub may include a ladder assembly extending within an interior of the hub body. The ladder assembly may include a plurality of platforms, with each platform defining a planar surface and being circumferentially aligned with a respective one of the plurality of access ports. The ladder assembly may also include a connecting frame extending between each pair of adjacent platforms so as to couple the adjacent platforms to one another. The connecting frame may extend lengthwise along a reference line defined between the adjacent platforms. The platforms may be positioned relative to one another such that the reference line extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the planar surfaces defined by the adjacent platforms.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Chengjie Wang, Mohan Muthu Kumar Sivanantham, Vidya Sagar Meesala
-
Patent number: 10486795Abstract: A propeller blade for rotation about a hub assembly is provided, wherein the propeller blade defines a radial direction along its length from a blade root to a blade tip, the propeller blade including a radially inner region, a radially outer region located between the blade root and the blade tip at a position where rotational forces on the blade are sufficient, in use, to remove ice from an uncoated blade, a coating disposed at least along a leading edge of the propeller blade, the coating including an icephobic material, wherein the coating extends along the propeller blade from the radially inner region to the radially outer region. The coating overlays a substrate portion of the propeller blade defining a color visually indicative of wear of the coating.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LimitedInventor: Paul Nicholas Methven
-
Patent number: 10378515Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling a wind turbine having a rotor supporting a plurality of blades and a main bearing supporting the rotor, the method comprising detecting a load profile around the circumference of the main bearing, generating a control signal based on the detected load profile and dynamically adjusting the load profile of the main bearing using the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM ASInventors: Svend Tarald Kibsgaard, Jone Torsvik, Lars Brenne
-
Patent number: 10316823Abstract: Groups of wind turbines at a wind farm are controlled based on detection of volant animal swarms. A risk score is defined for each of a plurality of wind turbine groups of the wind farm at a default risk score based on predetermined data. A respective operational parameter is set for each wind turbine of each of the wind turbine groups based on the respective risk score. The presence of a volant animal swarm is detected in a region associated with a given one of the wind turbine groups via a volant animal detection system. The risk score of the given one wind turbine group and an adjacent wind turbine group is changed from the default risk score to temporary risk scores in response to detection of the volant animal swarm.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: INVENTUS HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Janine E. Bacquie, Hector K. Lopez
-
Patent number: 10161261Abstract: To identify abnormal behavior in a turbine blade, a failure detection system generates a “fingerprint” for each blade on a turbine. The fingerprint may be a grouping a dynamic, physical characteristics of the blade such as its mass, strain ratio, damping ratio, and the like. While the turbine is operating, the failure detection system receives updated sensor information that is used to determine the current characteristics of the blade. If the current characteristics deviate from the characteristics in the blade's fingerprint, the failure detection system may compare the characteristics of the blade that deviates from the fingerprint to characteristics of another blade on the turbine. If the current characteristics of the blade are different from the characteristics of the other blade, the failure detection system may change the operational mode of the turbine such as disconnecting the turbine from the utility grid or stopping the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Saed Ehsani, Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda, Ib Svend Olesen, Martin Møller Sørensen
-
Patent number: 10072635Abstract: A wind turbine including a plurality of blades, a micro inertial measurement unit installed on each blade and configured to sense a plurality of detection parameter signals at corresponding installation positions, and a monitoring system configured to monitor an operating state of the blades. The monitoring system includes a signal processing unit configured to obtain a processing parameter signal through calculation based on the detection parameter signals, a signal analyzing unit configured to analyze each analysis parameter signal, selected from the plurality of detection parameter signals and the processing parameter signal, to obtain a fault estimation signal, used to estimate whether a corresponding blade works in a fault state, and a fault evaluating unit configured to evaluate, based on a plurality of fault estimation signals, whether a corresponding blade fails or a probability that the corresponding blade fails.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xu Fu, Zhilin Wu, Hai Qiu
-
Patent number: 10062272Abstract: Method for testing a rotor blade ice detection system for a wind turbine, the rotor blade ice detection system being configured to output a warning in the event of icing of a rotor blade being monitored, the method having the following steps of: acquiring data relating to a rotor blade to be monitored, providing at least one value of an operating and/or environmental parameter, modifying the at least one value provided in such a manner that the at least one modified value differs from an actual value of the parameter, evaluating the data relating to the rotor blade to be monitored and the at least one modified value via the rotor blade ice detection system, and testing whether the rotor blade ice detection system outputs a warning.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbHInventor: Stefan Magnus
-
Patent number: 9882368Abstract: An electric arc detection system is presented. The electric arc detection system comprises a receiving antenna that receives electromagnetic radiation generated by an electric arc formed in an internal cavity of a non-conductive hollow structure, and a processing subsystem for determining an existence of the electric arc in the internal cavity based upon signals representative of the electromagnetic radiation.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Yaru Najem Mendez Hernandez
-
Patent number: 9714085Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the deflection or curvature of a rotating blade, such as a wind turbine blade or a helicopter blade. Also, methods and apparatus for establishing an inertial reference system on a rotating blade.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Jonathan R. White, Douglas E. Adams, Josh Paquette
-
Patent number: 9638169Abstract: A wind turbine blade (22) is cantilevered from a shaft (50) of a rotor (20). A pitch reference azimuth (74) of the blade may be located by generating a function (66, 67, 68, 69) of gravitational bending strain or moment magnitude of the blade versus pitch angle of the blade for a vector component (85, 86) of gravitational force (GF) relative to a predetermined transverse line (CL, 83) of the blade, such as a chord line, over a range of pitch angles of the blade. The pitch reference azimuth may be set at a characteristic point (70, 71, 72) on the function, such as an inflection point Two such functions (67, 69) may be generated with the blade in two respective positions on opposite sides of the rotor The intersection point (73) of these functions is a pitch reference point that is compensated for rotor tilt.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: John M. Obrecht
-
Patent number: 9605996Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a machine element (02), which moves with respect to a base and rotates about its own axis, having a sensor (06) and evaluation electronics (09). According to the invention, the sensor (06) and the evaluation electronics (09) and also a power supply unit and a transmitter unit (12) are arranged on the moving machine element (02).Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Hans-Willi Kessler, Klaus Vaehsen
-
Patent number: 9574546Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine is provided. The method includes determining a wind condition, determining for the wind condition expected azimuthal positions of a rotating wind rotor of the wind turbine, and determining for the wind condition desired azimuthal positions of the rotating wind rotor so that at least one of a load balance of the rotating wind rotor and a power uptake of the rotating wind rotor is improved compared to the expected azimuthal positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink
-
Patent number: 9239040Abstract: An assembly configuration between a wind turbine rotor blade and a rotor hub includes a rotor hub having one or more pitch bearings, with each pitch bearing having an outer diameter race and an inner diameter race. Rotor blades are affixed to the respective pitch bearing rings, with the rotor blades having a root end with an outer diameter. An adaptor is configured between the root end and the pitch bearing, with the adaptor affixed to the inner diameter race and the root end affixed to the adaptor. The adaptor defines a mounting surface for the root end radially inward of the pitch bearing such that the root end outer diameter is less than the diameter of the inner diameter race.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jay F. Leonard
-
Patent number: 9207154Abstract: A method and system for monitoring creep in an object are provided. The creep monitoring system includes a creep sensor assembly that includes at least one image pattern pair disposed on a surface of the object. The creep monitoring method includes receiving information from the creep sensor assembly regarding an observed creep and an offset associated with the object, correcting the observed creep using the information regarding the offset and outputting the corrected information relative to the creep.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin George Harding, Yi Liao
-
Patent number: 9206786Abstract: A method for acoustically monitoring a wind turbine, in particular for monitoring the existence of loose objects inside the wind turbine is provided. A sound generated in a rotating part of the wind turbine is monitored during operation of the wind turbine which sound is analyzed with respect to specific parameter values of the sound within at least one specific frequency range and if such specific parameter values are detected, a signal for possible further actions is generated. An acoustic monitoring system for a wind turbine and a re-equipment kit are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Jimmi Andersen, Per Egedal, Dennis Soebye Jensen
-
Patent number: 9194369Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade is equipped with an air chamber and equipped via the air chamber to route a modulation beam out of the rotor blade such that the air current along the rotor blade is changed. Thereby the laminar current is changed into a turbulent current on the one hand and its detachment and on the other hand its recreation is achieved in order to produce the laminar current. The control may occur via electrostatic actuators via a learnable control strategy based on neural forecasts, which take the complexity of the non-linear system into account and allow for the plurality of influencing factors. The stress on the rotor blades may be reduced, resulting in longer service life and reduced maintenance costs, a higher level of efficiency or quieter operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Kristian Robert Dixon, Siegmund Düll, Per Egedal, Thomas Esbensen, Volkmar Sterzing
-
Publication number: 20150145253Abstract: The invention is a method for controlling and/or monitoring a wind turbine 1 equipped with a LIDAR sensor 2. Control and/or monitoring provides an estimation of the wind speed at the rotor obtained an estimator and a LIDAR sensor 2. The estimator of the wind speed at the rotor is constructed from a representation of the wind, a model of the LIDAR sensor and a wind propagation model.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Benoit BAYON, Jonathan CHAUVIN
-
Publication number: 20150139798Abstract: A system and method for blade angle position feedback. The system comprises an annular member operatively connected to rotate with a propeller, a sensor fixedly mounted adjacent the annular member and configured for detecting a passage of each singularity as the annular member is rotated and axially displaced and for generating a sensor signal accordingly, the annular member and sensor configured for relative axial displacement between a first relative axial position and a second relative axial position respectively corresponding to the first and the second mode of operation, and a detection unit connected to the sensor for receiving the sensor signal therefrom, determining on the basis of the sensor signal a time interval elapsed between the passage of successive singularities, and computing from the time interval blade angle position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Brant DUKE, James Robert JARVO, Michael MARK, Mario GUERRA
-
Patent number: 9033663Abstract: A wind turbine rotor includes a hub with a rotor blade mounted to a bearing of the hub wherein the rotor blade has a longitudinal axis extending in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation of the hub, and the rotor blade is rotatable about its longitudinal axis whereby the pitch of the rotor blade is adjustable. The rotor blade has a tag such as an RFID tag fixed on the rotor blade at a predetermined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade; and a sensor is fixed on the hub for contactless sensing of the tag when the tag is in a predetermined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. Repeated and accurate calibration of rotor blade pitch is hereby made possible.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Niels Erik Danielsen
-
Patent number: 9032807Abstract: The invention provides a method and system of monitoring bending strain on a wind turbine blade. The method in one aspect comprises: locating at least three strain sensors on the turbine blade, in use each strain sensor providing a strain measurement, the strain sensors located such that edgewise and flapwise bending can be determined from the strain measurements; calculating a plurality of resultant bending strains using the strain measurements; calculating an average resultant bending strain from the plurality of resultant bending strains; and calculating a confidence value for a first sensor based on a comparison of resultant bending strains derived from the strain measurement from the first sensor with the average resultant bending strain.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Ib Svend Olesen
-
Publication number: 20150132127Abstract: A system may include at least one computer device configured to attain a two-dimensional used profile of a leading edge at a specified radial position on a turbomachine airfoil after use. The system aligns opposing substantially straight alignment portions of the two-dimensional used profile with opposing substantially straight alignment portions of a previously attained, two-dimensional, baseline profile of the turbomachine airfoil. The alignment portions of each profile are in substantially identical radial locations of the turbomachine airfoil. Comparing the used profile to the baseline profile determines whether the leading edge at the specified radial position of the used turbomachine airfoil has erosion. The system may also include a laser profiler for measuring the turbomachine airfoil.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jacob Andrew Salm, Kelsey Elizabeth Beach, Alexander James Pistner, Birol Turan
-
Publication number: 20150118047Abstract: A method for determining parameters of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving signals from at least one Micro Inertial Measurement Unit (MIMU) mounted on or within a component of the wind turbine and determining at least one parameter of the wind turbine based on the signals received from the at least one MIMU.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2012Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Ken Yoon, Brandon Shane Gerber, Lisa Kamdar Ammann, Hai Qiu, Yong Yang, Zhilin Wu, Xu Fu, Lihan He, Na Ni, Qiang Li
-
Publication number: 20150118046Abstract: An electric arc detection system is presented. The electric arc detection system comprises a receiving antenna that receives electromagnetic radiation generated by an electric arc formed in an internal cavity of a non-conductive hollow structure, and a processing subsystem for determining an existence of the electric arc in the internal cavity based upon signals representative of the electromagnetic radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Yaru Najem Mendez Hernandez
-
Patent number: 9014861Abstract: A method for noise-reduced operation a wind is provided. The method includes determining a wind speed during normal operation of the wind turbine and determining a weighted rotor speed setpoint for a rotor of the wind turbine so that a noise emission of the wind turbine for the wind speed is reduced compared to nominal noise emission of the wind turbine at the wind speed. Using the weighted rotor speed setpoint, a torque setpoint for a power conversion assembly connected to the rotor is determined. The torque setpoint is applied to the power conversion assembly to control the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Sid Ahmed Attia
-
Patent number: 9004862Abstract: A control system for calibrating a wind turbine sensor placed on a component of a wind turbine and related methods are disclosed. The wind turbine includes a rotor having at least one wind turbine blade. The method comprises pitching one or more of the at least one of the wind turbine blades according to a predetermined pitch movement which induces a vibratory motion in the at least one turbine blade. A wind turbine sensor measures a vibratory response signal at least partly caused by the vibratory motion. A characteristic sensor response value is determined from the vibratory response signal. The characteristic sensor response value may be compared to a predetermined sensor calibration parameter to determine whether a difference is greater than a predefined tolerance parameter. In this manner, the wind turbine sensor may be calibrated.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda
-
Publication number: 20150098819Abstract: A system for detecting deformation of a fan for an aeroengine, the fan including a rotor including plural blades made of composite material including woven fibers. At least one of the fibers in each of the blades is an optical fiber including at least one portion defining a Bragg grating. The system further includes a transceiver connected to the optical fiber and configured to send an optical signal into the optical fiber and to receive an optical signal in response from the optical fiber, and a detector module connected to the transceiver to detect deformation of the fan when the received optical signal presents correlation with a predetermined signature of a damped impact on a blade at a determined speed of rotation. This deformation may be the result of a foreign object impacting against a blade of the fan or may follow from variation in an internal defect.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2013Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: SNECMAInventors: David Tourin, Pierre Ferdinand, Valerio Gerez, Andre Leroux
-
Patent number: 8998568Abstract: A turbine is provided and includes a rotor, which is rotatable about a centerline thereof, a sensor to measure a condition at a point of measurement interest defined on the rotor at a radial distance from the centerline, a communication system by which condition measurements are transmittable from the sensor to a non-rotating recording system and a probe holder to secure the sensor and a portion of the communication system on the rotor proximate to the point of measurement interest.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Gregory Quentin Brown, Philip Michael Caruso, Fernando Jorge Casanova, Seung-Woo Choi, Josef Scott Cummins, Matthew Ryan Ferslew, Andrew Clifford Hart, Robert David Jones, Jong Youn Pak, Francesco Soranna
-
Publication number: 20150093244Abstract: A total air temperature sensor includes an airfoil body extending from an airfoil base to an opposed airfoil tip along a longitudinal axis. The airfoil body defines a leading edge and opposed trailing edge. The airfoil body defines an interior flow passage with an inlet for fluid communication of fluid into the interior flow passage and an outlet for exhausting fluid out from the interior flow passage, and wherein the airfoil body defines a bleed passage through the airfoil body between the leading edge and the interior flow passage. A temperature probe is mounted within the interior flow passage for measuring temperature of flow through the interior flow passage to determine total air temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.Inventor: Scott Wigen
-
Patent number: 8979492Abstract: A method for determining and applying a pitch angle offset signal for controlling a rotor frequency of a rotor of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a motion quantity indicative of a motion of the rotor and determining the pitch angle offset signal based on the motion quantity such that the pitch angle offset signal is adapted to be used for adjusting a blade pitch angle of a rotor blade mounted at the rotor for controlling the rotor frequency in order to reduce a time span during which the rotor is in a critical motion region. A corresponding system and a method for controlling a rotor frequency are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Esbensen, Gustav Hoegh
-
Publication number: 20150071778Abstract: A wind turbine system is presented. The wind turbine system includes a rotor comprising a plurality of blades and a hub, and a turbine controller configured to reduce an abnormal amplitude modulation of the wind turbine by adjusting pitch angles of the plurality of blades during a rotation of the rotor based upon aerodynamic loads acting on the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sara Simonne L. Delport, Saskia Gerarda Honhoff
-
Publication number: 20150069762Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring wind turbine loading are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a main shaft, a bedplate, and a gearbox coupled to the main shaft and mounted to the bedplate. The gearbox includes an outer casing and a torque arm extending from the outer casing. The system further includes an isolation mount coupled to the torque arm, and a sensor configured to measure displacement of the torque arm. In another embodiment, a method includes operating the wind turbine, and detecting displacement of a torque arm of a gearbox of the wind turbine. The method further includes calculating a moment for a main shaft of the wind turbine based on the displacement of the torque arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dale Robert Mashtare, James Henry Madge, Charudatta Subhash Mehendale, George Albert Goller, Conner B. Shane
-
Patent number: 8974180Abstract: A method for estimating an operating temperature of component in turbo machinery includes providing body detachably affixed to component, operating machinery, stopping operation of machinery, and removing body. The method includes obtaining concentration profile by determining final concentration of at least one species in first material and in second material, and determining a transient concentration of at least one species between first material and second material. The method includes determining an operating temperature by correlating concentration profile to corresponding operating temperature for system. A system including body is also provided. Body includes at least one species, a first material having a starting first concentration of the species, a second material arranged to permit migration of the species from first material to second material. Species migrates from first material to second material during operation of turbo machinery allowing body to estimate temperature during operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Robert Parolini, Junyoung Park, Canan Uslu Hardwicke, Andrew Joseph Detor
-
Publication number: 20150064005Abstract: A wind turbine includes a number of blades and an optical measurement system comprising a light source, such as a laser, an optical transmitter part, an optical receiver part, and a signal processor. The light source is optically coupled to the optical transmitter part, which includes an emission point for emitting light in a probing direction. The optical receiver part comprises a receiving point and a detector. The optical receiver part is adapted for receiving a reflected part of light from a probing region along the probing direction and directing the reflected part of light to the detector to generate a signal used to determine a first velocity component of the inflow. The emission point is located in a first blade at a first radial distance from a center axis, and the receiving point is located in the first blade at a second radial distance from the center axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Peter FUGLSANG, Lars FUGLSANG, Lars Christian Hvidegaard HAMMER
-
Publication number: 20150056072Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes: measuring an actual wind parameter upwind from the wind turbine using one or more sensors; providing the measured wind parameter to a processor; providing a plurality of wind turbine operating data to the processor; utilizing the plurality of operating data to determine an estimated wind turbine condition at the wind turbine; generating a control wind profile based on the actual wind parameter and the estimated wind turbine condition; and, implementing a control action based on the control wind profile to prevent excessive loading from acting on the wind turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Franklin Perley, Brandon Shane Gerber, Arne Koerber
-
Publication number: 20150056077Abstract: A detection system for a turbine engine that is configured to identify the presence of at least a partial blockage of guide vanes by monitoring deflection of an adjacent row of turbine blades. The detection system may include one or more sensors positioned radially outward from tips of turbine blades in a row of turbine blades adjacent an upstream row of guide vanes that remain stationary. The detection system may also include a conditioning module in communication with the sensor to amplify the output signals received from the sensor. A processing module may be in communication with conditioning module to analyze signals produced by the sensor via the conditioning module and generate an alarm if the processing module detects a change in amplitude, such as an increase of amplitude at frequencies between about 400 Hertz and about 900 Hertz.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventor: Nikolai R. Tevs
-
Publication number: 20150050143Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting rotor blade damage in a wind turbine are provided herein. A monitoring system includes a filter module and a damage determination module. The filter module is configured to determine an amplitude of a 1P frequency component of at least one operating condition of the wind turbine. The damage determination module is configured to compare the determined 1P frequency component amplitude to a threshold 1P frequency component amplitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Leonardo Cesar Kammer
-
Publication number: 20150010399Abstract: The disclosure presents systems, methods and computer program products relating to a wind farm. The presence of flying animals, such as birds, bats, and insects may be determined. Deterrence elements such as acoustic and/or visual deterrence elements may be activated in an attempt to deter animals whose presence was determined, and/or independently of a determination of animal presence. The rotation of the blades of one or more wind turbines may be slowed down and/or halted if collision is probable, in order to prevent flying animal casualties. Energy from deterrence elements may produce a predetermined tempo-spatial pattern of lights and/or sounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: BIRDSVISION LTD.Inventors: Ofer Bahat, Noah Satat