Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a wind turbine is described. The wind turbine includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades. The method includes measuring an atmospheric condition associated with the environment surrounding the wind turbine, providing the measured atmospheric condition to a processor, and determining at least one monitor set point limit based at least partially on the measured atmospheric condition. The method also includes applying the at least one monitor set point limit to wind turbine operation.

Abstract: A rotor blade of a wind energy installation has a wall forming an outer shell, and at least one pressure measurement device arranged inside the rotor blade. The pressure measurement device includes a hollow body that is closed in a gastight fashion and has at least one pressure-dependent deformable diaphragm. At least one optical strain sensor is non-positively connected to each diaphragm. In a method using the pressure measurement device, the wind force is determined at wind energy installations by an evaluation unit which determines a comparison value indicating the difference between the pressure at the side of the outer shell facing the wind and the pressure at the side of the outer shell averted from the wind. A measured value for the wind force acting on the rotor blade is determined from the comparison value. The method can be used for optimized operation and/or protection of wind energy installations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring a wind energy installation (1) comprising a tower (2) and a rotor provided with rotor blades (5) and arranged on the tower, in terms of a possible collision of a rotor blade (5) with the tower (2). Said device comprises at least one distance sensor (7a, 7b) which is arranged on the wind energy installation (1) and used for the non-contact measurement of the distance between the rotor blades (5) and a pre-determined point on the wind energy installation (1). The device also comprises an electronic evaluation system in which the distance data measured by the at least one distance sensor (7a, 7b) is evaluated, said system emitting a collision warning in the event of a critical distance not being reached.

Abstract: Helicopter rotating hub mounted vibration control system for a rotary wing hub having periodic vibrations while rotating at an operational rotation frequency. The vibration control system includes a housing attachable to the rotary wing hub and rotating with the hub at the operational frequency. The housing is centered about the rotary wing hub axis of rotation and has an electronics housing cavity subsystem and an adjacent rotor housing cavity subsystem. The rotor housing cavity contains a first coaxial ring motor with a first rotor and imbalance mass and a second coaxial ring motor with a second rotor and imbalance mass.

Abstract: A wind turbine system is presented. The wind turbine system includes a blade comprising an airfoil and a sensing device disposed on a surface of the airfoil, wherein the sensing device generates signals that are representative of pressure deflection on the surface of the airfoil. The wind turbine system further comprises a processing subsystem that receives location details of the sensing device and a transfer function corresponding to the airfoil, determines a location of a stagnation point on the surface of the airfoil based upon the signals and the location details, and determine an angle of attack (AOA) on the surface of the airfoil based upon the location of the stagnation point and the transfer function.

Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft, a rotor blade and a horizon scanning system are provided. The rotary wing aircraft, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a mast, an engine configured to provide rotational force to the mast and a controller. The rotary wing aircraft may further include a rotor blade connected to the mast having a leading edge, a plurality of tubercles positioned on the leading edge of the rotor blade, and a sensor housed within at least one of the plurality tubercles communicatively connected to the controller.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pitch assembly for use with a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a rotor and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the rotor. The method includes coupling a pitch drive system to at least one of the plurality of rotor blades for rotating the rotor blade about a pitch axis. At least one sensor is coupled in signal communication with the pitch drive system. The pitch drive system rotates the rotor blade when the sensor senses rotor overspeed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a turbo-machinery blade breakage monitoring unit and a turbo-apparatus having the same. The blade breakage monitoring unit includes a pressure sensor disposed near a rotor having a plurality of blades to be rotated at a predetermined speed, the pressure sensor functioning to measure total pressures of the respective blades. The blade breakage monitoring unit further includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure sensor and functioning to judge whether or not each measured total pressure value, transmitted from the pressure sensor, is within a preset criterion total pressure range. With the use of the blade breakage monitoring unit, total pressures of the respective blades are monitored in real time at a position downstream of the blades when the blades are rotated at a high speed within the turbo-apparatus, such as a turbine, compressor and fan, enabling real-time monitoring of breakage of the blades.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for deicing turbine blades of a wind turbine, wherein rotational torque from a rotor hub on which the turbine blades are mounted is transmitted to a generator. The method and system include detecting conditions that are indicative of ice formation on a wind turbine blade. In response to detected icing conditions, generator torque is modulated so as to induce upstream vibrations in the turbine blades to shake loose ice that may have formed on the turbine blades.

Abstract: In order to provide a wind turbine generator and an operation method of the wind turbine generator which is not subjected to damages caused by foreign objects inside a rotor hub, the wind turbine generator comprises blades, a rotor hub to which the blades are fixed, a rotating shaft such as a main shaft and a coupling being connected to the rotor hub and rotating with the rotor hub, a FO detection sensor arranged inside the rotor hub for detecting a foreign object inside the rotor hub, a brake device such as a pitch control unit and a parking brake for stopping the rotation of the rotating shaft, and a controller for controlling the brake device to stop the rotation of the rotating shaft when the FO detection sensor detects the foreign object.

Abstract: A method for measuring the wind direction signal of a wind turbine is described. The wind direction signal is measured in the wake of a wind turbine rotor. The measured wind direction signal is sorted using at least one sorting parameter. The sorted wind direction signal can be optimised using at least one optimising parameter.

Abstract: One or more bolt gauges each with a built-in load cell are positioned on a blade bolt or a bearing bolt between a pitch bearing and a tightening means and tensioned by the securing means at the inside or the outside of a hub of a wind turbine. The bolt gauge then outputs a signal descending both from the tension from the bolt/securing means connection and the tension from the blade when the blade is vibrated due to wind forces and the rotation of the blade when the hub of the wind turbine is rotating.

Abstract: An aircraft rotary wing motion control fluid device providing motion control and with wireless sensing of at least one fluid property inside the fluid device is provided. The wireless sensing system is integrated with at least one of the first and second aircraft rotary wing motion control fluid device bodies. The wireless sensing system includes at least one fluid property sensor in sensing proximity to the at least one fluid chamber and a communications device for wirelessly conveying a measurement made by the at least one fluid property sensor to a remote location.

Abstract: A vane for a gas turbine engine includes a cap arrangement having a cap insert and a cap adapted to receive the insert. The cap insert has a wall defining a through passage from top to bottom of the cap insert for receiving a cable or the like therethrough. The wall has a slot with a convoluted profile.

Abstract: A system and method for a pressure based load measurement system are provided. The system includes two pressure orifices arranged on a top surface and a bottom surface of an airfoil. The pressure differential between these two points is determined and an estimate of the aerodynamic load generated by the airfoil is determined from a linear correlation between pressure differential and load. The location of the orifices may be optimized using analytical or experimental techniques and a least squares empirical curve fit may be used to fit the data collected.

Abstract: A wind power plant having a nacelle and a rotor and a data transmission system which is suitable and equipped for transmitting data from a first data contact device in the nacelle through a data transmitter to a second data contact device in the rotor which is rotatable relative to the first data contact device. The first data contact device is connected with a first DSL modem which is connected with a second DSL modem via the data transmitter. The second DSL modem is connected with the second data contact device. The data transmitter is provided between the first and second data contact devices.

Abstract: A wind turbine having at least one rotor blade attached to a rotor hub is provided, wherein the wind turbine further includes at least one sensor disposed at or near the rotor blade, the sensor being adapted to detect an aerodynamic condition of the rotor blade.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a wind turbine using a combined supervisory command and data acquisition (SCADA) and video monitoring system. The method includes receiving video data from at least one video camera, wherein the video data is related to operating conditions of the wind turbine. The method also includes storing the video data in a memory, and receiving a command from a remote monitoring server relating to at least a portion of the video data, wherein the portion of the video data is associated with at least one SCADA data point. The method also includes retrieving the portion of the video data from the memory, and transmitting the portion of the video data to the remote monitoring server for presentation to a user.

Abstract: An adjustable height pressure sensing port arrangement is provided. In some example, the pressure sensing port may be arranged on an airfoil, such as wind turbine blade. The pressure sensing port arrangement may include a pressure sensing port body and a spring arranged within the port body. The pressure sensing port arrangement may further include a pressure sensing port arranged vertically above the spring and a rotatable capture disk arranged vertically above the port. The capture disk may be rotated to adjust a height of the capture disk. Further, the spring may be arranged to force an alignment feature of the pressure sensing port into an alignment feature on the rotatable capture disk in order to secure the port and capture disk in place.

Abstract: An active sensing system for wind turbines is described. The sensing system may include a plurality of ports, a local sensing device and a load mitigation device and may be operably coupled to a control system. The plurality of ports, local sensing device, and load mitigation device may be operably coupled and configured to monitor air pressure on wind turbine blades, determine if proper sensing operation is occurring, and eradicate an obstruction if proper sensing operation is being prevented by the obstruction. Associated methods performing the sensing and eradication of the obstruction including purging and deicing are disclosed. Wind turbines and wind turbine blades with the active sensing system are also described.

Abstract: An active sensing system for wind turbines is described. The sensing system may include a plurality of ports, a local sensing device and a load mitigation device and may be operably coupled to a control system. The plurality of ports, local sensing device, and load mitigation device may be operably coupled and configured to monitor air pressure on wind turbine blades, determine if proper sensing operation is occurring, and eradicate an obstruction if proper sensing operation is being prevented by the obstruction. Associated methods performing the sensing and eradication of the obstruction including purging and deicing are disclosed. Wind turbines and wind turbine blades with the active sensing system are also described.

Abstract: A method for alleviating rotor asymmetric loads in a variable-speed wind turbine having pitch and torque control means comprising the following steps: providing a control law that determines the pitch to be applied individually to each wind turbine blade for counteracting rotor asymmetric loads (such as wind shear, upflow, yaw misalignment) using wind speed and wind direction measurements at the wind turbine, values of the wind features that cause rotor asymmetric loads and configuration parameters of the wind turbine (whether real-time values or statistical values at the wind turbine site), said pitch to be added to the collective pitch ?0; implementing said control law in the wind turbine control means. The invention also refers to a wind turbine control system arranged for implementing said method.

Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft including a vehicle vibration control system. The vehicle vibration control system includes a rotating hub mounted vibration control system, the rotating hub mounted vibration control system mounted to the rotating rotary wing hub with the rotating hub mounted vibration control system rotating with the rotating rotary wing hub driven to rotate about a rotating hub center Z axis by a gear box transmission. The vehicle vibration control system includes a rotary wing aircraft member sensor for outputting rotary wing aircraft member data correlating to the relative rotation of the rotating rotary wing hub member rotating about the rotating hub center Z axis relative to the nonrotating body, a first nonrotating body vibration sensor outputting first nonrotating body vibration sensor data correlating to vibrations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine, the wind turbine including at least one movable portion which is movable during operation of the wind turbine and at least one movable portion device including at least one of a movable portion transmitter or a movable portion receiver, the movable portion transmitter or the movable portion receiver being disposed at the least one movable portion; the method including: at least one of sending to or receiving from at least three reference points at least one signal by at least one of the movable portion transmitter or movable portion receiver; and determining at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine depending on at least one characteristic of the at least one received signal. Further the present disclosure relates to a wind turbine arrangement and a system for controlling a wind turbine, comprising a controller of the wind turbine and a movable portion.

Abstract: A propeller system with two propellers, arranged one behind the other and separated by a propeller gap, respectively comprising a propeller hub and at least one rotating force measuring device, comprises at least two differential pressure sensors and an evaluation unit. The rotating force measuring devices are mechanically connected to the respective propellers and are adapted for determining the individual thrust force of each propeller. At least one of the said differential pressure sensors is arranged on or in each propeller and is adapted for measuring a differential pressure between the propeller gap and the respectively opposing side of the propeller. By adding the measured individual thrust forces and by subtracting the gap area forces that are based on the respectively measured differential pressures, the evaluation unit can determine a precise overall thrust force for the propeller system.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a blade pitch angle unbalance of a rotor blade system of a wind turbine, the rotor blade system rotating around a rotor rotation axis. The method includes yawing the rotor rotation axis about a yawing axis transverse to the rotor rotation axis. The method also includes obtaining a load signal indicative of a load due to the yawing. The method further includes analyzing the load signal regarding a frequency component of the load signal, and detecting the blade pitch angle unbalance based on the analyzed load signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connecting device adapted for connecting a hub and a main shaft of a wind turbine. The connecting device comprises at least one sensor bolt connecting the hub and the main shaft, wherein a stress detection element is mounted inside the sensor bolt. The stress detection element is adapted to detect a length variation of the sensor bolt and to output a sensor signal indicative of the length variation of the sensor bolt. A signal output device is used for outputting the sensor signal which is indicative of a stress applied to the sensor bolt.

Abstract: Some examples relate to a system for monitoring the condition of rotor blades at wind turbines. A plurality of sensor nodes can be coupled to a rotor blade. A respective at least one sensor can be present at the individual sensor nodes for the spatially resolved detection of vibrations and/or acoustic waves of the rotor blade and the sensor nodes can be connected via optical fibers to a central supply and reception unit. A light source can be present at the central supply and reception unit and electromagnetic radiation can be conducted from it via an optical fiber to a photovoltaic converter with which the received electromagnetic radiation can be converted into electric energy. The electric energy can be utilized.

Abstract: A wind power generation system includes a wind turbine at a wind turbine location, a measuring device for providing a wind condition signal at a test location, a sensor for providing a wind condition signal at the wind turbine, and a controller. The controller is configured for receiving the wind condition signals, using a wind correlation database and the wind condition signal at the test location for providing a wind condition estimation at the wind turbine location, obtaining a difference between the wind condition signal at the wind turbine location and the wind condition estimate at the wind turbine location, and using the difference for adjusting the wind condition signal at the wind turbine location.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one rotation parameter of a wind turbine rotor rotating with a rotation speed and a phase is provided. The method includes: measuring an effective centrifugal force acting in a first pre-determined direction, which is defined in a co-ordinate system rotating synchronously with the rotor, on at least one reference object located in or at the rotor, establishing a first angular frequency representing the rotation speed of the rotor on the basis of variations in the measured effective centrifugal force due to gravitational force, establishing a second angular frequency representing the rotation speed of the rotor by use of at least one yaw rate gyro, and establishing the value of the rotation speed as the rotational parameter by correcting the second angular frequency by comparing it to the first angular frequency.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for operating a wind turbine is disclosed. For operating the wind turbine a set of operational data points are sensed via a sensing module. The set of operational data points may include bending stress values. Based on the bending stress values, a load scenario indicator value may be computed. Further, based on the set of operational data points a loading threshold value may be obtained. At least one operating parameter of the wind turbine is changed if the load scenario indicator value exceeds the loading threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing asymmetric rotor load in a wind turbine includes calculating a time delay for pitching each blade toward feather upon initiation of a shutdown condition. The blades with the larger blade angle begin moving toward feather with an initial pitch rate, while the blade with the smallest blade angle begins moving toward feather with a final pitch rate. Once all the blades have reached approximately an identical blade angle, the blades move simultaneously together to feather at the final pitch rate. By introducing the time delay for pitching the blades having higher blade angles at the final pitch rate, a simple, time-based correction of initial conditions during shutdown reduces the extreme loads on turbine components.

Abstract: A wind turbine and system for controlling a wind turbine using a nosecone mounted metrology system is disclosed. The wind turbine comprises at least one wind sensor for determining at least one wind characteristic. The wind sensor is mounted on a boom and located at a predetermined distance outward from the wind turbine nosecone.

Abstract: A method, system and article adapted for ultrasonic inspection of the article. The article is disk-shaped and has axially-oriented slots circumferentially spaced from each other at a periphery of the article, with members secured at the periphery of the article such that each member has a retention feature that extends into and engages a corresponding one of the slots so as to secure the members to the slots. Cavities are defined by and between the slots and radially-inward extremities of the retention features within the slots. The inspection method and system entail the use of at least one ultrasonic transducer placed within at least a first of the cavities defined by a first of the slots. The transducer is configured and oriented to perform a diagnostic technique on the article by emitting an ultrasonic signal that intersects an interior surface of a second of the slots immediately adjacent the first slot.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade having a strain sensor system is described. The strain sensor is insensitive to the effect of twisting motions or edge-wise bending on the measurement of the strain. The sensor comprises one or more strain sensing devices arranged in a circular or regular polygon shaped path enclosing a region of the component. In the sensor system, a plurality of strain sensors are spaced longitudinally along a flap-wise axis of the wind turbine rotor blade.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling at least one proximity sensor of a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising a rotor shaft, the at least one proximity sensor being adapted to measure a radial displacement of the rotor shaft; the method includes: providing at least one reference value, detecting an output of the at least one proximity sensor, the output depending on a measured distance by the respective proximity sensor; comparing the detected output of the proximity sensor with at least one reference value.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one wind turbine blade during the stopping process of the rotor in a wind turbine system is disclosed. The method optimizes the control velocity of the process in response to one or more feedback values of the system and/or one or more feedback values from the surroundings of the system by altering the angular pitch velocity from 10°/sec during the initial stage of the stopping process to 5°/sec at the final stage of the stopping process. A control system and a wind turbine as well as use hereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for detecting defects in a turbine rotor blade of a combustion turbine engine. The system may include: a turbine rotor blade that includes an insulator coating; a first electrode that is electrically connected to the turbine rotor blade; a second electrode that resides in proximity to the turbine rotor blade; means for inducing a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode; and means for detecting current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A device and method for use in detecting anomalies in wind turbines is provided. The method includes monitoring data acquired by at least one sensor in a first wind turbine, wherein the data is calculated to produce a value for a predetermined amount of time, monitoring data acquired by at least one sensor in a grouping of wind turbines similar to the first wind turbine, wherein the monitored data corresponds to the monitored data of the first wind turbine and is combined for a predetermined amount of time, and comparing the monitored data of the first wind turbine with the monitored data of the grouping of wind turbines. The method also includes generating a sensor error if the monitored data of the first wind turbine deviates more than a predetermined amount from the monitored data of the grouping of wind turbines, and displaying the results of the comparison of the monitored data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring an acoustic emission of a wind turbine that includes a rotor blade. The apparatus includes at least one sensor operatively coupled to the wind turbine. The sensor is configured to detect an atmospheric condition. A control system is communicatively coupled to the sensor, and configured to control operation of the wind turbine to adjust the acoustic emission of the wind turbine based on the atmospheric condition.

Abstract: A method of assembling a probe assembly is provided. At least one probe is coupled to an annular tube, wherein the tube includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube also includes at least one first opening that extends between the interior and exterior surfaces and at least one second opening that extends between the interior and exterior surfaces. Moreover, at least one annular flange is coupled to the tube. The flange has a substantially elliptical shape that facilitates substantially preventing the relative rotation of the tube.

Abstract: A system for determining a vibrational frequency of a blade being attached to a structural component of a wind turbine is described. The blade is vibrating within a rotational plane of the rotor. A sensor sensitive to a movement along a sensor direction is placed at the structural component so the sensor direction and the direction of the longitudinal extension of the blade have a fixed angular relationship with respect to each other. The sensor is configured to provide a sensor output signal being indicative for the movement of the structural component along the sensor direction. A data processing unit is connected with the sensor and configured to determine the vibrational frequency of the blade based on the sensor output signal and on the fixed angular relationship. Corresponding wind turbine equipped with such a system, method for determining a vibrational frequency of a blade and computer program are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optically detecting an angle of attack for an airfoil using light detection and ranging (LIDAR). To determine the angle of attack, one or more light beam pulses may be emitted from the leading edge of the airfoil into an (apparently) flowing fluid at various emission angles. The emitted pulses may be backscattered by particles in the fluid, and the backscattered light may be received by a detector at the airfoil. By range gating the returning pulses of backscattered light, a fluid velocity may be determined for each of the emission angles. The angle of attack is identified as the emission angle corresponding to the maximum velocity. A parameter (e.g., pitch or speed) of the airfoil may be controlled based on the angle of attack. In this manner, the airfoil may be manipulated or the shape of the airfoil may be adjusted for increased performance or efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature, pressure, strain, or vibration) of at least a portion of a wind turbine generator using distributed sensing with optical fiber technology are provided. Fiber optic technology with distributed sensing offers a fast, low cost solution for measuring the parameter at myriad locations along substantial lengths of optical fiber. In this manner, the health or status of one or more components of the wind turbine generator may be monitored during or after the different stages of fabrication, transportation, site assembly, operation, and repair over time. Furthermore, data from multiple wind turbine generators may be sent to a local control station for processing and monitoring an entire wind farm in real time. Data from multiple wind farms may be transmitted from multiple local control stations to a remote station such that multiple wind farms may be monitored from a single location.

Abstract: Generally, a wind data acquisition system configured to perform wind resource assessments. A system consistent with the present disclosure may provide a cost-effective data acquisition and analysis system useful for performing wind resource assessments. The system may be configured to automatically detect heights and bearings of instrument mounting booms associated with a wind tower. The system may further be configured to improve the accuracy of differential temperature measurements of a wind tower by providing automatic calibration of components used to measure differential temperature.

Abstract: A method for controlling load reduction for a wind turbine rotor with rotor blades comprising an aerodynamic active element responsive to a control signal for modifying its setting is provided. The loads acting on the rotor blades in relation to the rotor's azimuth are detected and individual control signals based on a PI control system are established. Each individual control signal is a complex number containing an amplitude defining the degree of modification of the respective setting and an angle defining the phase of the modification of the respective setting with respect to the rotor's azimuth. The angle of the complex number is corrected by a phase correction factor. The elements are provided with the individual control signals. The input to the PI-control system is a complex load vector.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring component health in a gearbox of a power generation system. A gearbox has a gear set with relatively-movable components, an armature attached to one of these components, and a magnet attached to another of these components. The armature is subjected to a changing magnetic field from the magnet that generates electrical energy. An electrical device for monitoring component health is inside the gearbox and is powered by the electrical energy received from the armature.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of operating a wind turbine, wherein for a reduction of a wind load impacting on the wind turbine the rotational speed of the rotor and/or the electrical power output of the wind turbine are reduced depending on a deviation of the wind speed from the average wind speed. Moreover the invention concerns a wind turbine comprising a calculating unit adjusted for executing the inventive method.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to increase efficiency of turbines in wind farms. A sensor is configured to generate a wind map of an inflow of wind. A controller is configured to generate a control signal based the wind map. A pitch adjustment device configured to adjust pitch of a blade of the turbine based on the control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical portion disposed on a carrier portion. The optical portion includes an optical path of and a magneto-sensitive element within the optical path. A light source is disposed on the carrier portion in operative communication with a first end of the optical path, and a photo-detector is disposed on the carrier portion in operative communication with a second end of the optical path.