| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080199315 | Wind Turbine, a Hub for a Wind Turbine and Use Hereof - The invention relates to a wind turbine including at least two blade units. Each blade unit has a pitch controlled wind turbine blade and at least one pitch bearing including at least one outer ring, at least one centre ring and at least one inner ring. The wind turbine further includes a hub comprising a mount area for each of the blade units (31). The mount area comprises at least two concentric load transferring surfaces for attaching the blade unit, via the at least one pitch bearing. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080206052 | Method and Device for Monitoring the State of Rotor Blades on Wind Power Installations - The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring the state of rotor blades on wind power installations. According to the invention, structure-borne noise is measured by means of at least one displacement sensor arranged on the rotor blade, the output signals of said sensors determine a frequency spectrum in an evaluation unit by means of suitable methods, the frequency spectrum is compared to reference spectra corresponding to defined states of damage and other particular states and stored in the evaluation unit, and the state of the rotor blade is determined therefrom. The aim of the invention is to provide a method and a device which enable existing local inner and outer damage, and other particular damage-causing states of the rotor blades, to be rapidly identified and evaluated, in order to take into account the effect thereof on the operation of the installation in an automatic manner. To this end, structure-borne noise is measured from a sequence of individual measurements carried out directly one after the other, the beginning of each of said individual measurements being triggered according to a uniform rotational angle of the rotor blade in relation to the rotational axis of the rotor, and all of the determined frequency spectra of each individual measurements are accumulated before being compared with the reference spectra. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080279686 | Wind Turbine Comprising At Least One Gearbox And An Epicyclic Gearbox - The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising at least one gearbox. The gearbox comprises one or more sensors for measuring condition values of the wind turbine, and is characterized in that the one or more sensors are mounted on one or more rotating parts of the gearbox. The invention further relates to an epicyclic gearbox comprising a gearbox housing, one or more gearbox parts rotating in relation to the housing, and one or more sensors for measuring condition values of the gearbox. The epicyclic gearbox is characterized in that, the one or more sensors are mounted on one or more of the rotating parts of the gearbox. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090016880 | PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING WIND FORCE AT WIND ENERGY INSTALLATIONS - 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. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090047130 | Wind Turbine and Method for Determining at Least One Rotation Parameter of a Wind Turbine Rotor - 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 comprises the steps of: 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. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090068014 | Sensor setup for determination of deflection and/or strain - An elongated member of a wind turbine is disclosed which is potentially subject to strain and which comprises a sensor unit for determining the deflection and/or strain of the elongated member between a first point and a second point, which are assigned to the same side of the elongated member, and the sensor unit comprises a proximity sensor for determining the distance between the second point and a third point, the third point being connected to the first point by an inflexible support, the distance between the first point and the third point being considerably longer than the distance between the second point and the third point, wherein the sensor unit comprises a compressible and/or stretchable element located between the second point and the third point. Moreover, a wind turbine rotor blade and a tower of a wind turbine, each comprising a previously described elongated member, are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090092491 | Apparatus and related method for sensing cracks in rotating engine blades - A method and apparatus for detecting structural anomalies in the body of rotating members of an engine involves establishing an electric circuit in the body of the rotating members by embedding a network of electrically conductive fibers. Upon rotation of the members in the presence of a magnetic field, an electric current flows in the electrically conductive fibers of the rotating members. Detection of a structural anomaly in any of the rotating members results from detecting a break of the electric circuit. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090104034 | BLOWER AND ELECTRIC DEVICE WITH SUCH BLOWER MOUNTED THEREON - A supply current control circuit controls the voltage of a low-voltage direct-current power source so that the average current of an inverter circuit detected by a current detecting circuit becomes constant at a specified current value. Accordingly, characteristics that are little in the amount of change of air volume are obtained. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090129925 | Wind Turbine Blade Load Sensor - A wind turbine rotor blade root load sensor is provided. The sensor is configured to be internally mounted within an insert of a root portion of a wind turbine rotor blade. The sensor comprises a carrier member which is configured to be fixedly connected to the insert so that loads can be transmitted therebetween and the sensor further comprises a sensing element, supported by the carrier member. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090169380 | MAGNETOSTRICTIVE MEASUREMENT OF TENSILE STRESS IN FOUNDATIONS - A foundation for supporting a structure is provided. The foundation includes a foundation body, at least one anchor bolt connecting a lower anchor plate and the structure, a magnetostrictive load measuring sensor for measuring loads on the at least one anchor bolt, the magnetostrictive load measuring sensor being positioned within the foundation body. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090263246 | CALIBRATION METHOD - The invention relates to a method for the calibration of at least one sensor ( | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090290982 | VARIABLE TRAILING EDGE SECTION GEOMETRY FOR WIND TURBINE BLADE - A deformable trailing edge section ( | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090297346 | LOAD SENSING ON A ROTOR BLADE OF A WIND POWER PLANT - A rotor blade of a wind power plant, comprising a rotor blade connection for connection to a hub of the rotor of a wind power plant and a blade tip disposed at the opposite end of the rotor blade. In order to provide a rotor blade in which flexing can be detected with simple means, at least one electrical conductor is laid over the length of the rotor blade, wherein the electrical conductor begins at the rotor blade connection, extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotor blade and back to the rotor blade connection, and that there is provided a detector which detects the electrical resistance of the conductor and is connected to an evaluation device which evaluates the electrical resistance. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090311098 | Wind Turbine Blade With Strain Sensing Means, Wind Turbine, Block Sensor Unit And Uses Hereof - A wind turbine blade with strain sensing functionality includes a surface structure, a block sensor unit including an optical sensor mechanism for sensing strain in the blade, and an intermediate connection plate positioned in between the optical sensor mechanism and the surface structure. The intermediate connection plate is adhesively connected to the surface structure and connected to the optical sensor mechanism. The modulus of elasticity of the intermediate connection plate is similar to or less than the modulus of elasticity of the surface structure. A wind turbine, block sensor unit and uses thereof are also contemplated. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090324408 | COOLING FAN - A cooling fan includes a frame, a stator, a rotor and a display panel. The frame includes a base. The stator is mounted on a bottom surface of the base. The rotor is rotatably installed on the stator and received in the frame. The display panel is attached to a top surface of the base and electrically connected to the stator. The display panel can show a lot of useful information such as a logo of the cooling fan, a rotating speed of the cooling fan and an environment temperature. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324409 | ROTOR BLADE MONITORING - A method of monitoring mechanical characteristics of helicopter rotor blades | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100054941 | WIND TRACKING SYSTEM OF A WIND TURBINE - The present patent application concerns a wind turbine comprising a hub and at least one rotor blade connected to the hub, the hub and the at least one rotor blade forming a wind rotor that is rotatable about a rotor axis that converts kinetic energy of the wind into another form of energy and rotatable about a yaw axis that changes the yaw of the rotor, the wind turbine further comprising at least one sensing device that senses a yaw moment of the wind rotor and the wind turbine being adapted to control the yaw of the wind rotor depending on a signal of the sensor. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100124498 | WIND ENERGY PLANT WITH A CENTRAL CONTROL DEVICE AND A CONTROL UNIT IN THE ROTOR AND METHOD FOR THE OPERATION OF SUCH A WIND ENERGY PLANT - A wind energy plant with a nacelle, a rotor, which features at least one rotor blade adjustable in its blade pitch angle, a central control device for controlling the wind energy plant and a control unit disposed in the rotor for controlling the blade pitch angle of the at least one rotor blade, wherein the central control device and the control unit in the rotor can exchange data with each other via a data link, which comprises at least one first sending and receiving device at the nacelle side and at least one second sending and receiving device at the rotor side, wherein a wireless network connection with a safety-oriented communication protocol is provided between the at least one first sending and receiving device and the at least one second sending and receiving device, and that one monitoring- and communication device at a time is associated to the first and/or the second sending and receiving device, which can monitor the function of the sending and receiving device and initiate a predetermined action in the case of an error. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100129216 | SPINNER-LESS HUB ACCESS AND LIFTING SYSTEM FOR A WIND TURBINE - A simple and safe means is provided to gain entry into the rotor hub of a wind turbine for maintenance operations within the hub. A ladder-like structure is mounted onto the rotor hub using the same bolts attaching a fixed outer race of the pitch bearing for the rotor blades. The ladder-like structure has integral with it a protective cage to the front, forming a basket. Structural elements for grasping are provided to a worker over the full path traversed from the nacelle to the entry hatch of the hub. An expanded area between rungs may be provided to facilitate entry by a service worker into the safety cage area. Lifting ears made also be formed with tubular sections integrated into the ladder-like structure. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100143125 | Fan air flow measurement system - A fan air flow measurement sensor comprising a housing having a sensor cap, a thermistor pair disposed within the housing, each thermistor projecting through the sensor cap a predetermined distance above the sensor cap, a flange extending normally from the housing, the flange engagable with a mounting surface, a sensor circuit comprising a multiplexer for controlling each thermistor, and for measuring a condition of each thermistor, and for receiving and transmitting signals, and a cable for connecting the sensor to a multiplexing circuit. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100143126 | COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIND TURBINE COMPONENTS - A cooling system and method is provided for a wind turbine. The cooling system is used to cool at least one component in the wind turbine, and includes a filter system having at least one primary filter and at least one secondary filter. A switch selects between the primary filter and the secondary filter. A cooling circuit includes at least one conduit and a coolant medium. The filter system can switch from the primary filter to the secondary filter. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100143127 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A POTENTIAL FOR ICING ON A WIND TURBINE BLADE - An embodiment of the present invention may provide a method and system for detecting icing on at least one wind turbine blade. An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a software application and process that utilizes the measure wind speed to detect icing on at least one wind turbine blade. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100143128 | WIND TURBINE YAW BEARING DETERMINATION - A wind turbine includes a sensor for determining a position indicative of a yaw bearing of the wind turbine. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100143129 | WIND TURBINE BLADE WITH INTEGRATED STALL SENSOR AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF DETECTING STALL OF A WIND TURBINE BLADE - A wind turbine includes an electrical stall sensor configured on a pressure surface of at least one turbine blade at a location to detect backflow in a stall condition. The stall sensor includes a flap pivotally configured on the respective pressure surface so as to be moved from a first position towards a second position by backflow over the pressure surface during a stall condition. A sensor circuit responds to movement of the flap between the first and second positions and generates a corresponding electrical signal that indicates the stall condition. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100209248 | STRUCTURAL MONITORING OF WIND TURBINE WITH FIBRE BRAGG GRATING SENSORS IN EACH BLADE - A system for the structural monitoring of blades | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100221111 | WIND TURBINE BLADE, WIND TURBINE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WIND TURBINE BLADE - The invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising one or more electric powered modules. The modules have power supply means converting an energy source to electrical power for said one or more modules, wherein said energy source is light beams transmitted to the power supply means in the blade structure and/or interior from an external light source. The invention also relates to wind turbine and a method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100232961 | FIBRE OPTIC SENSORS - A wind turbine blade ( | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100247311 | WIND ENERGY SYSTEM - The invention relates to a wind energy system comprising a tower, a nacelle attached to the tower, the interior of which can be entered, a rotor that is rotatable relative to the nacelle, with a hub, the interior of which adjoins the nacelle interior and is accessible from this via a connecting passage, and comprising a rotor stop mechanism, with which rotor rotation can be enabled in a released position and blocked in a locked position, wherein a warning device, which is controlled on the basis of the position of the rotor stop mechanism, and which can emit a warning signal against accessing the hub interior when the rotor stop mechanism is in the released position [sic—Translator]. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100266405 | Pressure Based Load Measurement - 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. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100303624 | METHOD FOR TESTING A ROTOR BLADE OF A WIND POWER PLANT AND TEST DEVICE - The invention relates to a method for testing a rotor blade ( | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100310373 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING FATIGUE DAMAGE IN A POWER TRAIN OF A WIND TURBINE - A method for determining the evolution of torque of at least one rotatable shaft and the resulting fatigue damage to different power train components is provided for design and/or maintenance operations in a wind turbine that comprises the steps of determining torque (Tg) at a high speed shaft of the power train; determining moment of inertia (Ig) at the high speed shaft; determining angular acceleration (αg) at the high speed shaft; and determining torque (Tr) at the low speed shaft of the power train through the formula Tr=(Tg−Ig αg)·i. A rainflow-counting algorithm may be applied to the value of the torque (Tr) at the low speed shaft for determining the number of cycles at ranges of torque for every torque mean value. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110020122 | INTEGRATED CONDITION BASED MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FOR WIND TURBINES - A computer implemented method includes receiving condition information from a plurality of condition detection sensors coupled to a wind turbine and receiving wind turbine controller information. An anomaly detection algorithm is applied to identify maintenance activities for the wind turbine as a function of both the wind turbine condition information and the wind turbine controller information. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110110778 | MEASURING LOADS ON WIND TURBINE BLADES - A sensor system for measuring aerodynamic loads acting on a wind turbine rotor blade is disclosed. The measured aerodynamic loads can be converted to an angle of attack of the resulting wind which flows past the moving rotor blade. The sensor is realised as a trailing edge flap which is elastically moveable relative the main part of the wind turbine blade. By measuring motion of the trailing edge flap or corresponding motions of components of the sensor system, the aerodynamic forces acting on the blade can be determined. Due to the relative small dimensions of the sensor flap and the relative small displacements of the flap, the sensor system only affects the aerodynamic properties insignificantly. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110135473 | SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A WIND TURBINE USING DATA QUALITY INDICATORS - A method for monitoring a wind turbine is provided. An operating parameter, including a parameter value and a data quality value, is created by a controller. The parameter value is based on a signal received by the controller from a source. The data quality value indicates the source and/or a reliability of the parameter value. The operating parameter is processed based on the data quality value. Processing may include, for example, creating a graphical representation of the operating parameter or assigning a weight to the operating parameter for use in a calculation. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110135474 | METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE CALIBRATION OF BLADE STRAIN GAUGES AND WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE CONTAINING STRAIN GAUGES - A method for temperature calibration of a strain sensor for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is provided, the method including operating the wind turbine in a mode in which substantially no bending of the rotor blade due to wind occurs, repeatedly measuring gravitationally induced bending moments of the rotor blade for a plurality of temperatures measured at the place of the strain sensor, determining a temperature dependency of the strain sensor on the temperature, calibrating the strain sensor based on the determined temperature dependency of the strain sensor such that the temperature dependency of the strain sensor is compensated. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110135475 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A CONDITION OF A ROTOR BLADE FOR A WIND TURBINE - A method for monitoring a condition of a rotor blade of a wind turbine is provided. The method includes transmitting, from a sensor to a controller, at least one monitoring signal indicative of a vibration of the rotor blade. The condition of the rotor blade is calculated by the controller based on the monitoring signal. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110135476 | EMBEDDED FIBRE OPTIC SENSOR FOR WIND TURBINE COMPONENTS - A fibre optic sensor is embedded in an integral housing block formed by moulding or extrusion. The housing block has a mounting surface for attachment to a wind turbine component by adhesive or mechanical connection. In an arrangement where the sensor is to be isolated from strains on the component, the housing block may be mounted on the component by means of a smaller mounting portion, joining the mounting portion at a neck region. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110150648 | BLADE DEFLECTION MEASUREMENT WITH MAGNETOSTRICTIVE SENSOR - A measurement arrangement for measuring a deflection of a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The measurement arrangement includes a magnetostrictive sensor, which includes a first sensor part and a second sensor part, a first support structure, which is adapted to be mounted to a first portion of the rotor, wherein the first sensor part is mounted to the first support structure, and a second support structure, which may be mounted to a second portion of the rotor, wherein the second sensor part is mounted to the second support structure and wherein either or both the first portion and the second portion is a portion of the blade. The magnetostrictive sensor measures the relative spatial position between the first sensor part and the second sensor part. A method for measuring a blade deflection and a wind turbine rotor which includes the described blade deflection measurement arrangement are also provided. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110150649 | MONITORING OF WIND TURBINES - 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. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110158807 | METHOD AND COATING FOR PROTECTING AND REPAIRING AN AIRFOIL SURFACE USING MOLDED BOOTS, SHEET OR TAPE - Disclosed is a field repairable airfoil structure such as a wing or a rotor blade and a method for repair and removal of erosion or impact damage to elastomeric coatings on surfaces such as the leading edge of the airfoil using special hand sandable coatings and preformed molded boots, preformed sheets or tapes with an optional topcoat applied thereto having higher sand erosion resistance. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110206510 | MODULAR ROTOR BLADE AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING A WIND TURBINE - A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes at least two segments, and at least one cable, wherein the at least two segments are adapted to be mounted together to form the rotor blade, and wherein the at least one cable is adapted to attach the at least two segments, and wherein the at least one cable is extending through at least part of the segments. Further, methods for assembling a modular rotor blade and for mounting a wind turbine are provided. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110206511 | Wind turbine and method for measuring the pitch angle of a wind turbine rotor blade - A method for measuring the pitch angle of a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. In the method at least one image of at least part of the rotor blade is acquired by a camera from a defined position and the pitch angle is calculated by means of data from the at least one image. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110206512 | WIND TURBINE BLADE LOAD SENSOR - A wind turbine rotor blade root load sensor is provided. The sensor is configured to be internally mounted within an insert of a root portion of a wind turbine rotor blade. The sensor comprises a carrier member which is configured to be fixedly connected to the insert so that loads can be transmitted therebetween and the sensor further comprises a sensing element, supported by the carrier member. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110217168 | Method of attaching a load sensor to a surface of a rotor blade and rotor blade - A method of attaching a load sensor comprising a support with a number of strain gauges on a surface of a rotor blade is proposed. The method comprises the steps of producing a set of holes with a predefined distance between the holes. Threaded inserts are provided in the holes. Bolts are inserted through the load sensor into the threaded inserts. A rotor blade with a load sensor is also proposed. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110262273 | Airfoil and blade for a turbine, and method for directly determining the progress of erosion of a turbine blade airfoil - An airfoil of a turbine blade is provided. At least one sensor element is integrated into the material of the turbine blade airfoil in order to directly determine the progress of erosion of the turbine blade airfoil. Various methods for directly determining the progress of erosion of an airfoil of a turbine blade are also provided | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110268571 | METHOD FOR MEASURING AN OPERATIONAL PARAMETER OF A WIND TURBINE AND MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A measurement device adapted for measuring at least one operational parameter of a wind turbine is provided. The measurement device includes a control unit including a light source adapted for emitting light and an optical waveguide connected to the control unit and adapted for transmitting the light emitted from the light source to a sensor device. The sensor device is adapted for detecting the at least one operational parameter and includes an optical-to-electrical power conversion unit adapted for receiving the light emitted by the light source and transmitted via the optical waveguide, and for converting the received light into electrical operation power which is provided for the sensor device. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110274543 | Wind Turbine with Status Monitoring System - A wind turbine with a status monitoring system is provided. The wind turbine with the status monitoring system includes a generator with a generator coil, a control unit and a sensor connected to the control unit. A disconnection element, controlled by the control unit depending on the sensor, is arranged in a high-voltage line from the generator coil to the power network. A line connecting the control unit to the generator coil has integrated line monitoring. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110299987 | EROSION INDICATOR FOR A COMPRESSOR WHEEL - A centrifugal compressor wheel including a hub, a web extending radially from the hub, and a plurality of blades carried by the wheel. The web includes an erosion indicator of the wheel. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120003089 | CLEANING AND INSPECTING APPARATUS FOR WIND TURBINE AND RELATED METHODS - A maintenance apparatus is provided for use with a wind turbine that has a tower, a hub supported by the tower, and a plurality of blades extending outwardly from the hub. The maintenance apparatus has a mounting element that is configured to be secured to the tower and to be selectively movable along the length thereof. A robotic arm is coupled to the mounting element, and a blade-engaging device is coupled to the robotic arm and is configured to engage one of the blades to effect a maintenance task thereon. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120093647 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGISTERING EVENTS IN WIND TURBINES OF A WIND POWER SYSTEM - Methods of registering events in a wind power system comprising at least two data processors. The data processors of said wind power system are mutually time synchronized. Events are registered in said at least two data processors. The timing of said events registered in different of said at least two data processors is established according to said time synchronization. Events may be registered and preferably analyzed according to a common timing. The event analysis makes it possible to establish an analysis where events of different wind turbines are basically interrelated and where information regarding such interrelation may be important or crucial for establishment of control or fault detection based on correctly timed events from different wind turbines. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120141275 | WIND TURBINE BLADE EDGE MONITORING SYSTEM - A monitoring system and associated operational method are operatively configured with a wind turbine for detecting separation of shell members along an edge of a wind turbine rotor blade. The system includes any configuration of sensors disposed within an internal cavity of the rotor blade, with the sensor oriented relative to a leading or trailing edge of the blade and configured to detect a physical characteristic within the blade that is indicative of onset of a separation between the shell members along the monitored edge. A controller is configured to receive signals from the sensor and to initiate an automatic response to a detected separation. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120163974 | USE OF AUTOMATION IN WIND DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE WIND RESOURCE ASSESSMENT ACCURACY - 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. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120171036 | OPTICAL ANGLE OF ATTACK DETECTOR BASED ON LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING (LIDAR) FOR CONTROL OF AN AERODYNAMIC SURFACE - 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. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120171037 | PROBE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN TURBINE ENGINES AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING SAME - 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. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120224966 | SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE CONDITION OF ROTOR BLADES AT WIND TURBINES - 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. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120243993 | Adjustable Height Pressure Sensing Port - 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. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120251317 | WIND POWER PLANT - 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. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120263592 | Method for measuring the wind direction in the wake of a wind turbine rotor - 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. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20130017086 | VISUAL INSPECTION OF TURBINE BLADESAANM Till; Kevin R.AACI CarpinteriaAAST CAAACO USAAGP Till; Kevin R. Carpinteria CA US - A blade monitoring system is provided for inspecting the condition of at least one turbine blade of a wind turbine generator. The wind turbine blade condition monitoring system includes a wind turbine which has at least one blade mounted on a hub, the hub mounted to a nacelle body along an axis of rotation, the nacelle being supported on a tower. A storage location is connected to at least one of the nacelle body and the tower and includes an opening. A storage door is mounted to and selectively covers the opening, acting to enclose the storage location. The blade monitoring system also includes imaging equipment for imaging the at least one blade and a conveyance system. The conveyance system is mounted to at least one of the nacelle body and the tower and is connected to the imaging equipment. The conveyance system conveys the imaging equipment from within the storage location through the opening in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one blade. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130058786 | CREEP INDICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING CREEP AMOUNT - A creep indication system and a method for determining a creep amount are disclosed. The system includes a first creep indicating member on a first rotating component and a second creep indicating member on a second rotating component. The second creep indicating member has at least one different creep characteristic from the first creep indicating member. The system further includes at least one measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of at least one of the first creep indicating member or the second creep indicating member. The method includes measuring a first creep amount of a first creep indicating member and measuring a second creep amount of a second creep indicating member. The method further includes estimating a temperature of a rotating component using the first creep amount and the second creep amount. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130078094 | Systems and Methods for Mode Shape Identification - Embodiments of the present application can provide systems and methods for mode shape identification of turbine buckets. According to one embodiment, a system can be provided. The system can include a turbine bucket having numerous trigger patterns disposed at a distal end of the turbine bucket. A sensor is disposed adjacent to the distal end of the turbine bucket for detecting the trigger patterns. The trigger patterns are patterned to identify at least one mode shape of the turbine bucket. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130078095 | WIND ENERGY POWER PLANT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTICAL VIBRATION SENSOR - A wind energy power plant optical vibration sensor is described, using two light sources | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130101417 | WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADES WITH ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT-REFLECTIVE SUBSTANCES - A wind turbine rotor blade is disclosed that includes a body extending between a blade root and a blade tip. The body may include a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge and may define an outer surface. In addition, an ultraviolet light-reflective tape may be disposed on the outer surface of the body. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130129510 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF TURBO MACHINERY - 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. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130129511 | WIND TURBINE AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DAMAGE TO WIND-TURBINE-BLADE SKIN - An object is to provide a wind turbine and an apparatus and method for detecting damage to a wind-turbine-blade skin, which can reduce the workload of workers who are in charge of inspection for damage to a wind-turbine-blade skin. Provided is an apparatus for detecting damage to a wind-turbine-blade skin that detects damage to the skin of a wind turbine blade having a hollow structure, the apparatus including a pressure sensor that measures the internal pressure of the wind turbine blade; and a nacelle-side control unit that detects damage based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130170991 | TURBINE BLADE TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF TURBINE BLADES - The invention provides a wind turbine blade comprising a first shell, having a first bonding region, and a second shell having a second bonding region, wherein the second bonding region of the second shell is bonded to the first bonding region of the first shell; and a temperature sensor positioned between the first bonding region and the second bonding region. Having a temperature sensor positioned within the turbine blade, in the region at which the two shells of the turbine blade are bonded together, allows for accurate determination and control of the temperature of the critical bonding regions during blade manufacture. The temperature sensor may be used during the service life of the wind turbine blade to detect delamination of the wind turbine blade. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130280070 | WIND TURBINE BLADE WITH CROSS-SECTIONAL SENSORS - A wind turbine blade extending along a longitudinal axis from a root end to a tip end and in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane having a main axis extending through an elastic center point, wherein the wind turbine blade comprises a sensor system including a first sensor set for measuring a first bending moment in a first sensor position at a first distance from the root end, the first sensor set comprising a first primary sensor for measuring a primary component and a first secondary sensor for measuring a secondary component, wherein a first primary sensor axis in the transverse plane is oriented in a direction defined by the first primary sensor and the elastic center point, and a first secondary sensor axis in the transverse plane is oriented in a direction defined by the first secondary sensor and the elastic center point, and wherein an angle between the first primary sensor axis and the first secondary sensor axis is in the range from 50° to 130° | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130323057 | APPARATUS FOR MEASURING ICE DEPOSITION ON THE ROTOR BLADES OF A WIND TURBINE - An apparatus is described for measuring the deposition of ice on the rotor blades ( | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130330189 | CMC BLADE WITH PRESSURIZED INTERNAL CAVITY FOR EROSION CONTROL - A ceramic matrix composite blade for use in a gas turbine engine having an airfoil with leading and trailing edges and pressure and suction side surfaces, a blade shank secured to the lower end of each airfoil, one or more interior fluid cavities within the airfoil having inlet flow passages at the lower end which are in fluid communication with the blade shank, one or more passageways in the blade shank corresponding to each one of the interior fluid cavities and a fluid pump (or compressor) that provides pressurized fluid (nominally cool, dry air) to each one of the interior fluid cavities in each airfoil. The fluid (e.g., air) is sufficient in pressure and volume to maintain a minimum fluid flow to each of the interior fluid cavities in the event of a breach due to foreign object damage. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140003942 | SENSOR DEVICE FOR MEASURING AERODYNAMIC LOADS OF A ROTOR BLADE OF A WIND TURBINE | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140064966 | Systems and Methods of Tracking Rotor Blades - A blade tracking system including a detector having one or more sensors to detect radiation from at least one field of view of the detector, the one or more sensors generating signals based on changes in incident radiation to the one or more sensors as a rotor blade passes the field of view, and a processor to determine a pass time for the rotor blade to pass through the at least one field of view based on the generated signals. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140093373 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING LIGHTNING STRIKES ON A WIND TURBINE - A system and associated method for detecting lighting strikes on a wind turbine uses a plurality of lightning strike conductors that are connected to any combination of the wind turbine components. A common ground cable is connected to the conductors and to a wind turbine grounding system. A sensor is operatively configured on the common ground cable to detect current flowing through the cable from a lightning strike incident on any one of the receptors, with the sensor producing a signal proportional to the intensity of the lightning strike. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140105741 | METHOD TO IMPROVE THE THERMAL PROPERTIES OF A RESISTANCE ELEMENT EMBEDDED IN AN ALUMINA DEPOSIT ON A SURFACE OF A SUBSTRATE AND APPLICATION OF SAID METHOD - The invention relates to a method for improving the heat resistance of a resistive element embedded in an alumina deposit covering a surface of a substrate, the alumina deposit comprising a surface portion and a deep portion which is sandwiched between the surface portion and the surface of the substrate and in which the resistive element is located, which method is characterised in that it comprises a densification of the surface portion of the alumina deposit. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140140848 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REINFORCING A WEAKENED AREA OF A WIND TURBINE BLADE - The invention refers to a system and method for reinforcing a weakened area of a wind turbine blade whose interior comprises a box beam extending from the blade root to the blade tip and wherein said box beam comprises an open end at the blade root. The system is characterized by comprising a repair module ( | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140161612 | TIP SHROUD MONITORING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND CONTROLLER - A tip shroud of a bladed rotor can be monitored for integrity using a sensor configured to detect the tip shroud. A signal from the sensor can be monitored and if the magnitude of the signal changes, such as beyond a defined amount, an indication of possible damage can be made. A baseline sensed pattern for a revolution of the tip shroud can be compared to an operation sensed pattern for a subsequent revolution, and the indication of damage can be made if there is more than the defined amount and/or percentage of difference between the patterns. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140271193 | Load Distribution Estimation - A system and method for pressure based load measurement are provided. The system and method measure at least one pressure differential on an airfoil and determine at least one aerodynamic load associated with the at least one pressure differential. The determined at least one load is used to modify characteristics of the airfoil to increase efficiency and/or avoid damage. The determined at least one aerodynamic load may be further utilized to balance and/or optimize loads at the airfoil, estimate a load distribution along the airfoil used to derive other metrics about the airfoil, and/or used in a distributed control system to increase efficiency and/or reduce damage to, e.g., one or more wind turbines. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140308128 | FAN SYSTEM - A fan system suitable for an electronic device is provided. The fan system includes a fan module and a fan protecting module. The fan module includes a base and a fan blade assembly. The base is disposed at the electronic device and has a chamber. The fan blade assembly includes a fan blade and a shaft portion. The fan blade is fixed on the shaft portion. The shaft portion is rotatably contained in the chamber. The fan protecting module includes an electromagnetic component and an accelerometer. The electromagnetic component is disposed at a position adjacent to the shaft portion. The accelerometer is disposed in the electronic device and coupled to the electromagnetic component. When an acceleration of the electronic device detected by the accelerometer is greater than a threshold value, the electromagnetic component applies magnetic force to the shaft portion to prevent the shaft portion from overly shifting or deflecting. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140348652 | DEVICE FOR TESTING FAN - A fan test device to connect a motherboard and a fan includes a control chip, a first connector, a second connector, a first switch chip, a second switch chip, a first electronic switch, and a second electronic switch. The control chip is connected to sensing pins of the first and second connectors. The first electronic switch is connected between a power terminal and a power pin of the first connector. The second electronic switch is connected between the power terminal and a power pin of the second connector. The control chip outputs different signals corresponding to the connection of the first and second connectors to control the first and second switch chips. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140348653 | WIND TURBINE HAVING A REMOTE WIND GAUGE - The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a rotor hub ( | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140356164 | APPARATUS TO DETECT AERODYNAMIC CONDITIONS OF BLADES OF WIND TURBINES - Apparatus for detecting aerodynamic conditions of a rotor blade ( | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140356165 | WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH AIR PRESSURE SENSORS - A wind turbine blade has a suction side shell member and a pressure side shell member. The shell members are joined along a leading and trailing edge from a root to a tip of the blade and defining an internal cavity of the blade. A pressure sensor is configured on at least one of the suction or pressure side shell members. The pressure sensor further includes a body mounted to an inner surface of the respective shell member within the internal cavity. A sensing element has a first side exposed to external air pressure through a passage in the respective shell member, and an opposite second side exposed to a reference pressure. Control circuitry within the body generates a variable output signal as a function of a pressure differential between the external air pressure and reference pressure experienced by the sensing element. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140356166 | CLEARANCE MEASURING SENSOR WITH ABRADABLE ELECTRODE - A capacitive sensor for measuring the clearance between the apex of the vanes of a rotor and the inner surface of an abradable coating covering the inner surface of a turbomachine casing, the clearance measuring capacitive sensor including a first electrode the material of which is abradable so as to get worn upon contacting an apex of a vane, the material of the first electrode having a degree of wear substantially identical to the degree of wear of the material of the abradable coating. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140363294 | Thermographic Inspection System for Composite Wind Turbine Blade - The present application provides a method of inspecting a bond joint. The method may include the steps of applying an exothermic adhesive to a first shell and/or a second shell, attaching the first shell to the second shell via the exothermic adhesive to create the bond joint, allowing the exothermic adhesive to cure, and imaging the heat released by the exothermic adhesive along the bond joint. The bond joint may be a turbine blade bond joint. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20150056077 | DETECTION SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING BLOCKAGES IN GUIDE VANES OF A TURBINE ENGINE - 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. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150093244 | TOTAL AIR TEMPERATURE SENSORS - 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. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150361993 | COMPRESSOR WHEEL AND UNBALANCE DETECTION DEVICE FOR COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY - A compressor wheel that can more effectively and accurately detect its rotational unbalance than before is provided. The compressor wheel is disposed in a compressor assembly, the compressor wheel including a boss portion mounted on a rotation shaft, a rear plate portion disposed on an opposite side of a tip end portion disposed on one end side of the boss portion, the rear plate portion extending perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotation shaft, and a sensor detection surface formed on a circumferential surface of the tip end portion of the boss portion or on a circumferential surface of the rear plate portion, the sensor detection surface being inclined to the circumferential surface of the end portion or the circumferential surface of the rear plate portion, the sensor detection surface being detectable by an optical sensor that irradiates the sensor detection surface with light and detects light reflected therefrom. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150369211 | WIND BLADE TIP JOINT - A wind turbine blade includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. The first blade segment includes a beam structure extending lengthways that structurally connects with the second blade segment at a receiving section, wherein the beam structure forms a portion of an internal support structure and includes a shear web connected with a suction side spar cap and a pressure side spar cap. The present technology also includes multiple first bolt joints located at a first end of the beam structure for connecting with the receiving end of the second blade segment and multiple second bolt joints located at the chord-wise joint, wherein the multiple first bolt joints located at the first end of beam structure are separated pan-wise with the multiple second bolt joints located at the chord-wise joint. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20160123181 | COMPOSITE NORMALIZED ANGLE OF ATTACK INDICATING SYSTEM - A composite normalized angle of attack indicating system provides a simultaneous display of both body angle of attack, such as in digital form, and normalized angle of attack for an aircraft. The display may be visually enhanced as stall is approached such as by zooming the body angle of attack digital display and/or by changing the color of the display. The normalized display also selectively displays an approach reference band when the flap setting is equal to or greater than 20 degrees. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160123298 | Wind Turbine Blade with Bond Paste Inspection Window and Associated Method - A wind turbine blade has an upper shell member and a lower shell member bonded at a leading and trailing edge of the blade with a bond paste applied between respective forward and rearward edges of the shell members. At least one of the shell members includes a first inspection window defined therein along one of the leading edge or trailing edge at a location corresponding at least to a design minimum bond width of the bond paste applied at the respective leading edge or trailing edge. The inspection window provides a visible access through the shell member such that a visible indication is generated through the inspection window when bond paste is injected and reaches the minimum bond width location in the chord-wise direction. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160169206 | ROTOR OF A WIND TURBINE | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160195069 | WIND TURBINE WITH A ROTOR POSITIONING SYSTEM | 07-07-2016 |
