Wind Turbine Apparatus, Systems and Methods

• US 20120068463A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 03/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Langenfeld, Christopher C., Smith, Stanley B. III, Schnellinger, Andrew A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,890,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/44
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/20 Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/40 Arrangements or methods specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 17/00 Monitoring or testing of wind motors, e.g. diagnostics testing during commissioning of wind motors F03D13/30
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/005 the axis being vertical
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/062 characterised by their construction elements
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 7/0236 by changing the active surface of the wind engaging parts, e.g. reefing or furling
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 7/0248 by mechanical means acting on the power train
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 7/06 the wind motors having rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/25 as advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/31 of changeable form or shape
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/98 which is inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/325 Air temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/808 Strain gauges; Load cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine includes comprising an inflatable portion comprising one or more blades and a device for rotatably driving the inflatable portion at a predetermined rate for a predetermined time.

Claims

1. A wind turbine system comprising:

a system controller configured to receive at least one output from at least one measurement device;

an anemometer in communication with the system controller, the anemometer for measuring wind speed;

a temperature sensor in communication with the system controller, the temperature sensor for measuring ambient temperature;

a transmission;

a load cell coupled to the transmission and in communication with the system controller, the load cell configured to measure the torque output of the transmission,

wherein the system controller receives wind speed, ambient temperature and load cell information and determines optimal power outputs of the wind turbine for a weather condition.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a wind vane in communication with the system controller, the wind vane for measuring wind directionality.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the system controller receives the temperature sensor output and calibrates the anemometer using the temperature sensor output.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical rotary joint coupled to the transmission and in communication with the system controller, the electrical rotary joint providing power to at least one component of the wind turbine system.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a motor.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a motor drive.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a resolver rotatably coupled to the motor and communicatively coupled to the motor drive, wherein the resolver measures the position of the motor and torque measurements from the load cell.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a shunt resistor connected to the motor drive, wherein the shunt resistor converts the output power from the motor and regulates DC bus voltage.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a wireless router coupled to the system controller, wherein the wireless router transmits data from the system controller to a remote server.

17. The wind turbine brake system of claim 1 further comprising a hydraulic power unit wherein the hydraulic power unit increases the pressure of the air sent from the air compressor to the hydraulic caliper brake.

10. A wind turbine control system comprising:

a system controller configured to receive at least one output from at least one measurement device located on the wind turbine; and

a wireless router coupled to the system controller, wherein the wireless router transmits data from the system controller to a remote server.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the system controller receives commands remotely and the wind turbine system are remotely controlled.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising an anemometer in communication with the system controller, the anemometer for measuring wind speed.

13. The system of claim 10 further comprising a temperature sensor in communication with the system controller, the temperature sensor for measuring ambient temperature.

14. The system of claim 10 further comprising a transmission.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a load cell coupled to the transmission and in communication with the system controller, the load cell configured to measure the torque output of the transmission.

16. A wind turbine brake system comprising:

a main shaft;

an air compressor; and

a hydraulic caliper brake coupled to the main shaft and to the air compressor, wherein the hydraulic caliper brake controls the speed of the main shaft,

wherein air from the air compressor maintains the hydraulic caliper brake in an open position.