General Electric Company

Robert William Ridgway

Minesh Ashok Shah

Edward Lee McGrath

A control system is provided. The control system includes a turbine controller that is configured to generate at least a first signal that is representative of pitch control commands for a plurality of turbine blades and a second signal that is representative of the pitch control commands for the turbine blades. A first pitch controller is coupled to the turbine controller, wherein the first pitch controller is configured to receive the first signal and to implement the pitch control commands for each of the turbine blades in response to receiving the first signal. A second pitch controller is coupled to the turbine controller and to the first pitch controller, wherein the second pitch controller is configured to receive the second signal and to implement the pitch control commands to each of the turbine blades when the first pitch controller is unable to implement the pitch control commands.

Systems and methods for use in operating power generation systems

A method for shutdown of a wind turbine having one or more wind turbine blades includes detecting an operational condition of the wind turbine that calls for an expedited or emergency shutdown of the wind turbine by a manner other than normal pitch control shutdown. Upon detection of the operational condition, one or more air brake flaps configured on each of the turbine blades is deployed by removing power to a fail-safe actuator operatively coupled to each of the air brake flaps. The fail-safe actuator is configured to hold the respective air brake flap at a retracted position relative to a suction side of the turbine blade in a powered state of the fail-safe actuator and to release the air brake flap for automatic deployment to an open position upon loss of power to the fail-safe actuator.

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Schenectady, NY, United States of America

Robert William Ridgway