General Electric Company

General Electric Renovables Espana, S.l.

Sujan Kumar Pal

Biju Nanukuttan

Robert Gregory Wagoner

Andreas Herrig

Benoit Philippe Petitjean

Roger Drobietz

Thierry Pascal Maeder

Dhanesh Chandrashekar Pathuvoth

Stefan Kern

Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli

Ramananda Prabhu

Seongkyu Lee

Mallikarjuna Reddy D

Pranesh Attikodige Chandrashekhara

Wilfred A A W

Raja Kadhirvelu

Lionel Anup Noronha

The present disclosure is directed to methods for manufacturing a wind turbine slewing ring bearing having an integral stiffener configured to resist deformation of the bearing under a load. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to methods for manufacturing components of a slewing ring bearing (e.g., an inner, center, and outer race) using near-net-shape (NNS) ring rolling techniques. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to methods for manufacturing slewing ring bearing races, via NNS ring rolling, that are not restricted to conventional (e.g., generally square, rectangular, quadrilateral, trapezoid, quadrilateral) cross-sectional profiles that necessitate attachment of a separate, non-integral stiffener (e.g., a non-integral stiffening plate, stiffening ring, or stiffening assembly).

Method for manufacturing slewing ring bearing components having an integral stiffener

A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes at least one blade segment defining an airfoil surface and an internal support structure. The internal support structure is formed, at least in part, of a first portion constructed of a first composite material and a second portion constructed of a different, second composite material, the second composite material arranged in a plurality of layers. The first and second portions are connected together via a scarf joint. Each of the plurality of layers of the second composite material includes an end that terminates at the scarf joint. The scarf joint includes a different, third composite material arranged between the first and second composite materials. The third composite material includes a plurality of segments, each of which is arranged so as to completely wrap the ends of the plurality of layers of the second composite material.

Scarf connection for a wind turbine rotor blade

Systems and methods for controlling the state of charge of an energy storage system used in conjunction with a renewable energy source or other power generation system are provided. More particularly, a future output requirement of the energy storage system can be predicted based at least in part on data indicative of anticipated conditions, such as weather conditions, wake conditions, or other suitable conditions. A control system can adjust a state of charge setpoint from a nominal setpoint (e.g. 50%) to an adjusted setpoint based at least in part on the future output requirement. In this way, the energy storage system can better accommodate the output requirements of the energy storage system during varying weather conditions.

Predictive control for energy storage on a renewable energy system

A connection assembly for a tower of a wind turbine is provided. The connection assembly includes a first tower section segment having an inner surface spaced apart from an outer surface. A second tower section segment is positioned adjacent to the first tower section segment and includes an inner surface spaced apart from an outer surface. The first tower section segment and the second tower section segment define a vertically extending gap therebetween. A connector plate includes a first connector plate portion, a second connector plate portion spaced apart from the first connector plate portion, and a third connector plate portion positioned between the first connector plate portion and the second connector plate portion. The first connector plate portion couples to the first tower section segment. The second connector plate portion couples to the second tower section segment. The third connector plate portion extends through the vertically extending gap.

Connection assembly for wind turbine tower

A method for controlling a wind farm includes: receiving temperature data associated with a plurality of locations along a sound path between the wind farm and a sound immission point from one or more sensors; estimating a propagation characteristic of the sound path based at least in part on the temperature data; predicting a noise level at the sound immission point based at least in part on the propagation characteristic; determining a control signal for one or more wind turbines in the wind farm based at least in part on the noise level; and using the control signal to control the one or more wind turbines.

System and method for controlling the operation of wind turbines

A trailing edge protective cap for a rotor blade of a wind turbine and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The method includes infusing a first material onto a first mold so as to form a first part having a length. While the first part is still in the first mold, the method may also include placing a second mold onto the first part. The method may then include infusing a second material onto the second mold and at least a portion of the first part so as to form a second part having a length. The first and second parts may then be joined or infused together along a portion their respective lengths so as to form the protective cap, wherein the protective cap includes a joined section and an open section.

Trailing edge cap for a rotor blade and method of manufacturing same

A wind turbine rotor blade joint assembly and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The rotor blade includes an upper shell member having a spar cap configured on an internal face thereof and a lower shell member having a spar cap configured on an internal face thereof. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade. The shear web includes first and second longitudinally aligned components that extend from and are integral with respective spar caps. A joint assembly is configured between facing transverse ends of the first and second components of the shear web. The joint assembly includes a connecting structure configured to receive the transverse ends of the first and second components. The connecting structure is infused and integral with the first component of the shear web and bonded with the second component of the shear web.

Rotor blade joint assembly with multi-component shear web

A monitoring system for a wind turbine includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to measure an acoustic emission generated by at least one component of the wind turbine, and a control system configured to calculate at least one wear characteristic of the component based on the measured acoustic emission. The wear characteristic includes at least one of a current amount of wear on the component, a rate of wear on the component, and a predicted amount of wear on the component.

Growing community of inventors

Bengaluru, India

Sujan Kumar Pal