The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 24, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 30, 1998
Kevin Lewis Cousineau, Tehachapi, CA (US);
Craig Leonard Christenson, Tehachapi, CA (US);
Zond Systems, Inc., Tehachapi, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for non-volatile overspeed protection is described. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for non-volatile overspeed detection to provide turbine rotational speed safety during a power outage. In one embodiment, aerodynamic braking is used to slow rotation of a rotor of the wind turbine. If an overspeed condition continues after application of aerodynamic braking, mechanical braking is used to reduce the rotational speed of the rotor. Power is supplied by a non-volatile power source to continue overspeed detection during a power outage. A low-pressure trigger valve is used to apply a mechanical brake when hydraulic pressure in the braking system falls below a predetermined threshold.