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. 23, 2013
Filed:
Oct. 27, 2011
Edward Lee Mcgrath, Greer, SC (US);
Robert William Ridgway, Schenectady, NY (US);
Edward Lee McGrath, Greer, SC (US);
Robert William Ridgway, Schenectady, NY (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
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.