US6441507B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotor pitch control method and apparatus for parking wind turbine
Assignee: Wind Turbine Co
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Filing: 2000-03-22
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Granted: 2002-08-27
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Expires: 2020-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A wind turbine is configurable with at least one blade is pitched to provide relatively high sensitivity to wind direction or sheer so as to perform a rudder function which moves the blades such that the vertical plane defined by the blade ends is substantially parallel to the wind direction. In one aspect, the wind turbine has at least two different blades having two different blade pitches. In one embodiment, the rudder action configures a two bladed wind turbine such that a non-rudder blade, having a pitch different from the rudder blade, has its free end pointing substantially directly into the wind, providing relatively low cross-sectional resistance to the wind and accordingly relatively low load.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Deering
- 👤 Dean A. Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:23
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D7/00; F03D7/02; F03D7/0264; F03D7/0268; F03D7/0204; F03D7/0208; F03D7/022; F03D7/0224; F03D7/024; F03D7/04; F03D7/042; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for control of blade pitch in a wind turbine having a plurality of blades each having a blade pitch, comprising: a first pitch actuator, coupled to a first blade of said wind turbine, wherein said first blade has an adjustable blade pitch and wherein said first pitch actuator is controllable to adjust the pitch of said first blade, to position said first blade to have a first blade pitch different from the pitch of one of said plurality of blades.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for control of blade pitch in a wind turbine having a plurality of blades each having a blade pitch, comprising: a first pitch actuator, coupled to a first blade of said wind turbine, wherein said first blade has an adjustable blade pitch and wherein said first pitch actuator is controllable to adjust the pitch of said first blade, to position said first blade to have a first blade pitch different from the pitch of one of said plurality of blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said pitch actuator is controllable in response to a first electrical control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first blade pitch is about a 0° pitch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first blade pitch causes said first blade to have a first sensitivity to wind direction and wherein said first blade provides a rudder function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising; a second pitch actuator, coupled to a second blade of said wind turbine, wherein said second blade has an adjustable blade pitch and wherein said second pitch actuator is controllable to adjust the pitch of said second blade, to position said second blade to have a second blade pitch different from the pitch of said first blade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said second blade pitch causes said second blade to have a second sensitivity to changes in wind direction, wherein the second sensitivity is less than the first sensitivity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said second blade has a substantially feathered pitch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said second blade pitch differs from said first blade pitch by about 90°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said wind turbine has exactly two blades.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said wind turbine has exactly three blades.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said first blade pitch is substantially a 90° pitch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the pitch of second and third blades is set to substantially 0°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said first blade is set to substantially a horizontal azimuth.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for use in connection with a wind turbine, having a plurality of blades, comprising: positioning a first of said plurality of blades, during a first time period, to have a first blade pitch which is different from a second blade pitch of a second of said plurality of blades.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for use in connection with a wind turbine, having a plurality of blades, comprising: positioning a first of said plurality of blades, during a first time period, to have a first blade pitch which is different from a second blade pitch of a second of said plurality of blades.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said second blade pitch is about 90° from said first blade pitch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method, as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising adjusting an azimuth angle of one of said plurality of blades to be substantially parallel to a wind direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method, as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising adjusting an azimuth angle of at least one of said plurality of blades to a substantially horizontal azimuth angle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method, as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said first blade pitch causes said first blade to have a first sensitivity to wind direction and wherein said first blade provides ruddering.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method, as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said ruddering comprises providing yaw rotation to position free ends of said plurality of blades in a plane substantially parallel to said wind direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method, as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising positioning said plurality of blades, during at least a second time period, to have substantially equal pitch, wherein said plurality of blades rotate about a common rotation axis, in response to windflow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus comprising: a wind turbine, having a plurality of blades: means for positioning a first of said plurality of blades, during a first time period, to have a first blade pitch which is different from a second blade pitch of a second of said plurality of blades.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus comprising: a wind turbine, having a plurality of blades: means for positioning a first of said plurality of blades, during a first time period, to have a first blade pitch which is different from a second blade pitch of a second of said plurality of blades.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 21 , wherein said second blade pitch is about 90° from said first blade pitch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising means for adjusting an azimuth angle of at least one of said plurality of blades to be substantially parallel to a wind direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising means for adjusting an azimuth angle of at least one of said plurality of blades to a substantially horizontal azimuth angle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 21 , wherein said first blade pitch causes said first blade to have a first sensitivity to wind direction and wherein said first blade provides ruddering.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising means for positioning said plurality of blades, during at least a second time period, to have substantially equal pitch, wherein said plurality of blades rotate about a common rotation axis, in response to windflow.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-02-25 | 2006-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-26 | 2010-02-25 | 2010-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | 2014-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |