Christopher Chris Winslow

US Patent:

8408871, Apr 2, 2013

Filed:

Jun 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/138776

Inventors:

Stefan Herr - Greenville SC, US
Ryan Michael Leclair - Wilton NY, US
Christopher Winslow - Schenectady NY, US
Alexander Simpson - München, DE
Carlos Haertel - München, DE
Thierry Maeder - München, DE

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 7/001

US Classification:

416 37, 415 26

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for measuring an air flow at an airfoil surface are provided, wherein at least one pressure sensor adapted to detect an air flow associated with a rotor blade surface and a pressure transducer which converts the detected air flow into an electrical signal indicating the air flow are provided. The pressure sensor is arranged within the boundary layer of the air flow at the airfoil surface such that the boundary layer profile may be determined from the electrical signal. The air flow sensor is adapted for rotor blades of a wind turbine to assist in adjusting a pitch angle of the rotor blades.

US Patent:

20090311097, Dec 17, 2009

Filed:

Jun 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/139337

Inventors:

Kirk Gee PIERCE - Simpsonville SC, US
Stefan HERR - Greenville SC, US
Ryan Michael LECLAIR - Wilton NY, US
Christopher J. WINSLOW - Schenectady NY, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F03D 7/04

US Classification:

416 42, 416 61, 416 1

Abstract:

A wind turbine including a control system and at least one wind turbine blade having a pressure measurement system is disclosed. The pressure measurement system includes a pressure probe that provides a measurement of inflow angle to the control system. The control system adjusts the blade pitch angle of the at least one turbine blade in response to the inflow angle measurement to improve energy capture. The pressure probe is mounted by a probe support structure at a predetermined position from the leading edge of the at least one wind turbine blade.