Eric D Bell

US Patent:

8092187, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Dec 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/345738

Inventors:

Eric Bell - Greenville SC, US
Matthew Gann - Greenville SC, US
Jamie Livingston - Simpsonville SC, US
Mohamad Sultan - Simpsonville SC, US
Alan Walker - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenedtady NY

International Classification:

F01D 5/14

US Classification:

416224, 416229 R, 416230, 416233, 298897, 2988971

Abstract:

A blade for the use in the generation of power has a leading edge and a trailing edge. A first shell portion of the blade extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A second shell portion of the blade also extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A root portion of the blade is positioned proximate the wind turbine and a tip portion which extends from the root portion away from the wind turbine. A trailing edge insert is positioned between the first shell portion and the second shell portion proximate the root portion. The trailing edge insert has a surface which extends between and separates the first shell portion from the second shell portion at the trailing edge, such that the insert provides a high lift profile for increased blade efficiency.

US Patent:

8186964, May 29, 2012

Filed:

Dec 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/964877

Inventors:

Eric Lee Bell - Greenville SC, US
Jamie Livingston - Simpsonville SC, US
Matthew G. Gann - Greenville SC, US
Brandon Shane Gerber - Charleston SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F03D 11/02

US Classification:

416226, 416230, 416233

Abstract:

A spar assembly for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The spar assembly may generally include a first spar cap and a second spar cap spaced apart from the first spar cap such that a cross-sectional area is defined directly between the first and second spar caps. Additionally, the spar assembly may include a web having a first end disposed adjacent to the first spar cap and a second end disposed adjacent to the second spar cap. The web may be configured such that at least a portion of an inner surface of the web is disposed outside of the cross-sectional area.

US Patent:

8317483, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

Dec 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/968739

Inventors:

Brandon Shane Gerber - Charleston SC, US
Eric Lee Bell - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B64C 27/473

US Classification:

416238

Abstract:

In one embodiment, a rotor blade includes a tip, a root, and a body extending between the tip and the root. The body has surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The body further defines an inboard portion, an outboard portion, and a bend therebetween. The bend is defined such that the outboard portion extends outwardly with respect to the inboard portion. The bend is stiffened to reduce opening of the bend during deflection of the rotor blade.

US Patent:

8360733, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Sep 9, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/228708

Inventors:

Eric Lee Bell - Greenville SC, US
Brandon Shane Gerber - Charleston SC, US
Alexander William Vossler - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 5/14

US Classification:

416226, 416233

Abstract:

A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may generally include a body formed at least partially from a core material. The body may generally define a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The rotor blade may also include a plurality of shear members and a plurality of stiffening members. The shear members may generally extend between the pressure and suction sides of the body and may each include a first end and a second end. The stiffening members may be spaced apart around the pressure and suction sides of the body, with each stiffening member being disposed at the first end or the second end of one of the shear members. Additionally, the rotor blade may include a skin extending around an outer perimeter of the body.

US Patent:

20110243736, Oct 6, 2011

Filed:

Dec 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/963159

Inventors:

Eric Lee Bell - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F04D 29/18

US Classification:

416132 R

Abstract:

A joint sleeve for assembling together a first blade section and a second blade section of a rotor blade assembly is disclosed. The joint sleeve may include an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity. The cavity may be configured to receive a joint end of the first blade section and a joint end of the second blade section. The joint sleeve may also include a plurality of openings defined between the outer and inner surfaces. The openings may be configured to receive fasteners for securing the joint ends of the first and second blade sections within the cavity. Additionally, a profile of the outer surface may be configured to generally correspond to an aerodynamic profile of the first and second blade sections such that a substantially continuous aerodynamic profile is defined between the first and second blade sections when the joint ends are inserted within the cavity.

US Patent:

20110243737, Oct 6, 2011

Filed:

Mar 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/039602

Inventors:

Eric Lee Bell - Greenville SC, US
Richard Hardison - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F03D 11/00
B23P 19/00

US Classification:

416146 R, 29700

Abstract:

A plurality of lightning receptors are configured along either or both of the suction side and pressure side shell members of a wind turbine blade. At least one lightning protection cable is disposed within the internal cavity of the blade, with the receptors in electrical conductive contact with the lightning protection cable. A plurality of cable attachment devices are disposed and spaced apart along either or both of the shell members. The attachment devices include a base that is fixed to the respective shell member and a receiver configured on the base that engages and supports the lighting protection, wherein the plurality of attachment devices intermittently support the lightning protection cable within the internal cavity of the blade.