# US 8,786,117 B2 · Wind turbine sensor assembly and method of assembling the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,786,117 B2 - Document ID: US8786117B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/139,157 - Filed: 2008-06-13 - Published: 2009-12-17 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-13 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: Christopher James Winslow; Stefan Herr; Mark West; Alexander Kimberley Simpson; Ryan Michael LeClair - Inventors: Christopher James Winslow; Stefan Herr; Mark West; Alexander Kimberley Simpson; Ryan Michael LeClair - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8786117B2 ## CPC - G01P 5/16: using Pitot tubes {, e.g. Machmeter} - F03D 17/00: Monitoring or testing of wind motors, e.g. diagnostics (testing during commissioning of wind motors F03D13/30) - G01P 5/165: Arrangements or constructions of Pitot tubes - Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction - G01P: MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT (measuring or recording blood flow A61B5/02, A61B8/06; monitoring speed or deceleration of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L3/00; vehicle lighting systems adapted to indicate speed B60Q1/54; determining position or course in navigation, measuring ground distance in geodesy or surveying G01C; combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement G01C23/00; measuring velocity of sound G01H; measuring velocity of light G01J7/00; measuring direction or velocity of solid objects by reception or emission of radiowaves or other waves and based on propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effect, propagation time, direction of propagation, G01S; measuring speed of nuclear radiation G01T; measuring acceleration of gravity G01V; {measuring or recording the speed of trains B61L23/00; speed indicators incorporated in motor vehicles B60K35/00; measuring frequency or phase G01R; traffic control G08G}) - F03D: WIND MOTORS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A sensor assembly for use with a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The sensor assembly includes an air data probe including a base shaft, a tip, and a rod portion extending therebetween, wherein the rod portion is fabricated from a composite material. The sensor assembly includes a receptacle configured to couple within the leading edge of the rotor blade for receiving the base shaft therein such that the tip extends a distance from the leading edge when the base shaft is received within the receptacle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor assembly for use with a wind turbine rotor blade that includes a leading edge, said sensor assembly comprising: an air data probe comprising a base shaft, a tip, and a rod extending between said tip and said base shaft, said rod fabricated from a composite material; and a receptacle configured to couple within the leading edge of the rotor blade for receiving said base shaft therein such that said tip extends a distance outward from the leading edge when said base shaft is received within said receptacle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a fastening mechanism configured to securely couple said base shaft within said receptacle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rod is fabricated from at least one of fiber glass, carbon fiber, and graphite composite. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises: a first end configured to receive said base shaft therein; and a second end configured to couple said receptacle to a blade shear web extending within the rotor blade. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A sensor assembly in accordance with claim 4, further comprising a plug sized to be received within said receptacle first end such that a substantially smooth surface is formed along the blade leading edge when said plug is received within said receptacle first end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said receptacle is configured to be positioned within the leading edge such that said tip extends obliquely from the blade at an offset angle relative to a blade chord line extending through the rotor blade. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises at least one alignment flange configured to secure said receptacle within the rotor blade. ### Claim 8 A wind turbine comprising: at least one rotor blade comprising a leading edge; and at least one sensor assembly comprising: an air data probe comprising a base shaft, a tip, and a rod extending between said tip and said base shaft, said rod fabricated from a composite material; and a receptacle configured to couple within said leading edge of the said rotor blade for receiving said base shaft therein such that said tip extends a distance from the leading edge when said base shaft is received within said receptacle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A wind turbine in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a fastening mechanism configured to securely couple said base shaft within said receptacle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A wind turbine in accordance with claim 8, wherein said rod is fabricated from at least one of fiber glass, carbon fiber, and graphite composite. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A wind turbine in accordance with claim 8, wherein said receptacle comprises: a first end configured to receive said base shaft therein; and a second end configured to couple said receptacle to a blade shear web extending within said rotor blade. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A wind turbine in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a plug sized to be received within said receptacle first end such that a substantially smooth surface is formed along the blade leading edge when said plug is received within said receptacle first end. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A wind turbine in accordance with claim 8, wherein said receptacle is configured to be positioned within the leading edge such that said tip extends obliquely from the blade at an offset angle relative to a blade chord line extending through the rotor blade. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A wind turbine in accordance with claim 8, wherein said receptacle comprises at least one alignment flange configured to secure said receptacle within the rotor blade. ### Claim 15 A method of assembling a wind turbine comprising: coupling a receptacle within a leading edge of a rotor blade, wherein the receptacle includes a first end and an opposite second end; providing an air data probe that includes a base shaft, a tip and a rod extending between the tip and the base shaft, wherein the rod is fabricated from a composite material; and inserting the probe within the receptacle such that the tip extends a distance from the leading edge of the rotor blade when the base shaft is received within the receptacle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method in accordance to claim 15, further comprising securing the base shaft within the receptacle using a fastener mechanism. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A method in accordance to claim 15, wherein providing an air data probe further comprises fabricating the rod from at least one of fiber glass, carbon fiber, and graphite composite. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A method in accordance to claim 15, wherein coupling a receptacle within a leading edge of a rotor blade further comprises coupling a receptacle second end to a blade shear web extending within the rotor blade. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) A method in accordance to claim 15, wherein coupling a receptacle within a leading edge of the rotor blade further comprises securing the receptacle within the rotor blade using at least one alignment flange. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) A method in accordance to claim 15, wherein coupling a receptacle within a leading edge of the rotor blade further comprises positioning the receptacle within the leading edge such that the tip extends from the blade at an offset angle relative to a blade chord line extending through the rotor blade.