Failsafe system for load compensating device

Abstract

An apparatus and system for automatically deploying an air deflector of a load compensating device when there is a loss of communication or power is provided. In some examples, the apparatus and system may include a spring configured to rotate a gear, thereby deploying the air deflector. In some arrangements, the spring may be a torsion spring and may be biased to rotate the gear when released from a hold position maintained by a latch. The latch may be controlled by a release mechanism, such as a solenoid, that may be configured to activate upon occurrence of a communication loss event. The release mechanism may release the latch, thereby releasing the spring and deploying the air deflector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air deflector release apparatus, comprising:
 a release apparatus configured to activate upon occurrence of a communication loss event;   a latch connected to the release apparatus and configured to be released at activation of the release apparatus;   a spring connected to the latch and configured to release when the latch is released; and   a pin connected to the spring and configured to deploy an air deflector when the spring is released.   
     
     
         2 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communication loss event is loss of power. 
     
     
         3 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communication loss event is loss of communication with a controller configured to deploy and retract the air deflector. 
     
     
         4 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a torsion spring. 
     
     
         5 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a damper configured to slow deployment of the air deflector when the spring is released. 
     
     
         6 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the damper is a viscous damper. 
     
     
         7 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a magnet configured to maintain a position of the pin prior to release of the spring. 
     
     
         8 . An air deflector release apparatus, comprising:
 a torsion spring configured to be released upon occurrence of a communication loss event;   wherein the torsion spring, when released, rotates a gear configured to deploy an air deflector to a fully extended position.   
     
     
         9 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the air deflector is arranged on a wind turbine blade. 
     
     
         10 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the communication loss event is loss of communication to a controller configured to control deployment of the air deflector. 
     
     
         11 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 8 , further including a damper configured to slow deployment of the air deflector. 
     
     
         12 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 8 , further including a latch maintaining a position of the spring prior to occurrence of the communication loss event. 
     
     
         13 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the latch is released by a solenoid upon occurrence of the communication loss event. 
     
     
         14 . The air deflector release apparatus, wherein the gear includes a protrusion extending outward from a surface of the gear, the protrusion configured to contact a linkage assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The air deflector release apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the linkage assembly deploys the air deflector as the protrusion rotates to extend the linkage. 
     
     
         16 . A release system, comprising:
 a release apparatus configured to activate upon occurrence of a communication loss event; and   a deployable device configured to deploy upon release by the release apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The release system of  claim 16 , wherein the communication loss event is one of loss of communication with a controller configured to deploy the deployable device and a loss of power. 
     
     
         18 . The release system of  claim 16 , wherein the deployable device is an air deflector on a wind turbine blade. 
     
     
         19 . The release system of  claim 16 , wherein the release apparatus includes:
 a gear rotatable by release of a spring, the gear including a protrusion extending therefrom configured to contact a linkage assembly;   a latch maintaining a position of the spring and releasing the spring from the position upon occurrence of the communication loss event;   a release assembly maintaining the latch in an engaged position with the spring and releasing the latch from the engaged position upon occurrence of the communication loss event;   wherein the linkage assembly is configured to deploy the deployable device upon release of the spring.   
     
     
         20 . The release system of  claim 16 , wherein the deployable device is deployed to a fully extended position.