Patent classifications
F03D80/00
Sealing system and method of maintaining a clean environment in a wind turbine by absorbing lubricant used in the pitch or yaw bearings
A sealing system for a wind turbine comprises first component and a second component positioned proximate the first component and movable relative thereto. An absorbent element is secured to the first component and comprises an oil-absorbent material. A contact member is secured to the absorbent element and comprises a non-absorbent material. The contact member abuts the second component so that lubricant leaking from between the first and second components is collected by the absorbent element. A method of maintain a clean environment in a wind turbine with such a sealing system is also disclosed.
Devices and methods for mitigating vibrations in wind turbines
The present disclosure relates to devices (300) for wind turbine blades (22) and methods (400) for reducing vibrations in wind turbines (10). More particularly, the present disclosure relates to devices (300) for mitigating vortex induced vibrations and stall induced vibrations, wind turbine blades (22) comprising such devices (300), and methods (400) for reducing wind turbine vibrations when the wind turbine (10) is parked, especially during wind turbine installation and/or maintenance. A device (300) is configured to be arranged around a wind turbine blade (22) and comprises three or more air flow modifying elements (305) comprising a concave outer surface (323) configured to face away from a wind turbine blade (22). The device further comprises a supporting structure (310) configured to support the plurality of air flow modifying elements (305). An angular distance (307) between adjacent air flow modifying elements (305) in cross-section is substantially constant.
WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE
A rotor blade for addressing the deflection of rotor blades of a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a plurality of exterior surfaces defining a blade body having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The blade body extending between a blade tip and a blade root. The blade body including a breakaway tip portion defined by a predetermined breaking point. The breakaway tip portion is configured to break away from the remaining portion of the blade body when subject to a predetermined tower strike load. A wind turbine including the rotor blade configuration is further disclosed.
System, method and apparatus for fabricating, hauling, and deploying an industrial crane mat constructed from recycled windmill turbine spars
A system and method for fabricating, hauling, and deploying an industrial crane mat constructed from recycled windmill turbine spars. The system and method comprising: removing outer covering from a wind turbine blade with a trimmer, cutting the wind turbine blade into a plurality of uniform boards using a cutter, connecting the plurality of the plurality of uniform boards side by side into two rows of the plurality of uniform boards, using a plurality of rings, wherein the two rows each have a first end and a second end, and wherein the plurality of rings connects a first end of the first row to a second end of the second row together to form a crane mat, bifolding the crane mat onto itself in half along a latitudinal axis of the crane mat using a loader, loading the bifolded crane mat onto a trailer using a line attached to the bifolded crane mat to pull the bifolded crane mat onto the trailer and pulling the bifolded crane mat onto the trailer using a winch.
System for handling a wind turbine tower section and corresponding method
A system for handling a wind turbine tower section and corresponding method for operating are provided. The system includes a frame configured to support an end of the tower section, the frame having a support base and a connecting plate provided thereon that includes a base portion configured to be attached to the support base, and an abutment portion extending transversally from the base portion and configured to be attached to a flange at the tower section end.
Banded turbine
A banded turbine configuration has an integral outer band support structure capable of providing two point simple support for a multiplicity of blades. A large scale vertical array has a set of twelve 23 m-diameter banded turbines with up to nine blades and resting on an Open Web Steel Joist (OWSJ) platform. The banded turbine configuration is supported off of a main shaft hub assembly, which is supported by forward and aft pillow block bearing assemblies. The banded turbine allows for a protective screen for bird- and bat-kill prevention. Each banded turbine employs DC alternators to provide a switchable output which is subsequently fed to a dedicated set of high efficiency grid-compatible solid state invertors or, alternatively, to energy storage.
Wind power generation system and wind power generation method
A wind power generation system has a windmill, a lift improvement device, a power generator, a storage, and a controller. The windmill rotates when receiving an airflow. The lift improvement device has a capability of operating and halting, the lift improvement device increases a lift force to a blade of the windmill when operating. The power generator generates power by rotation of the windmill and a torque is generated in a direction suppressing rotation of the windmill. The storage stores a plurality of characteristic maps indicating characteristics of the torques of the power generator in relation to rotation speeds of the power generator. The controller controls a power generation amount of the power generator by switching and using the plurality of characteristic maps of the storage in correspondence with a state of operating or halting of the lift improvement device.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLATION OF CABLES IN AN ELONGATED STRUCTURE
A method of installing a cable in an elongated structure, wherein the cable includes one or more lines is disclosed. The method includes a) enclosing the one or more lines of the cable using a sheath, b) coupling one end of the sheath to a flexible layer, c) disposing the flexible layer at a defined location at an inner surface of elongated structure, d) creating an access path extending from an outer surface of the elongated structure, opposite to the defined location, and e) extracting at least one of the flexible layer, the one or more lines, and the sheath from inside the elongate structure via the access path. Further, a system for installation of a cable in an elongated structure is also disclosed.
Wind or tidal turbine blade having an attachment
A wind or tidal turbine blade having an attachment, the attachment including: a support portion of the turbine blade, the support portion having opposite surfaces; an insert adapted to mount a bolt for attaching the support portion to another structure; and a mounting for fitting the insert to the support portion, the mounting including a layer extending over a front face of the insert and bonded to the opposite surfaces of the support portion on opposite sides of the insert, the layer permitting passage of a bolt therethrough to or from the insert.
Radiator and duct configuration on an airborne wind turbine for maximum effectiveness
In order to maximize cooling while minimizing drag in aerial vehicles of airborne wind turbines, it may be preferable to dissipate the cooling energy of the motors via a radiator in a region with advantageous airflow parameters. Aerial vehicle rotors operating in thrust mode may produce relatively more airflow velocity in certain regions further away from the center of the rotor blades, both radially and longitudinally. Placing a radiator in a rotor-supporting pylon and offset from the center of the rotor blades and aft of the rotor blades may allow for greater cooling while the aerial vehicle while in thrust mode.