A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is presented. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a surface, where the surface of the rotor blade includes an inclined groove. The rotor blade assembly further includes at least one add-on element mounted on the surface of the rotor blade via a bonding interface downstream of the inclined groove such that particulate matter in an airflow upstream of the at least one add-on element is deflected away from the bonding interface between the surface of the rotor blade and the at least one add-on element. The wind turbine having the rotor blade assembly is also presented.

A modular gearbox assembly for a wind turbine having improved up-tower serviceability includes a low-speed gear stage module, a separate, intermediate-speed gear stage module adjacent to the low-speed gear stage module, and a separate high-speed gear stage module adjacent to the intermediate-speed gear stage module. The gearbox assembly also includes a first flange removably connecting the intermediate and high-speed gear stage modules and a second flange removably connecting the intermediate and low-speed gear stage modules. Thus, the low-speed gear stage module converts a low-speed, high torque input from a rotor shaft of the wind turbine to a high-speed, low torque output for a generator of the wind turbine via the intermediate and high-speed gear stage modules. In addition, the first and second flanges allow for easy disassembly of the gear stage modules such that the various stages can be easily repaired, replaced, and/or inspected.

The present disclosure relates to supporting structures for a central frame of a direct-drive wind turbine and methods for managing such structures. A supporting structure is configured to assume a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration. In the stowed configuration, the supporting structure has a shape and size such that the supporting structure can be introduced into the central frame from an outside. In the deployed configuration, the supporting structure has one or more increased dimensions with respect to the stowed configuration, and comprises a working platform.

The present invention relates to a water intrusion prevention system (1) mounting on a turbine blade (100) of a wind turbine. In order to exhibit excellent weather protection, the water intrusion prevention system (1) comprises a connecting means (10) adapted for removably fixing the water intrusion prevention system (1) on the turbine blade (100), further a collar sheet (20) disposed on the connecting means (10) and having a collar portion (22) extending away from the connecting means (10), the collar portion (22) constituting an upper collar sealing round about against an outer surface (101) of the turbine blade (100) if the water prevention system (1) is mounted on the turbine blade (100). In addition, the water intrusion prevention system (1) includes an umbrella sheet (30) disposed over the connecting means (10), the umbrella sheet (30) covering an upper side of the pressing means (10) and protruding laterally downwards away from the connecting means (10) round about the turbine blade (100) if the water prevention system (1) is mounted on the turbine blade (100). The umbrella sheet (30) sealingly adjoins the collar portion (22).

A method of retrofitting a wind turbine having a tower and a first energy generating unit with a second energy generating unit. The method includes analyzing a first natural frequency of the tower relative to first rated operation frequencies of the tower having the second energy generating unit; when the first natural frequency lies within the first rated operation frequencies, modifying one or both the tower and the second energy generating unit so that the modified one or both the tower and the second energy generating unit have a second natural frequency and second rated operation frequencies that do not overlap; and replacing the first energy generating unit with the second energy generating unit.

The present disclosure relates to methods and tools for mounting and/or removing active parts of a stator of an electrical machine, e.g. a generator. The present disclosure also relates to rotors, stators and generators. A method comprises removing one or more active rotor parts of a rotor of an electrical machine when the rotor is in a removal starting position, arranging a replacement tool in a gap left by the removed active rotor parts, rotating the rotor to an alignment position such that the replacement tool is radially aligned with an active stator part to be removed, picking the active stator part to be removed with the replacement tool, rotating the rotor to an extraction position, and removing the active stator part from the rotor.

A wind turbine apparatus for use in movement of components of a wind turbine. The wind turbine apparatus has an upright support means, the upright support means being adaptable to be set on a surface below a load in use, such that the weight of the load is transferred to the surface. The wind turbine apparatus further has a load bearing means for engaging a load, the load bearing means being operably coupled with the upright support means and being configured to be moveable laterally when bearing a load. The wind turbine apparatus further has a means for raising and lowering the load bearing means. The wind turbine apparatus can be used for supporting, raising and lowering yaw brake calipers.

A yaw braking assembly of a wind turbine is presented. Accordingly, the yaw braking assembly includes a bedplate support frame having an annular flange defining a plurality of recesses formed into a lower-most annular surface of the annular flange and extending at least partially through an axial thickness of the annular flange. Each of the plurality recesses define an open exterior circumferential side. The yaw braking assembly also includes a plurality of brake pads which are positioned within the plurality of recesses and configured to engage at least one race of an adjacent yaw bearing. The yaw braking assembly further includes a plurality of actuators for driving the plurality of brake pads to engage the yaw bearing.

A method for in-place machining of a collector ring attached to a turbine shaft of a hydroelectric generator includes: attaching a support member to stationary portions of the hydroelectric generator, the support member being configured to support a machine tool at an angle parallel to an inclination angle of an axis of rotation of the turbine shaft; attaching an adjustable positioning device to the support member; attaching the machine tool to the adjustable positioning device, the machine tool being configured to perform a machining operation on the collector ring; controlling a rotational speed of the turbine shaft to a specified rotational speed by controlling a flow of water through the turbine; adjusting the adjustable positioning device to adjust a position of the machine tool with respect to the collector ring; and performing the machining operation on the collector ring at the specified rotational speed of the turbine shaft.

A structure adapted to traverse a fluid environment exerting an ambient fluid pressure is provided. The structure includes an elongate body extending from a root to a wingtip and encapsulating at least one interior volume containing an interior fluid exerting an interior fluid pressure that is different from the ambient fluid pressure. A method of retrofitting a structure adapted to traverse a fluid environment exerting an ambient fluid pressure, the structure comprising an elongate body extending from a root to a wingtip and having at least one interior volume is also provided. The method includes sealing the elongate body to encapsulate the at least one interior volume containing an interior fluid; associating at least one valve with the at least one interior volume; and modifying interior fluid content via the at least one valve to produce an interior fluid pressure that is different from the ambient fluid pressure.