Patent classifications
F03D80/82
OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES AND METHODS OF INSTALLING SAME
A method of installing a wind turbine (10) at an offshore location. The wind turbine (10) includes a tower (18) and an energy generating unit (16). The tower (18) is configured to be secured to a transition piece (12, 42). Prior to shipping, the method includes electrically coupling electrical devices and/or systems (52) by cables (54) to energy generating unit (16) or wind turbine tower (18) or a test dummy therefor. The electrical devices and/or systems (52) are configured to be attached to transition piece (12, 42) once the tower (18) is installed. The method includes testing and commissioning the electrical devices and/or systems (52) while electrically coupled to the cables (54). Prior to shipping and after testing and commissioning, the method includes storing the electrical devices and/or systems (52) and attached cables (54) inside the tower (18). The cables (54) are long enough to permit the electrical devices and/or systems (52) to be attached to the transition piece (12, 42) without disconnecting the electrical devices and/or systems (52) from the cables (54).
Safety system for a wind turbine
Provided is a safety system for a wind turbine, the wind turbine including a nacelle, a hub and a rotor blocking system with several rotor locks, each engageable into a locked position for blocking a rotor of the wind turbine from rotating, the safety system including a central switching unit comprising one switch for each of the rotor locks for manually engaging a corresponding rotor lock into the locked position when activating the related switch, and a feedback unit generating and providing a safe-signal in a safe state of the hub, in which every rotor lock is engaged into the locked position. A method for providing safety to a person in the wind turbine as well as a wind turbine with the inventive safety system is also provided.
Wind turbine nacelle and tower redesign for extreme loads and remote servicing and surveillance drone
A wind turbine system able to withstand up to 150 mph winds, comprising the electricity generating components moved from the nacelle to the top of the tower, positioned vertically, and comprising: a main-shaft bearing; a gearbox; a brake assembly; a high-speed shaft; a generator; and an electrical control cabinet. The purpose of positioning in the tower is to protect the components from high winds, tornados, etc. and to regulate the rotation of the propellers to make more electricity. The turbine can be easily repaired onsite by removing covers on the upper tower; and with snap in replacement parts. Drone, which are stored in the top horizontal housing, can surveil and protect the turbine and the surrounding area. And, solar panels on the sides and/or cover of the top horizontal housing provide energy to the turbine in low and no wind conditions.
A SET OF UNITS FOR MAKING A WIND TURBINE NACELLE
A set of units for assembly to form a wind turbine nacelle. The nacelle comprises a rotor-supporting assembly and generator, and a power conversion assembly and the set of units comprises a main unit arranged to be connected to a wind turbine tower and housing the rotor-supporting assembly and the generator, and at least two different auxiliary units each housing an operative component forming part of the power conversion assembly. To allow different wind turbine configurations, one of the auxiliary units can be selected from the at least two auxiliary units and assembled with the main unit to form the nacelle.
WIND TURBINE AND A METHOD FOR LOCATING AN EVENT CORRESPONDING TO A FAILURE OF A HEATING ELEMENT AT A WIND TURBINE BLADE
A wind turbine and a method for locating an event corresponding to a failure of a heating element at a wind turbine blade, the heating element comprising an electric resistive material configured to generate heat using electrical power, the method comprising: providing a location of an event corresponding to a failure of a heating element, wherein the heating element is in an Ohmic contact with a reference potential; applying a voltage impulse to the heating element relative to the reference potential at a first point in time; measuring a voltage at the reference potential at a second point in time; determine the location based at least on the first point in time and the second point in time.
HUB-SHAFT BOLTED-JOINT CONNECTION OF A WIND TURBINE
A wind turbine includes a nacelle, a generator housed with the nacelle, a rotor having a rotatable hub with at least one rotor blade mounted thereto, at least one shaft rotatably coupled to the hub for driving the generator, and a rotor lock arranged with the shaft(s) for locking the shaft(s) in a locked position. The wind turbine also includes a bolted-joint connection at an interface between the hub and the shaft(s). The bolted-joint connection includes a first plurality of fasteners extending through the hub, the shaft(s), and the rotor lock. As such, a load transfer path from the hub to the shaft(s) travels through each of the hub, the shaft(s), and the rotor lock so as to increase a load capacity of the interface.
Utilization of a Composite Nacelle Cover as the Load-Carrying Structure for Main Machinery Components for a Wind Turbine
A composite nacelle cover (1;22) equipped with main machinery components (9a;9b;10) for a wind turbine has a composite wall (3,4,5,6,7) constituting a first load-carrying structure for at least one component of a first part (9a;9b) of the main machinery components. The length of the conventional load-carrying frame can be reduced and a lot of weight of the overall nacelle structure be eliminated.
Assembly consisting of a transformer tank and a nacelle of a wind turbine
An assembly includes a transformer tank that is arranged in a nacelle of a wind turbine, wherein the transformer tank is configured to be filled with a gas or a liquid to cool the active part of the transformer and the active part is enclosed by the transformer tank in a liquid-tight or gas-tight manner, such that use of the transformer tank as a reinforcement or a bracing of the steel construction of the nacelle with as little additional material expenditure as possible for the transformer is facilitated by integrating the transformer tank into the mechanical support structure of the nacelle such that the transformer tank forms a part of the mechanical support structure of the nacelle and by providing at least one bracing in the interior of the transformer tank, where bracing connects mutually opposing wall regions of the transformer tank.
Smart wind turbine blade with active components comprising a lightning protection system
A smart wind turbine blade and lightning protection system for smart wind turbine blades thereof is provided. More in particular, it relates to a smart wind turbine blade including a lightning protection system including active components such as the type for de-icing systems, sensors and/or flaps among others wherein the path of the lightning current is guided to avoid the hub preventing currents to flow through the bearings which may causes significant damage to them and also to the metallic cabinet from where active components are electrically fed.
Pressure relief arrangement with magnets
A cabinet For electronic components, the cabinet comprising an outer wall, a closure, and an attachment structure, the cuter wall encapsulating an internal space and forming an opening, the closure being attached to the outer wall by the attachment structure, and the attachment structure allowing movement of the closure relative to the outer wall between an open position where the opening is uncovered and a closed position where the opening is covered by the closure. To enable automatic and fast opening of the cabinet in case of over pressure, e.g. caused by arching of electronic components in the cabinet, the cabinet Further comprises a magnet structure comprising at least one magnet arranged to hold the closure in the closed position and to release the closure in response to a pressure in the internal space.