Abstract
A wind turbine comprising at least two separate units assembled to form a nacelle connected to a wind turbine tower. A first of said two units houses a rotor-supporting assembly and a generator. To enable a large degree of flexibility and the ability to reconfigure, a second of said two units houses an electrolysis cell stack powered by the generator.
Claims
1. A wind turbine comprising at least two separate units assembled to form a nacelle connected to a wind turbine tower, wherein a first of said two units houses a rotor-supporting assembly, and a second of said two units houses an electrolysis cell stack powered by a generator.
2. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the second unit is releasable from the first unit.
3. The wind turbine according to claim 1, comprising a fluid supply assembly facilitating a fluid flow from a water supply to the electrolysis cell stack, the fluid supply assembly be located outside the second unit.
4. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the fluid supply assembly is located in the first unit.
5. The wind turbine according to claim 1, comprising a fluid delivery assembly facilitating a fluid flow from the electrolysis cell stack to a recipient.
6. The wind turbine according to claim 5, wherein the fluid delivery assembly is located in the first unit.
7. The wind turbine according to claim 5, wherein the fluid delivery assembly is located outside the first unit.
8. The wind turbine according to claim 1, comprising an air passage, and a filter, the air passage arranged to lead ambient air through the filter, and the filter configured for binding CO.sub.2.
9. The wind turbine according to claim 8, comprising a catalyst to transform carbon dioxide into ethanol.
10. The wind turbine according to claim 9, wherein the first unit houses the generator.
11. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first unit is connected to a wind turbine tower.
12. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the second unit is connected to the wind turbine tower via the first unit.
13. The wind turbine according to claim 1, comprising a third unit assembled to one or the two separate units and housing a power conversion assembly connected between the generator and a power grid.
14. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first units and the second of said two units is arranged to define a gap between the units.
15. The wind turbine according to claim 14, wherein the gap facilitates an air flow between the first unit and the second unit.
16. The wind turbine according to claim 1, comprising a cooling arrangement connected to the drivetrain and to the electrolysis cell stack.
17. A method of making a chemical substance by use of an electrolysis cell stack connected to a generator driven by wind energy, the method comprising: providing a wind turbine comprising at least two separate units assembled to form a nacelle connected to a wind turbine tower, wherein a first of said two units houses a rotor-supporting assembly and a generator, and a second of said two units houses an electrolysis cell stack, and powering the electrolysis cell stack by the electrolysis cell stack by the generator.
18. The method according to claim 17 comprising the step of feeding the electrolysis cell stack with water via a supply assembly located outside the second unit.
19. The method according to claim 17, comprising the step conducting the chemical substance from the electrolysis cell stack via a delivery assembly outside the second unit.
20. The wind turbine according to claim 16 wherein the cooling arrangement is switchable between a configuration where it cools the drivetrain and a configuration where it cools the electrolysis cell stack.
Description
LIST OF DRAWINGS
[0042] In the following, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in further details with reference to the drawing in which:
[0043] FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate wind turbines;
[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates the nacelle of the wind turbine;
[0045] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate different configurations of a wind turbine.
[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment where two second units 61, 62 are located one above the other;
[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically details of the interface;
[0048] FIGS. 8-9 illustrate the first unit and second unit from FIG. 7 after the second unit has been attached to the first unit;
[0049] FIG. 10 illustrates schematically the first and second units with their contents;
[0050] FIG. 11a illustrates an embodiment with a third unit;
[0051] FIG. 11b illustrates details of a gap between the two units FIGS. 12-15 illustrate 4 different embodiments of interfaces between the first unit and the second unit.
[0052] FIGS. 16-18 illustrate an embodiment where the first unit and second units are assembled by a hinge structure;
[0053] FIGS. 19, 20 illustrate further details of a hook for attaching the second unit to the first unit;
[0054] FIG. 21 illustrates the hook in an open position where the second unit is free to be lowered to the ground;
[0055] FIG. 22 illustrates a cross section with two bolt holes for attachment of the second unit on the first unit;
[0056] FIGS. 23, 24, 25 illustrate an embodiment where the hook is configured for sliding; and
[0057] FIGS. 26-28 illustrate embodiments of cranes on the first unit for hoisting the second unit.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0058] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
[0059] FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate wind turbines 1 with a nacelle 2 mounted on a tower 3. A hub 4 carrying three rotor blades 5 forms a rotor and is carried by a rotor-supporting assembly in the nacelle 2. Typically, the rotor-supporting assembly comprises a rotor shaft connecting a gear arrangement and a generator to the hub. A gear is, however, not always required since the generator could be directly driven by the shaft. FIG. 1b illustrates a direct drive wind turbine with the generator 6 located outside the nacelle.
[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates that the nacelle comprises a first unit 20 and a second units 21 and a third unit 22. A cooling area 23 is arranged on top of the nacelle. The cooling area is formed by a heat exchanger which may form part of the first unit, and/or any of the second or third units. The first unit 20 is mounted on the tower 3 via a yawing arrangement (not shown), allowing the nacelle 2 to rotate in order to direct the rotor into the wind. The cooling arrangement may be connected both to the drivetrain, e.g. for cooling gear, generator and other components of the drivetrain, and to the electrolysis cell stack to optionally cool the electrolysis cell stack.
[0061] The first unit 20 accommodates a main bearing unit supporting a main shaft for rotation therein, a gear arrangement and a generator, arranged sequentially behind the hub 4. The components in the first unit primarily form part of the drive train.
[0062] The second unit 21 accommodates an electrolysis cell stack 34, and a fluid supply and delivery structure communicating fluids with the electrolysis cell stack.
[0063] The second unit 21 and the third unit 22 is mounted along a side of the first unit 20 by a unit fixation structure. In the disclosed embodiment, they are mounted in such a manner that the second unit 21 is mounted along a left side of the first unit 20 and the third unit 22 is mounted along a right side of the first unit 20, as seen in a direction along a rotational axis of the hub 4 from the hub 4 towards a rear wall of the first unit 20.
[0064] The first unit and the second units are enclosed and optionally sealable units such that one compartment is formed by the second unit, defining an auxiliary space and another compartment is formed by the first unit, defining a main space. That allows the rotor-supporting assembly to be isolated from the electrolysis cell stack. The two compartments may be joined by the cooperating openings 36 allowing personnel and equipment to enter from the main space in the first unit into the auxiliary space in the second unit. The openings 36 may be sealed and thereby prevent fire etc. from spreading from one of the first and second unit to the other one of the first and second unit.
[0065] The third unit houses a power conversion assembly for converting power from the generator for powering the electrolysis cell stack.
[0066] In FIG. 1, the second and third units are constituted by elements having generally the shape and size of standardized freight containers such as a 40 foot shipping freight containers having a dimension and structural specifications as provided by the ISO standard, ISO 668:2013 for series 1 freight containers. The second units are attached to the first unit by the ISO-corner lifting structure, typically molded in steel and constituting a particularly strong interface to the container.
[0067] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate different configurations of a wind turbine.
[0068] In FIG. 3, the wind turbine comprises a rotor 31 driving a generator 32 via a gearbox 33. The gearbox is not decisive, and the use of the other components may be considered also for a directly driven generator with no gearbox between the generator and the rotor.
[0069] The generator is electrically connected to the converter 34 converting from AC to DC. The converter 34 is again connected to the converter 35 converting from DC to AC with a characteristic of the electrical signal which is suitable for grid connection. This is a typical connection in a wind turbine. The AC signal provided by the power conversion assembly in the nacelle is transmitted through the wind turbine tower 36. Somewhere else, e.g. at the bottom of the tower, the AC signal is converted by the power conversion assembly 37 into a DC signal which can be used in the electrolysis cell stack 38.
[0070] FIG. 4 illustrates a wind turbine where the electrolysis cell stack is located above the wind turbine tower 36. In this embodiment, the power conversion assembly 41 converts the AC power from the generator into a DC signal. The conversion could be an integrated part of the generator, visualized by the dotted box 42. The electrolysis cell stack is powered by the DC power directly and receives water via the fluid supply assembly 43. The produced chemical substance, in this embodiment Hydrogen, is delivered through the tower by the fluid delivery assembly 44 and the gas/liquid separator 45. The hydrogen is delivered through the tower via the hose system 46.
[0071] Additional power can be transmitted through the tower in DC form via the cable 47, e.g. for battery charging at the base of the wind turbine tower.
[0072] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment with essentially the same components as shown in FIG. 4, and with the same numbers. Additionally, this embodiment includes an additional power conversion assembly 51 configured to convert the DC power into AC power which can be delivered to a grid via a connection 52 extending through the tower 36, or it can be consumed by the wind turbine in various power consuming components 53, e.g. for cooling or control purpose.
[0073] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment where the second unit 61 and the third unit 62 are joined with the third unit below the second unit. In this embodiment, the upper second unit 61 is constituted by a unit having the size and shape of a 40 foot shipping freight container, and the lower, third unit 62 is constituted by a unit having the size and shape of a 20 foot shipping freight container. Both containers have a dimension and structural specifications as provided by the ISO standard, ISO 668:2013, and the second units are attached to each other mainly by the corner lifting arrangements of the 20 foot container, and partly by the corner lifting arrangement of the 40 foot container.
[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically details of the interface. The interface joins the second unit 71 and the first unit 72 in a releasable manner and allows the second unit to be attached to the first unit after transport to the installation site, or to be replaced e.g. during maintenance. In the disclosed embodiment, the second unit 71 is attached to the first unit 72 independently of any other units, and the unit fixation structure is constituted by an inward groove or track 73 in the first unit. The track 73 is illustrated with a dotted line and defines a recess into the outer surface 75. The track has a C-shaped profile in a horizontal cross section, i.e. when seen from above, the track is configured to receive the projection 74 provided on the second unit, and particularly it can receive the projection 74 through a procedure where the second unit 71 is lowered down along the outer surface 75 of the first unit 72. This is illustrated by the arrow 76. This procedure allows easy replacement of a second unit.
[0075] The first unit may form a load path from the electrolysis cell stack, which is housed in the second unit, down into the tower, e.g. via the main frame. Particularly, this load path may be different from the load path from the second unit into the tower. In the following, this is explained relative to different embodiments.
[0076] The second unit 71 accommodates an electrolysis cell stack 77 which is fixed to the second unit by electrolysis cell stack fixation structure constituted by the bolt shaped fixation pins 78.
[0077] The first unit has a strengthening bracket 79 attached to the outer wall and configured for receiving the weight of the converter 77 when the second unit is received and fixed on the first unit.
[0078] FIG. 8 illustrates the first unit and second unit from FIG. 7 after the second unit has been attached to the first unit. In this state, the bolt shaped fixation pins 78 are extended sideways to the left and thereby engage into the strengthening bracket feature 79. The bracket may be connected to a rigid frame in the first unit, e.g. supported by the main frame to thereby direct loads from the electrolysis cell stack directly into the tower via the main frame.
[0079] The bolt shaped fixation pins now constitute the electrolysis cell stack fixation structure by which the electrolysis cell stack is carried directly by the first unit. The electrolysis cell stack fixation structure forms part of a load path from the operative component into the tower, and the interface between the first unit and the second unit forms part of another load path from the second unit into the tower. FIG. 9 illustrates that the electrolysis cell stack can be supported in the second unit by a floor support structure 91 thereby sharing the load of the electrolysis cell stack between a main frame in the first unit and the second unit.
[0080] FIG. 10 illustrates schematically the first unit 101 with its content and the second unit 102 with its content. In the second unit, the electrolysis cell stack 103 is supported by the a fluid supply assembly 105 facilitating a fluid flow from a water supply through the first unit to the electrolysis cell stack 103. The fluid delivery assembly 104 provides a fluid flow of the hydrogen or other chemical substances produced by the electrolysis cell stack through the first unit and through the wind turbine tower to a recipient.
[0081] FIG. 11a illustrates an embodiment with a third unit 111 which may house one or more operative components of a power conversion assembly. E.g. a converter for converting from DC to AC, or optionally, a converter and a transformer for converting power from the generator and for grid connecting the wind turbine. In the last mentioned embodiment, the wind turbine can produce both the chemical substance in question and electrical power for a grid.
[0082] FIG. 11b illustrates the gasket seal 114 forming two engagement joints 115 connected by a resilient sealing transition 116 forming a sealed duct 117 between the sidewalls 118 of the units 71, 72. The sealed duct can be used for passing cables etc. between the units, or as access way for personnel.
[0083] The sidewalls are corrugated. More particularly, the corrugations of the main unit and the corrugations of the auxiliary unit are different. There is a gap 119 between the corrugated walls whereby air can flow between the main unit and the auxiliary unit. The gap has a size which, due to the corrugations varies along the length of the unit.
[0084] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate four different embodiments of the unit fixation structure forming the interfaces between the first unit and the second unit. In each of these four illustrations, the first unit 121 and the second unit 122 are connected by cooperating structures forming the unit fixation structure and being described in further details below.
[0085] In FIG. 12, the cooperating structures are constituted by brackets 123 by which the first and second units are joined by bolts.
[0086] In FIG. 13, the cooperating structures are constituted by a lower bracket 123 similar to the one used in FIG. 12. At the upper edge, the first unit and second unit are assembled by a hook 131 pivotally joined to the first unit at the hinge point 132. The hook can rotate as indicated by the arrow 133 and engages the edge-bracket 134 of the second unit when in the illustrated position. When the lower bracket 123 is removed, and the hook 131 is rotated into the first unit, the second unit can be lowered to the ground.
[0087] The embodiment in FIG. 14 is comparable to the embodiment in FIG. 13, but where the lower bracket is replaced with an upper bracket 141, and the hook is placed at a lower edge.
[0088] In FIG. 15, a lower and an upper bracket is used for bolting the second unit to the first unit, and a slidable support 151 supports the lower surface of the second unit while the bolts are attached. If it is desired to lower the second unit to the ground, e.g. for replacement or maintenance of the operative component, the slidable support can be slid to the left and the second unit can be lowered down, e.g. by use of a crane build into the first unit.
[0089] In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 12-15, the brackets or hooks direct the load from the second unit into a rigid part of the first unit, e.g. into load carrying column e.g. a corner column of the first unit. Various structural features may connect the brackets or hooks which carry the second unit directly to the main frame in the first unit to thereby establish a load path into the tower.
[0090] In addition to the hook and bracket unit fixation structure illustrated in FIGS. 12-15, an electrolysis cell stack fixation structure (not shown) connects the electrolysis cell stack (not shown) directly to the main frame inside the first unit.
[0091] FIGS. 16-18 illustrate an embodiment where the first unit and second unit are assembled by a hinge structure comprising hinge elements 163, 164, 165 with a hole for receiving a hinge pin 166 extending through the hinge elements. FIG. 16 further shows that the interface forms a gap 167 allowing air to pass e.g. from beneath the nacelle to above the nacelle, through the gap. The gap is held open at the bottom by the distance element 168, which could be constituted by a number of pins or an open structure allowing air to pass between the units.
[0092] Such a gap may increase thermal convection and thus cooling of the space inside the first and second units. The gap is not limited to the embodiment with the hinge structure but could be combined with any other assembly method.
[0093] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the hinge elements 163, 164, 165 and the hinge pin 166. In FIG. 17, the hinge elements are positioned correctly relative to the each other such that the hinge pin can be slid into the hinge elements. In FIG. 18, the hinge pin is inserted through the holes of the hinge elements.
[0094] FIG. 19 illustrates further details of a hook for attaching the second unit 191 to the first unit 192. The hook 193 is suspended rotationally at the hinge 194 in the first unit. The hook can rotate through the opening 195 in the second unit and catch a recess or edge 196 in the second unit.
[0095] The hook could also be attached in the second unit and catch a recess or edge in the first unit, in which case it may be attached reversely, i.e. as illustrated in FIG. 20. The position of the hook may be controlled by an actuator.
[0096] FIG. 21 illustrates the hook in an open position where the second unit is free to be lowered to the ground.
[0097] FIG. 22 illustrates a cross section where two bolt holes 221 can be seen. The bolt holes facilitate attachment of the second unit on the first unit by use of bolts for solid fixation. In this embodiment, the hook is mainly for positioning the second unit in the correct height relative to the first unit, and the bolts are for joining the units.
[0098] In FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, the hook is preferably supported by the main frame of the first unit, e.g. via column or support posts arranged along an inner surface of the first unit. In FIG. 19, the column 197 extends along an inner surface of the first unit and supports the hook on the main frame in the bottom part of the first unit.
[0099] In FIG. 20, where the hook forms part of the second unit, the edge in the first unit where the hook engages, may preferably be carried by the main frame in the first unit. Again, this could be via posts or columns arranged along an inner surface of the first unit.
[0100] The hook could be moved between the open position (FIG. 21) and the closed position (FIG. 19, 20, 22) by power driven means, e.g. including a hydraulically driven actuator.
[0101] FIGS. 23, 24, 25 illustrate an embodiment where the hook is not rotationally suspended but slidingly suspended. The function is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 19-22. In FIGS. 23 and 24, a cross sectional view illustrates a bolt hole 231 which can be used for solid, bolted fixation of the second unit on the first unit. The hook in FIG. 23 is attached to the first unit and the hook in FIG. 24 is attached to the second unit.
[0102] In FIG. 25a, the hook 251 is slided to the left thereby disengaging the edge of the second unit and allowing the second unit to be lowered to the ground. In FIG. 25b, the hook 251 is slided to the right, thereby engaging the edge of the second unit and holding the two units fixed to each other. The hook may be slided by power driven means, e.g. by a hydraulic actuator.
[0103] FIG. 26 illustrates hoisting of a second unit up or down during maintenance or replacement. The second unit is hoisted by use of a crane 261 forming part of the first unit. Movement is essentially only in the vertical plane, illustrated by the arrow 263, and the attachment of the second unit on the first unit may be facilitated by a unit fixation structure as described previously, including movable fixation features such as hinged or slidable hooks etc.
[0104] FIG. 27 illustrates the internal crane 261 in an enlarged view. The crane is attached to a roof part of the first unit and by its location, it can hoist the second unit in a vertical direction to a position where said unit fixation structures can form engagement between the first and the second units. This procedure may not require movement in other directions than the vertical direction and therefore facilitates a simple assembly procedure with reduced need for external crane assistance. For adjustment in a horizontal plane, the crane 261 may have the option of moving horizontally, e.g. as illustrated by the arrow 262.
[0105] FIG. 28 illustrates schematically, another crane structure with a double cantilever beam 281 on the roof of the first unit 282. The cantilever beam 281 can extend sideways in telescopic section 283. The cantilever beam facilitates lifting and connection of the second unit 284 to the first unit 282. Even though the unit fixation structures disclosed herein, including pivotable or slidable hooks, generally facilitate attachment of the second unit by hoisting only in the vertical direction, the in and out movement facilitates fine adjustment of a horizontal distance between the first unit and the second unit.
Definitions
[0106] Herein, the term “nacelle” means the generally accepted term describing the machine house for a wind turbine, i.e. that part which carries the rotor and drive train and which is carried by the wind turbine tower.
[0107] The terms “first unit” and “second unit” herein refers to units which can be transported separately, and which can be assembled with one or more other units to form the nacelle.
[0108] Herein, the term “rotor-supporting assembly” refers to those parts of the nacelle which carries the rotor, typically a drive train, a main bearing and a main frame. The drive train may include different components depending on the type of wind turbine, e.g. a rotor shaft, the generator, and optionally a gearbox between the rotor shaft and the generator.
