A WIND TURBINE WITH AN ENERGY GENERATING UNIT, AND AN ENERGY GENERATING UNIT FOR A WIND TURBINE

Abstract

The invention provides a wind turbine comprising a load carrying structure and an energy generating unit. The load carrying structure is connected to the energy generating unit and holds the energy generating unit above ground. The energy generating unit houses a facility which requires a particular orientation relative to gravity for being operational. Furthermore, the energy generating unit comprises an adaptation structure e.g. arranged between the load carrying structure and the facility. The adaptation structure facilitates a first configuration with a first position of the facility relative to the load carrying structure, and a second configuration with a second position of the facility relative to the load carrying structure.

Claims

1. A wind turbine comprising a load carrying structure and an energy generating unit, the load carrying structure being connected to the energy generating unit and holding the energy generating unit above ground, the energy generating unit comprising: a facility, a rotor shaft defining an axis of rotation, and a main frame, the main frame being configured to transfer load from the rotor shaft to the load carrying structure and the facility being a component of the energy generating unit which requires a particular orientation relative to gravity for being operational, wherein the energy generating unit comprises an adaptation structure connecting the facility to the load carrying structure and facilitating a first configuration with a first position of the facility relative to the load carrying structure, and a second configuration with a second position of the facility relative to the load carrying structure.

2. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the position of the main frame is fixed relative to the load carrying structure.

3. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the adaptation structure connects the facility to the load carrying structure via the main frame and wherein the first configuration provides a first position of the facility relative to the main frame, and the second configuration provides a second position of the facility relative to the main frame.

4. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first position and the second position provide different positions of the facility around the axis of rotation.

5. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the adaptation structure has a first height about ground in the first configuration and a second height about ground in the second configuration.

6. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second positions is a position where the adaptation structure is located between the rotor shaft and ground and the other one of the first and second positions is a position where the adaptation structure is not located between the rotor shaft and ground.

7. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the facility comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: “a component configured for cooling equipment in the energy generating unit, a component configured for lubricating equipment in the energy generating unit, a component configured for electrical control of equipment in the energy generating unit, a component configured for electrical communication between the energy generating unit and external entities, a working platform configured for support of workers in the energy generating unit, and a nacelle cover forming encapsulation of at least a part of the drive train, a gearbox between the rotor shaft and a generator, and a generator”.

8. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the energy generating unit comprises a nacelle cover forming encapsulation of at least a part of the drive train, and wherein the nacelle cover is not influenced by the change from the first configuration to the second configuration.

9. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a gearbox and a generator forming part of a drive train are not influenced by the change from the first configuration to the second configuration.

10. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first position and the second position provides different orientations of the facility relative to the load carrying structure.

11. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the adaptation structure facilitates sliding of the facility relative to the load carrying structure and locking of the sliding in a plurality of positions of the drive train relative to the load carrying structure.

12. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the adaptation structure forms a first flange facilitating attachment of the facility in the first position relative to the load carrying structure and a second flange facilitating attachment of the facility in the second position relative to the load carrying structure.

13. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the adaptation structure is included in an adapter component inserted between the facility and the load carrying structure.

14. The wind turbine according to claim 13, wherein the adapter component forms a lattice structure or a casted structure.

15. The wind turbine according to claim 13, wherein the adapter component, in at least one of the at least two positions is located outside a bottom zone defined between the drive train and ground.

16. The wind turbine according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second positions is a position where the facility is located between the adapter component and ground.

17. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the facility connects a hub and a generator.

18. An energy generating unit for a wind turbine comprising a load carrying structure, the energy generating unit comprising: a facility, a rotor shaft defining an axis of rotation, and a main frame, the main frame being configured to transfer load from the rotor shaft to the load carrying structure and the facility being a component of the energy generating unit which requires a particular orientation relative to gravity for being operational, wherein the energy generating unit comprises an adaptation structure connecting the facility to the main frame and facilitating a first configuration with a first position of the facility relative to the main frame, and a second configuration with a second position of the facility relative to the main frame.

19. The energy generating unit according to claim 18, wherein the first configuration and second configuration provide different orientation of the facility relative to the main frame.

20. The energy generating unit according to claim 18, wherein the adaptation structure facilitates sliding of the facility relative to the main frame and locking of the sliding in a plurality of positions of the facility relative to the main frame.

21. The energy generating unit according to claim 18, wherein the adaptation structure forms a first flange facilitating attachment of the facility in the first position relative to the main frame and a second flange facilitating attachment of the facility in the second position relative to the main frame.

22. The energy generating unit according to claim 18, wherein the adaptation structure is included in an adapter component configured for insertion between the facility and the main frame.

23. The energy generating unit according to claim 18, wherein the adapter component forms a lattice structure or a casted structure.

24. The energy generating unit according to claim 18, wherein one of the first position and second position is a position where the rotor shaft is below the facility, and the other one of the first position and second position is a position where the adaptation structure is not below the rotor shaft.

25. A method for assembling or servicing a wind turbine according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of selecting between the first and the second configurations to provide a required orientation of the facility, the selection depending on a layout of the load carrying structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a multiple rotor wind turbine;

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of parts of an energy generating unit;

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of parts of an alternative energy generating unit;

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view with indication of different positions of the facility relative to the load carrying structure;

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a main frame for a drive shaft;

[0052] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a facility located in different positions relative to a load carrying structure;

[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates different adapter components; and

[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a facility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates a wind turbine 1 comprising a load carrying structure 5, 5′ and four energy generating units 2. A load carrying structure 5 is connected to each of the energy generating units 2 and holds the energy generating unit above ground. The energy generating units 2 house a facility 8 which requires a particular orientation relative to gravity for being operational.

[0057] The energy generating unit 2 each comprises an adaptation structure 7 arranged between the load carrying structure 5 and the facility 8. The adaptation structure 7 facilitates a first configuration with a first position of the facility 8 relative to the load carrying structure 5, and a second configuration with a second position of the facility 8 relative to the load carrying structure 5.

[0058] The load carrying structures 5, 5′ together with the tower 4 form a tower structure 3. The load carrying structures 5, 5′ are connected to the tower 4 at attachment points 6.

[0059] Two load carrying structures 5 are arranged on opposite sides of the tower 4 to thereby balance forces and loads with respect to the tower. The energy generating units 2 are, in the illustrated embodiment, arranged at extremities of the load carrying structures 5, i.e. furthest away from the tower 4.

[0060] Each energy generating unit 2 comprises a hub carrying a set of wind turbine blades 10, a generator, and a rotor shaft connecting the generator and the hub. The energy generating unit may further comprise a gear arrangement interconnecting the rotor shaft and the generator.

[0061] The facility 8 which in the illustrated embodiment equals a nacelle, comprises at least some of the following components: a component configured for cooling equipment in the energy generating unit, a component configured for lubricating equipment in the energy generating unit, a component configured for electrical control of equipment in the energy generating unit, a component configured for electrical communication between the energy generating unit and external entities, a working platform configured for support of workers in the energy generating unit, and a nacelle cover forming encapsulation of at least a part of the drive train. It may further include a generator and a gearbox.

[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a nacelle 2, i.e. an energy generating unit without the rotor. The nacelle comprises a facility 8 and the main frame 21 of the drive train. The first flange 22 is configured for attachment of the rotational part of the drive train; i.e. the hub carrying a set of wind turbine blades.

[0063] The second flange 23 is configured for attachment of the energy generating unit 2 to a load carrying structure.

[0064] The arrow 7′ illustrates the adaptation structure which facilitates a first configuration with a first position of the facility 8 relative to a load carrying structure, and a second configuration with a second position of the facility 8 relative to a load carrying structure. In the present configuration, the energy generating unit can be connected to a load carrying structure from the side of the facility 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the main frame 121 thereby forms the adaptation structure. It should however be understood, that the adaptation structure may alternatively form part of the main frame or form part of the main bearing system.

[0065] When the adaptation structure facilitates another configuration, the energy generating unit may as an example be connected to a load carrying structure from the top of the facility 8 while at the same time keeping at least some of the other elements in the facility in an upright orientation.

[0066] Changing from one configuration to another configuration is in the illustrated embodiment achieved by rotation of the main frame 21 which is possible, as the main frame 21 functions independent of the rotational orientation hereof.

[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an alternative nacelle 102.

[0068] The energy generating unit 102 comprising a facility 108 and the main frame 121 of the drive train.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the main frame 121 is located outside the facility 108. The arrow 107′ illustrates the adaptation structure which facilitates a first configuration with a first position of the facility 8 relative to a load carrying structure, and a second configuration with a second position of the facility 8 relative to a load carrying structure.

[0070] When connecting the energy generating unit 102 to the load carrying structure via the flange 123, the main frame 121 may be attached to the load carrying structure as the first part. When the main frame 121 is attached in the required orientation, the facility 108 may be attached to the main frame 121 e.g. by a flange (not shown). The facility 108 may be attached so that the elements in the facility are in an upright orientation.

[0071] The rotational part of the drive train; i.e. the hub carrying a set of wind turbine blades, may subsequently be attached via the flange 122. It should be understood, that the rotational part of the drive train alternatively may be attached to the main frame 121 before attaching the facility 108, and even before attaching the main frame 121 to the load carrying structure.

[0072] A hand rail is arranged on top of the main frame 121. It should be understood that the hand rail is optionally, and that the main frame can be provided without the hand rain. Furthermore, it should be understood, that the hand rail may be move to another position, if the main frame 121 is mounted in another orientation, e.g. if the energy generating unit 102 is connected to the load carrying structure via the flange 123 with the flange 123 in an upright position whereby the energy generating unit is positioned below the load carrying structure.

[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the embodiment of the energy generating unit 102 illustrated in FIG. 3 with indication of different positions of the facility 108 relative to the load carrying structure (not shown). The different positions of the load carrying structure are indicated by the three different positions of the flange 123 for attachment of the energy generating unit 102 to the load carrying structure.

[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates a main frame 221 for a drive shaft. The arrow 207′ illustrates the adaptation structure which facilitates a first configuration with a first position of the facility 8 relative to a load carrying structure, and a second configuration with a second position of the facility 8 relative to a load carrying structure. An energy generating unit comprising the main frame 221 may be attached to the load carrying unit by the attachment structure 223.

[0075] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a facility 208 located in different positions relative to a load carrying structure 205. In all the figures, the elements are seen from above.

[0076] In FIG. 6A, the facility 208 is attached to the load carrying structure 205 at its right side. In FIG. 6B, the facility 208 is attached to the load carrying structure 205 at its top, and in FIG. 6C, the facility 208 is attached to the load carrying structure 205 at its left side.

[0077] The facility 208 is attached to the load carrying structure 205 by the attachments structure 223. The rotational part of the drive train; i.e. the hub carrying a set of wind turbine blades can be attached via the hub 222.

[0078] FIG. 7 illustrates different adapter components 330A, 330B and a main frame 321 which facilitates a first configuration with a first position of the facility (not shown) relative to a load carrying structure (not shown), and a second configuration with a second position of the facility relative to a load carrying structure. An energy generating unit comprising the main frame 321 may be attached to the load carrying unit by the attachment structure 323.

[0079] The structure 322 allows attachment of the facility or drive train on the main frame.

[0080] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a facility 408. The facility comprises an attachment structure 422 for attachment of the rotational part of the drive train, and an attachment structure 423A, 423B for attachment of the energy generating unit to a load carrying structure.

[0081] An adaptation structure (not shown) facilitates a first configuration with a first position of the facility 408 relative to the load carrying structure, and a second configuration with a second position of the facility 408 relative to the load carrying structure; i.e. the facility 408 can be positioned below the load carrying structure by use of the first attachment structure 423A and adjacent to the load carrying structure by use of the second attachment structure 423B.

[0082] If the first attachment structure 423A is used, a closing element (not shown) may be arranged in front of the opening 440B. On the contrary, is the second attachment structure 423B is used for attachment to the load carrying structure, a closing element may be arranged in front of the opening 440A.