WIND TURBINES WITH ELEVATOR SYSTEMS

Abstract

Elevator systems comprising: an elevator cabin and a drive for moving the elevator cabin along an elevator shaft, and a cable for supplying electrical power and/or control signals to the elevator cabin. The elevator system further comprises a cable protection system (6), attached to the elevator cabin and comprising a cable support (60) for holding a portion of the cable, an actuator (8) operatively connected with the cable support; and a restraint (7) configured to retain the actuator or the cable support up to a threshold force such that when the cable exerts a force on the cable support that is higher than the threshold force, the actuator (8) pushes against a switch (9) to stop the drive.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A wind turbine comprising an elevator system, the elevator system comprising: an elevator cabin configured to run along an elevator path, a drive for moving the elevator cabin along the elevator path, and a cable for supplying electrical power and/or control signals to the elevator cabin, the cable being connected at a first end to the elevator cabin, wherein the elevator system further comprises a cable protection system, the cable protection system being attached to the elevator cabin and comprising a cable support for holding a portion of the cable, an actuator operatively connected with the cable support; and a restraint configured to retain the actuator or the cable support up to a threshold force such that when the cable exerts a force on the cable support that is higher than the threshold force, the actuator pushes against a switch to stop the drive, wherein the restraint is configured to provide a magnetic force, or the restraint is formed by a cantilever mounted plate extending from a fixed end to a moveable end, the cable support being connected to the plate, at or near the moveable end.

17. The wind turbine of claim 16, wherein the restraint is formed by a cantilever mounted plate extending from a fixed end to a moveable end, and is configured to deform elastically under a bending load, the cable support being connected to the plate, at or near the moveable end.

18. The wind turbine of claim 16, wherein the actuator is formed by a pin attached to the cantilever mounted plate.

19. The wind turbine of claim 16, wherein when the restraint is configured to provide a magnetic force, the restraint comprises a first fixed plate and a second movable plate, one of the first and second plates having magnets being configured to attract the other plate, and the cable support is connected to the second plate, wherein the second plate is movably mounted with respect to the first plate.

20. The wind turbine of claim 19, wherein the second plate is shaped such that when the cable exerts a force on the cable support that is higher than the threshold force provided by the magnets and the first or second plate, the second plate pushes against the switch.

21. The wind turbine of claim 20, wherein the second plate comprises a curved protrusion configured to push against the switch when the cable exerts a force on the cable support that is higher than the threshold force provided by the magnets and the first or second plate.

22. The wind turbine according to claim 16, wherein the actuator is configured to move along a path that is substantially perpendicular to a movement of the switch.

23. The wind turbine of claim 16, wherein the switch is directly mounted to the elevator cabin or to a support fixed to the elevator cabin.

24. The wind turbine of claim 16, wherein the switch is configured to move between an operating position and an interruption position and wherein the switch is arranged in an electrical circuit of the drive or the switch is arranged in an auxiliary electrical circuit configured to act on an electrical circuit of the drive.

25. The wind turbine of claim 16, wherein the elevator cabin is guided by a pair of taut cables.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0029] FIGS. 1a and 1b show partial side views of a wind turbine tower with an elevator system respectively comprising a travelling cable and a trailing cable;

[0030] FIGS. 2a-2d show a cable protection system according to an example;

[0031] FIGS. 3a-3d show a cable protection system according to another example;

[0032] FIGS. 4a-4c show a cable protection system according to a further example; and

[0033] FIGS. 5a-5c show a cable protection system according to a still further example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0034] In these figures the same reference signs have been used to designate matching elements.

[0035] FIGS. 1a and 1b show partial side views of a wind turbine tower 1 with an elevator system comprising a cabin 2. In the example of FIG. 1a, the elevator system may comprise a travelling cable 3 that may be suspended at one end 31 from the elevator cabin 2 and at the other end 32 from a fixed point FP along the elevator path. This fixed point may be a point of attachment to the wind turbine tower 1, or e.g. to a platform arranged within the tower.

[0036] In the example of FIG. 1b, the elevator system may comprise a trailing cable 4 that may only be suspended from the elevator cabin 2. In this example, a bucket 5 may further be provided at a bottom or base of the elevator path, the bucket 5 may be configured to accommodate the trailing cable 4 when the elevator cabin 2 moves downwards.

[0037] In the following examples, when reference is made to a cable it should be understood as a cable for supplying electrical power and/or control signals. In all cases it may in particular be either a travelling cable or a trailing cable substantially as herein before described.

[0038] FIGS. 2a-2d show a cable protection system 6 according to an example. FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the components to be mounted to an elevator cabin, FIG. 2b is a side view of these same components and FIGS. 2c and 2d show an example of how the protection system 6 of FIGS. 2a and 2b can be actually attached to the elevator cabin.

[0039] In this example, the cable protection system 6 may comprise a cable support system 60. In this example the cable support system 60 comprises an eyelet or ring 61 that may in turn be coupled to a clip or hook 62, e.g. a clasp or carabiner, to which the cable may be secured. In some examples, a woven grip or sleeve 63 may be passed around a portion of the cable. This portion of the cable may be close to a cable end portion that is to be attached to the elevator cabin. The cable end portion that leads to a power socket or control panel or alike is not shown in these figures.

[0040] In these examples, the woven sleeve may shrink diametrically so as to tighten its grip around the cable as tension is applied to the cable. Alternatively, the cable support system may comprise other elements such as e.g. clamp of suitable shape.

[0041] Further in this specific example, the cable protection system 6 comprises an elastically deformable plate 7. The plate 7 may extend in a cantilever manner from a fixed end 71 to a moveable end 72. And the cable support system 60 may be coupled at or near the moveable end 72. Arranging the cable support system closer to the moveable end implies that it can be more easily displaced when the cable gets tangled, i.e. the threshold force can be lowered.

[0042] In this example, the plate 7 comprises an elongated shape. In this example, the plate is tapered such that a width of the plate at the fixed end 71 is larger than a width of the plate at the moveable end 72. In alternatives, the plate may comprise other shapes such as e.g. rectangular, oval, trapezoidal or any other elongated shape able to be mounted in a cantilever manner substantially as hereinbefore described.

[0043] As further shown in this example, the cable protection system 6 may further comprise a pin 8 that may be fixed to the plate 7 such that the pin 8 traverses the plate 7. In an alternative arrangement, a pin might be mounted to a bottom portion of the plate. The distance d between the location of the pin and the moveable end 72 determines the displacement of the pin 8 when the moveable end 72 moves.

[0044] In some examples, the vertical position of the pin 8 may be adjustable e.g. by screwing or unscrewing the pin with respect to the switch. Arranging the pin closer to the switch implies that the threshold force can be lowered.

[0045] In this example, the bending stiffness of the plate 7 extending in a cantilever manner provides a restraining threshold force. This way, when a force exerted by the cable (arrow A) on the cable support system 60 is higher than the threshold force provided by the plate 7, the pin 8 moves towards the switch 9 thereby pushing the switch to an interruption position in which the elevator drive is stopped. And when a force exerted by the cable on the cable support system 60 is lower than the threshold force provided by the plate, there may be a gap between the pin 8 and the switch 9 and the switch may be in an operative position in which the elevator drive operates normally.

[0046] The distance d may thus be determined along with the material properties of the plate (e.g. elastic modulus), and the geometric properties of the plate (e.g. length of the plate, and cross-section of the plate). Depending on the bending stiffness or deformability of the plate, and distance d, the threshold force can be determined. Or in other words, the distance d can be determined as a function of the chosen threshold force. In examples wherein the pin 8 is adjustable, the threshold force can easily be adjusted when a different cable configuration is used.

[0047] As further shown in FIGS. 2c and 2d the fixed end 71 of the plate may be bolted to the elevator cabin, at e.g. a top portion 10 of the cabin. In the example of FIGS. 2c and 2d two bolts 74 may be used however it will be clear that other number of bolts or any other suitable mechanical fixation could be used. Alternatively, the plate may be bolted to e.g. a bottom portion of the elevator cabin.

[0048] The switch 9 may also be fixed to a side of the elevator cabin through additional bolts 91 or other fastening means. Alternatively, the switch and/or the plate 7 may be mounted indirectly to the elevator cabin using suitable mounting brackets.

[0049] In a variation on this example, a portion of the plate itself, rather than pin 8, can act as an actuator and push the switch, thereby closing or opening an electrical circuit.

[0050] FIGS. 3a-3d show a cable protection system 11 according to another example in two different states of the cable protection system 11. FIGS. 3a and 3b show a state in which there is no force applied to the cable support.

[0051] This corresponds to the normal operative situation in which the elevator cabin moves and the cable freely moves with it. FIGS. 3c and 3d show a state in which a force exerted by the cable on the cable support has exceeded the restraining threshold force. FIGS. 3a and 3c correspond to perspective views and FIGS. 3b and 3d to partial cross-sectional views of these examples.

[0052] In this example, the cable protection system 11 comprises a first magnetic plate 12 and one or more magnets 13 provided at a second plate 14. In this example, the first plate 12 is fixed to the elevator cabin (not shown) through a further support plate 15 (see FIGS. 3b and 3d). In alternatives, the first plate may be directly fixed to the elevator cabin.

[0053] In this example, a magnetic attraction force between the magnets 13 and the first plate 12 provides a restraining threshold force. In this example, four magnets are shown. However, depending on the desired restraining threshold force and the magnetic force of the magnets or the material of the magnetic plate, other number of magnets, even a single magnet, may be foreseen. Further, in this example, the first plate 12 may be bolted 151 to the further support plate 15. Alternatively other mechanical fixation may be foreseen including, e.g. welding.

[0054] Further in this example, the second plate 14 is movably mounted in an up and down direction (corresponding to the upwards and downwards direction of movement of the cabin) with respect to the first plate 12. The second plate 14 in this example has a protrusion 141, e.g. a curved protrusion configured to push against a switch 16 when the restraining threshold force is exceeded. In this example, the protrusion 141 is made by folding an end portion of the second plate 14 to define a substantially C-shaped end. Alternatively, a separate protrusion attached to such an end of the second plate may be foreseen. In yet a further alternative, the shape of the switch can be adapted to be moved when e.g. a substantially straight plate moves in an up and down direction.

[0055] The cable protection system 11 may further comprise a cable support attached to the second plate 14. In this example the cable support comprises an eyelet or ring 61. The connection to the cable may be the same or similar as the one described with reference to FIGS. 2a-2d. In some cases, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3c the cable support also comprises a ring 183 mounted about a hook 62 so as to be freely rotatable and the hook 62 is coupled to the eyelet 61.

[0056] When a force exerted by the cable (arrow B) on the eyelet 61 is higher than the restraining threshold force provided by the magnetic attraction between the first plate 12 and the magnets 13, the second plate 14 is pulled by the eyelet 61 in a downwards direction, i.e. direction of arrow B until it hits a stopper. The protrusion 141 of plate 14 thereby pushes against the switch 16.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3c and 3d, once the restraining threshold force is exceeded, the second plate 14 is separated from the first plate 12 and the protrusion 141 pushes against the switch 16.

[0058] In an alternative arrangement, the first plate may carry the magnets, and in a further alternative, both the first and the second plate could carry magnets.

[0059] FIGS. 4a-4c show a cable protection system 17 according to a further example. FIG. 4a is a side view, FIG. 4b a perspective and FIG. 4c shows an example on how the protection system 17 of FIGS. 4a and 4b can be attached to the elevator cabin 2.

[0060] In this example, the cable protection system 17 comprises a lever 18 pivotally mounted about pivot 182. A first lever portion is arranged on a first side of the pivot, whereas a second lever portion is arranged on the other side of the pivot. The pivot 182 is arranged in a casing 19, i.e. the lever 18 may rotate about its pivot 182 as represented by arrow C. A cable support is fixed at the first lever portion. In this example, the cable support is formed by a ring 183 mounted about a shaft 184 of the first lever portion so as to be freely rotatable. In addition, a spring 20 is provided between the casing 19 and a first arm 181 of the first lever portion in order to provide a restraining threshold force between the lever 18 and the casing 19. As shown in FIG. 4c, the casing 19 may be attached at e.g. a roof of the elevator cabin 2, either directly or through an additional support.

[0061] Further, in this example, the cable protection system 17 comprises a roller 21 connected to the lever 18 and configured to push against a switch 22. The roller 21 thus acts as an actuator in this example. In this example, a coupling arm 211 of the second lever portion connects the lever 18 with the roller 21.

[0062] Both in this example and in the example of FIG. 3, the actuator moves substantially in an upwards-downwards movement, whereas the switch moves substantially in a left to right movement.

[0063] This way, when a tension exerted by the cable (arrow D) on the cable support is higher than the restraining threshold tension force provided by the spring 20 arranged between the lever 18 and the casing 19, the lever 18 pivots (rotates) about its pivot point 182. Such a pivoting movement of the lever 18 is transmitted to the roller 21 through the coupling arm 211 of the second lever portion such that the roller 21 pushes the switch 16 to an interruption position.

[0064] In a variation of this example, a differently shaped actuator may be used, rather than a roller.

[0065] In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c, a woven grip or sleeve 63 is passed around a portion of the cable substantially as explained in connection with the examples of FIGS. 2a-2d.

[0066] FIGS. 5a-5c show a cable protection system 23 according to a still further example. FIG. 5a is a perspective view. FIGS. 5b and 5b show the cable protection system 23 in two different states. FIG. 5b shows a state in which there is no tension force applied to the cable support and FIG. 5c shows a state in which a tension exerted by the cable on the cable support has exceeded the restraining threshold force.

[0067] In this example, the cable protection system 23 comprises a pin 24 movably mounted in an up and down direction (corresponding to the upwards and downwards direction of movement of the cabin) on a support bracket 25, e.g.

[0068] a support bracket with a C-shaped cross-section. The bracket 25 is fixed to the elevator cabin (not shown) through a support plate 26. Alternatively, the support bracket may be directly fixed to the elevator cabin. The pin 24 extends between a first end 241 and an opposite second end 242 that may be provided with a cable support, e.g. an eyelet or ring 27 substantially as explained in connection with the examples of FIGS. 2a-2d.

[0069] A spring 28 is provided around the pin 24. The spring 28 extends between the first end 241 and the second end 242. At the first end 241, a spring support 281 is provided against which the spring can abut. A skirt portion 29 may be attached at the first end 241 of the pin. The skirt portion 29 may extend towards the second end 242 and may be configured to push against a switch 30 when the pin moves downwards (arrow E) being pulled by the eyelet 27 provided at its second end 242.

[0070] The spring is mounted between the spring support 281 and the bracket 25. When the pin 24 moves, the spring 28 is compressed between the spring support 281 that moves with the pin 24 and the bracket 25.

[0071] The skirt portion is suitably shaped in this example to exert a sideways force against the switch. In the example shown in FIGS. 5b and 5c the skirt 29 portion has a tapered portion that increases the width or diameter of the skirt portion 29 in towards the first end 241.

[0072] As further shown in FIG. 5b, an end portion 292 of the skirt facing the second end 242 of the pin may abut against the bracket 25 when the cable exerts a tension force on the cable support 27 that is higher than the threshold tension force provided by the spring 28 so that it compresses the spring.

[0073] In any of the illustrated examples, the required threshold force will be linked to the weight of the cable. The weight of the cable is dependent inter alia on the wind tower height, the power supply (copper cross-section), the construction (materials used and isolation) and/or if the cable is carrying control signals (additional leads). The threshold force may be calculated as the result of the maximum weight of the cable multiplied by a dynamic factor that is dependent of the acceleration when starting or stopping. The threshold force should be bigger than the weight of cable multiplied by the dynamic factor and smaller than a force that can damage the cable.

[0074] Further, in any of the illustrated examples, the cable protection system may be directly or indirectly mounted to a suitable portion of the elevator cabin, in particular a portion of the roof (ceiling) or a portion of the bottom (floor) of the elevator cabin.

[0075] Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible.

[0076] Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.