WIND SENSOR SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR A WIND TURBINE

Abstract

A wind sensor support assembly for a wind turbine is provided. The assembly includes a holding member for holding a wind sensor, and a support structure for supporting the holding member, the support structure being adapted to be fastened to an upper part of a wind turbine, wherein the support structure is adapted to allow adjustment of the position of the holding member relative to the upper part of the wind turbine. Furthermore, a wind turbine, a wind farm and a method of supporting a wind sensor on a wind turbine are described.

Claims

1. A wind sensor support assembly for a wind turbine comprising: a holding member for holding a wind sensor; and a support structure for supporting the holding member, the support structure configured to be fastened to an upper part of a wind turbine; wherein the support structure is configured to allow adjustment of a position of the holding member relative to the upper part of the wind turbine.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the holding member along a longitudinal axis of the wind turbine.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the position of the holding member is adjustable between a first end position with minimum distance to a rotor of the wind turbine and a second end position with maximum distance to the rotor of the wind turbine.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein an angle between the holding member and the upper part of the wind turbine is maintained at a predetermined value during adjustment of the position of the holding member relative to the upper part of the wind turbine.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a first beam and a second beam, the first beam having one end connected to the holding member and another end that is configured to be pivotally fastened to a surface of the upper part of the wind turbine, the second beam having one end connected to the holding member and another end that is configured to be connected to an elevated structure on the upper part of the wind turbine.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the other end of the second beam is configured to be slidably connected to the elevated structure, such that the position of the holding member is adjustable by sliding the second beam.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the other end of the second beam is slidably arranged in a sliding bearing.

8. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second beam comprises a folding mechanism.

9. The assembly according claim 6, further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively fixating the second beam relative to the elevated structure.

10. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises a first beam and a wire, the first beam having one end connected to the holding member and another end that is configured to be pivotally fastened to a surface of the upper part of the wind turbine, the wire having one end connected to the holding member and another end that is configured to be connected to an elevated structure on the upper part of the wind turbine.

11. A wind turbine comprising a rotor, a generator, a nacelle, a wind sensor support assembly according to claim 1, and a wind sensor, wherein the wind sensor support assembly is fastened to the nacelle, and wherein the wind sensor is mounted on the holding member of the wind sensor support assembly.

12. The wind turbine according to claim 11, further comprising a cooling unit arranged as an elevated structure on the upper part of the nacelle.

13. A wind farm comprising a plurality of wind turbines according to claim 11.

14. A method of supporting a wind sensor on a wind turbine, the method comprising: providing a holding member for the wind sensor; and providing a support structure for supporting the holding member, the support structure being fastened to an upper part of the wind turbine; wherein the support structure is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the holding member relative to the upper part of the wind turbine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0037] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a wind sensor support assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the wind sensor support assembly of FIG. 1 in a further configuration, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the wind sensor support assembly of FIG. 1 in a further configuration, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a detailed rear view of the configuration of the wind sensor support assembly shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of a sliding bearing, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a holding member, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a wind turbine with a wind sensor support assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The illustration in the drawing is schematic. It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals or with reference numerals which differ only within the first digit.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a wind sensor support assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the assembly 100 comprises a holding member 110 and a support structure formed of beams 121, 122 and 124 which are all mechanically connected to the holding member 110. The two beams 121 and 122 extend downwards and towards the respective sides of a frame 140 of a cooling unit for a wind turbine generator (not shown). The lower ends of beams 121 and 122 are adapted to be pivotally fastened on a surface portion on top of a wind turbine, such as an upper nacelle surface. The beam 124 extends substantially horizontally towards a bearing 130 located centrally on an upper part of the frame 140. When a locking mechanism (not shown) is released, the bearing 130 allows the beam to slide such that the position of the holding member 110 and the wind sensor 150 arranged thereon can be adjusted, i.e. such that the holding member 110 with the wind sensor 150 can be moved closer to or farther away from the frame 140. When the beam 124 slides in the bearing 130, the pivotable mountings of beams 121 and 122 allow the latter to follow. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the beams 121 and 122 are tilted away from the frame 140, corresponding to a first end position with minimum distance to a wind turbine rotor (not shown) and thus maximum distance to the frame 140. This position may in particular be used during regular operation of a wind turbine, i.e. power production.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows the wind sensor support assembly 100 of FIG. 1 in a further configuration. More specifically, in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, about the half of beam 124 has been pulled through the bearing 130 such that the holding member 110 with wind sensor 150 is located in an intermediate position where the beams 121 and 122 extend within a substantially vertical plane. This intermediate position may be one of several intermediate positions to be tested in order to find an optimum position for power production.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the wind sensor support assembly 100 of FIG. 1 in a further configuration. More specifically, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the entire beam 124 has been pulled through the bearing 130 such that the holding member 110 with wind sensor 150 is located in a position directly adjacent to the bearing 130 on the upper part of the frame 140. In this configuration, the beams 121 and 122 are tilted towards the frame 140, corresponding to a second end position with maximum distance to a wind turbine rotor (not shown) and thus minimum distance to the frame 140. This position may in particular be used for mounting or replacing the wind sensor 150 or when performing maintenance work on the wind sensor 150.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a detailed rear view of the configuration of the wind sensor support assembly 100 shown in FIG. 3. As mentioned above, the holding member 110 with the wind sensor 150 is positioned very close to the bearing 130 and can thus easily be reached by a mounting or service worker present on the cooling unit 140.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the sliding bearing 130 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the sliding bearing 130 is formed as a rectangular cylindrical structure through which the beam 124 can slide, e.g. by pulling grip 125. Furthermore, the sliding bearing is pivotally arranged and thus capable of pivoting about pivot axis 132 when the beam 124 slides through the bearing 130. The bearing 130 may furthermore comprise a locking mechanism (not shown) for fixating the beam 124 in a desired position. The locking mechanism may for example comprise a plug that can be inserted through a hole in the bearing and a corresponding hole in the beam 124.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a holding member 110 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown, the holding member 110 comprises connecting pieces 111 and 112 arranged at opposite ends of the holding member 110 for respectively connecting with the beams 121 and 122. The connecting pieces are pivotable about a substantially vertical axis. Furthermore, the holding member 110 comprises a central connecting piece 114 for connecting with the beam 124. The connecting piece 114 is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, i.e. an axis perpendicular to the pivot axes of connecting pieces 111 and 112. The pivotable connecting pieces 111, 112 and 114 work together with the pivotable sliding bearing 130 (see FIG. 5) to assure that the holding member 110 maintains a constant angle relative to the surface of the wind turbine below it when the beam 124 is slid through the sliding bearing 130 to adjust the position of the holding member 110. In other words, the orientation of the wind sensor 150 arranged on the holding member 110 relative to the incoming wind will be the same in all positions.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows a wind turbine with a wind sensor support assembly according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. More specifically, FIG. 7 shows two configurations of the support assembly. In a first configuration, the lower beam 721a and upper beam 724a extend as straight lines between respective mounting points on the nacelle 760 and on top of the frame 140 of the cooling unit. Thereby, the holding member and wind sensor (not shown in detail in FIG. 7) located at the joint between the beams 721a and 724a is positioned at a forward end position above the wind turbine generator 762 and close to the rotor blade 764. In the second configuration, a folding mechanism 726 has been activated such that the upper beam 724b is folded, causing the lower beam 721b to be substantially upright. Accordingly, in the second configuration, the holding member and wind sensor (not shown in detail in FIG. 7) located at the joint between the beams 721b and 724b is positioned at an intermediate position between the frame 140 and the forward end position of the first configuration. For maintenance work, the folding mechanism may be operated to cause the upper beam to consist of two parallel pieces, such that the holding member and wind sensor will be positioned at the upper part of the frame 140, i.e. like the situation shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in conjunction with the preceding embodiment. The folding mechanism 726 may comprise a locking mechanism that can be operated by an operator present on the platform behind the frame 140. Such locking mechanism may utilize mechanical, hydraulic and/or electrical components to lock and release the folding mechanism 726.

[0053] As an alternative to the foldable beam described above in conjunction with FIG. 7, a wire, in particular a steel wire, may be used. The wire may be pushed downwards or it may simply be rolled in or out in order to adjust the position of the holding member.

[0054] It is noted that the term comprising does not exclude other elements or steps and the use of the articles a or an does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It is further noted that reference signs in the claims are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0055] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0056] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements.