Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Patente

The invention relates to an electric generator (7) for a wind turbine (1), comprising a stator (11), a rotor (10), which is rotatably mounted with respect to the stator (11), and an air cooling system (32) for guiding an airflow flowing along an airpath (33) which extends through the electric generator (7), wherein the stator (11) comprises at least one structural component (21) having a hollow cross sectional profile and at least one first opening (39) and at least one second opening (40), wherein each of the openings (39, 40) leads into a hollow interior of the respective structural component (21), wherein the at least one first opening (39) is arranged on or fluidly communicates with a first location of the airpath (33), wherein the at least one second opening (40) is arranged on or fluidly communicates with a second location of the airpath (33), wherein within the at least one first opening (39) and/or within the at least one second opening (40) at least one sealing device (38) is arranged which prevents the airflow from flowing through the interior.

It is described a method and arrangement of determining a resistance (R) of at least one multi-phase stator winding set (7) of an electrical generator (4), in particular permanent magnet generator, the method comprising: operating the generator (4) by performing closed loop current control (11) including to receive a reference stator winding current (12) and an actual stator winding current (13, 13'), in particular respective d-component and q-component in a rotor fixed dq-frame; supplying, for a selected time interval (t0-t1), to the current control, a modified actual stator winding current (13') being different from the actual stator winding current (13) by a current modification quantity (34, 15); determining the resistance (R) of the stator winding set (7) based on at least one component of an actual stator winding current (i_alpha_dc) or the current modification quantity (i_dc) and at least one component of a stator winding voltage (u_alpha).

The present invention relates to a method to control wake in a wind farm (2) comprising plural of wind turbines (3), where the method includes;- providing a free wind at the wind farm (2), where the free wind includes a free wind direction (10),- using the free wind direction (10) to identify at least one waked wind turbine (3b, 3c) and a waking wind turbine (3a, 3b) waking the waked wind turbine (3b, 3c),- for a period of time measure or register multiple sampling parameters at the waked wind turbine (3b, 3c) covering a range of wind directions (10),- calculate a relation factor (40) based on a relation between the sampling parameters of the waked wind turbine (3b, 3c) and similar sampling parameters of a second wind turbine (3),- use the relation factor (40) to identify a wake position (30, 30new),- control a waking wind turbine (3a, 3b) of the waked wind turbine (3b, 3c) based on a correction related to the identified wake position (30, 30new).The invention further relates to a controller to perform the method, and a wind turbine or wind farm being controlled accordingly.

The present invention relates to a method to control a renewable power plant (2) having a rated plant power being a maximal power generation of first power devices (3) and second power devices (4) of the renewable power plant (2), and where the power plant (2) is adapted to feed generated power to an electrical distribution grid (7) having a grid capacity, where the grid capacity is limited relative to the rated plant power, and wherein the control includes a for at least the first power devices (3) to be operated by basic FRT schedules at the detection of an event in the electrical distribution grid (7), and where the method includes to replace the basic FRT schedules with updated FRT schedules under given event conditions (deviation) where updated FRT schedules is updated within a maximum time distance to the detection of the event. The present invention further relates to a controller operating the method, and a renewable power plant being controlled accordingly.

A damping device for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is provided. The damping device (10) is configured to damp vibrations of the rotor blade (100) in a non-operating condition of the rotor blade when mounted to the rotor blade (100). The damping device (10) comprises a body (15) configured to be mounted to the rotor blade (100). The body (15) has a first protruding section (41) configured to protrude from a pressure side (104) of the rotor blade and/or has a second protruding section (42) that is configured to protrude from a suction side (103) of the rotor blade. The body (15) is made of a plastic material and is at least partially enclosed in a shell (16). A rigidity, hardness, and/or a density of a material of the shell (16) is higher than a rigidity, hardness, and/or a density, respectively, of the material of the body (15).

A tool 100 intended for positioning bolts is provided. The tool comprises a frame with a distal portion 1a and proximal portion 1b, a shaft a shaft (2) rotatably mounted on the proximal portion (1a) of the frame (1), moving means (3) operatively connected to the shaft (2) to facilitate rotation of said shaft (2) and a holding element (4) fixedly mounted on the shaft (2), configured to secure a plurality of bolts to be inserted I the holes of a tower flange (210).Furthermore, an installation arrangement is provided and a method for positioning bolts, the steps of the method being providing the tool (100), placing the plurality of bolts within the holding element (4), positioning the shaft (2) and the holding element (4) and inserting the bolts into corresponding holes of the tower flange (210).

An arrangement (1) and associated methods (400), for treating bearing systems during storage and/or transport, the arrangement (1) comprising two or more drive trains (2) or groups (10, 11) of drive trains (2), wherein each drive train (2) includes a generator (6), a rotatable element/s, a bearing system supporting the rotatable element/s, and a means for transmitting torque to the rotatable element/s upon receiving a power signal (8), the arrangement (1) comprising a power management system (3) that controls the power signal to the a means for transmitting torque, ensuring that each drive train or group of drive trains has at least one active rotation interval that is distinct from the rotation intervals of other drive trains or groups.

It is described a method of determining rotor position related information of an electrical machine (6), the method comprising: at a first rotor position, performing a HFI-method to obtain a first measurement signal set (16); at a second rotor position, performing a HFI-method to obtain a second measurement signal set (17); and deriving a corrected rotor position (θ_real1, θ_real2) and/or a rotor position error (err_6f) based on the first measurement signal set (16) and the second measurement signal set (17).

The invention describes a cable pulling arrangement (1) for use in the installation of power cables (5) in a wind turbine tower (2), comprising a transport unit (11) adapted to transport a winch assembly (12) between levels (22, 28) of the tower (2); a docking assembly (14) adapted to dock the transport unit (11) to the tower (2); and a cable guide (13) adapted to guide a winch wire (122) between levels (22, 28) of the tower (2) during a cable pulling procedure. The invention further describes a method of performing a cable pulling procedure using such a cable pulling arrangement (1).

Stabilization assembly (1) for stabilizing a load (L) suspended from a crane hook (32) of a service crane (3) during vertical displacement of the load (L) between an upper position (P1) and a lower position (P0), comprising a tagline arrangement comprising a tagline (11, 11A, 11B) adapted for connection to the crane hook (32) and a tagline winch (10, 10A, 10B) arranged at a lateral offset from the lower position (P0); and a control arrangement (12) configured to determine a lateral force (F<w>) acting on the load (L) during vertical displacement of the load (L), to compute a tagline tension (F<11>, F<11A>, F<11B>) on the basis of the determined lateral force (F<w>), and to control a tagline winch (10, 10A, 10B) accordingly.

A method of controlling the operation of a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine (100) comprises a wind turbine rotor (120) with one or more rotor blades and a control system (10) that operates at least one load reduction pitch control function (40, 50) configured to adjust a blade pitch angle to reduce a blade load. The method comprises monitoring an operating parameter of the wind turbine (100) using a blade load signal; generating, by the load reduction pitch control function (40, 50), a pitch adjustment output based on the monitored operating parameter; and determining if the operating parameter and/or the pitch adjustment output fulfills a predetermined criterion. If the predetermined criterion is fulfilled, an actual pitch adjustment is applied to one or more of the rotor blades (121, 122, 123). The operating parameter and/or the pitch adjustment output is further filtered by a filter (43, 53) having a low pass response.

A method of controlling the operation of a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine (100) comprises a wind turbine rotor (120) with one or more rotor blades (121, 122, 123) and a control system (10) that operates at least one load reduction pitch control function (40) configured to adjust a blade pitch angle to reduce a blade load. The method comprises monitoring an operating parameter of the wind turbine (100), generating, by the load reduction pitch control function (40), a pitch adjustment output (62) based on the monitored operating parameter (61), and determining, based on the monitored operating parameter (61) and/or the pitch adjustment output (62), if a predetermined criterion is fulfilled. If the predetermined criterion is fulfilled, a power output of the wind turbine (100) and/or a rotational speed of the rotor (120) of the wind turbine (100) is curtailed.

The present invention relates to a system (100) for handling a power cable (60) of a wind turbine comprising a cable support arrangement (20) adapted to support a portion of the power cable (60) and at least one guiding arrangement (10) being fixedly connectable or connected to at least one structure (51) within a wind turbine tower (50) and adapted to guide the cable support arrangement (20) along a linear track (12) provided by at least one guide rail (11). Furthermore, a wind turbine comprising the system (100) is disclosed.The disclosed system (100) for handling a power cable (60) is advantageous for improved operational safety, requires less installation space within the wind turbine tower (50) and provides improved operational flexibility.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a leading edge protection device (1) for a leading edge (2) of a wind turbine rotor blade (3). The method comprises providing a thermoplastic polyurethane material (4), processing the thermoplastic polyurethane material (4) by providing heat to the thermoplastic polyurethane material (4) and bringing the thermoplastic polyurethane material (4) into a predetermined shape to form the leading edge protection device (1) and further processing the leading edge protection device (1) by a surface treatment. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade (3) with a reinforced leading edge (2) and to a wind turbine rotor blade (3).

It is described a method of damping a vibration (15) of one or more rotor blades (5) of a wind turbine (1), the rotor blades being coupled to a rotor (3a) of a wind turbine generator (3), during an operation mode different from a power production mode, the vibration in particular including an edgewise vibration (14) out of a rotor plane (15), the method comprising: monitoring a characteristic (17), in particular including magnitude and/or phase and/or frequency, of the vibration (14); determining a torque reference (21, Tref) based on the characteristic of the vibration which is suitable for damping the vibration; generating a torque by the generator (3) according to the torque reference (21, Tref).

It is provided a method of exciting a vibration (14, 27, 28) of a wind turbine (1) having a wind turbine generator (3) including a rotor, in particular during an operation mode different from a power production mode, the method comprising, in particular in a repeated manner: monitoring an actual characteristic (17), in particular including magnitude and/or phase and/or frequency, of the vibration (14, 27, 28); determining a torque reference (21, Tref) based at least on a desired characteristic (29) of the vibration, the torque reference being suitable for exciting the vibration; generating a torque by the generator (3) according to the torque reference (21, Tref) for exciting the vibration (14, 27, 28).

The present invention relates to an application device (1) for applying a release agent to an inner surface (2) of a mold (3) for casting a wind turbine rotor blade, comprising an application module (4) for applying the release agent to the inner surface (2) of the mold (3). The application device (1) comprises a transport module (5) for moving the application device (1) along the mold (3) and a positioning module (6) arranged at the transport module (5) for holding the application module (4) and for positioning the application module (4) relatively to the mold (3).

The invention describes a wind turbine drive train (7) for transmitting torque from a wind rotor (4) to a generator (9) comprising a rotor shaft (6) supported in a rotor front bearing (25) and a rotor rear bearing (26). The rotor front bearing (25) and the rotor rear bearing (26) are pretensioned against each other. A gearbox (8) is connected to the rotor shaft (6), and a gearbox support (31) fixed to a gearbox housing (30). The gearbox support (31) is configured to be connected to pretension means (42) configured to pretension the rotor shaft (6) in an axial direction of the rotor shaft (6) .The invention further describes a wind turbine for use in reinstating preload in a bearing of such a wind turbine drive rain (7); and a method of reinstating a preload force in a bearing of a wind turbine drive train (7).

The invention describes a wind direction estimator (1) for a wind turbine (2), comprising a means of receiving wind direction measurements (250) from a wind direction sensor (25) of a wind turbine (2) during operation of the wind turbine (2); an N-dimensional compensation function (10) configured to receive N input values (101, ..., 10N, 26m, 240) and to output a wind direction offset (100) on the basis of the N received input values (101, ..., 10N, 26m, 240), wherein N is at least 2 and wherein each input value (101, ..., 10N, 26m, 240) relates to an operational variable of the wind turbine (2); and a means of adding a computed wind direction offset (100) to a received wind direction measurement (250) to obtain a wind direction estimate (Dest). The invention further describes a method of estimating a wind direction (Dtrue) .

The invention relates to a method of controlling a wind farm comprising a plural of wind turbines (3) each formed with blades (6), wherein the method includes calculating a control of at least one wind turbine (3) inducing a pulsed offset from a base setting including a wake offset input and a at least one further factor related input, e.g. based on a fatigue related factor and / or a power quality related factor. The invention further relates to a Wind turbine operated according to the method. The invention further relates to a controller adapted to operate the method.

The invention describes a method of controlling a wind turbine (2), which method comprises deducing the presence of ice accretion (3) on the rotor blades (20); and subsequently, in a first stage (S1), effecting an increase in rotor speed (ω) by adjusting a power reference (Pref) of the wind turbine (2); and subsequently, in a second stage (S2), continually adjusting the rotor blade pitch angle (β) on the basis of the observed output power (P_obs) to maximise the output power (P_obs). The invention further describes a wind turbine (2) comprising a means of observing the output power (P_obs) of the wind turbine (2); and a wind turbine controller (22) adapted to apply the claimed method.

The invention relates to a clamping device (31) for being used as a mechanical interface between an electric generator segment (15) and a transporting means which is adapted to transport the segment (15), wherein the clamping device (31) comprises a connection component (24) and two clamping components (26, 30), wherein the connection component (24) is adapted to be arranged in a through hole (22) of the segment (15), wherein the clamping components (26, 30) are attachable with each other by the connection component (24) being arranged in the through hole (22) such that a part of the segment (15) being arranged on the through hole (22) is clamped between the clamping components (26, 30), wherein at least one of the clamping components (26, 30) is connected to or comprises a connection means (34) being connectable to a connection means of the transporting means.

The invention describes a protector (1) for use in preventing corrosion on the surfaces of a hole (2H) formed in a component (2), comprising a carrier (10) bearing a supply of a volatile corrosion inhibitor, which carrier (10) is shaped to fit inside the hole (2H); a magnetic cover (11) dimensioned to extend beyond the circumference of the hole (2H); and a means of attaching the carrier (10) to the magnetic cover (11). The invention further describes a method of handling a component (2) comprising an arrangement of holes (2H) using a set of such protectors (1) to prevent corrosion in the holes (2H) during storage and/or transport of the component (2).

The invention describes a lifting arrangement (1) for handling a wind turbine rotor blade (20) using a crane (3), which lifting arrangement (1) comprises a lifting yoke (30) for suspending a rotor blade (20) from a crane hook (31); a sensor arrangement (10) configured to measure the spatial orientation of the lifting yoke (30); an evaluation module (121) configured to detect vertical oscillation (100Z) of the lifting yoke (30) on the basis of the sensor output (100); a response module (122) configured to compute a damping response (R1, R2) to counteract a detected vertical oscillation (100Z); and a means (33, 35) of applying the damping response (R1, R2) to the lifting yoke (30). The invention further describes a method of handling a wind turbine rotor blade (20) using a crane (3).

The invention describes a lifting arrangement (1) for handling a wind turbine rotor blade (20) using a crane (3), which lifting arrangement (1) comprises a lifting yoke (30) for suspending a rotor blade (20) from a crane hook (31); a sensor arrangement (10) configured to measure the spatial orientation of the lifting yoke (30); an evaluation module (121) configured to detect horizontal oscillation (100X) of the lifting yoke (30) on the basis of the sensor output (100); a response module (122) configured to compute a damping response (R1, R2) to counteract a detected horizontal oscillation (100X); and a means (32,35, 37) of applying the damping response (R1, R2) to the lifting yoke (30). The invention further describes a method of handling a wind turbine rotor blade (20) using a crane (3).

Wind turbine, control system, and method of operating a wind turbine (1) under potential icing conditions to reduce vibrations during idling or standstill operation, comprising: determining a potential icing condition for one or more blades (2,3,4), establishing a danger zone (10) where the falling of ice is to be avoided, identifying a risk of falling ice within the danger zone (10, wherein if a risk of falling ice in the danger zone (10) is identified, the method comprises: a) setting a pitch angle (P) of a first rotor blade (2) close to 0°, wherein a one or more further blades (3,4) comprise a pitch angle (P) differing by at least 30° from the first rotor blade (2); and b) adjusting the rotor yaw orientation (W) away from the danger zone (10).

The present invention refers to an arc resistant enclosure for power converters, especially for low power converters of a wind turbine. The enclosure (1) made of an electrically isolating and arc-resistant material, wherein the enclosure (1) configures a first compartment (3) adapted for housing busbars (4) of a low or high voltage converter, and a second compartment (5) adapted for housing fuses (6). The first and second compartments (3, 5) are isolated from each other, thereby forming a barrier to an arch flash occurring in one of the compartments from reaching the other compartment. The enclosure serves as a robust electrical insulator to isolate electrically live conducting parts from other internal components within a power converter, in order to mitigate damages caused by electric arc flash and short circuits, thereby, protecting components of the converter and safeguarding service personnel.

The invention refers to a cable entry device for supporting and positioning cables entering into an electrical cabinet or enclosure, preferably with electromagnetic compatibility, EMC, features. The cable entry comprises a plate formed as a unitary body having: a first section provided with means for attaching the device to an external structure, a second section adjacent to the first section and provided with means for mounting electromagnetic shielded cable supports, and a third section adjacent the second section, such that the second section is interposed in between the first and second sections, and wherein the third section is provided with a plurality of notches for clamping cables.

The present invention relates to a method for installing a rack and pinion lift system in a wind turbine tower. The method comprises the following steps:Providing a first tower section of a wind turbine,fixing a first lift mast at an inner wall of the first tower section,providing a second tower section of a wind turbine,fixing a second lift mast at an inner wall of the second tower section, andstacking the first and second tower sections upon each other and connecting the first and second lift masts, thereby forming a continuous rack.The present invention further describes a rack and pinion lift system that is obtainable by this installation method.Moreover, the present invention relates to a tower section for a wind turbine tower. The tower section comprises a lift mast that is fixed at an inner wall of the tower section via a lift mast support structure. The lift mast support structure is configured to allow for a vertical movement of the lift mast vis-à-vis the inner wall of the tower section.

The invention describes an installation assembly (1) for use in installing a secondary nacelle structure (20S) underneath a wind turbine nacelle (20), which installation assembly (1) comprises a winch assembly comprising at least a winch cable (16) and a winch (18); a means (10, 11) of connecting the winch cable (16) to the secondary nacelle structure (20S); a bracket (12) adapted for installation at the mounting height of the secondary nacelle structure (20S); and a means (10, 102, 122, 14) of connecting the bracket (12) to the secondary nacelle structure (20S) after raising the secondary nacelle structure (20S) to its mounting height using the winch assembly (16, 18). The invention further describes a method of mounting a secondary nacelle structure (20S) underneath a wind turbine nacelle (20) using a number of such installation assemblies (1).

The invention describes a modular holding arrangement (1) for a wind turbine rotor blade (2), comprising a plurality of triangular frames (10), wherein each triangular frame (10) comprises a base (10B), two inclined sides (10S) and an apex (10A); an apex connector (11A) arranged at the apex (10A) of each triangular frame (10); a base connector (11B) arranged at each outer corner of the base (10B) of each triangular frame (10); and wherein an apex connector (11A) is shaped to engage with a base connector (11B). The invention further describes a method of assembling a rotor blade array (A2) using such a modular holding arrangement (1).

The invention relates to a method for lifting a preform element (1) for a wind turbine blade of a wind turbine, in particular from a transport and/or storage device for at least one preform element (1) to a blade mold (24), comprising - providing a main lifting device (12) having first gripping means, in particular suction cups (4) connected to at least one pump, and second gripping means, - attaching the first gripping means to an upper surface of the preform element (1), - gripping flexible support sections (8) extending at opposing lateral sides (31) of the preform element (1) by the second gripping means, and - lifting the gripped preform element (1) using the main lifting device (12).

The invention relates to a mold arrangement for manufacturing preform elements for a wind turbine blade, comprising a mold (2) having a mold surface (7) and two longitudinal sides (3, 4), on which mold surface (7) fiber plies (8) adapting to the shape of the mold surface (7) are arranged by means of a controllable pick-and-place device (9), and which pick-and-place device (9) comprises at least two separate robots (10, 11) arrangeable in a picking zone (14) at opposite sides of a fiber ply (8) to be arranged on the mold surface (7), each robot (10, 11) comprising a picking device (17, 18) for picking the fiber ply (8), wherein both robots (10, 11) are movable from the picking zone (14) to the mold (2) and along the longitudinal sides (3, 4) of the mold (2) to a placing position, wherein the robots (10, 11) are adapted to place the picked fiber ply (8) on the mold surface (7).

It is described a method of recycling a component (4, 7, 8) involved in producing a wind turbine blade or a component thereof by vacuum infusion molding, wherein the component (4, 7, 8) has been contaminated with an epoxy resin during the vacuum infusion molding. The method comprises a recycling stage with steps of separating the component (4, 7, 8) from a plurality of components involved in the manufacture of a blade of a wind turbine, wherein the separated component (4, 7, 8) is or comprises a recyclable thermoplastic or recyclable thermoset, shredding the separated contaminated component (4, 7, 8), contacting the shredded contaminated component (4, 7, 8) with a heated, acidic aqueous liquid for a predetermined period of time, so that the epoxy resin is at least partly dissolved and precipitated from a remainder of the shredded component (4, 7, 8), and using the remainder of the component (4, 7, 8) as a recycled material.

It is described a method of detecting when a rotor (3) of a wind turbine (40) is in a rotor locking position for locking the rotor, the wind turbine comprising a stator (2) relative to which the rotor (3) is rotatable, the method comprising: rotating the rotor (3); receiving sensor output data (12) from a sensor system (10) sensitive to distance between stator and rotor components; analysing the sensor output data (12); indicating when the rotor locking position is reached based on the analysed sensor output data.

It is described a locking system, including an electric motor system and method of locking a rotor and in particular detecting when a rotor (3) of a wind turbine (40) is in a rotor locking position for locking the rotor, the wind turbine comprising a stator (2) relative to which the rotor (3) is rotatable, the method comprising: rotating the rotor (3); receiving sensor output data (12) from a sensor system (10) sensitive to distance between stator and rotor components; analysing the sensor output data (12); indicating when the rotor locking position is reached based on the analysed sensor output data.

The present invention relates to a method to control a wind turbine (2) in a wind farm (1) with multiple wind turbines (2), the method including providing detection means (7) adapted to detect objects (6) entering a detection zone (8) associated with at least one of the wind turbines (2), wherein the method further includes,- a step (100) of detection of an object (6) entering the associated detection zone (8) of a wind turbine (2), the wind turbine (2) upon detection of such an object (6) being an affected wind turbine (2'),- a step (110) of operating the affected wind turbine (2') in a safety mode involving at least reducing the spinning speed of the affected wind turbine (2') rotor,The present invention further relates to the wind farm (1) controlled accordingly, and a controller performing the control.

The invention describes an azimuth estimator (1) for computing an estimate (αe) of the azimuth angle (20α) of the aerodynamic rotor (20) of a wind turbine (2), which azimuth estimator (1) comprises an input for receiving measurement values (270) of the rotational speed (20ω) of the aerodynamic rotor (20); an azimuth change computation module (10) for computing an azimuth angle change (100) on the basis of the measured rotor speed (270); and a summation unit (11, 13) configured to add at least the azimuth angle change (100) and a previously determined azimuth estimate (αe<prev>) to obtain an azimuth estimate (αe). The invention further describes a method of computing an estimate (αe) of the azimuth angle (20α) of the aerodynamic rotor (20) of a wind turbine (2).

An assembly stand (1) and associated method for assembling a concrete ring (11) from a plurality of concrete segments (10), the assembly stand (1) comprising a plurality of beams (2) configured to support the concrete segments during their assembly into the concrete ring, in particular the beams mounted with a star configuration from the central axis, a movement mechanism (3) mounted on one or of more of the plurality of beams (2), in particular mounted on all beams (2), wherein each movement mechanism (3) is configured to contact or engage with an underside of the concrete segments (10) and to allow a controlled movement of the concrete segments (10) relative to the beam (2) when an assembly force (F) is applied.

It is described a Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet (354) comprising 28-35 weight % of rare earth elements, wherein the content of the sum of Nd (Neodymium) and Pr (Praseodymium) is between 20 and 25 weight %, wherein the content of Ce (Cerium) is between 5 and 10 weight%, wherein the spatial extension, i.e. the height (h) of the magnet (354) in the main magnetization direction of the Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet (354) is between 18mm and 26mm. It is further described a rotor assembly (350) for an electromechanical transducer (340).