Abstract:
A system (1) for recirculation of air in a component of a wind turbine, such as a converter cabinet (2), a nacelle, a generator, etc. The system (1) comprises a housing (5) enclosing the system (1), a fan (4) arranged inside the housing (5) for recirculating the air, an opening (6) arranged in a wall part of the housing (5) and having a filter (7) arranged across it, and means for drawing air from outside the housing (5) to inside the housing (5) via the opening (6) and the filter (7). The air may be drawn through the opening (6) due to a low pressure created when the fan (4) draws air through a heat exchanger (3) arranged in the system (1). Drawing air through the opening (6) creates an overpressure inside the housing (5), and thereby air from outside is prevented from entering the system (1) via possible holes or crevices in the housing (5). Since air entering the system (1) flows via the filter (7), dirt and impurities are therefore prevented from entering the system. Thereby the wind turbine is protected. The system (1) may be a cooling system, e.g. for electronics of the wind turbine.
Abstract:
A wind turbine blade has a blade body and a leading edge fairing. The blade body has a root, a tip, and a longitudinal direction extending between the root and the tip. The 5 blade body also has a channel extending in the longitudinal direction. The leading edge fairing has a projection extending into the channel and extending in the longitudinal direction so as to be received in the channel. Also, a leading edge fairing for attachment to a blade body of a wind turbine blade; a method of fitting a leading edge fairing to a wind turbine blade; and a kit of parts with a number of the leading edge fairings.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for handling a wind turbine blade using an airship (2), comprising arranging the blade (101) at least partly inside the airship (2), such that a longitudinal axis (BLA) of the blade (101) is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (ALA) of the airship (2).
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for servicing a wind turbine (1), comprising a sequence of steps as follows: shutting the wind turbine (1) down, attaching a workshop (3) to the wind turbine (1), moving a wind turbine component (111, 112) from the wind turbine (1) into the workshop (3), performing a service measure on the component (111, 112) in the workshop (3), moving the component (111, 112) from the workshop (3) to the wind turbine (1), and starting the wind turbine (1).
Abstract:
A node structure for connecting a member of a lattice frame to one or more other members of the frame comprises a hollow brace having opposed walls that converge outwardly at an acute angle in cross-section toward a central plane to connect at an outer edge. At least one root portion has a central longitudinal axis extending outwardly in the central plane of the brace for alignment with a member of the frame. The root portion has an inner end cut away at opposite sides around the central plane to leave a joining surface that intersects the converging walls of the brace while embracing an outer region of the brace extending inwardly from the outer edge.
Abstract:
A heat exchanger assembly for cooling a heat-generating component, such as a generator or power electronics module, within a wind turbine nacelle comprises a thermoelectric element, such as a Peltier element, having a first section arranged in a first region of relatively high temperature in contact with the heat-generating component or in the vicinity thereof, and a second section arranged in a second region of a relatively low temperature. The thermoelectric element is configured to transfer heat from the first region of relatively high temperature to the second region of relatively low temperature with consumption of electrical energy. A source of electrical energy is provided for the thermoelectric element, and a control unit may be provided for controlling the energy supply in order to control the temperature of the component or surface area cooled by the thermoelectric element. A further cooling element including a so-called heat pipe may be provided to enhance cooling efficiency.
Abstract:
The invention provides for a wind energy converter (7) comprising a wind turbine (1), a wind turbine foundation (6) including a strengthening structure (16), and temperature control means (10) for controlling the temperature of one or more areas (23) of the wind turbine (1). The wind energy converter (7) is characterized in that at least a part of the temperature control means (10) adjoins the strengthening structure (16). The invention further relates to a wind turbine foundation (6, 25, 27) comprising a strengthening structure (16). The wind turbine foundation (6, 25, 27) is characterized in that the foundation (6, 25, 27) comprises at least a part of temperature control means (10) for heat exchanging with one or more areas (23) of a wind turbine (1) and in that at least a part of said temperature control means (10) adjoins said strengthening structure (16). Even further the invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature of one or more areas (23) of a wind turbine (1) and use of a wind turbine foundation (6, 25, 27).
Abstract:
A tension stay foundation element for a wind turbine. The tension stay foundation element has a container with an internal cavity configured to receive ballast when disposed at site. The tension stay foundation element also has an anchor coupled to the container and configured to secure a tension stay for a wind turbine tower. The tension stay foundation element is disposable at site separate from a wind turbine tower foundation. The internal cavity can then be filled with ballast to provide a tension stay foundation assembly for a tension stay of a wind turbine.
Abstract:
A system (24) and method are described herein for manufacturing a wind turbine blade (22) proximate to the final installation site of a wind turbine (10). The system (24) includes a creel (72) of feeders (74) configured to apply strengthening elements (62) onto a plurality of shell core sections (26) coupled together and fed through the creel (72). The shell core sections (26) include an external surface (56) with a plurality of external grooves (58) recessed into the external surface (56) such that the strengthening elements (62) are laid into the external grooves (58). The system (24) also includes a deposition station (78) configured to apply an outer surface material layer (82) in fluid form to cover the external surface (56) and the plurality of strengthening elements (62). A curing station (86) heats and consolidates the shell core sections (26), the strengthening elements (62), and the outer surface material layer (82) together into a final consolidated part, with the outer surface material layer (82) defining an external profile of the blade (22) following curing.
Abstract:
A system for a wind park including: a control system in communication with a plurality of unmanned air vehicles, wherein the control system is configured to deploy one or more unmanned air vehicles during a triggering condition; and wherein the deployed unmanned air vehicles are guided towards an assigned wind turbine and to interact with a blade of that wind turbine in order to control oscillation of the blade. The invention also embraces a method for reducing blade oscillations of a wind turbine, comprising: monitoring for a triggering condition associated with the wind turbine; on detecting the triggering condition, deploying unmanned air vehicles towards a wind turbine and interacting with a blade of the wind turbine using the unmanned air to control oscillation of the blade. The invention therefore provides an efficient approach to controlling blade oscillations with minimal human operator involvement. Drones may be deployed automatically once suitable conditions are detected and may automatically engage with the blades, either by contacting those blades physically, or by interacting with the blades in close proximity, in order to disrupt airflow around the blades thereby reducing oscillations.