| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080236073 | Low cost rail-transportable wind turbine tower - A wind turbine tower is provided that will accommodate rail transport of wind turbine sections. The wind turbine tower includes a plurality of axial tubular sections, wherein the sections including an outer diameter no greater than a designated maximum diameter; a main structural element for each of the axial tubular sections, with the structural element being of a generally cylindrical shape; and corner reinforcements for the main structural elements. The corner reinforcements are provided generally equidistant around the circumference of the main structural element about 90 degrees apart. Corner supports may further be provided to support the corner reinforcements from a foundation of the wind turbine tower. With the corner reinforcements attached to the main structural elements, the combination falls within a space envelope that may be accommodated for rail transport. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20090191051 | STACKABLE NACELLE FOR WIND TURBINES - A stackable nacelle for a wind turbine includes a first piece having a top wall and integral first side walls extending at a first obtuse angle from each edge of the top wall; and a second piece, for mating with the first piece, having a bottom wall and integral second side walls extending at a second obtuse angle from each edge of the bottom wall. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090191060 | LUBRICATION HEATING SYSTEM AND WIND TURBINE INCORPORATING SAME - A wind turbine is provided having a gearbox containing a lubrication medium, a pump for circulating the lubrication medium. and a gearbox lubrication suction pipe for transporting the lubrication medium from the gearbox to the pump. A heater is in thermal connection to, at least a portion of, the gearbox lubrication suction pipe. This heater is used to heat the lubrication medium contained within the gearbox lubrication suction pipe to a temperature where damage to the pump is avoided. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090200114 | THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND WIND TURBINE INCORPORATING SAME - A thermal management system and wind turbine are provided comprising a gearbox containing a lubrication medium and a pump for circulating the lubrication medium. A gearbox lubrication suction pipe is used for transporting the lubrication medium from the gearbox to the pump. At least one pump outlet pipe can be used for transporting the lubrication medium from the pump to other components of the wind turbine. A thermal wrap is in thermal connection to, at least a portion of, at least one of, the gearbox, pump, gearbox lubrication suction pipe and pump outlet pipe. The thermal wrap is used to heat or cool, at least a portion of, the lubrication medium. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20100061853 | SYSTEM FOR HEATING AND COOLING WIND TURBINE COMPONENTS - A heating and cooling system for a wind turbine is provided and includes a gearbox, gearbox heat exchanger, generator, generator heat exchanger, and a cooling duct. The cooling duct is connected to the gearbox and generator heat exchangers, and is used to transport air across both heat exchangers to cool the gearbox and generator. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100092120 | BEARING WITH ALTERNATIVE LOAD PATH FOR EXTREME LOADS - A bearing is provided having a first race, a second race and one or more rolling elements. The bearing includes an alternate load path for extreme loads, and the alternate load path is formed between the first race and the second race. At least a portion of the extreme loads is diverted away from the rolling elements. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100101173 | WIND TURBINE TOWER JOINTS - A wind turbine tower includes a first substantially tubular wall section having a tapered edge; a second substantially tubular wall section, arranged substantially coplanar with the first wall section, having a flared edge for seating against the tapered edge of the first wall section; and at least one fastener for securing the tapered edge of the first wall section to the flared edge of the second wall section. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100129216 | SPINNER-LESS HUB ACCESS AND LIFTING SYSTEM FOR A WIND TURBINE - A simple and safe means is provided to gain entry into the rotor hub of a wind turbine for maintenance operations within the hub. A ladder-like structure is mounted onto the rotor hub using the same bolts attaching a fixed outer race of the pitch bearing for the rotor blades. The ladder-like structure has integral with it a protective cage to the front, forming a basket. Structural elements for grasping are provided to a worker over the full path traversed from the nacelle to the entry hatch of the hub. An expanded area between rungs may be provided to facilitate entry by a service worker into the safety cage area. Lifting ears made also be formed with tubular sections integrated into the ladder-like structure. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100132269 | RAIL-TRANSPORTABLE WIND TURBINE TOWER - A tower is provided having a plurality of axial substantially tubular sections with an outer diameter no greater than a designated maximum diameter. At least one of the sections includes at least one reverse taper portion located near a base of the tower. The reverse taper portion has a first end, located near the base, having a first diameter. The reverse taper portion has a second end, opposed to the first end, having a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135815 | SPAR CAP FOR WIND TURBINE BLADES - A blade of a wind turbine is provided having an improved spar cap. The spar cap includes at least one trench extending in a substantially span-wise direction in at least a portion of the spar cap. At least one shear web is connected to the spar cap. At least a portion of the shear web is positioned within the trench of the spar cap. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100135821 | TRANSPORTABLE WIND TURBINE TOWER - A tower having a plurality of axial sections is provided. The tower includes at least one lower axial section having a non-circular cross-section in at least a portion thereof. The lower axial section is located near a bottom of the tower. At least one upper axial section has a substantially circular cross-section in at least a portion thereof, and is located near a top of the tower. The tower has a cross-sectional profile that transitions from the non-circular cross-section to the substantially circular cross-section, and an outer diameter of the tower is less than a designated maximum diameter. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20110133456 | WIND TURBINE BRAKE POWER GENERATION - A wind turbine, includes a tower for supporting a nacelle; a gearbox connected to an electrical generator arranged in the nacelle; a plurality of blades for rotating the gearbox and driving the generator; a brake disk for stopping rotation of at least one of the gearbox and the generator; and an auxiliary power source, driven by the brake disk, for generating power. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110154777 | WIND TURBINE TOWER JOINTS - A wind turbine tower, includes a first substantially tubular wall section having a tapered edge; a second substantially tubular wall section, arranged substantially coplanar with the first wall section, having a flared edge for seating against the tapered edge of the first wall section; and at least one fastener for securing the tapered edge of the first wall section to the flared edge of the second wall section. The at least one fastener includes a bolt extending through the tapered edge and the flared edge, and the bolt is arranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first and second wall sections. | 06-30-2011 |
