Abstract:
Multiphase generator-conversion systems are disclosed. The system includes a multiphase generator having one rotor and m+1 number of electromagnetically coupled stators, each stator having a plurality of phase legs. The system includes a converter having m+1 conversion lines, each conversion line connected to the plurality of phase legs of one of the m+1 stators. Each conversion line has a rectification module. At most m of the m+1 rectification modules has an active filtering converter. At least one of the m+1 rectification modules has a passive rectifier. At least one of the active filtering converters is configured to directly control its current to vary the magnetic flux of the stator to which it is connected and indirectly affect the magnetic flux of the rest of the stators through the electromagnetic coupling. Also disclosed are wind turbines that include generation conversion systems and methods of mitigating harmonics in multi-phase generator-conversion systems.
Abstract:
In a first aspect, the invention provides a hub to be mounted on a wind turbine having a frame to be surrounded by the hub. The hub comprises a front bearing seat and a rear bearing seat for rotatably mounting the hub on the frame through respective front and rear bearings, in such a way that the frame is provided at least partially internally of the hub. The hub further comprises a plurality of beams connecting the front bearing seat and the rear bearing seat. In a second aspect, the invention provides a wind turbine comprising a hub according to the first aspect of the invention and a frame surrounded by the hub. The hub is rotatably mounted on the frame through respective front and rear bearings, in such a way that the frame is provided at least partially internally of the hub.
Abstract:
An end winding corona protection including a winding of a rotating electric machine, having a conductor and a groundwall insulation surrounding the conductor, an end winding corona protection arranged on the outer surface of the groundwall insulation, the end winding corona protection comprising a first layer characterized in that the surface resistance of the first layer is in the range of 10 Ohm to 80 Ohm, and in that the end winding corona protection further comprises a second layer arranged on the outer surface of the first layer, wherein the second layer is made of semiconductive material, and wherein third layer is arranged on the outer surface of the second layer and made of medium resistive material.
Abstract:
An electrical machine comprising a first item having a male portion and a second item having a female portion. The male and female portions have a shape adapted to each other such that the male portion can be fitted into the female portion. The male and/or female portion is formed as a stack of sheets comprising standard sheets and protruding sheets. The “male” standard sheets substantially fit into the female portion and the “male” protruding sheets are larger than the female portion such that, in use, said protruding sheets are deformed during insertion of the male portion into the female portion. The “female” standard sheets have an opening into which the male portion substantially fits, and the “female” protruding sheets have an opening smaller than the male portion such that, in use, said protruding sheets are deformed during insertion of the male portion into the opening of the female portion.
Abstract:
Methods and arrangements for controlling the tension of tensioning cables in precompressed towers are disclosed. The towers may comprise a tower section (5), a pair of flanges (15, 15′), a plurality of tensioning cables (10A-10D)and at least one tensioner (30AB, 30CD). The pair of flanges may be arranged around an upper and a lower part of the tower section. The at least one tensioner may be arranged between two of the plurality of tensioning cables (10A-10D). The tensioner may pull the tensioning cables in response to a load signal to increase the tension.
Abstract:
Wind turbine rotational system having several drives and a central control system (CCS), each drive comprising a motor, an electronic converter and an actuator. The CCS sends speed and torque setpoints to the electronic converters which drive the motors according to said setpoints. Operation of the system comprises: designating a drive as master and the other drives as slaves; designating, for each slave, one of the drives as reference drive; the CCS determining master speed and torque setpoints, and sending them to the master; the CCS obtaining real torque of the master; CCS obtaining real speed of each reference drive; and the CCS sending to each slave a slave speed setpoint equal to the master speed setpoint, and a slave torque setpoint equal to the real torque of the master plus a variable offset based on a difference between the master speed setpoint and the real speed of its reference drive.
Abstract:
Methods of operating a variable speed wind turbine as a function of a wind speed, the wind turbine having a rotor with a plurality of blades, and one or more pitch mechanisms for rotating the blades. The method comprising a sub-nominal zone of operation for wind speeds below the nominal wind speed and a supra-nominal zone of operation for wind speeds above the nominal wind speed. In the supra-nominal zone, the blades are pitched so as to maintain the rotor speed substantially constant, and a tip speed ratio of the wind turbine is substantially continuously being determined and wherein an instantaneous minimum pitch angle is substantially continuously being determined based on the instantaneous tip speed ratio, and the blades are never pitched below the instantaneous minimum pitch angle. The disclosure further relates to a wind turbine suitable for carrying out such methods.
Abstract:
A method of monitoring the condition of a wind turbine. The method includes the steps of selecting a plurality of measurable parameters indicative of the operational state of the wind turbine; recording measures of a variable indicative of the condition of the wind turbine during a period of normal operation thereof, and deriving corresponding values of a characteristic quantity from said measures; recording measures of the parameters during the same period; identifying a correlation between the characteristic quantity and at least one correlated parameter; and from said correlation, defining the expected value of the characteristic quantity as a target function that is a function of said at least one correlated parameter.
Abstract:
A blade for a wind turbine comprises a substantially hollow shell which comprises an opening which extends along at least part of the length of the blade, and a servicing unit displaceable along the blade shell, at least partly arranged inside the shell and comprising an arm adapted to project out of the shell through the opening.
Abstract:
Methods of operating a wind turbine having one or more sensors for determining loads in selected wind turbine components, the methods comprising determining loads in the selected wind turbine components during a measuring period under a first wind condition, calculating a real power spectral density of one or more selected loads for each of the selected wind turbine components during the measuring period, obtaining a reference power spectral density for the selected loads for each of the selected wind turbine components under a wind condition that is comparable to the first wind condition, determining accumulated fatigue damage in time equivalent loads for each of the selected wind turbine components, verifying for each of the selected wind turbine components whether the accumulated fatigue damage in time equivalent loads is within acceptable limits, and performing one or more operational changes in case of negative result. Wind turbines suitable for these methods are also disclosed.