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IE20090395A1 - A chassis for a wind turbine - Google Patents

A chassis for a wind turbine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
IE20090395A1
IE20090395A1 IE20090395A IE20090395A IE20090395A1 IE 20090395 A1 IE20090395 A1 IE 20090395A1 IE 20090395 A IE20090395 A IE 20090395A IE 20090395 A IE20090395 A IE 20090395A IE 20090395 A1 IE20090395 A1 IE 20090395A1
Authority
IE
Ireland
Prior art keywords
chassis
frame
wind turbine
end plate
mast
Prior art date
Application number
IE20090395A
Inventor
Joseph Francis Goodfellow
Original Assignee
C & F Tooling Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by C & F Tooling Ltd filed Critical C & F Tooling Ltd
Priority to IE20090395A priority Critical patent/IE20090395A1/en
Priority to PCT/IE2010/000035 priority patent/WO2010134059A1/en
Publication of IE20090395A1 publication Critical patent/IE20090395A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03DWIND MOTORS
    • F03D80/00Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03DWIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/10Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03DWIND MOTORS
    • F03D80/00Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
    • F03D80/80Arrangement of components within nacelles or towers
    • F03D80/88Arrangement of components within nacelles or towers of mechanical components
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2230/00Manufacture
    • F05B2230/60Assembly methods
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00Components
    • F05B2240/10Stators
    • F05B2240/14Casings, housings, nacelles, gondels or the like, protecting or supporting assemblies there within
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00Components
    • F05B2240/40Use of a multiplicity of similar components
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02PCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

A chassis (10) for a wind turbine mountable on a mast (26) comprises a frame (11) formed from one or more modular frame units (12, 14) suitable for housing wind turbine components therein. Each frame unit (12,14) is formed from metal end plates (16, 17,24 and 25) separated by rods (18, 19,26 and 27), and means for extending the frame such that the centre of mass of the turbine is maintained directly above the mast (34). The chassis (10) improves the performance of the wind turbine by maintaining its stability by ensuring that the centre of mass is positioned over the mast. The chassis (10) also allows on-site retrofitting of the chassis (10) to accommodate alternative wind turbine component configurations.

Description

This invention relates to a chassis for a wind turbine and, in particular, to a wind turbine chassis with improved stability.
Conventional horizontal axis turbines can be divided into three components, namely, the rotor component, the generator component and the structural support mast.
The rotor component includes the blades for converting wind energy to low speed rotational energy. The generator component includes the electrical alternator, the control electronics, and a gearbox component for converting the low speed incoming rotation to high speed rotation suitable for generating electricity. The structural support mast typically includes a rotor yaw mechanism to turn the wind turbine rotor into the wind.
One type of wind turbine, manufactured by TML SA of Liege Sciences Park, B-4031 Angleur, Belgium, has a fixed chassis structure. TML SA supply different models which accommodate systems with a gearbox (PMG geared drive models), or without a gearbox (PMG direct drive models). However, the chassis structure is fixed and does not allow on-site retrofitting to accommodate different configurations of fan blades or generator components.
In order to obtain an efficient performance from a wind turbine, it may be necessary to adjust the components of the wind turbine based IE 09 03 95 on the maximum wind speed available at the turbine location. Thus, a larger alternator, second alternator, or larger rotor blade set may be required in locations with higher wind speeds.
A problem associated with increasing the weight and size of the wind turbine components is instability. If the turbine is unbalanced the rotor rotation can cause oscillations or vibrations that damage the turbine components and mast structure. Alternatively, the rotors can collide with the mast causing considerable damage.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the wind turbine chassis hereinbefore described.
Accordingly, the invention provides a chassis for a wind turbine mountable on a mast, the chassis comprising a frame formed from one or more modular frame units suitable for housing wind turbine components therein, each frame unit being formed from metal end plates separated by rods, and means for extending the frame such that the centre of mass of the turbine is maintained directly above the mast An advantage of the chassis according to the invention is that it improves the performance of the wind turbine by maintaining its stability.
Another advantage of the chassis according to the invention is that the chassis frame is extendible to ensure that the centre of mass is positioned over the mast.
The chassis frame allows on-site retrofitting of the chassis to 25 accommodate alternative component configurations, whilst maintaining IE Ο 9 ο 3 9 5 the centre of mass position over the mast. The ability to add new technology or features to older systems reduces the costs in producing an efficient wind turbine and extends the lifespan of the wind turbine.
A further advantage of the chassis according to the invention is that the modular frame unit is a robust and high strength unit.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension of the frame is achieved by increasing the length of the support rods that form the modular frame unit.
The length of the support rods can be increased by using 10 telescopic rods or by replacing the existing rods with longer rods.
An advantage of the chassis according to the invention is that the chassis frame can be extended to include additional components, replace current components with larger alternatives or to counter-balance a larger blade rotor set.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the extension of the frame is achieved by the addition of one or more modular frame units.
An advantage of the chassis according to the invention is that additional modular frame units can be added to include additional components such as a larger alternator or a second alternator, or to counterbalance a larger blade rotor set.
The components can be attached to the frame by any securing means, such as bolts or screws.
IE 0 9 03 95 Preferably, the components of the frame are fixed together using bolts.
An advantage of the chassis according to the invention is that the chassis can be delivered in the form of so-called flat packs and assembled on site.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the frame has a high strength to weight ratio.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the frame is covered by a nacelle.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the nacelle has a quick release cover.
The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a chassis in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a chassis in accordance with the invention.
Referring to Fig. 1 there is indicated, generally at 10, a chassis 20 for a wind turbine, in accordance with the invention. The chassis 10 comprises a frame, indicated, generally at 11, formed from a modular frame unit 12 which houses an alternator 13 and a modular frame unit 14 which accommodates gearbox components 15. The frame unit 12 is ιε ο formed from two triangular pressed steel end plates 16 and 17 separated by steel rods 18 and 19 (a third steel rod is not shown). The steel rod 18 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 20 of the end plate 16 and apex 21 of the end plate 17. The steel rod 19 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 22 of the end plate 16 and apex 23 of the end plate 17.
The frame unit 14 is formed from two triangular pressed steel end plates 24 and 25 separated by steel rods 26 and 27 (a third steel rod is not shown), The steel rod 26 is positioned between a pre-determined position 28 on the end plate 24 and triangular end plate apex 29 of the end plate 25. The steel rod 27 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 30 of the end plate 24 and apex 31 of the end plate 25. The chassis 10 also accommodates a driveshaft 32, which extends from the chassis 10 and is connected to a rotor hub 33. The chassis 10 is secured to a mast 34 via a platform 35.
In use, the length of the rods 18,19,26 and 27 is chosen for a particular wind turbine configuration such that the centre of mass of the turbine is over the mast. The chassis is positioned to balance the weight of the rotor hub 33 and blades 36. If the rotor hub 33 and the blades 36 are replaced with a larger, heavier set of rotor blades, then the steel rods 18 and 19 of the frame unit 12 are replaced with pre-determined longer steel rods to counterbalance the weight difference. Thus, the centre of mass position is maintained directly above the mast 34.
Referring to Fig. 2 there is indicated, generally at 40 a chassis for a wind turbine, in accordance with the invention. The chassis 40 Ιί Ο 9 o j 9 j comprises a frame, indicated, generally at 41 formed from modular frame units 42,43 and 44. The frame unit 42, which accommodates gearbox components 45, is formed from two triangular pressed steel end plates 46 and 47 separated by steel rods 48 and 49 (a third steel rod is not shown), The steel rod 48 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 50 of the end plate 46 and a pre-determined position 51 on the end plate 47. The steel rod 49 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 52 of the end plate 46 and apex 53 of the end plate 47. A triangular pressed steel end plate 54 and steel rods 55 and 56 separate the frame unit 42 from a rotor hub 57.
The frame unit 43, which accommodates an alternator 58, is formed from two triangular pressed steel end plates 59 and 60 separated by steel rods 61 and 62 (a third steel rod is not shown). The steel rod 61 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 63 of the end plate 59 and triangular end plate apex 64 of the end plate 60. The steel rod 62 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 65 of the end plate 59 and apex 66 of the end plate 60. Steel rods 67 and 68 separate the frame units 42 and 43.
The frame unit 44, which accommodates an alternator 69 is formed from two triangular pressed steel end plates 70 and 71 separated by steel rods 72 and 73 (a third steel rod is not shown). The steel rod 72 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 74 of the end plate 7 0 and triangular end plate apex 75 of the end plate 71. The steel rod 73 is positioned between triangular end plate apex 76 of the end plate 70 and /Ε 0 9 03 95 apex 77 of the end plate 71. A pressed triangular steel end plate 78 and steel rods 79 and 80 separate the frame units 43 and 44.
The chassis 40 also accommodates a driveshaft 81, which extends from the chassis 40 and is connected to the rotor hub 57. The chassis 40 is secured to a mast 82 via a platform 83.
In use, the length of the rods 48,49,55,56,61,62,67,68,72,73, 79 and 80 is chosen for a particular wind turbine configuration such that the centre of mass of the turbine is over the mast. The chassis is positioned to balance the weight of the rotor hub 57 and blades 84. If the rotor hub 57 and the blades 84 are replaced with a larger, heavier set of rotor blades then the modular frame unit 44 accommodating a second alternator 69 is added to the chassis at a pre-determined position to counterbalance the rotor component weight difference. Thus, the centre of mass position is maintained directly above the mast 82.
If a modular frame unit 44, accommodating a second alternator 69, is added to the chassis then the steel rods 48 and 49 of the frame unit 32 and the steel rods 55 and 56 are replaced with pre-determined longer steel rods to counterbalance the added weight of the second alternator 69. Thus, the centre of mass position is maintained directly above the mast 82.
It will be appreciated that the formation of the chassis 10/40 in accordance with the invention from modular frame units results in a chassis capable of accommodating alternative wind turbine component configurations, whilst maintaining a stable, robust and high strength fe θ9 0 3 95 structure. This improved chassis results in a reduction in the costs necessary to produce an efficient wind turbine and extends the lifespan of the wind turbine.

Claims (8)

1. Claims: 1. A chassis for a wind turbine mountable on a mask the chassis comprising a frame formed from one or more modular frame units suitable for housing wind turbine components therein, each frame unit 5 being formed from metal end plates separated by rods, and means for extending the frame such that the centre of mass of the turbine is maintained directly above the mast.
2. A chassis according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the frame is achieved by increasing the length ofthe support rods that form 10 the modular frame unit.
3. A chassis according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension of the frame is achieved by the addition of one or more modular frame units.
4. A chassis according to claim 1, wherein the components of the 15 frame are fixed together using bolts.
5. A chassis according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a high strength to weight ratio.
6. A chassis according to claim 1, wherein the frame is covered by a nacelle. 090395 Ί. A chassis according to claim
7. , wherein the nacelle has a quick release cover.
8. A chassis according to Claim 1 for a wind turbine, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and 5 as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
IE20090395A 2009-05-21 2009-05-21 A chassis for a wind turbine IE20090395A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE20090395A IE20090395A1 (en) 2009-05-21 2009-05-21 A chassis for a wind turbine
PCT/IE2010/000035 WO2010134059A1 (en) 2009-05-21 2010-05-21 A chassis for a wind turbine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE20090395A IE20090395A1 (en) 2009-05-21 2009-05-21 A chassis for a wind turbine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
IE20090395A1 true IE20090395A1 (en) 2011-01-05

Family

ID=42989656

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
IE20090395A IE20090395A1 (en) 2009-05-21 2009-05-21 A chassis for a wind turbine

Country Status (2)

Country Link
IE (1) IE20090395A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2010134059A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB703577A (en) * 1951-10-03 1954-02-03 Folland Aircraft Ltd Improvements in or relating to mountings for wind motors
DE10119428A1 (en) * 2001-04-20 2002-10-24 Enron Wind Gmbh Base frame for arranging the shaft of the rotor of a wind turbine on its tower
EP1291521A1 (en) * 2001-09-06 2003-03-12 Turbowinds N.V./S.A. Wind turbine nacelle with moving crane
EP2063119A3 (en) * 2007-11-21 2014-04-30 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Module of a nacelle of a wind turbine and method of assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010134059A1 (en) 2010-11-25

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FC9A Application refused sect. 31(1)