Nacelle for a wind turbine, the nacelle comprising side units

Abstract

A nacelle (2) for a wind turbine (1) and a method for erecting a wind turbine (1) are disclosed. The nacelle (2) comprises a main unit (8) arranged to be connected to a wind turbine tower (3), via a yawing arrangement, and at least one side unit (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) mounted along a side of the main unit (8) in such a manner that direct access is allowed between the main unit (8) and the side unit(s) (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d), each side unit (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) accommodating at least one wind turbine component (13, 14, 15, 16, 17), and at least one side unit (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) being capable of carrying the wind turbine component(s) (13, 4, 15, 16, 17) accommodated therein. The main unit (8) and at least one of the side unit(s) (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) are distributed side by side along a substantially horizontal direction which is substantially transverse to a rotational axis of a rotor of the wind turbine (1). A sufficient interior space of the nacelle (2) is obtained while allowing the nacelle (2) to be transported due to the modular construction. The weight of the wind turbine components (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) is arranged close to the tower (3) due to the transversal arrangement of the side unit(s) (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) relative to the main unit (8).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a nacelle for a wind turbine, the nacelle comprising a main unit and at least one side unit mounted on a side of the main unit. The nacelle of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in large wind turbines. The present invention further relates to a method for erecting a wind turbine comprising such a nacelle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Over the past years there has been a tendency for wind turbines to increase in size, in terms of nominal power output as well as in terms of physical dimensions of the individual parts of the wind turbine. As a consequence, the size of the nacelle must also be increased in order to ensure that the nacelle is capable of accommodating the required wind turbine components.[0003]Wind turbines are normally transported from the location or locations of manufacture of the individual parts to the operating site where the wind turbine is supposed to be erected. Accordingly, as th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide a nacelle for a wind turbine, in which the torque loads on the nacelle are reduced as compared to prior art nacelles with the same or similar dimensions.

[0043]Alternatively or additionally, the side unit(s) may comprise connecting means allowing (a) transportation cover(s) to be attached to the side unit(s) during transport of the side unit(s), e.g. from a manufacturing location to a wind turbine site. According to this embodiment, the transportation cover may be attached to a side unit at the manufacturing site, and the side unit, with the transportation cover attached thereto, can be transported to the operating site of the wind turbine. The transportation cover protects the side unit as well as the wind turbine component(s) accommodated therein during the transport. When the side unit arrives at the operating site of the wind turbine, the transportation cover can be removed before the side unit is mounted on the main unit of the nacelle.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, as the size of the wind turbines, and thereby the size of the individual parts of the wind turbines, increases it becomes increasingly difficult to transport the parts to the operating site, and the dimensions of roads, transport vehicles etc. impose an upper limit to the size of parts which it is possible to transport.

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