Wind turbine shroud with cooling fluid outlet

Abstract

A cover for a direct drive wind turbine is described. The cover includes a connection section configured to mechanically couple the cover to a generator, wherein the connection section includes at least one outlet configured to receive cooling fluid expelled by the generator and to discharge the received cooling fluid. A wind turbine including such a cover is also described.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wind turbines, in particular a shroud for a direct drive wind turbine. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a direct drive wind turbine comprising such a shroud. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generators in wind turbines, such as direct drive wind turbines, are usually equipped with some kind of cooling system, e.g. in the form of a ventilation system, which blows a cooling fluid through the stator cavity and then discharges the cooling fluid to the surrounding environment. In so-called direct drive wind turbines, where the generator is directly coupled to the rotor and thus arranged between the rotor and the nacelle, space limitations and other constraints pose challenges in the design of such cooling systems, in particular with regard to the discharge of the used (hot) cooling fluid. Some known solutions involve a large number of ducts and pipes which are guided from the generator in a complex manner and through the nacelle such that they do not interfere with other components and / or prevent access to them.

[0003] Therefore, there can be a need for a simple and efficient cooling solution which is easy to implement without interfering with space or accessibility constraints. SUMMARY

[0004] This need can be met by the subject matter of the present invention.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a shroud for a direct drive wind turbine is provided. The shroud comprises a connection section configured to mechanically couple the shroud to a generator, wherein the connection section comprises at least one outlet configured to receive cooling fluid discharged by the generator and to discharge the received cooling fluid.

[0006] This aspect of the present invention is based on the idea that the at least one outlet is formed in the connection section such that the cooling fluid discharged by the generator can be directly discharged to the outer surrounding environment of the wind turbine without the need for a long and complex arrangement of ducts. In particular, the discharged cooling fluid is not guided into the nacelle.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection section forms a circumferential shape around an axial direction of the wind turbine.

[0008] In other words, the connection section encircles the axial direction and can in particular be formed as a circular or round section which is mechanically couplable to the generator of the direct drive wind turbine.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the connection section comprises a tubular member extending along an axial direction of the wind turbine.

[0010] The tubular member can extend from the main part of the cover toward the generator. The length of the tubular member (in the axial direction) is generally kept as short as possible so as not to extend the axial dimension of the cover beyond the necessary size.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the at least one outlet is formed in the tubular member and configured to discharge the received cooling fluid in a radial direction.

[0012] In other words, the short tubular structure provides a surface that forms at least one outlet, allowing the cooling fluid to be discharged radially outward.

[0013] The outlet can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or any other shape that provides a sufficient cross-sectional area to discharge the used cooling fluid.

[0014] This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it does not require any modification to the cross-sectional shape of the connecting section of the cover.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the connecting section includes at least one radial protrusion, and the at least one outlet is formed in the at least one radial protrusion.

[0016] In other words, the connecting section (compared to known connecting sections) extends to have at least one protrusion in the radial direction. The at least one protrusion allows the formation of the at least one outlet.

[0017] This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it does not require any substantial extension of the connecting section of the cover in the axial direction.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the at least one outlet is configured to discharge the received cooling fluid in the axial direction.

[0019] In other words, the at least one outlet occupies minimal space in the axial direction.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, a cavity is formed between the cover and the at least one radial protrusion, and the at least one outlet is configured to discharge the received cooling fluid into the cavity.

[0021] The cavity ensures that used cooling fluid is discharged into the surrounding environment of the wind turbine generator.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the at least one outlet includes a plurality of outlets.

[0023] The multiple exits may be arranged, in particular, along the perimeter of the connecting section, with equal spacing between each exit.

[0024] The plurality of outlets may include any number of outlets, such as, in particular, two, three, four, five, six, eight, twelve, or sixteen outlets.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the invention, a direct-drive wind turbine is provided, comprising a rotor, a generator, and a nacelle disposed at the upper end of a tower. The nacelle includes a cover according to the first aspect or any of the embodiments described above.

[0026] This aspect of the invention is generally based on the same concept as the first aspect and provides a wind turbine that benefits from the advantageous cover of the first aspect as described above.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the invention, the generator includes at least one ventilation unit adapted to discharge cooling fluid toward at least one outlet of the cover.

[0028] The at least one ventilation unit (such as a fan or blower) is preferably located near the periphery of the generator and near the corresponding at least one outlet arrangement of the cover.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the invention, the wind turbine further includes at least one conduit arranged to direct the discharged cooling fluid to the at least one outlet.

[0030] The duct may be arranged specifically between the at least one ventilation unit and the at least one outlet. Alternatively, the duct may include the at least one ventilation unit.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cooling fluid is air.

[0032] Cooling air is drawn in from the surrounding environment of the wind turbine generator and blown and / or drawn through the stator cavity, and then discharged from the generator and discharged through at least one outlet in the cover.

[0033] It should be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to various subjects.

[0034] The aspects and other aspects of the invention defined above will be apparent from the examples of embodiments described below and will be explained with reference to these examples. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples of embodiments. However, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 A direct-drive wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 2 A partial view of a cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0037] Figure 3 Shown in Figure 2 A set of pipes used in the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0038] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 2 A partial view of the cover and generator of the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0039] Figure 5 A first partial view of a cover according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0040] Figure 6 Showing according to Figure 5 A second partial view of the cover shown in another exemplary embodiment.

[0041] Figure 7 Showing according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 A partial view of the cover and generator of another exemplary embodiment shown.

[0042] Figure 8 Show Figure 7 The generator shown is a cross-sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The illustrations in the accompanying drawings are schematic. It should be noted that in different drawings, similar or identical elements are given the same reference numerals or reference numerals that differ only in the first digit.

[0044] Figure 1 A direct-drive wind turbine 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The wind turbine 101 includes a nacelle enclosed in a cover 110 and disposed at the upper end of a tower 170. The cover 110 includes a connection section 120 mechanically coupled to a generator 150 disposed between the cover 110 and the rotor 160 of the wind turbine 101. The connection section 120 of the cover 110 includes a plurality of outlets 122 for discharging cooling fluid discharged from the generator 150.

[0045] Figure 2A partial view of a cover 210 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. The cover 210 includes a connecting section formed as a relatively short tubular member 220, wherein an outlet 222 is present in the tubular surface of the connecting section 220. Short conduits 224 are inserted into each outlet opening 222. The conduits 224 are configured to receive used cooling fluid (e.g., hot air) discharged axially by a generator (not shown) and to discharge the fluid radially through the corresponding outlet opening 222. The connecting section 220 also includes a flange or lip 228 configured to engage with a corresponding structure in the generator. In the present exemplary embodiment, eight outlets 222 and corresponding conduits 224 are arranged around the circumference of the tubular member 220. However, in other embodiments of the invention, any number of outlets 222 (such as one, two, three, four, six, twelve, or sixteen outlets 222) is feasible and can be used.

[0046] Figure 3 Shown in Figure 2 The group of pipes 224 used in the exemplary embodiment shown. As shown, each pipe 224 includes an inlet opening 225 pointing in the axial direction of the wind turbine and is thus configured to receive cooling fluid from a generator (not shown). Furthermore, each pipe 224 includes a bent pipe portion 226, which is shaped to correspond to the assembly with... Figure 2 The orientation of the pipe outlet 227 in the outlet opening 222 shown changes the flow direction of the discharged cooling fluid from the axial direction to the radial direction.

[0047] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 2 Partial view of the cover 210 and generator 450 of the exemplary embodiment shown. The generator 450 includes a ventilation unit (fan or blower) 452, which is arranged to deliver discharged cooling fluid from inside the generator 450 to a duct 224, such that it can be discharged radially through a duct outlet 227.

[0048] Figure 5 A first partial view of a cover 510 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment differs from the one described above. Figures 2 to 4 The described embodiment is characterized by the shape of the connecting structure 530, which includes a radially protruding portion 531 extending inward toward the axis of the wind turbine to accommodate an axial fluid outlet communicating with a conduit 532 that provides exhaust cooling fluid from a generator (not shown). Figure 5 Not shown in the text, but will be discussed in the following text. Figure 6 (Further discussion).

[0049] Figure 6 Showing according to Figure 5 A second partial view of the cover 610 of another exemplary embodiment shown. In this second partial view, one of the outlets 633 can be seen. Furthermore, it can be seen that the outlet 633 terminates at the protrusion 531 (see...). Figure 5 The received cooling fluid is discharged into the small bag in the axial direction.

[0050] Figure 7 Showing according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 A partial view of the cover 710 and generator 750 of another exemplary embodiment shown. (Like a combination) Figures 2 to 4 As in the described embodiment, the generator 750 includes a ventilation unit (fan or blower) 752, which is arranged to deliver the discharged cooling fluid from inside the generator 750 to a duct 732, so that it can be discharged in the axial direction through a duct outlet 733 and enter a bag formed in a protrusion 731, and then escape into the surrounding environment of the wind turbine.

[0051] Figure 8 Show Figure 7 The figure shows a cross-sectional view of the generator 850. As shown, the generator 850 includes a total of eight ventilation units 852, which are arranged close to the outer circumference of the generator 850 so that they can be connected to corresponding ducts communicating with corresponding outlets (e.g., Figure 7 (pipe 732 in the middle). Again, it should be noted that in other exemplary embodiments, any other number of ventilation units 852 may be used, such as one, two, three, four, six, 12 or 16 ventilation units 852.

[0052] As shown above, both exemplary embodiments provide a simple and compact structure for discharging spent generator cooling fluid through an outlet formed in the connection section of the cover. Although Figures 2 to 4 The embodiment shown relies on a short tubular member that adds a little length to the cover without affecting the cross-section of the connection between the cover and the generator, but Figures 5 to 8 The embodiment shown avoids any axial extension by alternatively adding a protrusion along the circumference of the connecting section.

[0053] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the use of the articles "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple. Furthermore, elements described in connection with different embodiments may be combined.

Claims

1. A cover for a direct-drive wind turbine, the cover including a connection section configured to mechanically couple the cover to a generator, wherein, The connection section includes at least one outlet configured to receive and discharge cooling fluid discharged from the generator, wherein the connection section is mechanically coupled to the generator, and the generator is arranged between the cover and the rotor of the direct-drive wind turbine.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting section forms a circumferential shape around the axial direction of the wind turbine.

3. The cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connecting section includes a tubular member extending along the axial direction of the wind turbine.

4. The cover according to claim 3, wherein, The at least one outlet is formed in the tubular member and is configured to discharge the received cooling fluid in the radial direction.

5. The cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connecting section includes at least one radial protrusion, and the at least one outlet is formed in the at least one radial protrusion.

6. The cover according to claim 5, wherein, The at least one outlet is configured to discharge the received cooling fluid in the axial direction.

7. The cover according to claim 5, wherein, A cavity is formed between the cover and the at least one radial protrusion, and wherein the at least one outlet is configured to discharge received cooling fluid into the cavity.

8. The cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one exit includes multiple exits.

9. A direct-drive wind turbine, comprising a rotor, a generator, and a nacelle disposed at the upper end of a tower, wherein, The cabin includes a canopy according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The wind turbine according to claim 9, wherein, The generator includes at least one ventilation unit adapted to discharge cooling fluid toward at least one outlet of the cover.

11. The wind turbine of claim 9 or 10, further comprising at least one conduit arranged to direct the discharged cooling fluid to the at least one outlet.

12. The wind turbine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The cooling fluid is air.

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