Wind energy facilities, methods for installing transformers, and wind energy facility pods

Abstract

A wind energy facility (100) is proposed, comprising a pod (300) having a pod bottom (310). The wind energy facility (100) also has an aerodynamic rotor with at least two rotor blades. The wind energy facility (100) further comprises a tower (102) on which the pod (300) is mounted. At least one first and second openings (311, 312) are provided in the pod bottom (310). The first opening (311) is for transporting a first component of the wind energy facility (100) and has a corresponding first size. The second opening (312) has a second size and is for transporting a transformer (400) into the pod (300). The transformer (400) has a bottom that closes the second opening when the transformer (400) is transported into the pod (300) through the second opening (312) and has been installed in the pod (300).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a wind power installation, a method for installing a transformer and a nacelle of a wind power installation. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wind power installations usually have a tower, a nacelle and an aerodynamic rotor with a plurality of rotor blades. The nacelle usually has a generator and other electrical and / or electronic components. In some cases, a transformer is also provided in the nacelle.

[0003] In order to transport components provided in the nacelle, for example EP 1 101 934 A4 describes a nacelle of a wind power installation with a closable opening in the nacelle. Such components are for example a transmission mechanism or a generator. The size of the opening must therefore match the size of the largest component to be transported. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the invention to propose a wind power installation and a nacelle of a wind power installation which allow components to be better transported to the nacelle.

[0005] The object is achieved by a wind power installation according to the invention, by a method for installing a transformer according to the invention and by a nacelle of a wind power installation according to the invention.

[0006] Thereby, the wind power installation is provided with a nacelle having a nacelle bottom. The wind power installation also has an aerodynamic rotor with at least two rotor blades and a tower on which the nacelle is provided. At least one first and second opening is provided in the nacelle bottom. The first opening is for transporting a first component of the wind power installation and has a corresponding first size. The second opening has a second size and is for transporting a transformer into the nacelle. The transformer has a bottom which, when the transformer is transported into the nacelle through the second opening and has been installed in the nacelle, closes the second opening. Thereby, the transformer can be transported from the bottom through the second opening (transformer opening) into the interior of the nacelle.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the transformer has a transformer (oil) tank. Here, the bottom of the transformer can for example be configured as the (oil) tank. Alternatively thereto, a transformer (oil) tank is provided in addition to the bottom of the transformer. The provision of a transformer (oil) tank is advantageous in that it can be ensured that a possible liquid outflow does not cause environmental pollution. When the (oil) tank is the transformer bottom or is connected with a separate transformer bottom, then the transformer can be replaced together with the (oil) tank.

[0008] The transformer tank can for example be configured as an oil tank.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present application, the transformer bottom can be arranged in the region of the second opening in or at the nacelle bottom by means of a securing element. Thereby, the transformer can be reliably and releasably secured in or at the nacelle bottom.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present application, the transformer bottom is dimensioned to the size of the second opening, so that the transformer can be lifted or transported through the second opening into the interior of the nacelle.

[0011] The present application also relates to a method for installing a transformer in a nacelle of a wind power installation. A transformer having a transformer bottom is lifted and transported through a nacelle bottom having a first and a second opening. The transformer is hereby lifted or transported through the second opening into the interior of the nacelle. The transformer is locked so that the transformer bottom closes the second opening.

[0012] The present application also relates to a nacelle of a wind power installation having a nacelle bottom, the nacelle bottom having a first and a second opening. The first opening has a size which allows a first component to pass through. The second opening is larger than the first opening and has a size which allows a transformer to pass through.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present application, the transformer bottom can be a part of the nacelle bottom.

[0014] The present application also relates to a transformer having a transformer bottom which is dimensioned to the size of the second opening so that the transformer bottom closes the second opening when the transformer has been installed inside the nacelle. For replacing the transformer, the transformer then has to come down only through the second opening. In or at the transformer bottom, a locking element or a securing element can be provided which allows the transformer bottom to be locked in or at the nacelle bottom. Optionally, the transformer can have a transformer tank.

[0015] Further design options of the present application are subject matter of the present text. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] In the following, the advantages and embodiments of the present application are explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 a schematic view of a wind power installation according to the present application is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 a further perspective view of a nacelle of a wind power installation according to a first embodiment is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 a perspective view of a nacelle bottom of a nacelle according to a second embodiment is shown;

[0020] Figure 4Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a nacelle bottom according to a third embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a transformer inside a nacelle of a wind energy plant;

[0022] Figure 6 Fig. 5 shows a top view of a transformer inside a nacelle; and

[0023] Figure 7 Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a transformer when installed in a nacelle of a wind energy plant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figure 1 Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a wind energy plant according to the present application. The wind energy plant 100 has a tower 102 and a nacelle 300 on the tower 102. At the nacelle 300 there is a aerodynamic rotor 106 with three rotor blades 200 and a spinner 110. The aerodynamic rotor 106 is put into rotational motion by the wind in the operation of the wind energy plant and in turn also rotates a rotor or work wheel of a generator which is directly or indirectly coupled with the aerodynamic rotor 106. The generator is arranged in the nacelle 300 and generates electrical energy. The pitch angle of the rotor blades 200 can be changed by pitch motors at the rotor blade root of the respective rotor blade 200.

[0025] Figure 2 Fig. 2 shows another perspective view of a nacelle of a wind energy plant according to a first embodiment. The nacelle 300 is arranged on a tower 102 and is coupled with an aerodynamic rotor having rotor blades 200. The nacelle 300 has a generator which is directly or indirectly coupled with the aerodynamic rotor 106. Furthermore, the nacelle 300 can have power electronic modules, for example rectifiers and inverters. Furthermore, the nacelle 300 can have a transformer 400. The nacelle 300 has a nacelle bottom 310 with a first opening 311 and a second opening 312. The first opening 311 is smaller than the second opening 312. The first opening 311 has a first size and is used to transport components of the wind energy plant into the nacelle interior, for example by means of a winch. The second opening 312 has a second size and is used to transport the transformer 400 of the wind energy plant likewise into the nacelle interior, for example by means of a winch. When the transformer has been installed in the nacelle 300, the second opening 312 is subsequently closed by a bottom 410 of the transformer. Thereby, the bottom 410 of the transformer 400 forms a closure of the opening 312. This is advantageous because thereby no additional window is required for closing the second opening 312.

[0026] To install transformer 400, it only needs to be transported upwards, for example, by means of a winch that can be installed inside pod 300. Transformer 400 is then transported through the second opening 312 into the interior of pod 300. After transformer 400 is transported into pod 300, its bottom 410 can be secured by means of a locking or fixing unit, such that the bottom 410 of transformer 400 closes the second opening 312 (downwards). This is particularly advantageous for the installation of transformer 400, because transformer 400 no longer needs to continue transporting within the pod, but can only be installed at the location where it is raised through the second opening 312.

[0027] In order to install the transformer 400 in the pod 300 of the wind power facility 100, the transformer 400 must be raised, for example, by means of a winch. Here, the transformer is raised into the interior of the pod 300 through a second opening 312 in the bottom 310 of the pod. Then, the transformer 400 is locked so that the bottom of the transformer 400 is closed in the opening 312 in the bottom 310 of the pod.

[0028] The transformer 400 may optionally have a slot 450. Here, the bottom 410 of the transformer 400 may be configured as a slot 450. Alternatively, the slot may be additionally provided for the bottom.

[0029] Figure 3 A perspective view of the bottom of the pod according to the second embodiment is shown. Figure 3 The pod 300 includes a bottom 310, a transformer 400 within the pod 300, and a transformer bottom 410, the transformer bottom of which closes the second opening 312.

[0030] Optionally, the bottom 410 may have multiple supports 411. The supports 411 may be used, for example, to improve the stability of the bottom of the transformer.

[0031] Figure 4 A partial schematic view of the bottom of the pod according to a third embodiment is shown. Figure 4 The transformer 400, with its support pillars 410, is visible during loading into the pod. The transformer base 410 can be secured, for example, to the pod base 310 or at the pod base 310 by means of a fixing unit 420. Optionally, multiple supports or crossbeams can be provided in the area of ​​the pod base 310 to reinforce it. The fixing unit can be engaged with the support pillars to reliably hold the transformer in or at the second opening 312.

[0032] Since the bottom of the transformer is part of the bottom of the pod, the bottom of the transformer can also be used as a heat exchanger because the bottom of the transformer is directly affected by the weather.

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a transformer in a pod of a wind energy facility is shown. The transformer 400 is housed within the pod 300. Specifically, the transformer 400 is fixed at or near the bottom 310 of the pod, for example, by means of a fixing unit 420 (e.g., in...). Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram). The transformer 400 has a transformer base 410 and optionally a transformer slot 450. Figure 5 In one embodiment, the transformer tank 450 is formed independently of the transformer bottom 410. Alternatively, the transformer bottom 410 may also be formed as the transformer tank 450. Thus, the transformer 400 is located within the transformer tank 450. This is advantageous because liquid discharged from the transformer 400 may not cause environmental pollution, as the liquid can be collected in the transformer tank 450.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the transformer 400 can be replaced together with the transformer slot 450. Furthermore, the transformer 400 can be installed together with the transformer slot 450 according to the invention, wherein the transformer 400 and the transformer slot 450 are transported together through the second opening 312 into the interior of the pod 300.

[0035] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 A top view of the transformer inside the wind power facility and Figure 7 This diagram illustrates a transformer installed in a pod of a wind power facility. The transformer 400 is located within a transformer slot 450. The transformer 400, together with the transformer slot 450, is secured to the bottom of the pod 310 or at the bottom of the pod 310 by means of a securing unit 420. Alternatively, other possibilities exist for securing the transformer 400 to the bottom of the pod 310 or at the bottom of the pod 310.

[0036] The fixing unit 420 can be configured as a connecting flange, for example. The transformer 400 can be fixed to the bottom 310 of the pod by means of said connecting flange. The bottom 310 of the pod may optionally have a steel structural structure for this purpose (as is shown in the example in...). Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram). The transformer 400 may have multiple connecting plates 460, which are used in conjunction with other plates 440, for example, screwed onto the transformer frame 411 within the transformer slot 450.

[0037] List of reference numerals

[0038] 100 wind energy facilities

[0039] Tower 102

[0040] 106 rotors

[0041] 110 Fairing

[0042] 200 rotor blade

[0043] 300 nacelle

[0044] 310 nacelle bottom

[0045] 311 opening

[0046] 312 opening

[0047] 400 transformer

[0048] 410 bottom

[0049] 411 strut

[0050] 420 fixing unit

[0051] 440 plate

[0052] 450 slot

[0053] 460 connecting plate

Claims

1. A wind power plant (100) having: a tower (102); a nacelle (300) on the tower (102), wherein the nacelle (300) has a nacelle floor (310) having a first and a second opening (311, 312), wherein the first opening (311) has a size allowing a first component to be threaded through, wherein the second opening (312) is larger than the first opening (311); and a transformer (400) having a transformer floor (410) inside the nacelle (300), wherein the second opening (312) has a size allowing the transformer to be passed through, wherein the transformer floor is the lowest part of the transformer, and wherein the transformer floor (410) closes the second opening (312) when the transformer (400) is installed in the nacelle (300) such that the transformer is enclosed by the nacelle.

2. The wind power plant (100) according to claim 1, wherein the transformer floor (410) is arranged in the nacelle floor (310) by means of a fixing element (420, 430).

3. The wind power plant (100) according to claim 1, wherein the transformer floor (410) is arranged at the nacelle floor (310) by means of a fixing element (420, 430).

4. The wind power plant (100) according to claim 1, wherein the transformer floor (410) is arranged in the area of the second opening (312) of the nacelle floor (310) by means of a fixing element (420, 430).

5. The wind power plant (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the size of the transformer floor (410) matches the size of the second opening (312) such that the transformer (400) can be lifted through the second opening (312) into the nacelle interior.

6. The wind power plant (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transformer (400) has a tank (450).

7. A method for installing a transformer (400) in a wind power plant nacelle (300) having the steps of: lifting a transformer (400) having a transformer floor (410), which is the lowest part of the transformer; transporting the transformer (400) through a nacelle floor (310) having a first and a second opening (311, 312), wherein the transformer is transported through the second opening (312) into the nacelle (300) interior; and locking the transformer (400) such that the transformer floor (410) closes the second opening (312), wherein the transformer is enclosed by the wind power plant nacelle.

8. A wind power plant nacelle (300) having a nacelle floor (310) having a first and a second opening (311, 312), wherein the first opening (311) has a size allowing a first component to be threaded through, wherein the second opening (312) is larger than the first opening (311). wherein the second opening (312) is larger than the first opening (311), wherein the second opening (312) has a size allowing a transformer (400) to pass through; and a transformer located inside the nacelle of the wind energy plant, wherein the lowest part of the transformer is located in the nacelle of the wind energy plant and covers the second opening.

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