Wind turbine

Abstract

The wind turbine comprises a nacelle (2) and a plurality of electrical and / or mechanical components (6) for generating and / or converting energy, wherein the nacelle (2) comprises a housing structure (12) enclosing an inner volume (13), wherein the components (6) are arranged in the inner volume (13), wherein the nacelle (2) comprises at least one movable extension structure (14, 15) which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the inner volume (13) enclosed by the housing structure (12) is increased in the extended position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a nacelle and a plurality of electrical and / or mechanical components for generating and / or converting energy, wherein the nacelle comprises a shell structure surrounding an internal volume, and the components are arranged within the internal volume. Background Technology

[0002] A wind turbine typically consists of a tower that supports the nacelle. The turbine's rotor, which includes a hub and multiple rotor blades, is mounted to the nacelle. Inside the nacelle are components for generating and / or converting electrical energy. Using these components, the rotational energy of the rotor caused by wind can be used to generate electricity, which can be fed into the power grid, for example.

[0003] Inside the engine room, components used to generate and / or convert energy must be arranged such that, for example, maintenance tasks can still be performed inside the engine room. Therefore, sufficient space is required around the components to allow access and movement within the engine room, where the required space determines the specific layout of the components and / or the minimum distance between them.

[0004] As the power generated by wind turbines increases, so too does the size of the components, reducing the remaining free space inside the nacelle. Larger nacelles are often used to maintain a specific layout of components and / or minimum distances between them, thus allowing for at least longer and / or wider nacelles. However, this is undesirable because larger nacelles are more difficult to maneuver, transport, and install. Furthermore, larger nacelles can increase the loads acting on the yaw bearings and / or the tower, especially during wind turbine operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the objective problem upon which this invention is based is to provide an improved wind turbine that facilitates access to components inside the nacelle.

[0006] According to the present invention, the problem is solved by the following: a wind turbine as originally described, wherein the nacelle includes at least one movable extension structure that can move between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the internal volume surrounded by the shell structure increases in the extended position.

[0007] The advantage of at least one movable extension structure is that more space can be provided inside the cabin by moving the extension structure from a retracted position to an extended position. Advantageously, the cabin interior becomes extendable through the extension structure. The additional space provided by the extended extension structure can facilitate repair and / or maintenance procedures, particularly regarding the movement of workers inside the cabin and / or the transport of spare parts, etc., within the cabin.

[0008] During nacelle maneuvering for transport and / or installation, the extension structure can be held in the retracted position, resulting in a smaller nacelle, which facilitates transport and installation procedures. Furthermore, during normal operation of the wind turbine, the movable extension structure can be positioned in the retracted position. This reduces, for example, the loads acting on the tower and / or yaw bearing, which connects the nacelle to the tower. Particularly for transport and installation procedures, the use of a smaller nacelle reduces the required work and costs, where access to components for maintenance procedures can be provided via at least one extension structure.

[0009] For maintenance procedures, when additional space is needed in the cabin, the extension structure can be moved to an extended position, increasing the cabin's internal volume and providing additional space within the cabin. This allows for a temporary increase in the cabin's internal volume only when additional space is required, and thus also increases the cabin's external dimensions, such as length, width, and / or height.

[0010] The nacelle's shell structure surrounds the internal volume or interior of the nacelle. Components arranged within the nacelle can be part of the wind turbine's drivetrain, and specifically include a main shaft and a motor. The main shaft is connected to a rotatable hub of the wind turbine blades, and the motor can function as a generator. The components may also include a gearbox that connects the main shaft to the generator and regulates their rotational speed.

[0011] To convert electrical energy and / or to provide current for exciting a portion of the generator, one or more converters and / or one or more transformers may be provided as components. The housing structure surrounding the interior of the nacelle and thus also surrounding the components may include, for example, a cover, and protect the components from environmental influences.

[0012] The movable extension structure can move between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the internal volume enclosed by the housing structure increases compared to the retracted position. The additional volume created by moving the extension structure to the extended position can be used to provide more space, particularly in the vicinity of one or more of the components, facilitating maintenance tasks performed at these components and / or movement or transport of parts around or between them. This allows for no clearance or only a small clearance between adjacent components and / or between components and the housing structure, as access to and / or movement around or between components becomes possible by providing the additional internal volume created by moving the extension structure to the extended position.

[0013] The movable extension structure can be a movable compartment that can extend and retract to adapt to the space inside the cabin. In particular, the cabin may include more than one movable extension structure, specifically to provide additional space on different sides of the cabin and / or at different locations on one side of the cabin.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the extension structure is movable in a lateral direction, wherein the extension structure extends the internal volume at the sidewall of the cabin and / or at the rear end of the cabin. The sidewall of the cabin extends between the front side of the cabin and the opposite rear end of the cabin, and the hub is mounted to the front side of the cabin.

[0015] By providing an extension structure on the sidewall of the cabin, the width of the cabin can be increased at least locally by moving the movable extension structure from a retracted position to an extended position. The width of the cabin can be increased over its entire length or within a portion of its length. Therefore, the additional width obtained from the extended extension structure can be used to facilitate access to at least one of the components and / or facilitate the movement or transport of parts around or along at least one of the components.

[0016] The length of the cabin can be increased over its entire width or within a portion of its width by means of an extension structure located at the rear of the cabin. Depending on the arrangement of the components within the cabin, the cabin may include more than one extension structure, such as at least one extension structure on each side wall and / or at least one extension structure at the rear of the cabin.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, in the extended position, the distance between at least one of the components and at least one portion of the housing structure, and / or the distance between at least two of the components, is increased. This facilitates access to the components and movement within the cabin.

[0018] A section of the housing structure (in the extended position, which is at a greater distance from one of the components of the extended structure) can be coupled to the extended structure such that by moving the extended structure from the retracted position to the extended position, the housing section is also moved. This can increase the distance between the housing section and at least one of the components, thereby increasing the free space in front of that component.

[0019] It is also possible that at least one component is attached to a movable extension structure, such that the component can be moved by extending the extension structure. This allows for increasing the distance between two or more components, and thus allows for additional free space between the components.

[0020] Preferably, when the extension structure is arranged in the extended position, the positions of the components in the cabin remain the same, or at least one of the components is connected to the extension structure, wherein when the extension structure is arranged in the extended position, the position of the component relative to the other components changes.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the components connected to the extension structure are converters and / or transformers. Converters and transformers can be electrically connected, for example, to other components inside the cabin via cables. Unlike mechanically connected components, electrically connected components can be easily moved, particularly due to the flexibility of the cables, by connecting them to the movable extension structure.

[0022] Preferably, the extension structure includes a floor section, wherein, in the extended position, the cabin floor structure extends through the floor section of the extension structure. The floor structure inside the cabin can be, for example, a floor, a grid structure, etc., allowing maintenance personnel to walk across the cabin on the floor structure. Furthermore, the extension structure may include a floor section such that, in the extended position, the floor structure extends through the floor section of the extension structure.

[0023] Specifically, when the extension structure is arranged in its extended position, the base plate section of the extension structure can abut against a fixed base plate structure inside the cabin. This allows, for example, the formation of passageways around one or more components, thereby facilitating worker access to these components and / or worker movement through or around said components. The base plate section of the movable extension structure can abut against the fixed base plate structure at the same height or with a height offset.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the extension structure includes a length between 1m and 10m, particularly between 2m and 5m, and a width between 0.3m and 3m, particularly between 0.5m and 0.8m. Depending on the location of the extension structure in the cabin, the length or width of the cabin can be increased to the width of the extension structure, wherein the length or width of the cabin increases by a distance corresponding to the length of the extension structure.

[0025] Preferably, at least one shell section of the shell structure is attached to the extension structure, wherein the shell section is connected to another section of the shell structure via at least one flexible and / or foldable connecting section. The connecting section may include, for example, a foldable bellows structure and / or may be at least partially made of a flexible material, such as canvas.

[0026] The connecting section connects the shell section attached to the extension structure to another section of the shell structure that is not attached to the extension structure and therefore cannot move relative to components inside the cabin. Providing at least one flexible and / or foldable connecting section allows the cabin interior to be shielded from environmental influences even in the extended location of the extension structure.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the extension structure is slidably connected to the nacelle's support structure. The support structure may be, for example, a base frame connected to the wind turbine's tower and / or a frame structure connected to the base frame.

[0028] Preferably, the extension structure is connected to the support structure via one or more tracks. By providing tracks, the extension structure can slide between a retracted position and an extended position. In particular, for each extension structure, multiple tracks attached to the bottom and top sides of the extension structure can be used to achieve stable guidance of the extension structure.

[0029] Preferably, the extension structure can be moved by at least one manually operable actuator and / or by at least one electric, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic actuator. In particular, the extension structure to which no components are attached can be manually operable, thus enabling movement from the retracted position to the extended position. Alternatively, electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic actuators can also be used for such extension structures.

[0030] Furthermore, for the extension structure to which the component is attached, manually operable actuators and / or electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic actuators can be used. In this case, the use of electric, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic actuators may be advantageous because the component attached to the extension structure may have a considerable weight that must be moved when the extension structure is brought to the extended position. At least one electric, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic actuator can support manual actuation, or it can be used to automate the movement of the extension structure. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are merely schematic diagrams, designed for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the invention. The drawings show:

[0032] Figure 1 This is an embodiment of the wind turbine according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a detailed view of the nacelle of a wind turbine according to the present invention, which has an extension structure arranged in the retracted position.

[0034] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a nacelle of an embodiment of a wind turbine, which has an extension structure arranged in an extended position.

[0035] Figure 4 This is another embodiment of the wind turbine according to the present invention, which has an extension structure arranged in an extension position, and

[0036] Figure 5 This is an external view of the cabin according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] exist Figure 1The image shows a wind turbine 1 according to the present invention. The wind turbine 1 includes a nacelle 2 disposed on top of a tower 3. The nacelle 2 supports a hub 4 and a plurality of rotor blades 5 attached to the hub 4 to form the rotor of the wind turbine 1.

[0038] exist Figure 2 The image shows a detailed view of the engine room 2. Within the engine room 2, multiple components 6 are arranged for generating and / or converting energy. Components 6 include a main shaft 7, a gearbox 8, a generator 9, a converter 10, and a transformer 11.

[0039] Shaft 7 is attached to hub 4 and gearbox 8. Gearbox 8 is connected to generator 9 for generating electrical energy. Generator 9 is electrically connected (connection device not shown) to converter 10 and transformer 11. Converter 10 and / or transformer 11 can be used to generate current to excite a portion of generator 9 and / or to convert the electrical energy generated by generator 9, particularly before feeding the electrical energy into the power grid. To protect component 6 from environmental influences such as wind and rain, nacelle 2 includes shell structure 12 that surrounds internal volume 13 of nacelle 2 in which component 6 is arranged.

[0040] In addition, cabin 2 includes two movable extension structures 14 and 15, which can be used to increase the internal volume 13 of cabin 2. Figure 2 In the diagram, extension structures 14 and 15 are shown in a retracted position, in which the internal volume 13 does not increase. Extension structures 14 and 15 may be in the retracted position, for example, during normal operation of the wind turbine 1 and / or during transport and / or installation of the nacelle 2.

[0041] exist Figure 3 In the diagram, extension structures 14 and 15 are both shown in their extended positions, each increasing the internal volume 13 of the nacelle 2. Extension structures 14 and 15 create additional space in front of the generator 9 or converter 10, respectively. As indicated by arrows 16 and 17, this facilitates access to the generator 9 and converter 10. Furthermore, it also facilitates access to the transformer 11 by providing additional space for workers to move around the generator 9 and converter 10.

[0042] Extension sections 14 and 15 extend the internal volume 13 of cabin 2 in the lateral direction, thus extending cabin 2 in the length direction (represented by the X direction) and / or the width direction (represented by the Y direction). Through extension structures 14 and 15, a local increase in the width of cabin 2 becomes possible when additional space is required inside cabin 2.

[0043] Extension structures 14 and 15 each include floor sections 18 and 19, which enlarge the floor structure 29 of the nacelle 2. Floor sections 18 and 19 may abut or adjoin a fixed floor structure 20 within the nacelle 2, thereby providing additional floor space near the generator 9 and converter 10. Floor sections 18 and 19 may adjoin the floor structure 29 at equal height or with a height offset. This allows for the provision of an additional floor structure 29 or an increased platform size within the nacelle 2.

[0044] To also protect component 16 from environmental influences in the extended positions of extension structures 14, 15, housing sections 20, 21 of housing structure 12 are connected to each of extension structures 14, 15. Housing sections 20, 21 of housing structure 12 are connected to the remainder of housing structure 12 via multiple foldable connecting sections 22, thus connecting to the fixed portion of housing structure 12.

[0045] The connecting structure 22 may be foldable and / or at least partially made of a flexible material to allow for folding and / or compression of the extension structures 14, 15 when they are moved to the retracted position. The connecting sections 22 may include, for example, foldable bellows structures, such that they can be folded in the retracted position of the respective extension structures 14, 15 and unfolded in the extended position.

[0046] Also on the top side, so on the top side of the cabin 2, and on the bottom side of the cabin 2, for example below the floor sections 18 and 19, the connecting section 22 can be arranged to form a closed shell or closed cover around the component 6 when the extension structures 14 and 15 are in the extended position.

[0047] By moving the extension structures 14 and 15 at their extended positions, the distance between at least one of the components 6 and at least one portion of the housing structure 12 is increased. The extension structure 14 increases the distance between the housing section 20 connected to the extension structure 14 and the generator 9. Correspondingly, the extension structure 15 increases the distance between the housing section 21 connected to the extension structure 15 and the converter 10. It is possible that at least one of the components 6 (e.g., the converter 10) includes a housing with one or more doors 23, which can be opened using the additional volume created by the extension structure 15 extending in front of the converter 9.

[0048] The extension structures 14 and 15 allow for the accommodation of larger components 6 within the cabin 2, thus avoiding the need for access areas and / or transport routes within the cabin 2. Extension structures 14 and 15 can be extended to provide additional floor space or increased internal volume 13, respectively, only when additional space is required. This is beneficial, for example, for maintenance tasks within the cabin 2 that require access to component 6 and worker movement within the cabin 2.

[0049] exist Figure 4 Another embodiment of the wind turbine 1 is shown in the figure. In this embodiment, one of the components 6 (i.e., converter 10) is coupled to the extension structure 15. By moving the extension structure 15 from the retracted position to the extended position shown, the distance between the converter 10 and the generator 9 is increased. This also facilitates access to both the generator 9 and the converter 10. The converter 10 can be connected to the generator 9 and / or the transformer 11 via one or more flexible cables, so that the relative movement of the converter 9 is unrestricted.

[0050] In both embodiments, it is possible that component 6 is arranged differently within the cabin 2, or that additional components 6 are present, or that not all of the components 6 shown are present. It is also possible that more than one extension structure 14, 15 is arranged on each sidewall 24, 25, for example, to provide additional space between the shaft 7, gearbox 8, or another component arranged inside the cabin 2. Alternatively, it is also possible that only one of the extension structures 14, 15 is used.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, at least one extension structure may be provided at the rear end 26 of the nacelle 2. Such an extension structure may be used if additional space is required for accessing, for example, the transformer 11.

[0052] In all embodiments, the extension structures 14 and 15 arranged on the sidewalls 24 and 25 of the cabin 2 may include a length between 1m and 10m, particularly between 2m and 5m, in the x-direction. The width of the extension structures 14 and 15 in the y-direction may be between 0.3m and 3m, particularly between 0.5m and 0.8m. Accordingly, for the extension structures 14 and 15 arranged at the rear end 26, the length and width directions extend in the y-direction and x-direction, respectively.

[0053] exist Figure 5 The diagram shows a perspective view of the cabin 2 according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. Shell sections 20 and 21 of the extension structures 14 and 15 are connected to the top of the shell structure 12 via a flexible and / or foldable connecting section 22. Similarly, connecting sections 22 are also arranged on the bottom side of the cabin 2. The extension structures 14 and 15 each form a movable compartment that can be used to locally increase the internal volume 13 of the cabin 2 or correspondingly increase its internal and external dimensions by arranging it in an extended position.

[0054] Extension structures 14 and 15 are attached to the support structure 27 of the cabin 2, which is shown by the dashed line. The support structure 27 may be or include, for example, a base frame and / or a frame structure connected to the base frame of the cabin 2.

[0055] Extension structures 14 and 15 are slidably connected to support structure 27. Therefore, one or more rails 28 are used to connect each of extension structures 14 and 15 to support structure 27. In this embodiment, two rails 28 are used to connect extension structures 14 and 15 to the bottom side of cabin 2, and two rails 28 are used to connect extension structures 14 and 15 to support structure 27 on the top side of cabin 2.

[0056] Track 28 allows the extension structures 14, 15 to slide between an extended position and a retracted position. The extension structures 14, 15 can be moved between the retracted position and the extended position by at least one manually operable actuator and / or by at least one electric, hydraulic and / or pneumatic actuator (not shown).

[0057] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations from the disclosed examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wind turbine, comprising a nacelle (2) and multiple electrical and / or mechanical components (6) for generating and / or converting energy, wherein, The cabin (2) includes a shell structure (12) surrounding an internal volume (13), the components (6) being arranged within the internal volume (13), characterized in that the cabin (2) includes at least one movable extension structure (14, 15) capable of moving between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the internal volume (13) surrounded by the shell structure (12) increases in the extended position. At least one of the components (6) is connected to the extension structure (14, 15), wherein when the extension structure (14, 15) is arranged in the extension position, the position of the component (6) changes relative to the other components of the component (6).

2. The wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extension structures (14, 15) are movable in the lateral direction, wherein the extension structures extend the internal volume (13) at the side walls (24, 25) of the cabin (2) and / or at the rear end (26) of the cabin (2).

3. The wind turbine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the extended position, the distance between at least one of the components (6) and at least one portion of the housing structure (12) and / or the distance between at least two of the components (6) increases.

4. The wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The component (6) connected to the extension structure is a converter (10) and / or a transformer (11).

5. The wind turbine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The extension structure (14, 15) includes a floor section (18, 19), wherein, in the extended position, the floor structure (29) of the cabin extends through the floor section (18, 19) of the extension structure (14, 15).

6. The wind turbine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The extension structures (14, 15) include a length between 1m and 10m and a width between 0.3m and 3m.

7. The wind turbine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one shell section (20, 21) of the shell structure (12) is attached to the extension structure (14, 15), wherein the shell section (20, 21) is connected to another section of the shell structure (12) by at least one flexible and / or foldable connecting section (22).

8. The wind turbine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The extension structures (14, 15) are slidably connected to the support structure (27) of the cabin (2).

9. The wind turbine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The extension structures (14, 15) are connected to the support structure (27) via one or more rails (28).

10. The wind turbine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The extension structures (14, 15) are movable by at least one manually operable actuator and / or by at least one electric, hydraulic and / or pneumatic actuator.

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