Wind Turbine Hub Auxiliary Generator Air Gap Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines face issues with power transmission through shafts, leading to potential damage and reduced stability of auxiliary generators due to cyclical bending loads, which affects the uniformity and stability of the air gap between windings and magnetic components, resulting in poor performance and reduced life of the generators.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine configuration where the hub is rotatably mounted on a frame that is partially internal to the hub, with power-producing windings and magnetic field components arranged to form an auxiliary synchronous generator, eliminating the need for shaft-based power transmission and maintaining a stable air gap under cyclical loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power is transmitted through a shaft from the hub to auxiliary systems, then power can be delivered to pitch systems and other auxiliaries, but the supply line may be damaged due to rotation movement and the shaft is subjected to cyclical bending loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission function from the mechanical shaft system and relocates it to the hub structure itself. The auxiliary synchronous generator is integrated into the hub, with windings mounted directly on the hub and permanent magnets on the frame, eliminating the need for shaft-mounted supply lines that are susceptible to damage from rotation and bending loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shaft-based power transmission system with an electromagnetic generation system integrated into the hub. Instead of using a rotating shaft with embedded supply lines, the invention uses electromagnetic induction between stationary windings on the hub and permanent magnets on the frame to generate power for auxiliary systems.
2Power
If permanent magnets are disposed on the end side of nacelle and windings are provided at the hub, then power can be generated for auxiliary systems, but cyclical bending loads reduce the uniformity and stability of the air gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the auxiliary power generation system with the hub structure itself. The windings are mounted directly on the hub and the permanent magnets are mounted on the frame, creating an integrated system where the air gap between windings and magnets remains stable during operation, as both components move together as a single unit under cyclical loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the auxiliary power generation system into two distinct parts: windings mounted on the rotating hub and permanent magnets mounted on the stationary frame. This segmentation allows the system to generate power while maintaining a stable air gap, as the relative position between windings and magnets remains constant during hub rotation and under cyclical bending loads.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures stable and uniform air gaps between windings and magnetic components, enhancing the performance and extending the life of the auxiliary synchronous generator while providing power directly to auxiliary systems without shaft transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of power-producing windings mounted to the hub and a plurality of magnetic field components mounted to the frame, in such a way that said power-producing windings and said magnetic field components make up at least one auxiliary synchronous generator
Data Source
Figure 1~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Wind turbine comprising a main generator; a tower with a forward extending frame; a hub carrying one or more blades and being rotatably mounted on the frame in such a way that the frame is provided at least partially internally of the hub; and a plurality of power-producing windings mounted to the hub and a plurality of magnetic field components mounted to the frame, in such a way that said power-producing windings and said magnetic field components make up at least one auxiliary synchronous generator.