Hybrid braking system and method
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsSimon Herbert Schramm, Christof Martin Sihler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wind turbine hybrid braking system is presented. The system includes a generator coupled to a main shaft of the wind turbine for generating and transmitting power. A mechanical brake is coupled to the main shaft for applying reaction torque upon braking of the wind turbine. The system further includes an electrical braking circuit coupled to the generator for acting in conjunction with the mechanical brake and dissipating active power via controlled switching.
Claims19
A wind turbine hybrid braking system comprising:
- a generator coupled to a main shaft of the wind turbine for generating and transmitting power;
- a mechanical brake coupled to the main shaft for applying reaction torque upon braking of the wind turbine;
- and
- an electrical braking circuit coupled to the generator for acting in conjunction with the mechanical brake and dissipating active power via controlled switching.
A method to dampen dynamic torque on a shaft of a wind turbine, the method comprising, upon receipt of an emergency stop signal, simultaneously mechanically braking the shaft and activating a controllable switch of an electrical braking circuit to dissipate active power from the wind turbine in a power resistor of the electrical braking circuit.
A hybrid braking system comprising:
- a mechanical brake coupled to a main shaft of a turbine;
- an electrical braking circuit comprising:
- at least one semiconductor switch,
- a switching control circuit,
- at least one power resistor for dissipating active power,
- a controller for activating both the mechanical brake and the electrical braking circuit in response to an emergency stop signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.