Method and apparatus for balancing wind turbine rotors
OwnerDenis Classinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for balancing the rotor of a wind turbine and a balancing weight. The weight is formed of a piece of steel or other material of sufficient weight bent in an L shape with holes that allow it to be bolted onto a flange at the root of the wind turbine's blades. The width, thickness, or length of the weight can be varied to produce balancing weights of unique weight and radius from the rotor's axis of rotation. A trial weight is disclosed for use with the so-called four run method of determining the rotor's unbalance. The trial weight can be quickly and easily attached and removed.
Claims14
A balanced rotor of a wind turbine comprising:
- a central shaft;
- a hub means on said shaft;
- a plurality of blades each having a flange means thereon;
- means for attaching said flange means to said hub means;
- and
- a balance means attached to said rotor by being attached to said means for attaching said flange means to said hub means, said balance means comprising a bar and a trim weight attached to said bar at the center of gravity of said bar whereby the weight of said balance means can be varied.
A trial weight to be used for determining the unbalance of a rotor of a wind turbine, said rotor having a central shaft, a hub means on said central shaft and a plurality of blades each having a flange thereon which attaches to said hub means comprising:
- a bar having a first end and a second end;
- a first lip mounted to said bar at said first end having a first surface thereon;
- a second lip mounted to said bar between said first end and said second end having a second surface attached thereto which faces said first surface;
- said first and second surfaces being spaced apart from each other so that they mate with one of said flanges and said first surface being movable relative to said second surface whereby said first and second surfaces can be tightened around said one of said flanges to removably attach said trial weight to said rotor.
A system for balancing a rotor of a wind turbine, said rotor having a central shaft, a hub means on said central shaft, a plurality of blades each having a flange means thereon, and means for attaching said flange means to said hub means comprising:
- a trial weight to be used for determining the unbalance of said rotor comprising a bar having a first end and a second end, a first lip mounted to said bar at said first end having a first surface thereon, a second lip mounted to said bar between said first end and said second end having a second surface attached thereto which faces said first surface, said first and second surfaces being spaced apart from each other so that they mate with one of said flange means and said first surface being movable relative to said second surface whereby said first and second surfaces are tightened on said one of said flange means to removably attach said trial weight to said rotor;
- and
- a balance means attached to said rotor by being attached to said means for attaching said flange means to said hub means, said balance means being chosen from a plurality of balance means comprising:
- a plurality of bars each having a first end and a second end and each having a predetermined width, thickness and length;
- each of said plurality of bars having a substantially 90 degree bend between said first end and said second end;
- each of said plurality of bars having a different predetermined length whereby the weight and the location of the center of gravity of the bars depend on said predetermined length;
- and
- a trim weight attached to each of said plurality of bars at the center of gravity of said bar whereby the weight of said balance means can be varied.
A method of determining the unbalance of a rotor of a wind turbine with a central shaft, a hub means, at least three blades each having a flange means thereon which attaches to said hub means comprising the steps of:
- providing a trial weight which comprises:
- a bar;
- a first lip pivotally mounted to said bar having a first surface thereon;
- a second lip mounted to said bar having a second surface attached thereto which faces said first surface;
- said first and second surfaces being spaced apart from each other so that they mate with one of said flanges and said first surface being pivotally movable relative to said second surface
- measuring the magnitude of the unbalance of the rotor;
- attaching said trial weight to a first said flange means by pivotally moving said first surface toward said second surface so as to tighten said surfaces on said first said flange means;
- measuring the magnitude of the unbalance of the rotor with said trial weight attached to said first said flange means;
- removing said trial weight from said first said flange means;
- attaching said trial weight to a second said flange means by pivotally moving said first surface toward said second surface so as to tighten said surfaces on said second said flange means;
- measuring the magnitude of the unbalance of the rotor with said trial weight attached to said second said flange means;
- removing said trial weight from said second said flange means;
- attaching said trial weight to a third said flange means by pivotally moving said first surface toward said second surface so as to tighten said surfaces on said third said flange means;
- and
- measuring the magnitude of the unbalance of the rotor with said trial weight attached to said third said flange means.
A method of balancing a rotor of a wind turbine comprising a central shaft, a hub means on said shaft, a plurality of blades each having a flange means thereon, and means for attaching said flange means to said hub means comprising the steps of:
- providing a balance means having a predetermined weight;
- attaching said balance means to one of said flange means;
- and
- adding a trim weight to the center of gravity of said balance means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.