US 7,431,567 B1 · Wind turbine having a direct-drive drivetrain

Abstract

A wind turbine (100) comprising an electrical generator (108) that includes a rotor assembly (112). A wind rotor (104) that includes a wind rotor hub (124) is directly coupled to the rotor assembly via a simplified connection. The wind rotor and generator rotor assembly are rotatably mounted on a central spindle (160) via a bearing assembly (180). The wind rotor hub includes an opening (244) having a diameter larger than the outside diameter of the central spindle adjacent the bearing assembly so as to allow access to the bearing assembly from a cavity (380) inside the wind rotor hub. The spindle is attached to a turret (140) supported by a tower (136). Each of the spindle, turret and tower has an interior cavity (172, 176, 368) that permits personnel to traverse therethrough to the cavity of the wind rotor hub. The wind turbine further includes a frictional braking system (276) for slowing, stopping or keeping stopped the rotation of the wind rotor and rotor assembly.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A system, comprising:

a) a support tower having a first internal cavity;
b) a turret pivotably attached to said support tower and having a second internal cavity;
c) a spindle attached to said turret and having a third internal cavity;
d) a wind rotor hub rotatably attached to said spindle and having a fourth internal cavity;
and
e) at least one device located in said third and fourth internal cavities and having a first assembly secured to said spindle and a second assembly secured to said wind rotor hub, wherein said at least one device comprises a rotational speed sensor;
wherein said first internal cavity, said second internal cavity, said third internal cavity and said fourth internal cavity communicate with one another such that an average-size adult human can travel from said first cavity to said fourth cavity by traversing said second and third cavities.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wind turbine having a direct-drive drivetrain

Life of this patent

Wind turbine having a direct-drive drivetrain

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10