# US 8,461,452 B2 · Arrangement for directing a lightning current within a wind turbine

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- Number: US 8,461,452 B2
- Document ID: US8461452B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/043,639
- Filed: 2011-03-09
- Published: 2011-09-29
- Granted: 2013-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2010-03-26
- Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
- Applicants: Thorkil Munk-Hansen; Rune Nielsen
- Inventors: Thorkil Munk-Hansen; Rune Nielsen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8461452B2

## CPC

- F03D 80/30: Lightning protection
- H01R 39/38: Brush holders
- Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
- F03D: WIND MOTORS
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement for directing a lightning current within a wind turbine. The arrangement includes a first component, a second component, a contact element and a guideway. One of the two components is arranged moveably in relation to the other. The contact element is arranged in a way that the first component is electrically connected to the second component in order to direct a lightning current within the wind turbine. The contact element is guided moveably by the guideway. According to the invention, the guideway is at least partly integrated in the first component.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An arrangement for directing a lightning current within a wind turbine, comprising:
a first component and a second component, one of the two components is arranged moveably in relation to the other;
a guideway at least partly integrated in the first component;
a contact element arranged to electrically connect the first component to the second component in order to direct a lightning current within the wind turbine;
wherein the contact element has a first end and a second end;
wherein the first end is pressed onto the second component to form a sliding contact;
wherein the contact element is guided moveably by the guideway, and
wherein the second end is connected to a fastening element of the first component via a current conducting spring element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the guideway is constructed as a recess.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the guideway is constructed as a channel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the guideway is constructed as a groove.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element a screw connection to connect the fastening element to the first component in a firm but detachable manner.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the contact element comprises a rod which is arranged in a moveable manner at least partly within the guideway.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the contact element is made of a material comprising carbon and/or graphite and/or copper and/or silver.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first component is a yaw clamp being connected to the nacelle of a wind turbine and the second component is a part of the tower of a wind turbine.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first component is a brake calliper and the second component is a brake disk forming together a braking system of a wind turbine.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the brake calliper comprises two parts while the guideway is arranged in at least one of these parts.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A wind turbine comprising:
an arrangement according to claim 1.