Abstract: A method for connecting a low speed main shaft of a wind turbine to an input shaft of a transmission gearbox of the wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes providing a connection surface on the main shaft and a corresponding connection surface on the input shaft, placing a friction enhancing means on at least one of the connection surfaces, and firmly connecting both connection surfaces to one another, a permanent load being applied on the connection surfaces.

Abstract: Method of operation of a variable speed wind turbine (11) having control means for its regulation tracking a power vs. generator speed curve (31) comprising a nominal zone (39) where the power is kept constant at a nominal value, a first sub-nominal zone (33) where the generator speed is kept constant at its coupling value, a second sub-nominal zone (35) where both generator speed and power are allowed to increase/decrease in line with wind speed and a third sub-nominal zone (37) between the second sub-nominal zone (35) and the nominal zone (39) that comprises a first vertical segment (41) at a generator speed nr2 higher than the generator nominal speed nr1 and a second vertical segment (43) at the generator nominal speed nr1 connecting with the nominal zone (39), each of both segments (41, 43) to be followed in function of the wind speed changes for optimizing the energy production.

Abstract: Oil level maintenance system for a gearbox (3) in a wind turbine comprising an intermediate tank (7) for determining the inlets (8.1, 8.2) and outlets (9.1, 9.2) of connection between the multiplication stages (6) of the gearbox (3) in the wind turbine and the external tank (5) for oil destined for the gearbox (3).

Abstract: Improved wind turbine control methods and systems. The invention relates to a method for the operation of a variable speed wind turbine having pitch and torque control means that include additional steps for providing to the pitch control means in case of a wind gust a pitch angle reference increment D?ref in the amount needed for avoiding that the aerodynamic torque added by the wind gust exceeds a predetermined limit. The present invention also relates to a wind turbine comprising a control system arranged for performing an additional regulation in case of wind gust.

Abstract: A fast and effective method for cleaning and repairing the shell-spar glue voids of a wind turbine blade, comprising the steps of detecting voids, raising the turbine blade at an incline, drilling holes into top and bottom ends of the void, injecting cleaning solution into the holes, and allowing the cleaning solution to drain out of the bottom holes and drain holes at the tip. The void is then inspected for oil by FTIR spectroscopy. If oil is detected, additional cleaning steps are performed comprising injection of a second cleaning solution into at least two holes of the void followed by a rest period, washing the holes with water via a pressure washer, and drying with compressed air. The blade is then inspected for oil and moisture, and when clean, adhesive is applied to the void through the holes.

Abstract: A system to cool the air inside a nacelle of a wind turbine. The system has an upper cooling circuit, with a reservoir disposed below the nacelle. The reservoir has at least one pair of annular chambers and a lid that freely rotates about its axis and about the nacelle yaw axis. Coolant flows from a first annular chamber to a second annular chamber through a heat exchanger in the nacelle, thereby carrying heat from the nacelle to the second annular chamber. The system also has a lower cooling circuit, having a coil that connects the first annular chamber to the second annular chamber and being exposed to the outside of the wind turbine. Coolant flows from the second annular chamber to the first annular chamber through the coil, thereby dissipating the heat to ambient air.

Abstract: The invention refers to a system and method for reinforcing a weakened area of a wind turbine blade whose interior comprises a box beam extending from the blade root to the blade tip and wherein said box beam comprises an open end at the blade root. The system is characterized by comprising a repair module (100) adapted for moving inside the box beam and transporting a reinforcement element (107) from the blade root to the weakened area; and by the repair module (100), which is adapted for applying the reinforcement element (107) onto a interior surface of the box beam in the weakened area.

Abstract: Wind turbine comprising: a tower (13) and a nacelle (21) housing a generator (19) driven by a wind rotor; measuring devices of at least wind speed V, generator speed ?, pitch angle ?i of each blade, power P, wind turbine accelerations in two perpendicular directions Ax, Ay, yaw angle Yw; azimuth position of the wind rotor AZ in which the control system connected to said measuring devices and to at least pitch and torque control actuators is also arranged for performing an active pitch angle regulation when the wind turbine is in an idling situation above Vout changing the pitch angle ?i of each blade for minimizing the wind turbine vibrations depending at least on the measured values of wind speed V, wind turbine accelerations Ax, Ay in two perpendicular directions, yaw angle Yw, azimuth position of the wind rotor AZ and pitch angle ?i of each blade.

Abstract: Monitoring method of a variable speed wind turbine (11) comprising control means for a pitch regulation tracking a power vs. generator speed curve (21) in function of the wind speed expressed by a transfer function (TF) applied to the wind speed measured by a wind sensor placed in a location where the wind flow is disturbed, that comprises the following steps: a) providing an optimum relationship function (F1) between a wind speed dependant variable (V) such as the blade pitch angle, and a wind turbine performance variable (P) such as the generator speed; b) measuring continuously said variables (V, P) and obtaining a relationship function (F2) between them; c) obtaining continuously a parameter (D) indicative of the differences between said relationship functions (F1, F2); d) generating a warning message when the value of said parameter (D) is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Method for protecting the surface of wind turbine blades manufactured with composites so as to furnish them with a finish resistant to normally-encountered external agents, namely rain, ice and grime from atmospheric pollution; and comprising one step for surface preparation as well as two steps for primer application and a second coating having a specified thickness.

Abstract: Method and module for measuring the rate of change of frequency of a waveform related to a converter unit of a wind turbine generator, comprising: measuring an instantaneous value of said rate of change of frequency of the waveform, calculating a first filtered value of said rate of change of frequency, said first filtered value having good accuracy but low time response, and calculating a second filtered value of said rate of change of frequency said second filtered value having a good time response but low accuracy, comparing said first and second filtered values and selecting that an output value of said measured rate of change is based on said first or second filtered values depending on said comparison.

Abstract: Fastening system for wind turbines characterized by comprising a front flange (9) and a rear flange (8), which are joined together and supported on the hollow rotary shaft (2), and coupled to the pitch system comprising the bearings (6) for the shaft and the star-shaped part (4). The fastening method couples the rear flange (8) to the hollow shaft (2) with a tapered collar (10) and also to the front flange (9) through some spacer bushings (11). The collar (10) uses friction to transfer significant moments and axial stresses so as to improve the fastening system, and the direction of the bolts on the collar (10) and the bolts (12) on the spacer bushings (11) simplify inspection and maintenance tasks.

Abstract: A current transformer (5) having a plurality of primary and secondary windings, comprising a top Strain measuring system of wind turbine blades (11) during the performance of static tests that comprises an equipment for measuring the strain at multiple locations in mono-mode optical fibers (5, 7, 9) using Rayleigh scattered light, that includes an OBR interrogator (23), an interface device (25) and an Acquisition System (27), said mono-mode optical fibers (5, 7, 9) being attached to the blade (11) subjected to said tests for obtaining high spatial resolution measurements of the blade strain during said tests. Said optical fibers (5, 7, 9) may be placed whether in a longitudinal direction or in a non-longitudinal direction or in a non-linear shape in given blade sections and may be bonded whether to the outer skin (31) of the blade (11), or into grooves (51, 53) in the outer skin (31) of the blade (11) or embedded between two structural laminates (33, 35) of the blade (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for evaluating the efficiency of a wind turbine (3), with a control system comprising means (11, 15) which are used to measure meteorological parameters M1, M2 and are respectively arranged in the wind turbine (3) and in a meteorological tower (5), and means (13) for measuring the orientation ? of the wind turbine and the power Pr generated by same. The system according to the invention comprises a computerised unit (21) which is connected to said measuring means (11, 13, 15) and provided with a first calculating module (23) designed to obtain a characteristic power Pc as a function of said parameters from the data obtained during a first operating step, and a second calculating module (25) designed to obtain the mean deviation Dm between the power Pr actually generated and the characteristic power Pc according to the function obtained by the first calculating means (23) in the set of at least one series of data.

Abstract: A method of erecting a wind turbine comprising the following steps: Providing the hub (9), the blades (11), the nacelle (13) and a lattice tower (15) comprising first and second sections (21, 27) pivotally connected along an axis (17) at a height H, in which the tower lower part, below height H, is composed by the second section (27), including the tower lower and upper legs (31, 33) and a first part (23) of the first section (21) and in which the tower upper part, above height H, is composed by a second part (25) of the first section (21). Assembling on ground the wind turbine, with the nacelle (13) resting on a carrier (19). Raising the second section (27) and fixing the upper legs (33) to second foundation corners (43). Raising the first section (21) and fixing its first part (23) to the second section (27).

Abstract: Additional lightning protection system for intermediate wind turbine blade joints comprises a metal fairing that covers the blade connector elements while shielding and protecting the internal connector elements from getting hit by lightning.

Abstract: A system and a method for setting up, commissioning, and operating a wind power plant having a plurality of wind turbine generators (WTGs) operatively connected to a power grid, the system including a reconfigurable power plant controller comprising: a first regulator, a second regulator, and a management system operatively connected to the first and second regulators. The management system comprises a control mode compatibility unit that determines, according to a predefined compatibility table, the compatibility of any new control mode to be selected in one of the regulators with the currently selected control modes, and a control mode prioritization unit that establishes, according to a predefined set of priority rules, the sequence in which the selected control modes are implemented in the regulators.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnet cover plate module for positioning and protecting permanent magnets individually on a rotor's yoke for wind turbine generators. Said magnet module comprising a magnet cover plate made of a soft magnetic material for covering said permanent magnets individually, a non-magnetic plate is permanently fixed to said magnet cover plate, said non-magnetic plate comprises means for fixing said magnet cover plate module to an outer surface of said rotor's yoke, said fixing means being removable so as to allow mounting and dismounting of said cover plate module individually. Additionally a magnetic extender configured for guiding magnetic flux and avoid flux leakage is arranged on an inner surface of the rotor's yoke. Related methods of mounting, dismounting and repairing permanent magnets are equally described.

Abstract: A power distribution system for a wind turbine having a base and a nacelle, the wind turbine being coupled to a power grid. The system can include a main power circuit, the main power circuit including a generator, a main power transformer, and a first current interrupter. The system can further include an auxiliary circuit, the auxiliary circuit including a second current interrupter, an auxiliary transformer, and at least one auxiliary component, and a junction coupled to the main power circuit, the auxiliary circuit, and the power grid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerodynamic profile for the root of a wind turbine blade having a double leading edge, including a leading edge (13), a trailing edge (15) and suction and pressure sides (17, 19) between the leading edge (13) and the trailing edge (15). The profile (5, 5?, 5?) has a relative thickness in the 30%-50% range in at least one section (37) of the root region (31). In addition, the convex portion (21) of the pressure side (19) is configured such that the curvature thereof decreases from a value C0 at the leading edge (13) to a value C1 at a first point P1 and subsequently increases to a value C2 at a second point P2, after which it decreases to a value 0 at the end of the convex portion (21).