Abstract: Transportation assemblies for rotor blades are provided. A transportation assembly includes a protection cap including a nose portion and a plurality of sidewall portions extending from the nose portion, the protection cap having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile. The transportation assembly further includes a restraint assembly including a first protrusion and a second protrusion each extending from the protection cap, the first protrusion and the second protrusion spaced apart along a width of the protection cap.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a fluid turbine is provided. The system includes a supply subsystem for providing oil via an oil tank or a hydraulic accumulator to a gearbox of the fluid turbine for lubrication during at least one of idling or loss of electric grid. The system also includes a control subsystem for controlling the flow in the lubrication system.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for supplying oil at different temperatures to different locations within a wind turbine gearbox, wherein oil is pumped from a common oil sump to the different locations via a common header. The different gear box locations are divided into at least two groups, wherein each of said groups receives inlet oil at a respective inlet oil temperature. A first temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the first group, and a second temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the second group of gearbox locations.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for scarfing rotor blade segments. A rotor blade segment includes a pressure side and a suction side. A tool includes a first guide configured for mounting on one of the pressure side or the suction side, the first guide including a first curved rail and a second curved rail spaced from the first curved rail. The tool further includes a second guide movably coupled to the first guide at a scarf angle, the second guide including a guide rail extending between and movable along the first curved rail and the second curved rail. The tool further includes a cutting device movably coupled to the second guide, the cutting device movable along the guide rail and operable to remove material from the one of the pressure side or the suction side.

Abstract: Inline resin-infused fiber placement systems include a resin impregnation assembly that infuses a resin into one or more fiber tows to form one or more inline resin-infused fiber tows and one or more stationary fiber placement heads that place the inline resin-infused fiber tows onto a movable placement surface, wherein the moveable placement surface moves relative to the one or more stationary fiber placement heads while it receives the inline resin-infused fiber tows from the one or more stationary fiber placement heads.

Abstract: A deployable aerodynamic component configured to be mounted to a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes at least one rotor blade. The deployable aerodynamic component configured to be positioned in front of an inner portion of the at least one rotor blade, and is structurally configured to cover a substantial portion of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade in a wind direction during deployment of the deployable aerodynamic component and to allow the passage therethrough of an incoming wind when non-deployed. Further described is a wind turbine including the above-described deployable aerodynamic component and method for aerodynamic performance enhancement of an existing wind turbine, wherein the method includes mounting the above-described deployable aerodynamic component to a wind turbine.

Abstract: A shipping fixture and method for transporting a rotor blade are disclosed. The shipping fixture is configured for stacking thereon of an adjacent shipping fixture. The shipping fixture includes a first frame comprising a first support member and a first nesting feature. The first frame is further configured for stacking thereon of the adjacent shipping fixture. The shipping fixture further includes a second frame comprising a second support member, a second nesting feature, and a mounting feature. The second nesting feature mates with the first nesting feature to removably nest the second frame to the first frame at least partially within the first frame. The mounting feature is configured for mounting of the rotor blade thereon.

Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method. The planetary gear system includes a carrier body configured to receive planet gears, at least one pin received by the carrier body, and flex means positioned between the carrier body and the at least one pin. The method includes preparing the carrier, upon which a plurality of planet gears is mounted through planet pins, and providing flex means between the planet pins and the carrier, the flex means configured to enable movement of the planet pins in response to a force directed thereon.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a product including a layer of fiber to a surface of a mold is provided. The system includes a mold and an apparatus. The mold is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. An apparatus includes a base and a head coupled to the base. The base is configured to rotate about the axis of rotation. The head is configured to apply the fiber to the surface of the mold to form the product. The product includes at least one layer including at least one fiber applied using centrifugal force.

Abstract: A shipping fixture and method for transporting a rotor blade are disclosed. The shipping fixture is configured for stacking thereon of an adjacent shipping fixture. The shipping fixture includes a first frame comprising a first support member and a first nesting feature. The first frame is further configured for stacking thereon of the adjacent shipping fixture. The shipping fixture further includes a second frame comprising a second support member, a second nesting feature, and a mounting feature. The second nesting feature mates with the first nesting feature to removably nest the second frame to the first frame at least partially within the first frame. The mounting feature is configured for mounting of the rotor blade thereon.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for supplying oil at different temperatures to different locations within a wind turbine gearbox, wherein oil is pumped from a common oil sump to the different locations via a common header. The different gear box locations are divided into at least two groups, wherein each of said groups receives inlet oil at a respective inlet oil temperature. A first temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the first group, and a second temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the second group of gearbox locations.

Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method. The planetary gear system includes a carrier body configured to receive planet gears, at least one pin received by the carrier body, and flex means positioned between the carrier body and the at least one pin. The method includes preparing the carrier, upon which a plurality of planet gears is mounted through planet pins, and providing flex means between the planet pins and the carrier, the flex means configured to enable movement of the planet pins in response to a force directed thereon.

Abstract: A technique for winding multi-turn, stranded wire coils using rectangular cables avoids the risk of damage associated with edge-wise bends.

Abstract: A wind turbine has a nacelle mounted atop a tower, with a support system configured around a base portion of the tower. The support system includes a plurality of support fins spaced radially around the base portion. Each of the support fins has a continuous header member secured to the tower and a continuous face member extending radially outward and downward from the header member towards ground. The support fins include a web extending between the header member and face member. The support fins extend from the tower with a length and at an acute extension angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tower so as to provide vertical and lateral support around the circumference of the tower.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to rotor installation systems and, more particularly, to permanent magnet rotor installation systems, including those having an in situ magnetizer or magnet insertion device. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rotor installation system comprising: at least one magnetizer for permanently magnetizing a ferromagnetic material; and an arbor for receiving a rotor having at least one portion including a ferromagnetic material, wherein the at least one magnetizer is positioned relative to the arbor to allow permanent magnetization of the ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: An assembly system for use in assembling a lattice tower section is provided. The system comprises a platform, a first mounting assembly coupled to the platform, and, a second mounting assembly coupled to the platform, the first and second mounting assemblies are configured to secure opposite ends of a plurality of leg members used in assembling the lattice tower section such that each of the plurality of leg members is suspended a distance from the platform, at least one of the first and second mounting assemblies is configured to selectively rotate a leg member of the plurality of leg members suspended therefrom.

Abstract: A wind turbine has a nacelle mounted atop a tower, with a support system configured around a base portion of the tower. The support system includes a plurality of support fins spaced radially around the base portion. Each of the support fins has a continuous header member secured to the tower and a continuous face member extending radially outward and downward from the header member towards ground. The support fins include a web extending between the header member and face member. The support fins extend from the tower with a length and at an acute extension angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tower so as to provide vertical and lateral support around the circumference of the tower.

Abstract: An assembly system for use in assembling a lattice tower section is provided. The system comprises a platform, a first mounting assembly coupled to the platform, and, a second mounting assembly coupled to the platform, the first and second mounting assemblies are configured to secure opposite ends of a plurality of leg members used in assembling the lattice tower section such that each of the plurality of leg members is suspended a distance from the platform, at least one of the first and second mounting assemblies is configured to selectively rotate a leg member of the plurality of leg members suspended therefrom.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a fluid turbine is provided. The system includes a supply subsystem for providing oil via an oil tank or a hydraulic accumulator to a gearbox of the fluid turbine for lubrication during at least one of idling or loss of electric grid. The system also includes a control subsystem for controlling the flow in the lubrication system.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a wind turbine is provided. The system includes a supply subsystem for providing oil via an oil tank or a hydraulic accumulator to a gearbox of the wind turbine for lubrication during at least one of idling or loss of electric grid. The system also includes a control subsystem for controlling the flow in the lubrication system.