Abstract: A system and method for load control of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes: selecting a plurality of wind turbine components for load monitoring; defining a load envelope for each of the selected components and storing the load envelopes in a controller, the load envelopes defining a maximum acceptable load capacity for the respective component that may be at or near the component's design capability; directly or indirectly monitoring loads on the selected components and generating corresponding load signals that are communicated to the controller; with the controller, determining if the loads acting on each of the selected components are within the component's respective load envelope; and the controller initiating corrective action in the event that the load acting on any one of the selected components exceeds the component's load envelope.

Abstract: A system and method for load control of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes: selecting a plurality of wind turbine components for load monitoring; defining a load envelope for each of the selected components and storing the load envelopes in a controller, the load envelopes defining a maximum acceptable load capacity for the respective component that may be at or near the component's design capability; directly or indirectly monitoring loads on the selected components and generating corresponding load signals that are communicated to the controller; with the controller, determining if the loads acting on each of the selected components are within the component's respective load envelope; and the controller initiating corrective action in the event that the load acting on any one of the selected components exceeds the component's load envelope.

Abstract: In one aspect, a stiffener plate for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine is disclosed. The stiffener plate may generally include a mounting flange configured to be coupled to at least one of the rotor blade or the hub. The mounting flange may define an inner perimeter and a center point. In addition, the stiffener plate may include a web extending from the inner perimeter towards the center point. The web may define a cross-sectional width that varies between the inner perimeter and the center point.

Abstract: An installation system and a method for mounting a rotor blade to a hub on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes coupling a rotor and a stator together, the rotor rotatably connected to the hub. The method further includes rotating the stator in a first direction, wherein rotation of the stator causes the rotor and the hub to rotate in the first direction. The method further includes securing the hub to prevent rotation of the hub. The installation system includes a coupling device configured to releasably couple a stator and a rotor together and a securing device configured to releasably secure the hub. The installation system further includes at least one stator drive device operably connected to the stator, the stator drive device configured to rotate the stator between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An installation system and a method for mounting a rotor blade to a hub on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes coupling a rotor and a stator together, the rotor rotatably connected to the hub. The method further includes rotating the stator in a first direction, wherein rotation of the stator causes the rotor and the hub to rotate in the first direction. The method further includes securing the hub to prevent rotation of the hub. The installation system includes a coupling device configured to releasably couple a stator and a rotor together and a securing device configured to releasably secure the hub. The installation system further includes at least one stator drive device operably connected to the stator, the stator drive device configured to rotate the stator between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An elastomeric coupling system for securing axially aligned driving and driven shafts includes a pair of hubs coupled to one another by an annular flexible coupling element. The hubs are fixed to respective driving and driven shafts, and the coupling element is then secured between the hubs by anchoring assemblies. Each anchoring assembly includes anchoring members which are fixed to respective hubs by fasteners received in the hubs. The fasteners are oriented generally transverse to the aligned axes of the shafts, providing ready access for installation and servicing. As the anchoring members are secured about the hubs, axial and radial loads are exerted on peripheral beads of the coupling element to produce retaining forces sufficient to withstand considerable torsional loading during use.

Abstract: Two semi-annular members form an annular coupling. Each semi-annular member has a flexible center. A semi-annular shoe extends from each axial end of the flexible center. The shoes are bonded to the flexible center. The circumferential ends of the shoes have an axially extending cut-out embedded in the flexible center.