Patents by Inventor Thorkil Munk-Hansen

Thorkil Munk-Hansen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8890348
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nacelle for a wind turbine which includes a generator, a load-carrying structure, a support structure, an electrical system, a yaw system, a control system and a housing. The generator includes a rotating part and a stationary part and the stationary part is connectable to the load-carrying structure. The load-carrying structure includes the yaw system and the control system. The support structure includes the electrical system and the support structure is connectable to the load-carrying structure. The housing is segmented and is connectable to at least the load-carrying structure. The generator, the load-carrying structure and the support structure are separate modules and the separate modules and the segmented housing are connectable at an erection site of the wind turbine to build the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140224048
    Abstract: A turning device to rotate the rotatable part of a wind turbine that comprises a stationary part and a rotatable part is described. The rotatable part is rotatable with respect to the stationary part 4 of the wind turbine, and the stationary part 4 is located within a nacelle, wherein the nacelle is at least partially enclosed by a housing. The turning device comprises a first lever and a second lever that is detachably attached to the rotatable part of the wind turbine. The first lever and the second lever reach from inside the housing of the nacelle through an opening to the outside of the nacelle, so that the drive is located outside of the housing of the nacelle, when the turning device is attached to the wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: THORKIL MUNK-HANSEN
  • Patent number: 8734117
    Abstract: A grease collector is described, which is connectable to a wind turbine nacelle. The grease collector includes a channel with a flexible side portion for providing a sealing between the nacelle and a wind turbine tower. Moreover, a wind turbine nacelle and a wind turbine with a grease collector and a method for collecting excess grease which is emitted from a yaw system of a wind turbine are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Patent number: 8721258
    Abstract: A wind turbine having a nacelle being rotatably disposed on a tower is proposed. The nacelle has a first cavity, a generator housing portion disposed upstream to the nacelle having a second cavity, a hub disposed upstream to the generator housing portion with attached rotor blades at it having a third cavity. The first, second and third cavities communicates with one another. A rail-system has at least one rail-element having a device for lifting and/or transporting. The device for lifting and/or transporting is movable along the rail-system. The rail-system at least partially extends through at least two adjacent cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uffe Eriksen, Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Patent number: 8690537
    Abstract: An arrangement with a nacelle and a radiator of a wind turbine is provided. The nacelle is rotatable connected with the radiator. Thus, a joint component of the wind turbine is built by these elements. The connection is constructed and arranged such that the radiator is allowed to pivot between a first position and a second position. The radiator is locked in the first position and projects above the nacelle when the radiator is used to remove heat from the nacelle to the environment. When the radiator is locked in the second position the radiator is close to a side of the nacelle. Thus a minimum height of the joint component is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140050591
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a hollow stator shaft a rotor and a rotor hub. At least one support platform device is provided that facilitates access to the inner of the rotor hub. The at least one platform device includes a first platform which is detachably mounted to a stationary mounting surface facing directly to the inner of the rotor hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Patent number: 8636468
    Abstract: An arrangement with a nacelle and an instrument bar is provided. The instrument bar is arranged on top of the nacelle. A rotational axis interacts with the nacelle and with the instrument bar. The rotational axis is constructed and arranged such that the instrument bar is allowed to pivot between a first position and a second position in reference to the top side of the nacelle. The instrument bar projects above the top side of the nacelle when locked in the first position, while the instruments are operated. The instrument bar is locked close to the top side of the nacelle in the second position to allow access to the instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130302175
    Abstract: A wind turbine which includes at least one support platform facilitating access within an interior that is disposed in the interior bounded by an outer surface of a rotor hub and an inner surface of a spinner cover is disclosed. The at least one support platform is firmly secured to at least one of the rotor hub and the spinner cover, wherein the support platform includes at least one flat section for providing secure access within the interior of the rotor hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130243569
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nacelle for a wind turbine which includes a generator, a load-carrying structure, a support structure, an electrical system, a yaw system, a control system and a housing. The generator includes a rotating part and a stationary part and the stationary part is connectable to the load-carrying structure. The load-carrying structure includes the yaw system and the control system. The support structure includes the electrical system and the support structure is connectable to the load-carrying structure. The housing is segmented and is connectable to at least the load-carrying structure. The generator, the load-carrying structure and the support structure are separate modules and the separate modules and the segmented housing are connectable at an erection site of the wind turbine to build the nacelle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130193691
    Abstract: A tower of a wind turbine assembly with a connecting portion arranged to interface with a nacelle of a wind turbine is provided. The connecting portion includes a first, exterior, flange at an interface to the nacelle which first flange extends to the exterior. The connecting portion includes a first flange at an interface to the nacelle and an essentially tubular adapter element on which the first flange is arranged. A wind turbine assembly, a canopy of a wind turbine nacelle and a method of manufacturing a tower of a wind turbine and/or a wind turbine assembly are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Puneet Mehta, Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130183133
    Abstract: A cable guiding system is disclosed for a cable. The cable guiding system defines a passageway for the cable and comprises an arresting assembly which in operation provides a resistance in a first direction to a movement of the cable inside the passageway while allowing for a movement of the cable in a second (opposite) direction. It further comprises an interface for fixing the cable guiding system to a tower of a wind turbine. Disclosed is a method for lifting a cable upwards in a wind turbine tower assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: THORKIL MUNK-HANSEN
  • Publication number: 20130149156
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a wind turbine is provided. The sealing arrangement includes an interface seal part arranged between a stationary element of the wind turbine and a rotary element of the wind turbine, which interface seal part is arranged to establish a seal between an interior of the stationary element and an exterior environment. Also disclosed is a brake disc for a wind turbine. The brake disc is realized to accommodate at least a portion of an interface seal part of such a sealing arrangement. Also described is a wind turbine which includes the sealing arrangement and the brake disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: JAMES KENNETH BOOTH, THORKIL MUNK-HANSEN, JACOB BLACH NIELSEN
  • Patent number: 8461452
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorkil Munk-Hansen, Rune Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20130084177
    Abstract: A nacelle shell structure which is attachable to a main structure of a wind turbine is described. The nacelle shell structure is attachable to the main structure such that the nacelle shell structure is carried by the main structure at only three static points. Moreover, a nacelle shell structure is provided which is attachable to a main structure of a wind turbine. The nacelle shell structure includes interconnected shell sub-structures. Furthermore, a lock-labyrinth for positioning between a rotating part with a rotation axis and stationary part of a wind turbine is disclosed, which includes a shield structure and a support structure, the shield structure being located radially outward of the support structure and protruding the support structure in axial direction. The shield structure includes a nose protruding radially inward and being located at an axial position where the support structure fauns a water-tight channel which opens towards the nose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Uffe Eriksen, Jens Markussen, Thorkil Munk-Hansen, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Publication number: 20130058070
    Abstract: A transformer chamber for a wind turbine is described. The transformer chamber includes a liquid-tight tank for receiving a liquid-filled, in particular oil-filled, transformer, a wind turbine structure component includes a component bedframe adapted for receiving such a transformer chamber and a wind turbine includes such a transformer chamber and such a wind turbine structure component. Furthermore, a method for assembling a wind turbine is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Jesper Gaard, Thorkil Munk-Hansen, Jacob Blach Nielsen, Alex Yundong Wang
  • Publication number: 20120282095
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement is provided for a wind turbine. The wind turbine has a nacelle. The cooling arrangement includes a cooling device and a platform. The cooling device is arranged on top of the nacelle and which is configured to remove heat of the wind turbine to the ambient air. The platform is located on top of the nacelle and which is configured to be approached by a helicopter. The platform includes a barrier, which surrounds at least a part of the platform. The barrier includes at least a part of the cooling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Thorkil Munk-Hansen, Jacob Blach NIELSEN
  • Publication number: 20120282099
    Abstract: A service crane for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a tower and a nacelle mounted to the top of the tower. The service crane is mounted to the nacelle and includes a boom, a hoist rope guided along the boom and a winch capable of reeling in and out the hoist rope for lifting or lowering a load. Furthermore, a nacelle is provided which includes a service crane mounted thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20120224963
    Abstract: A grease collector is described, which is connectable to a wind turbine nacelle. The grease collector includes a channel with a flexible side portion for providing a sealing between the nacelle and a wind turbine tower. Moreover, a wind turbine nacelle and a wind turbine with a grease collector and a method for collecting excess grease which is emitted from a yaw system of a wind turbine are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Patent number: D717729
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Patent number: D717730
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen