Abstract: A method of starting a wind turbine in a cold climate environment includes providing a wind turbine in the cold climate environment in a stand-still or near stand-still condition; allowing the rotation speed of the rotor to increase during start up of the wind turbine; optimizing heat generation within the gear box; and generating power using the wind turbine, wherein heat generation within the gear box is optimized prior to providing the generated electrical power to an electrical grid. Optimizing heat generation within the gear box may include maximizing internal power losses in the gear box during start up. This may allow the start up to be achieved without using external heaters. Aspects of this method may be used during periods of low wind conditions in cold climate environments so that once sufficient wind conditions are reestablished, the wind turbine is ready for immediate power production.

Abstract: A system for lubricating gears includes a drive pinion configured to interact with bearing teeth. The drive pinion includes an internal axially extending lubricant channel connected to a plurality of radially extending lubricant delivery conduits. The plurality of radially extending lubricant delivery conduits extend from the internal axially extending lubricant channel radially outward to a radial surface of the drive pinion. The system is configured to transport lubricant from the internal lubricant channel through the plurality of lubricant delivery conduits to the radial surface to lubricate the drive pinion and the bearing teeth.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear system for a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system comprises a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant, first pump means arranged to supply lubricant from the reservoir to the gear system via a first fluid connection, and vacuum generating means arranged in fluid connection with the reservoir, thereby maintaining a total air pressure in the reservoir which is lower than an ambient pressure during normal operation. The lowered total air pressure in the reservoir draws lubricant from the gear system into the reservoir, thereby increasing the lubricant level in the reservoir and decreasing the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘dry sump mode’. In the case of an emergency or during start-up the vacuum generating means is stopped, thereby increasing the total air pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: A wind turbine lubrication system comprising a pump for pumping lubricant through a lubrication circuit, said pump being driven by a power-take-off from the drive train of the wind turbine, characterized in that said pump for pumping lubricant drives at least a first hydraulic motor providing mechanical power to a first wind turbine auxiliary component.

Abstract: A starting method is provided for a rotating machine which includes a main shaft, a main bearing rotatably supporting the main shaft and a main bearing lubricant pump circulating lubricant through the main bearing. The starting method includes steps of: rotating the main shaft to raise a temperature of the main bearing in a state in which the main bearing lubricant pump is not operated; and operating the main bearing lubricant pump to start supplying the lubricant to the main bearing after the step of raising the temperature of the main bearing.

Abstract: A method of controlling a lubricator apparatus, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises: receiving a signal representing rotation of a lubricant applicator in rotatable engagement with an object to be lubricated; and causing the lubricator apparatus to dispense lubricant through the lubricant applicator to the object to be lubricated in response to the signal. A method of communication, according to another illustrative embodiment, comprises: receiving, at a communication apparatus, a plurality of input operational property signals; transmitting an output operational property signal from the communication apparatus to a data collection apparatus, the output operational property signal representing at least one of the measurements; receiving, at the communication apparatus, an input control signal; and controlling at least one device of the system in response to the input control signal.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator that is capable of completely eliminating heater heating of lubricating-oil piping or that is capable of reducing the number of heater heating locations to the minimum requirement is provided. A wind turbine generator is provided with a lubricating system that circulates lubricating oil (L) in a lubricating-oil storage tank through lubricating-oil piping connected to a lubricating-oil pump, to lubricate a main bearing connected to the lubricating-oil piping by supplying the lubricating oil (L) thereto. This lubricating system is provided with a lubricating-oil recovery line that is formed when the lubricating-oil pump is stopped and in which the lubricating oil (L) falls naturally and is recovered in the lubricating-oil storage tank.

Abstract: A gear lubrication arrangement comprises a lubrication pump for circulating lubrication fluid. A power source coupled to the lubrication pump drives the lubrication pump, and a controller controls an output power of the lubrication pump. The gear lubrication arrangement comprises a pressure sensor disposed down-stream of the lubrication pump The pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure of the lubrication fluid and to produce a pressure indication signal representative thereof. The controller is arranged to vary the output power of the lubrication pump at least partly on the basis of the pressure indication signal.

Abstract: A gearbox including a gear-train including an input and an output and a rotating conduit internally traversing the gear-train is provided. The rotating conduit is configured to receive lubrication fluid from one or more components downstream of the rotating conduit and deliver lubrication fluid to one or more components upstream of the rotating conduit. The components downstream of the rotating conduit rotate at a different speed than components upstream of the rotating conduit.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a component arranged in the nacelle of the wind turbine, which component requires lubricating with a liquid lubricant. An automatic liquid lubricant changing arrangement includes a source of fresh liquid lubricant, a supply line for supplying fresh liquid lubricant from the source to the component, a waste liquid lubricant collecting unit for waste liquid lubricant, and a removal line for conveying waste liquid lubricant from the component to the waste liquid lubricant collecting unit. Moreover, a control device for such a wind turbine and a method of operating such a wind turbine are provided.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear system for a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system comprises a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant, first pump means arranged to supply lubricant from the reservoir to the gear system via a first fluid connection, and vacuum generating means arranged in fluid connection with the reservoir, thereby maintaining a total air pressure in the reservoir which is lower than an ambient pressure during normal operation. The lowered total air pressure in the reservoir draws lubricant from the gear system into the reservoir, thereby increasing the lubricant level in the reservoir and decreasing the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘dry sump mode’. In the case of an emergency or during start-up the vacuum generating means is stopped, thereby increasing the total air pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: A lubrication system and wind turbine are provided having one or more input ports in a component and one or more output ports in the component. An expandable lubrication receptacle is connected to the one or more output ports, and the expandable lubrication receptacle is configured for receiving a lubrication medium from the component.

Abstract: A support shaft provides lubrication to a journal bearing during windmilling operation of a gear set. A primary oil pump provides oil from an oil supply during driven operation of the fan, and a secondary oil pump provides oil from an internal sump during windmilling operation of the fan. During driven operation of the fan, oil is pumped with the primary oil pump through a primary oil flow path to an outer surface of the support shaft. During windmilling fan operation, oil is pumped from an internal sump with a secondary oil pump through the secondary oil flow path. The secondary oil flow path has a smaller flow capacity, and the secondary oil pump is a smaller capacity pump.

Abstract: Actuator for adjusting pitch angle of a rotor blade of a wind turbine rotatably mounted on a rotor hub, comprising a first drive element connectable with the rotor blade, a second drive element in meshing engagement with said first drive element, a lubricating device for lubricating the two drive elements and lubrication controller. A rotor with a rotor hub, on which at least one rotor blade is rotatably mounted, with actuator adjustable pitch angle. A wind turbine comprising such rotor and such actuator. Selective lubrication of zero teeth of the gear stage of the actuator considers the rotary position of the drive elements of the gear stage with respect to each other. The lubricating device includes a lubricant passage to selectively supply portion of first drive element and/or portion of second drive element meshing therewith depending on engagement position of drive elements or rotary position of rotor blade.

Abstract: A support shaft provides lubrication to a journal bearing during windmilling operation of a gear set. A primary oil pump provides oil from an oil supply during driven operation of the fan, and a secondary oil pump provides oil from an internal sump during windmilling operation of the fan. During driven operation of the fan, oil is pumped with the primary oil pump through a primary oil flow path to an outer surface of the support shaft. During windmilling fan operation, oil is pumped from an internal sump with a secondary oil pump through the secondary oil flow path. The secondary oil flow path has a smaller flow capacity, and the secondary oil pump is a smaller capacity pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lubricant tank (B), in particular, for a lubrication pump (P), with an outer envelope (1a, 1b, 1c), defining an inner cross-section, constant over the length (L1 to L3), a displaceable follower piston (T) arranged in a sealed manner within the envelope for variable definition of the lubricant storage volume (F) and a spring arrangement (A), supported in the lubricant tank (B), tensioning the follower piston (T) in the longitudinal direction of the envelope on the side away from the lubricant collector chamber and a lubrication system (S) with such a lubricant tank. According to the invention, such lubricant tanks and lubrication systems can have a high operational reliability with economical and simple construction, whereby the spring arrangement (A) comprises at least two spring units (E1, E2, E3), arranged in the longitudinal direction and acting in series.

Abstract: An apparatus for the lubrication of a roller bearing of a wind energy plant, with a container for lubricant having a chamber, which is divided into a chamber portion for fresh lubricant and a chamber portion for used lubricant through a movable piston, wherein each chamber portion is connected via a line to a lubricant channel passing through the roller bearing.

Abstract: A power transfer device adapted for use in combination with a power transmission. The transfer device includes a housing, an input shaft rotatably mounted within the housing for drive connection to an output shaft of the transmission, an output shaft rotatably mounted within the housing for rotation relative to the input shaft, a planetary gear unit arranged within the housing and having an input element mounted on the input shaft for rotation therewith and an output element connectable to the output shaft, and a sleeve member axially slidably mounted on the output shaft and shiftable between a first position in which it effects a drive connection between the input and output shafts and a second position in which it effects a drive connection between the output element of the gear unit and the output shaft.