Abstract: A power electronic converter for use in high voltage direct current power transmission and reactive power compensation comprises three converter limbs, each converter limb including first and second DC terminals for connection in use to a DC network and an AC terminal for connection in use to a respective phase of a three-phase AC network, each converter limb defining first and second limb portions being connected in series between the respective AC terminal and a respective one of the first and second DC terminals, each limb portion including at least one switching element being controllable in use to facilitate power conversion between the AC and DC networks, the power electronic converter further including a plurality of auxiliary units, each auxiliary unit being operably associated with the respective phase of the AC network, each auxiliary unit including at least one module including a voltage source, the limb portions being controllable in use to define at least one three-phase static synchronous compen

Abstract: A voltage source converter is used in high voltage direct current power transmission and reactive power compensation. The voltage source converter includes first and second DC terminals for connection in use to a DC network, three phase elements and at least one auxiliary converter connected between the first and second DC terminals, each phase element including a plurality of primary switching elements and at least one AC terminal for connection in use to a respective phase of a multi-phase AC network, the plurality of primary switching elements being controllable in use to facilitate power conversion between the AC and DC networks, the or each auxiliary converter being operable in use to act as a waveform synthesizer to modify a first DC voltage presented to the DC network so as to minimize ripple in the DC voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for improving the utilization of energy in a cement manufacturing plant comprising an absorption based contaminant, e.g. CO2, capture process using thermal regeneration of a liquid absorbent. The methods and systems of the present invention are characterized in that the thermal regeneration of the liquid absorbent is at least partially effected using a hot exhaust gas stream generated in the kiln of the cement manufacturing plant.

Abstract: Shroud device thermally protecting a gas turbine blade, having a ceramic layer and a metallic layer, the metallic layer being thermally protected by the ceramic layer, the ceramic layer being mechanically joined to the metallic layer by a fixation device having a plurality of protrusions located in the metallic layer designed so as to engage with a plurality of cavities located in the ceramic layer, such that there exists a gap between the cavities and the protrusions at ambient temperature, the gap disappearing at high temperature operation of the gas turbine, the protrusions being then locked into the cavities.

Abstract: The arrangement of an electric machine, a connecting system and a converter, includes the connecting system connected between the electric machine and the converter. The connecting system has an enclosure that houses non-shielded conductors each non-shielded conductor is connected between a phase of the electric machine and the inner side of the converter. The non-shielded conductors of the connecting system that are connected to an operating phase of the electric machine are adjacent to conductors of the connecting system that are not connected to operating phases of the electric machine.

Abstract: Wind turbine rotor comprising a hub, a plurality of blades and at least one pitch system for rotating a blade substantially along its longitudinal axis, the pitch system comprising a bearing, a motor and a gear system, said gear system comprising a driving pinion operationally connected with the motor, an annular gear arranged to mesh with the driving pinion, and additional gear teeth, the additional gear teeth being arranged to mesh with other parts of the gear system at least in a predefined blade position for wind speeds at or below nominal wind speed, and arranged such that upon movement from said predefined blade position, the additional gear teeth come into contact with said other parts of the gear system before the driving pinion comes into contact with the annular gear.

Abstract: A voltage source converter comprising three phase elements defining a star connection in which a first end of each phase element is connected to a common junction; at least two converter limbs, each converter limb including first and second DC terminals for connection in use to a DC network and an AC terminal connected in series with a second end of a phase element, each converter limb defining first and second limb portions, including a chain-link converter, each chain-link converter including chain-link modules; and a third DC terminal connected to the common junction of the star connection to define an auxiliary connection, wherein in use a current is injected into the auxiliary connection to modify a voltage of each chain-link module in each limb portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of aligning a wind turbine component with a wind turbine rotor hub, comprising providing the component with a support comprising at least one adjustable element and adjusting said at least one element to align the wind turbine component. The invention further relates to a system for aligning a wind turbine component with a wind turbine rotor hub comprising a support with at least one adjustable element supporting said wind turbine component, such that said wind turbine component can be aligned by adjusting said at least one element.

Abstract: A synchronous generator is provided. The generator includes a rotor, which rotates around a machine axis and is concentrically surrounded by a stator with a stator winding. A plurality of permanent magnets and pole pieces are alternatingly arranged at the rim of the rotor with the permanent magnets being oriented in an essentially tangential direction. Torque and power characteristic of the generator are improved by alternating pole pieces and pairs of permanent magnets. The permanent magnets each have a rectangular cross section in the axial direction, the pole pieces each have a symmetric trapezoidal cross section in the axial direction with the symmetry plane of the trapezoid extending radially through the machine axis and the longer parallel side lying outside. The two permanent magnets of each pair of permanent magnets are separated from each other by an intermediate wedge, which corresponds with its cross section to the trapezoidal pole pieces.

Abstract: A DC voltage source converter for use in high voltage DC power transmission comprising at least one chain-link converter connected between first and second DC terminals. The or each chain-link converter includes a chain of modules connected in series and each module including at least one pair of semiconductor switches connected in parallel with an energy storage device. The or each chain-link converter is operable when DC networks are connected to the first and second DC terminals to control switching of the modules to selectively charge or discharge the energy storage device of one or more of the modules, as required, to offset any difference in the DC voltage levels of the DC networks.

Abstract: A power electronic converter (30)is for use in high voltage direct current power transmission and reactive power compensation, the power electronic converter (30) including three phase elements (32) defining a star connection (36) and a converter unit (34) including first and second DC terminals (50,52) for connection in use to a DC network (56) and three AC terminals (54), the converter unit (34) including a plurality of switching elements (70,74) controllable in use to facilitate power conversion between the AC and DC networks (44,56), the power electronic converter (30) further including a third DC terminal (78) connected between the first and second DC terminals (50,52), the third DC terminal (78) being connected to a common junction (40) of the star connection (36) to define an auxiliary connection (82), the auxiliary connection (82) including at least one dump resistor (84) connected between the common junction (40) and the third DC terminal (78), wherein the switching elements (70,74) of the converter

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system comprising an evaporator; a water reservoir in fluid communication with the evaporator; the water reservoir being located upstream of the evaporator; and a first steam drum in fluid communication with the evaporator; the first steam drum being located downstream of the evaporator; where the water reservoir is operative to supply feedwater to the evaporator while maintaining a predetermined water level in the first steam drum.

Abstract: The burner (1) for a gas turbine includes a duct (2) housing a plurality of tetrahedron shaped vortex generators (3) and a lance (4) to inject a fuel to be combusted. Within the duct (2), a plurality of vortex generators (3) are provided with a plurality of holes (9) for injecting cooling air. The cooling holes (9) define passing through areas that are non-uniformly distributed on a top wall (11) of the vortex generators (3). A method for locally cooling a hot gases flow passing through a burner includes non-uniformly injecting cooling air from a vortex generator into the hot gas flow in the duct, which can reduce the occurrence of flashback in the burner.

Abstract: A cooling system for bushings of an electric generator, which includes a casing housing a stator and a rotor connected to a rotor shaft activating at least a fan defining at least a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone. The generator has a plurality of phases electrically connected to hollow phase rings that are electrically connected to bushings supported by the casing and having cooling circuits to let a cooling medium pass through them to cool them. The outlets of the bushing cooling circuits are housed in the high pressure zone and are connected to inlets of the hollow phase rings. A method for cooling the bushings of an electric generator is also provided.

Abstract: A turbine assembly includes a rotor (1) with a channel (20) and a plurality of blades (10) with a root (30) rotationally fitted in the channel (20). The root (30) and channel (20) have complimentary angled end walls (26, 36) while the root (30) is further configured to have radial play in the channel (20). The combination of this radial play and end wall angle enables, when the base (31) of the root (30) is in contact with the base (21) of the channel (20), enable over-rotating compared to when the base (31) of the root (30) and channel (20) are not in contact. This over-rotation enables the fitting of a last root (30) in the channel (20).

Abstract: Method of operating a wind turbine having a tower, a rotor with a plurality of blades arranged on the tower, one or more pitch systems for pitching the blades, a system for determining an instantaneous representative wind speed, and a system for determining a distance between a blade and the tower. The method comprises determining the instantaneous representative wind speed, and determining the distance between the tower and one of the blades when said blade is in the shadow of the tower. The method further comprises determining a tower distance pitch adjustment depending on the determined distance between the tower and the blade in the shadow of the tower and on the determined instantaneous representative wind speed. The method still further comprises the one or more pitch systems applying the determined tower distance pitch adjustment to at least the next blade to be in the shadow of the tower.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a wind turbine having a rotor with a plurality of blades, a nacelle, one or more pitch systems for pitching the blades, a system for determining a speed of the rotor, and a system for determining a fore-aft speed of the nacelle. The method comprises determining the speed of the rotor, determining the fore-aft speed of the nacelle, and calculating a difference between the determined speed of the rotor and a predefined speed of reference of the rotor. After, pitch commands are obtained by performing a PID control of this calculated difference of speeds, said PID control being tuned for adapting the sensitivity of the PID control as a function of the determined fore-aft speed of the nacelle. Then, the one or more pitch systems pitch the blades in accordance with said obtained pitch commands.

Abstract: Systems for providing electrical power to one or more wind turbine electrical components is provided comprising an electrical grid and an auxiliary power source for providing electrical power, and one or more wind turbines. Each of the wind turbines includes a wind turbine generator, one or more electrical components, a main voltage transformer for connecting the wind turbine generator to the grid and a switchgear arranged between the main voltage transformer and a point of connection to the grid. One or more switches for alternately connecting either said electrical grid or said auxiliary power source to the switchgears of the wind turbines are provided. The switchgears comprise a switchgear voltage transformer, the switchgear voltage transformer includes primary and secondary windings, the primary windings receiving power from the electrical grid or auxiliary power source, and the secondary windings delivering electrical power to the wind turbine electrical components.

Abstract: A rail vehicle (10) with fuel consumers (20, 22, 30, 32, 34) and an on board fuel storage and supply system, characterised by a main fuel tank (24) adapted to be installed in a first railcar (12) of the rail vehicle (10), a buffer fuel tank (36) adapted to be installed in a second railcar (14) of the rail vehicle (10), and a fuelling device (38) for transferring fuel from the main fuel tank (24) to the buffer fuel tank (36). Preferred application to internal combustion engine rail vehicles with multiple railcars equipped with multiple diesel engines.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter assembly, for connecting first and second high voltage DC power transmission networks, comprising first and second modular multilevel converters, each converter including a first converter limb having first and second limb portions, each limb portion including a least one module switchable to selectively provide a voltage source and thereby vary the magnitude ratio of a DC voltage (V1, V2) across the first and second terminals of a respective converter and an AC voltage (VAC) at the third terminal of the corresponding converter, the DC to DC converter assembly further including a first link electrically connecting the third terminal of one converter, with the third terminal of the other converter, and at least one converter further including a controller configured to switch the first and second limb portions in the first converter limb of the said converter into simultaneous conduction to divert a portion (IDiV1) of current flowing within the said converter away from the first link.