Abstract: Methods of operating a variable speed wind turbine as a function of a wind speed, the wind turbine having a rotor with a plurality of blades, and one or more pitch mechanisms for rotating the blades. The method comprising a sub-nominal zone of operation for wind speeds below the nominal wind speed and a supra-nominal zone of operation for wind speeds above the nominal wind speed. In the supra-nominal zone, the blades are pitched so as to maintain the rotor speed substantially constant, and a tip speed ratio of the wind turbine is substantially continuously being determined and wherein an instantaneous minimum pitch angle is substantially continuously being determined based on the instantaneous tip speed ratio, and the blades are never pitched below the instantaneous minimum pitch angle. The disclosure further relates to a wind turbine suitable for carrying out such methods.

Abstract: A method of constructing an electrical machine by assembling a first structure (one of a rotor and stator structure) and a second structure (the other of the rotor and stator structure), along with a plurality of first elements (one of a plurality of permanent magnet elements and a plurality of winding elements) and a plurality of second elements (the other plurality of the permanent magnet elements and winding elements). The first elements are attached to a rim of the first structure, and the second elements are attached to the first elements, this attachment being caused by a magnetic attraction. The first structure is assembled with the second structure such that the second elements are positioned for a posterior attachment to a rim of the second structure, and the second elements are attached to the rim of the second structure.

Abstract: A bolted attachment having opposite threaded sections between which a shank is provided having at least two shank sections with different diameter located at a length from the threaded section of at least three times the difference between a diameter of a threaded section and a minimum diameter of the shank. At least one conical transition is formed between two adjacent shank sections where the ratio of its length to a difference between a diameter at one end of the transition and a diameter at the opposite end of the transition is of at least 0.85.

Abstract: Wind turbine blades comprising one or more deformable trailing edge sections, each deformable trailing edge section comprising a first and a second actuator, wherein the second actuator is arranged substantially downstream from the first actuator, and wherein the first actuator is of a first type and wherein the second actuator is of a second type, the second type being different from the first type. The application further relates to wind turbines comprising such blades and methods of operating a wind turbine comprising one or more of such blades.

Abstract: Wind turbine blades comprising one or more deformable trailing edge sections having a multistable sheet comprising a plurality of bistable elements, each bistable element having two stable positions, wherein the multistable sheet is attached in a cantilever manner to a structural portion of the blade and extends in a chordwise direction, and the multistable sheet is connected to a skin of the blade such that upon changing one or more bistable elements from one stable position to the other stable position a shape of the trailing edge section changes. The application further relates to wind turbines comprising such blades and methods of controlling loads on the blades.

Abstract: When traversed by a flow of water, a hydraulic machine rotating part rotates around an axis of rotation. It includes runners which are distributed around the axis of rotation and each extend between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Each runner can include a first part which defines its leading edge and a second part which is attached to the first part and defines the trailing edge at least in part. The second part can be elastically deformable or displaceable in a reversible manner with respect to the first part, under the action of the flow of water, the second part defining, when the machine operates, the direction of the flow of water downstream of the runner.

Abstract: Methods for controlling tension in mooring lines of a floating offshore structure having a buoyancy structure including one or more water tanks and the buoyancy structure providing excess buoyancy are provided. The methods comprise varying the mass and/or the center of gravity of the floating offshore structure by varying the quantity of water in one or more of the water tanks. Also, floating offshore structures are disclosed, the structures comprising a buoyancy structure having one or more floater tanks providing excess buoyancy, and a plurality of tensioned mooring lines, and further comprising a control system for increasing and decreasing a quantity of water in one or more of the floater tanks. Also, possible uses of floating offshore structures are provided wherein under standard operating conditions, the floater tanks are at least partially filled with water.

Abstract: The assembly includes a tool with a stem having a first end having a projecting portion such as a ring, and a second end adapted to be engaged by lifting equipment. The assembly also includes a stem receiving portion formed in a wind turbine part to be lifted. The stem of the tool is adapted to be freely passed through the stem receiving portion until the first end of the stem is locked to the stem receiving portion, thereby preventing the stem from separating from the stem receiving portion when lifting the wind turbine part.

Abstract: Said hydraulic turbine includes a wheel which is made to rotate about a rotational axis (X2) by a main water stream (F1) going from a penstock to a suction tube along a flow path that passes through the wheel. Said turbine also includes first means that are placed outside the flow path of the main water stream (F1) and enable the mixing of a secondary water stream (F2), taken from the flow path and located upstream from the wheel, and an oxygen-containing gas (A2). Said turbine also includes second means for injection, downstream from the wheel of the turbine, a water/gas mixture (F3) produced in the first means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor for a rotating machine and more in particular, to a component of the rotor. The present invention generally relates to an improved cooling configuration of a rotating machine. Unlike generally known arrangements, the solution proposed herein does not guide coolant fluid to parts which require cooling. Instead, the heat generated from the losses in the rotor pole is transferred to parts having favourable characteristics for establishing heat exchange.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic installation where sediment concentration in the water flow circulating through the cited installation is monitored continuously. According to the invention, the hydraulic installation comprises a pressure-reducing device and a primary sensor: the pressure reducing device decreases the pressure and discharge of upstream water flow, comprising sediments, allowing that the primary sensor can operate continuously measuring sediment concentration from the upstream water flow. The hydraulic installation also comprises a calibrating device, providing the primary sensor with a reference value to be used for comparison matters and for establishing the content of sediment in the water flow.

Abstract: Primary blade modules for a wind turbine blade are provided comprising a first blade shell, two opposed spar caps, and at least one shear web. The first blade shell has a root end and a first coupling end configured to be coupled with a secondary blade module. The two opposed spar caps have respective first spar cap portions extending along the first blade shell substantially from the root end to the first coupling end of the first blade shell, and respective second spar cap portions extending beyond the first coupling end. The at least one shear web extends between the opposed spar caps at least partially along the respective first spar cap portions. Secondary blade modules, systems for transporting primary blade modules, and methods of assembling (in situ) wind turbine blades having a primary blade module and a secondary blade module are also provided in the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a runner unit of a tidal power plant, and more particular to a device for reversing a blade of the runner unit. The device according to the invention is lighter and more efficient with respect to known solutions which involve articulated mechanisms as it is based on an auxiliary servomotor including a reciprocating linear rack which acts on the blade to be reversed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to runner unit of a tidal power plant, and more particular to a blade of the runner unit. The blade according to the invention provides a maximised efficiency of energy production of the tidal power plant during functioning of both direct and reverse modes.

Abstract: Aerating system for the runner of a hydraulic turbine, the runner comprising a plurality of blades, such that inter-blade canals are configured between each pair of blades for the admission of air in the water flow circulating through the hydraulic turbine, such that the aerating system comprises at least one hydrofoil located in the inter-blade canal of the runner contacting the pair of blades configuring the inter-blade canal where the hydrofoil is located, such that the hydrofoil has a non-axis symmetrical profile, and such that at least one of the blades in contact with the hydrofoil comprises an aerating canal delivering air to the hydrofoil.

Abstract: Methods of starting a wind turbine from a standstill substantially until generator connection, the wind turbine having a rotor with one or more blades, a pitch system for rotating the blades along their longitudinal axes and a generator operationally connected with the rotor. In standstill, the blades are substantially in a feathered position and the generator is not generating electrical power. The methods may comprise measuring the wind speed representative for the wind turbine and measuring the rotor speed of the wind turbine, and when the rotor speed is not equal to zero, determining the tip speed ratio for the wind turbine, and determining the pitch angle of the blades as a function of the tip speed ratio to optimize the torque produced by the blades of the wind turbine rotor.

Abstract: This method can be used for refurbishing a facility for converting hydraulic energy into electrical or mechanical energy, and vice versa. The facility includes a Francis type pump-turbine. The pump-turbine includes a runner movable about an axis, a pre-distributor, including stay vanes defining between each pair of two adjacent stay vanes a first water passage channel and a distributor, including guide vanes arranged downstream of the stay vanes in the direction of water flow feeding the pump-turbine operating in turbine mode. The guide vanes define between each pair of two adjacent guide vanes a second water passage channel. This method includes steps of reducing the height, taken parallel to the axis of rotation of the runner, of the first water passage channels and reducing the height, taken parallel to the axis of rotation of the runner, of the second water passage channels.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a first item having a male portion and a second item having a female portion. The male and female portions have a shape adapted to each other such that the male portion can be fitted into the female portion. The male and/or female portion is formed as a stack of sheets comprising standard sheets and protruding sheets. The “male” standard sheets substantially fit into the female portion and the “male” protruding sheets are larger than the female portion such that, in use, said protruding sheets are deformed during insertion of the male portion into the female portion. The “female” standard sheets have an opening into which the male portion substantially fits, and the “female” protruding sheets have an opening smaller than the male portion such that, in use, said protruding sheets are deformed during insertion of the male portion into the opening of the female portion.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a rotor, a nacelle, a support structure for the nacelle and at least one wind sensing apparatus mounted on the support structure.

Abstract: Methods of operating a variable speed wind turbine as a function of a wind speed, the wind turbine having a rotor with a plurality of blades, and one or more pitch mechanisms for rotating the blades. The method comprising a sub-nominal zone of operation for wind speeds below the nominal wind speed and a supra-nominal zone of operation for wind speeds above the nominal wind speed. In the supra-nominal zone, the blades are pitched so as to maintain the rotor speed substantially constant, and a tip speed ratio of the wind turbine is substantially continuously being determined and wherein an instantaneous minimum pitch angle is substantially continuously being determined based on the instantaneous tip speed ratio, and the blades are never pitched below the instantaneous minimum pitch angle. The disclosure further relates to a wind turbine suitable for carrying out such methods.