Abstract: Methods of operating a variable speed wind turbine in an event of a power set-point limitation are described. The methods may comprise determining whether the power set-point is below or equal to a theoretical capability of the wind turbine in accordance with prevailing wind conditions. If the power set-point is below the theoretical capability, operating the wind turbine to generate power according to the power set-point, including operating the wind turbine according to a generator torque and a generator rotor speed predefined for the power set-point. Each power set-point is defined by a combination of a generator rotor speed and a generator torque, the generator rotor speed (?min, ?1, ?2, ?max) being outside an exclusion band.

Abstract: Generator rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules and a plurality of anchors arranged at an outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim such that the anchors substantially fix the permanent magnet modules to the rotor, wherein the permanent magnet modules comprise a base having a bottom surface, two axially extending side surfaces and a top surface, and one or more rows of magnets mounted on said top surface, wherein the two side surfaces of the permanent magnet modules each comprise an axially extending groove, and wherein the anchors have a shape that substantially fits exactly in axially extending grooves of neighboring permanent magnet modules.

Abstract: A permanent magnet module for an electrical machine extending along an axial direction is provided. The permanent magnet module comprises a permanent magnet assembly comprising at least one permanent magnet and a base supporting at least part of the permanent magnet assembly and extending from a bottom adapted to be positioned on a rotor of an electrical machine to a top along a radial direction. The permanent magnet assembly further comprises a first inclined permanent magnet portion and a second inclined permanent magnet portion arranged outwardly inclined along the radial direction and a tangential permanent magnet portion arranged substantially perpendicular to the radial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a wind turbine blade to a rotor hub includes a blade holder configured to receive and support the wind turbine blade. A connection element is configured on the blade holder and is adapted to attach directly to a mounting surface of a wind turbine rotor hub. A lifting equipment attachment is configured on the blade holder to attach to the blade holder to lifting equipment. A first steering mechanism is operably connected between the blade holder and the lifting equipment attachment to control an orientation of the blade held by the blade holder with respect to the lifting equipment attachment.

Abstract: Methods of operating a set of wind turbines for providing a total power demand to a grid according to a grid requirement are provided. A first group of wind turbines is configured to generate an individual active power based on an individual set-point. First individual set-points are generated for the first group such that the set of wind turbines generates the total active power. If a selection of the first group of wind turbines is operating within an individual exclusion range, the operation of the se wind turbines is limited to a maximum period. When the maximum period is reached, second individual set-points are generated to cause these wind turbines to operate outside exclusion range, and third individual set-points are generated for one or more other wind turbines to cause the set of wind turbines to generate the total active power. Systems suitable for such methods are also provided.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Hoisting systems are provided for mounting a hub on top of a tower, the hub carrying a first and a second blade forming a bunny ears configuration, and a third blade. The system comprises a crane for pulling up the hub to the top of the tower, and a blade support for supporting the third blade at a supported blade portion. The system further comprises a hub-blade coupling device configured to assist in coupling a root portion of the third blade to a coupling portion of the hub. The hub-blade coupling device comprises a hub mount structure configured to be removably fixed to the hub, a blade mount structure configured to be removably fixed to the third blade, and a connector rotatably coupling the hub mount structure and the blade mount structure. Methods are provided of mounting a hub on top of a tower by using any of said systems.

Abstract: Multiphase generator-conversion systems and clusters are disclosed. The multiphase generator-conversion systems include a multiphase n-stator generator, n conversion lines and a transformer module. Each n conversion line is coupled to the plurality of phase lines of one of the n stators, respectively. Each conversion line comprises a rectification module, coupled to the respective plurality of phase lines, configured to receive a multiphase AC voltage and generate a first DC voltage at an output. A dc/ac inverter is coupled to the output of the respective rectification module. The dc/ac inverter receives the first dc voltage and generates a single-phase AC voltage at an output. The transformer module is arranged to receive the n single-phases of the dc/ac inverters and generate an n-phase AC voltage at an output. This voltage is input to a single diode rectifier. Multiphase generator-conversion clusters include multiphase generator-conversion systems arranged to be coupled to a diode rectifier.

Abstract: Method of operating a wind turbine rotational system having a plurality of drives and a central control system (CCS), each drive having a motor and an electronic converter. The CCS sends speed and torque setpoints to the electronic converters, and the electronic converters drive the motors in accordance with said setpoints. The method comprises designating one of the drives as master drive and the other drives as slave drives. The method also comprises the CCS determining a master speed setpoint and a master torque setpoint, and sending said setpoints to the master drive. The method further comprises the CCS obtaining the real torque and speed of the motor of the master drive and sending a slave speed setpoint and a slave torque setpoint to each slave drive, said slave speed setpoint based on the master speed setpoint and said slave torque setpoint equal to the obtained real torque of the master drive.