Abstract: An assembly (127) for a wind turbine (100) includes a housing (126) having a first bearing (150) and a second bearing (154). A shaft (142) extends axially within the housing (126) and is supported by the first bearing (150) and the second bearing (154) for rotation relative to the housing (126). A radially outer portion of the shaft (142) includes at least one shaft engagement formation (146) positioned between the first bearing (150) and the second bearing (154). A retention mechanism (156) is moveable axially between: an engaged position in which it can engage the shaft engagement formation (146), such that rotation of the shaft (142) is constrained; and a disengaged position in which the retention mechanism (156) cannot engage the shaft engagement formation (146), thereby allowing rotation of the shaft (142). Additionally, a method of operating such an assembly.

Abstract: A rotor restraining apparatus (200) and methods for a wind turbine (1). The rotor restraining apparatus has a locking element (204) associated with a rotor (8, 203) of the wind turbine, a rotational axis of said rotor defining an axial direction, the locking element being at least part-circular in form. The locking element comprises a plurality of engagement formations (205) disposed on a periphery thereof. The apparatus also has a restraining member (206), comprising a plurality of engagement formations (207). The restraining member is movable substantially along said axial direction between: (a) a non-restraining position; and (b) a restraining position in which the restraining member engagement formations are able to engage the locking element engagement formations. At least a portion of the restraining member has an arcuate form that substantially matches the curvature of the locking element.

Abstract: An assembly for a wind turbine, comprising a shaft extending within a main shaft housing. A radially outer portion of the shaft includes at least one engagement formation. A retention mechanism is moveable radially between a radially inward position in which the retention mechanism can engage the at least one engagement formation, such that rotation of the shaft is constrained, and a radially outward position in which the retention mechanism cannot engage the engagement formation, thereby allowing rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A base frame assembly (24) for supporting a main shaft housing of a wind turbine comprises a base frame (50) having a plurality of mounting pads (42) for receiving the main shaft housing (20) thereon; and a brace component (52) comprising a plurality of arm portions (54), each arm portion (54) terminating in a respective support plate (56). Each one of the mounting pads (42) of the base frame (50) is configured to interface with and be secured to a corresponding one of the support plates (56) of the brace component (52).

Abstract: Rotor restraining apparatus (200) and methods for a wind turbine (1) are disclosed. A rotor restraining apparatus has a locking element (204) associated with a rotor (8, 203) of the wind turbine, a rotational axis of said rotor defining an axial direction, the locking element being at least part-circular in form. The locking element comprises a plurality of engagement formations (205) disposed on a periphery thereof. The apparatus also has a restraining member (206), comprising a plurality of engagement formations (207). The restraining member is movable substantially along said axial direction between: (a) a non-restraining position; and (b) a restraining position in which the restraining member engagement formations are able to engage the locking element engagement formations. At least a portion of the restraining member has an arcuate form that substantially matches the curvature (A) of the locking element.

Abstract: An assembly (127) for a wind turbine (100) comprises a housing (126), the housing comprising a first bearing (150) and a second bearing (154). A shaft (142) extends axially within the housing (126) and is supported by the first bearing (150) and the second bearing (154) for rotation relative to the housing (126). A radially outer portion of the shaft (142) comprises at least one shaft engagement formation (146) positioned between the first bearing (150) and the second bearing (154). A retention mechanism (156) is moveable axially between: an engaged position in which it can engage the shaft engagement formation (146), such that rotation of the shaft (142) is constrained; and a disengaged position in which the retention mechanism (156) cannot engage the shaft engagement formation (146), thereby allowing rotation of the shaft (142). A method of operating such an assembly is also described.

Abstract: The invention is a frame for carrying a load in a wind turbine. The frame comprises a first and a second beam extending in a lengthwise direction, a third beam extending in a transverse direction between a first joint on the first beam and a second joint on the second beam. The third beam is configured for carrying the load. The frame further comprises a stress-inducing cross-shaped structure forming four legs joined at an intersection and extending therefrom towards four ends, where two of the four ends are attached on opposite sides of the joint on the first beam and the other two of the four ends are attached on opposite sides of the joint on the second beam. To prevent excessive deflection of the third beam and of the cross-shaped structure, the cross-shaped structure is decoupled from the third beam and therefore allowed to move e.g. without touching the third beam.

Abstract: A nacelle of a wind turbine includes a rear frame structure (1), the rear frame structure (1) having a plurality of truss members (2), and a plurality of joints (3), each joint (3) interconnecting ends of at least two truss members (2). Each joint (3) includes a central portion (6) and at least two connecting portions (7) extending away from the central portion (6), each connecting portion (7) being arranged to form an interface towards a truss member (2), and each connecting portion (7) being significantly more flexible than the central portion (6) and significantly more flexible than the truss members (2). The rear frame structure (1) is capable of improved handling of bending moments due to the increased flexibility of the connecting portions (7).

Abstract: An assembly for a wind turbine, comprising a shaft extending within a main shaft housing. A radially outer portion of the shaft includes at least one engagement formation. A retention mechanism is moveable radially between a radially inward position in which the retention mechanism can engage the at least one engagement formation, such that rotation of the shaft is constrained, and a radially outward position in which the retention mechanism cannot engage the engagement formation, thereby allowing rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A nacelle of a wind turbine, the nacelle comprising a rear frame structure (1), the rear frame structure (1) comprising a plurality of truss members (2), and a plurality of joints (3), each joint (3) interconnecting ends of at least two truss members (2). Each joint (3) comprises a central portion (6) and at least two connecting portions (7) extending away from the central portion (6), each connecting portion (7) being arranged to form an interface towards a truss member (2), and each connecting portion (7) being significantly more flexible than the central portion (6) and significantly more flexible than the truss members (2). The rear frame structure (1) is capable of improved handling of bending moments due to the increased flexibility of the connecting portions (7).

Abstract: A detachable reinforcement tool (1) for providing temporary reinforcement of a rear frame structure (6) for a nacelle of a wind turbine is disclosed. The rear frame structure (6) comprises a plurality of truss members (4) and a plurality of joints (5), each joint (5) interconnecting ends of at least two truss members (4). The reinforcement tool (1) comprises a reinforcement part (2), and attaching means (3) for detachably attaching the reinforcement part (2) to two different parts (4, 5) of the rear frame structure (6). The reinforcement tool (1) is arranged to provide a load transferring connection between two parts (4, 5) of the rear frame structure (6) when the reinforcement part (2) is attached to the two parts (4, 5) of the rear frame structure (6) by means of the attaching means (3). The rear frame structure (6) is capable of handling extreme loads without being designed to handle such loads permanently. Manufacturing costs and weight of the rear frame structure (6) are reduced.

Abstract: The invention is a frame for carrying a load in a wind turbine. The frame comprises a first and a second beam extending in a lengthwise direction, a third beam extending in a transverse direction between a first joint on the first beam and a second joint on the second beam. The third beam is configured for carrying the load. The frame further comprises a stress-inducing cross-shaped structure forming four legs joined at an intersection and extending therefrom towards four ends, where two of the four ends are attached on opposite sides of the joint on the first beam and the other two of the four ends are attached on opposite sides of the joint on the second beam. To prevent excessive deflection of the third beam and of the cross-shaped structure, the cross-shaped structure is decoupled from the third beam and therefore allowed to move e.g. without touching the third beam.

Abstract: A base frame assembly (24) for supporting a main shaft housing of a wind turbine comprises a base frame (50) having a plurality of mounting pads (42) for receiving the main shaft housing (20) thereon; and a brace component (52) comprising a plurality of arm portions (54), each arm portion (54) terminating in a respective support plate (56). Each one of the mounting pads (42) of the base frame (50) is configured to interface with and be secured to a corresponding one of the support plates (56) of the brace component (52).

Abstract: A detachable reinforcement tool (1) for providing temporary reinforcement of a rear frame structure (6) for a nacelle of a wind turbine is disclosed. The rear frame structure (6) comprises a plurality of truss members (4) and a plurality of joints (5), each joint (5) interconnecting ends of at least two truss members (4). The reinforcement tool (1) comprises a reinforcement part (2), and attaching means (3) for detachably attaching the reinforcement part (2) to two different parts (4, 5) of the rear frame structure (6). The reinforcement tool (1) is arranged to provide a load transferring connection between two parts (4, 5) of the rear frame structure (6) when the reinforcement part (2) is attached to the two parts (4, 5) of the rear frame structure (6) by means of the attaching means (3). The rear frame structure (6) is capable of handling extreme loads without being designed to handle such loads permanently. Manufacturing costs and weight of the rear frame structure (6) are reduced.

Abstract: A nacelle of a wind turbine, the nacelle comprising a rear frame structure (1) comprising a plurality of truss members (2), and a plurality of pivot joints (3). Each pivot joint (3) interconnects ends of at least two truss members (2), thereby forming a truss structure with the pivot joints (3) arranged in node points of the truss structure. At least some of the pivot joints (3) are adjustable in such a manner that an angle between two truss members (2) being interconnected via a pivot joint (3) is adjustable by means of the pivot joint (3). Nacelles of varying dimensions can be provided using a limited number of basis components in the form of truss members (2) and pivot joints (3). The pivot joints (3) are moment neutral, and therefore bending moments are not introduced into the truss members (2).

Abstract: A wind power installation includes a machine frame and a rotor shaft which extends between a rotor bearing in a front end of the machine frame and a transmission in a rear end of the machine frame. The rotor shaft is carried by a base of the machine frame to provide increased stiffness and safety in operation. The wind power installation further includes a stiffening element which stiffens the base and extends from the base over the rotor shaft to at least partly cover an upper portion of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a wind power installation comprising a machine frame and a rotor shaft which extends between a rotor bearing in a front end of the machine frame and a transmission in a rear end of the machine frame. The rotor shaft is carried by a base of the machine frame to provide increased stiffness and safety in operation, the wind power installation further comprises a stiffening element which stiffens the base and extends from the base over the rotor shaft to at least partly cover an upper portion of the rotor shaft.