Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method of operating a wind turbine (10) coupled to a power grid (92) for delivering electric power thereto is provided. The method includes: a) operating the wind turbine (10) in a noise reduction mode; b) determining whether the power grid (92) is in an unstable grid state corresponding to an increase of power demand; and, c) increasing the electric power delivered by the wind turbine (10) to the power grid (92) during a stabilization time period for supporting stabilization of the unstable grid. Further, the increasing of the electric power for supporting stabilization of the unstable grid is performed such that a resulting noise increase is below a selected upper level. In addition thereto, a control system and a wind turbine for performing the above method are provided.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a nacelle and a rotor hub is disclosed. The nacelle may extend between a hub end and an aft end and may define a nacelle shaft opening and a nacelle access port at the hub end. The rotor hub may extend between a first end and a second end, with the second end being disposed adjacent to the hub end of the nacelle. The rotor hub may also define a hub shaft opening at the second end and a hub access port generally adjacent to the hub shaft opening. In addition, the wind turbine may include an access bridge configured to extend between the nacelle and the rotor hub so as to provide access between the nacelle access port and the hub access port.

Abstract: A system and method for lubricating gears in a wind turbine blade pitch drive are provided, wherein the pitch drive comprises a drive pinion gear with gear teeth that engage a pitch bearing gear coupled to a respective wind turbine blade. A grease distributor is configured to mount onto and rotate with the pinion gear, and is configured to deliver grease from an external grease supply to at least one valley defined between adjacent teeth of the pinion gear in a contact area of the pinion gear with the bearing gear without the distributor contacting inter-engaging teeth of the bearing gear.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method of operating a wind turbine (10) coupled to a power grid (92) for delivering electric power thereto is provided. The method includes: a) operating the wind turbine (10) in a noise reduction mode; b) determining whether the power grid (92) is in an unstable grid state corresponding to an increase of power demand; and, c) increasing the electric power delivered by the wind turbine (10) to the power grid (92) during a stabilization time period for supporting stabilization of the unstable grid. Further, the increasing of the electric power for supporting stabilization of the unstable grid is performed such that a resulting noise increase is below a selected upper level. In addition thereto, a control system and a wind turbine for performing the above method are provided.

Abstract: A rotor for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor includes a hub, a rotor blade, and a bearing assembly configured to rotate the rotor blade with respect to the hub. The rotor further includes an insert, the insert including a first end, a second end, and a body extending therebetween. The first end is coupled to the bearing assembly and the second end is coupled to the rotor blade. The second end defines a second plane oriented at a cone angle with respect to a first plane defined by the first end.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a nacelle and a rotor hub is disclosed. The nacelle may extend between a hub end and an aft end and may define a nacelle shaft opening and a nacelle access port at the hub end. The rotor hub may extend between a first end and a second end, with the second end being disposed adjacent to the hub end of the nacelle. The rotor hub may also define a hub shaft opening at the second end and a hub access port generally adjacent to the hub shaft opening. In addition, the wind turbine may include an access bridge configured to extend between the nacelle and the rotor hub so as to provide access between the nacelle access port and the hub access port.

Abstract: A system and method for lubricating gears in a wind turbine blade pitch drive are provided, wherein the pitch drive comprises a drive pinion gear with gear teeth that engage a pitch bearing gear coupled to a respective wind turbine blade. A grease distributor is configured to mount onto and rotate with the pinion gear, and is configured to deliver grease from an external grease supply to at least one valley defined between adjacent teeth of the pinion gear in a contact area of the pinion gear with the bearing gear without the distributor contacting inter-engaging teeth of the bearing gear.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a rotor of a wind turbine is provided. The rotor blade comprises a blade root portion configured to transfer a load acting on the rotor blade to the rotor through a blade coupling assembly of the rotor, wherein the blade coupling assembly comprises a rotatable hub and a pitch bearing, and at least one reinforcement element disposed in the blade root portion of the rotor blade for stiffening the blade coupling assembly of the rotor.

Abstract: A method of assembling a blade extension assembly for use with a wind turbine. The method includes removing a tip end of a tip portion of a rotor blade and coupling a tip wall to the tip portion. The tip wall extends between a first sidewall and a second sidewall and includes a plurality of slots defined therein. A blade extension assembly is coupled to the tip portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wind turbine (10) including: a rotor (18) including a rotatable hub (20) and a plurality of rotor blades (22), each of the plurality of rotor blades (22) being attached to the hub (20); and at least one airfoil body (120) including an aerodynamic profile (156) and an airfoil body root portion (122); wherein the aerodynamic profile (156) is configured for increasing aerodynamic lift of at least an inner portion of a rotor blade (22); and the at least one airfoil body (120) is attached to the hub (20) at the airfoil body root portion (122). In addition thereto, the present disclosure relates to an aerodynamic assembly (118) for a wind turbine (10) and a method of assembling a wind turbine (10).

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotor having a hub and at least one rotor blade, wherein the operating height of the hub is adjustable. Further, a method for operating a wind turbine is provided, which includes varying the height of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A system for stiffening and pre-stressing a generator frame in a wind turbine is provided. The system includes a plurality of stress-inducing members configured for imparting a predetermined amount of stress on the generator frame. Each of the plurality of stress-inducing members has a length, a first end, and a second end and the length of each of said plurality of stress-inducing members is selectively adjustable. A coupling plate is configured for coupling the second ends of at least some of the plurality of stress-inducing members together. A plurality of brackets are coupled to the generator frame and configured to couple the first ends of the plurality of stress-inducing members to the generator frame.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rotor assembly for use with a turbine engine. The method includes providing a rotor shaft and coupling at least one rotor disk to the rotor shaft such that a cooling path is defined between the rotor shaft and the rotor disk. The rotor disk includes a substantially cylindrical body that has upstream and downstream surfaces extending between a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge. A first cooling plate is coupled to the downstream surface of the rotor disk to define a cooling duct between the first cooling plate and the downstream surface. The cooling duct is configured to channel a cooling fluid from the cooling path to the towards the outer edge.

Abstract: A method of assembling an offshore support system for use with a wind turbine. The method includes coupling a damper to a wind turbine tower. A counter-balance system is coupled to the damper for suspending at least a portion of the wind turbine above a water surface. The damper is positioned at least partially below a water surface to facilitate reducing movement of the wind turbine in at least one direction. The counter-balance system is positioned at least partially below the water surface to stabilize the wind turbine when subjected to wind and tidal forces.

Abstract: A method of assembling a wind turbine is provided. The method includes coupling a support flange to an inner surface of a tower, and positioning a yaw bearing on the support flange. The yaw bearing includes a plurality of horizontally oriented rollers. A base of a nacelle assembly is positioned on the yaw bearing such that the base is rotatable with respect to the tower.

Abstract: A system for stiffening and pre-stressing a generator frame in a wind turbine is provided. The system includes a plurality of stress-inducing members configured for imparting a predetermined amount of stress on the generator frame. Each of the plurality of stress-inducing members has a length, a first end, and a second end and the length of each of said plurality of stress-inducing members is selectively adjustable. A coupling plate is configured for coupling the second ends of at least some of the plurality of stress-inducing members together. A plurality of brackets are coupled to the generator frame and configured to couple the first ends of the plurality of stress-inducing members to the generator frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wind turbine (10) including: a rotor (18) including a rotatable hub (20) and a plurality of rotor blades (22), each of the plurality of rotor blades (22) being attached to the hub (20); and at least one airfoil body (120) including an aerodynamic profile (156) and an airfoil body root portion (122); wherein the aerodynamic profile (156) is configured for increasing aerodynamic lift of at least an inner portion of a rotor blade (22); and the at least one airfoil body (120) is attached to the hub (20) at the airfoil body root portion (122). In addition thereto, the present disclosure relates to an aerodynamic assembly (118) for a wind turbine (10) and a method of assembling a wind turbine (10).

Abstract: A wind turbine nacelle configuration includes a frame structure configured for mounting atop a wind turbine tower. The frame structure includes a base, side support members, and top support members. A shell is attached to the frame structure to enclose the nacelle. A drive train may be housed within the frame structure and includes a low speed rotor shaft connected to a gearbox, and a high speed shaft connecting the gearbox to a generator. The frame structure is configured so that at least one component of the drive train is suspended from the top support members within the frame structure.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotor having a hub and at least one rotor blade, wherein the operating height of the hub is adjustable. Further, a method for operating a wind turbine is provided, which includes varying the height of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes a suction side surface and a pressure side surface. A plurality of vortex elements are formed on at least one of the suction side or pressure side surfaces. An active flow control system is operably configured with the vortex elements so as to direct pressurized air through the vortex elements and along the blade surface. The aerodynamic performance of the blade is modified by a combined effect of the vortex elements and the active flow control system.