Abstract: A method of optimizing performance of a wind turbine electric generator (WTG) comprises the steps of measuring the performance of a wind turbine electric generator, defining an area on a blade of the WTG, placing stall flags within said defined area, monitoring the behavior of the stall flags when the WTG is operating, determining a stall line based upon the stall flags during operation, installing vortex generators on the blade adjacent to and upwind of said stall line, monitoring the behavior of said stall flags during operation with vortex generators installed on all blades, and measuring the performance of the WTG to detect improved performance. If there is little or no improvement, repeating the steps on a second WTG using different placement within the defined area for the vortex generators.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a wind turbine decelerates and/or locks a rotor or a rotor shaft of the wind turbine. For maintenance work, the rotor or the rotor shaft is lockable to a machine support of the wind turbine in a form-fit manner by utilizing the locking mechanism. A rotational position of the rotor shaft is automatically detected in a DESIRED position. Moreover, the locking mechanism is configured to be automatically engaged when the DESIRED position has been reached. The locking mechanism additionally has at least one deceleration device for affecting the drive train and/or allowing the rotational speed of the rotor and the rotor shaft to be reduced.

Abstract: A method of optimizing performance of a wind turbine electric generator (WTG) comprises the steps of measuring the performance of a wind turbine electric generator, defining an area on a blade of the WTG, placing stall flags within said defined area, monitoring the behavior of the stall flags when the WTG is operating, determining a stall line based upon the stall flags during operation, installing vortex generators on the blade adjacent to and upwind of said stall line, monitoring the behavior of said stall flags during operation with vortex generators installed on all blades, and measuring the performance of the WTG to detect improved performance. If there is little or no improvement, repeating the steps on a second WTG using different placement within the defined area for the vortex generators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system for a wind turbine having a machine house rotatably mounted in horizontal plane on a tower, at least one stop brake (60) for locking the machine house and an electrical azimuth drive (40), wherein the stop brake (60) is connected to the azimuth drive (40) via means (50) for transferring moments and/or forces and/or movements in such a way that it can be actuated by means of a torsional moment generated by the azimuth drive (40) in order to yaw the machine house and/or a force and/or movement generated for this reason.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking mechanism for a wind turbine in which a rotor shaft of a drive train is rotatably mounted on a machine support of the wind turbine while the rotor shaft can be connected to a rotor. In order to be able to do maintenance work on the wind turbine, the locking mechanism comprises locking means, especially with a movable locking bolt, which makes it possible to establish a rotationally fixed positive connection between the rotor or the rotor shaft and the machine support. In order to do so, a rotational position of the rotor shaft can automatically be detected in a DESIRED position, and the locking means can be automatically engaged when said DESIRED position has been reached. The disclosed mechanism additionally comprises at least one decelerating device for affecting the drive train, thus allowing the rotational speed of the rotor and the rotor shaft to be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing arrangement, especially for a wind turbine, for transmitting radial and axial forces, two bearing partners being provided that are twistable relative to one another about an axis. The bearing partners each comprise a support area, between which a bearing block is arranged to be insertable in an actuating direction in order to generate a normal force that acts upon the support areas. The bearing block is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one of the bearing partners. The aim of the invention is to design an improved bearing arrangement which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the aim is to design a wear-resistant and maintenance-friendly bearing arrangement for an azimuth bearing of a windturbine. Furthermore, an optional aim of the invention is to make it possible to simultaneously use the bearing arrangement as an active brake.