Abstract: Provided is a method for heating a generator of a wind power installation during or before starting the installation. The generator is a permanent magnet synchronous generator configured to generate a stator current comprising at least one three-phase current. The installation is configured as a gearless installation and is connected to an electrical supply network for feeding electrical power into the network. The installation comprises a converter, connected to the generator, to control the generator to feed electrical power into the network. The method comprises rotating the rotor with a low rotational speed below a first limit and operating the converter such that the generator generates the stator current and electrical power, and no electrical power is fed into the electrical supply network. At least one portion of the stator current substantially circulates through the generator and the converter to consume power in generator windings to heat the generator.

Abstract: A snow groomer, equipped with a winch assembly to aid handling of the snow groomer on steep slopes, has a frame; a user interface; a control unit; and the winch assembly, which has a support structure fixed or connected to the frame, a drum that rotates with respect to the support structure about an axis, a cable fixed or connected at one end to the drum and wound about the drum, an actuator assembly for rotating the drum about the axis, and a sensor for determining the position of the drum about the axis; the control unit being configured to control the cable as a function of the position of the drum and the geometry of the drum.