Abstract: It is provided methods of installing a mechanical damper apparatus to an external surface of a tower of a wind turbine, the tower being in an erect state.

Abstract: A wind turbine system and to a method for operating said system is disclosed. The system further comprises a detection device configured for detecting body waves generated by an earthquake. In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system comprising a wind turbine, in particular to an onshore erected wind turbine, a wind turbine controller for controlling the wind turbine, and at least one detection device, which is connected to the wind turbine controller for transmitting signals. The wind turbine includes at least a rotor having at least one rotor blade, wherein the rotor is rotatably mounted to rotation support means of the wind turbine, and a tower having a top end for supporting the rotation support means and a support end. The detection device is configured to detect and measure earthquake generated primary waves (P-waves). The detection device may include at least one sensor or a plurality of sensors, wherein the sender is configured to detect and/or measure earthquake generated P-waves.

Abstract: It is provided methods of installing a mechanical damper apparatus to an external surface of a tower of a wind turbine, the tower being in an erect state.

Abstract: A bolt connection is provided for connecting two flanges. The bolt connection includes a threaded bar extending through a hole of a first flange and a hole of a second flange, the first flange abutting the second flange; an anti-fatigue sleeve; and a nut. The anti-fatigue sleeve is disposed on the threaded bar on the side of the first flange between the nut and the first flange, the nut is configured to be screwed onto the threaded bar and is configured to press the anti-fatigue sleeve against the first flange to fasten the first flange and the second flange together.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine and a method of determining fatigue in a wind turbine component are provided. The method of operating a wind turbine comprises determining a reference accumulated fatigue, determining an operational time, obtaining a partial load indicator, determining a real accumulated fatigue, comparing the real accumulated fatigue and the reference accumulated fatigue and controlling the operation of the wind turbine. The method of determining fatigue in a wind turbine component comprises determining an operational time, obtaining wind speed, obtaining turbulence intensity, determining a time for each combination of wind speed and turbulence intensity and determining a real accumulated fatigue. In a further aspect, this is also provided a wind turbine controller configured to perform any of the methods herein disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for planning a wind farm are provided. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for planning a wind farm. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, a load for a plurality of wind conditions for a plurality of circumferential sections for a tower of a wind turbine. The method includes accessing, by the one or more processors, a model that predicts wind conditions over a time period. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, a load sustainment parameter for the plurality of circumferential sections for the predicted wind conditions over the time period.

Abstract: A wind turbine system includes a wind turbine generator having a rotor and a nacelle mounted atop a tower structure. The tower structure is mounted to a foundation structure and includes a plurality of tower sections, each including one or more tower section flanges. The wind turbine system further includes one or more connector rings. Each of the one or more connector rings is disposed proximate two adjacent tower section flanges and includes a plurality of pad eye adaptors each having an opening formed therein. The wind turbine system further includes a plurality of tensioned cables, with each coupled to one of the pad eye adaptors at a first end and the foundation structure at a second end. The plurality of tensioned cables are coupled to the tower structure at different or multiple connector ring heights based on site conditions to yield the desired lateral stability.

Abstract: A bolt connection is provided for connecting two flanges. The bolt connection includes a threaded bar extending through a hole of a first flange and a hole of a second flange, the first flange abutting the second flange; an anti-fatigue sleeve; and a nut. The anti-fatigue sleeve is disposed on the threaded bar on the side of the first flange between the nut and the first flange, the nut is configured to be screwed onto the threaded bar and is configured to press the anti-fatigue sleeve against the first flange to fasten the first flange and the second flange together.

Abstract: A wind turbine system includes a wind turbine generator having a rotor and a nacelle mounted atop a tower structure. The tower structure is mounted to a foundation structure and includes a plurality of tower sections, each including one or more tower section flanges. The wind turbine system further includes one or more connector rings. Each of the one or more connector rings is disposed proximate two adjacent tower section flanges and includes a plurality of pad eye adaptors each having an opening formed therein. The wind turbine system further includes a plurality of tensioned cables, with each coupled to one of the pad eye adaptors at a first end and the foundation structure at a second end. The plurality of tensioned cables are coupled to the tower structure at different or multiple connector ring heights based on site conditions to yield the desired lateral stability.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine and a method of determining fatigue in a wind turbine component are provided. The method of operating a wind turbine comprises determining a reference accumulated fatigue, determining an operational time, obtaining a partial load indicator, determining a real accumulated fatigue, comparing the real accumulated fatigue and the reference accumulated fatigue and controlling the operation of the wind turbine. The method of determining fatigue in a wind turbine component comprises determining an operational time, obtaining wind speed, obtaining turbulence intensity, determining a time for each combination of wind speed and turbulence intensity and determining a real accumulated fatigue. In a further aspect, this is also provided a wind turbine controller configured to perform any of the methods herein disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for planning a wind farm are provided. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for planning a wind farm. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, a load for a plurality of wind conditions for a plurality of circumferential sections for a tower of a wind turbine. The method includes accessing, by the one or more processors, a model that predicts wind conditions over a time period. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, a load sustainment parameter for the plurality of circumferential sections for the predicted wind conditions over the time period.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tower assembly of a wind turbine having a joint assembly configured therein. The tower assembly includes at least one generally cylindrical tower section. The tower section is split into at least a first vertical tower section and a second vertical tower section. Each of the first and second vertical tower sections define an interior wall and an exterior wall separated by a thickness. Further, the tower assembly includes a joint assembly that secures the first and second vertical tower sections together. The joint assembly includes a first L-flange mounted to the interior wall of the first vertical tower section and a second L-flange mounted to the interior wall of the second vertical tower section. The first L-flange faces in a first direction and the second L-flange faces away from the first direction. Further, the first and second L-flanges are separated from the interior walls of the first and second vertical tower sections via an open space.

Abstract: A flange is provided including a longitudinal axis defining a first direction, a radial direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a neck extending along the first direction, a flange plate connected to the neck and including a connecting portion adapted for holding a connecting device at a connecting side, the flange plate further including a non-connecting side being at a radially different location than the connecting side; the flange including a first plane defining a first level of the neck, a second plane defining a second level, where flange plate and neck are connected, and a third plane defining a third level of the flange plate, wherein the three planes extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange; the flange includes at least at the non-connecting side a bulge, which extends from a level between the first plane and the second plane to the third plane.

Abstract: A system for supporting a foundation mounting part connected to a tower of a wind turbine extending upward from a foundation and coupled to the foundation by the foundation mounting part is described. The system includes a first support block and a second support block. The first support block is positioned adjacent a first portion of the foundation mounting part. The second support block is slidably coupled to the first support block and at least a portion of the second support block is positioned between the first support block and the second support block. The second support block is configured to exert force on the first support block when displaced laterally with respect to a first axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of the tower.

Abstract: A wind turbine including an article, article, and method of forming an article for distributing stress are disclosed. The article includes a flange for securing an upper tower section and a lower tower section of a wind turbine and includes a first arm extending in a first direction, a second arm extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a relief region disposed between the first arm and the second arm, the relief region maintaining or improving the distribution of stress on wind turbine components selected from the group consisting of the first arm of the flange, the second arm of the flange, a fastener of the flange, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A flange is provided including a longitudinal axis defining a first direction, a radial direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a neck extending along the first direction, a flange plate connected to the neck and including a connecting portion adapted for holding a connecting device at a connecting side, the flange plate further including a non-connecting side being at a radially different location than the connecting side; the flange including a first plane defining a first level of the neck, a second plane defining a second level, where flange plate and neck are connected, and a third plane defining a third level of the flange plate, wherein the three planes extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange; the flange includes at least at the non-connecting side a bulge, which extends from a level between the first plane and the second plane to the third plane.

Abstract: An anchor element for a tower includes an anchor plate element including an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one first through-hole extending between the upper surface and the lower surface; and at least one first nut having a female thread, the at least one first nut being provided at the at least one first through-hole at the lower surface of the anchor plate element so as to cover the at least one first through-hole, wherein the at least one first nut is non-releasably connected to the lower surface of the anchor plate element.

Abstract: A self-supporting platform for a wind turbine tower comprises a grid structure having a plurality of grid nodes, wherein the grid structure transfers a load on the platform to the wall of the tower.

Abstract: A reinforcement assembly for use with a wind turbine. The wind turbine tower includes a first tower member that is coupled to a second tower member. The reinforcement assembly includes a first reinforcement member that is coupled to the first tower member. A second reinforcement member is coupled to the second tower member. A tension member is coupled between the first reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member. The tension member is configured to at least partially transfer a bending load from the first tower member to the second tower member.

Abstract: A wind turbine including an article, article, and method of forming an article for distributing stress are disclosed. The article includes a flange for securing an upper tower section and a lower tower section of a wind turbine and includes a first arm extending in a first direction, a second arm extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a relief region disposed between the first arm and the second arm, the relief region maintaining or improving the distribution of stress on wind turbine components selected from the group consisting of the first arm of the flange, the second arm of the flange, a fastener of the flange, and combinations thereof.