Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for removing a drive train component, such as a gearbox, from a rotor shaft uptower in a wind turbine, wherein the component is supported by transversely extending mounting arms at mount locations on the wind turbine frame. The drive train component is supported from above or below and the mount locations. At each mount location, a removal fixture is installed that includes an actuator that moves linearly essentially parallel to the rotor shaft. The mounting arms are simultaneously engaged with the respective actuators, which are controlled to linearly push the mounting arms until the drive train component disengages from the rotor shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling a yaw drive of a wind turbine when a native yaw drive control system is non-operational. The system includes an external sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a wind condition experienced by the wind turbine. The system also includes an external controller communicatively coupled to the external sensor. The external controller is configured to control the yaw drive based on measurement signals received from the external sensor. The external sensor and the external controller are electrically isolated from the native yaw drive control system.

Abstract: A repair method for a gearbox assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing having an upwind end and a downwind end, a gear assembly configured within the gearbox housing, at least one shaft configured with the gear assembly and extending from the gearbox housing to a generator of the wind turbine, and a sleeve assembly configured with the gearbox housing. Further, the sleeve assembly is removable so as to provide additional space in the gearbox housing during at least one of disassembly or assembly of the gearbox assembly such that the various components can be easily repaired and/or replaced.

Abstract: A method for replacing an existing generator frame that supports a generator of a wind turbine includes removing the generator from atop the existing generator frame. The method also includes dismounting a control cabinet of the wind turbine from the existing generator frame. More specifically, the control cabinet is electrically connected to one or more wind turbine components via a plurality of cables. The method further includes relocating and securing the control cabinet to an uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the plurality of cables remaining electrically connected. As such, the method includes removing the existing generator frame from within the nacelle. Moreover, the method includes installing a new generator frame in place of the removed existing generator frame. Thus, the method also includes remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for removing or installing a main shaft of a drivetrain assembly of a wind turbine to and from a nacelle installed atop a wind turbine tower. The rail system includes at least one support component configured to support the main shaft. Further, the support component is configured horizontally with respect to the main shaft. The rail system also includes at least one sliding component connected between the support component and the main shaft. Thus, the sliding component is configured to move horizontally with respect to the support component so as to slide the main shaft between an installed position and an uninstalled position.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for removing or installing a main shaft and attached main bearing assembly of a wind turbine from a bedplate. The method and system use rigging and specialized tooling and procedures to perform the method in the field with the machine head remaining atop the tower or removed from the tower.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling a yaw drive of a wind turbine when a native yaw drive control system is non-operational. The system includes an external sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a wind condition experienced by the wind turbine. The system also includes an external controller communicatively coupled to the external sensor. The external controller is configured to control the yaw drive based on measurement signals received from the external sensor. The external sensor and the external controller are electrically isolated from the native yaw drive control system.

Abstract: A method for replacing an existing generator frame that supports a generator of a wind turbine includes removing the generator from atop the existing generator frame. The method also includes dismounting a control cabinet of the wind turbine from the existing generator frame. More specifically, the control cabinet is electrically connected to one or more wind turbine components via a plurality of cables. The method further includes relocating and securing the control cabinet to an uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the plurality of cables remaining electrically connected. As such, the method includes removing the existing generator frame from within the nacelle. Moreover, the method includes installing a new generator frame in place of the removed existing generator frame. Thus, the method also includes remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for removing or installing a main shaft and attached main bearing assembly of a wind turbine from a bedplate. The method and system use rigging and specialized tooling and procedures to perform the method in the field with the machine head remaining atop the tower or removed from the tower.

Abstract: A repair method for a gearbox assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing having an upwind end and a downwind end, a gear assembly configured within the gearbox housing, at least one shaft configured with the gear assembly and extending from the gearbox housing to a generator of the wind turbine, and a sleeve assembly configured with the gearbox housing. Further, the sleeve assembly is removable so as to provide additional space in the gearbox housing during at least one of disassembly or assembly of the gearbox assembly such that the various components can be easily repaired and/or replaced.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for removing a drive train component, such as a gearbox, from a rotor shaft uptower in a wind turbine, wherein the component is supported by transversely extending mounting arms at mount locations on the wind turbine frame. The drive train component is supported from above or below and the mount locations. At each mount location, a removal fixture is installed that includes an actuator that moves linearly essentially parallel to the rotor shaft. The mounting arms are simultaneously engaged with the respective actuators, which are controlled to linearly push the mounting arms until the drive train component disengages from the rotor shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for removing or installing a main shaft of a drivetrain assembly of a wind turbine to and from a nacelle installed atop a wind turbine tower. The rail system includes at least one support component configured to support the main shaft. Further, the support component is configured horizontally with respect to the main shaft. The rail system also includes at least one sliding component connected between the support component and the main shaft. Thus, the sliding component is configured to move horizontally with respect to the support component so as to slide the main shaft between an installed position and an uninstalled position.

Abstract: A replacement motor mount for a pitch system of a wind turbine includes a bracket assembly configured for attachment to a first motor mount and a second supporting structure. The replacement motor mount is configured for mounting and securing a pitch motor having a geared drive end. The replacement motor mount is configured to displace the pitch motor from the first motor mount by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A replacement motor mount for a pitch system of a wind turbine includes a bracket assembly configured for attachment to a first motor mount and a second supporting structure. The replacement motor mount is configured for mounting and securing a pitch motor having a geared drive end. The replacement motor mount is configured to displace the pitch motor from the first motor mount by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A component handling system for use in a wind turbine is described herein. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a drive train assembly supported from a support frame, and a drive shaft that is rotatably coupled between the rotor and the drive train assembly. The component handling system includes a lifting assembly that is removably coupled to a component of the drive train and a lifting device. The lifting assembly is configured to support the component from the lifting device, and includes a plurality of lifting legs extending between the component and the lifting device. An alignment device is coupled to at least one lifting leg of the plurality of lifting legs, and is configured to adjust a length of the at least one lifting leg to adjust an orientation of the component with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A component handling system for use in a wind turbine is described herein. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a drive train assembly supported from a support frame, and a drive shaft that is rotatably coupled between the rotor and the drive train assembly. The component handling system includes a lifting assembly that is removably coupled to a component of the drive train and a lifting device. The lifting assembly is configured to support the component from the lifting device, and includes a plurality of lifting legs extending between the component and the lifting device. An alignment device is coupled to at least one lifting leg of the plurality of lifting legs, and is configured to adjust a length of the at least one lifting leg to adjust an orientation of the component with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A method of assembling a gearbox handling assembly to facilitate removal of a gearbox from a wind turbine uptower from the wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a rotor rotatably coupled to the gearbox with a rotor shaft. The gearbox and the rotor shaft are supported from a support frame. The method includes coupling a support assembly between the gearbox and the support frame for supporting the gearbox from the support frame. A positioning assembly is coupled to the support frame. The positioning assembly is configured to contact the gearbox to move the gearbox between a first position wherein the gearbox is operatively coupled to the rotor shaft and a second position wherein the gearbox is operatively decoupled and spaced from the rotor shaft to facilitate removing the gearbox from the wind turbine without removing the rotor from the wind turbine.

Abstract: A method of assembling a gearbox handling assembly to facilitate removal of a gearbox from a wind turbine uptower from the wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a rotor rotatably coupled to the gearbox with a rotor shaft. The gearbox and the rotor shaft are supported from a support frame. The method includes coupling a support assembly between the gearbox and the support frame for supporting the gearbox from the support frame. A positioning assembly is coupled to the support frame. The positioning assembly is configured to contact the gearbox to move the gearbox between a first position wherein the gearbox is operatively coupled to the rotor shaft and a second position wherein the gearbox is operatively decoupled and spaced from the rotor shaft to facilitate removing the gearbox from the wind turbine without removing the rotor from the wind turbine.