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 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 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: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing a hybrid wind-solar inverter. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for directing power from alternative power sources to an electrical grid is provided. The method can include: receiving at least two input DC power signals from a plurality of power sources; receiving one or more control signals from the electrical grid; directing, based at least in part on the one or more control signals, at least some of the input DC power signals to an output DC power signal; and, transforming the output DC power signal to an output AC power signal for transmission via the electrical grid.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing a hybrid wind-solar inverter. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for directing power from alternative power sources to an electrical grid is provided. The method can include: receiving at least two input DC power signals from a plurality of power sources; receiving one or more control signals from the electrical grid; directing, based at least in part on the one or more control signals, at least some of the input DC power signals to an output DC power signal; and, transforming the output DC power signal to an output AC power signal for transmission via the electrical grid.

Abstract: A generator for use in a wind turbine includes a rotor including a plurality of windings. The rotor is configured to be electrically coupled to a wind turbine electrical distribution system. The generator also includes a stator including a plurality of windings. The stator is configured to be magnetically coupled to the rotor and electrically coupled to the wind turbine electrical distribution system. The stator is further configured to switch between a first number of magnetic poles and a second number of magnetic poles.

Abstract: A generator for use in a wind turbine includes a rotor including a plurality of windings. The rotor is configured to be electrically coupled to a wind turbine electrical distribution system. The generator also includes a stator including a plurality of windings. The stator is configured to be magnetically coupled to the rotor and electrically coupled to the wind turbine electrical distribution system. The stator is further configured to switch between a first number of magnetic poles and a second number of magnetic poles.