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 method for utilizing site specific data to determine whether to install a tip feature on a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method generally includes monitoring with a sensor at least one wind condition at a wind turbine site, determining an actual tip deflection threshold for a rotor blade of a wind turbine located at the wind turbine site based on the least one wind condition, comparing the actual tip deflection threshold to a predetermined tip deflection threshold for the rotor blade and determining whether to install a tip feature on the rotor blade based on the comparison between the actual tip deflection threshold and the predetermined tip deflection threshold.

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: A method of assembling a blade extension assembly for use with a wind turbine. The method includes removing a tip end of a tip portion of a rotor blade and coupling a tip wall to the tip portion. The tip wall extends between a first sidewall and a second sidewall and includes a plurality of slots defined therein. A blade extension assembly is coupled to the tip portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wind turbine (10) including: a rotor (18) including a rotatable hub (20) and a plurality of rotor blades (22), each of the plurality of rotor blades (22) being attached to the hub (20); and at least one airfoil body (120) including an aerodynamic profile (156) and an airfoil body root portion (122); wherein the aerodynamic profile (156) is configured for increasing aerodynamic lift of at least an inner portion of a rotor blade (22); and the at least one airfoil body (120) is attached to the hub (20) at the airfoil body root portion (122). In addition thereto, the present disclosure relates to an aerodynamic assembly (118) for a wind turbine (10) and a method of assembling a wind turbine (10).

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotor having a hub and at least one rotor blade, wherein the operating height of the hub is adjustable. Further, a method for operating a wind turbine is provided, which includes varying the height of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A method for utilizing site specific data to determine whether to install a tip feature on a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method generally includes monitoring with a sensor at least one wind condition at a wind turbine site, determining an actual tip deflection threshold for a rotor blade of a wind turbine located at the wind turbine site based on the least one wind condition, comparing the actual tip deflection threshold to a predetermined tip deflection threshold for the rotor blade and determining whether to install a tip feature on the rotor blade based on the comparison between the actual tip deflection threshold and the predetermined tip deflection threshold.

Abstract: A method of assembling an offshore support system for use with a wind turbine. The method includes coupling a damper to a wind turbine tower. A counter-balance system is coupled to the damper for suspending at least a portion of the wind turbine above a water surface. The damper is positioned at least partially below a water surface to facilitate reducing movement of the wind turbine in at least one direction. The counter-balance system is positioned at least partially below the water surface to stabilize the wind turbine when subjected to wind and tidal forces.

Abstract: A method of assembling a wind turbine is provided. The method includes coupling a support flange to an inner surface of a tower, and positioning a yaw bearing on the support flange. The yaw bearing includes a plurality of horizontally oriented rollers. A base of a nacelle assembly is positioned on the yaw bearing such that the base is rotatable with respect to the tower.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wind turbine (10) including: a rotor (18) including a rotatable hub (20) and a plurality of rotor blades (22), each of the plurality of rotor blades (22) being attached to the hub (20); and at least one airfoil body (120) including an aerodynamic profile (156) and an airfoil body root portion (122); wherein the aerodynamic profile (156) is configured for increasing aerodynamic lift of at least an inner portion of a rotor blade (22); and the at least one airfoil body (120) is attached to the hub (20) at the airfoil body root portion (122). In addition thereto, the present disclosure relates to an aerodynamic assembly (118) for a wind turbine (10) and a method of assembling a wind turbine (10).

Abstract: A wind turbine nacelle configuration includes a frame structure configured for mounting atop a wind turbine tower. The frame structure includes a base, side support members, and top support members. A shell is attached to the frame structure to enclose the nacelle. A drive train may be housed within the frame structure and includes a low speed rotor shaft connected to a gearbox, and a high speed shaft connecting the gearbox to a generator. The frame structure is configured so that at least one component of the drive train is suspended from the top support members within the frame structure.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes an erosion protection coating configured on a surface of the rotor blade. The erosion protection coating includes a ceramic layer, the ceramic layer having a thickness of less than approximately 10 millimeters. The ceramic layer is configured to reduce erosion of the rotor blade.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotor having a hub and at least one rotor blade, wherein the operating height of the hub is adjustable. Further, a method for operating a wind turbine is provided, which includes varying the height of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes a suction side surface and a pressure side surface. A plurality of vortex elements are formed on at least one of the suction side or pressure side surfaces. An active flow control system is operably configured with the vortex elements so as to direct pressurized air through the vortex elements and along the blade surface. The aerodynamic performance of the blade is modified by a combined effect of the vortex elements and the active flow control system.

Abstract: A method of assembling an offshore support system for use with a wind turbine. The method includes coupling a damper to a wind turbine tower. A counter-balance system is coupled to the damper for suspending at least a portion of the wind turbine above a water surface. The damper is positioned at least partially below a water surface to facilitate reducing movement of the wind turbine in at least one direction. The counter-balance system is positioned at least partially below the water surface to stabilize the wind turbine when subjected to wind and tidal forces.

Abstract: A wind turbine nacelle configuration includes a frame structure configured for mounting atop a wind turbine tower. The frame structure includes a base, side support members, and top support members. A shell is attached to the frame structure to enclose the nacelle. A drive train may be housed within the frame structure and includes a low speed rotor shaft connected to a gearbox, and a high speed shaft connecting the gearbox to a generator. The frame structure is configured so that at least one component of the drive train is suspended from the top support members within the frame structure.

Abstract: A method of assembling a blade extension assembly for use with a wind turbine. The method includes removing a tip end of a tip portion of a rotor blade and coupling a tip wall to the tip portion. The tip wall extends between a first sidewall and a second sidewall and includes a plurality of slots defined therein. A blade extension assembly is coupled to the tip portion.

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.