Abstract: A wind turbine generator includes an outer housing, a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the outer housing, stator and rotor assemblies positioned within the outer housing and movable relative to each other, a heat exchanger, and a blower having a rotating plate for generating a fluid flow circuit within the generator for transporting heat from the stator and rotor assemblies to the heat exchanger. An eddy current brake having a rotating member is located within the outer housing and is positioned in the fluid flow circuit such that fluid moving in the flow circuit cools the first rotating member. The blower and the eddy current brake may be integrated, such as by having the rotating plate of the blower serve as the rotating member of the eddy current brake. A wind turbine having such a generator, as well as a method of operating a wind turbine generator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotating electrical machine includes an outer housing; a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the outer housing; a bearing supporting the drive shaft relative to the outer housing, wherein the outer housing includes a support surface confronting the bearing and the bearing includes a bearing surface confronting the support surface, and further wherein a region defined between the support surface and the bearing surface has a lubrication layer; and a lubrication flow path configured to direct a lubricant to the bearing, wherein the lubrication flow path is in fluid communication with the region between the support surface and the bearing surface so as to replenish the lubrication layer. A method of lubricating a bearing for a rotating electrical machine is also disclosed. The rotating electrical machine may be a generator for a wind turbine.

Abstract: The present invention relates a device for magnetizing a rotor of an electrical machine with a power rating of at least 1 MW, wherein the rotor comprises permanent magnet material, said device comprising a yoke with an electromagnetic coil arranged to produce a pulsed magnetic field for magnetizing the permanent magnet material, wherein the magnetic field is sufficient to magnetize a permanent magnetic pole wherein the rotor and yoke is in a fixed relation to each other. The invention also relates to a method for magnetization of a rotor with permanent magnets for an electrical machine.

Abstract: A power transmission system for a wind turbine comprises a gearbox and generator. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing and gearbox output member. The generator includes: a generator housing having a drive-end side and non-drive-end side, the drive-end side being coupled to the gearbox housing; a stator supported by the generator housing; a rotor having a rotor shaft coupled to the gearbox output member and a rotor body coupled to the rotor shaft; a non-drive-end shield coupled to the non-drive-end side; a spindle extending from the non-drive-end shield in the axial direction; and at least one generator bearing positioned between the rotor shaft and spindle. The generator bearing(s) support the gearbox output member and rotor shaft. A method of assembling or servicing such a power transmission system is also provided.

Abstract: A wind turbine component (18) includes an inner member (32) and an outer member (34) disposed relative to the inner member (32), wherein the inner and outer members (32, 34) move relative to each other. A plain bearing (200) is coupled to one of the inner or outer member (32, 34) and configured to provide a fluid film (202) for maintaining separation of and facilitating relative movement between the inner and outer members (32, 34). A position adjustment mechanism (78) is coupled to the one of the inner or outer member (32, 34) for selectively moving the plain bearing (200). A position controller (176) may be operatively coupled to the position adjustment mechanism (78) for controlling the position of the plain bearing (200). The wind turbine component may be a wind turbine generator (18) with the inner member and outer member corresponding to one of the stator and rotor assemblies (32, 34). Methods for controlling the generator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator includes an outer housing, a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the outer housing, stator and rotor assemblies positioned within the outer housing and movable relative to each other, a heat exchanger, and a blower having a rotating plate for generating a fluid flow circuit within the generator for transporting heat from the stator and rotor assemblies to the heat exchanger. An eddy current brake having a rotating member is located within the outer housing and is positioned in the fluid flow circuit such that fluid moving in the flow circuit cools the first rotating member. The blower and the eddy current brake may be integrated, such as by having the rotating plate of the blower serve as the rotating member of the eddy current brake. A wind turbine having such a generator, as well as a method of operating a wind turbine generator is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates a device for magnetizing a rotor of an electrical machine with a power rating of at least 1 MW, wherein the rotor comprises permanent magnet material, said device comprising a yoke with an electromagnetic coil arranged to produce a pulsed magnetic field for magnetizing the permanent magnet material, wherein the magnetic field is sufficient to magnetize a permanent magnetic pole wherein the rotor and yoke is in a fixed relation to each other. The invention also relates to a method for magnetization of a rotor with permanent magnets for an electrical machine.

Abstract: A power transmission system for a wind turbine comprises a gearbox and generator. The gearbox includes a gear-box housing and gearbox output member. The generator includes: a generator housing having a drive-end side and non-drive-end side, the drive-end side being coupled to the gearbox housing; a stator supported by the generator housing; a rotor coupled to the gearbox output member so as to be driven thereby; a non-drive-end shield coupled to the non-drive-end side of the generator housing; and at least one auxiliary drive mounted to the non-drive-end shield. The at least one auxiliary drive is configured to rotate the turning gear. A corresponding method of installing a wind farm including such a power transmission system is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates a device for magnetizing and assembling an electrical machine comprising a stator and a rotor with at least one permanent magnet, the device comprising a magnetizer unit for magnetizing the at least one permanent magnet of the rotor, a rotor load unit and a translation unit for translating the rotor from the magnetizer unit to a rotor load unit for inserting the rotor into the stator. The invention also relates to a method for magnetizing and assembling an electrical machine comprising a stator and a rotor with at least one permanent magnet at a magnetizing unit.

Abstract: A power transmission system for a wind turbine comprises a gearbox and generator. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing and gearbox output member. The generator includes: a generator housing having a drive-end side and non-drive-end side, the drive-end side being coupled to the gearbox housing; a stator supported by the generator housing; a rotor having a rotor shaft coupled to the gearbox output member and a rotor body coupled to the rotor shaft; a non-drive-end shield coupled to the non-drive-end side; a spindle extending from the non-drive-end shield in the axial direction; and at least one generator bearing positioned between the rotor shaft and spindle. The generator bearing(s) support the gearbox output member and rotor shaft. A method of assembling or servicing such a power transmission system is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to magnetize and demagnetize the magnetic poles of a rotor assembly for an electrical machine, such as a generator. The apparatus and methods provide for individually magnetize magnetic domains in the permanent magnetic material of the magnetic poles of a rotor assembly of the electrical machine after the electrical machine is installed in a larger assembly. The magnetization system may be used to magnetize and demagnetize the magnetic poles while the rotor assembly is connected with a prime mover, such a rotor of a wind turbine.

Abstract: A motor drive system for selectively supplying a drive current to a multiple phase motor having each phase winding divided into a plurality of discrete windings includes a plurality of H-bridge drives to control the polarity and magnitude of the drive current. Each H-bridge drive include a pair of half bridge drives interconnected to the terminals of each of the discrete windings. Each of the half bridges have an upper bridge switching element and a lower bridge switching element for coupling the positive and negative potential, respectively, of a DC power source to each discrete winding. The discrete windings of each phase winding are coupled in series by a plurality relays which are selectively actuated by a controller to interconnect the discrete windings in predetermined groups dependent upon the shaft speed of the motor.

Abstract: The invention adapts to an electronic lock comprising a housing, and a plug supported for rotation within the housing and having a keyway to receive the blade of a key which rotates the plug during operation of the locking apparatus. A locking member is movable into engagement with the plug to prevent the movement of the plug and the operation of the locking apparatus and movable out of engagement with the plug to allow the rotation of the plug and the operation of the locking apparatus. A solenoid having a core coupled to the locking member moves the locking member into and out of engagement with the plug. A permanent magnet is movable between a first position to receive and hold the solenoid core to maintain the locking member out of engagement with the plug, and a second position to release the solenoid core, and a driving means moves the magnet in at least one direction between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An electronic locking system including a lock cylinder having an electronically actuable release assembly which is selectively enabled to disengage a pin from a cylinder plug, to permit the rotation of the plug by an inserted key. The lock cylinder and key each contain non-volatile, electronically alterable memory devices, such as EEPROM integrated circuits, which house keying system codes. The key EEPROM is preferably housed within the key blade, in a key design which closely resembles a traditional mechanical key. The release mechanism incorporates a locking pin which is moveable between plug-engaging and non-engaging positions, along a radius of the lock cylinder. The release mechanism may include a primary actuator which directly moves the locking pin, or may act indirectly upon the locking pin via a latching member.

Abstract: An electronic locking system including a lock cylinder having an electronically actuable release assembly which is selectively enabled to disengage a pin from a cylinder plug, to permit the rotation of the plug by an inserted key. The lock cylinder and key each contain non-volatile, electronically alterable memory devices, such as EEPROM integrated circuits, which house keying system codes. The key EEPROM is preferably housed within the key blade, in a key design which closely resembles a traditional mechanical key without the usual bitting. The release mechanism incorporates a locking pin which is moveable between plug-engaging and non-engaging positions, along a radius of the lock cylinder. The release mechanism may include a primary actuator which directly moves the locking pin, or may act indirectly upon the locking pin via a latching member.