Abstract: A gliding yaw bearing system for use in a wind turbine includes a first bearing assembly configured for being attached to a tower of the wind turbine, a second beating assembly configured for being attached to a nacelle of the wind turbine. An upwind section of the second bearing assembly is different from a downwind section of the second bearing assembly. A wind turbine utilizing the gliding yaw bearing system is also encompassed herein.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method for removing a gliding pad of a gliding yaw bearing of a wind turbine is provided. The method comprises selecting a gliding pad to be removed, rotating a nacelle to a removal position and removing the selected gliding pad. In a further aspect, a gliding yaw bearing for a wind turbine is provided. The gliding yaw bearing comprises a first bearing component configured to be coupled to a tower of a wind turbine and a second bearing component configured to be coupled to a nacelle of a wind turbine. The first bearing component is configured to rotate with respect to the second bearing component. The gliding yaw bearing further comprises one or more axial gliding pads arranged between the first and the second bearing components. In yet a further aspect, a wind turbine comprising examples of yaw bearings according to any of the examples herein disclosed is provided.

Abstract: A gliding yaw bearing system (20) for use in a wind turbine comprising a first bearing assembly configured for being attached to a tower (2) of the wind turbine, a second bearing assembly configured for being attached to a nacelle (4) of the wind turbine, an upwind section of the second bearing assembly is different from a downwind section of the second bearing assembly. Wind turbines, specifically direct drive wind turbines, comprising gliding yaw bearings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Generator rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules and a plurality of anchors arranged at an outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim such that the anchors substantially fix the permanent magnet modules to the rotor, wherein the permanent magnet modules comprise a base having a bottom surface, two axially extending side surfaces and a top surface, and one or more rows of magnets mounted on said top surface, wherein the two side surfaces of the permanent magnet modules each comprise an axially extending groove, and wherein the anchors have a shape that substantially fits exactly in axially extending grooves of neighboring permanent magnet modules.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method for removing a gliding pad of a gliding yaw bearing of a wind turbine is provided. The method comprises selecting a gliding pad to be removed, rotating a nacelle to a removal position and removing the selected gliding pad. In a further aspect, a gliding yaw bearing for a wind turbine is provided. The gliding yaw bearing comprises a first bearing component configured to be coupled to a tower of a wind turbine and a second bearing component configured to be coupled to a nacelle of a wind turbine. The first bearing component is configured to rotate with respect to the second bearing component. The gliding yaw bearing further comprises one or more axial gliding pads arranged between the first and the second bearing components. In yet a further aspect, a wind turbine comprising examples of yaw bearings according to any of the examples herein disclosed is provided.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a first item having a male portion and a second item having a female portion. The male and female portions have a shape adapted to each other such that the male portion can be fitted into the female portion. The male and/or female portion is formed as a stack of sheets comprising standard sheets and protruding sheets. The “male” standard sheets substantially fit into the female portion and the “male” protruding sheets are larger than the female portion such that, in use, said protruding sheets are deformed during insertion of the male portion into the female portion. The “female” standard sheets have an opening into which the male portion substantially fits, and the “female” protruding sheets have an opening smaller than the male portion such that, in use, said protruding sheets are deformed during insertion of the male portion into the opening of the female portion.

Abstract: A wedge mechanism including at least one wedge element and a guide member. The guide member is attached to the second assembly and adapted for receiving the wedge element in a way that and at least an inactive position of the mechanism is defined where the first and second assemblies can be detached from each other, and an active position where at least one of the wedge element and the guide member presses against two different sectors of the first assembly such that the first assembly and the second assembly remain attached to each other.

Abstract: Generator rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules and a plurality of anchors arranged at an outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim such that the anchors substantially fix the permanent magnet modules to the rotor, wherein the permanent magnet modules comprise a base having a bottom surface, two axially extending side surfaces and a top surface, and one or more rows of magnets mounted on said top surface, wherein the two side surfaces of the permanent magnet modules each comprise an axially extending groove, and wherein the anchors have a shape that substantially fits exactly in axially extending grooves of neighboring permanent magnet modules.

Abstract: Generator rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules and a plurality of anchors arranged at an outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim such that the anchors substantially fix the permanent magnet modules to the rotor, wherein the permanent magnet modules comprise a base having a bottom surface, two axially extending side surfaces and a top surface, and one or more rows of magnets mounted on said top surface, wherein the two side surfaces of the permanent magnet modules each comprise an axially extending groove, and wherein the anchors have a shape that substantially fits exactly in axially extending grooves of neighboring permanent magnet modules.

Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules arranged on the outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim, the permanent magnet modules extending generally along an axial direction and being of substantially constant axial-cross section, and comprising a base adapted to be fixed to the rim of the generator rotor, one or more permanent magnets, and one or more pole pieces, wherein each of the permanent magnets has a circumferential magnetic orientation and is substantially rectangular in axial cross-section and wherein each of the permanent magnets is inclined with respect to the central radial plane of the module.

Abstract: A locking arrangement includes at least a rotatable part, a stationary part with respect to the first part, and a locking member having locking protrusions. At least one working plane passing through the locking protrusions is defined in a locking position where compression forces are concentrated which are reaction forces to external forces tending to rotate the parts relative to each other. The parts have locking protrusions defining gaps for receiving the locking protrusions in the locking position for preventing the parts from being rotated to each other.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator comprising a rotor, a stator and an air gap between a gap-delimiting region of the stator and a gap-delimiting region of the rotor; wherein the rotor and/or the stator are deformable under operational loads and configured in such a way that the air gap resulting from the presence of operational loads is more uniform than the air gap in the absence of operational loads. A method for optimizing an air gap between a gap-delimiting region of a stator and a gap-delimiting region of a rotor of a wind turbine generator, said rotor and/or said stator being deformable under operational loads and said optimization consisting in that the air gap resulting from the presence of the set of operational loads is more uniform than the air gap in the absence of the set of operational loads.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a first item having a male portion and a second item having a female portion. The male and female portions have a shape adapted to each other such that the male portion can be fitted into the female portion. The male and/or female portion is formed as a stack of sheets comprising standard sheets and protruding sheets. The “male” standard sheets substantially fit into the female portion and the “male” protruding sheets are larger than the female portion such that, in use, said protruding sheets are deformed during insertion of the male portion into the female portion. The “female” standard sheets have an opening into which the male portion substantially fits, and the “female” protruding sheets have an opening smaller than the male portion such that, in use, said protruding sheets are deformed during insertion of the male portion into the opening of the female portion.

Abstract: A wedge mechanism including at least one wedge element and a guide member. The guide member is attached to the second assembly and adapted for receiving the wedge element in a way that and at least an inactive position of the mechanism is defined where the first and second assemblies can be detached from each other, and an active position where at least one of the wedge element and the guide member presses against two different sectors of the first assembly such that the first assembly and the second assembly remain attached to each other.

Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules arranged on the outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim. The permanent magnet modules comprise a base adapted to be fixed to the rotor rim, one or more permanent magnets, and a central magnet support structure. The base and the central magnet support structure comprise a plurality of radial holes. The permanent magnet modules are adapted so that, when bolts are inserted in the radial holes to fix the central magnet support structure to the base, at least a portion of a first and a second surface of each permanent magnet remain substantially in conforming contact with a surface of the base and a surface of the central magnet support structure, respectively.

Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules arranged on the outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim, the permanent magnet modules extending generally along an axial direction and being of substantially constant axial-cross section, and comprising a base adapted to be fixed to the rim of the generator rotor, one or more permanent magnets, and one or more pole pieces, wherein each of the permanent magnets has a circumferential magnetic orientation and is substantially rectangular in axial cross-section and wherein each of the permanent magnets is inclined with respect to the central radial plane of the module.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator comprising a rotor, a stator and an air gap between a gap-delimiting region of the stator and a gap-delimiting region of the rotor; wherein the rotor and/or the stator are deformable under operational loads and configured in such a way that the air gap resulting from the presence of operational loads is more uniform than the air gap in the absence of operational loads. A method for optimizing an air gap between a gap-delimiting region of a stator and a gap-delimiting region of a rotor of a wind turbine generator, said rotor and/or said stator being deformable under operational loads and said optimization consisting in that the air gap resulting from the presence of the set of operational loads is more uniform than the air gap in the absence of the set of operational loads.

Abstract: Generator rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules and a plurality of anchors arranged at an outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim such that the anchors substantially fix the permanent magnet modules to the rotor, wherein the permanent magnet modules comprise a base having a bottom surface, two axially extending side surfaces and a top surface, and one or more rows of magnets mounted on said top surface, wherein the two side surfaces of the permanent magnet modules each comprise an axially extending groove, and wherein the anchors have a shape that substantially fits exactly in axially extending grooves of neighbouring permanent magnet modules.

Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor comprising a rotor rim and a plurality of permanent magnet modules arranged on the outer or inner circumference of the rotor rim. The permanent magnet modules comprise a base adapted to be fixed to the rotor rim, one or more permanent magnets, and a central magnet support structure. The base and the central magnet support structure comprise a plurality of radial holes. The permanent magnet modules are adapted so that, when bolts are inserted in the radial holes to fix the central magnet support structure to the base, at least a portion of a first and a second surface of each permanent magnet remain substantially in conforming contact with a surface of the base and a surface of the central magnet support structure, respectively.

Abstract: It includes at least two mutually rotatable parts and a locking member having locking protrusions. At least one working plane passing through the locking protrusions is defined in a locking position where compression forces are concentrated which are reaction forces to external forces tending to rotate said parts relative to each other. The parts have locking protrusions defining gaps for receiving the locking protrusions in the locking position for preventing the parts from being rotated to each other.