Abstract: A main bearing housing for a wind turbine comprising a bearing arrangement having a sump located in a floor region of the main bearing housing. The sump comprises a floor pan surrounded by a side wall and includes an overflow arrangement configured to permit fluid to spill from the sump. The overflow arrangement comprises a spill passage configured with a spill inlet at or near the floor pan of the sump and a spill outlet located in a position between the spill inlet and an upper edge of the sump side wall. An advantage of the invention is that since the spill passage is fed with oil from a position that is close to the bottom of the sump, debris and sediment at the bottom of the sump tends to be entrained with the flow of oil and so tends not to collect at the bottom of the sump. The lubrication system therefore is able to clean the oil more effectively because the debris and sediment is encouraged to circulate around the lubrication system.

Abstract: A main bearing housing for supporting a main rotor shaft of a wind turbine, wherein the main bearing housing defines a first end, a second end and a floor region intermediate the first and second ends. The main bearing housing comprises a first bearing arrangement positioned at the first end of the main bearing housing, a second bearing arrangement positioned at the second end of the main bearing housing, wherein the floor region includes a first oil sump positioned at the first bearing arrangement, and a second sump positioned at the second bearing arrangement. Advantageously, the embodiments of the invention provide that the bearings of the main bearing housing are lubricated by a lubrication system that includes sumps positioned at each of the fore and aft bearings of the main rotor shaft.

Abstract: A fluid system for a wind turbine, which is particularly beneficial when the wind turbine is operating at low power, such as during idling operational mode. Fluid accumulates in a fluid storage device before being released intermittently, for example by fluid bursts or pulses, to one or more consumer units, including but not limited to bearings. The fluid system advantageously enables fluid, such as lubricant, to be sufficiently distributed to the one or more consuming units even if the pump used to supply fluid to the consuming units is operating at low power.

Abstract: A method involves directing lubricant to different consumers which are to be monitored via their lubricant. The lubricant is drained through drain lines connected to the consumers and directed to a tank. At least some the lubricant in the drain lines or the consumers is extracted into extraction lines. Flow from the extraction lines is selectively directed to a measurement device, which then measures a characteristic of the lubricant. A system for carrying out such a method is also provided, wherein the system includes a multiplexer for selectively directing flow from the extraction lines.

Abstract: A main bearing housing for a wind turbine comprising a bearing arrangement having a sump located in a floor region of the main bearing housing. The sump comprises a floor pan surrounded by a side wall and includes an overflow arrangement configured to permit fluid to spill from the sump. The overflow arrangement comprises a spill passage configured with a spill inlet at or near the floor pan of the sump and a spill outlet located in a position between the spill inlet and an upper edge of the sump side wall. An advantage of the invention is that since the spill passage is fed with oil from a position that is close to the bottom of the sump, debris and sediment at the bottom of the sump tends to be entrained with the flow of oil and so tends not to collect at the bottom of the sump. The lubrication system therefore is able to clean the oil more effectively because the debris and sediment is encouraged to circulate around the lubrication system.

Abstract: A main bearing housing for supporting a main rotor shaft of a wind turbine, wherein the main bearing housing defines a first end, a second end and a floor region intermediate the first and second ends. The main bearing housing comprises a first bearing arrangement positioned at the first end of the main bearing housing, a second bearing arrangement positioned at the second end of the main bearing housing, wherein the floor region includes a first oil sump positioned at the first bearing arrangement, and a second sump positioned at the second bearing arrangement. Advantageously, the embodiments of the invention provide that the bearings of the main bearing housing are lubricated by a lubrication system that includes sumps positioned at each of the fore and aft bearings of the main rotor shaft.

Abstract: A fluid system for a wind turbine, which is particularly beneficial when the wind turbine is operating at low power, such as during idling operational mode. Fluid accumulates in a fluid storage device before being released intermittently, for example by fluid bursts or pulses, to one or more consumer units, including but not limited to bearings. The fluid system advantageously enables fluid, such as lubricant, to be sufficiently distributed to the one or more consuming units even if the pump used to supply fluid to the consuming units is operating at low power.

Abstract: A method involves directing lubricant to different consumers which are to be monitored via their lubricant. The lubricant is drained through drain lines connected to the consumers and directed to a tank. At least some the lubricant in the drain lines or the consumers is extracted into extraction lines. Flow from the extraction lines is selectively directed to a measurement device, which then measures a characteristic of the lubricant. A system for carrying out such a method is also provided, wherein the system includes a multiplexer for selectively directing flow from the extraction lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lubrication system for a wind turbine (105). The lubrication system comprises at least one or more pumps (310), a tubing system (206, 207, 209), one or more lubricant reservoirs, and a filtering system (200). The filtering system (200) comprises at least one cylindrical filter container (100). Each cylindrical filter container (100, 100a) comprises at least one filter element (301-304). Each cylindrical filter container (100, 100a) defines a central axis (101) along its axial direction and the central axis (101) of each cylindrical filter container (100, 100a) is oriented in a direction forming an angle of at least 10° with respect to a vertical direction (102).

Abstract: A contaminant sensor (1) for detecting magnetizable contaminants (7) present in a lubricant flow is disclosed. A permanent magnet (3) is arranged movably inside a sensor housing (2). A sensor element (6, 11, 13), e.g. in the form of a distance sensor (6) or a pressure sensor (11), is arranged to detect a displacement of the permanent magnet (3) inside the sensor housing (2), and an indicator is arranged to generate an alert signal when a displacement and/or a rate of change of displacement of the permanent magnet (3) inside the sensor housing (2) exceeds a predefined threshold value. The permanent magnet (3) is arranged to move inside the sensor housing (2) in response to magnetizable contaminants (7) collected on an outer surface of the sensor housing (2).

Abstract: A rotating system (1), such as a gear system or a bearing supporting system, for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotating system (1) comprises a housing (2) arranged to substantially enclose the rotating system (1), said housing (2) defining a lubricant drain (5) towards the exterior of the housing (2), and a rotating part (3) accommodated in an interior part of the housing (2) in a manner which allows rotational movements of the rotating part (3) relative to the housing (2), and in such a manner that lubricant can be contained between the housing (2) and the rotating part (3). The housing (2) and/or the rotating part (3) is/are arranged to provide a pumping action forcing lubricant arranged in an interior part of the housing (2) towards the lubricant drain (5) during rotational movements of the rotating part (3) relative to the housing (2). Excess lubricant is quickly and efficiently removed from the rotating part (3) and led to the lubricant drain (5). Thereby a slip stream of lubricant is reduced.

Abstract: A contaminant sensor (1) for detecting magnetizable contaminants (7) present in a lubricant flow is disclosed. A permanent magnet (3) is arranged movably inside a sensor housing (2). A sensor element (6, 11, 13), e.g. in the form of a distance sensor (6) or a pressure sensor (11), is arranged to detect a displacement of the permanent magnet (3) inside the sensor housing (2), and an indicator is arranged to generate an alert signal when a displacement and/or a rate of change of displacement of the permanent magnet (3) inside the sensor housing (2) exceeds a pre-defined threshold value. The permanent magnet (3) is arranged to move inside the sensor housing (2) in response to magnetizable contaminants (7) collected on an outer surface of the sensor housing (2).

Abstract: The invention provides a wind turbine comprising a rotatable drive train including at least one bearing (3) and a pump (4) for supply of a lubricant to the bearing (3). The wind turbine further comprises a controller for performing closed loop control of the pump (4) to provide an amount of lubricant which varies depending on an actual state of operation.

Abstract: A method involves directing lubricant to different consumers which are to be monitored via their lubricant. The lubricant is drained through drain lines connected to the consumers and directed to a tank. At least some the lubricant in the drain lines or the consumers is extracted into extraction lines. Flow from the extraction lines is selectively directed to a measurement device, which then measures a characteristic of the lubricant. A system for carrying out such a method is also provided, wherein the system includes a multiplexer for selectively directing flow from the extraction lines.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear system for a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system comprises a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant, first pump means arranged to supply lubricant from the reservoir to the gear system via a first fluid connection, and vacuum generating means arranged in fluid connection with the reservoir, thereby maintaining a total air pressure in the reservoir which is lower than an ambient pressure during normal operation. The lowered total air pressure in the reservoir draws lubricant from the gear system into the reservoir, thereby increasing the lubricant level in the reservoir and decreasing the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘dry sump mode’. In the case of an emergency or during start-up the vacuum generating means is stopped, thereby increasing the total air pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear system of a wind turbine includes a first reservoir and a second reservoir adapted to contain lubricant. It further includes pump means arranged to supply lubricant from the first reservoir to the second reservoir during normal operation, and a distribution system fluidly connected between the first reservoir and the gear system in such a manner that lubricant can be supplied to the gear system from the first reservoir via the distribution system during normal operation. The lubrication system further comprises valve means being shiftable between a first position and a second position. In the first position a flow of lubricant from the second reservoir towards the gear system or the first reservoir is prevented, and in the second position it is allowed.

Abstract: The invention provides a wind turbine comprising a rotatable drive train including at least one bearing (3) and a pump (4) for supply of a lubricant to the bearing (3). The wind turbine further comprises a controller for performing closed loop control of the pump (4) to provide an amount of lubricant which varies depending on an actual state of operation.

Abstract: A rotating system (1), such as a gear system or a bearing supporting system, for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotating system (1) comprises a housing (2) arranged to substantially enclose the rotating system (1), said housing (2) defining a lubricant drain (5) towards the exterior of the housing (2), and a rotating part (3) accommodated in an interior part of the housing (2) in a manner which allows rotational movements of the rotating part (3) relative to the housing (2), and in such a manner that lubricant can be contained between the housing (2) and the rotating part (3). The housing (2) and/or the rotating part (3) is/are arranged to provide a pumping action forcing lubricant arranged in an interior part of the housing (2) towards the lubricant drain (5) during rotational movements of the rotating part (3) relative to the housing (2). Excess lubricant is quickly and efficiently removed from the rotating part (3) and led to the lubricant drain (5). Thereby a slip stream of lubricant is reduced.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear system for a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system comprises a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant, first pump means arranged to supply lubricant from the reservoir to the gear system via a first fluid connection, and vacuum generating means arranged in fluid connection with the reservoir, thereby maintaining a total air pressure in the reservoir which is lower than an ambient pressure during normal operation. The lowered total air pressure in the reservoir draws lubricant from the gear system into the reservoir, thereby increasing the lubricant level in the reservoir and decreasing the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘dry sump mode’. In the case of an emergency or during start-up the vacuum generating means is stopped, thereby increasing the total air pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: A lubrication system (1) for a gear system (2) of a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system (1) comprises a first reservoir (3) and a second reservoir (4) adapted to contain lubricant. It further comprises pump means (5, 15, 18) arranged to supply lubricant from the first reservoir (3) to the second reservoir (4) during normal operation, and a distribution system (8) fluidly connected between the first reservoir (3) and the gear system (2) in such a manner that lubricant can be supplied to the gear system (2) from the first reservoir (3) via the distribution system (8) during normal operation. The lubrication system (1) further comprises valve means (10, 12, 23) being shiftable between a first position and a second position. In the first position a flow of lubricant from the second reservoir (4) towards the gear system (2) or the first reservoir (3) is prevented, and in the second position it is allowed.