Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for responding to a friction coefficient signal of a pitch bearing of a pitch drive mechanism of a wind turbine and/or for controlling the pitch drive mechanism(s) and/or a bank of ultracapacitors. The method and system include: accessing high-frequency measurement data of the at least one pitch bearing; estimating, via a torque balance model implemented by a controller, a frictional torque of the at least one pitch bearing based, at least in part, on the high-frequency measurement data; estimating, via the controller, a friction coefficient signal of the at least one pitch bearing based, at least in part, on the frictional torque; comparing the friction coefficient signal with a friction threshold; determining whether the friction coefficient signal deviates from the friction threshold based, at least in part, on the comparison; and, if so, acting.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for responding to a friction coefficient signal of a pitch bearing of a pitch drive mechanism of a wind turbine and/or for controlling the pitch drive mechanism(s) and/or a bank of ultracapacitors. The method and system include: accessing high-frequency measurement data of the at least one pitch bearing; estimating, via a torque balance model implemented by a controller, a frictional torque of the at least one pitch bearing based, at least in part, on the high-frequency measurement data; estimating, via the controller, a friction coefficient signal of the at least one pitch bearing based, at least in part, on the frictional torque; comparing the friction coefficient signal with a friction threshold; determining whether the friction coefficient signal deviates from the friction threshold based, at least in part, on the comparison; and, if so, acting.

Abstract: A rotor hub for a wind turbine may generally include a hub body defining both a plurality of blade flanges and a plurality of access ports spaced apart from the blade flanges. In addition, the rotor hub may include a ladder assembly extending within an interior of the hub body. The ladder assembly may include a plurality of platforms, with each platform defining a planar surface and being circumferentially aligned with a respective one of the plurality of access ports. The ladder assembly may also include a connecting frame extending between each pair of adjacent platforms so as to couple the adjacent platforms to one another. The connecting frame may extend lengthwise along a reference line defined between the adjacent platforms. The platforms may be positioned relative to one another such that the reference line extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the planar surfaces defined by the adjacent platforms.

Abstract: A rotor hub for a wind turbine may generally include a hub body defining both a plurality of blade flanges and a plurality of access ports spaced apart from the blade flanges. In addition, the rotor hub may include a ladder assembly extending within an interior of the hub body. The ladder assembly may include a plurality of platforms, with each platform defining a planar surface and being circumferentially aligned with a respective one of the plurality of access ports. The ladder assembly may also include a connecting frame extending between each pair of adjacent platforms so as to couple the adjacent platforms to one another. The connecting frame may extend lengthwise along a reference line defined between the adjacent platforms. The platforms may be positioned relative to one another such that the reference line extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the planar surfaces defined by the adjacent platforms.

Abstract: A hub for a rotor of a wind turbine is disclosed. The hub includes a hollow body rotatable around a rotation axis. The hollow body includes a blade flange and defines a blade flange area surrounded by the blade flange. The hollow body further includes a main shaft flange defining a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The hub further includes a stiffening web extending within the blade flange area and defining a web plane. A side profile of the web plane extends from the first end to the second end is oriented at a cone angle to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a nacelle and a rotor hub is disclosed. The nacelle may extend between a hub end and an aft end and may define a nacelle shaft opening and a nacelle access port at the hub end. The rotor hub may extend between a first end and a second end, with the second end being disposed adjacent to the hub end of the nacelle. The rotor hub may also define a hub shaft opening at the second end and a hub access port generally adjacent to the hub shaft opening. In addition, the wind turbine may include an access bridge configured to extend between the nacelle and the rotor hub so as to provide access between the nacelle access port and the hub access port.

Abstract: A hub for a rotor of a wind turbine is disclosed. The hub includes a hollow body rotatable around a rotation axis. The hollow body includes a blade flange and defines a blade flange area surrounded by the blade flange. The hollow body further includes a main shaft flange defining a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The hub further includes a stiffening web extending within the blade flange area and defining a web plane. A side profile of the web plane extends from the first end to the second end is oriented at a cone angle to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a nacelle and a rotor hub is disclosed. The nacelle may extend between a hub end and an aft end and may define a nacelle shaft opening and a nacelle access port at the hub end. The rotor hub may extend between a first end and a second end, with the second end being disposed adjacent to the hub end of the nacelle. The rotor hub may also define a hub shaft opening at the second end and a hub access port generally adjacent to the hub shaft opening. In addition, the wind turbine may include an access bridge configured to extend between the nacelle and the rotor hub so as to provide access between the nacelle access port and the hub access port.