Lighting protection system for wind generators
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a lightning transmission element ( 1 ) which is fixed to a hub ( 21 ) of a wind generator and which is formed by a first conductor bar ( 2 ) which is fixed to a second insulating bar ( 5 ). According to the invention, a first end ( 4 ) of the lightning transmission element ( 1 ) is positioned opposite a metal strip ( 18 ) that is disposed at the root of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind generator at a first distance which enables a flashover of incident lightning at a point on a blade ( 10 ) of the wind generator, while a second end ( 3 ) thereof is positioned opposite a gutter ( 12 ) of a nacelle ( 13 ) of the wind generator at a second distance which enables a lightning flashover. The lightning is conveyed from the point on the blade ( 10 ) at which it is incident thereon to the earth through a series of conduction means including the lightning transmission element ( 1 ), said means preventing the lightning from striking the sensitive parts of the wind generator.
1. Lightning transmission element, configured to be installed on a wind turbine, characterised in that it comprises:
first conduction means formed by a first bar ( 2 ) of conductor material that comprises:
a first end ( 4 ) that has a first front surface opposite a metal band ( 18 ) located at the root of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind turbine, at a first distance to ensure a flashover from the metal band ( 18 ) to the first end ( 4 );
a second end ( 3 ) that has a second front surface opposite a gutter ( 12 ) of a nacelle ( 13 ) of the wind turbine, at a second distance to ensure a flashover from the second end ( 3 ) to the gutter ( 12 ); and
a second bar ( 5 ), of electrical insulation material capable of withstanding a temperature generated by a flashover, with said second bar ( 5 ) supporting the first bar ( 2 ) and comprising:
a first section which includes first fixture devices for connection to a hub ( 21 ) of the wind turbine; and
a second section which comprises second fixture devices for the connection of the first bar ( 2 ) to the second bar ( 5 ) in a substantially perpendicular position.
2. Lightning transmission element, in accordance with claim 1 , characterised in that the first end ( 4 ) and the second end ( 3 ) of the first bar ( 2 ) can be removed from the central part ( 7 ) of the first bar ( 2 ).
3. Lightning transmission element, in accordance with claim 1 , characterised in that the first distance ranges between 0.5 mm and 30 mm.
4. Lightning transmission element, in accordance with claim 1 , characterised in that the second distance ranges between 0.5 mm and 30 mm.
5. Lightning transmission element, in accordance with claim 1 , characterised in that the first distance ranges between 8 and 15 mm and the second distance ranges between 8 and 15 mm.
6. Lightning transmission element, in accordance with claim 1 , characterised in that the first conduction means are made of a material selected from copper, steel and combinations of the same.
7. Lightning transmission element, in accordance with claim 1 , characterised in that the first fixture devices comprise a base plate ( 8 ) for connection to the hub ( 21 ) of the wind turbine.
8. Non-contact lightning transmission system, configured to be assembled on wind turbines which comprise a tower ( 26 ), a nacelle ( 13 ), and a yaw ring ( 20 ) to allow the rotation of the nacelle ( 13 ) on the tower ( 26 ), with said system comprising:
second conduction means ( 25 ) for conducting lightning from a tip of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind turbine to a stiffening beam ( 17 ) which constitutes the central core of the blade ( 10 );
third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) for conducting lightning from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ) through the structure of the nacelle ( 13 ); and
fourth conduction means ( 26 ) for conducting lightning to earth from the yaw ring ( 20 ) along the tower ( 16 ) of the wind turbine;
characterised in that
the third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) comprise:
a first conductor ( 27 ) from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to a metal band ( 18 ) located on the root of each blade;
a second conductor ( 28 ) through a gutter ( 12 ) and the nacelle ( 13 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ); and
a lightning transmission element ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 .
9. Non-contact lightning transmission system, configured to be assembled on wind turbines which comprise a tower ( 26 ), a nacelle ( 13 ), and a yaw ring ( 20 ) to allow the rotation of the nacelle ( 13 ) on the tower ( 26 ), with said system comprising:
second conduction means ( 25 ) for conducting lightning from a tip of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind turbine to a stiffening beam ( 17 ) which constitutes the central core of the blade ( 10 );
third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) for conducting lightning from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ) through the structure of the nacelle ( 13 ); and
fourth conduction means ( 26 ) for conducting lightning to earth from the yaw ring ( 20 ) along the tower ( 16 ) of the wind turbine;
characterised in that
the third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) comprise:
a first conductor ( 27 ) from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to a metal band ( 18 ) located on the root of each blade;
a second conductor ( 28 ) through a gutter ( 12 ) and the nacelle ( 13 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ); and
a lightning transmission element ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 2 .
10. Non-contact lightning transmission system, configured to be assembled on wind turbines which comprise a tower ( 26 ), a nacelle ( 13 ), and a yaw ring ( 20 ) to allow the rotation of the nacelle ( 13 ) on the tower ( 26 ), with said system comprising:
second conduction means ( 25 ) for conducting lightning from a tip of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind turbine to a stiffening beam ( 17 ) which constitutes the central core of the blade ( 10 );
third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) for conducting lightning from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ) through the structure of the nacelle ( 13 ); and
fourth conduction means ( 26 ) for conducting lightning to earth from the yaw ring ( 20 ) along the tower ( 16 ) of the wind turbine;
characterised in that
the third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) comprise:
a first conductor ( 27 ) from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to a metal band ( 18 ) located on the root of each blade;
a second conductor ( 28 ) through a gutter ( 12 ) and the nacelle ( 13 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ); and
a lightning transmission element ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 3 .
11. Non-contact lightning transmission system, configured to be assembled on wind turbines which comprise a tower ( 26 ), a nacelle ( 13 ), and a yaw ring ( 20 ) to allow the rotation of the nacelle ( 13 ) on the tower ( 26 ), with said system comprising:
second conduction means ( 25 ) for conducting lightning from a tip of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind turbine to a stiffening beam ( 17 ) which constitutes the central core of the blade ( 10 );
third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) for conducting lightning from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ) through the structure of the nacelle ( 13 ); and
fourth conduction means ( 26 ) for conducting lightning to earth from the yaw ring ( 20 ) along the tower ( 16 ) of the wind turbine;
characterised in that
the third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) comprise:
a first conductor ( 27 ) from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to a metal band ( 18 ) located on the root of each blade;
a second conductor ( 28 ) through a gutter ( 12 ) and the nacelle ( 13 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ); and
a lightning transmission element ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 4 .
12. Non-contact lightning transmission system, configured to be assembled on wind turbines which comprise a tower ( 26 ), a nacelle ( 13 ), and a yaw ring ( 20 ) to allow the rotation of the nacelle ( 13 ) on the tower ( 26 ), with said system comprising:
second conduction means ( 25 ) for conducting lightning from a tip of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind turbine to a stiffening beam ( 17 ) which constitutes the central core of the blade ( 10 );
third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) for conducting lightning from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ) through the structure of the nacelle ( 13 ); and
fourth conduction means ( 26 ) for conducting lightning to earth from the yaw ring ( 20 ) along the tower ( 16 ) of the wind turbine;
characterised in that
the third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) comprise:
a first conductor ( 27 ) from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to a metal band ( 18 ) located on the root of each blade;
a second conductor ( 28 ) through a gutter ( 12 ) and the nacelle ( 13 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ); and
a lightning transmission element ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 5 .
13. Non-contact lightning transmission system, configured to be assembled on wind turbines which comprise a tower ( 26 ), a nacelle ( 13 ), and a yaw ring ( 20 ) to allow the rotation of the nacelle ( 13 ) on the tower ( 26 ), with said system comprising:
second conduction means ( 25 ) for conducting lightning from a tip of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind turbine to a stiffening beam ( 17 ) which constitutes the central core of the blade ( 10 );
third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) for conducting lightning from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ) through the structure of the nacelle ( 13 ); and
fourth conduction means ( 26 ) for conducting lightning to earth from the yaw ring ( 20 ) along the tower ( 16 ) of the wind turbine;
characterised in that
the third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) comprise:
a first conductor ( 27 ) from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to a metal band ( 18 ) located on the root of each blade;
a second conductor ( 28 ) through a gutter ( 12 ) and the nacelle ( 13 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ); and
a lightning transmission element ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 6 .
14. Non-contact lightning transmission system, configured to be assembled on wind turbines which comprise a tower ( 26 ), a nacelle ( 13 ), and a yaw ring ( 20 ) to allow the rotation of the nacelle ( 13 ) on the tower ( 26 ), with said system comprising:
second conduction means ( 25 ) for conducting lightning from a tip of each blade ( 10 ) of the wind turbine to a stiffening beam ( 17 ) which constitutes the central core of the blade ( 10 );
third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) for conducting lightning from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ) through the structure of the nacelle ( 13 ); and
fourth conduction means ( 26 ) for conducting lightning to earth from the yaw ring ( 20 ) along the tower ( 16 ) of the wind turbine;
characterised in that
the third conduction means ( 1 , 27 , 28 ) comprise:
a first conductor ( 27 ) from the stiffening beam ( 17 ) of the blade ( 10 ) to a metal band ( 18 ) located on the root of each blade;
a second conductor ( 28 ) through a gutter ( 12 ) and the nacelle ( 13 ) to the yaw ring ( 20 ); and
a lightning transmission element ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 7 .