Passive deicing for wind turbine blades
A method of operating a wind turbine having rotor with at least one blade, includes sensing an icing hazard for the blade; and moving the at least one blade into a position to reduce the icing hazard.
1. A method of operating a wind turbine including a rotor having at least one blade, comprising:
sensing an icing hazard for the at least one blade; and
moving the at least one blade into a position to reduce the icing hazard;
wherein the moving step further comprises yawing the rotor substantially into a sun direction.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the moving step comprises pitching the at least one blade to substantially zero degrees pitch.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the moving step comprises yawing the rotor substantially perpendicular to a wind direction.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the moving step further comprises pitching the at least one blade about 180 degrees.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the moving step further comprises yawing the rotor substantially perpendicular to a wind direction.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the moving step further comprises pitching the at least one blade about 180 degrees.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the moving step further comprises pitching the at least one blade about 180 degrees.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the moving step further comprises pitching the at least one blade about 180 degrees.
9. A wind turbine, comprising:
a tower supporting a drive train with a gearbox and a generator;
a hub arranged on one end of the drive train;
at least one blade arrange on the hub for rotating the drive train;
a sensor for detecting an icing hazard for the blade; and
a control system for moving the at least one blade into a position to reduce the icing hazard;
wherein the control system yaws the drive train substantially into a sun direction.
10. The wind turbine recited in claim 9 , wherein the control system pitches the at least one blade at substantially zero degrees pitch.
11. The wind turbine of claim 9 , wherein the control system yaws the drive train substantially perpendicular to a wind direction.
12. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the control system pitches the at least one blade about 180 degrees.
13. The wind turbine of claim 10 , wherein the control system yaws the drive train substantially perpendicular to a wind direction.
14. The wind turbine of claim 13 , wherein the control system pitches the at least one blade about 180 degrees.
15. The wind turbine of claim 9 , wherein the control system pitches the at least one blade about 180 degrees.
16. The wind turbine of claim 10 , wherein the control system pitches the at least one blade about 180 degrees.