IP Library Granted Patent US 8,911,211
Granted Patent B2
US 8,911,211 · App. 13/387,480 · Granted Dec 16, 2014

Wind turbine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,911,211
App. No.
13/387,480
Granted
Dec 16, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wind turbine is described. The turbine includes a hub with one or more blades that rotatably mounted on a frame and operatively coupled to a shaft. The shaft is provided at least partially internally to the frame, and a center piece from which a plurality of spokes extends substantially radially is mounted on the shaft. The hub is provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged axial protrusions. Flexible elements are arranged to connect the spokes to the protrusions.

Claims (34)

1. A wind turbine comprising:

a frame;

a hub with one or more blades, the hub being rotatably mounted on the frame and having a plurality of circumferentially arranged axial protrusions;

a shaft operatively coupled to the hub and being disposed at least partially internally to the frame;

a center piece mounted on the shaft and having a plurality of spokes extending substantially radially; and

flexible elements arranged to connect the spokes to the protrusions.

2. The wind turbine according claim 1 , wherein each of the protrusions is connected to a pair of the spokes.

3. The wind turbine according to claim 2 , wherein the hub includes three of the protrusions and the center piece includes three pairs of the spokes.

4. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the center piece further comprises annular segments between neighboring pairs of spokes.

5. The wind turbine according to claim 4 , wherein the annular segments comprise at least one hole.

6. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein each of the spokes is connected to a pair of the protrusions.

7. The wind turbine according to claim 6 , wherein the center piece includes three of the spokes and the hub includes three pairs of the protrusions.

8. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the spokes and the protrusions is equal.

9. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the center piece is mounted on the shaft with a shrink disc.

10. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft is a substantially tubular hollow shaft.

11. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of the flexible elements can be adapted.

12. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of at least one of the flexible elements is different from the stiffness of at least another of the flexible elements.

13. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible elements are elastic.

14. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible elements are visco-elastic.

15. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible elements are pre-loaded.

16. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible elements comprise a hydraulic chamber.

17. The wind turbine according to claim 16 , wherein the flexible elements are connected by one or more hydraulic circuits.

18. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein one or both of the protrusions and the spokes include assembly holes adapted for mounting tools used in the assembly of the flexible elements.

19. A method of assembling a wind turbine that includes a frame, a hub with one or more blades and, plurality of circumferentially arranged axial protrusions, a rotor shaft, a center piece having a plurality of spokes extending substantially radially, and flexible elements arranged to connect the spokes to the protrusions, the method comprising:

mounting the hub on the frame;

disposing the rotor shaft at least partially internally in the frame;

mounting the center piece on the rotor shaft;

positioning a first flexible element between a first protrusion and a first spoke;

applying pressure to compress the first flexible element; and

positioning a second flexible element between the first protrusion and a second spoke or between a second protrusion and the first spoke.

20. The method of assembling according to claim 19 , wherein applying pressure to compress the first flexible element further comprises:

mounting a first assembly support on the first protrusion or on the first spoke;

mounting a second assembly support on the second spoke or on the second protrusion; and

actuating a hydraulic piston positioned between the first and second assembly supports to separate them.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2017
From: GE RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
To: GE RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES WIND B.V.
Reel/Frame 044117/0056 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 2, 2017
From: ALSTOM RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
To: GE RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
Reel/Frame 043749/0761 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2017
From: ALSTOM RENOVABLES ESPAÑA, S.L.U.
To: ALSTOM RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
Reel/Frame 042325/0649 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 9, 2017
From: ALSTOM HYDRO ESPAÑA, S.L.U.
To: ALSTOM RENOVABLES ESPAÑA, S.L.
Reel/Frame 042286/0195 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 28, 2017
From: ALSTOM WIND, S.L.U.
To: ALSTOM HYDRO ESPAÑA, S.L.U.
Reel/Frame 042103/0935 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 027607 FRAME: 0970. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 14, 2014
From: CASTELL MARTINEZ, DANIEL; CASANOVAS BERMEJO, CARLOS
To: ALSTOM WIND, S.L.U.
Reel/Frame 033987/0733 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2012
From: CASTELL MARTINEZ, DANIEL; CASANOVAS BERMEJO, CARLOS
To: ALSTOM, S.L.U.
Reel/Frame 027607/0970 →