IP Library Granted Patent US 9,097,238
Granted Patent B2
US 9,097,238 · App. 13/505,842 · Granted Aug 4, 2015

Lightning protection for a nacelle of a wind turbine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,097,238
App. No.
13/505,842
Granted
Aug 4, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A lightning protecting system for a nacelle of a wind turbine is described. The lightning protecting system includes a conductor device, which includes a core conductor, an isolating material surrounding the core conductor, and a shielding structure surrounding the isolating material, an input port, which is connected to a first end of the core conductor and which is adapted to be connected to the lightning rod, and an output port, which is connected to a second end of the core conductor and which is adapted to be connected to the support structure. Further described are a nacelle for a wind turbine, a wind turbine, a method for protecting a nacelle of a wind turbine, which all take benefit from the mentioned lightning protecting system. Furthermore, it is described a use for the mentioned lightning protecting system.

Claims (36)

1. A nacelle for a wind turbine comprising:

a support structure,

a canopy being mechanically connected to the support structure, wherein the canopy comprises a non-metal material being provided with a metallic layer,

a lightning rod, which extends outwardly of the canopy, and

a lightning protecting system comprising:

a conductor device comprising:

a core conductor,

an isolating material surrounding the core conductor, and

a shielding structure surrounding the isolating material,

wherein a first end of the shielding structure is connected to the metallic layer of the canopy,

wherein a first end of the core conductor is connected to the lightning rod, and

wherein a second end of the core conductor is connected to the support structure.

2. The nacelle as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the conductor device is a coaxial cable.

3. The nacelle as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a second end of the shielding structure is connectable to the support structure.

4. The nacelle as forth in claim 1 , wherein the metallic layer comprises a metallic paint.

5. The nacelle as forth in claim 1 , wherein the metallic layer comprises a laminated mesh.

6. A wind turbine for generating electrical power, the wind turbine comprising

a tower,

the nacelle as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the nacelle is mounted in a rotatable manner to the tower, and

a rotor, which comprises at least one blade and which is attached to the nacelle.

7. The nacelle as set forth in claim 1 ,

wherein the lightning protecting system includes an input port and an output port,

wherein the input port of the lightning protecting system is connected to the lightning rod and

wherein the output rod of the lightning protecting system is connected to the support structure.

8. The nacelle as set forth in claim 7 further comprising:

a further conductor device comprising:

a further core conductor,

a further isolating material surrounding the further core conductor, and

a further shielding structure surrounding the further isolating material,

a further input port, which is connected to a first end of the further core conductor and which is adapted to be connected to the lightning rod, and

a further output port, which is connected to a second end of the further core conductor and which is adapted to be connected to the support structure.

9. A method for protecting a nacelle of a wind turbine from being corrupted by a lightning stroke, wherein the nacelle comprises: a support structure; a canopy mechanically connected to the support structure and comprised of a non-metal material being provided with a metallic layer; and a lightning rod extending outwardly from the canopy, the method comprising:

providing a lighting protecting system that comprises a conductor device comprising: a core conductor; an isolating material surrounding the core conductor; and a shielding structure surrounding the isolating material,

connecting a first end of the shielding structure to the metallic layer of the canopy,

connecting a first end of the core conductor to the lightning rod and

connecting a second end of the core conductor to the support structure.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2019
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
Reel/Frame 048003/0631 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2012
From: SIEMENS WIND POWER A/S
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 028641/0341 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2012
From: LEWKE, BASTIAN
To: SIEMENS WIND POWER A/S
Reel/Frame 028150/0168 →