Methods and apparatus for assembling and operating monocoque rotary machines

1. A method of assembling a rotary machine, said method comprising:

providing at least one component, the component is at least one of a rotating member and a stationary member; and

coupling the at least one component to a monocoque nacelle structure comprising an outer shell extending over at least a portion of the component further comprising stamping at least one sheet member to for at least one mounting portion in the outer shell.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising coupling a plurality of sheet members together by at least one of retention hardware and welding to form the outer shell, and coupling the component to the outer shell.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein stamping at least one sheet member to form at least one mounting portion comprises stamping at least one channel within the outer shell.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein stamping at least one sheet member to form at least one mounting portion comprises stamping a plurality of v-shaped channels within the outer shell.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising nesting the at least one mounting portion within a separate nesting mounting portion.

6. A wind turbine generator comprising:

at least one component, said component comprises at least one of a rotating member and a stationary member; and

a monocoque nacelle structure coupled to said component, said monocoque nacelle structure comprising an outer shell extending over at least a portion of said component.

7. A wind turbine generator according to claim 6 wherein said outer shell comprises a plurality of sheet members coupled together by at least one of retention hardware and welding, and wherein said component is coupled to said outer shell.

8. A wind turbine generator according to claim 6 further comprising at least one mounting portion stamped into at least one sheet member forming said outer shell.

9. A wind turbine generator according to claim 8 wherein said mounting portion comprises at least one channel.

10. A wind turbine generator according to claim 8 wherein said mounting portion comprises a plurality of v-shaped channels.

11. A wind turbine generator according to claim 8 further comprising a nesting mounting portion, said nesting mounting portion comprising a channel that nests said stamped mounting portion within said channel.

12. A wind turbine generator in accordance with claim 6 wherein said outer shell further comprises at least one dimple stamped into at least one sheet member forming said outer shell.

13. A monocoque nacelle for a rotary machine, said monocoque structure comprising:

at least one component, said component comprises at least one of a rotating member and a stationary member; and

an outer shell coupled to said component, said outer shell extending over at least a portion of said component, wherein said outer shell comprises a plurality of sheet members coupled together by at least one of retention hardware and welding.

14. A monocoque nacelle according to claim 13 further comprising at least one mounting portion stamped into at least one sheet member forming said outer shell.

15. A monocoque nacelle according to claim 14 wherein said mounting portion comprises at least one channel.

16. A monocoque nacelle according to claim 14 wherein said mounting portion comprises a plurality of v-shaped channels.

17. A monocoque nacelle according to claim 14 further comprising a nesting mounting portion, said nesting mounting portion comprising a channel that nests said stamped mounting portion within said channel.

18. A monocoque nacelle for a rotary machine, said monocoque structure comprising: at least one component, said component comprises at least one of a rotating member and a stationary member; and an outer shell coupled to said component, said outer shell extending over at least a portion of said component, wherein said outer shell further comprises at least one dimple stamped into at least one sheet member forming said outer shell.