IP Library Granted Patent US 7,837,443
Granted Patent B2
US 7,837,443 · App. 12/353,796 · Granted Nov 23, 2010

Wind turbine comprising enclosure structure formed as a Faraday cage

Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,837,443
App. No.
12/353,796
Granted
Nov 23, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a rotating part including a rotor with at least one blade and a wind turbine hub with at least one enclosure structure or similar wall structure, and a stationary part including a nacelle with at least one enclosure structure or similar wall structure. At least one of said parts comprises a conductive film layer of said enclosure structure with connection to a ground potential, where said film layer forms a shield enclosing said part or parts and protects against electromagnetic fields. The invention also relates to a method to manufacture said enclosure structure.

Claims (36)

1. A wind turbine comprising:

a rotating part including a rotor with at least one blade and a wind turbine hub with at least one enclosure structure or similar wall structure,

a stationary part including a nacelle with at least one enclosure structure or similar wall structure, wherein

each of said rotating part enclosure structure and said stationary part enclosure structure comprises a conductive film layer with connection to a ground potential, where said conductive film layer forms a shield enclosing said rotating part enclosure structure and said stationary part enclosure structure and protects against electromagnetic fields.

2. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive film layer is applied to the inner or outer surface of said rotating part enclosure structure and said stationary part enclosure structure.

3. The wind turbine according to claim 2 , wherein said surface is a cover of said nacelle and said hub, covering a strengthening structure of said nacelle and said hub.

4. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said shield forms a Faraday cage.

5. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive film layer is covered by a protective coating layer.

6. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said rotating part enclosure structure and said stationary part enclosure structure further comprise a layer of radar neutral construction.

7. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive film layer is a conductive foil.

8. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive film layer is a conductive wire mesh made of conductive wires.

9. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive film layer is a radar neutral material.

10. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive film layer is selected from the group consisting of metal foil, wire mesh, paint, powder coating, and any combination thereof.

11. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein each of said rotating part enclosure structure and said stationary part enclosure structure is made of at least two enclosure parts.

12. The wind turbine according to claim 11 , wherein said at least two enclosure parts are electrically connected through a contact area on said at least two enclosure parts.

13. The wind turbine according to claim 11 wherein said at least two enclosure parts are electrically connected by conductive adhesive means.

14. The wind turbine according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive film layer is connected to a lightning conductor system of said at least one wind turbine rotor blade.

15. A method for manufacturing a wind turbine comprising of the steps of:

making a rotating part including a rotor with at least one blade and a wind turbine hub with at least one enclosure structure or similar wall structure,

making a stationary part including a nacelle with at least one enclosure structure or similar wall structure,

applying a conductive film layer to each of said rotating part enclosure structure and said stationary part enclosure structure with connection to a ground potential, where said conductive film layer forms a shield enclosing said rotating part enclosure structure and said stationary part enclosure structure and protects against electromagnetic fields.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said conductive film layer is applied to the inner or outer surface of a cover of said nacelle and said hub in order to establish a Faraday cage.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said conductive film layer is a conductive foil.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

placing a conductive film layer on the surface of said enclosure structure,

cover said enclosure structure with an airtight foil forming a airtight container, and

apply vacuum inside said container

in order to form, position and fix said conductive layer to said surface of said rotating part enclosure structure and said stationary part enclosure structure.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein said conductive film layer is a conductive wire mesh made of conductive wires.

20. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said conductive film layer is a coating applied as paint comprising a conductive material.

21. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said conductive film layer is a coating applied as powder coating comprising a conductive material.

22. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said conductive film layer is selected from the group consisting of metal foil, wire mesh, paint, powder coating, and any combination thereof.

23. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said conductive film layer is covered by a protective coating layer.

24. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said enclosure structure is made of at least two enclosure parts.

25. The method according to claim 24 , wherein said at least two enclosure parts are electrically connected through a connector-area on said at least two enclosure parts.

26. The method according to claim 24 wherein said at least two enclosure parts are electrically connected by conductive adhesive means.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2009
From: MIKKELSEN, PER SVEIGAARD
To: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
Reel/Frame 022118/0511 →
Priority Claims (1)
DK 2006 00981 · Jul 14, 2006 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTDK200700035700 · Jul 13, 2007
Related Publication 20090121491A1 · May 14, 2009