Wind turbine nacelle and tower redesign for extreme loads and remote servicing and surveillance drone
View Patent ↗A wind turbine system able to withstand up to 150 mph winds, comprising the electricity generating components moved from the nacelle to the top of the tower, positioned vertically, and comprising: a main-shaft bearing; a gearbox; a brake assembly; a high-speed shaft; a generator; and an electrical control cabinet. The purpose of positioning in the tower is to protect the components from high winds, tornados, etc. and to regulate the rotation of the propellers to make more electricity. The turbine can be easily repaired onsite by removing covers on the upper tower; and with snap in replacement parts. Drone, which are stored in the top horizontal housing, can surveil and protect the turbine and the surrounding area. And, solar panels on the sides and/or cover of the top horizontal housing provide energy to the turbine in low and no wind conditions.
1. A wind turbine system able to withstand high velocity winds up to 150 mph, comprising:
a propeller assembly ( 10 ) comprising:
a) a hub ( 4 ), centrally located, and positioned horizontally;
b) a plurality of propeller blades ( 3 ), equally spaced around, and connected to the hub; and,
c) a top horizontal housing ( 90 ) connected rearward of the hub, storing comprising: a controller ( 11 ), an anemometer ( 9 ), and a wind vane ( 12 );
a tubular tower ( 20 ) positioned vertically beneath and connected to the top horizontal housing ( 90 ), comprising:
a) a stiff upper tower ( 30 ) housing a plurality of vertically positioned electrical-mechanical components ( 70 ) able to convert mechanical or kinetic energy into electrical energy, comprising: a horizontal rotatable shaft and gear ( 77 ) connected to a vertical rotatable shaft and gear ( 78 ); a main-shaft bearing ( 71 ); a gearbox ( 72 ); a brake assembly ( 73 ); a high-speed shaft ( 74 ); and a generator ( 75 );
b) a lower tower ( 32 ) comprising a mechanism to change oil in the tower; and
c) a flat base ( 34 ) able to support the weight of the wind turbine system.
2. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the stiff upper tower ( 30 ) is further divided into a plurality of cylindrical segments ( 1 a , 1 b , 1 c ), each cylindrical segment comprising a removable cover ( 2 a , 2 b , 2 c ).
3. The wind turbine system of claim 2 , wherein the electrical-mechanical components ( 70 ) that are able to convert mechanical or kinetic energy to electrical energy are stored in the cylindrical segment ( 1 a ) and further comprises: an electrical control cabinet ( 76 ); and one or more cooling cabinets ( 79 ).
4. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the hub is connected to the horizontal rotatable shaft and gear ( 77 ); and a hub revolution per minute (rpms) controls the vertical rotatable shaft and gear ( 78 ) revolutions per minute (rpms).
5. The wind turbine system of claim 2 , further comprising within a middle segment ( 1 b ) or a bottom segment ( 1 c ) comprising: a gear box regulator ( 80 ) able to control the rotation of the propeller blades.
6. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the lower tower ( 32 ) is cylindrically shaped with increasing or uniform diameter near the flat base ( 34 ); and the mechanism to refuel or change the oil comprises: a wirelessly controlled door ( 50 ) covering a refueling pump ( 52 ), able to be attached to a refueling boat or helicopter via a fuel line ( 53 ).
7. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of propeller blades comprises three solid blades.
8. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of propeller blades comprises three hollow blades, each blade comprising a fluid reservoir ( 21 ) on opposing ends of the blade, connected by a fluid line ( 23 ) running through a middle hydraulic pump ( 25 ).
9. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the top horizontal housing further comprises at least one drone ( 16 ) with wireless cameras or weaponry ( 17 ) for surveilling and protecting the wind turbine system and the surrounding areas.
10. The wind turbine system of claim 9 , wherein the top horizontal housing further comprises a remote-controlled door ( 12 ) able to open and close when the drone ( 16 ) is taking off or landing.
11. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , the top horizontal housing further comprising:
a) at least one wireless shaft rotation monitor sensor ( 26 ), configured to monitor and transmit an angle and position of the propeller shaft to a wireless control transmitter unit ( 8 ); and
b) wherein the anemometer is attached at a rear portion of top horizontal housing and positioned to monitor and transmit a speed of the wind to the wireless control transmitter unit ( 8 ).
12. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the top horizontal housing further comprises one or more solar panels.
13. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the tower comprises at least one centered interior support comprising support bars ( 82 ) positioned by extending cross-sectionally within tower ( 20 ) to provide stability and prevent damage from high winds.
14. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the tower comprises at least two cylindrical segments ( 1 a , 1 b , 1 c , and/or 32 ) adjoined end-to-end via internal, perpendicular flanges ( 84 ) and Grade 8 bolts ( 86 ).
15. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein a yaw drive ( 13 ) and a yaw motor ( 14 ) are located within the top horizontal housing ( 90 ) or at the top of the tower ( 20 ).
16. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the hub further comprises a wireless pitch control system ( 15 ).
17. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the hub or the top horizontal housing further comprises a pitch control system ( 15 ).
18. The wind turbine system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical-mechanical components comprise snap-in units for easy repair and replacement of said electrical-mechanical components.