GB2510824A - Heating and cooling system - Google Patents

Heating and cooling system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2510824A
GB2510824A GB1302505.1A GB201302505A GB2510824A GB 2510824 A GB2510824 A GB 2510824A GB 201302505 A GB201302505 A GB 201302505A GB 2510824 A GB2510824 A GB 2510824A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
lubricant
circuit
heat exchange
exchange fluid
thermal energy
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1302505.1A
Other versions
GB2510824B (en
GB201302505D0 (en
Inventor
David Shield
David John Scott
Gary Johnstone
Paul James Gibbs
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Romax Technology Ltd
Original Assignee
Romax Technology Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Romax Technology Ltd filed Critical Romax Technology Ltd
Priority to GB1302505.1A priority Critical patent/GB2510824B/en
Publication of GB201302505D0 publication Critical patent/GB201302505D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB2014/050390 priority patent/WO2014125259A1/en
Publication of GB2510824A publication Critical patent/GB2510824A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2510824B publication Critical patent/GB2510824B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D80/00—Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
    • F03D80/70—Bearing or lubricating arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
    • F01M5/00—Heating, cooling, or controlling temperature of lubricant; Lubrication means facilitating engine starting
    • F01M5/005—Controlling temperature of lubricant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B11/00—Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups, e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and generator
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D15/00—Transmission of mechanical power
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D80/00—Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
    • F03D80/60—Cooling or heating of wind motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
    • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
    • F16H57/0412—Cooling or heating; Control of temperature
    • F16H57/0413—Controlled cooling or heating of lubricant; Temperature control therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
    • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
    • F16H57/0412—Cooling or heating; Control of temperature
    • F16H57/0415—Air cooling or ventilation; Heat exchangers; Thermal insulations
    • F16H57/0417—Heat exchangers adapted or integrated in the gearing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2210/00—Working fluid
    • F05B2210/16—Air or water being indistinctly used as working fluid, i.e. the machine can work equally with air or water without any modification
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2260/00—Function
    • F05B2260/98—Lubrication
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a lubricant for a drivetrain of a wind or water turbine includes a circuit for the lubricant 32 connected to the drivetrain 8; a heat exchanger 10 connected to the circuit for the lubricant, the circuit for heat exchange fluid 34 connected to the heat exchanger, and the circuit for heat exchange fluid further connected to a source of thermal energy and to a sink of thermal energy, such that a controller 36 regulates a flow of thermal energy between the lubricant and the heat exchange fluid via the heat exchanger. Preferably the lubricant circuit includes a reservoir 7 in which the heat exchanger is located inside. The thermal energy source may be an electric heater or solar thermal panels and the apparatus may also comprise a generator or a power convertor.

Description

Heating and Cooling System The present invention relates to lubrication systems for wind or water turbines, and in particular to an apparatus for controlling a temperature of a lubricant for a drive train of a wind or water turbine.
A wind turbine drivetrain typically comprises an aerodynamic rotor supported on a rotor shaft, which itself is supported on one or more rotor bearings, mounted in the turbine structure. The rotor shaft is torsionally connected to a gearbox, which increases the rotational speed. The output of the gearbox is connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical power into electrical power. The turbine is typically also equipped with an electric power converter, which modifies the electrical output of the generator to meet the requirements of the electrical grid to which the turbine is connected.
The rotor bearings, gearbox gears and bearings, generator bearings, and various other mechanical components in the drivetrain are may be supplied with lubricating oil pumped from a reservoir through an arrangement of pipes and nozzles.
This oil serves both to lubricate the working surfaces of these components, and remove excess heat generated at these surfaces during operation.
In order to maintain the lubricating properties of the oil and permit economic oil-change intervals, the oil must be kept within specified limits of temperature. In particular, it must not be allowed to exceed a maximum temperature. Thus it is important that the heat generated within the mechanical components of the drivetrain and carried away by the oil can be dissipated before the oil is returned to the drivetrain.
This is typically accomplished by passing the oil through a heat exchanger.
This may transfer heat directly to the surrounding air, or it may be transferred to a secondary cooling circuit, containing a liquid coolant, commonly but not exclusively a water/glycol mixture. This coolant circuit contains a further heat exchanger, which transfers heat from the coolant to the surrounding air. The turbine typically includes additional liquid coolant circuits and heat exchangers to carry away heat from the generator windings and the power converter.
A turbine provided with a system for lubrication and cooling as detailed above may be expected to function satisfactorily in normal operating conditions. However outside these conditions there are a number of problems which arise, and for which this invention seeks It is to be expected that there will be periods when the turbine is not operating, due to lack of wind, planned maintenance, a fault in some component or sub-system of the turbine itself, or a fault in the electrical grid. During these periods, the turbine may be stationary (no wind, or because the rotor has been locked in position for safety while maintenance is carried out), or it may be rotating at low speed and torque. In either case it is necessary to maintain adequate lubrication of the working surfaces to prevent damage, both during the period of non-operation, and immediately after turbine operation is resumed.
As the power transmitted through the drivetrain is very low during these periods of non-operation, there is very little heat generated at the working surfaces of the various mechanical components. The oil temperature will therefore tend to cool to the ambient temperature during these periods. If the ambient temperature is low, the oil will become excessively viscous, and thus difficult or impossible to pump around the oil circuit and distribute correctly around the drivetrain.
In order to restart the turbine after a period of non-operation, the oil temperature must be raised to a suitable temperature that it can be pumped around the drivetrain oil circuit. In existing turbines, oil heating is typically accomplished using immersion heaters or by a separate, pumped heating circuit.
Immersion heaters are typically contained within the oil reservoir, and act directly to heat the oil using electrical energy. The rate at which immersion heaters can increase the temperature is limited. Due to the high viscosity of the oil, dissipation of the heat throughout the oil by convection will be poor. There is a danger that the oil immediately surrounding the heater will be overheated while the surrounding oil remains cold. Any overheating of the oil in this way will degrade its properties, reduce its life, and risk damage to the mechanical components of the drivetrain.
A pumped heating circuit aims to avoid this problem ot overheating by forcing an oil flow past the heating element. Heat can therefore be transferred into the oil Is more quickly than with an immersion heater without the risk of local overheating.
However this system requires the provision of a pump which is sufficiently powerful to circulate oil when it is at its minimum temperature/maximum viscosity.
It will be seen therefore, that a system which enabled the oil temperature of a wind turbine drivetrain to be more quickly raised from a low ambient temperature to a suitable temperature for operation, using smaller or fewer components, or less energy; or which maintained the oil at or close to said suitable temperature for operation, even during periods of non-operation; would be advantageous to the performance and life of the turbine.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling a temperature of a lubricant for a drivetrain of a wind or water turbine.
The apparatus comprises a circuit for the lubricant connected to the drivetrain; a heat exchanger connected to the circuit for the lubricant; a circuit for heat exchange fluid connected to the heat exchanger; the circuit for heat exchange fluid further connected to a source of thermal energy and to a sink of thermal energy; and a controller configured to regulate a flow of thermal energy between the lubricant and the heat exchange fluid via the heat exchanger. This means that when the turbine rotor is being driven by wind or water and is generating electricity, thermal energy transferred to the lubricant can be dissipated via the heat exchanger into the heat exchanger fluid. Similarly, when the turbine has not been generating electricity, or the turbine is operating under conditions where the lubricant temperature is low, thermal energy can be transferred into the lubricant from the heat exchange fluid via the heat exchanger.
Preferably, the circuit for lubricant includes a lubricant reservoir and the heat exchanger is located at least partially inside the lubricant reservoir. This facilitates efficient heat transfer.
Preferably, the circuit for heat exchange fluid is connected to a source of thermal energy, such as an electric heater or solar thermal panels. Preferably, the circuit for heat exchange fluid includes a bypass circuit for the heater, the bypass circuit including a valve, and the controller able to actuate the valve according to the temperature of the lubricant. This means that some or all of the heat exchange fluid can be passed through the heating circuit, depending on the temperature of the lubricant.
Preferably, the source of thermal energy can comprise one or more further components of the turbine, such a generator and a power converter. Preferably, the circuit for heat exchange fluid includes a proportioning means for distributing flow of heat exchange fluid between the drivetrain and the one or more further components.
The portioning means is preset or the control means is configured to actuate the proportioning means according to the temperature of the lubricant.
Preferably, the circuit for heat exchange fluid is further connected to a sink of thermal energy, such as a heat exchanger in thermal contact with atmosphere. This means that heat generated through the operation of the turbine is dissipated to the surrounding air. Preferably, the circuit for heat exchange fluid includes a bypass circuit for the sink of thermal energy, the bypass circuit including a valve, and the control means configured to actuate the valve according to the temperature of the lubricant.
Preferably, the circuit for the lubricant includes a temperature sensor connected to the control means.
Preferably, the circuit for the lubricant includes a lubricant pump.
Preferably, the circuit for heat exchange fluid includes a heat exchange fluid pump.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a wind or water turbine comprising the apparatus described above.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an external view of an offshore wind turbine; and Figure 2 shows a schematic of the apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a wind turbine. Although an offshore wind turbine is shown, it should be noted that the description below may be applicable to other types of wind turbines. The wind turbine 102 includes rotor blades 104 mounted to a hub 100, which is supported by a nacelle 108 on a tower 114.
Wind causes the rotor blades 104 and hub 106 to rotate about a main axis. This rotational energy is delivered to a power transmission system housed within the nacelle 108.
Figure 2 shows an apparatus for controlling a temperature of a lubricant for a drivetrain 8 of a wind or water turbine. The apparatus comprises a circuit for the lubricant 32 connected to drivetrain 8; a heat exchanger 10 connected to lubricant circuit 32; a circuit for heat exchange fluid 34 connected to heat exchanger 10; and a controller configured to regulate a flow of thermal energy between the lubricant and the heat exchange fluid via heat exchanger 10. Lubricant or oil circuit 32 includes an oil reservoir 7. One or more pumps 9 takes oil from reservoir 7 and forces it to pass into drivetrain 8 where it is distributed to the mechanical components as necessary.
Lubricant returns from drivetrain 8 to lubricant reservoir 7.
The apparatus additionally comprises a secondary circuit 34 containing a heat exchange liquid, typically a liquid heat exchange liquid such as a water/glycol mixture. Circuit 34 includes one or more pumps 1 which cause heat exchange liquid to circulate. From pump 1, heat exchange liquid is passed through heat exchanger 3 which transfers heat from the heat exchange liquid to the surrounding air. A valve 2 permits some or all of the heat exchange liquid to bypass said heat exchanger in order to retain heat in the system when required. The heat exchange liquid flow is then split into three or more parts by a proportioning system 4, which may comprise a number of valves or orifices which may be preset during assembly or actively controlled during operation to control the distribution of heat exchange liquid between the three outlets.
One outlet of the proportioning system causes heat exchange liquid to pass through the generator 12, a second causes heat exchange liquid to pass through the power converter 11, and the third causes heat exchange liquid to pass through heat exchanger 10, where heat can be transferred from lubricant circuit 32 to heat exchange liquid circuit 34, and vice versa, depending on the operating requirements of the turbine. This heat exchanger may be most advantageously placed within lubricant reservoir 7. The lubricant reservoir itself may be located within the drivetrain, or external to it.
Between proportioning system 4 and heat exchanger 10, a valve 5 permits some or all of the heat exchange liquid to be passed through a heating circuit 6, which contains one or more means of transferring heat into the heat exchange liquid.
A controller (36) regulates a flow of thermal energy between the lubricant and the heat exchange fluid via the heat exchanger (10). This means that when the turbine rotor (104) is being driven by wind or water and is generating electricity, thermal energy transferred to the lubricant can be dissipated via the heat exchanger (10) into the heat exchanger fluid. Similarly, when the turbine has not been generating electricity, or the turbine is operating under conditions where the lubricant temperature is low, thermal energy can be transferred into the lubricant from the heat exchange fluid via the heat exchanger (10). Lubricant temperature can be measured using a sensor 38 located at reservoir 7 as shown, or the sensor may be located elsewhere on lubricant circuit 32. In addition, multiple temperature sensors 38 can be used.
When the turbine is in normal generation mode, heat exchange liquid circuit 34 receives heat from the drivetrain via lubricant circuit 32 and heat exchanger 10, from a generator 12, and from a power converter 11. This heat is dissipated via heat exchanger 3 to the surrounding air.
During periods where the turbine is not generating, according to one possible control strategy lubricant will be permitted to cool to the ambient temperature. If the ambient temperature is below the minimum lubricant temperature for turbine power generation, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the lubricant again before the turbine can be started. To maximise the energy generated by the turbine it is advantageous that this lubricant heating phase be carried out as quickly as possible.
According to another possible control strategy, the lubricant temperature may be maintained above the minimum operating lubricant temperature within drivetrain 8 throughout the period of non-generation, to ensure that adequate lubrication may be provided to the mechanical components, and to enable immediate restarting of the Is turbine. If the ambient temperature is below said minimum temperature, then sufficient heat must be added to the lubricant to compensate for losses to atmosphere.
The invention permits heat to be added to the lubricant by first heating the heat exchange liquid, then permitting the heat from the heat exchange liquid to be transferred to the lubricant via heat exchanger 10. There are a number of ways in which the heat exchange liquid may be heated.
It is common practice to pre-heat the generator and power converter before operation by passing electrical current from the grid through these components.
Since, according to the schematic of the invention shown, generator 12 and power converter 11 share a common heat exchange liquid circuit 34 with drivetrain 8, heating of these components will cause heat to be transferred into the heat exchange liquid and subsequently into the lubricant via heat exchanger 10, raising the temperature of the lubricant.
Alternatively or additionally, the heat exchange liquid may be heated by using valve 5 to divert some or all of the portion of heat exchange liquid flow which is flowing towards the heat exchanger 10 through an additional heater circuit 6. This circuit may include one or more means of adding heat to the heat exchange liquid.
One of these means may comprise an electrical heater, which acts to heat the heat exchange liquid as it flows through the heating circuit. Since the heat exchange liquid is flowing past the heating element, and the heat exchange liquid is less susceptible to degradation through overheating, heat can be added to the heat exchange liquid at a much greater rate than the lubricant can be directly heated with immersion heaters. Similarly, since the surface area of the heat exchange liquid-lubricant heat exchanger can be made significantly greater than an array of immersion heaters, heat can be transferred from the heat exchange liquid to the lubricant at an increased rate. In combination, the time taken to raise the temperature of the lubricant to a specified value may be significantly reduced, permitting increased energy production from the turbine.
Another means may comprise an arrangement of solar thermal panels, positioned on the outer surfaces of the wind turbine nacelle. By circulating the heat exchange liquid through these panels during the hours of daylight, the heat exchange liquid temperature may be maintained above the ambient temperature, even without the use of electrical and other heat sources. A further development of this system may include an arrangement of solar photovoltaic panels, similarly mounted on the outer surfaces of the nacelle, and providing electrical power to a pump, which would ensure continued circulation of the heat exchange liquid during periods when grid power is not available. Again, since the viscosity of commonly used liquid heat exchange liquids does not increase significantly at low temperatures, such a pump need not be as powerful as one which is required to circulate cold lubricant. In combination, this system may raise the minimum temperature reached by the lubricant during non-operating periods, reducing the time and power required to subsequently heat the lubricant to a temperature at which the turbine can be restarted.
During any of the heating processes described above, it is expected that the heat exchange liquid-air heat exchanger 3 would be bypassed by valve 2 in order to prevent loss of heat to the surrounding air.
It will be apparent that the system described above represents only one embodiment, and that many other configurations are possible while adhering to the key features of the invention as described in the claims below.

Claims (20)

  1. Claims 1. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a lubricant for a drive train of a wind or water turbine, said apparatus comprising: a circuit for said lubricant connected to said drivetrain; a heat exchanger connected to said circuit for said lubricant; a circuit for heat exchange fluid connected to said heat exchanger; said circuit for heat exchange fluid further connected to a source of thermal energy; said circuit for heat exchange fluid further connected to a sink of thermal energy; and control means configured to regulate a flow of thermal energy between said lubricant and said heat exchange fluid via said heat exchanger.
  2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said circuit for lubricant includes a lubricant reservoir and in which said heat exchanger is located at least partially inside said lubricant reservoir.
  3. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which said source of thermal energy is a heater.
  4. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, in which said heater comprises an electric heater.
  5. 5. An apparatus according to claim 3, in which said heater comprises solar thermal panels.
  6. 6. An apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5, in which said circuit for heat exchange fluid includes a bypass circuit for said heater, said bypass circuit including a valve, said control means configured to actuate said valve according to said temperature of said lubricant.
  7. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which said turbine comprises one or more further components, and in which said source of thermal energy comprises said one or more further components.
  8. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, in which said one or more further components comprises a generator.
  9. 9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, in which said one or more further components comprises a power converter.
  10. 10. An apparatus according to claim 7, in which said circuit for heat exchange fluid includes a proportioning means for distributing flow of said heat exchange fluid between said drivetrain and said one or more further components.
  11. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, in which said control means is configured to actuate said proportioning means according to said temperature of said lubricant.
  12. 12. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which said sink of thermal energy is a heat exchanger in thermal contact with atmosphere.
  13. 13. An apparatus according to any of claim 12 or 13, in which said circuit for heat exchange fluid includes a bypass circuit for said sink of thermal energy, said bypass circuit including a valve, said control means configured to actuate said valve according to said temperature of said lubricant.
  14. 14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which said circuit for said lubricant includes a temperature sensor connected to said control means.
  15. 15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which said circuit for said lubricant includes a lubricant pump.
  16. 16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which said lubricant is oil.
  17. 17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which said heat exchange fluid is a mixture of glycol and water
  18. 18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which said circuit for heat exchange fluid includes a heat exchange fluid pump.
  19. 19. An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a lubricant for a drive train of a wind or water turbine substantially as described herein with reference to the Drawings.
  20. 20. A wind or water turbine comprising the apparatus of any preceding claims.
GB1302505.1A 2013-02-13 2013-02-13 Lubricant heating and cooling system for a wind or water turbine Expired - Fee Related GB2510824B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1302505.1A GB2510824B (en) 2013-02-13 2013-02-13 Lubricant heating and cooling system for a wind or water turbine
PCT/GB2014/050390 WO2014125259A1 (en) 2013-02-13 2014-02-11 Lubricant heating and cooling system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1302505.1A GB2510824B (en) 2013-02-13 2013-02-13 Lubricant heating and cooling system for a wind or water turbine

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GB201302505D0 GB201302505D0 (en) 2013-03-27
GB2510824A true GB2510824A (en) 2014-08-20
GB2510824B GB2510824B (en) 2016-05-04

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WO (1) WO2014125259A1 (en)

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CN106523303A (en) * 2016-09-21 2017-03-22 江苏大学 Interaction heat dissipation device and method used for wind power generation reduction gear box
NL2016384B1 (en) * 2016-03-08 2017-09-27 Univ Delft Tech Wind turbine.
CN111980842A (en) * 2020-08-31 2020-11-24 广西桂冠电力股份有限公司大化水力发电总厂 Cooling control system and method for oil collecting tank of hydraulic generator
EP3879097A1 (en) * 2020-03-10 2021-09-15 Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S Wind turbine thermal assembly
US11365723B2 (en) 2017-06-16 2022-06-21 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Apparatus and methods for determining icing risk in wind turbines

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CN106014882A (en) * 2016-06-03 2016-10-12 国电联合动力技术有限公司 Cooling method and cooling system for wind turbine generators
CN105864412A (en) * 2016-06-16 2016-08-17 南京讯联智能科技有限公司 Novel wind turbine gearbox lubricating and cooling system
KR102271990B1 (en) 2017-09-11 2021-07-01 로맥스 테크놀로지 리미티드 driveline modeler
CN114183520A (en) * 2021-11-19 2022-03-15 江苏海迪威液压有限公司 Wind-powered electricity generation gear box lubricating oil secondary cooling system

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