US20110140444A1 - Wind Turbine With Improved Cooling - Google Patents
Wind Turbine With Improved Cooling Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110140444A1 US20110140444A1 US12/906,078 US90607810A US2011140444A1 US 20110140444 A1 US20110140444 A1 US 20110140444A1 US 90607810 A US90607810 A US 90607810A US 2011140444 A1 US2011140444 A1 US 2011140444A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cooling
- nacelle
- reservoir
- wind turbine
- housing
- 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
Links
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 102
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000000110 cooling liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000012809 cooling fluid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000002528 anti-freeze Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- 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
- 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
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/10—Stators
- F05B2240/14—Casings, housings, nacelles, gondels or the like, protecting or supporting assemblies there within
-
- 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
- F05B2260/20—Heat transfer, e.g. cooling
- F05B2260/221—Improvement of heat transfer
- F05B2260/224—Improvement of heat transfer by increasing the heat transfer surface
- F05B2260/2241—Improvement of heat transfer by increasing the heat transfer surface using fins or ribs
-
- 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
-
- 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
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P80/00—Climate change mitigation technologies for sector-wide applications
- Y02P80/10—Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
-
- 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
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S415/00—Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps
- Y10S415/905—Natural fluid current motor
- Y10S415/908—Axial flow runner
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to wind turbines and more specifically to a wind turbine with improved cooling, which provides improved cooling for components of the wind turbine.
- wind turbines use heat transfer devices, such as fans to dissipate heat into the environment. In this way, cold air is suctioned in from the outside by the fans to cool wind turbine components such as the generator. The heated air is then blown back outside.
- Some wind turbines transfer component heat within a nacelle to a heat exchanger mounted external on the nacelle for atmosphere environment air to pass through and transfer the heat.
- the present invention provides a wind turbine with improved cooling, which provides improved cooling for components of the wind turbine.
- One object of the invention is to provide a cooling device for a wind turbine.
- the basic concept of the invention is to provide a completely closed or in an alternative embodiment, a partially closed cooling circuit for a wind turbine, so that no or practically no outside air has to be used for cooling through the inside of the wind turbine.
- the liquid cooling media circulates within the wind turbine to a nacelle liquid reservoir that dissipates by conduction to an external surface and then cooled by convection of atmosphere wind.
- One option is to have a plurality of external cooling fins that are hollow with an inlet and exhaust ports to transfer liquid through each cooling fin.
- Another option is to have hollow cooling fins that allow the cooling liquid more surface area to transfer heat to the outside environment.
- the cooling fluid is preferably any suitable coolant.
- a liquid, such as antifreeze can be used, if desired over or through wind turbine devices.
- a lubricating type of heat transfer oil fluid may be used to pass through the electric generator for cooling and lubrication of the generator rotor bearings. The lubricating type of oil fluid may also be used to cool and lubricate other rotating bearing systems within the wind turbine.
- a cooling circuit that is contained within the nacelle and the plurality of cooling fins is thus closed and does require the introduction of cooled air from outside.
- the cooling circuit is a closed system, and once sealed with the proper air, is not later opened or exposed to outside air. If necessary, air filters and additional cooling devices (e.g., heat exchangers) may also be mounted in the cooling path, if needed.
- the advantages of the invention include the fact that no high salt content or humid air comes into contact with the wind turbine components, such as generators, brakes, bearings and electronics. The risk of corrosion is thus drastically reduced within the nacelle and the tower.
- the nacelle is a housing that contains components, such as the generator, brakes, bearing assembly, gear boxes, electronics and controls.
- the nacelle also includes a reservoir for retaining cooling fluid.
- a plurality of internal cooling fins extend from an inner surface of the nacelle into reservoir chambers formed in the nacelle for extracting heat from the cooling liquid. Heat is transferred from the plurality of internal cooling fins to an outer surface area of the nacelle to be cooled by atmosphere wind.
- cooling from the plurality of external cooling fins, the plurality of internal cooling fins and passing external air is not sufficient, such as on very warm days, it is also possible to use additional cooling elements, such as conventional heat exchangers and the like in the cooling circuit.
- the nacelle can be completely or partially made out of metal. It is preferable to use aluminum as the metal in order to also take advantage of the cooling effect of an outer surface area of the nacelle, which is constantly enveloped by wind, and thus to increase the wind turbine cooling.
- the outer surface area of the nacelle is cooled by atmospheric wind.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wind turbine and an upper portion of a supporting tower.
- FIG. 2 is perspective view of a nacelle and a pivot system of a wind turbine.
- FIG. 3 is a front view of a nacelle and a pivot system of a wind turbine.
- FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an inner portion of a reservoir housing of a nacelle of a wind turbine.
- FIG. 5 is a top view of a reservoir housing of a nacelle of a wind turbine.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hollow external cooling fin with inlet and exhaust ports for exchanging cooling fluid from a nacelle reservoir of a wind turbine.
- FIG. 7 is a hollow, open ended external cooling fin for receiving cooling fluid from a nacelle reservoir of a wind turbine.
- the wind turbine 1 preferably includes a nacelle 4 , a rotor 6 , a pivot system 8 and a tower 10 .
- the nacelle 4 is pivotally retained on a top of the tower 10 with the pivot system 8 .
- a bottom portion of the tower 10 is anchored in the ground (not shown).
- the nacelle 4 houses a rotor drive shaft, generator and other components of the wind turbine 1 .
- the components found in the nacelle 4 are well known in the art and need not be shown or explained in detail.
- the rotor 6 extends from an end of a rotor drive shaft 9 .
- the rotor 6 includes a plurality of blades 7 and the rotor drive shaft 9 .
- the nacelle 4 includes a shaft housing 12 , a reservoir housing 14 and a plurality of external cooling fins 16 .
- the shaft housing 12 may be secured to the reservoir housing 14 with any suitable method.
- the rotor drive shaft 9 is inserted through a drive shaft opening 20 in the shaft housing 12 .
- the open area between the drive shaft opening 20 and the rotor drive shaft 9 is preferably sealed from the atmosphere.
- the sealed nacelle 4 also protects internal components from polluted air.
- the plurality of external cooling fins 16 preferably extend from opposing sides of the reservoir housing 14 . At least one external cooling fin 17 preferably extends from a bottom of the reservoir housing 14 .
- the plurality of external cooling fins 16 are preferably sloped downward and are spaced apart to keep them from being contaminated by the weather and nesting birds.
- the external cooling fins 17 extend from a bottom of the reservoir housing 14 to gain cooling surface area and to be parallel to the desired wind air flow 2 . Shapes of the plurality of external cooling fins 16 , 17 shapes may be modified for thickness, taper, extension to the atmosphere, length. The number of external cooling fins 16 , 17 may also be increased in number.
- the plurality of external cooling fins 16 , 17 may be cast as an integral portion of the reservoir housing 14 or fastened to the reservoir housing 14 .
- the shaft and reservoir housings may completely or partially fabricated from steel, aluminum or any other suitable material. It is preferably to fabricate those portions of the shaft and reservoir housings that transfer heat to the atmosphere of aluminum.
- the pivot system 8 preferably includes a nacelle mounting base 11 and a tower mounting flange 13 .
- the nacelle mounting base 11 extends upward from the tower mounting flange 13 .
- pivot cooling fins 18 , 19 extend from an outside perimeter of the nacelle mounting base 11 .
- the nacelle mounting base 11 is inserted into a pivot tube 21 formed in the reservoir housing 14 .
- the pivot tube 21 is isolated from the reservoir chambers 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 to allow pitch rotation of the wind turbine 1 into the wind air flow 2 and passage of electric feeds and other systems down the tower 10 to the foundation and ground (not shown).
- the reservoir chambers 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 may be divided into at least two sub-chambers for holding more than one cooling liquid, ie: cooling oil on the port side and WEG on the starboard side.
- the tower mounting flange 13 is mounted to a top of the tower 10 with a plurality of fasteners (not shown).
- the pivot cooling fins 18 , 19 provide additional cooling for the wind turbine 1 .
- the stern side center fin 19 preferably has a larger surface area than the bow side center fin 18 .
- the larger surface area of the fin 19 acts as a tail fin to provide steering from side winds into the wind air flow 2 .
- an inside of the reservoir housing 14 preferably includes a first reservoir chamber 24 , a second reservoir chamber 26 , a third reservoir chamber 28 and a fourth reservoir chamber 30 .
- the reservoir chambers 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 are formed by internal bracing supports 32 , 34 .
- At least one liquid passage 37 is formed through the internal bracing supports 32 , 34 to allow the flow of cooling liquid.
- a plurality of internal cooling fins 36 extend inward from an inner surface area of the reservoir housing 14 .
- the plurality of internal cooling fins 36 transfer heat from a cooling liquid to an exterior surface area of the reservoir housing 14 .
- the number of reservoir chambers may be varied as desired.
- the cooling liquid may be a single liquid, a mixture of two or more cooling liquids or at least two cooling liquids.
- the cooling liquid may be circulated through the wind turbine 1 with a pump or any other suitable device.
- Components contained in the nacelle 4 such as an electric generator, the rotor drive shaft 9 , speed changing gearbox transmission and electronics will benefit from the cooling liquid contained in the nacelle 4 .
- an external cooling fin 16 ′ is shown.
- the external cooling fin ′ 16 includes a hollow body, an inlet port 40 and an exhaust port 42 .
- the inlet and outlet ports allow the transfer of a cooling liquid through the external cooling fin 16 ′ for increased heat transfer to the atmosphere.
- a plurality of inlet and outlet ports would be formed through an outer surface of the reservoir housing 14 , substantially concentric with the inlet and outlet ports 40 , 42 to allow the flow of cooling liquid into the external cooling fin 16 ′.
- a hollow open-ended external cooling fan 16 ′′ is shown.
- a plurality of flow openings would be formed through an outer surface of the reservoir housing 14 to allow cooling liquid to flow into an open end 46 of the hollow open-ended external cooling fan 16 ′′ for increased heat transfer to the atmosphere.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wind Motors (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to wind turbines and more specifically to a wind turbine with improved cooling, which provides improved cooling for components of the wind turbine.
- 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
- Most wind turbines use heat transfer devices, such as fans to dissipate heat into the environment. In this way, cold air is suctioned in from the outside by the fans to cool wind turbine components such as the generator. The heated air is then blown back outside. Some wind turbines transfer component heat within a nacelle to a heat exchanger mounted external on the nacelle for atmosphere environment air to pass through and transfer the heat.
- All of these known solutions have in common a large amount of air that is always needed from the outside. This is particularly disadvantageous if the outside air is humid or, particularly in coastal regions, if it has a high salt content, and the cooling elements are then exposed to this humid and high salt content air. This problem is especially extreme with wind energy facilities that stand directly on a coast or, in offshore technology, directly in salt water. Another problem is the environmental contamination of air heat exchanges being clogged and blocked.
- Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a wind turbine with improved cooling, which provides improved cooling for components of the wind turbine without the cooling elements being damaged by the effects of humid and/or salty air.
- The present invention provides a wind turbine with improved cooling, which provides improved cooling for components of the wind turbine. One object of the invention is to provide a cooling device for a wind turbine. The basic concept of the invention is to provide a completely closed or in an alternative embodiment, a partially closed cooling circuit for a wind turbine, so that no or practically no outside air has to be used for cooling through the inside of the wind turbine. In this way, the liquid cooling media circulates within the wind turbine to a nacelle liquid reservoir that dissipates by conduction to an external surface and then cooled by convection of atmosphere wind. One option is to have a plurality of external cooling fins that are hollow with an inlet and exhaust ports to transfer liquid through each cooling fin. Another option is to have hollow cooling fins that allow the cooling liquid more surface area to transfer heat to the outside environment.
- The cooling fluid is preferably any suitable coolant. A liquid, such as antifreeze can be used, if desired over or through wind turbine devices. A lubricating type of heat transfer oil fluid may be used to pass through the electric generator for cooling and lubrication of the generator rotor bearings. The lubricating type of oil fluid may also be used to cool and lubricate other rotating bearing systems within the wind turbine.
- A cooling circuit that is contained within the nacelle and the plurality of cooling fins is thus closed and does require the introduction of cooled air from outside. For cooling all wind turbine components, particularly sensitive components, the wind turbine always uses the same air within the closed circuit. The cooling circuit is a closed system, and once sealed with the proper air, is not later opened or exposed to outside air. If necessary, air filters and additional cooling devices (e.g., heat exchangers) may also be mounted in the cooling path, if needed.
- The advantages of the invention include the fact that no high salt content or humid air comes into contact with the wind turbine components, such as generators, brakes, bearings and electronics. The risk of corrosion is thus drastically reduced within the nacelle and the tower. The nacelle is a housing that contains components, such as the generator, brakes, bearing assembly, gear boxes, electronics and controls. The nacelle also includes a reservoir for retaining cooling fluid. Preferably, a plurality of internal cooling fins extend from an inner surface of the nacelle into reservoir chambers formed in the nacelle for extracting heat from the cooling liquid. Heat is transferred from the plurality of internal cooling fins to an outer surface area of the nacelle to be cooled by atmosphere wind.
- In total, for the cooling of the entire wind turbine, considerably less energy is required than the prior art, because (secondary) cooling power is produced from the atmosphere outside of the nacelle by the wind.
- If cooling from the plurality of external cooling fins, the plurality of internal cooling fins and passing external air is not sufficient, such as on very warm days, it is also possible to use additional cooling elements, such as conventional heat exchangers and the like in the cooling circuit.
- For improving the cooling effect of the nacelle, the nacelle can be completely or partially made out of metal. It is preferable to use aluminum as the metal in order to also take advantage of the cooling effect of an outer surface area of the nacelle, which is constantly enveloped by wind, and thus to increase the wind turbine cooling. The outer surface area of the nacelle is cooled by atmospheric wind.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wind turbine and an upper portion of a supporting tower. -
FIG. 2 is perspective view of a nacelle and a pivot system of a wind turbine. -
FIG. 3 is a front view of a nacelle and a pivot system of a wind turbine. -
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an inner portion of a reservoir housing of a nacelle of a wind turbine. -
FIG. 5 is a top view of a reservoir housing of a nacelle of a wind turbine. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hollow external cooling fin with inlet and exhaust ports for exchanging cooling fluid from a nacelle reservoir of a wind turbine. -
FIG. 7 is a hollow, open ended external cooling fin for receiving cooling fluid from a nacelle reservoir of a wind turbine. - With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to
FIG. 1 , there is shown a side view of awind turbine 1. Thewind turbine 1 preferably includes anacelle 4, arotor 6, apivot system 8 and atower 10. Thenacelle 4 is pivotally retained on a top of thetower 10 with thepivot system 8. A bottom portion of thetower 10 is anchored in the ground (not shown). Thenacelle 4 houses a rotor drive shaft, generator and other components of thewind turbine 1. The components found in thenacelle 4 are well known in the art and need not be shown or explained in detail. Therotor 6 extends from an end of arotor drive shaft 9. Therotor 6 includes a plurality ofblades 7 and therotor drive shaft 9. - With reference to
FIGS. 2-3 , thenacelle 4 includes ashaft housing 12, areservoir housing 14 and a plurality ofexternal cooling fins 16. Theshaft housing 12 may be secured to thereservoir housing 14 with any suitable method. Therotor drive shaft 9 is inserted through a drive shaft opening 20 in theshaft housing 12. The open area between the drive shaft opening 20 and therotor drive shaft 9 is preferably sealed from the atmosphere. The sealednacelle 4 also protects internal components from polluted air. - The plurality of external cooling fins 16 preferably extend from opposing sides of the
reservoir housing 14. At least oneexternal cooling fin 17 preferably extends from a bottom of thereservoir housing 14. The plurality ofexternal cooling fins 16 are preferably sloped downward and are spaced apart to keep them from being contaminated by the weather and nesting birds. Theexternal cooling fins 17 extend from a bottom of thereservoir housing 14 to gain cooling surface area and to be parallel to the desiredwind air flow 2. Shapes of the plurality ofexternal cooling fins external cooling fins external cooling fins reservoir housing 14 or fastened to thereservoir housing 14. The shaft and reservoir housings may completely or partially fabricated from steel, aluminum or any other suitable material. It is preferably to fabricate those portions of the shaft and reservoir housings that transfer heat to the atmosphere of aluminum. - The
pivot system 8 preferably includes anacelle mounting base 11 and atower mounting flange 13. Thenacelle mounting base 11 extends upward from thetower mounting flange 13. Preferably, pivot coolingfins nacelle mounting base 11. With reference toFIGS. 4-5 thenacelle mounting base 11 is inserted into apivot tube 21 formed in thereservoir housing 14. Thepivot tube 21 is isolated from thereservoir chambers wind turbine 1 into thewind air flow 2 and passage of electric feeds and other systems down thetower 10 to the foundation and ground (not shown). Thereservoir chambers - The
tower mounting flange 13 is mounted to a top of thetower 10 with a plurality of fasteners (not shown). Thepivot cooling fins wind turbine 1. The sternside center fin 19 preferably has a larger surface area than the bowside center fin 18. The larger surface area of thefin 19 acts as a tail fin to provide steering from side winds into thewind air flow 2. - With reference to
FIGS. 4-5 , an inside of thereservoir housing 14 preferably includes afirst reservoir chamber 24, asecond reservoir chamber 26, athird reservoir chamber 28 and afourth reservoir chamber 30. Thereservoir chambers liquid passage 37 is formed through the internal bracing supports 32, 34 to allow the flow of cooling liquid. A plurality ofinternal cooling fins 36 extend inward from an inner surface area of thereservoir housing 14. The plurality ofinternal cooling fins 36 transfer heat from a cooling liquid to an exterior surface area of thereservoir housing 14. The number of reservoir chambers may be varied as desired. The cooling liquid may be a single liquid, a mixture of two or more cooling liquids or at least two cooling liquids. The cooling liquid may be circulated through thewind turbine 1 with a pump or any other suitable device. Components contained in thenacelle 4, such as an electric generator, therotor drive shaft 9, speed changing gearbox transmission and electronics will benefit from the cooling liquid contained in thenacelle 4. - With reference to
FIG. 6 , anexternal cooling fin 16′ is shown. The external cooling fin ′16 includes a hollow body, aninlet port 40 and anexhaust port 42. The inlet and outlet ports allow the transfer of a cooling liquid through theexternal cooling fin 16′ for increased heat transfer to the atmosphere. A plurality of inlet and outlet ports would be formed through an outer surface of thereservoir housing 14, substantially concentric with the inlet andoutlet ports external cooling fin 16′. - With reference to
FIG. 7 , a hollow open-ended external coolingfan 16″ is shown. A plurality of flow openings would be formed through an outer surface of thereservoir housing 14 to allow cooling liquid to flow into anopen end 46 of the hollow open-ended external coolingfan 16″ for increased heat transfer to the atmosphere. - While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/906,078 US7963743B1 (en) | 2010-10-16 | 2010-10-16 | Wind turbine with improved cooling |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US12/906,078 US7963743B1 (en) | 2010-10-16 | 2010-10-16 | Wind turbine with improved cooling |
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US20110140444A1 true US20110140444A1 (en) | 2011-06-16 |
US7963743B1 US7963743B1 (en) | 2011-06-21 |
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US12/906,078 Expired - Fee Related US7963743B1 (en) | 2010-10-16 | 2010-10-16 | Wind turbine with improved cooling |
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Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20110175368A1 (en) * | 2009-02-27 | 2011-07-21 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Wind driven generator |
EP2599999A1 (en) * | 2011-12-02 | 2013-06-05 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Extruded aluminium radiator |
US20130200618A1 (en) * | 2012-02-02 | 2013-08-08 | Mark Albert Prindle | High efficiency wind turbine |
WO2013104777A3 (en) * | 2012-01-13 | 2013-11-07 | Youwinenergy | Cooling system of a wind turbine |
US20130336764A1 (en) * | 2011-01-15 | 2013-12-19 | Armin Schmidt | Device for lubricating a transmission and a bearing |
US20150211490A1 (en) * | 2014-01-29 | 2015-07-30 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Cooling arrangement |
US9234498B2 (en) | 2012-02-02 | 2016-01-12 | Mark Albert Prindle | High efficiency wind turbine |
CN113623152A (en) * | 2021-06-15 | 2021-11-09 | 三一重能股份有限公司 | Cooling system of wind driven generator and wind driven generator |
US11788513B2 (en) | 2019-08-14 | 2023-10-17 | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | Cooler for a wind turbine having pivotable cooling panels |
EP4321753A1 (en) | 2022-08-10 | 2024-02-14 | Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Innovation & Technology S.L. | Exterior cooling fins |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2011004482A1 (en) * | 2009-07-09 | 2011-01-13 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Wind power generator |
KR101324576B1 (en) | 2011-12-09 | 2013-11-01 | 삼성중공업 주식회사 | Wind Turbine Having Nacelle Having Guide Part |
US9534584B2 (en) | 2013-06-13 | 2017-01-03 | Cooper Industries Holdings | Wind turbine electric generator with torque limiting brake |
WO2020115276A1 (en) * | 2018-12-07 | 2020-06-11 | Nissens Cooling Solutions A/S | A wind turbine nacelle mounted cooling system |
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