WO2010015359A1 - Fourniture d'énergie électrique à un ensemble rotatif - Google Patents

Fourniture d'énergie électrique à un ensemble rotatif Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010015359A1
WO2010015359A1 PCT/EP2009/005519 EP2009005519W WO2010015359A1 WO 2010015359 A1 WO2010015359 A1 WO 2010015359A1 EP 2009005519 W EP2009005519 W EP 2009005519W WO 2010015359 A1 WO2010015359 A1 WO 2010015359A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
support
rotatable assembly
electrical device
generators
hub
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2009/005519
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul David Hopewell
Alan Stuart Kinson
Original Assignee
Rolls-Royce Plc
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 Rolls-Royce Plc filed Critical Rolls-Royce Plc
Publication of WO2010015359A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010015359A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K16/00—Machines with more than one rotor or stator
    • 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
    • F05B2260/40—Transmission of power
    • 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
    • F05B2260/70—Adjusting of angle of incidence or attack of rotating blades
    • 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
    • F05B2260/70—Adjusting of angle of incidence or attack of rotating blades
    • F05B2260/76—Adjusting of angle of incidence or attack of rotating blades the adjusting mechanism using auxiliary power sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus for providing electrical power to a rotatable assembly; particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to a rotor blade assembly of a wind or tidal turbine.
  • Wind or tidal turbines comprise a rotor blade assembly which is mounted to a nacelle, the nacelle providing a raised streamlined section of a ground support.
  • the assembly includes a hub and a plurality of rotor blades fixed to the hub.
  • an electrically powered pitch mechanism is associated with the hub, which is operable to adjust the pitch of the blades (i.e. to pivot or rotate the blades) . It is desirable to adjust the pitch of the blades in order to control the speed of rotation of the rotor blade assembly, when the wind speed or tidal flow is too high or low to produce energy, for example.
  • the rotor hub is electrically connected to a nacelle power supply via a slip-ring and brush arrangement, the slip-ring being provided on the rotor hub and the brushes being provided on the nacelle, or vice-versa .
  • the brushes are arranged to bear against the slip-ring whilst the rotor blade assembly rotates, in an attempt to maintain continual electrical connection between the rotating assembly and the nacelle.
  • the arrangement may perform acceptably well where the maintenance burden for the slip-ring and brushes
  • a controller is arranged to send control signals between the nacelle and the pitch mechanism of the rotor hub.
  • slip-rings are used to achieve a connection between the nacelle and the rotor hub through which the signals can pass.
  • the slip-rings are prone to wear, similar to the slip-ring and brush arrangement described above.
  • rotary fibre optic couplers can be used as an alternative to slip- rings.
  • these couplers are more expensive than the slip-rings and are also prone to wear.
  • the present invention provides apparatus comprising a rotatable assembly, e.g. a rotor blade assembly, mounted on a support, wherein an electricity generator is fixed to the rotatable assembly, and wherein, through its interaction with the support upon rotation of the assembly, the electricity generator generates electrical power for the rotatable assembly.
  • apparatus comprising: a support; a rotatable assembly including an electrical device, the rotatable assembly being rotatably mounted to the support; one or more electricity generators electrically connected to the electrical device; each generator having a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being relatively rotatable to generate electricity, the first part being fixed to the rotatable assembly and the second part being engaged with the support, the arrangement being such that, upon rotation of the rotatable assembly relative to the support, the second part of each generator is forced to rotate relative to the first part, generating electricity for the electrical device.
  • the electrical device may be controllable using control signals.
  • the rotatable assembly comprises a wireless receiver for receiving wireless control signals for the electrical device.
  • the rotatable assembly may also comprise a wireless transmitter for transmitting wireless data signals from the electrical device.
  • the data signals may provide information about the performance of the electrical device, for example.
  • the control and/or data signals may be radio signals.
  • the support may comprise a transmitter for transmitting the control signals to the receiver of the rotatable assembly and/or a receiver for receiving the data signals from the transmitter of the rotatable assembly.
  • the signals may be transmitted/received through an industrial communications network.
  • slip-rings or fibre optic couplers are not required to transmit the signals between the support and rotatable assembly. Again, this may mean that the amount of maintenance needed to ensure continued operation of the apparatus can be reduced.
  • the one or more electricity generators may be standard electricity generators known in the art, having two parts, i.e. a stator and a rotor, relatively rotatable to generate electricity based on the principle of electromagnetic induction.
  • the generators may each be adapted to include a fixation means to fix the first part to the rotatable assembly, and adapted to achieve appropriate engagement between the second part and the support.
  • the rotatable assembly may be a rotor blade assembly.
  • the rotor blade assembly may comprise a rotor blade hub and one or more rotor blades pivotally mounted to the hub.
  • the electrical device may be an electrically powered pitch mechanism for pivoting the rotor blades relative to the hub.
  • Control signals may be sent to the pitch mechanism to allow selection of the appropriate blade angle.
  • the control signals may be sent wirelessly, as discussed above.
  • the apparatus may form part of a wind turbine or a tidal turbine, where pivoting of the rotor blades (i.e. adjusting of the pitch of the rotor blades) is important to control the speed of rotation of the rotor blade hub.
  • the rotor blade assembly may comprise another type of electrical device, such as a light, measurement apparatus or otherwise, which receives electrical power from the electricity generators.
  • the support may have a ground engaging surface and may be fixed to the ground. The support may therefore hold the rotatable assembly from the ground, preventing any obstruction of the rotatable assembly by the ground.
  • the term A ground' may include any solid surface of the earth, a floor surface or similar. Nonetheless, it is conceived that the support may not be arranged to contact the ground or be fixed to the ground.
  • the apparatus may be used in a variety of applications where a rotatable assembly is arranged to rotate relative to a support, e.g. in turbines as mentioned above, vehicles such as planes or ships, and in machine tools etc.
  • the support may comprise a nacelle, the rotatable assembly being rotatably mounted to the nacelle.
  • the axis of rotation between the first and second parts of the generators is offset from the axis of rotation between the rotatable assembly and the support. Accordingly, the generators may not interfere with the rotatable mounting of the rotatable assembly to the support. Furthermore, the off-axis arrangement may enable increased rotational speed of the first and second parts to be achieved, as discussed further below.
  • the apparatus comprises a plurality of electricity generators. Accordingly, increased electrical power supply and/or back-up in the event that one of the electricity generators malfunctions may be achieved.
  • a ring gear is fixed to the support and the second part of the generator is a pinion arranged to engage the ring gear.
  • the radius of the pinion is smaller than the radius of the ring gear.
  • the ring gear is centred on the axis of rotation of the rotatable assembly relative to the support, and the pinion is positioned at substantially the same distance from this axis of rotation as the radius of the ring gear. Accordingly, when the rotatable assembly rotates relative to the support, the pinion can engage and travel around the ring gear. As it travels, the pinion will rotate relative to the second part of the generator, generating electricity.
  • the pinion Since the pinion has a smaller diameter than the ring gear, it will rotate relative to the second part of the generator at a greater speed than the rotatable assembly rotates relative to the support. Essentially a gear ratio is provided between the pinion and the ring gear. Preferably, the gear ratio is between 50:1 and 100: 1. Accordingly, the pinion may rotate relative to the second part of the generator from between 50 and 100 times faster than the rotatable assembly rotates relative to the support . This step-up in speed provides for increased electricity generation by the generator.
  • the pinion of each generator may be engaged with the same ring gear, minimizing the number of component parts required.
  • the ring gear may be fixed to the nacelle of the support.
  • the second part of the generator may comprise a rubber wheel, or wheel of similar material with a relatively high grip, which engages a portion of the support and is forced to rotate due to the friction generated between the wheel and the portion of the support.
  • the portion of the support may be, for example, part of an outer casing or wall of the support, or a smooth ring element projecting from the casing or wall of the support.
  • the generators may be provided in a non-sealed environment such that water or air can circulate around the generators to cool the generators. In addition to the cooling benefits, this may also allow a larger ring gear to be used, since the ring gear need not be held within, for example, a sealed housing along with the generators. Generally, using a larger ring gear will increase rotational operating speeds of the generators. Due to the highly effective means of cooling, and the high rotational operating speeds, compact generators may therefore be used.
  • the generators may however be provided in a sealed environment, such that water or air cannot circulate around the generators. This offers the advantage of not requiring the generators themselves to be water-sealed or air-sealed, preventing possible damage.
  • the generators may be located within a sealed housing, along with the ring gear.
  • the housing may form part of the nacelle.
  • the apparatus of the present invention is particularly appropriate for use in wind and tidal turbines, it is conceived that the apparatus could be used in a number of other applications requiring the provision of electrical power to a rotatable assembly.
  • FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2a shows a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 2b shows a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 2a.
  • Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of a pinion and ring gear of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;
  • apparatus includes a rotary blade hub assembly 1 and a nacelle 2 of a wind or tidal turbine.
  • the rotary blade hub assembly 1 comprises a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades (not shown) .
  • the rotor hub includes a main section 11 and a shaft 12.
  • the rotor blades are pivotably mounted to the main section 11 via respective blade roots 13, the blade roots 13 each comprising an electrically powered pitch mechanism.
  • the shaft 12 has a cylindrical wall 121 extending between first and second shaft ends 122, 123.
  • the first end 122 is fixed to the main section 11 and the second end 123 is rotatably mounted to an end wall 21 of the nacelle 2 that faces the rotary blade hub assembly 1, or passes through the end wall 21 and is rotatably mounted on suitable bearings inside the nacelle 2.
  • the arrangement is such that, when a stream of air or water passes over the blades, the rotary blade hub assembly 1 (i.e. the rotor blades, main section 11 and shaft section 12) will rotate relative to the nacelle 2, generating electricity through a generator (not shown) located in the nacelle 2.
  • the rotary blade hub assembly comprises a radio receiver (not shown) for receiving radio control signals that control the pitch mechanism, allowing the blade pitch angle to be selected as desired.
  • the apparatus comprises three hub generators 3.
  • the hub generators are mounted at equally spaced intervals around the cylindrical wall 121 of the shaft and are electrically connected to the pivot mechanisms.
  • Each hub generator 3 includes a housing 31 and a pinion 32 rotatable relative to the housing 31.
  • the housing 31 is fixed to the cylindrical wall 121 of the shaft 12, via support legs 311, and the pinion 32 projects from a hole provided in the housing 31.
  • the hub generator is a permanent magnet generator.
  • the housing 31 comprises a stator of the generator (e.g. a wound electrical conductor that remains stationary relative to the rotary hub assembly 1), and the pinion is connected to a rotor of the generator (e.g.
  • a permanent magnet to produce a rotating magnetic field
  • the rotor Upon rotation of the pinion 32 relative to the housing 31, the rotor will rotate relative to the stator, generating electricity based on the principle of magnetic induction.
  • the generator produces alternating current of a frequency and voltage determined by the speed of rotation.
  • a wound field generator could be used, although a permanent magnet generator is preferred for simplicity.
  • a ring gear 22 is provided that extends around, and is centred on, the axis of rotation between the shaft 12 and the nacelle 2.
  • Teeth 321 of the pinion 32 of each hub generator 3 are arranged to engage with teeth 221 of the ring gear 22, as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the arrangement is such that, when the rotor blade assembly 1 rotates relative to the nacelle 2 (in a direction A as indicated in Fig. 3), each pinion 32 travels along the circular path of the ring gear 22 in the same direction. However, whilst travelling along the ring gear 22, the pinions 32 are forced to rotate relative to their respective housings 31 in the opposite direction, i.e. in direction B as indicate in Fig. 3.
  • the pinions 32 are of substantially smaller diameter than the ring gear 22. Accordingly, the pinions 32 are forced to rotate relative to their housings 31 at considerably greater rotational speeds than the rotor blade assembly 1 rotates relative to the nacelle 2. In this embodiment, the speed multiplication ratio is between 50:1 and 100:1. An increased speed of rotation of the pinion 32 relative to the housing 31 is desirable because it increases the amount of electricity generated by the hub generator 3.
  • a pitch mechanism of a tidal turbine may require electrical power of 20 to 50 kW for continued operation.
  • the hub generators 3 are in a non- sealed environment. Accordingly, air or water may circulate around the generators 3, cooling the generators 3. Nonetheless, it is conceived that the generators 3 could be placed in a sealed environment, to prevent damage of the generators 3 from water (e.g. sea water) or air borne particles.
  • the generators may be arranged to rotate within a housing projecting from the nacelle, the ring gear being located within the housing.
  • Communication between the main plant controller in the stationary frame and the pitch change controller in the rotating frame may take the form of a rotary fibre optic, a signal slip-ring, a transformer or a short range wireless network link.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention porte sur un appareil comprenant un support et un ensemble rotatif monté de façon rotative sur le support. Un ou plusieurs générateurs d'électricité sont connectés à un dispositif électrique associé à l'ensemble rotatif, chaque générateur comprenant une première partie et une seconde partie rotative l'une par rapport à l'autre pour générer de l'électricité. La première partie est fixée à l'ensemble rotatif et la seconde partie est solidarisée au support. L'agencement est tel que, lors d'une rotation de l'ensemble rotatif par rapport au support, la seconde partie de chaque générateur est forcée à tourner par rapport à la première partie, générant de l'électricité pour le dispositif électrique. L'appareil peut être utilisé dans une turbine éolienne ou marémotrice, auquel cas l'ensemble rotatif est un moyeu de pale de rotor, le support est une nacelle, et le dispositif électrique est un mécanisme de réglage de pas pour ajuster le pas des pales de rotor.
PCT/EP2009/005519 2008-08-07 2009-07-30 Fourniture d'énergie électrique à un ensemble rotatif WO2010015359A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0814391A GB0814391D0 (en) 2008-08-07 2008-08-07 Electrical power provision to a rotatable assembly
GB0814391.9 2008-08-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010015359A1 true WO2010015359A1 (fr) 2010-02-11

Family

ID=39767611

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2009/005519 WO2010015359A1 (fr) 2008-08-07 2009-07-30 Fourniture d'énergie électrique à un ensemble rotatif

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0814391D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010015359A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102328594A (zh) * 2011-06-24 2012-01-25 伍志权 风能和轮毂发电驱动车
CN102381183A (zh) * 2011-06-24 2012-03-21 伍志权 轮毂发电驱动车
EP2528203A1 (fr) 2011-05-24 2012-11-28 Eurocopter Dispositif d'alimentation électrique d'au moins un équipement d'un rotor tournant d'un aéronef, et aéronef
EP2664545A1 (fr) 2012-05-16 2013-11-20 Eurocopter Dispositif d'alimentation électrique d'au moins un équipement d'un rotor d'un aéronef, et aéronef
US8777555B1 (en) 2013-02-21 2014-07-15 Lockheed Martin Corporation Yaw drive tidal turbine system and method
US8972219B2 (en) 2012-02-22 2015-03-03 General Electric Company Method and system of monitoring electrical brushes
US20170214202A1 (en) * 2014-10-14 2017-07-27 Schleifring Und Apparatebau Gmbh Slipring with wear monitoring

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0777602A1 (fr) * 1994-09-02 1997-06-11 Ultra Electronics Limited Appareil rotatif
DE19644705A1 (de) * 1996-10-28 1998-04-30 Preussag Ag Vorrichtung zur Verstellung von Rotorblättern
WO2005068834A1 (fr) * 2004-01-16 2005-07-28 Lm Glasfiber A/S Procede de surveillance de l'exploitation d'une installation d'energie eolienne
DE102007003618A1 (de) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Voith Patent Gmbh Energieerzeugungsanlage, angetrieben durch eine Wind- oder Wasserströmung

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0777602A1 (fr) * 1994-09-02 1997-06-11 Ultra Electronics Limited Appareil rotatif
DE19644705A1 (de) * 1996-10-28 1998-04-30 Preussag Ag Vorrichtung zur Verstellung von Rotorblättern
WO2005068834A1 (fr) * 2004-01-16 2005-07-28 Lm Glasfiber A/S Procede de surveillance de l'exploitation d'une installation d'energie eolienne
DE102007003618A1 (de) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Voith Patent Gmbh Energieerzeugungsanlage, angetrieben durch eine Wind- oder Wasserströmung

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2528203A1 (fr) 2011-05-24 2012-11-28 Eurocopter Dispositif d'alimentation électrique d'au moins un équipement d'un rotor tournant d'un aéronef, et aéronef
US8890378B2 (en) 2011-05-24 2014-11-18 Airbus Helicopters Electrical power supply device for electrically powering at least one item of equipment on a rotary rotor of an aircraft, and an aircraft
CN102328594A (zh) * 2011-06-24 2012-01-25 伍志权 风能和轮毂发电驱动车
CN102381183A (zh) * 2011-06-24 2012-03-21 伍志权 轮毂发电驱动车
US8972219B2 (en) 2012-02-22 2015-03-03 General Electric Company Method and system of monitoring electrical brushes
EP2664545A1 (fr) 2012-05-16 2013-11-20 Eurocopter Dispositif d'alimentation électrique d'au moins un équipement d'un rotor d'un aéronef, et aéronef
FR2990812A1 (fr) * 2012-05-16 2013-11-22 Eurocopter France Dispositif d'alimentation electrique d'au moins un equipement d'un rotor d'un aeronef, et aeronef
US9067684B2 (en) 2012-05-16 2015-06-30 Airbus Helicopters Electrical power supply device for powering at least one piece of equipment of an aircraft rotor, and an aircraft
US8777555B1 (en) 2013-02-21 2014-07-15 Lockheed Martin Corporation Yaw drive tidal turbine system and method
US20170214202A1 (en) * 2014-10-14 2017-07-27 Schleifring Und Apparatebau Gmbh Slipring with wear monitoring
US11658449B2 (en) * 2014-10-14 2023-05-23 Schleifring Gmbh Slipring with wear monitoring

Also Published As

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