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
  • F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor 
  • F03D1/06—Rotors
  • F03D1/065—Rotors characterised by their construction elements
  • F03D1/0675—Rotors characterised by their construction elements of the blades
• • 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
  • F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor 
  • F03D1/06—Rotors
  • F03D1/065—Rotors characterised by their construction elements
  • F03D1/0658—Arrangements for fixing wind-engaging parts to a hub
• • 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
  • F03D7/00—Controlling wind motors 
  • F03D7/02—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
  • F03D7/0264—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor for stopping; controlling in emergency situations
• • 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
  • F03D7/00—Controlling wind motors 
  • F03D7/02—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
  • F03D7/04—Automatic control; Regulation
  • F03D7/042—Automatic control; Regulation by means of an electrical or electronic controller
• • 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
  • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
  • F03D9/20—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus
  • F03D9/25—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being an electrical generator
• • 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
  • F05B2240/20—Rotors
  • F05B2240/30—Characteristics of rotor blades, i.e. of any element transforming dynamic fluid energy to or from rotational energy and being attached to a rotor
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the industrial field of wind turbines for generating electric energy, in particular wind turbines with folding blades for resisting strong winds. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rotor unit of such a wind turbine.
• Wind turbines are devices for generating electric energy by exploiting the speed of the wind. They comprise a rotor which may rotate about a rotation axis, to which rotor blades are connected, which are generally arranged in a substantially radial direction with respect to the rotation axis and have a wing profile designed to bring the rotor into rotation when they are hit by the wind.
• An electric generator is connected to the rotor to receive a rotating motion from the rotor and to transform such a rotating motion into electric energy.
• a known type of wind turbine is the one with horizontal axis, in which the rotation axis of the rotor is horizontal, or substantially horizontal.
• Horizontal axis wind turbines are supported by a vertical tower adapted to carry the rotor and the electric generator.
• the electric generator is generally associated with an inverter, a transformer, an electric circuitry and a control unit, in order to manage the electric energy generated and to command the turbine.
• These components are generally contained in a shell or nacelle, with respect to which the rotor is supported pivotally about a rotor axis.
• the nacelle is generally supported in turn by the tower in a rotatable manner about a substantially vertical axis in order to orientate the rotor according to the direction of the wind.
• the power supplied increases with the wind speed from a minimum power value P min to a maximum power value P max .
• the power supplied remains constant at a value P max due to physical limitations of the devices for generating electric energy and to structural limitations.
• Patent Application US 2010/0133848 discloses a horizontal axis wind turbine comprising a beam hub and two blades hinged to the two opposite ends of the beam hub at hinge points spaced apart from each other in order to fold such blades towards the tower.
• the two blades are therefore restrained to be folded about two distinct and separate folding axes.
• Such a wind turbine is not capable of resisting high wind speed values; or, in order to resist, it should comprise an extremely rigid and resistant, and accordingly expensive, structure.
• Patent Application US 2007/0243063 discloses a folding blade wind turbine which proposes to minimize damage during storms or other events with strong winds and to facilitate maintenance.
• This wind turbine comprises three blades, two of which foldable about separate hinge points arranged at the free ends of respective blade bases fastened radially to the rotor.
• this wind turbine also hinders the encumbrance, or the resistant surface, from being reduced when the blades are closed, to such a degree as to resist high values or peaks in wind speed, because such blades remain spaced apart from the tower at least at the hinge points of the blade bases.
• the wind turbine should also ensure correct and safe maintenance of the blades in the folded position, while opposing the minimum aerodynamic resistance also in such a folded position.
• none of the known solutions allows the blades to be closed in such a way as to substantially reduce the aerodynamic resistance during such a closing step, in a quick and accurate manner.
• FIG. 1 , 2, 3 show a front view, a side view and a top view, respectively, of a wind turbine according to the invention, with blades in an open position;
• FIG. 4 shows a front view, a side view and a top view, respectively, of the wind turbine in figure 1 , wherein the blades are in an intermediate position between the open position and the folded position;
• FIG. 7 shows a front view, a side view and a top view, respectively, of the wind turbine in figure 1 , in which the blades are in a folded position;
• FIG. 10 shows a rear perspective view, or a front perspective view, depending on whether the blades are upwind or downwind of the supporting tower, of a rotor unit according to the invention, in which the blades are in the open position;
• FIG. 11 shows a rear perspective view of the rotor unit in figure 10, in which the blades are in an intermediate position between an open position and a folded position;
• figure 12 shows a rear perspective view of the rotor unit in figure 10, in which the blades are in a folded position
• figure 13 shows a front perspective view of the rotor unit in figure 10, in which the blades are in an open position
• FIG. 14 shows a front perspective view of the rotor unit in figure 10, in which the blades are in an intermediate position between an open position and a folded position;
• figure 15 shows a front perspective view of the rotor unit in figure 10, in which the blades are in a folded position
• FIG. 16 shows a front view of the rotor unit in figure 10, in which the blades are in an open position
• FIG. 17 shows a side view of the rotor unit in figure 16, in which the blades are in an open position
• FIG. 18 shows a top view of the rotor unit in figure 16, in which the blades are in an open position
• FIG. 19 shows a front view of the rotor unit in figure 16, in which the blades are in a folded position
• FIG. 20 shows a side view of the rotor unit in figure 16, in which the blades are in a folded position
• FIG. 21 shows a top view of the rotor unit in figure 16, in which the blades are in a folded position
• FIG. 22 shows a graph of the trend of the power supplied by the wind turbine as a function of the wind speed
• FIG. 23 shows a partial front view of a wind turbine having a rotor unit according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the turbine is in the open position;
• FIG. 24 shows a partial top view of the turbine in figure 23;
• FIG. 25 shows a partial side view of the turbine in figure 23;
• FIG. 26 shows a partial front perspective view of the turbine in figure 23;
• FIG. 27 and 28 show a front view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a wind turbine having the rotor unit in figure 23, in which the blades of the turbine are in the folded position;
• figure 29 shows a partial front view of the turbine in figure 27;
• FIG. 30 shows a partial top view of the turbine in figure 27;
• FIG. 31 shows a partial side view of the turbine in figure 27;
• FIG. 32 shows a partial perspective view of the turbine in figure 27;
• FIG. 35 shows a detail of the wind turbine in which blade stopping devices are depicted in the open position to retain the blades which are close to the tower;
• FIG. 36 shows a detail of the rotor brake of the wind turbine in which pincer bodies and brake disc are depicted.
• axial plane will indicate a plane passing through the rotor axis R, i.e. containing the rotor axis R.
• the rotor axis R is the rotation axis of the rotor when the wind turbine is actuated by the wind.
• radial plane will indicate a plane which is orthogonal to the rotor axis R. Therefore, a radial plane and an axial plane are orthogonal to each other.
• a rotor unit according to the invention is generally indicated with numeral 1.
• a folding blade wind turbine according to the invention is generally indicated with numeral 100.
• the wind turbine 100 comprises the rotor unit 1 , a tower 50 adapted to support the rotor unit 1 , for example pivotally about or parallel to a tower axis T; an electric generator 60 connected to the rotor unit 1 to receive a rotating motion from the rotor unit 1 , at least two blades 20 connected to the rotor unit 1.
• the rotor unit 1 of wind turbine comprises a rotor body 2 arranged to rotate about a rotor axis R.
• the rotor body 2 has an output of rotating motion 3 adapted to be operatively connected to an electric generator 60 to transfer a rotating motion from said rotor body 2 to said electric generator 60.
• the at least two blades 20 are rotatable with respect to each other between an open or operative position and a folded or standby position, wherein, in said open position, said at least two blades 20 are arranged angularly spaced from each other about the rotor axis R in order to be able to be affected by the wind to bring said rotor body 2 into rotation about said rotor axis R, and in which, in said folded position, said at least two blades 20 are arranged angularly close to each other with respect to the rotor axis R so as to reduce the aerodynamic resistance of the wind turbine.
• the rotor unit 1 comprises at least two blade folding structures 4 connected to the rotor body 2 and each comprising a blade fastening portion 17 for fastening an end portion of a respective blade 20 of said at least two blades 20 to each of said at least two blade folding structures 20.
• each blade is connected to a respective blade folding structure 4 of the rotor unit 1 in order to rotate together with said blade folding structure 4 about said hinge axis P.
• the rotor unit 1 further comprises at least one actuator 5 arranged to move said at least two blade folding structures 4 with respect to each other.
• the at least two blade folding structures 4 are pivotally connected to each other about a same hinge axis P.
• the blade folding structures 4 are adapted to rotate the at least two blades 20 about the hinge axis P between the open position and the folded position and vice versa.
• Blade longitudinal axis G means an axis along which the larger dimension of blade 20 itself is arranged.
• the blade longitudinal axis G is a main axis of extension of blade 20.
• the blade longitudinal axis G is, for example, a substantially rectilinear axis, as shown in figures 3, 4, 8, 27, 28, for example.
• the blade longitudinal axis G is tilted with respect to a radial plane Q orthogonal to the rotor axis R, according to a preset angle d.
• a preset angle d see figures 3, 18 and 24.
• the at least two blade folding structures 4 are all pivotally engaged with the rotor body 2 about said hinge axis P.
• the hinge axis P and the rotor axis R define a common rotor axial plane L-L comprising the hinge axis P and the rotor axis R.
• L-L rotor axial plane
• the blade angle f ranges between 68° and 88°, preferably between 74° and 78°, and more preferably the blade angle f is about 72°.
• the hinge axis P is tilted with respect to the rotor axis R according to a preset tilt angle b.
• a preset tilt angle b see figures 20 and 31.
• the tilt angle b ranges between and 40°, preferably ranges between 5° and 20°, and still more preferably between 8° and 12°.
• the tilt angle b is selected so that, when the blade folding structures 4, or the blades 20, are in the folded position, the blades 20 are placed side-by-side with the tower 50 in a tilted manner with respect to the tower axis T, according to a preset closed angle with respect to the rotor axis R.
• a preset closed angle is equal to the sum of the tilt angle b and of the blade angle f.
• the blade longitudinal axis G forms a preset closed angle with the rotor axis R, which preset closed angle is equal to the sum of the tilt angle b and the blade angle f.
• the blade longitudinal axes G of the blades 20 intersect the rotor axis R at a same point Z, as shown for example, in figures 18 and 24.
• each of said at least two blade folding structures 4 comprises a hinging portion 16 which is pivotally engaged with the rotor body 2 about the hinge axis P, the aforesaid blade fastening portion 17 for connecting the free end of blade 20 to the supporting bracket 6, an actuation portion 12 on which said at least one actuator 5 acts.
• the actuation portion 12 is arranged at a preset distance from the hinging portion 16 to receive a force and an actuation motion from said at least one actuator 5.
• the blade fastening portion 17 is interposed between the hinging portion 16 and the actuation portion 12, for example, the hinging portion 16 and the actuation portion 12 are arranged at two opposite ends of the supporting bracket 6.
• the rotor body 2 comprises a pin portion 10 which extends along said hinge axis P, and said hinging portion 16 of said supporting bracket 6 comprises a seat for pivotally receiving said pin portion 10.
• the seat for pivotally receiving the pin portion 10 forms a rotoidal coupling with the pin portion 10.
• the rotor unit 1 comprises an actuator 5 associated with each blade folding structure 4, said actuator 5 having a first connecting portion 8 connected to said rotor body 2 and a second connecting portion 9 connected to a respective blade folding structure 4, for example, the second connecting portion 9 is connected to a respective supporting bracket 6, for example, the second connecting portion 9 is connected to said actuation portion 12 of said supporting bracket 6.
• each blade folding structure 4 comprises a counter-abutment surface 14 adapted to abut against a lateral abutment surface 13 of said rotor body 2 when said blades 20 are in the open position.
• said at least one actuator 5 is arranged to move said at least two blade folding structures 4 up to forcing said counter-abutment surface 14 against said lateral abutment surface 13 when said blades 20 are in the open position.
• said at least one actuator 5 comprises at least one linear actuator, for example at least one hydraulic cylinder, or at least one pneumatic cylinder, or at least one actuator with a screw-nut system, for example at least one screw system with recirculating balls.
• each of said at least two supporting brackets 6 comprises a respective bracket arm 11 , which extends for example along a plane which is substantially orthogonal to the hinge axis P, in which said second portion 9 of said actuator means 5 is connected to said actuation portion 12.
• Said actuation portion 12 is for example a distal end 12 of said bracket arm 11.
• the counter-abutment surface 14 belongs to said bracket arm 11.
• the rotor body 2 comprises an projecting portion 7 and the at least one actuator 5 is connected to said projecting portion 7, so that said at least one actuator 5 can pull the blade folding structures 4 close to the projecting portion 7 to bring the blades 20 from the folded position to the open position.
• the rotor body 2 comprises lateral abutment surfaces 13 and each of said at least two blade folding structures 4 comprises a respective counter-abutment surface 14 adapted to abut against one of said lateral abutment surfaces 13 when said blades 20 are in the open position.
• the at least two blade folding structures 4 are only two blade folding structures for only two blades 20.
• the wind turbine 100 comprises only two blades 20.
• the projecting portion 7 projects along the rotor axial plane L-L passing through the hinge axis P.
• the lateral abutment surfaces 13 are opposite side surfaces of said projecting portion 7.
• said counter-abutment surfaces 14 each belong to a respective supporting bracket 6 and are positioned to abut against said opposite lateral abutment surfaces 13 of said projecting portion 7 when approaching to the projecting portion 7 from opposite sides of said projecting portion 7 in order to bring the blades 20 from the folded position to the open position.
• said lateral abutment surfaces 13 are substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the rotor axial plane L-L. In this regard, see figure 16.
• said lateral abutment surfaces 13 are arranged on axial planes containing the hinge axis P.
• the projecting portion 7 extends mainly along a projecting portion axis X.
• the projecting portion axis X is substantially parallel to the rotor axis R, as shown in figure 17, for example.
• the projecting portion axis X is substantially parallel to the hinge axis P.
• the projecting portion 7 extends on the opposite side of the rotor axis R with respect to the hinge axis P.
• the projecting portion axis X, the rotor axis R and the hinge axis P all lie on the rotor axial plane L-L.
• the rotor axial plane L-L and the open blade axial plane W-W are orthogonal to each other.
• the rotor unit 1 for each blade folding structure 4, the rotor unit 1 comprises a blade joint 15 adapted to fasten a blade fastening end 20' to a respective one of said at least two blade folding structures 4, so as to allow only the rotation of blade 20 about the blade longitudinal axis G with respect to the blade folding structure 4.
• the blade joint 15 is adapted to carry a respective blade 20, thus preventing any movement of blade 20 with respect to the folding structure 4, other than the rotation of blade 20 about its own blade longitudinal axis G with respect to the blade folding structure 4.
• the blade joint 15 comprises a blade orientation actuator 21 for actuating the rotation of blade 20 about the blade longitudinal axis G.
• the rotation of blade 20 about its own blade longitudinal axis G allows the helical pitch of the wind turbine to be varied.
• the wind blade joint 15 is substantially cylindrical or tubular in shape, extending along the blade main axis G.
• Figures from 23 to 33 show a second embodiment of the rotor unit 1 according to the invention.
• This embodiment differs from the ones described above in that the at least one actuator 5 is at least a rotary actuator 5.
• the mechanical transmission is for example of the wheel-rack type.
• a mechanical transmission comprises a wheel 5'spliced onto a drive shaft 5' of actuator 5, and a circular rack 22 which is integral with the blade folding structure 4 in order to rotate the blade folding structure 4 about the hinge axis P as a function of the rotation of spool 5'.
• the circular rack 22 extends for an arc of a circle.
• the angular extension of which is less than the one of a complete circle.
• the circular rack 22 comprises a radially outward toothing.
• the circular rack 22 forms a portion of said supporting bracket 6, for example forms said actuation portion 12.
• the rotary actuator 5 comprises a gear-motor, comprising a rotary motor and a reduction gear.
• the rotary actuator 5 comprises an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.
• the folding brake 19 is a mechanical brake, for example a disc brake or a drum brake.
• the folding brake 19 is integrated together with actuator 5 in which the braking action is obtained by controlling the actuation of actuator 5 itself.
• the rotor unit 1 comprises blocking/releasing devices 25 adapted to block/release the at least two blade folding structures 4 with respect to said rotor body 2 when the blade folding structures 4 are in the open position.
• blocking/releasing devices 25 serve to retain the blades 20 in the open position during the rotation of the rotor unit 1 and to ensure this open position is kept during normal use.
• such blocking/releasing devices 25 are interposed between each blade folding structure 4 and the rotor body 2, for example between each supporting bracket 6 and said rotor body 2, for example between each supporting bracket 6 and said projecting portion 7.
• such blocking/releasing devices 25 comprise a rotatable hook element mounted on one of the blade folding structure 4 and the rotor body 2, the rotatable hook element being adapted to be engaged with a coupling element which is integral with the other of the blade folding structure and the rotor body 2.
• the hook body is mounted on a corresponding blade fastening portion 17 and the coupling element is fastened to the rotor body 2, for example to the projecting portion 7.
• the blocking/releasing devices 25 comprise an actuator adapted to actuate said blocking/releasing devices, for example a motorized actuator, for example an automatic motorized actuator.
• blocking/releasing devices 25 are depicted with reference to figures 23-32, it is apparent that such blocking/releasing devices 25 may also be applied to the embodiments described above in figures 1-21 without any modifications.
• the rotor unit 1 comprises the opening/folding control unit 200.
• a folding blade wind turbine 100 comprising a rotor unit 1 as described above.
• the wind turbine 100 comprises a tower 50 adapted to support the rotor unit 1 , at least two blades 20 connected to the rotor unit 1 , an electric generator 60 which can be actuated by the rotation of the rotor unit 1.
• the assembly of rotor unit 1 , blades 20, electric generator 60 is supported by an upper end of tower 50 in a rotatable manner about a turbine orientation axis S, for example a vertical axis.
• the rotation of the rotor unit 1 about the turbine orientation axis S is adapted to allow the rotor unit 1 to be orientated according to a direction of the wind and to follow the wind direction variations over time.
• Tower 50 defines a tower axis T arranged along a main direction of extension of tower 50.
• the turbine orientation axis S is parallel to the tower axis T, as shown for example in figures 1 to 21 , or the turbine orientation axis S is coincident with the tower axis T, as shown for example in figures from 23 to 32. It is worth noting that these two configurations are perfectly interchangeable with each other without any modifications.
• the folding blade wind turbine 100 is, for example, of the horizontal axis type, i.e. the rotor axis R is arranged in substantially horizontal direction, for example orthogonal to the turbine orientation axis S.
• This type of wind turbine is capable of exploiting currents which circulate parallel to the ground, and therefore is particularly suitable for use in plains or in the sea.
• the electric generator 60 is of the "direct drive” type.
• it comprises an outer annular stator 61 and an inner disc rotor 62, which is adapted to rotate coaxially and internally to the outer annular stator 61.
• the outer annular stator 61 is fastened to a supporting portion 51 , which is connected to the upper end of tower 50 in a rotatable manner about the turbine orientation axis S.
• the inner disc rotor 62 is, for example, spliced onto the rotor body 2 so as to allow the rotation of the rotor body 2 about the rotor axis R.
• This type of generator 60 allows the encumbrance of the generator itself 60 to be reduced in the direction which extends along the rotor axis R, or along an axial direction of generator. This allows the distance of the center of gravity of the rotor unit 1 to be reduced with respect to the turbine orientation axis S, and therefore the overhang of the rotor unit 1 to be reduced with respect to tower 50.
• This aspect is particularly significant in order to give the wind turbine high structural strength, considering the great size and weight of the rotor unit 1.
• This aspect is highly advantageous also because it allows the overall size, and therefore the aerodynamic resistance of the rotor unit 1 , to be reduced.
• the rotor unit 1 , blades 20, electric generator 60 unit is contained inside a containment shell 52, or nacelle.
• the shape of the containment shell 52 is designed so as to further reduce the aerodynamic resistance against the action of the wind.
• the wind turbine 100 is mounted on a floating platform which is adapted to carry the floating tower on a basin of water.
• the wind turbine 100 described here is particularly suited for offshore use, where the wind speed reaches very high values which rapidly change over time.
• the wind turbine 100 comprises a rotor brake 90 adapted to oppose the rotation of the rotor body 2 about the rotor axis R.
• the rotor brake 90 is a mechanical brake or an electromagnetic brake.
• the rotor brake 90 has a first portion which is integral with the rotor body 2, and a second portion which is stationary with respect to the rotor body 2, for example the second portion is integral with the stator of the electric generator 60.
• such a brake is a disc brake, in which, for example, the disc brake has a brake disc 92 keyed onto the rotor body 2 and pincer bodies 91 mounted on the stator of the electric generator 60, which are adapted to force pads against the disc to brake the rotation of the rotor body 2.
• the wind turbine 100 comprises blade stopping devices 120 which can be actuated between an engaged position, in which the blades 20 are assured to tower 50 in the folded position, and a disengaged position, in which the blades 20 are free to move away from tower 50.
• the blade stopping devices 120 allow the blades 20 in the folded position to resist the high action of the wind during a storm.
• the blade stopping devices 120 comprise a hook element 121 associated with one of blade 20 and tower 50, and a coupling seat 122 associated with the other of blade 20 and tower 50, said hook element 121 being operable between an engaged position with the coupling seat 122 and a disengaged position from the coupling seat 122.
• the blade stopping devices 120 comprise actuators for actuating blade stopping devices 120 between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
• the folding blade wind turbine 100 comprises a supply unit 300, which in the absence of an external power supply to the wind turbine supplied by the electric network, serves to allow the blades 20 to be folded and the safety measures thereof to be implemented.
• the supply unit 300 serves the purpose of supplying the actuation of the pincer bodies 91 of the rotor brake 90, supplying the blade orientation actuator 21 , supplying the actuation of actuator 5, supplying the actuation of the folding brake 19, supplying the actuation of the blade blocking/releasing devices 25, supplying the actuation of the tower blade stopping devices 120 and supplying the operation of the blade opening/folding control unit 200.
• the supply unit 300 is included in the rotor unit 1 , for example is located in the rotor unit 1 , for example is located in the containment shell 52, or nacelle.
• the supply unit 300 is located in the tower 50, or is arranged remotely with respect to the wind turbine.
• the supply unit 300 comprises an electric generator, for example a liquid or gaseous fuel electric generator, or a solar energy electric generator.
• an electric generator for example a liquid or gaseous fuel electric generator, or a solar energy electric generator.
• the supply unit 300 comprises a pack of electric batteries.
• the folding blade wind turbine 100 comprises a blade opening/folding control unit 200, said blade opening/folding control unit 200 having an input for receiving an open/fold command signal, said control unit being operatively connected with said at least one actuator 5 to actuate said at least one actuator 5 as a function of the command signal.
• the blade opening/folding control unit 200 is operatively connected with said folding brake 19 to control the rotation speed of the blade folding structures 4 between the open position and the folded position and vice versa.
• the blade opening/folding control unit 200 is operatively connected with the blade orientation actuator 21 of the blade joint 15 to control the rotation of blade 20 about its own blade longitudinal axis G.
• the blade opening/folding control unit 200 is operatively connected to said blocking/releasing devices 25 to command the blocking of the blade folding structures 4 when they are in the open position and to release the blade folding structures 4 to allow the rotation thereof from the open position to the folded position.
• the blade opening/folding control unit 200 is operatively connected to the rotor brake 90 to oppose the rotation of the rotor unit 1 about the rotor axis R.
• the blade opening/folding control unit 200 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, for example a programmable memory, for executing a preset sequence of steps for actuating the wind turbine to rotate the blades 20 between the open position and the folded position and vice versa.
• CPU central processing unit
• memory for example a programmable memory
• control unit 200 is located in tower 50 or is arranged remotely with respect to the wind turbine.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
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• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• 2016
  • 2016-04-28 WO PCT/IT2016/000106 patent/WO2017187460A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2016-04-28 JP JP2018557006A patent/JP6838080B2/ja active Active
  • 2016-04-28 US US16/097,105 patent/US11174835B2/en active Active
  • 2016-04-28 EP EP16736255.7A patent/EP3449120B1/en active Active

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