WO2017190747A1

WO2017190747A1 - In hub power generation and storage for anti-icing wind turbine blades

Info

Publication number: WO2017190747A1
Application number: PCT/DK2017/050137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul BADGER; Servet SERT; Rasmus Svendsen
Original assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Priority date: 2016-05-04
Filing date: 2017-05-04
Publication date: 2017-11-09

Abstract

Embodiments herein describe using a power unit to provide energy to an anti- icing system of a wind turbine generator. The anti-icing unit provides heat to the rotor blades of the wind turbine generator so as to reduce the buildup of ice on the rotor blades. To reduce the ice, the anti-icing unit may be powered by a power unit that may be located within the hub of the wind turbine generator. In one embodiment, the power unit comprises a generator attached to the hub. In another embodiment, the power unit may be a battery that is charged by at least one of a slip ring, a generator, and a solar panel.

Description

IN HUB POWER GENERATION AND STORAGE FOR ANTI-ICING WIND TURBINE

BLADES

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

Embodiments presented in this disclosure generally relate to power generation for an anti-icing system of a wind turbine, and more specifically, to power generation and storage located within the hub of the wind turbine.

Description of the Related Art

When a wind turbine is located in climates where the temperature may drop below freezing, ice may build up on the wind turbine. The buildup of ice reduces the efficiency of the wind turbine, and may become so significant that the wind turbine fails to operate.

One way to keep ice off the wind turbine is to provide an anti-icing system to reduce ice on the rotor blades by heating the rotor blades. For example, warm air may be blown into the rotor blades or heating panels may be attached to the rotor blades.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure is a wind turbine generator. The wind turbine generator comprises a nacelle, a hub coupled with the nacelle, and a plurality of rotor blades coupled with the hub. The wind turbine generator has an anti-icing system configured to reduce ice on at least one of the plurality of rotor blades. The wind turbine generator has an anti-icing power unit located within the hub that comprises at least one of a battery and a generator. The anti-icing power unit provides power to the anti-icing system.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for providing power to an anti-icing system of a wind turbine generator comprising a nacelle, a hub coupled with the nacelle and a plurality of rotor blades coupled with the hub. The method includes powering the anti-icing system using an anti-icing power unit located within the hub of the wind turbine, and the anti-icing power unit comprises at least one of a battery and a generator. The method includes operating an anti-icing system to reduce ice on at least one of the plurality of rotor blades of the wind turbine generator.

BRIEF DESCRPITION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

Figure 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a horizontal-axis wind turbine generator, according to an embodiment described herein.

Figure 2 illustrates a diagrammatic view of typical components internal to the nacelle and tower of a wind turbine generator, according to an embodiment described herein.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a control system for one or more electro thermal heat panels inside of a wind turbine generator, according to an embodiment described herein.

Figures 4A-4B illustrates a diagrammatic view of a hub having a generator to provide power to an anti-icing system, according to an embodiment described herein.

Figures 5A-5C illustrates a diagrammatic view of a hub having a battery to provide power to an anti-icing system, according to an embodiment described herein.

Figure 6 is a method of operating an anti-icing system using an anti-icing power unit, according to an embodiment described herein. To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

OVERVIEW

Embodiments herein describe powering an anti-icing system with a power unit located within the hub of a wind turbine. When wind turbines are located in cold climates, ice may build up on the rotor blades of the wind turbine. If the ice is not reduced or removed, the efficiency of the wind turbine is decreased. That is, the more ice that builds up, the less energy the wind turbine can produce. An anti-icing system can be used to decrease or prevent the buildup of ice on the rotor blades. However, anti-icing systems require a significant amount of energy to be operated.

In one embodiment, a generator is located within the hub of the wind turbine to provide energy to the anti-icing system. This generator can power the anti-icing system without requiring energy from the rest of the wind turbine - e.g., power is not transferred from the nacelle to the anti-icing system disposed in the hub. For example, if a wind turbine does not have means to transfer power from the nacelle to the hub using, e.g., a slip ring, a generator can be placed within the hub to provide power to the anti-icing system. Thus, an anti-icing system may be installed in a wind turbine where it may have otherwise been impossible to do so without expensive retrofitting of the wind turbine.

In one embodiment, a battery is located within the hub of the wind turbine to provide energy to the anti-icing system. This battery allows the anti-icing system to be powered without requiring a large supply of energy to be transferred from the nacelle. For example, the battery may be charged by a slip ring over time. This allows the battery to store energy for the anti-icing system until it is needed, while also allowing the slip ring to provide a small amount of energy over time from a generator disposed in the nacelle. Put differently, when the anti-icing system is not active, the slip ring is used to charge the battery - e.g., when temperatures are above freezing. When the anti-icing system is active, the battery supplements the power provided by the slip-ring for powering the anti-icing system. Thus, the anti-icing system is provided with sufficient energy, without a need to increase the size of the slip ring. That is, an anti-icing system can be installed on a previously built wind turbine, without having to modify the current means (e.g., the slip ring) of transferring power from the nacelle to the hub.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a horizontal-axis wind turbine generator (WTG) 100. The WTG 100 typically includes a tower 102 and a nacelle 104 located at the top of the tower 102. A wind turbine rotor 106 may be connected with the nacelle 104 through a low speed shaft extending out of the nacelle 104. As shown, the wind turbine rotor 106 includes three rotor blades 108 mounted on a common hub 1 10, but may include any suitable number of blades, such as two, four, five, or more blades. The blade 108 typically has an aerodynamic shape with a leading edge 1 12 for facing into the wind, a trailing edge 1 14 at the opposite end of a chord for the blade 108, a tip 1 16, and a root 1 18 for attaching to the hub 1 10 in any suitable manner. For some examples, the blades 108 may be connected to the hub 1 10 using pitch bearings 120 such that each blade 108 may be rotated around its longitudinal axis to adjust the blade's pitch.

Figure 2 illustrates a diagrammatic view of typical components internal to the nacelle 104 and tower 102 of the WTG 100. When the wind 200 impacts on the blades 108, the rotor 106 spins and rotates a low-speed shaft 202. Gears in a gearbox 204 mechanically convert the low rotational speed of the low-speed shaft 202 into a relatively high rotational speed of a high-speed shaft 208 suitable for generating electricity using a generator 206. The WTG 100 may also include a braking system 212 for emergency shutdown situations and/or to lock the rotor in a required position.

A controller 210 may sense the rotational speed of one or both of the shafts 202, 208. The controller 210 may receive inputs from an anemometer 214 (providing wind speed) and/or a wind vane 216 (providing wind direction). Based on information received, the controller 210 may send a control signal to one or more of the blades 108 in an effort to adjust the pitch 218 of the blades. By adjusting the pitch 218 of the blades with respect to the wind direction, the rotational speed of the rotor 106 (and therefore, the shafts 202, 208) may be increased or decreased. Based on the wind direction, for example, the controller 210 may send a control signal to an assembly comprising a yaw motor 220 and a yaw drive 222 to rotate the nacelle 104 with respect to the tower 102, such that the rotor 106 may be positioned to face more (or, in certain circumstances, less) upwind.

In cold climate regions, ice may form on the blades 108, which can reduce the speed of the rotation of the blades 108. In order to maintain an ice free surface on the blades 108, an anti-icing system may be used such as one or more Electro Thermal Heat (ETH) panels. Figure 3 is a schematic view of an anti-icing system 300 for one or more ETH panels 302 inside the WTG 100. The anti-icing system 300 includes a plurality of blade control and power distribution boxes 304, hub control and power distribution box 306, a slip ring 314, a power source 316, and a system controller 308. The one or more ETH panels 302 may be embedded in each blade 108 and may be controlled by blade control and power distribution boxes 304 located in the root 1 18 of each blade 108. There may be one blade control and power distribution box 304 for each blade 108. In one example, there are up to 32 ETH panels 302 embedded in each blade 108, such as 16 ETH panels 302 covering the windward blade surface 1 12 and 16 ETH panels 302 covering the leeward blade surface 1 14. In one example, the one or more ETH panels 302 cover the entire blade 108 except for the root 1 18. Electrical power is supplied to the one or more ETH panels 302 from blade power and distribution box 304 located in the blade root. The blade power and distribution box 304 may include relays for switching on and off the one or more ETH panels 302 in each blade 108. The blade power and distribution box 304 may also include lightning protection components. From the blade power and distribution box 304, power cables are routed to each ETH panel 302. In one example, the WTG 100 includes three blades and three power cables 307, and each power cable 307 connects the hub power and distribution box 306 to a corresponding blade power and distribution box 304 located in a corresponding blade 108.

The hub control and power distribution box 306 may be electrically connected a slip ring 314 located inside the nacelle 104. The slip ring 314 is electrically connected to a power source 316 located inside the nacelle 104. The Power Source 316 may include a circuit breaker switch to allow the system to be de-energized. Electrical power is supplied from the power source 316 through the hub interface of the nacelle 104 via the slip ring 314 and is supplied to the one or more ETH panels 302 in each blade 108 via the slip ring 314, the hub control and power distribution box 306, and the blade control and power distribution box 304. The control and operation of the anti-icing system 300 may be achieved by remote connection via the system controller 308 and communication through the slip ring 314. In one embodiment, the system controller 308 is a supervisory control and data acquisition controller ("SCADA") located at a bottom of the tower 102 or is external to the wind turbine generator 100. The system controller 308 may be connected to the slip ring 314 to allow communication to the hub control and power distribution box 306. Each blade control and power distribution box 304 may be electrically connected to a communication link through the slip ring 314. Control signals provided to the blade control and power distribution box 304 from the system controller 308 are communicated through the slip ring 314. In one example this may be through a wireless link. In another example this may be through and electrical or optical fiber link.

The anti-icing system 300 may utilize duty cycling (i.e., switching on and off relays over a period of time) to achieve power distribution across the one or more ETH panels 302 in each blade 108. During severe icing conditions ideally all of the ETH panels 302 embedded in the blades 108 should be switched on continuously. The slip ring 314 may have a power or current constraint which will restrict the energy drawn from the power source 316 to the ETH Panels 302. Although ETH panels are specifically referenced above, the anti-icing system can use any type of anti-icing or de-icing technique such as a fan based heating system to prevent ice buildup.

While the preceding paragraphs discuss powering the anti-icing system or de- icing system with a slip ring, the slip ring, by itself, may not be able to provide enough energy to the anti-icing system in certain operating conditions. For example, as the temperature drops, the power required by the anti-icing system increases which may rise above the power transfer capabilities of the slip ring. This may result in only partial removal of the ice on the rotor blades. As a result, the wind turbine may generate less energy than would otherwise be possible if the rotor blades were free of ice.

Figures 4A and 4B are diagrammatic views of an anti-icing system 400 for providing energy in the hub 1 10. In Figure 4A, the anti-icing system 400 includes a generator 402, a generator shaft 404, a connector 406, an ETH panel 302, and a fan heating system 408. The generator 402 may be any type of electrical generator such as an alternating current generator or a direct current generator. As shown, hub 1 10 is mechanically coupled to shaft 202 to provide mechanical energy to the nacelle 104 as the hub 1 10 rotates. Specifically, the shaft 202 is used to provide mechanical energy to a generator in the nacelle 104 (not shown) which outputs electrical energy.

In an exemplary embodiment, the generator 402 may be affixed to the hub 1 10 by straps, supports, or other means (not shown) such that the generator 402 rotates as the hub 1 10 rotates. Thus, the hub 1 10 and the generator 402 rotate synchronously as wind causes the rotor blades 108 to spin. As will be described in more detail later, this rotation enables the generator 402 to provide energy to the anti-icing system 400. As shown in Figure 4A, the generator shaft 404 is mechanically coupled to the connector 406. The connector 406 is in turn mechanically coupled to the nacelle 104. While connector 406 is shown as coupled to the nacelle 104 with two connecting members, this is merely a non-limiting example. The connector 406 may be any suitable connecting device such as bolts, a system of gears, etc. In one embodiment, the connector 406 is a system of gears which allows the generator 402 to be off center in the hub 1 10 or to increase rotational speed of the generator shaft 404.

Typically, a generator produces power when a generator shaft rotates relative to the rest of the generator. Stated differently, the generator shaft acts as a rotor while the rest of the generator acts as a stator. However, in Figure 4, the generator 402 rotates relative to the generator shaft 404 which remains static. Thus, the generator shaft 404 functions as the stator and the generator 402 functions as the rotor. For example, when the hub 1 10 rotates, the generator 402 rotates with the hub 1 10. Because the connector 406 is mechanically coupled directly to the nacelle 104, the connector 406 maintains the position of the generator shaft 404, i.e. prevents it from rotating, as the hub 1 10 rotates. Thus, as the hub 1 10 spins, the generator 402 rotates around the static generator shaft 404, which produces electrical energy.

The energy produced by the generator 402 is provided, via wires 410, to anti- icing devices attached to a rotor blade 108. The anti-icing system 400 includes an ETH panel 302, a fan heating system 408, or a similarly capable anti-icing device. Upon detecting an activation condition, the anti-icing system 400 activates the anti-icing devices, and uses energy produced from the generator 402 to reduce the buildup of ice on the rotor blades 108. Non-limiting examples of an activation condition may include freezing air temperatures, the buildup of ice on the blades, drop off in efficiency, time of day, etc. The anti-icing system 400 may continue to use energy until a de-activation condition is met - e.g., an increase in air temperature, power production, or efficiency; reduction of ice buildup; length of time actively de-icing the rotor blades; etc.

Figure 4B illustrates an anti-icing system 450 similar to anti-icing system 400 in Figure 4A except that connector 406 has been replaced with a weight 407. The weight 407 uses gravity to prevent the generator shaft 404 from rotating relative to the generator 402. As such, when the generator 402 rotates in synch with the hub 1 10, the generator 402 rotates relative to the generator shaft 404. Thus, similar to Figure 4A, the generator shaft 404 functions as the stator and the generator 402 functions as the rotor. Because the generator 402 and the generator shaft 404 rotate relative to one another, electrical energy is produced.

Unlike in Figure 4A, the anti-icing system 450 does not have a mechanical connection to the nacelle 104 to prevent the generator shaft 404 from rotating along with the hub 1 10. That is, system 450 shown in Figure 4B is completely contained within the hub 1 10. Thus, electrical energy can be produced by generator 402 without a connection to the nacelle 104.

Like above, the energy produced by generator 402 is provided to the anti-icing devices to reduce the buildup of ice on the rotor blades 108. The weight 407 may be any suitable size or shape, and may be made out of any suitable material such as steel, aluminum, iron, lead, metal alloy, plastic, stone, etc. While the weight 407 is shown as being directly connected to generator shaft 404, this is merely a non-limiting example. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, there are multiple ways to couple the weight 407 to the generator shaft 404. For example, the weight 407 may be coupled to a connector, such as connector 406, which in turn is coupled to generator shaft 404.

Figures 5A-5C illustrate exemplary embodiments of anti-icing systems that include a battery 502. Turning to Figure 5A, the anti-icing system 500 includes the battery 502, a generator 504, an ETH panel 302, and a fan heating system 408. As explained above, hub 110 is mechanically coupled to shaft 202 to provide mechanical energy to a generator disposed in the nacelle 104.

The battery 502 may be any type of suitable battery such as lithium ion, alkaline, nickel-cadmium, etc. While only a single battery 502 is shown in Figure 5A, the anti- icing system 500 can include multiple batteries. In one embodiment, the battery 502 is affixed within the hub 1 10 by straps (not shown) or other means. In another exemplary embodiment, battery 502 may be located in the rotor blades 108. The battery 502 may be placed within a protective casing (not shown) to protect the battery 502 as well as protect the hub 1 10 from any damage that may be caused by the battery 502. Non- limiting examples of damage may be electrical discharge, lightning strikes, the leaking of battery fluid, mechanical failure of parts, etc. The battery 502 may also provide the capability of being charged over time, which may allow for a smaller generator 504 to be used in system 500.

In Figure 5A, the generator 504 charges the battery 502. Generator 504 may continue to provide energy to battery 502 until the battery 502 is fully charged, at which point the generator 504 may stop providing energy. The battery 502 stores the energy provided by the generator 504 until the anti-icing system 500 requires energy to reduce the buildup of ice on the rotor blades 108.

The battery 502 may provide energy, via wires 510, to anti-icing devices attached to a rotor blade 108. Upon detecting an activation condition, the anti-icing system 500 activates the anti-icing devices, and uses energy provided by the battery 502 to reduce the buildup of ice on the rotor blades 108. The anti-icing devices may include an ETH panel 302, a fan heating system 408, or a similarly capable anti-icing device. The anti- icing system 500 may continue to use energy until a de-activation condition is met. The generator 504 may detect the anti-icing system activating and, in response, may provide energy to the battery 502.

The battery 502 may also be drained by means other than the anti-icing system 500. Several non-limiting examples include controlled discharge of energy, entering a maintenance state, or entering a storage state. For example, the battery 502 may regularly discharge the stored energy in a dissipation device such as a resistor (not shown) to lengthen the life of battery 502. The battery 502 may also drain the stored energy to enter a storage state when battery 502 is not used for a period of time, e.g., during summer months. When battery 502 is drained for reasons other than providing energy, the anti-icing system 500 may communicate to generator 504 to not provide energy to battery 502. For example, the generator 504 and battery 502 have maintenance states where the battery 502 is fully drained to allow maintenance workers to safely work on the battery 502 and the generator 504 does not produce energy. In one embodiment, if the battery 502 is no longer capable of holding a sufficient charge, the generator 504 may instead provide energy directly to the anti-icing system 500. In one exemplary embodiment, the generator 504 may provide energy to both the battery 502 and the anti-icing system 500. For example, the battery 502 may not be capable of providing enough energy for the anti-icing system 500 to properly operate if the buildup of ice is significant. The generator anti-icing system 500 detects this and instructs the generator 504 to provide energy directly to the anti-icing system 500. Thus, generator 504 may supplement the power provided by battery 502. The arrangement in Figure 5A may be desired over the arrangements in Figures 4A and 4B since a generator that outputs less power can be used. That is, by having the battery 502, the generator 504 can charge the battery when the anti-icing system 500 is not used and then, when the anti-icing system 500 is used, the battery 502 and the generator 504 can work together to provide energy to the anti-icing system 500.

Turning to Figure 5B, anti-icing system 550 includes a slip ring 506 that provides energy to battery 502. As shown in Figure 5B, battery 502 is coupled to slip ring 506 which is coupled to generator 206 located within the nacelle 104. The generator 206 may generate energy and provide the energy to the slip ring 506. Slip ring 506 in turn provides the energy to battery 502. In an exemplary embodiment, upon detecting the battery 502 needs energy, e.g. to be charged, generator 206 provides energy to the battery 502 via slip ring 506. The generator 206 may continue to provide energy to battery 502 via slip ring 506 until the battery 502 is fully charged, at which point the generator 206 may stop providing energy to battery 502. In one embodiment, slip ring 506 provides energy to both the battery 502 and the anti-icing system 550. While the generator 206 is shown in the nacelle 104, the generator may be located in the tower 102, another part of the wind turbine generator 100, or external to the wind turbine generator 100.

Turning to Figure 5C, anti-icing system 560 includes a solar panel 508 that provides energy to battery 502. As shown, solar panel 508 is located on the rotor blade 108 but can be disposed on the hub 1 10, nacelle 104, or another part of the wind turbine generator 100. In one embodiment, upon detecting the battery 502 needs energy, e.g. to be charged, the power generated by the solar panel 508 is provided to the battery 502. Solar panel 508 may continue to provide energy to battery 502 until the battery 502 is fully charged. In one embodiment, the solar panel 508 provides energy to both the battery 502 and the anti-icing system 560. That is, when active, the anti-icing system 560 may draw power from both the battery 502 and the solar panel 508 in parallel. While a single solar panel 508 is shown in Figure 5C, the anti-icing system 560 may include multiple solar panels to provide energy to battery 502.

Figure 6 illustrates a method 600 for operating an anti-icing system, according to an exemplary embodiment described herein. Method 600 begins at block 602. At block 604, the anti-icing system detects an activation condition - e.g., freezing air

temperatures, the buildup of ice on the blades, drop off in efficiency, time of day, etc. At block 606, an anti-icing power unit located within the hub of the wind turbine powers the anti-icing system. The anti-icing power unit may be a generator, a battery, a solar panel, a slip ring, or another suitable power device. In one embodiment, the anti-icing power unit is a generator affixed within the hub in such a manner that the generator functions as the stator and a generator shaft functions as the rotor. In another embodiment, the anti-icing power unit is a battery that is charged by a generator located within the hub, a generator located outside the hub via a slip ring, or a solar panel located on the wind turbine.

At block 608, the anti-icing system reduces ice on at least one rotor blade of the wind turbine. The anti-icing system may comprise one or more anti-icing devices such as an ETH panel or a fan heating system attached to one or more rotor blades. The anti-icing system may activate one or more of the anti-icing devices depending on the buildup of ice on the blades. The anti-icing system may continue to operate the anti- icing devices until a de-activation condition is met, at which point the anti-icing system deactivates the anti-icing devices. Non-limiting examples of a de-activation condition may include an increase in air temperature, power production, or efficiency; reduction of ice buildup; length of time actively de-icing the rotor blades; etc. At block 610, method 600 ends.

In the preceding, reference was made to an anti-icing system and, for the purpose of this invention, this is also intended to include de-icing systems or any other system that is for preventing, reducing or eliminating ice accretion on the blades or components of a wind turbine. In the preceding, reference was made to embodiments presented in this disclosure. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice contemplated embodiments. Furthermore, although embodiments disclosed herein may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the aspects, features, embodiments and advantages herein are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to "the invention" shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, aspects may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium is any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In view of the foregoing, the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

Claims:

1. A wind turbine generator comprising:

a nacelle;

a hub coupled with the nacelle;

a plurality of rotor blades coupled with the hub;

an anti-icing system configured to reduce ice on at least one of the plurality of rotor blades; and

an anti-icing power unit located within the hub that comprises at least one of a battery and a generator, wherein the anti-icing power unit provides power to the anti- icing system.

2. The wind turbine of claim 1 , wherein the battery is charged by at least one of the generator and at least one solar panel.

3. The wind turbine of claim 2, wherein the solar panel is coupled with at least one of the plurality of rotor blades and the hub.

4. The wind turbine of any preceding claim, wherein the generator comprises an electric generator that is fixably mounted with the hub such that the electric generator rotates at a same rate as the hub, wherein the electric generator rotates around a shaft that does not rotate as the hub rotates.

5. The wind turbine of claim 4, wherein the shaft is coupled with at least one of the nacelle and a weight, wherein the weight prevents the shaft from rotating as the hub rotates.

6. The wind turbine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-icing system comprises at least one of a fan heating system and an electro thermal heat panel.

7. The wind turbine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the wind turbine generator further comprises a slip ring to provide power from the nacelle to the hub, wherein the slip ring is configured to provide power to at least one of the anti-icing system and the anti-icing power unit.

8. A method for providing power to an anti-icing system of a wind turbine generator comprising a nacelle, a hub coupled with the nacelle and a plurality of rotor blades coupled with the hub, the method comprising:

powering the anti-icing system using an anti-icing power unit located within the hub of the wind turbine, wherein the anti-icing power unit comprises at least one of a battery and a generator; and.

operating an anti-icing system to reduce ice on at least one of the plurality of rotor blades of the wind turbine generator.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

charging the battery by at least one of the generator and at least one solar panel.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the solar panel is coupled with at least one of the plurality of rotor blades and the hub.

1 1. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein powering the anti-icing system using the anti-icing power unit comprises:

rotating the electric generator at the same rate as the hub, wherein the electric generator rotates around a shaft that does not rotate as the hub rotates.

12. The method of claim 1 1 , wherein the shaft is coupled with at least one of the nacelle and a weight, wherein the weight prevents the shaft from rotating as the hub rotates.

13. The method of claims 8 to 12, wherein operating the anti-icing system to reduce ice comprises: operating at least one of (i) a fan heating system to move heated air within the at least one rotor blade and (ii) an electro thermal heat panel coupled with the at least one rotor blade.

14. The method of claims 8 to 13, wherein the wind turbine generator further comprises a slip ring to provide power from the nacelle to the hub, wherein the slip ring is configured to provide power to at least one of the anti-icing system and the anti-icing power unit.

15. The method of claims 8 to 14, wherein the method further comprises detecting an activation condition.