×

Method for starting a wind turbine in a cold climate environment

  • US 10,151,299 B2
  • Filed: 04/25/2014
  • Issued: 12/11/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2013
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of starting a wind turbine in a cold climate environment from a stand-still or near stand-still condition, the wind turbine having a tower, a rotor with at least one blade, a generator for producing electrical power, and a gear box having a main shaft operatively coupled to the rotor and a high speed shaft operatively coupled to the generator, the wind turbine being configured to be operatively connected to an electrical grid, the method comprising:

  • performing a start up period, wherein the rotation speed of the rotor is controlled to increase and wherein the wind turbine is not delivering any electrical power to the electrical grid during the start up period;

    providing heat generation within the gear box by increasing the rotation speed until the gear box has reached a threshold temperature; and

    delivering electrical power generated using the wind turbine to the electrical grid when the temperature of the gear box reaches the threshold temperature.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×