Method for starting a wind turbine in a cold climate environment
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of starting a wind turbine in a cold climate environment includes providing a wind turbine in the cold climate environment in a stand-still or near stand-still condition; allowing the rotation speed of the rotor to increase during start up of the wind turbine; optimizing heat generation within the gear box; and generating power using the wind turbine, wherein heat generation within the gear box is optimized prior to providing the generated electrical power to an electrical grid. Optimizing heat generation within the gear box may include maximizing internal power losses in the gear box during start up. This may allow the start up to be achieved without using external heaters. Aspects of this method may be used during periods of low wind conditions in cold climate environments so that once sufficient wind conditions are reestablished, the wind turbine is ready for immediate power production.
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Citations
17 Claims
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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:
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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 Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of starting a wind turbine in a cold climate environment, comprising:
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providing a wind turbine in a cold climate environment in 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 configured to be operatively connected to an electrical grid; allowing the rotation speed of the rotor to increase during start up of the wind turbine; with the rotor turning and prior to the wind turbine providing electrical power to the electrical grid, increasing the temperature of the gear box up to a first threshold temperature without the use of external heaters; and generating electrical power using the wind turbine after the temperature of the gear box has reached the first threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating a wind turbine in a cold climate environment in a fully operating state, 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 providing electrical power to an electrical grid when in the fully operating state, the method comprising:
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interrupting the supply of electrical power from the wind turbine to the electrical grid during a period of low wind conditions; providing heat generation within the gear box during the period of low wind conditions by controlling the rotation speed of the rotor above a minimal rotation speed of the rotor; and reestablishing the supply of electrical power from the wind turbine to the electrical grid once the period of low wind conditions has terminated. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification