NACELLE FOR WIND TURBINE

• US 20130183162A1
• Filed: 01/17/2012
• Published: 07/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Cruden, Kristina Anne
• Application Number:
  US13/351,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20130183162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 416/244.R
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/00 Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor controlling thereof F03D7/02
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/00 Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/50 Maintenance or repair
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/14 Casings, housings, nacelles, gondels or the like, protecting or supporting assemblies there within
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

A nacelle for a wind turbine is disclosed. The nacelle includes a base platform, a frame, and a flexible membrane. The frame includes a plurality of beams and defines an interior. The flexible membrane is connected to the frame and further defines the interior. The flexible membrane includes a polymer material. The interior is substantially enclosed.

Claims

1. A nacelle for a wind turbine, comprising:

a base platform;

a frame, the frame comprising a plurality of beams and defining an interior; and

,

a flexible membrane connected to the frame and further defining the interior, the flexible membrane comprising a polymer material,

whereby the interior is substantially enclosed.

2. The nacelle of claim 1, wherein the polymer material is polyurethane.

3. The nacelle of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of beams is an I-beam.

4. The nacelle of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is connected to the frame by a plurality of connection features.

5. The nacelle of claim 4, wherein the connection at each of the plurality of connection features is generally watertight.

6. The nacelle of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of connection features is a zipper.

7. The nacelle of claim 1, wherein an access passage is defined in the flexible membrane, and wherein a passage cover portion of the flexible membrane removably covers the access passage.

8. The nacelle of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is further connected to the base platform.

9. The nacelle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of beams is joined to the base platform.

10. The nacelle of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a plurality of membrane sections, each of the plurality of membrane sections connected to one of the plurality of beams.

11. A wind turbine, comprising:

a tower; and

,

a nacelle mounted on the tower, the nacelle comprising;

a base platform;

a frame, the frame comprising a plurality of beams and defining an interior; and

,

a flexible membrane connected to the frame and further defining the interior, the flexible membrane comprising a polymer material,

whereby the interior is substantially enclosed.

12. The wind turbine of claim 11, wherein the polymer material is polyurethane.

13. The wind turbine of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of beams is an I-beam.

14. The wind turbine of claim 11, wherein the flexible membrane is connected to the frame by a plurality of connection features.

15. The wind turbine of claim 14, wherein the connection at each of the plurality of connection features is generally watertight.

16. The wind turbine of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of connection features is a zipper.

17. The wind turbine of claim 11, wherein an access passage is defined in the flexible membrane, and wherein a passage cover portion of the flexible membrane removably covers the access passage.

18. The wind turbine of claim 11, wherein the flexible membrane is further connected to the base platform.

19. The wind turbine of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of beams is joined to the base platform.

20. The wind turbine of claim 11, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a plurality of membrane sections, each of the plurality of membrane sections connected to one of the plurality of beams.