WO2018130333A1

WO2018130333A1 - Lighting unit for wind turbine

Info

Publication number: WO2018130333A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/080346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin MOESKJAER
Original assignee: Siemens Wind Power AS
Current assignee: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS
Priority date: 2017-01-13
Filing date: 2017-11-24
Publication date: 2018-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-13

Abstract

A wind turbine (1) comprises a nacelle (2), a hub (4) and a plurality of blades (6). Further, the wind turbine (1) comprises at least one lighting unit (8), wherein the lighting unit (8) comprises a lighting means (10) coupled to a shaft (12). Furthermore, the shaft (12) is coupled to the nacelle (2). Additionally, the lighting unit comprises a length adjustment unit (14) configured to vary the length of the shaft (12) such that the distance (d) between the lighting means (10) and the tip of the blade (6) in upright position is below a predetermined threshold.

Description

Lighting unit for Wind turbine This invention relates to aviation light poles on wind turbines. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of hosting an aviation light pole on the wind turbine.

Aviation lights or aviation warning lights are often

installed on tall structures so that they are visible from aircrafts for collision avoidance. Generally, they are hosted on tall structures such as radio communication towers, high rise buildings, chimneys, cranes and wind turbines. Wind turbines are tall structures which are installed in the oceans and on land. Therefore, it is vital to have the aviation lights installed on the wind turbines.

When it comes to wind turbines, there are certain regulations in several countries regarding the distance between the aviation light and the tip of the wind turbine blade. For example, in Germany there is a regulation that the distance between the tip of the blade and the aviation light shall not be more than 65 meters. Due to changes in the structure of the wind turbine and the blade length, the regulations may not be met. In such cases, there is a need to change the placement of the aviation light in order to adhere to the regulation .

Currently, the problem is being solved by installing the lighting means on the tip of the blade. However, this is an expensive solution as the maintenance of such lights involves lot of effort. There is a need for a better way to install aviation light on the wind turbine which is easier to maintain and flexible to change the length in order to adhere to the regulations.

In order to achieve the object of the invention, a wind turbine with a lighting means according to claims 1-7 is disclosed. The wind turbine comprises a nacelle, a hub and a plurality of blades. Further, the wind turbine comprises at least one lighting unit, wherein the lighting unit comprises a lighting means coupled to a shaft. Further, the shaft is coupled to the nacelle. In some embodiments, the shaft is coupled to a platform like structure, which is in turn coupled to the nacelle. The lighting unit is further coupled to a length adjustment unit configured to vary the length of the shaft such that the distance between the lighting means and the tip of the blade is below a predetermined threshold. For example, the predetermined threshold may be set by a regulatory authority. Some countries may have limitations for the distance between the tip of a blade in a vertical

position and the lighting means. Such limitations may be adhered by the length adjustment unit.

In an embodiment, the length adjustment unit is configured for elongating and retracting the shaft. In an embodiment, the length adjustment unit is a motorized unit which is configured to automatically adjust the length of the lighting unit. The length adjustment unit may include distance sensors which may detect the distance between the tip of the blade in an upright position and the lighting means. In another aspect of the invention, the lighting unit is coupled to a platform, wherein the platform is coupled to the nacelle. The platform may be designed to elevate the lighting means to a height so that the distance between the tip of the blade and the tip of the lighting means is below a threshold.

Confidential In yet another aspect of the invention, the at least one lighting unit is rotatably coupled to a frame, wherein the frame is coupled to the nacelle. The frame is fixedly coupled to the nacelle. One end of the shaft of the lighting unit comprises a lighting means. The shaft can be rotated to hoist the lighting means to a higher elevation. In case there is any maintenance required for the lighting means, the shaft can be rotated again to lower the lighting means. When the lighting means is lowered it can be replaced or repaired.

In yet another embodiment, wherein the length adjustment unit is a motorized unit configured to adjust the length of the lighting unit. The length adjustment unit may include

motorized circuitry for adjusting the height of the lighting unit .

In still yet another embodiment, the length adjustment unit is configured such that the length of the lighting means is varied manually. The length adjustment unit may be composed of bolts and nuts which may be manually adjusted to vary the height of the shaft of the lighting means. The length

adjustment unit can be manipulated to bring down the lighting unit for repair and maintenance.

In a further aspect of the invention, the lighting means is at least one of an LED lighting means, filament lighting means, fluorescent lighting means and a halogen lighting means .

The invention also discloses a lighting unit for use in a wind turbine. The lighting unit comprises a lighting means) coupled to a shaft, wherein the shaft is coupled to a nacelle of a wind turbine. Further, the lighting unit comprises a

Confidential length adjustment unit configured to vary the length of the shaft .

In a variation of the invention, the length adjustment unit is configured to vary the length of the shaft 12 such that the distance (d) between the lighting means and the tip of the blade is below a predetermined threshold.

The above mentioned and other features of the invention will now be addressed with reference to the accompanying drawings of the present invention. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrated, but not limit the invention.

The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the

accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 illustrates a lighting unit coupled to a

nacelle of a wind turbine, in accordance an embodiment;

FIG 2 illustrates a lighting unit in a lowered

position using the length adjustment means, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG 3 illustrates a variant of the lighting unit coupled to the nacelle, in accordance with an embodiment ;

FIG 4 illustrates another variant of the lighting unit coupled to the nacelle, in accordance with an embodiment; and

Confidential illustrates yet another variant of the

lighting unit coupled to the nacelle,

accordance with an embodiment. Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer like segments throughout. In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG 1 illustrates a lighting unit coupled to a nacelle 2 of a wind turbine 1, in accordance with an embodiment. The wind turbine 1 may be at least one of a geared and a gearless wind turbine. The nacelle 2 of the wind turbine may be having other components such as wind sensors and the like. The lighting unit 8 may be coupled to the canopy portion of the nacelle 2. The lighting unit 8 may include a lighting means 10 and a shaft 12 coupled to the lighting means 10. Further, the length of the shaft may be adjusted using a length adjustment unit 14 configured to vary the length of the shaft 12 such that the distance (d) between the lighting means 10 and the tip of the blade 6 is below a predetermined

threshold. In many countries, there are laws limiting the distance (d) between the tip of a blade in the upright position and the lighting means 10 of the lighting unit 8. In order, to adhere to these regulations, the length adjustment means 14 may be employed to adjust to height of the lighting unit 8.

The shaft 12 may be made of a Nickel based alloy to prevent corrosion. Further, the shaft 12 may be coupled with a lighting means 10. The length of the shaft 12 may be varied

Confidential b to manipulate the height of the lighting unit 8. The lighting means may include, but not limited to, an LED based light, a fluorescent light, an incandescent light and a halogen based light. The lighting means may be operated as a beacon for the aircrafts travelling in the sky.

Further, the length adjustment means 14 is configured to vary the length of the shaft 12 such that the distance (d) between the lighting means 10 and the tip of the blade 6 is below a predetermined threshold. The length adjustment unit 14 is configured for elongating and retracting the shaft 12. The length adjustment unit 14 may be a manually operated unit or a motorized unit for automatically controlling the length of the lighting unit 8.

FIG 2 illustrates a lighting unit 8 in a lowered position using the length adjustment means 12, in accordance with an embodiment. The shaft 12 of the lighting unit 8 may be lowered using the length adjustment unit 14. In an

embodiment, the length adjustment unit 14 may be configured to automatically adjust the length of the lighting unit 8. In this embodiment, the length adjustment unit 14 may be a motorized unit which is configured to elongate and retract the shaft 12 of the lighting unit 8 based on the distance threshold. In another embodiment, the length adjustment unit 14 may be configured to manually manipulate the length of the lighting unit 8. For instance, a service technician may be able to loosen the bolts to lower the shaft 12 of the

lighting unit 8. Further, the poles may be configured to retract and fold into at an angle as shown in FIG 2. This feature may enable a service technician to service the lighting means inside the nacelle thus reducing Employee Health and Safety (EHS) risks.

Confidential FIG 3 illustrates a variant of the lighting unit coupled to the nacelle, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG 3, the lighting unit 8 is coupled to a platform 9. The platform 9 is in turn coupled to the nacelle 2. The platform may be raised to a height sufficient to maintain the

threshold distance (d) between the tip of the blade and the tip of the lighting means. The platform 9 may be fabricated from an alloy material. Further, the platform 9 may include means to access the lighting unit 8 and conduct repair/ maintenance. The platform 9 may be fabricated considering the aerodynamics and other structural requirements.

FIG 4 illustrates another variant of the lighting unit coupled to the nacelle, in accordance with an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG 4, the lighting unit 8 is rotatably coupled to a frame 20. The frame 20 is in turn coupled to the nacelle 2. In this embodiment, the frame 20 includes a pivot point 22. The lighting unit 8 is coupled to the pivot point 22 which renders the lighting unit 8 rotatable about the pivot 22. The embodiment as described in FIG 4 enables the lighting unit to be serviced with minimum effort. Further, the height of the lighting unit 8 from the frame 20 can be adjusted. The frame 20 may be provided with means to adjust the height of the lighting means 8. The length of the

lighting unit 8 may be modified by attaching additional segments to the shaft 10 for elongating the same.

FIG 5 illustrates yet another variant of the lighting unit 8 coupled to the nacelle 2, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG 5, the lighting means 10 may be coupled to the nacelle. The shaft 12 may include a transparent member to transmit the light from the lighting means 10 to the top of the shaft 12. Thereafter, the light emitted from the lighting means 10 at the nacelle may be reflected from the tip of the

Confidential shaft 12 of the lighting unit 8. This may enable an easier way of maintaining the lighting unit with minimum effort. The height of the shaft can be changed in case the blade length is varied. The embodiment as disclosed in FIG 5 enables a flexible and easy method of maintaining the lighting unit 8.

The advantageous embodiments disclosed herein enable the use of longer blades while adhering to the standards prescribed by local jurisdictions. Further, the use of longer blades enables efficient power output in low wind sites. Further, the embodiments described herein enable easy maintenance of aviation lights.

While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those

embodiments. In view of the present disclosure, many

modifications and variations would be present themselves, to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention, as

described herein. The scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be considered within their scope.

Confidential

Claims

claim:

A wind turbine ( 1 ) comprising a nacelle (2), a hub (4) and a plurality of blades (6), the wind turbine (1)

comprising :

at least one lighting unit (8), wherein the lighting unit (8) comprises a lighting means (10) coupled to a shaft (12); wherein the shaft (12) is coupled to the nacelle (2) ;

a length adjustment unit (14) configured to vary the length of the shaft (12) .

The wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the length

adjustment unit (14) is configured to vary the length of the shaft 12 such that the distance (d) between the lighting means (10) and the tip of the blade (6) is below a predetermined threshold.

The wind turbine (1) of claim 1, wherein the length adjustment unit (14) is configured for elongating and retracting the shaft (12) .

The wind turbine (1) of claims 1-2, wherein the at least one lighting unit (8) is coupled to a platform (9), wherein the platform is coupled to the nacelle (2) .

The wind turbine (1) of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one lighting unit (8) is rotatably coupled to a frame

(20), wherein the frame (20) is coupled to the nacelle

(2) .

The wind turbine (1) of claims 1-4, wherein the length adjustment unit (14) is a motorized unit configured to adjust the length of the lighting unit (8) .

Confidential

7. The wind turbine (1) of claims 1-5, wherein the length adjustment unit (14) is configured such that the length of the lighting means is varied manually.

8. The wind turbine (1) of claims 1-6, wherein the lighting means is at least one of an LED lighting means, filament lighting means, fluorescent lighting means and a halogen lighting means.

9. The wind turbine (1) of claims 1-8, wherein the

predetermined threshold is set by a regulatory authority.

10. A lighting unit (8) for use in a wind turbine,

comprising:

a lighting means (10) coupled to a shaft (12); wherein the shaft (12) is coupled to the nacelle (2);

characterized in that:

a length adjustment unit (14) configured to vary the length of the shaft (12) .

11. The lighting unit (8) in accordance with claim (10),

wherein the length adjustment unit (14) is configured to vary the length of the shaft 12 such that the distance (d) between the lighting means (10) and the tip of the blade (6) is below a predetermined threshold.

Confidential