FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to wind turbines, and more particularly to electrical systems for wind turbines having a reduced uptower footprint as compared to existing electrical systems.

BACKGROUND

Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, a generator, a gearbox, a nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The nacelle includes a rotor assembly coupled to the gearbox and to the generator. The rotor assembly and the gearbox are mounted on a bedplate support frame located within the nacelle. The one or more rotor blades capture kinetic energy of wind using known airfoil principles. The rotor blades transmit the kinetic energy in the form of rotational energy so as to turn a shaft coupling the rotor blades to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy

In modern wind turbines, the electrical energy is typically transmitted to an electrical grid via an electrical system. Various elements of the electrical system may be located within the nacelle. However, as the size and power-generating capability of wind turbines increases to meet growing demand, space within the nacelle is increasingly consumed by the drivetrain components. This, in turn, typically limits the amount of space available for the electrical system within the nacelle. As a result, a need exists to accommodate portions of the electrical system within the reduced amount of available free space within the nacelle.

Thus, the art is continuously seeking new and improved electrical systems having a reduced footprint. Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to electrical systems having redistributed components within and around the wind turbine so as to minimize the amount of free space within the nacelle occupied by elements of the electrical system by reducing the overall footprint of the electrical system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an electrical system for a wind turbine. The electrical system may include a generator housing located in a nacelle of the wind turbine. A generator may be disposed within the generator housing. The generator may include a stator and a rotor. The stator and/or the rotor may be operably coupled to at least one generator output connection. The electrical system may also include a plurality of electrical subsystems including a plurality of electrical subsystem assemblies. At least one electrical subsystem assembly may be integrated with the generator housing. The electrical subsystem assembly(s) may also be operably coupled between the stator and/or the rotor and the generator output connection(s). The plurality of electrical subsystems may include a stator switch subsystem, a power converter subsystem, and/or a generator step-up transformer.

In an embodiment, the electrical subsystem assembly(s) integrated with the generator housing may include a stator switch of the stator switch subsystem and/or a rotor-inductor assembly of the power converter subsystem.

In an additional embodiment, the stator switch may be operably coupled in-line between the generator output connection and the stator. The generator output connection may be coupled to the generator step-up transformer.

In a further embodiment, the electrical subsystem assembly(s) integrated with the generator housing may include the stator switch of the stator switch subsystem and the rotor-inductor assembly of the power converter subsystem.

In an embodiment, the generator housing may be coupled to a bedplate support frame of the wind turbine, with the bedplate support frame defining a recess between the generator housing and a surface of the bedplate support frame. In such embodiments, the electrical subsystem assembly(s) may be positioned at least partially within the recess.

In an additional embodiment, the nacelle may define a clearance between an inner surface of a wall of the nacelle and the generator housing. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the electrical subsystem assembly(s) may be positioned at least partially within the clearance.

In a further embodiment, the electrical subsystem assembly(s) may be electrically grounded by the generator housing.

In an embodiment, the stator switch subsystem may be absent of a stator grounding switch.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for reducing an uptower footprint of an electrical system of a wind turbine. The method may include disposing a generator within a nacelle of the wind turbine. The generator includes a stator and a rotor disposed within a generator housing. Further, the stator and/or the rotor may be operably coupled to at least one generator output connection. The method may also include positioning a power converter subsystem in a converter cabinet located within the nacelle. The power converter subsystem may be operably coupled to the generator. Further, the method may include integrating a stator switch of a stator switch subsystem with the generator housing. Additionally, the method may include operably coupling the stator switch to the stator or the rotor of the generator and the generator output connection(s). Moreover, the method may also include coupling the generator output connection(s) of the generator to a transformer.

In an embodiment, the method may further include retrofitting an existing electrical system of the wind turbine to reduce the overall footprint thereof. Wherein integrating the stator switch permits a reduction in the surface area of the electrical system and/or a number of electrical subsystem cabinets relative to an electrical system nominal design.

In an additional embodiment, integrating the stator switch may include electrically grounding the stator switch with the generator housing. Further, the integration may include eliminating a stator grounding switch of the stator switch subsystem.

In a further embodiment, the method may include integrating a rotor-inductor assembly of the power converter subsystem with the generator housing. The method may also include integrating a voltage feedback assembly of the power converter subsystem with a generator step-up transformer. Integrating the voltage feedback assembly and the rotor-inductor assembly may permit a reduction in the surface area of the converter cabinet.

In an embodiment, integrating the stator switch with the generator housing may permit at least one of a reduction in a gauge and a reduction in the number of electrical systems cables positioned within the nacelle.

In an additional embodiment, the wind turbine may include a bedplate support frame positioned within the nacelle. The generator housing may be coupled to the bedplate support frame, and the bedplate support frame may define a recess between generator housing and a surface of the bedplate support frame. The method may also include positioning the stator switch subsystem component and/or a power converter subsystem component at least partially within the recess.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a wind turbine. The wind turbine may include a tower, a nacelle mounted atop the tower, and a rotor mounted to the nacelle. The rotor may include a rotatable hub having a plurality of rotor blades secured thereto. The wind turbine may also include an electrical system disposed within the nacelle. The electrical system may include a generator located in a nacelle of the wind turbine. The generator includes a stator and a rotor housed within a generator housing. The stator and/or the rotor may be operably coupled to at least one generator output connection. The electrical system may also include a plurality of electrical subsystems including a plurality of electrical subsystem assemblies. The electrical subsystems may include a stator switch subsystem operably coupled to the generator. The electrical subsystems may also include a power converter subsystem positioned in a converter cabinet within the nacelle. The power converter subsystem may be operably coupled to the generator. Additionally, the electrical subsystems may include a generator step-of transformer positioned within the nacelle and operably coupled to the stator switch subsystem and the power converter subsystem. Further, the stator switch and/or the power converter subsystem assembly may be integrated with the generator housing and may be operably coupled between the stator or the rotor and the generator output connection. It should be understood that the wind turbine may further include any of the features described herein.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

