Key information

Title: AN IMPROVED NACELLE, USE OF THE NACELLE, AND RELATED METHODS
Application number: 20240540
Case type: National
Status: 08.09.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed: 27.05.2024
Effective date: 27.05.2024
Publicly available: 08.09.2025
Next annual fee due: 31.05.2027
Applicant: RA WIND AS (NO)
Owner: RA WIND AS (NO)
Inventor: Svein Søyland (NO)
Agent: HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS (NO)
Granted: 08.09.2025
Patent number: 349044
Expiry date: 27.05.2044

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a nacelle for mounting on a tower structure, the nacelle comprising: a main body defining an interior volume for housing a generator assembly therein, the main body comprising: an interface portion comprising: a curved outer surface for rotatably mounting a hub of a rotor assembly thereon; and a aperture configured to receive a main shaft of the rotor assembly for driving the generator assembly. According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a use of a nacelle according to the first aspect of the disclosure. According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of assembling a nacelle. According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of disassembling a nacelle.

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Date	Doc. No.	Process	Case number	In/Out	Journal description	To/from
02.04.2026	07-01	Saksbehandling	20240540(349044)	UT	PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20240540)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
15.09.2025	06-01	Saksbehandling	20240540(349044)	UT	PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20240540)
13.06.2025	05-01	Saksbehandling	20240540	UT	Intention to grant	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
11.06.2025	04-05	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	P31317NO00 - Letter - TO BE FILED - 2025 06 11	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
11.06.2025	04-04	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	P31317NO00 - Claims - Norwegian translation - TO BE FILED - 2025 06 11	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
11.06.2025	04-03	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	P31317NO00 - Amended specification - marked up - TO BE FILED - 2025 06 11	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
11.06.2025	04-02	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	P31317NO00 - Amended specification - clean - TO BE FILED - 2025 06 11	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
11.06.2025	04-01	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
27.12.2024	03-02	Saksbehandling	20240540	UT	PT report 06:47:15
27.12.2024	03-01	Saksbehandling	20240540	UT	Substantive examination	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
29.05.2024	02-01	Saksbehandling	20240540	UT	Infobrev til oppfinner	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
27.05.2024	01-04	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	P31317NO00 - Specification - TO BE FILED - 2024 05 27	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
27.05.2024	01-03	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	P31317NO00 - Drawings - TO BE FILED - 2024 05 27	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
27.05.2024	01-02	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	GPoA_RA_Wind_AS	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
27.05.2024	01-01	Saksbehandling	20240540	INN	Søknadsskjema Patent	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

Description

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AN IMPROVED NACELLE, USE OF THE NACELLE, AND RELATED METHODS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a nacelle for mounting on a tower structure, use of 5 the nacelle, and methods of assembling and disassembling the nacelle. The nacelle may be used as part of a wind turbine, for example a floating offshore wind turbine.

BACKGROUND

Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into usable electricity. Wind turbines 10 typically comprise a tower and a nacelle rotatably mounted thereon. The tower typically extends anywhere between 50 and 150 meters. The nacelle houses various important components of the wind turbine, including a rotatable hub in which blades are mounted, and a generator assembly connected to rotatable hub.

15 In recent years, wind turbines have steadily been increasing in size, with towers reaching over 250 metres in height and nacelles over 400 tonnes in weight. Bigger wind turbines tend to be more efficient and have higher energy generation capacities, making them, in many cases, more cost-effective than smaller wind turbines despite generally requiring higher initial investment. These bigger wind turbines are not only 20 taller, with their nacelles being mounted on wind turbine towers extending higher than previous models, but also utilise larger blades requiring structurally stronger nacelles.

Traditionally, a rotatable main shaft is mounted within the main body of the nacelle using bearings, and is coupled with a rotor. This type of arrangement can be seen in 25 EP2859230B1. There are a number of drawbacks with this approach, which render it unsuitable for use with larger wind turbines. For a start, the centre of gravity of the rotor is located outside of the nacelle, meaning that, due to the principle of moments, the bearings experience a force larger than that of the weight of the rotor. This may cause both uneven and premature wearing of the bearings, requiring more frequent 30 replacements and maintenance. Furthermore, the main shaft itself is subjected to a bending moment caused by the weight of the rotor, which can contribute significantly to material fatigue and thus lead to even more maintenance being required.

US8994205B2 ameliorates some of the issues associated with the traditional shaft 35 and bearing arrangement described above. This document describes a hub and

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generator mounted on a structure of the nacelle, the hub and generator being directly coupled with one another. However, for these types of arrangements, where a main shaft is not utilised, the generators need to be bespoke for each application, fitting around just one particular diameter of structure, and are thus much more expensive 5 than typical generators which are housed within the nacelle and may be used in a variety of different wind turbine models. Furthermore, as the centre of gravity of both the rotor and the generator are located outside of the tower base, significant stress is placed on the tower.

10 During use, if a component fails, repair thereof is often very difficult and expensive due to the size of the wind turbine tower. In offshore implementations, maintenance operations often involve some of the largest crane vessels that exist, often having a long lead time and replying on optimal weather conditions. For example, in EP2859230B1, if one of the bearings requires replacement, the entire rotor and main 15 shaft must be removed before access to the bearings is granted.

The present disclosure seeks to address and/or at least ameliorate to a certain degree the problems associated with the prior art.

20 SUMMARY

Advantageously, this may allow the main body of the nacelle to bear the weight of the hub of the rotor assembly, without the main shaft of the rotor assembly needing to do 30 so, allowing the main shaft to be subjected only to rotational torsion of the hub.

Further advantageously, this allows for the centre of gravity of the hub to be located within the main body of the nacelle, reducing uneven wear of the bearings compared with if the centre of gravity of the hub were located outside of the main body of the 35 nacelle.

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Optionally, the interface portion is for supporting the weight of the rotor assembly.

Optionally, the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly is for rotatably mounting a 5 hub of the rotor assembly thereon.

Optionally, the interface portion is for interfacing and coupling with at least two bearings of the rotor assembly for rotatably mounting a hub of the rotor assembly thereon such that a centre of gravity of the rotor assembly is located between at least 10 two of the bearings.

Optionally, the nacelle further comprises a rotor assembly comprising: a hub; at least one bearing comprising: an inner ring coupled to the interface portion of the main body; and an outer ring coupled to the hub; and a main shaft for driving the generator 15 assembly, the main shaft being coupled to the hub and extending through the aperture of the interface portion of the main body.

Optionally, a centre of gravity of the rotor assembly is located within the interface portion of the main body.

Optionally, the rotor assembly comprises at least two bearings, and a centre of gravity of the rotor assembly is located between at least two of the bearings.

Advantageously, this may reduce uneven wear of the bearings.

Optionally, the hub of the rotor assembly comprises an opening for removing and/or inserting at least one bearing of the rotor assembly therethrough.

Advantageously, this may allow for the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly to 30 be removed or inserted without requiring the hub of the rotor assembly to be removed entirely.

Optionally, the interface portion is in the form of a shell.

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Advantageously, this may allow for a user to access the interior of the interface portion, potentially negating the need for the rotor assembly to be removed during some maintenance operations.

5 Optionally, the interface portion comprises an outer casing defining an interior cavity.

Optionally, the outer casing is configured to withstand the load of the rotor assembly during use.

10 Optionally, the interior cavity is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the main body via a nacelle access port.

Optionally, the interface portion comprises the nacelle access port.

Optionally, the outer casing comprises a lateral surface and an end surface.

Optionally, the interface portion comprises a hub access port.

Advantageously, the access port may allow for a user to access the interior of the hub of the rotor assembly, potentially negating the need for the rotor assembly to be 20 removed during some maintenance operations.

Optionally, the hub access port is defined through the lateral surface of the interface portion.

25 According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a use of a nacelle according to the first aspect of the disclosure.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of assembling a nacelle, the method comprising the steps of: providing a nacelle for mounting on a 30 tower structure, the nacelle comprising: a main body defining an interior volume for housing a generator assembly therein, the main body comprising: a interface portion for interfacing and coupling with at least one bearing of a rotor assembly, the interface portion comprising a aperture configured to receive a main shaft of the rotor assembly for driving the generator assembly; providing a rotor assembly comprising a hub; at 35 least one bearing comprising: an inner ring configured to be coupled to the interface

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portion of the main body; and an outer ring configured to be coupled to the hub; and a main shaft for driving the generator assembly, the main shaft being configured to be coupled to the hub and extend through the aperture of the interface portion of the main body; coupling the inner ring of the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly to the 5 interface portion of the main body; and coupling the outer ring of the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly to the hub of the rotor assembly.

Optionally, the method further comprises the steps of: arranging the main shaft of the rotor assembly within the aperture of the interface portion of the main body; and 10 coupling the main shaft of the rotor assembly to the hub of the rotor assembly.

Optionally, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a temporary support structure for supporting a weight of the hub of the rotor assembly; before the step of coupling the outer ring of the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly to the hub of 15 the rotor assembly, positioning the hub of the rotor assembly around the interface portion of the main body and inserting the temporary support structure between the hub and the interface portion of the main body; and after the step of coupling the outer ring of the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly to the hub of the rotor assembly, removing the temporary support structure from between the hub and the interface 20 portion of the main body.

Advantageously, this may allow for the bearing assembly to be replaced while the main shaft and/or hub of the rotor assembly remain in position relative to the interface portion of the main body. This may negate the need for large crane vessels to bear 25 the load of the hub during such operations.

Optionally, the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly is inserted through an opening of the hub of the rotor assembly.

30 Advantageously, this also may allow for the bearing assembly to be replaced while the main shaft and/or hub of the rotor assembly remain in position relative to the interface portion of the main body.

According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of 35 disassembling a nacelle, the method comprising the steps of: providing a nacelle for

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mounting on a tower structure, the nacelle comprising: a main body defining an interior volume for housing a generator assembly therein, the main body comprising: a interface portion comprising: a curved outer surface for rotatably mounting a hub of a rotor assembly thereon; and a aperture configured to receive a main shaft of the rotor 5 assembly for driving the generator assembly; and a rotor assembly comprising: a hub mounted on the curved outer surface of the interface portion of the main body; at least one bearing comprising: an inner ring coupled to the curved outer surface of the interface portion of the main body; and an outer ring coupled to the hub; and a main shaft for driving the generator assembly, the main shaft being coupled to the hub and 10 extending through the aperture of the interface portion of the main body; decoupling the inner ring of the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly from the interface portion of the main body; decoupling the outer ring of the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly from the hub of the rotor assembly; and removing the bearing of the rotor assembly from between the hub of the rotor assembly and the interface portion of the 15 main body.

Optionally, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a temporary support structure for supporting a weight of the hub of the rotor assembly; before the step of removing the at least one bearing of the rotor assembly from between the hub of the 20 rotor assembly and the interface portion of the main body, inserting the temporary support structure between the hub and the interface portion of the main body.

Optionally, the method further comprises the steps of: decoupling the main shaft of the rotor assembly from the hub of the rotor assembly; removing the main shaft of the rotor 25 assembly from the aperture of the interface portion of the main body; and removing the hub of the rotor assembly from the interface portion of the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will now be described by way of example, with reference to the 30 following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a wind turbine.

Figure 2 is a front view of a nacelle of the wind turbine shown in Figure 1.

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Figure 3A is a side cutaway view of the nacelle shown in Figure 2 in a first configuration, taken along the line A-A shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3B is a side cutaway detail view of circle B in Figure 3A, of the nacelle 5 shown in Figure 2 in the first configuration.

Figure 4A is a side cutaway view of the nacelle shown in Figure 2 in a second configuration, taken along the line A-A shown in Figure 2.

10 Figure 4B is a side cutaway detail view of circle C in Figure 4A, showing the nacelle shown in Figure 2 in the second configuration.

Figure 5 is a side cutaway detail view of the nacelle shown in Figure 2 in a third configuration.

Figure 6 is a perspective cutaway view of the wind turbine shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wind turbine 100: Overview

20 Figure 1 shows a wind turbine generally at 100. The wind turbine 100 comprises a tower structure 200, a nacelle 300, and a blade assembly 400.

Tower structure 200: Overview

The tower structure 200 is a vertically extending structure for supporting the nacelle 25 300. The tower structure 200 is supported itself by a foundation (not shown). In onshore applications, foundations of wind turbines are typically formed of a combination of concrete and steel rebar, but, in offshore applications, different foundation types may be used, for example monopile foundations, utilising a single steel tube driven deep into the seabed, or jacket foundations, using a latticed steel 30 structure which anchors into the seabed often at three or more locations. The tower structure 200 may be constructed of any suitable material and may be manufactured as one single part or in a number of sections to be assembled on-site. For example, the tower structure 200 may be constructed using tubular steel sections bolted or welded together.

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Nacelle 300: Overview

The nacelle 300 is for housing therein and/or mounting thereon at least one of the energy generation components of the wind turbine 100. A front view of the nacelle 300 can be seen in Figure 2

As can be seen in Figure 3A, the nacelle 300 comprises a main body 310. In some embodiments, the nacelle 300 further comprises a mount 325, and/or a rotor assembly 330, and/or a generator assembly 370. The rotor assembly 330, generator assembly 370, and blade assembly 400 may all be considered as energy generation 10 components of the wind turbine 100 as they are all directly involved in energy generation.

Main body 310 and mount 325: Overview

The main body 310 defines an interior volume for housing at least one of the energy 15 generating components of the wind turbine 100 therein, for example at least a portion of the generator assembly 370.

The mount 325 forms the interface between the nacelle 300 and the tower 200, and, essentially, attaches the nacelle 300 to the tower 200. The mount 325, in most 20 embodiments, also allows rotation of the nacelle 300 relative to the tower 200. This rotation is crucial for optimising wind energy capture, by allowing the main body 310 of the nacelle 300, and thus the rotor assembly 330 and blade assembly 400 mounted thereon, to face a particular direction. In these embodiments, the main body 310 comprises a main body axis of rotation 312, about which the main body 310 rotates by 25 use of the mount 325. The main body axis of rotation 312 is coaxial with a central axis of the tower structure 200 (not shown), but in some embodiments may not be coaxial.

Rotor assembly 330: Overview

The rotor assembly 330 comprises a hub 332, a main shaft 340, and a bearing 30 assembly 350. The hub 332 is coupled or configured to be able to be coupled, to the main shaft 340, the main shaft 340 is coupled or configured to be able to be coupled to the hub 332, and the bearing assembly 350 is for facilitating rotational movement of the hub 332 relative to the feature on which it is mounted, namely the interface portion 314 explained in detail below.

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The rotor assembly 330 may further comprise a flange assembly 343, for coupling the main shaft 340 to the hub 332 and retaining the bearing assembly 350 in position.

Generator assembly 370: Overview

5 The generator assembly 370 comprises at least one generator 372, for example at least two generators 372. The generator assembly 370 may further comprise a main shaft coupling 374 for coupling to the main shaft 340 of the rotor assembly 330 to the generator 372, and/or a gearbox 376 for coupling to the main shaft 340 of the rotor assembly 330 and converting the relatively slow rotational speed of the main shaft 340 10 of the rotor assembly 330 into a higher speed suitable for generating electricity, and/or a mounting 378 for mounting the generator 372 inside the main body 310 of the nacelle 300. In some embodiments, a gearbox 376 may not be used, and instead a ‘directdrive’ arrangement may be used where the main shaft 340 of the rotor assembly 330 is coupled to the generator 372 without the use of any gearbox to increase its rotational 15 speed. The mounting 378 may comprise steel beams.

Blade assembly 400: Overview

The blade assembly 400 is for converting wind energy into rotation, causing the hub 332 of the rotor assembly 330 to rotate when coupled thereto. The blade assembly 20 400 comprises at least one blade 410, and in most embodiments comprises three blades 410. The at least one blade 410 is coupled with the hub 332 of the rotor assembly 330, and may be rotatably coupled with the hub 332 such that the pitch angle of the at least one blade 410 may be adjusted, for example using a combination of bearings (not shown), and/or motors (not shown), and/or gears (not shown).

Nacelle 300: Detail

Main body 310: Detail

The main body 310 of the nacelle 300 may further comprise a housing portion 313. The housing portion 313 defines an interior volume for housing at least one of the 30 energy generating components of the wind turbine 100 therein, for example at least a portion of the generator assembly 370.

The main body 310 of the nacelle 300 further comprises a portion 314, which may be known as an interface portion 314. The interface portion 314 is for interfacing and 35 coupling with at least one bearing of the bearing assembly 350. More specifically, the

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interface portion 314 is for interfacing and coupling with an inner ring of at least one bearing of the bearing assembly 350 of the rotor assembly 330. The interface portion 314 is a load-bearing portion of the main body 310, taking the load of the hub 332 rotatably mounted thereon.

The interface portion 314 comprises an outer surface comprising a lateral surface 316 and an end surface 317. The interface portion 314 in the embodiment shown in the figures is cylindrical in form, and the lateral surface 316 is a curved lateral surface.

10 However, in other embodiments, the interface portion 314 may be different in shape:

the interface portion 314 is for interfacing and coupling with an inner ring of at least one bearing, and as the inner ring may be of any suitable shape, for example comprising a square aperture, the interface portion 314 may be of any shape to interface and couple with the inner ring. In the present example, the hub 332 is 15 mounted on the lateral surface 316 of the interface portion 314 of the main body 310 of the nacelle 300. The interface portion 314 may be formed as one integral part with the housing portion 313 of the main body 310, or may be formed as a separate part and coupled thereto, for example. The interface portion 314 may be coupled to the housing portion 313 of the main body 310 using one or more welds and/or one or more 20 bolts.

The interface portion 314 further comprises an aperture 318. The aperture 318 may be considered as a port for receiving the main shaft 340. The aperture 318 extends though the end surface 317. The aperture 318 may alternatively be referred to as a 25 bore 318. The aperture 318 is for receiving the main shaft 340 of the rotor assembly 330. The aperture 318 extends through the interface portion 314, in such a way, for example, that the main shaft 340 of the rotor assembly 330 may directly connect with one or more components housed within the main body 310, for example the generator assembly 370. More specifically, the aperture 318 extends through the end surface 30 317 of the interface portion 314. The aperture 318 may be cylindrical in shape, as it is in the present embodiment, though in other embodiments it may be non-cylindrical, for example cuboid in form. The aperture 318 comprises a aperture central axis 319, which in the present case is coincident with the interface portion central axis 315.

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The interface portion 314 may be in the form of a shell, as it is in the present example. This means that the interface portion 314 comprises an outer casing, comprising the outer surface which itself comprises the lateral surface 316 and end surface 317, as explained above. The outer casing defines an interior cavity 320, shown in Figure 3B.

5 The outer casing is load-bearing. More specifically, the outer casing is configured to withstand the load of the rotor assembly 330 during use. The aperture 318 is in fluid communication with the interior cavity 320.

The interface portion 314 further comprises a nacelle access port 321, as can be seen 10 in Figure 3B. The nacelle access port 312 is for enabling access to the interior cavity 320 of the interface portion 314 from the interior volume of the main body 310, and for enabling extension of the main shaft 340 therethrough to the generator assembly 370 housed within the interior volume of the main body 310. In other words, the main shaft 340 extends through the aperture 318 into the interior cavity 320, through the interior 15 cavity 320 and into the interior volume of the main body 310 through the nacelle access port 321. In other embodiments, the main shaft 340 may extend to the generator assembly 370 through a main shaft access port (not shown) instead, allowing the nacelle access port 321 go be used exclusively for enabling access to the interior cavity 320 by a user. The nacelle access port 321 is arranged opposite the end surface 20 317.

As can be seen in Figure 6, the interface portion 314 comprises a hub access port 322. The hub access port 322 is configured to enable access to the interior of the hub 332 when the hub 332 is in position on the interface portion 314, for example when 25 the hub 332 is coupled to the outer ring of the first or second bearings 355, 360. For example, a user may enter the interior volume of the main body 310, then enter the interior cavity 320 through the nacelle access port 321, and then access the interior of the hub 332 through the hub access port 322. The access port 322 is defined through the outer casing of the interface portion 314. More specifically, the access port 322 is 30 defined through the lateral surface 316 of the interface portion 314. The access port 322 is sized such that a person, for example a maintenance operator, may fit therethrough. For example, the access port 322 shown in Figure 6 has a width of 0.75 metres and a height of 2.10 metres.

Rotor assembly 330: Further details

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The main shaft 340 of the rotor assembly 330 is configured to be able to drive the generator 370. The main shaft 340 further comprises a main shaft axis of rotation 341 (shown in Figure 3B) and an end portion 342 (shown in Figure 4B), which extends in the radial direction relative to the main shaft axis of rotation 341. The main shaft 340 5 does not bear the weight of the hub 332 mounted on the interface portion 314, as this load is borne by the interface portion 314. Further, the main shaft 340 is subjected only to rotational torsion from the hub 332. The main shaft axis of rotation 341 is coincident with the aperture central axis 319.

10 Further, as mentioned above and as can be seen in Figure 3B, the rotor assembly 330 may further comprise a bearing assembly 350. In the present example, the hub 332 of the rotor assembly 330 is mounted on the interface portion 314 of the main body 310 via the bearing assembly 350. The bearing assembly 350 comprises at least one bearing 355, 360. Each bearing 355, 360 may comprise an inner ring (not shown) and 15 an outer ring (not shown), the inner and outer rings of each bearing 355, 360 are arranged concentrically and may be rotated relative to one another. The inner ring is coupled to the interface portion 314 of the main body 310, for example to the curved outer surface 316, for example via one or more flanges, as will be explained below in more detail. The outer ring is coupled to the hub 332 of the rotor assembly 330, for 20 example via one or more flanges, as will also be explained below in more detail. In other words, each bearing 355, 360 is for rotatably mounting the hub 332 thereon.

In some embodiments, the bearing assembly 350 comprises two or more bearings 355, 360. The bearings 355, 360 may be any type of bearing, for example 25 hydrodynamic bearings and/or ball bearings. As can be seen in Figure 3B, the present bearing assembly 350 comprises two bearings, a first bearing 355, which may be considered as a front bearing, comprising the inner ring and the outer ring, and a second bearing 360, which may be considered as a rear bearing, comprising the inner ring and the outer ring. The centre of gravity 331 of the rotor assembly 330, and in 30 particular of the hub 332, is located between the first bearing 355 and the second bearing 360. The centre of gravity 333 of the hub 332 of the rotor assembly 330 is also located between the first bearing 355 and the second bearing 360. As can be seen in Figure 3B, the centre of gravities 331, 333 of the rotor assembly 330 and the hub 332 are coincident, and fall on the interface portion central axis 315. The first and second 35 bearings 355, 360 may also be sized differently, as is the case in the present example:

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the first bearing 355 has a smaller cross-dimension, for example diameter, compared with the second bearing 360.

Further, as mentioned above, the rotor assembly 330 may further comprise a flange 5 assembly 343, for coupling the main shaft 340 to the hub 332 and retaining the bearing assembly 350 in position. The flange assembly 343 comprises a first bearing interface portion attachment flange 344, a second bearing interface portion attachment flange 345, a first hub coupling flange 346, a first bearing intermediate flange 347, a main shaft coupling flange 348, and a second bearing hub coupling flange 349.

The first bearing 355 is coupled with the interface portion 314 via the first bearing interface portion attachment flange 344. More specifically, the inner ring of the first bearing 355 is coupled with the interface portion 314 via the first bearing interface portion attachment flange 344. When the first bearing 355 is being removed, during a 15 maintenance operation for example, the first bearing 355 is decoupled from the interface portion 314 by decoupling the inner ring from the first bearing interface portion attachment flange 344.

The second bearing 360 is coupled with the interface portion 314 via the second 20 bearing interface portion attachment flange 345. More specifically, the inner ring of the second bearing 360 is coupled with the interface portion 314 via the second bearing interface portion attachment flange 345. When the second bearing 360 is being removed, during a maintenance operation for example, the second bearing 360 is decoupled from the interface portion 314 by decoupling the inner ring from the second 25 bearing interface portion attachment flange 345.

The first bearing 355 is coupled with the hub 332 via a series of flanges. The outer ring of the first bearing 355 is coupled with the hub 332 via the first bearing intermediate flange 347 and the first hub coupling flange 346. The first bearing intermediate flange 30 347 is coupled with the first hub coupling flange 346. The main shaft 340 is coupled with the hub 332 via the main shaft coupling flange 348, the first bearing intermediate flange 347, and the first hub coupling flange 346. More specifically, the end portion 342 of the main shaft 340 is coupled with the hub 332 via the main shaft coupling flange 348, the first bearing intermediate flange 347, and the first hub coupling flange 35 346. When the first bearing 355 is being removed, during a maintenance operation for

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example, first bearing 355 is decoupled from the hub 332 by decoupling the first bearing intermediate flange 347 from the first hub coupling flange 346 and the main shaft coupling flange 348, allowing the first bearing 355 and the first bearing intermediate flange 347 to be removed together, remaining coupled, as can be seen 5 in Figure 5. In some embodiments, the first bearing 355 may also be decoupled from the intermediate flange 347, and removed by itself.

The second bearing 360 is coupled with the hub 332 via the second bearing hub coupling flange 349. More specifically, the outer ring of the second bearing 360 is 10 coupled with the second bearing hub coupling flange 349 via the second bearing hub coupling flange 349. When the second bearing 360 is being removed, during a maintenance operation for example, the second bearing 360 is decoupled from the hub 332 by decoupling the outer ring from the second bearing hub coupling flange 349.

In some embodiments, less flanges may be used. For example, the main shaft 340 may be coupled directly to the hub 332. Further, for example, the first bearing 355 and/or the second bearing 360 may be connected directly to the interface portion 314 of the main body 310 and/or the hub 332. In other embodiments, more flanges may 20 be used.

When the first and second bearings 355, 360 have been decoupled from both the interface portion 314 and the hub 332, they are each removed in a direction parallel to the interface portion central axis 315 and hub central axis 335, which are coincident.

25 To facilitate the removal of the second bearing 360, the hub 332 of the rotor assembly 330 comprises an opening 334, through which the first and/or second bearings 355, 360 may pass. The opening 334 may be considered as an entry access port for entry/exit of the bearing assembly 350 from within the hub 332. The opening 334 allows the first and/or second bearings 355, 360 to be removed from the interior of the 30 rotor assembly 330 and/or hub 332 without dismantling or removal of the hub 332, even if only one end of the hub 332 may be accessible as is the case in the present example. The opening 334 extends in a plane perpendicular to a central axis 335 of the hub 332. The opening 334 is configured to enable movement of the first and/or second bearing 355, 360 therethrough in a direction parallel to the central axis 335 of 35 the hub 332. The central axis 335 of the hub 332, when the hub 332 is mounted on

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the interface portion 314 of the main body 310, is coincident with the interface portion central axis 315.

The nacelle 300 may further comprise a closeable end opening 380 for allowing 5 access to the interior of the rotor assembly 330, as can be seen in Figure 4A. When the end opening 380 is open, as in Figure 4A, the nacelle 300 may be considered as being in a repair configuration. The end opening 380 selectively covers the end portion 342 of the main shaft 340, the flange assembly 343, and the bearing assembly 350 from the surrounding environment. As can be seen in Figure 3B, the end opening 380 10 is in the form of a conical hatch, which has the additional benefit of improving the drag profile of the nacelle 300, preventing unnecessary strain on the mount 325 and the tower 200. The end opening 380 may be coupled directly to the hub 332, for example using bolts (not shown) and/or hinges (not shown).

15 The nacelle 300 may further comprise a spacing arrangement 390 for supporting one or more components thereof during a maintenance operation, for example during a bearing replacement operation. The spacing arrangement 390 can be seen in Figure 4B. The spacing arrangement 390 may comprise one or more support structures 392, which in the exemplary embodiment are temporary support structures and can be seen 20 in Figure 4A. After a maintenance operation, the temporary support structures 392 are removed.

In the present embodiment, there are three temporary support structures: a first temporary support structure 394, a second temporary support structure 395, and a 25 third temporary support structure 396. The temporary support structures 394, 395, 396 are for supporting the hub 332 and spacing the hub 332 apart from the interface portion 314 and the main shaft 340 such that the bearing assembly 350 does not bear any load, and the hub 332 and the main shaft 340 remain in position while the bearing assembly 350 is removed, as can be seen in Figure 5.

The first temporary support structure 394 is for taking the load from the hub 332 off the second bearing 360. The second temporary support structure 395 is for taking the load from the hub 332 off the first bearing 355. The third temporary support structure 396 is for taking the load from the main shaft off the first bearing 355.

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During an assembly or disassembly operation, the first temporary support structure 394 is inserted between the hub 332 and the interface portion 314. More specifically, the first temporary support structure 394 is inserted between the second bearing interface portion attachment flange 345 and the second bearing hub coupling flange 5 349. During an assembly operation, the insertion of the first temporary support structure 394 is performed after positioning the hub 332 around the interface portion 314. During a disassembly operation, the insertion of the first temporary support structure 394 is performed before the outer ring of the rear bearing 360 is decoupled from the second bearing interface portion attachment flange 345. Once the outer ring 10 of the rear bearing 360 has been decoupled from the second bearing interface portion attachment flange 345, the rear bearing 360 may be moved to a temporary location within the opening 334, as can be seen in Figure 4B.

During an assembly or disassembly operation, the second temporary support structure 15 395 is inserted between the hub 332 and the interface portion 314. More specifically, the second temporary support structure 395 is inserted between the first hub coupling flange 346 and the first bearing interface portion attachment flange 344. During an assembly operation, the insertion of the second temporary support structure 395 is performed before the first and second bearings 355, 360 have been coupled to the 20 hub 332 and/or the interface portion 314. During a disassembly operation, the insertion of the second temporary support structure 395 is performed after the rear bearing 360 is moved to the temporary location within the opening 334, as can be seen in Figure 4B.

25 During an assembly or disassembly operation, the third temporary support structure 396 is inserted between the main shaft 340 and the interface portion 314. More specifically, the third temporary support structure 396 is inserted between the main shaft 340 and a shoulder feature of the end surface 317 of the interface portion 314.

30 During some maintenance operations, the main shaft 340 may need to be replaced.

In these operations, the third temporary support structure 396 may not be required.

In some maintenance operations, fewer support structures 392 may be used, for example one or two support structures 392, or more support structures 392 may be 35 used, for example four, five, or six.

Claims

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CLAIMS

1. A nacelle (300) for mounting on a tower structure (200), the nacelle (300) comprising:

5 a main body (310) defining an interior volume for housing a generator assembly (370) therein, the main body (310) comprising:

an interface portion (314) for interfacing and coupling with at least one bearing (355, 360) of a rotor assembly (330), the interface portion (314) comprising an aperture (318) configured to receive a main shaft (340) of the rotor assembly (330) for 10 driving the generator assembly (370).

2. The nacelle (300) of claim 1, wherein:

the interface portion (314) comprises an outer casing defining an interior cavity (320);

15 the interior cavity (320) is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the main body (310) via a nacelle access port (321); and

the interface portion (314) comprises a hub access port (322) defined through a lateral surface (316) thereof.

20 3. The nacelle (300) of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a rotor assembly (330) comprising:

a hub (332);

at least one bearing (355, 360) comprising:

an inner ring coupled to the interface portion (314) of the main body 25 (310); and

an outer ring coupled to the hub (332); and

a main shaft (340) for driving the generator assembly (370), the main shaft (340) being coupled to the hub (332) and extending through the aperture (318) of the interface portion (314) of the main body (310).

4. The nacelle (300) of claim 3, wherein a centre of gravity (331) of the rotor assembly (330) is located within the interface portion (314) of the main body (310).

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5. The nacelle (300) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the rotor assembly (330) comprises at least two bearings (355, 360), and a centre of gravity (331) of the rotor assembly (330) is located between at least two of the bearings (355, 360).

5 6. The nacelle (300) of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330) comprises an opening (334) for removing and/or inserting at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) therethrough.

7. A use of a nacelle (300) according to any of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method of assembling a nacelle (300), the method comprising the steps of: providing a nacelle (300) according to claim 1 or 2;

providing a rotor assembly (330) comprising:

a hub (332);

15 at least one bearing (355, 360) comprising:

an inner ring configured to be coupled to the interface portion (314) of the main body (310); and

an outer ring configured to be coupled to the hub (332); and a main shaft (340) for driving the generator assembly (370), the main 20 shaft (340) being configured to be coupled to the hub (332) and extend through the aperture (318) of the interface portion (314) of the main body (310);

coupling the inner ring of the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) to the interface portion (314) of the main body (310); and coupling the outer ring of the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor 25 assembly (330) to the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330).

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

arranging the main shaft (340) of the rotor assembly (330) within the aperture (318) of the interface portion (314) of the main body (310); and

30 coupling the main shaft (340) of the rotor assembly (330) to the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330).

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

providing a temporary support structure (392) for supporting a weight of the 35 hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330);

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before the step of coupling the outer ring of the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) to the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330), positioning the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330) around the interface portion (314) of the main body (310) and inserting the temporary support structure (392) between the hub 5 (332) and the interface portion (314) of the main body (310); and

after the step of coupling the outer ring of the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) to the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330), removing the temporary support structure (392) from between the hub (332) and the interface portion (314) of the main body (310).

11. The method of any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) is inserted through an opening (334) of the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330).

15 12. A method of disassembling a nacelle (300), the method comprising the steps of:

providing a nacelle (300) according to claim 3;

decoupling the inner ring of the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) from the interface portion (314) of the main body (310);

decoupling the outer ring of the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor 20 assembly (330) from the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330); and

removing the bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) from between the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330) and the interface portion (314) of the main body (310).

25 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

providing a temporary support structure (392) for supporting a weight of the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330);

before the step of removing the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) from between the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330) and the 30 interface portion (314) of the main body (310), inserting the temporary support structure (392) between the hub (332) and the interface portion (314) of the main body (310).

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14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the at least one bearing (355, 360) of the rotor assembly (330) is removed through an opening (334) of the hub (332) of the rotor assembly (330).

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P a t e n t k r a v

1. Maskinhus (300) for montering på en tårnstruktur (200), idet maskinhuset (300) omfatter:

et hovedlegeme (310) som definerer et indre volum for å huse en generatorsammenstilling (370) deri, idet hovedlegemet (310) omfatter:

5 et grensesnittparti (314) for å passe sammen med og kobles til minst ett lager (355, 360) av en rotorsammenstilling (330), idet grensesnittpartiet (314) omfatter en apertur (318) konfigurert til å romme en hovedaksel (340) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) for å drive generatorsammenstillingen (370).

2. Maskinhus (300) ifølge krav 1, hvor:

10 grensesnittpartiet (314) omfatter et ytre hus som definerer et indre hulrom (320);

det indre hulrommet (320) er i fluidkommunikasjon med det indre volumet av hovedlegemet (310) via en port (321) for tilkomst til maskinhuset; og grensesnittpartiet (314) omfatter en port (322) for tilkomst til navet definert gjennom en lateral overflate (316) derav.

15 3. Maskinhus (300) ifølge krav 1 eller 2, videre omfattende en rotorsammenstilling (330) omfattende:

et nav (332);

minst ett lager (355, 360) omfattende:

en indre ring koblet til grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310); og

20 en ytre ring koblet til navet (332); og

en hovedaksel (340) for å drive generatorsammenstillingen (370), idet hovedakselen (340) er koblet til navet (332) og strekker seg gjennom åpningen (318) av grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310).

4. Maskinhus (300) ifølge krav 3, hvor et tyngdepunkt (331) av rotorsammenstillingen (330)

25 befinner seg inni grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310).

5. Maskinhus (300) ifølge krav 3 eller 4, hvor rotorsammenstillingen (330) omfatter minst to lagre (355, 360), og et tyngdepunkt (331) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) befinner seg mellom minst to av lagrene (355, 360).

6. Maskinhus (300) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 3 til 5, hvor navet (332) av rotor-

30 sammenstillingen (330) omfatter en åpning (334) for å fjerne og/eller sette inn minst ett lager (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) derigjennom.

7. Anvendelse av et maskinhus (300) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 1 til 6.

8. Fremgangsmåte for sammenstilling av et maskinhus (300), idet fremgangsmåten omfatter trinnene:

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å tilveiebringe et maskinhus (300) ifølge krav 1 eller 2;

å tilveiebringe en rotorsammenstilling (330) omfattende:

et nav (332);

minst ett lager (355, 360) omfattende:

5 en indre ring konfigurert til å kobles til grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310); og

en ytre ring konfigurert til å kobles til navet (332); og

en hovedaksel (340) for å drive generatorsammenstillingen (370), idet hovedakselen (340) er konfigurert til å kobles til navet (332) og strekke seg gjennom åp-

10 ningen (318) av grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310);

å koble den indre ringen av det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) til grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310); og

å koble den ytre ringen av det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) til navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330).

15 9. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 8, videre omfattende trinnene:

å anordne hovedakselen (340) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) inni åpningen (318) av grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310); og

å koble hovedakselen (340) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) til navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330).

20 10. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 9, videre omfattende trinnene:

å tilveiebringe en midlertidig støttestruktur (392) for å støtte en vekt av navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330);

før trinnet for å koble den ytre ringen av det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) til navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330), å posisjonere

25 navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) om grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310) og sette inn den midlertidige støttestrukturen (392) mellom navet (332) og grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310); og

etter trinnet for å koble den ytre ringen av det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) til navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330), å fjerne den

30 midlertidige støttestrukturen (392) fra mellom navet (332) og grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310).

11. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 8 til 10, hvor det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) settes inn gjennom en åpning (334) i navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330).

35 12. Fremgangsmåte for å demontere et maskinhus (300), idet fremgangsmåten omfatter trinnene:

å tilveiebringe et maskinhus (300) ifølge krav 3;

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å koble den indre ringen av det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) fra grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310);

å koble den ytre ringen av det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) fra navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330); og

5 å fjerne lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) fra mellom navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) og grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310).

13. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 12, videre omfattende trinnene:

å tilveiebringe en midlertidig støttestruktur (392) for å støtte en vekt av navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330);

10 før trinnet for å fjerne det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) fra mellom navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330) og grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310), å sette inn den midlertidige støttestrukturen (392) mellom navet (332) og grensesnittpartiet (314) av hovedlegemet (310).

14. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 12 eller 13, hvor det minst ene lageret (355, 360) av rotor-

15 sammenstillingen (330) fjernes gjennom en åpning (334) i navet (332) av rotorsammenstillingen (330).

Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classes

F03D 15/00

F03D 15/20

F03D 80/70

CPC classes

F03D 15/00

F03D 15/20

F03D 80/70

Citations

EP 2859230 B1 (B1)

US 8994205 B2 (B2)

US 9279413 B2 (B2)

US 2015322922 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners

RA WIND AS

Næringsveien 3

4323 SANDNES

NO (SANDNES Municipality, Rogaland county)

Org. number: 930848972

Inventors

Svein Søyland

Sletteigvegen 10

4355 KVERNALAND

NO (TIME Municipality, Rogaland county)

Agent

HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Postboks 9

4068 STAVANGER

NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)

Org. number: 918752900

Reference: P31317NO00

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

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Administrative limitation

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Only events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.