Speed controlled pitch system

US7956482B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Jacob Johannes Nies · Zwolle, NL
• Patrick Achenbach · Rheine, DE
• Peter Rogall · St. Blasien, DE
• Axel Braicks · Rheine, DE
• Stefan Rieken · Lathen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 18, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 7, 2011
• Expiry date: Dec 9, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/72
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The present patent application concerns wind turbine having a rotor with a first rotor blade and a pitch control system with a controller and a first drive system for adjusting a pitch angle of the first rotor blade, wherein the drive system is adapted to transform rotational energy of the rotor blade rotating about its longitudinal axis into another form of energy such that a counter torque against the rotating direction is induced. Further, it concerns a method for controlling a pitch velocity of a rotor blade of a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising at least one drive system for adjusting a pitch angle of said rotor blade, the drive system being adapted to operate in a active mode, wherein the drive system rotates the rotor blade, and in a passive mode, wherein the drive system exerts a counter force against the rotating direction, when the rotor blade being rotated by another force than the force of the drive system, wherein the pitch velocity is controlled by operating the drive system in said passive mode when the pitch of the rotor blade is changed from a first position to a second position.