Lightning protection for wind turbines
US7988415B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/72
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A rotor blade for a wind turbine is provided. The rotor blade includes a rotor blade body, at least one receptor adapted to be a location for lightning impact, and at least one down conductor connected to the receptor and located within the rotor blade body. The down conductor includes a first conductor connected to the receptor and a ground connection of the wind turbine, and a second insulated conductor connected to the receptor and a non-grounded location of the wind turbine. A path is formed from the ground connection of the first conductor to the non-grounded location of the second insulated conductor. This path facilitates a continuity test used to evaluate a condition of the lightning protection system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.