Patent · US Active

Lubrication heating system and wind turbine incorporating same

US7997855B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by

7References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

General Electric Company · US

Inventors

Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli · Niskayuna, US
Edwin Hidding · Rhede, DE
Stephan Klümper · Salzbergen, DE
Eric Baker · Scotia, US
Holger Grünwaldt · Hohenaspe, DE
Michael J. Burkett · Lyman, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jan 29, 2008
Grant date	Aug 16, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 17, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E10/72
WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A wind turbine is provided having a gearbox containing a lubrication medium, a pump for circulating the lubrication medium, and a gearbox lubrication suction pipe for transporting the lubrication medium from the gearbox to the pump. A heater is in thermal connection to, at least a portion of, the gearbox lubrication suction pipe. This heater is used to heat the lubrication medium contained within the gearbox lubrication suction pipe to a temperature where damage to the pump is avoided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.