Patent · US Active

Yaw system for a windmill

US9273668B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
4References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 5, 2010
Grant dateMar 1, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 10, 2033

Classification

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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a yaw system 5 for a windmill 1, the windmill comprising a tower 2 and a nacelle 3, the tower and the nacelle being joined by the yaw system and the yaw system further comprising a bearing fixed to the tower, on which bearing the nacelle rests and slides in a yawing movement, and at least one yaw motor arranged to allow the nacelle to perform a rotary motion along the bearing, wherein the yaw system 5 further comprises control means 8 for continuously operating the at least one yaw motor in such a way that the yaw motor strives to maneuver the nacelle according to a setpoint. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the yaw of a windmill 1, comprising the steps of determining a set point for the windmill 1, calculating a yaw error based on the set point and a current alignment of the windmill, determining a size and direction of a torque based at least on the yaw error, and applying the torque to at least one yaw motor of a yaw system for turning the turbine, whereby the method also comprises the step of continuously calculating the yaw error and applying the torque in order to strive towards the setpoint.

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