Patent · US Active

Aerodynamic hub assembly for a wind turbine

US9353729B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
2References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 2, 2013
Grant dateMay 31, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 2, 2034

Classification

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

Abstract

An aerodynamic hub assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The hub assembly may include a hub extension, a rotor blade having a blade root and a blade tip, and a hub airfoil section mounted at least partially over the hub extension. The hub airfoil section may be fixed relative to the rotor blade or may be configured to rotate about a common pitch axis with the rotor blade. The hub extension may be connected to and extend radially from a center of the hub assembly. Further, the hub assembly may include a pitch bearing having an inner race and an outer race, wherein the pitch bearing may be coupled between the hub extension and the blade root. Additionally, the hub assembly may also include an aerodynamically-shaped spinner, wherein the spinner may house at least a portion of a root structure extending radially from the center of the hub assembly.

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