Method and apparatus for obtaining electricity from offshore wind turbines
US9735581B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/76
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
According to one aspect of the teachings herein, various feeder connection arrangements and architectures are disclosed, for collecting electricity from wind turbines in an offshore collection grid that operates at a fixed low frequency, e.g., at one third of the targeted utility grid frequency. Embodiments herein detail various feeder arrangements, such as the use of parallel feeder connections and cluster-based feeder arrangements where a centralized substation includes a common step-up transformer for outputting electricity at a stepped-up voltage, for low-frequency transmission to onshore equipment. Further aspects relate to advantageous generation arrangements, e.g., tower-based arrangements, for converting wind power into electrical power using, for example, medium-speed or high-speed gearboxes driving generators having a rated electrical frequency for full-power output in a range from about 50 Hz to about 150 Hz, with subsequent conversion to the fixed low frequency for off-shore collection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.