US 11,933,268 B2
Method and device to extend the life cycle of a wind turbine
Miguel Nunez Polo, Barasoain (ES); Teresa Arlaban Gabeiras, Barasoain (ES); Jose Miguel Garcia Sayes, Barasoain (ES); Francisco Fernandez Faraldo, Naron (ES); Vicente Pigueiras Martinez, Naron (ES); and Jose Ramon Franco Caaveiro, Naron (ES)
Assigned to NORDEX ENERGY SPAIN S.A.U., Barasoain (ES)
Filed by Nordex Energy Spain, S.A.U., Barasoain (ES)
Filed on Dec. 9, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/707,504.
Claims priority of application No. 18382940 (EP), filed on Dec. 18, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0191124 A1, Jun. 18, 2020
Int. Cl. F03D 80/70 (2016.01); F03D 7/02 (2006.01); F03D 15/00 (2016.01); F03D 80/50 (2016.01)
CPC F03D 15/00 (2016.05) [F03D 7/0204 (2013.01); F03D 7/0244 (2013.01); F03D 80/70 (2016.05); F03D 80/50 (2016.05); F05B 2230/80 (2013.01); F05B 2240/916 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method to extend the life cycle of a wind turbine comprising a tower, a nacelle comprising a nacelle frame, and a yaw bearing comprising at least a geared ring for providing a rotatable connection between the nacelle and the tower around a yaw axis and at least one gear motor of a yaw drive for providing the rotatable connection between the nacelle and the tower around the yaw axis, the method comprising:
a) disengaging the rotatable connection between the nacelle and the tower;
b) lifting the nacelle from the tower using lifting means, allowing the rotation of the geared ring with respect to a component to which the geared ring is connectable while maintaining and powering in contact the geared ring and the at least one gear motor throughout the lifting, wherein the component to which the geared ring is connectable is either the nacelle or the tower; and
c) rotating the geared ring around the yaw axis while the rotatable connection between the nacelle and the tower is disengaged, until the geared ring reaches a predetermined position with respect to the component to which the geared ring is connectable.