US 12,429,032 B2
Method of retrofitting a wind turbine with an energy generating unit
Thomas Hedegaard Bachmann, Randers Nv (DK); and Jesper Kofoed Jensen, Aalborg (DK)
Assigned to Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Aarhus N. (DK)
Filed by Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Aarhus N (DK)
Filed on Oct. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/971,695.
Application 17/971,695 is a continuation of application No. 17/201,314, filed on Mar. 15, 2021.
Application 17/201,314 is a continuation of application No. 16/496,674, granted, now 11,480,158, previously published as PCT/DK2018/050050, filed on Mar. 20, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/482,248, filed on Apr. 6, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0050065 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. F03D 80/50 (2016.01); F03D 7/02 (2006.01); F03D 7/04 (2006.01)
CPC F03D 80/50 (2016.05) [F03D 7/0292 (2013.01); F03D 7/042 (2013.01); F03D 7/0224 (2013.01); F05B 2230/80 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of retrofitting a wind turbine having a tower and a first energy generating unit with a second energy generating unit, the wind turbine having been operated for a first period of time and the tower having a total tower life at a first tower life expectancy design value, the first tower life expectancy design value being determined before the first period of time, the method comprising:
removing the first energy generating unit from an upper end of the tower at an end of the first period of time, the tower having a remaining tower life less than the total tower life at the end of the first period of time;
coupling a tower transition adaptor to the upper end of the tower, the tower transition adaptor having a first end with a first interface sized for engaging with an interface on the upper end of the tower and a second end with a second interface sized for engaging with an interface on the second energy generating unit; and
determining a second tower life expectancy value based on the remaining tower life and a generating unit life expectancy design value of the second energy generating unit at the end of the first period of time;
coupling the second energy generating unit to the second end of the tower transition adaptor,
wherein when operating, the second energy generating unit is configured to consume the remaining tower life at a lower rate than the first energy generating unit consumed the total tower life during the first period of time so that the second tower life expectancy value is greater than the first tower life expectancy design value.