Nacelle for a wind turbine, the nacelle comprising side units

Abstract

A nacelle ( 2 ) for a wind turbine ( 1 ) and a method for erecting a wind turbine ( 1 ) are disclosed. The nacelle ( 2 ) comprises a main unit ( 8 ) arranged to be connected to a wind turbine tower ( 3 ), via a yawing arrangement, and at least one side unit ( 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) mounted along a side of the main unit ( 8 ) in such a manner that direct access is allowed between the main unit ( 8 ) and the side unit(s) ( 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ), each side unit ( 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) accommodating at least one wind turbine component ( 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 ), and at least one side unit ( 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) being capable of carrying the wind turbine component(s) ( 13, 4, 15, 16, 17 ) accommodated therein. The main unit ( 8 ) and at least one of the side unit(s) ( 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) are distributed side by side along a substantially horizontal direction which is substantially transverse to a rotational axis of a rotor of the wind turbine ( 1 ). A sufficient interior space of the nacelle ( 2 ) is obtained while allowing the nacelle ( 2 ) to be transported due to the modular construction. The weight of the wind turbine components ( 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 ) is arranged close to the tower ( 3 ) due to the transversal arrangement of the side unit(s) ( 9 a , 9 b , 9 c , 9 d ) relative to the main unit ( 8 ).

1 . A nacelle for a wind turbine, comprising:
 a main unit arranged to be connected to a wind turbine tower, via a yawing arrangement,   at least one side unit mounted along a side of the main unit in such a manner that direct access is allowed between the main unit and the at least one side unit, the at least one side unit accommodating at least one wind turbine component, and the at least one side unit being capable of carrying the at least one wind turbine component accommodated therein,   wherein the main unit and the at least one side unit are distributed side by side along a substantially horizontal direction which is substantially transverse to a rotational axis of a rotor of the wind turbine.   
     
     
         2 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side unit is mounted along a side of the main unit in such a manner that a common interior space of the nacelle is defined by the main unit and the at least one side unit. 
     
     
         3 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side unit accommodates the at least one wind turbine component arranged in a closed compartment, said closed compartment being arranged in the at least one side unit. 
     
     
         4 . The nacelle according to  claim 3 , wherein the closed compartment provides electromagnetic shielding for the at least one wind turbine component arranged in the compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The nacelle according to  claim 3 , wherein the compartment is provided with a door allowing access to the at least one wind turbine component arranged in the compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side unit is mounted in such a manner that the at least one side unit can be moved directly between the mounted position at the nacelle and a base level of the wind turbine. 
     
     
         7 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side unit comprises a supporting structure. 
     
     
         8 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the main unit comprises at least one beam, the at least one beam being connectable to lifting equipment for mounting and/or demounting the main unit on/from the wind turbine tower. 
     
     
         9 . The nacelle according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one beam form(s) forms part of a hoisting arrangement for hoisting and/or lowering the at least one wind turbine component and/or the at least one side unit to/from the nacelle. 
     
     
         10 . The nacelle according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one beam is adapted to carry the at least one wind turbine component accommodated in the at least one side unit. 
     
     
         11 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the least one wind turbine component accommodated by the at least one side unit is a transformer. 
     
     
         12 . The nacelle according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one side unit accommodating a transformer further accommodates a converter. 
     
     
         13 . The nacelle according to  claim 12 , wherein the converter is arranged adjacent to the transformer and adjacent to a generator of the wind turbine. 
     
     
         14 . The nacelle according to  claim 11 , wherein the transformer is arranged at a position near the yawing arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the wind turbine component accommodated by the at least one side unit is an on-board crane. 
     
     
         16 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , said nacelle comprising at least two side units, a first side unit accommodating one or more electrical wind turbine components, and a second side unit accommodating one or more liquid containing wind turbine components. 
     
     
         17 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side unit extends substantially along the entire length of the main unit. 
     
     
         18 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein an interface defined by the main unit towards the at least one side unit is connectable to a corresponding interface of a crane, upon removal of the side unit. 
     
     
         19 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side unit is adapted to accommodate the at least one wind turbine component during transport from a manufacturing location to a wind turbine site. 
     
     
         20 . The nacelle according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one side unit comprises a connector allowing a transportation cover to be attached to the at least one side unit. 
     
     
         21 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover covering at least part of the main unit and at least part of at least one of the at least one side unit. 
     
     
         22 . The nacelle according to  claim 1 , further comprising a main cover covering at least part of the main unit, and at least one side cover covering at least part of a side unit. 
     
     
         23 . The nacelle according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one cover is provided with at least one opening allowing passage of wind turbine components. 
     
     
         24 . A nacelle according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one side unit is mounted along a first side of the main unit and a cooling device having a cooling area extends from a second side of the main unit, the second side being arranged opposite to the first side. 
     
     
         25 . The nacelle according to  claim 24 , comprising a cooling cover having at least one inner face, the cooling device being enclosed by a face of the second side of the main unit and the inner face of the cover. 
     
     
         26 . A wind turbine comprising a nacelle according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         27 . A method for erecting a wind turbine comprising:
 erecting a wind turbine tower,   mounting a main unit on the wind turbine tower, via a yawing arrangement,   hoisting at least one side unit, along with at least one wind turbine component accommodated therein, to a position adjacent to the main unit, and   connecting the at least one side unit to the main unit in such a manner that a common interior nacelle space is defined by the main unit and the at least one side unit.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising transporting the at least one side unit accommodating at least one wind turbine component from a manufacturing location to a wind turbine site, prior to performing the step of hoisting the at least one side unit. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the step of connecting the side unit to the main unit is performed in such a manner that the main unit and the at least one side unit are distributed side by side along a substantially horizontal direction which is substantially transverse to a rotational axis of a rotor of the wind turbine.