Electrical generators in wind turbines

Abstract

The invention relates to a generator for a wind turbine including a housing of substantially cuboidal form within which is mounted a stator. The stator has one or more multi-phase windings and a bus ring is provided for conveying electrical power from the windings to power take-off modules. One end of the power take-off modules is connected to the bus ring, and the other end of the modules has a plurality of power take-off interfaces for connection to power take-off cables. The distal ends of the power take-off modules are located in the corners of the cuboidal generator housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A generator for a wind turbine, the generator comprising:
 a housing;   a stator mounted within the housing, the stator comprising at least one multi-phase winding; and   a bus ring for conveying electrical power from the at least one multi-phase winding to at least one power take-off module,   wherein the at least one power take-off module includes a proximal end portion in electrical communication with the bus ring and a distal end portion including at least one power take-off interface, and   wherein the at least one power take-off interface is configured to be removably connectable to a power take-off cable.   
     
     
         2 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power take-off interface of the at least one power take-off module is located within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power take-off interface of the at least power take-off module is located outside of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . A method of maintaining the generator for a wind turbine, the method comprising:
 providing the generator of  claim 1 ;   accessing the power take-off cable;   disconnecting the power take-off cable from the at least one power take-off interface; and   connecting a replacement power take-off cable.   
     
     
         5 . A wind turbine comprising a wind turbine tower, a nacelle rotatably coupled to the tower, a rotating hub mounted to the nacelle, and a plurality of wind turbine blades coupled to the hub, wherein the nacelle comprises a generator according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . A method of installing a generator for a wind turbine, the method comprising:
 providing the generator, the generator comprising:
 a housing; and 
 a bus ring for conveying electrical power from at least one multi-phase winding to at least one power take-off module, 
 wherein the at least one power take-off module includes a proximal end portion in electrical communication with the bus ring and a distal end portion including at least one power take-off interface, and 
 wherein the at least one power take-off interface is configured to be removably connectable to a power take-off cable; 
   connecting the power take-off cable to the at least one power take-off interface, wherein no power take-off cable is connected to the at least one power take-off interface during manufacture of the generator; and   securing the generator in or on a mounting structure of a wind turbine.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the power take-off cable is connected to the at least one power take-off interface before the generator has been secured in or on the mounting structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the power take-off cable is connected to the at least one power take-off interface after the generator has been secured in or on the mounting structure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mounting structure comprises a nacelle of a wind turbine. 
     
     
         10 . A power take-off module for a generator for a wind turbine, the module comprising:
 at least one power take-off tab, the at least one power take-off tab including a proximal end portion configured for electrical connection to a bus ring of the generator and a distal end portion including at least one power take-off interface,   wherein the at least one power take-off interface is configured to be removably connected to a power take-off cable.   
     
     
         11 . The power take-off module of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one power take-off interface includes a first power take-off interface and a second power take-off interface, and
 wherein the first power take-off interface and the second power take-off interface are offset from one another.   
     
     
         12 . The power take-off module of  claim 11 , wherein the first power take-off interface and the second power take-off interface are offset from one another in at least two directions. 
     
     
         13 . The power take-off module of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one power take-off tab includes a first power take-off tab and a second power take-off tab, and wherein the first take-off tab and the second take-off tab are arranged in a stack configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The power take-off module of  claim 13 , wherein the first take-off tab is separated from the second take-off tab by an electrically insulating material. 
     
     
         15 . The power take-off module of  claim 13 , wherein the distal end portion of the first power take-off tab and the distal end portion of the second power take-off tab are arranged in a stepped configuration with respect to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The power take-off module of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one power take-off tab includes a plate of electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         17 . The power take-off module of  claim 16 , wherein the plate of electrically conductive material is copper. 
     
     
         18 . The power take-off module of  claim 10 , wherein a central portion of the at least one power take-off tab is substantially planar and,
 wherein the distal end portion of the at least one power take-off tab is located in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the central portion of the at least one power take-off tab.   
     
     
         19 . The power take-off module of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one power take-off interface is a hole formed in the distal end portion of the power take-off tab.