Yaw brakes for wind turbines

摘要

Yaw brakes for wind turbines are proposed, the wind turbines having a tower, a nacelle and a yaw system for rotating the nacelle with respect to the tower. The yaw brakes comprise a locking part, having a toothed profile at a side facing a toothed profile of an annular gear of the yaw system. The locking part of the yaw brakes is movable in a radial direction relative to the annular gear, between a brake position and a non-brake position. Brake discs and callipers may be eliminated.

主权项

1. A yaw system for a wind turbine, the wind turbine having a tower and a nacelle, the yaw system being adapted for rotating the nacelle about a yaw axis with respect to the tower, the yaw system comprising:
a yaw bearing having a first bearing ring configured for being attached to the tower, a second bearing ring configured for being attached to the nacelle, and an annular gear with a first toothed profile; a plurality of yaw drives, each having at least a motor and a pinion for meshing with the annular gear; a yaw brake comprising a locking part with a second toothed profile, the locking part being movable relative to the annular gear between a brake position and a non-brake position, the second toothed profile being negative to the first toothed profile to allow meshing of the locking part with the annular gear when the brake position is desired; and a deformable beam attached to a frame structure, the annular gear rotatable relative to the frame structure when the nacelle is rotating about the yaw axis, and the locking part coupled to the deformable beam, wherein the deformable beam moves the locking part between the brake position and the non-brake position.