Free Floating Multiple Stator Arrangement Generator for Direct Drive Wind Turbine and Methods

摘要

A generator for a wind turbine is provided. The generator includes a housing with a multi-piece stator arrangement mounted to the housing, the stator arrangement surrounding radially inward and radially outwardly directed faces of a rotor assembly, also surrounded by the housing. The rotor assembly is configured for direct attachment to a wind turbine main shaft so that rotation of the main shaft results in like rotation of the rotor assembly. The housing is mechanically coupled to the rotor by anti-friction elements such that the rotor is free to rotate about its central axis relative to the housing, and such that radial displacement of the rotor due to main shaft deflections results in a like radial displacement of the housing.