DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a wind turbine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a solution for adjusting a component of a wind turbine, in particular for adjusting a generator device thereof.

The present invention relates to an adjusting device for adjusting a com-ponent of a wind turbine, to a mounting device for mounting a component of a wind turbine as well as to a nacelle of a wind turbine.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed to the technical field of wind turbines, in particular to wind turbines of the horizontal type, which means that the wind turbines comprise a horizontal rotor axis and a rotor being directed against the wind. Such wind turbines generally comprise a nacelle incorporating a drive train. In general, the drive train comprises at least a generator device. The nacelle is mounted to a tower. A rotor with a number of rotor blades, particularly with three rotor blades, is connected to the drive train via a hub, to which the rotor blades are mounted. The rotor rotates around its rotational axis.

The nacelle comprises nacelle housing. Usually, the drive train, in particular at least the generator device, is arranged inside the nacelle housing by means if a suitable mounting device, said mounting device comprising at least one beam device for receiving the components of the drive train, the generator device for example. According to one solution generally known in prior art, the generator device is mounted to the mounting device via respective receiving devices. In such a case the generator device is mounted or placed on the receiving devices which, in turn are mounted or placed on the at least one beam device.

For an adequate performance of the wind turbine, and in order to avoid any damages to the drive train, in particular to the generator device, it is of importance that the generator device gets exactly adjusted and aligned to the shaft to which the generator device is to be connected. For example, such a shaft can be the shaft of the rotor, an output shaft of a gear device being located between the rotor and the generator device, or the like. In order to realize such an exact alignment, the generator device has to get exactly positioned after it has been mounted or placed on the mounting device inside the nacelle housing. For that reason, the generator device has to be brought into the desired position and alignment by means of a suitable adjusting device. However, this is quite problematic since there is only a very delimited working space available inside the nacelle housing, under and/or between the beam device and the nacelle housing for example. Due to the very limited working space it is very difficult to realize a proper alignment by means of suitable tools such as mechanical tools, pneumatic tools or hydraulic tools. In particular, a horizontal movement, which in particular is a movement perpendicular to the axis of the drive train, is very difficult to realize. In the existing nacelle design there is not enough space between the generator device and the next beam device, in particular in a side direction. Therefore, an adjustment, in particular a jacking, of the generator device from the side is very difficult.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Starting from the aforementioned prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide a solution in the field of adjusting a component of a wind turbine, in particular in the field of horizontally adjusting a generator device inside a nacelle of a wind turbine, which is simple in construction, and by means of which the abovementioned drawbacks can be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the object is solved by the adjusting device, which is the first aspect of the invention, by the mounting device, which is the second aspect of the present invention, and by the nacelle, which is the third aspect of the invention. Further features and details of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims, from the de-scription as well as from the drawings. Therein, features and details which are described in connection with one aspect according to the invention apply with respect to their disclosure in their entirety also to the other aspects according to the invention, so that any statements made with respect to one aspect of the invention also apply to their full extent to the other aspects of the invention, and vice versa.

The underlying concept of the present invention is that an adjustment of a component of the wind turbine is realized by means of an adjusting device, said adjusting device comprising an adjusting element, which is shaped as a wedge. The wedge-shaped alignment element is mounted to or placed on a mounting device which receives the component to be aligned in such a way that it can, upon actuation, move the component in a desired direction, in particular in a horizontally direction, preferably in a side direction.

According to a preferred embodiment the present invention is directed to a solution, wherein the component of the wind turbine to be aligned is a generator device and wherein the generator device shall get horizontally adjusted inside the nacelle, in particular in a side direction.

The present invention according to its four aspects is directed to the tech-nical field of wind turbines, in particular to the technical field of horizontal wind turbines. Such wind turbines are generally known in the prior art.

According to a preferred embodiment, such a wind turbine comprises a nacelle which incorporates a drive train. The drive train transmits the rotor speed to the generator device where it is converted into electric energy. In particular, the drive train is the mechanical energy transmitting line starting from the hub of the rotor right up to the generator device. The wind turbine comprises a rotor being connected to said drive train, said rotor preferably comprising a hub and a number of rotor blade, preferably three rotor blades, said rotor blades being mounted to said hub. The rotor is pivotally mounted around a rotational axis to the drive train. In order to transform the rotational energy of the rotor into electric energy, the drive train, to which the rotor of the wind turbine is mounted, comprises a number of different components. One of these components is a generator device. The generator device generates electric energy. For this purpose, the generator device preferably comprises a stator component and a rotor component, said rotor component being coupled to the generator shaft. The nacelle is mounted at the top of a tower of said wind turbine. At its lower base end, the tower is anchored to the ground by means of a foundation.

In particular, the rotor blades are adjustably mounted on the hub. This is realized by means of a pitch drive, said pitch drive being part of a pitch drive unit, which in turn is part of a pitch system. The pitch system, which is generally known in the prior art, participates in the control of the rotor speed to given set points. In general, the rotor speed is controlled by the load and by the pitch angle. By means of the pitch-drives, the rotor blades may be moved about rotor blade axes into different pitch positions, said rotor blade axes extending in an axial direction of the rotor blade. A rotor blade having an adjustable pitch can be particularly understood in such a manner, that the angle of attack of the rotor blade, which may be defined as the pitch angle, can be adjusted or is provided in an adjustable manner, during a pitch-offset for example.

The generator device is mounted inside the nacelle. This is particularly realized by means of a mounting device said mounting device comprising at least one beam device, preferably two beam devices. In particular, a beam device is a device which is adapted for bearing or supporting the generator device and which is capable of mounting and holding the generator device inside the nacelle. In a preferred embodiment, the beam device is provided as a girder element or a crossbeam element for example,

The arrangement of the generator device on the beam device is either realized by directly arranging the generator device on the beam device, or by use of suitable receiving devices. In the latter case, the generator device gets mounted to or attached or arranged on the receiving devices which in turn get mounted to or attached or arranged on the a least one beam device.

In a preferred embodiment, the mounting device comprises two beam de-vices and four receiving devices, wherein one beam device receives the anterior portion of the generator device whilst the other beam device re-ceives the back portion of the generator device, and whereby the receiving devices are preferably provided for receiving the edge portions of the generator devices. In case that such receiving device are used the receiving devices preferably comprise suitable vibration dampers as well.

In particular, the present invention is directed to a solution for adjusting the generator device through a movement in horizontal direction which in particular is the direction perpendicular to the drive train axis and therefore a movement in side direction.

The present invention will now be explained in detail and with reference to the different aspects of the present invention.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the object is solved by an adjusting device being adapted for adjusting a component of a wind turbine, in particular for horizontally adjusting a generator device inside a nacelle of a wind turbine. The adjusting device is characterized by an ad-justing element, said adjusting element being shaped as a wedge, and by an actuator device which interacts with the adjusting element and which is adapted, upon actuation, for moving the adjusting element in a defined direction, in particular in a horizontal direction.

The first aspect of the invention is directed to an adjusting device. It is the function of this adjusting device that it is capable of adjusting a component of a wind turbine. According to a preferred embodiment the adjusting device is provided for horizontally adjusting a generator device inside a nacelle of a wind turbine. In such a case the adjusting device is particularly used to adjust the generator device in a lateral direction.

According to the present invention the adjusting device comprises an ad-justing element which is shaped as a wedge. In particular, a wedge is a piece of hard material with two principal faces which protrude from an end face and which meet in an angle at the wedge tip. In particular the wedge-shaped adjusting element is a three-dimensional member. The wedge-shaped adjusting element is provided for being pushed between two ob-jects in order to move them away or apart from each other by applying a force, a pounding or driving force for example. This will be described in more detail further below.

For that reason, the adjusting device comprises an actuator device, which at least temporarily interacts with the adjusting element. By means of the actuator device the force which pushes the wedge between the two ob-jects, is applied to the adjusting element. The actuator device is adapted, upon actuation, for moving the adjusting element in a defined direction, in particular in a horizontal direction. According to a preferred embodiment, the adjusting element is mounted or placed on a planar portion of a mounting device as will be explained in more detail with regard to the second aspect of the invention further below. By means of the actuator device the adjusting element is moved in the desired direction by moving the adjusting element over the planar portion of the mounting device respectively. Preferably, in its operational mode, the adjusting device rests loosely on the planar portion of the mounting device such that it can be freely moved generally in all directions on the planar portion of the mounting device. Therefore, in its operational mode the adjusting element is preferably somewhat float-mounted on the planar portion of the mounting device.

Nevertheless, by means of the adjusting device, the adjusting element gets moved in a defined direction. This direction is preferably determined via the location where the actuator device gets in contact with the wedge-shaped adjusting element, and by the direction of the force which is gen-erated by the actuator device. It is the function of the actuator device that the adjusting element is moved on the planar portion of the mounting de-vice in the required direction. Preferred embodiments thereof are de-scribed in more detail further below.

The present invention is not limited to specific types of actuator devices. It is the general function of the actuator device that it is capable of moving the wedge-shaped adjusting element in the desired direction. Preferably, the actuator device is configured and provided in such a way, that it is also capable of adjusting and re-adjusting the component to be adjusted, in particular the generator device, during the operation thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment the actuator device is provided as a screw. In particular the actuator device is an adjusting screw. By turning the screw, which gets in contact with the wedge-shaped adjusting element, a compressive force is applied to the adjusting element over the tip of the screw, which comes in contact with the adjusting element, whereby the adjusting element is moved in the direction which is affected by the moving path of the screw. The screw, which can be provided as a bolt as well, comes into alignment with the wedge-shaped adjusting element in the operational mode of the adjusting device.

According to different preferred embodiments the actuator device is pro-vided as a mechanical actuator device, or as a cable operated actuator device or as an electromechanical actuator device, or as a hydraulic driven actuator device or as a pneumatic driven actuator device, generating the same effects on the adjusting element as described above,

According to a preferred embodiment, the adjusting element comprises an end face, whereby the actuator device is adapted for at least temporarily interacting with the end face. Preferably, a compressive force is applied to the end face via said actuator device, such that the wedge-shaped adjust-ing element can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the end face.

Preferably, the adjusting element comprises a first base face, which in particular is the aforementioned end face interacting with the actuator device, a first lateral side face and a second lateral side face, the first and second lateral side faces each protruding from the first base face in a defined angle in the direction of a wedge tip. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one lateral side face, preferably both lateral side faces protrude(s) from the first base face in an acute angle which is an angle smaller than 90 degrees. According to a different embodiment, at least one lateral side face protrudes from the first base face in a right angle. According to yet another preferred embodiment, the first lateral side face protrudes from the first base face in a right angle whilst the second lateral side face protrudes from the first base face in an acute angle.

Preferably, the wedge tip is a pointed edge of the wedge. According to a different preferred embodiment, the wedge tip is provided as a second base face, said second base face being smaller than the first base face. In such a case it is preferably provided that the second base face has a width which is smaller than the width of the first base face.

As explained further above it is the general function of the wedge-shaped adjusting element that it gets pushed between two objects in its operation-al mode, in order to move them apart and away from each other by apply-ing a force, a pounding or driving force for example. According to a pre-ferred embodiment, one of these objects is the component of the wind turbine to be adjusted, in particular the generator device, or a receiving device for receiving the component to be adjusted, the generator device in particular. Preferably, the second object is a counter-acting device which is explained in more detail further below. In this case it is preferably provided, that the first lateral side face is adapted for interacting with the component of the wind turbine, in particular a generator device, to be adjusted or with a receiving device for receiving the component of the wind turbine, in particular the generator device, and that the second lateral side face is adapted for interacting with a counter-acting device.

In the following some more embodiments of preferred configurations of the wedge-shaped adjusting elements are described.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wedge-shaped adjusting ele-ment is shaped as a triangle. This adjusting element comprises one base face and two lateral side faces protruding in an acute angle thereof, such that they meet in a pointed edge of the wedge-shaped adjusting element.

According to a different preferred embodiment, the adjusting element is shaped as a trapezium. In particular a trapezium comprises one pair of parallel side faces. In the embodiments as described further above, these parallel side faces are preferably the first base face and the second base face. Both parallel side faces are connected to each other by means of two lateral side faces, which preferably are the first and second lateral side faces in the embodiments as mentioned further above.

According to a preferred embodiment the trapezium-shaped adjusting el-ement is provided as an acute trapezium. An acute trapezium has two ad-jacent acute angels on its longer base edge, which is the first base face in the embodiments as described further above.

According to a different embodiment the trapezium-shaped adjusting ele-ment is provided as a right-angled trapezium. A right-angled trapezium has two adjacent right angles. If the wedge-shaped adjusting element is provided as a right-angled trapezium, a first lateral side face protrudes from the base edge, which is the first base face in the embodiments as described further above, in a right angle. In the same way, this first lateral side face protrudes from the second base face in a right angle as well. According to a preferred embodiment, this first lateral side face is the side face, which comes in contact with the generator device or with a receiving device for the generator device in the operational mode of the adjusting device. According to this embodiment, a second lateral side face protrudes from the first base face in an acute angle. However, this second lateral side face protrudes from the second base face in an angle which is greater than ninety degrees. According to a preferred embodiment this inclined second lateral side face is the side face which comes in contact with the counter-acting device in the operational mode of the adjusting device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the adjusting device comprises at least one counter-acting device, said counter-acting device being provided for at least temporarily interacting with the adjusting element and for generating a counter-acting force with regard to the adjusting element. During its operational mode, the adjusting element is provided between the component of the wind turbine to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, and the counter-acting device. By means of the actuator device a compressive force is applied to the wedge-shaped adjusting element whereby the adjusting element is moved, in a forward direction for example. Due to this movement the adjusting element is moved and gets pressed between both objects, whereby, due to its wedge-shaped configuration, the adjusting element tries to push both objects apart and away from each other. However, the counter-acting device, which is fixedly mounted to the mounting device and which is described in more detail with regard to the second aspect of the invention further below, generates a counter-acting force which is an opposite force with regard to the force generated by the adjusting element on the counter-acting device. Since the counter-acting force generated by the counter-acting device is greater than the force which is generated by the adjusting element, the effect is generated that the component of the wind turbine to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, is moved, in particular in a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the adjusting element caused by the actuator device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the object is solved by a mounting device for mounting a component of a wind turbine, in particular a generator device, inside a nacelle of a wind turbine, said mounting device comprising at least one, preferably two beam device(s) for receiving the component of the wind turbine, in particular the generator device. The mounting device is characterized in that the mounting device comprises at least one adjusting device according to the first aspect of the invention and that the adjusting element of the adjusting device is movably mounted to the at least one beam device.

With regard to the configuration, to the performance and to the function of the mounting device according to the second aspect, full reference is also made to the general description of the invention further above, and to the description of the other aspects of the invention as disclosed further above and further below.

According to this second aspect the present invention is directed to a mounting device. This mounting device is provided for mounting a component of the wind turbine inside the nacelle, a generator device of the drive train in particular.

The mounting device comprises at least one beam device, preferably two beam devices. In particular, a beam device is a device which is adapted for bearing or supporting the generator device and which is capable of mounting and holding the generator device inside the nacelle. In a pre-ferred embodiment, the beam device is provided as a girder element or a crossbeam element for example. Preferably the beam device is an elon-gated profile element which means that it has an extension in longitudinal direction which is greater, preferably a multiple, of the extension in widths direction, which is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Preferably the beam device comprises end portions at its free ends respectively, which are bent upwardly, in particular in a curved course.

The arrangement of the component, in particular of the generator device on the beam device is either realized by directly arranging the generator device on the beam device, or by use of suitable receiving devices. In the latter case, the generator device gets mounted to or attached or arranged on the receiving devices which in turn get mounted to or attached or ar-ranged on the a least one beam device.

In a preferred embodiment, the mounting device comprises two such beam devices and preferably four receiving devices, wherein one beam device receives the anterior portion of the generator device whilst the other beam device receives the back portion of the generator device, and whereby the receiving devices are preferably provided for receiving the edge portions of the generator devices. In particular if an adjustment from the front and rear side of the component, in particular the generator de-vice, is to be realized, two such beam devices are preferably provided.

The mounting device is characterized in that it comprises at least one ad-justing device according to the first aspect of the invention. Therefore, full reference to the disclosure of the first aspect of the invention is made at this point in order to avoid any repetitions. Preferably, the mounting device comprises more than one adjusting device. According to a preferred embodiment, two such adjusting devices are provided for each beam device.

Furthermore, each adjusting device is movably mounted to at least one beam device. According to a preferred embodiment, the adjusting element is provided, in particular mounted or placed or arranged on a planar por-tion of the mounting device. By means of the actuator device of the adjusting device, the adjusting element of the adjusting device is moved in the desired direction by moving the adjusting element over the planar portion of the mounting device respectively. Preferably, in its operational mode, the adjusting device rests loosely on the planar portion of the mounting device such that it can be freely moved generally in all directions on the planar portion of the mounting device. Therefore, in its operational mode the adjusting element is preferably somewhat float-mounted on the planar portion of the mounting device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the beam device is a U-shaped pro-file element, said U-shaped profile element having a base and two legs protruding from the base, said base having an inner surface for receiving the component to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, Accord-ing to one preferred embodiment, the component to get adjusted, in par-ticular the generator device, gets directly mounted or placed or arranged on the beam device, in particular the base of the U-shaped profile element, which preferably has a planar configuration in this area. According to another preferred embodiment the component to get adjusted is mounted or placed or arranged on the beam device, in particular on the base of the U-shaped profile element via respective receiving devices.

In the latter case, the mounting device preferably comprises at least one receiving device for receiving the component to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, said receiving device being movably mounted to the at least one beam device. Preferably, in its operational mode, the receiving device rests loosely on the beam device, preferably on a planar portion thereof, on a planar inner surface of a U-shaped profile element for example, such that it can be freely moved generally in all directions. Therefore, in its operational mode the receiving device is preferably somewhat float-mounted to the beam device. Preferably, two receiving devices are provided for each beam device. The receiving devices, which are preferably rectangular in shape, are also described in more detail further above, Therefore, at this point, full reference is also made to the respective disclosure of the receiving devices further above.

Furthermore, the base of the U-shaped profile element is provided for re-ceiving the adjusting element of the at least one adjusting device. In par-ticular, the inner surface of the base has at least one planar portion which is adapted for receiving the adjusting element and the component to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, or the respective receiving device.

By means of the adjusting device, the adjusting element gets moved in a defined direction. This direction is preferably determined via the location where the actuator device gets in contact with the wedge-shaped adjusting element, and by the direction of the force which is generated by the actuator device. If the actuator device is a screw, and if the beam device is provided as a U-shaped profile element, it is preferably provided that the screw is led and guided through at least one leg of the U-shaped profile element.

According to another preferred embodiment, the actuator device of the actuating device is an actuating screw and that the actuating screw is guided through the beam device. According to different preferred embodi-ments the actuator device is configured and provided in a different way, as described with regard to the first aspect of the invention further above.

Preferably, the beam device, in particular its planar portion or the inner surface of the beam device can be realized in iron cast.

According to another preferred embodiment, the mounting device com-prises at least one counter-acting device, said counter-acting device being provided for interacting with the adjusting element and for generating a counter-acting force with regard to the adjusting element. This counter-acting device has already been explained with regard to the first aspect of the invention Therefore, in order to avoid repetitions, full reference is also made to the respective disclosure of the counter-acting device further above.

It is the general function of the counter-acting device to generate a coun-ter-acting force which is opposite to the force applied to the counter-acting device by means of the adjusting element, when the adjusting element, due to its movement, gets pressed against the counter-acting device. For that reason, it is preferably provided that the counter-acting device is fixedly mounted to the beam device, to the inner surface of the U-shaped profile element for example. This can be realized in different ways.

According to one preferred embodiment, the counter-acting device is non-detachably mounted to the beam device. For example, the counter-acting device is molded or welded to the beam device.

According to a different preferred embodiment the counter-acting device is detachably mounted to the at least one beam device. In such a case the counter-acting device is preferably provided as a block-element which gets fastened to the beam device by means of one or more screws or bolts.

Preferably the counter-acting device has, in comparison the alignment of the component to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, or the receiving device(s), an inclined alignment, such that the technical effects of the wedge-shaped adjusting element can become active.

Preferably, the adjusting element of the adjusting device is arranged be-tween the component to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, or the receiving device, and the counter-acting device. By means of the actuator device, a compressive force is applied to the wedge-shaped adjusting element whereby the adjusting element is moved, in a forward direction for example. Due to this movement the adjusting element is moved and gets pressed between the component to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, or the receiving device, and the counter-acting device, whereby, due to its wedge-shaped configuration, the adjusting element tries to push both objects apart and away from each other. However, the counter-acting device generates a counter-acting force which is an opposite force with regard to the force generated by the adjusting element on the counter-acting device. Since the counter-acting force generated by the counter-acting device is greater than the force which is generated by the adjusting element, the component of the wind turbine to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, or the receiving device is moved, in particular in a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the adjusting element caused by the actuator device.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the object is solved by a nacelle of a wind turbine having a housing and a component, in particular a generator device, being mounted inside the housing by means of a mounting device, said mounting device being provided according to the second aspect of the invention which comprises at least one adjusting device according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the object is solved by a wind turbine comprising a nacelle according to the third aspect of the in-vention, wherein the nacelle having a housing and a component, in par-ticular a generator device, being mounted inside the housing by means of a mounting device, said mounting device being provided according to the second aspect of the invention which comprises at least one adjusting device according to the first aspect of the invention.

With regard to the configuration, to the performance and to the function of the nacelle according to the third aspect, which is part of a wind turbine, full reference is also made to the general description of the invention fur-ther above, and to the description of the other aspects of the invention as disclosed further above.

The present invention according to its three aspects has a number of ef-fects and advantages. First of all, it is possible to save working space. Fur-thermore, the components to get adjusted can be reached better and eas-ier, in particular by the adjusting tools, in particular the respective adjusting devices.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with respect to exem-plary embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein the foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following de-tailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a wind turbine incorporating the principles of the present invention;
Figure 2 depicts a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a mounting device according to the present invention;
Figure 3 depicts an enlarged representation of an adjusting device being used in the first embodiment shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 depicts a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a mounting device according to the present invention; and
Figure 5 depicts a representation of a counter-acting device being used in the second embodiment shown in Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 depicts a wind turbine (10) of the horizontal type with a tower (12) and a nacelle (11), which incorporates the principles of the present invention. Nacelle (11) is rotatable mounted to the top of tower (12). At its lower base end, the tower (12) is anchored to the ground by means of a foundation (13). Nacelle (11) incorporates a drive train (not shown), said drive train being mounted inside nacelle (11) and being connected to a rotor (14). Rotor (14) comprises three rotor blades (16), (17), (18) which are mounted to a hub (15). Hub (15) of rotor (14) is connected to a drive shaft of the drive train. The rotor blades (16), (17), (18) are adjustably mounted on the hub (15). This is realized by means of pitch drives (not sown), said pitch drives being part of a pitch system. The pitch system controls the rotor speed to given set points. By means of the pitch drives, the rotor blades (16), (17), (18) may be moved about rotor blade axes such that the pitch of the rotor blades (16), (17), (18) can be changed. This means that the pitch-angles of the rotor blades (16), (17), (18) can be changed such that the orientation of the rotor blades (16), (17), (18) can be varied.

The rotor (14) is rotatable connected to the drive train via its rotational axis. The drive train transmits the rotor speed to a generator device, where it is converted into electric energy. In order to transform the rotational energy of the rotor (14) into electric energy, the drive train comprises at least one generator device, which is mounted inside nacelle (11).

For mounting the generator device inside the nacelle, suitable mounting devices are used which are disclosed in more detail with regard to Figures 2 to 5. For an adequate performance of the wind turbine, and in order to avoid any damages to the drive train, in particular to the generator device, it is of importance that the generator device gets exactly adjusted and aligned to the shaft to which the generator device is to be connected. This goal is achieved by means of suitable adjusting devices for horizontally adjusting the generator device, which are disclosed in Figures 2 to 5 as well.

The mounting device (20), which is generally depicted in Figure 2, com-prises at least one U-shaped beam device (23), preferably two such beam devices (23). The beam device (23) is a device which is adapted for bear-ing or supporting the generator device and which is capable of mounting and holding the generator device inside the nacelle. The beam device (23) is an elongated profile element which means that it has an extension in longitudinal direction (21) which is greater, preferably a multiple, of the extension in widths direction (22). Preferably, the beam device (23) com-prises end portions (28) at its free ends respectively, which are bent up-wardly, in particular in a curved course.

The U-shaped beam device (23) comprises a base (24) with an inner sur-face (27), said inner surface (27) having at least one planar portion for receiving other elements of the mounting device (20) and of an adjusting device (50). Protruding from base (24), a first leg (25) and a second leg (26) are provided.

Furthermore, each beam device (23) comprises two receiving devices (30), each receiving device being adapted for receiving an edge portion of the generator device to be mounted and to get adjusted. In its operational mode, each receiving device (30), which is preferably rectangular in shape, rests loosely on the beam device (23), preferably on the planar portion of the inner surface (27) of base (23), such that it can be freely moved generally in all directions. Therefore, in its operational mode the receiving device (30) is preferably somewhat float-mounted to the beam device (23).

Each receiving device (30) is arranged between two counter-acting devic-es (24), which are provided for generating a counter-acting force being applied to an adjustment device (50), which will be described in more de-tail next. The counter-active device (40) is fixedly mounted to the beam device (23). According to the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the counter-acting device (40) is non-detachably mounted to the beam device (23) by means of being molded or welded to the beam device (23). In comparison to the alignment of receiving device (30), the counter-acting device (40) is provided in an inclined orientation. Each receiving device (30) is encompassed by two counter-acting devices (40).

In order to get the receiving devices (30), and therefore the generator de-vice being placed thereon, horizontally adjusted, at least one adjusting device (50) is provided according to the present invention. The adjusting device (50), which will be explained according to the first embodiment with regard to Figure 3 as well, comprises two major components, namely an adjusting element (51) and an actuator device (52), said actuator device being an actuator screw (52.1) in the embodiment according to Figures 2 and 3. As can be seen from Figure 2, at least two, preferably four such adjusting devices (50) are used per beam device (23).

According to the present invention, the adjusting element (51) is shaped as a wedge. In its operational mode, each adjusting element (51) rests loosely on the beam device (23), preferably on the planar portion of the inner surface (27) of base (24), such that it can be freely moved generally in all directions. Therefore, in its operational mode the adjusting element (51) is preferably somewhat float-mounted to the beam device (23).

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the wedge-shaped adjusting element (51) is shaped as a trapezium. The trapezium comprises one pair of parallel side faces. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, these parallel side faces are preferably a first base face (53) and a second base face (54). Both parallel side faces are connected to each other by means of two lateral side faces, which are a first lateral side face (55) and a second lateral side face (56).

According to a preferred embodiment the trapezium-shaped adjusting el-ement (51) is provided as a right-angled trapezium. A right-angled trapezi-um has two adjacent right angles. If the wedge-shaped adjusting element (51) is provided as a right-angled trapezium, the first lateral side face (55) protrudes from the first base face (53) in a right angle. In the same way, this first lateral side face (55) protrudes from the second base face (54) in a right angle as well. This first lateral side face (55) is the side face, which comes in contact with the receiving device (30) in the operational mode of the adjusting device (50). According to this embodiment, the second lateral side face (56) protrudes from the first base face (53) in an acute angle. However, this second lateral side face (56) protrudes from the second base face (54) in an angle which is greater than ninety degrees. This inclined second lateral side face (56) is the side face which comes in contact with the counter-acting device (40) in the operational mode of the adjusting device (50).

The actuator device (52) in form of the actuator screw (52.1), which is led and guided through the first leg (25) of the U-shaped beam device (23), comes in contact with the first base face (53) of the adjusting element (51). The adjusting element (51) of the adjusting device (50) is arranged between the receiving device (30) and the counter-acting device (40). By means of the actuator screw (52.1), when this actuator screw (52.1) is turned, a compressive force is applied to the first base face (53) of wedge-shaped adjusting element (51), whereby the adjusting element (51) is moved, in a forward direction for example. Due to this movement, the ad-justing element (51) is moved and gets pressed between the receiving device (30) and the counter-acting device (40), whereby, due to its wedge-shaped configuration, the adjusting element (51) tries to push both objects apart and away from each other. However, the counter-acting device (40), which is fixedly mounted to the beam device (23), generates a counter-acting force which is an opposite force with regard to the force generated by the adjusting element (51) on the counter-acting device (40). Since the counter-acting force generated by the counter-acting device (40) is greater than the force which is generated by the adjusting element (51), the receiving device (30) gets moved in a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the adjusting element (51) caused by the actuator screw (52.1).

Figures 4 and 5 show a different embodiment of a mounting device (20) according to the present invention. However, the general principles and configurations of the mounting device (20) and of the adjusting devices (50) being used are the same as in the embodiment according to Figures 2 and 3. Therefore, identical elements and components are indicated with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, with regard to the basic con-figuration and function of the mounting device (20) and of the adjusting device (50), full reference is made to the embodiment as depicted in Fig-ures 2 and 3 and as described above.

In comparison to the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sec-ond embodiment according to Figures 4 and 5 has a different counter-acting device (40), which is detachably mounted to the beam device (23). For that reason, the counter-acting device (40) according to Figures 4 and 5 has the shape of a block, which is fastened to the beam device (23) by means of fastening bolts. For that reason, the counter-acting device (40) comprises two bores (41) extending there through, said bores (41) being provided for receiving respective fastening bolts. In order to realize an in-clined alignment of the counter-acting device (40) in comparison to the receiving device (30), the bores (41) are provided offset to one another in a defined angle, in an angle of ten degrees for example.

Otherwise, the function of the mounting device (20) and of the adjusting device (50) is the same as the one explained in connection with the first embodiment as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

To summarize the present invention, the present invention relates, among other aspects, to a mounting device (20) for mounting a generator device inside a nacelle (11) of a wind turbine (10). In order to allow an horizontal adjustment of the generator device despite of the fact that only a very lim-ited working space is available inside the nacelle (11) for using suitable adjusting devices (50), the mounting device (20) comprising at least one beam device (23) for receiving the generator device. According to the in-vention, the mounting device (20) further comprises at least one adjusting device (50) being adapted for horizontally adjusting the generator device. The adjusting device (50) comprises an adjusting element (51), said ad-justing element (51) being shaped as a wedge, and an actuator device (52), which interacts with the adjusting element (51) and which is adapted, upon actuation, for moving the adjusting element (51) in a defined direction, in particular in a horizontal direction. The adjusting element (51) of the adjusting device (50) is movably mounted to the at least one beam device (23).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Wind turbine
11 Nacelle
12 Tower
13 Foundation
14 Rotor
15 Hub
16 Rotor blade
17 Rotor blade
18 Rotor blade
20 Mounting device
21 Longitudinal direction
22 Width direction
23 U-shaped beam device
24 Base
25 First leg
26 Second leg
27 Inner surface
28 End portion
30 Receiving device
40 Counter-acting device
41 Bore
50 Adjusting device
51 Adjusting element
52 Actuator device
52.1 Actuator screw
53 First base face
54 Second base face
55 First lateral face
56 Second lateral face

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifi-cations to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.
,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. An adjusting device (50) being adapted for adjusting a component of a wind turbine (10), in particular for horizontally adjusting a generator device inside a nacelle (11) of a wind turbine (10), characterized by an adjusting element (51) said adjusting element (51) being shaped as a wedge, and by an actuator device (52) which interacts with the adjusting element (51) and which is adapted, upon actuation, for moving the adjusting element (51) in a defined direction, in particular in a horizontal direction.

2. The adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting element (51) comprises an end face and that the actuator device (52) is adapted for interacting with the end face.

3. The adjusting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjusting element (51) comprises a first base face (53), which in particular is the end face interacting with the actuator device (52), a first lateral side face (55) and a second lateral side face (56), the first and second lateral side faces (55, 56) each protruding from the first base face (53) in a de-fined angle in the direction of a wedge tip.

4. The adjusting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the wedge tip is a pointed edge of the wedge, or that the wedge tip is provided as a second base face (54), said second base face (54) being smaller than the first base face (53), wherein in particular the second base face (54) has a width which is smaller than the width of the first base face (53).

5. The adjusting device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first lateral side face (55) is adapted for interacting with a component to get adjusted, in particular a generator device, or with a receiving device (30) for receiving the component to get adjusted, and that the second lat-eral side face (56) is adapted for interacting with a counter-acting device (40).

6. The adjusting device according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, character-ized in that the adjusting element (51) is shaped as a triangle or that the adjusting element (51) is shaped as a trapezium, in particular as an acute trapezium or as a right-angled trapezium.

7. The adjusting device according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, character-ized in that the actuator device (52) is an actuator screw (52.1), or that the actuator device (52) is a mechanical actuator device, or a cable operated actuator device, or an electromechanical actuator device, or a hydraulic driven actuator device, or a pneumatic driven actuator device.

8. The adjusting device according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, character-ized in that it comprises at least one counter-acting device (40),said coun-ter-acting device (40) being provided for interacting with the adjusting ele-ment (51) and for generating a counter-acting force with regard to the ad-justing element (51).

9. A mounting device (20) for mounting a component of a wind turbine (10), in particular a generator device, inside a nacelle (11) of a wind tur-bine (10), said mounting device (20) comprising at least one, preferably two beam device(s) (23) for receiving the component of the wind turbine (10), in particular the generator device, characterized in that the mounting device (20) comprises at least one adjusting device (50) according to any-one of claims 1 to 9 and that the adjusting element (51) of the adjusting device (50) is movably mounted to the at least one beam device (23).

10. The mounting device according to claim 9, characterized in that the beam device (23) is a U-shaped profile element, said U-shaped profile element having a base (24) and two legs (25, 26) protruding from the base (24), said base (24) having an inner surface (27) for receiving the compo-nent of the wind turbine (10), in particular the generator device, or a re-ceiving device (30) thereof, and for receiving the adjusting element (51) of the at least one adjusting device (50).

11. The mounting device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one counter-acting device (40) which is non-detachably or detachably mounted to the at least one beam device (23), said counter-acting device (40) being provided for interacting with the ad-justing element (51) and for generating a counter-acting force with regard to the adjusting element (51).

12. The mounting device according to anyone of claims 9 to 11, charac-terized in that it comprises at least one receiving device (30) for receiving the component to get adjusted, in particular the generator device, said re-ceiving device (30) being movably mounted to the at least one beam de-vice (23).

13. The mounting device according to claim 12 as far as referred back to claim 11, characterized in that the adjusting element (51) of the adjusting device (50) is arranged between the receiving device (30) and the counter-acting device (40).

14. The mounting device according to anyone of claims 9 to 13, charac-terized in that the actuator device (52) of the adjusting device (50) is an actuating screw (52.1) and that the actuating screw (52.1) is guided through the beam device (23).
15. A nacelle (11) of a wind turbine (10), said nacelle (11) having a housing and a component, in particular a generator device being mounted inside the housing by means of a mounting device (20), characterized in that the mounting device (20) is provided according to anyone of claims 9 to 14.

16. A wind turbine (10) comprising a nacelle according to claim 15.