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Title: Wind turbine rotor speed control system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6665584

A wind turbine rotor speed control for ensuring a constant rotational speed within tight tolerances includes a self-sufficient rotor incorporating aerodynamic and mechanical devices to provide the control. There is a fixed turbine blade adapted to be mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith, the fixed blade having pivotal blade tips at its respective ends. The pitch control of the blade tips regulates the rotor speed. Aerodynamic tabs are pivotally secured adjacent each of the ends of the respective trailing edges of the fixed blade. The relative wind acts on each tab which is connected to a series of links and pitch cams to regulate the pitch of the blade tips from a feathered position, to a cut-in position, to a rated wind position, and vice-versa. There are torque cams actuated by torsional strain on the shaft bearing which is connected to the shaft and to the pitch cams by a series of links so that as the wind approaches its rated velocity value the pitch cams become ineffective and the torque cams take over the speed control. There are also overspeed centrifugal devices connected to the pitch cams to cause the blade tips to feather in emergency overspeed conditions so as to stop the rotor.

Assignee:
Boeing Co. The
Patent Number(s):
US 4355955
OSTI ID:
6665584
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 6 Apr 1981; Other Information: PAT-APPL-251292
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English