Patent ID: 8038398
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: F03D,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An air distribution system for use with a wind turbine, the wind turbine including a nacelle coupled to a tower and a rotor rotatably coupled to the nacelle with a rotor shaft, the rotor including at least one rotor blade coupled to a hub, said air distribution system comprising: a conduit defined within the rotor shaft, said conduit providing flow communication between the nacelle and the rotor; an air-flow control assembly coupled in flow communication with said conduit, said air-flow control assembly configured to selectively channel air from the nacelle to the rotor and from the nacelle to ambient air; at least one sensor configured to sense a temperature within the nacelle; and, a controller coupled to said sensor and said air-flow control assembly, said controller configured to selectively channel air from the nacelle to the rotor and from said nacelle to ambient air based at least in part on the sensed nacelle temperature.