Arrangement with a nacelle and an instrument bar

An arrangement with a nacelle and an instrument bar is provided. The instrument bar is arranged on top of the nacelle. A rotational axis interacts with the nacelle and with the instrument bar. The rotational axis is constructed and arranged such that the instrument bar is allowed to pivot between a first position and a second position in reference to the top side of the nacelle. The instrument bar projects above the top side of the nacelle when locked in the first position, while the instruments are operated. The instrument bar is locked close to the top side of the nacelle in the second position to allow access to the instruments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of European Patent Office Application No. 09014631.7 EP filed Nov. 24, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to an arrangement with a nacelle of a wind turbine and with an instrument bar. The instrument bar is located on top of the nacelle and is used to support instruments, which are needed for the wind turbine. The instruments may be used to measure parameters of the environment or may be used for warning purposes, etc.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The instruments need to be maintained, changed or repaired during the life time of the wind turbine. Thus personal has to leave the nacelle for this purpose. This task is dangerous due to the height of the wind turbine and due to the weather, especially for wind turbines located offshore.

The instrument bar needs to be placed on top of the nacelle at a planned site with a crane. Thus personal has to climb out of the nacelle to direct the crane and to fix the instrument bar at the nacelle. This task is dangerous, too.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement with the nacelle and the instrument bar, which allows a safe and reliable work during the installation and for maintenance purposes.

This object is achieved by the independent claim. Preferred configurations are object of the dependent claims.

According to the invention the arrangement contains a nacelle and an instrument bar. The instrument bar is arranged on top of the nacelle. A rotational axis interacts with the nacelle and with the instrument bar. The rotational axis is constructed and arranged in a way that the instrument bar is allowed to pivot between a first position and a second position in reference to the top side of the nacelle. The instrument bar projects above the top side of the nacelle if locked in the first position, while the instruments are operated. The instrument bar is locked close to the top side of the nacelle in the second position to allow access to the instruments.

If the instrument bar is turned in the second position maintenance work can be done from inside the nacelle very easily and without danger.

Preferably the instrument bar and a radiator of the wind turbine are turned to a rear side of the nacelle by help of a second rotational axis. Thus they do not project above the nacelle or do only project by a minimum height above the nacelle. Thus a resulting component is built, which contains the nacelle, the radiator and the instrument bar. This allows an easy transport of the whole component to a wind turbine site. Furthermore there is no longer the need to use a crane for the installation of the instrument bar and for the installation of the radiator on top of the nacelle.

Additionally the component shows a predefined minimum height, if the radiator and the instrument bar are tuned to the rear side of the nacelle. Thus barriers in reference to the height of the component (like tunnels or bridges) are overcome.

According to the invention the instrument bar and/or the radiator are installed and connected in a controlled production facility. It is no longer necessary to transport the nacelle, the radiator and/or the instrument bar as separate components to the site.

Preferably the instrument bar and the nacelle are connected by flexible communication lines, which are used for the needed communication between the nacelle and the instrument bar.

According to the invention there is no longer the need to use a crane for the installation of the radiator and/or the instrument bar to the nacelle at the site. Thus personal do not longer have to climb on top of the nacelle to install and fixate them in their individual position.

According to the invention there is no longer the need for a separated shipment of the radiator, the nacelle and the instrument bar to the site, as they are connected in a production-facility before.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1shows the arrangement according to the invention.

A nacelle N1is connected with a rotational axis RX1. An instrument bar B1is connected with the rotational axis RX1, too.

Thus the instrument bar B1can be turned around the rotational axis RX1between a first position POS11and a second position POS12.

If the instrument bar B1is turned in the first position POS11the instrument bar B1projects above the nacelle N1.

Thus the instruments INS of the instrument bar B1can be used in this position POS11to measure parameters of the environment or to be used as warning lights for example.

If the instrument bar B1is turned in the second position POS12the instrument bar B1is close to an opening OP of the nacelle N1. Thus maintenance work of the instruments INS, repair-work of the instruments INS or the change of instrument INS is enabled and allowed from inside the nacelle N1.

Preferably the rotational axis RX1is close to the top side TSN of the nacelle N1and near to the rear side RSN of the nacelle N1.

Preferably the instrument bar B1and the nacelle N1are connected by flexible connection lines—not shown here in detail. They are used for communication purposes between means inside the nacelle and the instruments INS in the instrument bar B1.

Preferably the flexible connection lines are already joined at the production facility and thus are kept during a transportation of the components to the site of the wind turbine.

FIG. 2shows a preferred configuration in reference toFIG. 1. The instrument bar B1is at least partly integrated with a radiator RAD1of the wind turbine. For both components a divided housing is used, which allows to adjust them to the environment aerodynamically.

FIG. 3shows a preferred configuration of the arrangement according to the invention.

A nacelle N3is connected with a second rotational axis RX32. A radiator RAD3is connected with the second rotational axis RX32, too. Thus the radiator RAD3can be turned around the second rotational axis RX32between an upright position POS33and position POS34.

If the radiator RAD3is turned in the position POS33the radiator RAD3projects above the nacelle N3. Thus the radiator RAD3can be used in this position POS33to transmit heat, which is generated inside the nacelle N3, to the environment.

If the radiator RAD3is turned in the position POS34the radiator RAD3does not project above the nacelle N3or does only project by a certain height above the nacelle N3.

Thus the nacelle N3and the radiator RAD3show a common certain minimum height.

Preferably the rotational axis RX32is close to the top side TSN of the nacelle N and near to its rear side RSN.

A bar B3is used to carry instruments INS, which are used to measure the wind speed or other environmental parameters, for example. The instrument INS may be even part of a warning-system using lights for example.

The bar B3is connected to a rotational axis RX31. The rotational axis RX31is an integrated part of the radiator RAD3.

The bar B1can be turned around the rotational axis RX31between a first position POS31and a second position POS32.

If the bar B1is turned to the first position POS31the bar B3projects together with the radiator RAD3above the nacelle N3. Thus the bar B3can be operated in this position POS31, for example to measure environmental parameters for the wind turbine.

If the bar B3is turned to the second position POS32the bar B3is close to the top side TSN of the nacelle N3. Thus the instruments INS can be adjusted, maintained, etc., from inside the nacelle N3via the opening OP in the nacelle N3. Thus there is no need for personal to leave the nacelle N3for the maintenance or service of the instruments INS.

As the rotational axis RX31is an integrated part of the radiator RAD3, the radiator RAD3and the bar B3can be turned together around the rotational axis RX32. This position may be used for the transport of the nacelle, the radiator and the instrument bar to a wind turbine site.

FIG. 4shows details of the preferred configuration in reference toFIG. 3. To turn the bar B3a motor M3is used. The motor M3may be an integrated part of the radiator RAD3.