Patent ID: 7762771

Claim:
A device for driving a first part of a wind energy turbine with respect to a second part of the wind energy turbine, said device comprising: a driving element for driving engagement with the first part; a driving unit comprising a housing to be fixedly connected to the second part, a motive generation means for generating motion of a motive element, and a motion transferring means for transferring the motion of said motive element to said driving element; at least one slip coupling arranged between at least one of said motive element of said driving unit and said motion transferring means, said motion transferring means and said driving element, and within said motion transferring means, wherein said slip coupling is adjusted to slip if a torque acting on said slip coupling due to a movement force acting on said driving element exceeds a predetermined maximum torque so as to prevent elements of said driving unit arranged between said housing and said slip coupling from being subjected to unallowed loads; and further comprising sensor means for sensing relative movement of two elements of said driving unit between which said slip coupling is arranged, thereby detecting slippage of said slip coupling and thereby determining parameters of torque for which said slip coupling will operate.