초록 ▼

A cooling device for a wind turbine is provided, the cooling device including at lease one liquid-tight tube which is partially filled with a liquid coolant, wherein one end of the tube is located in a first area and another end of the tube is located in a second area, the first and second areas hav

A cooling device for a wind turbine is provided, the cooling device including at lease one liquid-tight tube which is partially filled with a liquid coolant, wherein one end of the tube is located in a first area and another end of the tube is located in a second area, the first and second areas having different temperatures when operating the wind turbine.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A cooling device for a wind turbine including a rotating hub, said cooling device comprising: at least one liquid-tight tube which is partially filled with a liquid coolant, wherein a first end of the tube is located in a first area of the hub and a second end of the tube is

What is claimed is: 1. A cooling device for a wind turbine including a rotating hub, said cooling device comprising: at least one liquid-tight tube which is partially filled with a liquid coolant, wherein a first end of the tube is located in a first area of the hub and a second end of the tube is located in a second area of the hub, the first and second areas having different temperatures when operating the wind turbine, the first area defining an inner space of a cabinet in the hub and the second area defining an interior of the hub outside said cabinet. 2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the second area is at a hub casing of the hub. 3. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the liquid coolant has low viscosity. 4. The cooling device of claim 3, wherein the liquid coolant is selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, methanol, ethanol, glycol, or any mixture thereof. 5. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the at least one tube is installed close to the center of rotation of the hub. 6. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tube has a fin-like shape. 7. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tube forms a closed loop. 8. The cooling device of claim 7, wherein the closed loop surrounds the interior of the hub. 9. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising at least one fan for transporting heat to or from the at least one tube. 10. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tube is adapted to withstand freezing of the liquid coolant. 11. A heat exchanger for a wind turbine rotor including a rotating hub, said heat exchanger comprising: one or more conduits which are partially filled with a liquid and extend from a cool area of the hub to a relatively hotter area of the hub, the liquid being adapted to absorb and dissipate heat, wherein the liquid can be agitated within said one or more conduits by rotating the wind turbine rotor, said one or more conduits extending in a circumferential direction of the wind turbine rotor. 12. The heat exchanger of claim 11, wherein said one or more conduits have a radial component with respect to a center of rotation of the wind turbine rotor. 13. The heat exchanger of claim 11, wherein said one or more conduits extend from an inside to an outside of the hub. 14. The heat exchanger of claim 11, wherein said one or more conduits extend between an inner frame and an outer casing of the hub. 15. A method for cooling at least one selected part inside a wind turbine rotor hub, said method comprising: (a) providing at least one duct being partially filled with a liquid coolant and extending between the at least one selected part of the hub and a reservoir within the hub having a lower temperature than the at least one selected part; and (b) moving the liquid coolant between the at least one selected part and the reservoir having the lower temperature. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein step (b) comprises rotating a wind turbine rotor. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the liquid coolant is moved back and forth between an inside and an outside of the hub. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein step (b) comprises actively pumping liquid coolant.