초록

A lubrication system for a wind turbine having a control system, the lubrication system including a sump configured to collect a lubrication fluid, and at least one heating unit configured to heat the lubrication fluid based on at least one forecasted condition.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A lubrication system for a wind turbine, said lubrication system comprising: a sump configured to collect a lubrication fluid; and,at least one heating unit configured to heat the lubrication fluid based on at least one forecasted condition. 2. A lubrication system in accordance with claim 1, fur

1. A lubrication system for a wind turbine, said lubrication system comprising: a sump configured to collect a lubrication fluid; and,at least one heating unit configured to heat the lubrication fluid based on at least one forecasted condition. 2. A lubrication system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a pump configured to transport the lubrication fluid from said sump through at least a portion of the wind turbine and to return the lubrication fluid to said sump. 3. A lubrication system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said pump is configured to cease operating when a temperature of the lubrication fluid falls below a first predefined temperature. 4. A lubrication system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said heating unit is configured to heat the lubrication fluid within said sump to a second predefined temperature. 5. A lubrication system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said pump is configured to operate when the temperature of the lubrication fluid reaches the second predefined temperature. 6. A lubrication system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the forecasted condition includes at least one of a forecasted wind speed, a forecasted wind direction, a forecasted temperature, a forecasted atmospheric pressure, and a forecasted air density. 7. A lubrication system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said heating unit is configured to operate when the forecasted wind speed is above a threshold. 8. A lubrication system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a control system configured to transmit signals to said heating unit. 9. A wind turbine, comprising: a control system configured to: obtain at least one forecasted condition;prepare said wind turbine for generating power based on the forecasted condition. 10. A wind turbine in accordance with claim 9, further comprising: a gearbox; and,a lubrication system configured to lubricate said gearbox, said lubrication system comprising: a sump configured to collect a lubrication fluid; and,at least one heating unit configured to heat the lubrication fluid;wherein said control system is further configured to operate said heating unit based on the forecasted condition. 11. A wind turbine in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a pump configured to transport the lubrication fluid from said sump through at least a portion of said wind turbine and to return the lubrication fluid to said sump. 12. A wind turbine in accordance with claim 11, wherein said pump is configured to cease operating when a temperature of the lubrication fluid falls below a first predefined temperature. 13. A wind turbine in accordance with claim 12, wherein said heating unit is configured to heat the lubrication fluid within said sump to a second predefined temperature. 14. A wind turbine in accordance with claim 13, wherein said pump is configured to operate when the temperature of the lubrication fluid reaches the second predefined temperature. 15. A wind turbine in accordance with claim 9, wherein the forecasted condition includes at least one of a forecasted wind speed, a forecasted wind direction, a forecasted temperature, a forecasted atmospheric pressure, and a forecasted air density, said control system is configured to prepare said wind turbine for generating power when the forecasted condition is above a threshold. 16. A method for operating a wind turbine, said method comprising: heating a lubrication fluid with at least one heating unit within the wind turbine;transporting the lubrication fluid to at least one component within the wind turbine; and,controlling the heating unit based on at least one forecasted condition. 17. A method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising: using a pump to transport the lubrication fluid to the component and to return the lubrication fluid from the component to a sump; and,configuring the pump to cease operating when a temperature of the lubrication fluid falls below a first predefined temperature. 18. A method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising configuring the pump to operate when the temperature of the lubrication fluid reaches a second predefined temperature. 19. A method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising using at least one of a forecasted wind speed, a forecasted wind direction, a forecasted temperature, a forecasted atmospheric pressure, and a forecasted air density to control the heating unit. 20. A method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising operating the heating unit when the forecasted condition is above a threshold.