NZ615077B2

NZ615077B2 - Fluid-cooled wind turbine

Info

Publication number: NZ615077B2
Application number: NZ615077A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Matteo Casazza; Georg Folie; Emmanuele Gelmini
Original assignee: Windfin Bv
Filing date: 2012-03-10
Publication date: 2016-02-02

Abstract

fluid-cooled wind turbine 1 has at least one electric machine 6, in turn having a stator 8 with a stator supporting structure 11 and a plurality of active stator sectors supported by the stator supporting structure 11, and a rotor 7 which rotates about an axis of rotation A2 and has a rotor supporting structure 10 and a plurality of active rotor sectors 15 supported by the rotor supporting structure 10 and a cooling system 27 having a cooling circuit 28 , extending partly along a plurality of through channels 9 adjacent to at least the active rotor sectors 15 or the active stator sectors. The plurality of through channels comprise a plurality of straight through channels, each adjacent to a respective active rotor sector 15. Each active rotor sector 15 comprises at least two rows of magnetized modules. The plurality of straight through channels comprising a plurality of intermediate through channels, each bounded by two rows of magnetized modules of a respective active rotor sector 15. pporting structure 10 and a plurality of active rotor sectors 15 supported by the rotor supporting structure 10 and a cooling system 27 having a cooling circuit 28 , extending partly along a plurality of through channels 9 adjacent to at least the active rotor sectors 15 or the active stator sectors. The plurality of through channels comprise a plurality of straight through channels, each adjacent to a respective active rotor sector 15. Each active rotor sector 15 comprises at least two rows of magnetized modules. The plurality of straight through channels comprising a plurality of intermediate through channels, each bounded by two rows of magnetized modules of a respective active rotor sector 15.

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid-cooled wind turbine.

More specifically. the present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising at least one electric machine, in turn comprising a stator comprising a stator supporting ure and a plurality of active stator s supported by the stator supporting structure, and a rotor which rotates about an axis of on and has a rotor supporting structure and1 a. plurality of active rotor sectors supported by the rotor supporting ure; and a cooling system sing a cooling Is circuit, in which a cooling fluid, preferably air. circulates.

BACKGROUND ART Wind turbines of the above type are described in 3? 2,136,077; ; EP 1525396; CA 2379161, and US 2006/0145484; US 2007/103027; EP 1837519 and EP 1536769.

Known cooling systems do not always effectively cool the electric machine when it is operated in particularly critical areas.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to e a highly effectively fluid-cooled wind turbine.

Another object of the present invention is to ration:21.06.201314:09:25 - 21.06.2013 14:19:20. This page 14 01 AM ENDED SH EET2013 14:14:48 ed at the EPO on Jun 21, 2013 14:19:20. Page 14 of 32 provide a straightforward, low-cost fluid-cooled wind turbine.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide the public with at least a useful choice.

According to the t ion, there is provided a cooled wind turbine comprising at least one electric machine, in turn comprising a stator comprising a stator supporting structure and a plurality of active stator sectors supported by the stator ting structure, and a rotor which rotates about an axis of rotation and has a rotor supporting structure and a plurality of active rotor sectors supported by the rotor supporting structure; and a cooling system comprising a cooling circuit extending partly along a plurality of through channels adjacent to at least the active rotor sectors or the active stator sectors; wherein the ity of through channels comprise a plurality of straight through channels, each adjacent to a tive active rotor sector; wherein each active rotor sector ses at least two rows of magnetized modules; the plurality of straight through channels comprising a ity of intermediate through channels, each bounded by two rows of magnetized modules of a respective active rotor sector.

According to the present invention, the plurality of active rotor sectors are in direct with, and cooled by, a dedicated stream of cooling fluid.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of through channels comprise an annular through channel extending about the axis of rotation and adjacent to the active rotor sectors and active stator sectors.

Unless the context clearly requires ise, throughout the description and claims the terms “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense. That is, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a partly sectioned side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a wind turbine in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a larger-scale, partly sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the Figure 1 wind turbine; Figure 3 shows a larger-scale, partly sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a larger-scale, partly sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a partly ned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of an alternative embodiment of a wind turbine in accordance with the t invention; (Followed by page 3a) Figure 6 shows a partly sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of another alternative embodiment of a wind turbine in accordance with the t invention; Figure 7 shows a partly sectioned front view, with (Followed by page 4) (Followed by page 4) W0 2012/120485 PCT/132012/051134 parts removed for clarity, of a detail of Janother alternative embodiment of’a wind turbine in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 shows a partly Sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a. detail of another alternative embodiment_of a wind turbine in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 shows a view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the Figure 1 wind turbine; Figure 10 shows a partly sectioned side view; with parts removed for clarity, of r embodiment of a wind turbine in accordance with the t invention; Figure 11 shows a partly sectioned side view, with parts d for clarity, of another embodiment of a wind tnrbine in accordance with the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE ION Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a wind turbine comprising a pylon 2 (shown partly) extending along a vertical axis A1; a e 3 fitted to the top end of pylon 2 and which rotates with respect to pylon 2 about axis A1; a hub 4 mounted to rotate with respect to nacelle 3 about an axis of rotation A2 crosswise to axis Al; three blades 5 (only two shown in Figure 1); and an ic machine 6.

Nacelle 3 comprises a hollow body fitted to the top PCT/132012/051134 end of pylon 2 to rotate about axis A1, and supports electric e' 6, which. ses a rotor 7 and a stator 8 separated by an annular through channel 9. In the example shown, electric machine 6 is annular : rotor 7 is hollow and comprises a substantially cylindrical rotor supporting structure 10 extending about axis of rotation A2; and stator 8 comprises a substantially cylindrical stator supporting structure 11 extending about axis of rotation A2. Hub 4 is hollow and connected directly to rotor 7, i.e. to rotor supporting structure ; and stator 8 is ted~ to the hollow body of nacelle 3. That is, stator supporting structure 11 is ted directly to the hollow body of nacelle 3, and communicates directly with the e. In the e shown, stator 8 extends about rotor 7, and electric machine 6 is a synchronous, permanent magnet type. Hub 4 and rotor 7 are connected to each other and supported on a bearing 12, in turn fitted to nacelle 3.

Rotor supporting structure 10 is connected to hub 4, and has an annular sector 13, which extends crosswise to axis of rotation A2, close to bearing 12, and has a plurality of openings 14.

Nacelle 3 and hub 4 are designed so there is no or negligible exchange‘ of air with the e, i.e. inside, nacelle 3 and lnﬂa 4 define a~ closed. area in which no outside air circulates.

PCT/IBZOIZ/051134 In a variation not shown, the rotor extends about the stator.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, rotor 7 comprises a plurality of active rotor sectors 15; and stator 81 comprises a ity 'of active stator sectors 16 comprising stator windings not shown in the drawings.

Active rotor sectors 15 and active stator sectors 16 are oned facing and separated by annular through channel 9.

Each active rotor ‘ 15 comprises magnetized modules 17 and magnetic guides 18, and is fitted to rotor supporting structure 10 to_form a straight through channel 19 between active rotor sector 15 and rotor supporting structure 10. Rotor supporting structure 10 is shown schematically in Figure 2 as one body, and may be d by a single body (in one piece) with arms 20 for supporting magnetic guides 18, or by a hollow rotor cylinder with grippers bolted to it to support the magnetic guides.

As shown in Figure 2, each active rotor sector 15 comprises at least two magnetized modules 17 positioned contacting and perfectly facing one another, and d ly with respect to axis of rotation A2 (Figure 1), so as to form groups of magnetized modulesWITFEEFEhgedw successively, parallel to axis of rotation A2 (Figure 1), along the whole of active rotor sector 15; In other~ words, each active rotor sector 15 comprises at least two rows of magnetized modules 17.

Magnetized modules 17 are gripped between two magnetic guides 18, each defined by respective packs of laminations.

More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, each straight through channel 19 is bounded at one side by a respective magnetized module 17 and respective pair of ic guides 18, at the other ‘side by rotor supporting structure, 10, 'and Vlaterally' by' arms 20 of rotor supporting structure 10.

In an alternative ment shown in Figures 2 and ~3, a. portion of h channel 19 defined .by rotor supporting structure 10 has a serrated profile (shown by dash lines) to increase the heat—exchange surface.

In another ative embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 4, a portion of through l 19 d by rotor supporting structure 10 has fins (shown by dash lines) to increase the heat—exchange surface.

In. an. alternative embodiment shownf in. Figure 5, straight through channels 19 comprise, intermediate through channels 21 formed between the rows of magnetized modules 17 and therefore parallel to axis of protation A2. More specifically, magnetized s 17 iﬁ”"' each row are positioned contacting magnetized modules 17 in the other row, and are designed to form at least one intermediate through l 21. _In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 6, magnetized modules 17 are not oned contacting;. magnetic guides 18 are designed to form seats for magnetized modules 17; and intermediate h channels 21 are .defined between adjacent rows of magnetized modules 17.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 7, electric machine 6 comprises a protector 22 facing stator 8 and contacting the row of magnetized modules 17 adjacent to stator 8; and a protector 23 facing rotor supporting structure 10 and contacting the row of magnetized s 17 adjacent to rotor supporting structure 10.

In the alternative embodiment in Figure 8, magnetized modules 17 are designed to increase the heat exchange surface with the cooling fluid inside straight through channels 19 and annular through l 9.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, annular through l. 9 and straight through channels 19 extend el to axis of rotation A2, and are located between rotor supporting structure 10 and stator supporting structure 11, i.e. extend axially between two opposite ends 24 and 25, Stator 8 comprises cooling fins 26 fixed to stator supporting structure 11, on the opposite side to active WO 20485 stator sectors 16.

Wind turbine 1 comprises a g system 27 fitted to nacelle 3 and comprising a cooling circuit 28 (Figure _l) for cooling electric Inachine 6 ,with. cooling fluid which, in the example shown in the drawings, is gaseous and, in particular, air.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, cooling circuit 28 extends partly along r h channel 9 and ht through channels 19 to effectively cool magnetized modules 17. In the example shown, the cooling fluid flows along straight through channels 19 and annular through channel 9 from cooling fluid inlet end 24 to cooling fluid outlet end 25 in a direction parallel to axis of rotation A2.

As shown in Figures 1 and 9, cooling system 27 comprises a cooling fluid suction assembly 29, which comprises pipes 30, and suction ports 31 positioned facing outlet end 25 to cover at least one r sector and. feed cooling fluid into annular through channel 9. and straight through channels 19. Cooling circuit 28 is a closed circuit, and extends partly along suction assembly' 29. Suction assembly 29 comprises a heat ger 32 on the outer surface of nacelle 3 and ted to pipes 30 to.receiverhot“air for CObling; a delivery port 33 for feeding cooled air into nacelle 3; and a fan 34 located between delivery port 33 and heat W0 2012/120485 PCT/IBZOlZ/051134 exchanger 32 to increase cooled airflow from delivery . port 33.

Suction ly 29 comprises an outer circuit 35 connected to heat exchanger 32 and in which outside air circulates; and heat exchanger 32 cools the air inside nacelle 3 with the outside air from outer circuit 35.

Suction assembly 29 — i.e. pipes 30, suction ports 31, heat ger 32, delivery port 33, fan 34, and outer circuit 35 ~ is integral with nacelle 3.

Cooling t 28 extends partly, through openings 14, between delivery port 33 and cooling fluid inlet end 24. More specifically, cooling circuit 28 extends partly inside e 3, and s on the configuration of ic machine 6 and nacelle 3. That is, the low pressure produced. by suction. ports 31 inside annular through channel 9 and straight through channels 19 draws cooled air h openings 14 from delivery port 33 to inlet end 24 of straight through channels 19 and annular through l 9.

In actual use, the cooling fluid .cooled by heat exchanger 32 is drawn out of delivery port 33 by the low pressure produced by suction port 31 in annular through channel 9 and straight through channels 19, and flows through openings 14 to inlet end 24, from Where it is drawn by suction port 31 along annular through channel 9 and straight through channels 19 to outlet end 25. As it W0 20485 floWs along ‘annular through channel 9 and straight through channels 19, the cooling fluid withdraws heat from active rotor_ sectors 15, i.e. frOm magnetized modules 17, and from active stator sectors 16. And the hot cooling fluid flows along pipes 30 to heat exchanger 32, which cools by means of outer circuit 35V The outside air flows through cooling fins 26, which increase the heat exchange surface between the air and stator supporting structure 11.

In the alternative ment shown in Figure 10, parts identical to those of the preceding wind turbine embodiment are indicated using the same reference numbers; heat exchanger 32, delivery port 33, fan 34, and outer circuit 35 of cooling system 27 are omitted; cooling systeul 27 is replaced, by cooling system 127; g circuit 28 is ed by g circuit 128; suction assembly 29 is replaced by suction assembly 129; and the cooling fluid is air.

Nacelle 3 and hub 4 are replaced by nacelle 103 and hub 104, both outwardly open.

More specifically, cooling system 127 is supported partly by hub 104 and partly by nacelle 103, is designed to air—cool electric e 6, and, in 'particular, feeds cooling air, predominantly in a direction parallel to axis of on A2, between a feed opening 133 in hub 104, and an exhaust opening 136 in nacelle 103.

PCT/IBZOlZ/051134 On the te side to hub 104, rotdr 7 is closed by' a panel 134 connected to the inner end of rotor supporting ure 10 and designed to prevent cooling airflow from hub 104 to t opening 136 via the inside of rotor supporting structure 10.

Cooling system. 127 compriSes, in succession. from feed opening 133 to exhaust opening 136, an inlet air 'filtration device 138; a ventilation device 139; and suction assembly 129 comprising suction ports 31, pipes , a panel 140, and a ventilation device 141.

Filtration device 138 is fitted to hub 104 at feed g 133, and comprises a convex panel 142 located opposite feed opening 133 and having a convex face 143 facing outwards, and an oppositely convex annular edge 144; an. annular' panel 145 having a concave face 146 extending about edge 144 and facing convex panel 142; and an annular panel 147, which extends inside convex panel 142, and comprises a convex face 148 facing convex panel 142, and a concave face 149 facing hub 104.

Panel 142 is fitted to hub 104 by spacer arms 150, whereas panels 145 and 147 are fitted to hub 104 directly, about feed g 133. Panels 142, 145, 147 guide the incoming air into hub 104, and are designed and arranged to channel the air ianOW'anng a labyrinth path. Filtration device 138 thus prevents or at least reduces the amount of water, snow, or dirt entering hub PCT/[32012/051134 104 and nacelle 103.

Ventilation device 139 is hOused inside hub 104, and comprises a powered fan 151; a guide 152 parallel to axis of rotation A2; and a slide 153 supporting fan 151/ and which es and slides along guide 152 in a direction parallel to axis of rotation A2.

Guide 152 comprises rails 154 arranged about and extending parallel to axis of rotation A2; and fan 151 serves to accelerate airflow in. a parallel direction towards nacelle 103.

Fan 151 is movable along axis of rotation A2 to allow worker access, and also to set fan 151 to the best operating position.

Panel 140 is fitted to nacelle 103, comprises an opening 155 connected to pipes 30, and is positioned facing ventilation device 141 to guide airflow from suction ports 31 to ventilation device 141.

Ventilation device 141 comprises a fan 156, and brackets 157 for fixing fan 156 to nacelle 103, close to exhaust g 136.

In actual use, nacelle 163 is ed about axis A1 to position axis of rotation A2 in the wind direction, with blades 5 facing into the wind.

Cooling circuit 128 extends partly from feed opening 133 to inlet end 24 of ht through channels 19 and r through channel 9, via air filtration_ PCT/IBZOlZ/051134 device 138, ventilation device 139, and opening 14.

In other words, the cooling air flows naturally ,along the labyrinth path inside feed opening 133, and into hub 104 and nacelle 1031 Cooling circuit 128 also s partly from inlet end 24 to outlet end 25 of straight through ls 19 and annular through channel 9.

Cooling t 128 extends partly from outlet end of straight through.channels 19 and r through l 9 to exhaust opening 136 via suction ports 31, pipes 30, opening 155, and ventilation device 141; The cooling air conducted into hub 104 and nacelle 103 is also assisted by 'fan 151, which serves to overcome any load losses in the cooling airflow, and to accelerate airflow inside hub 104 and nacelle 103.

In other words, the cooling air flowing inside hub 104 is drawn by ventilation device 141 into straight through channels 19 and r through channel 9, thus cooling rotor 7. More specifically, after flowing through ventilation device 139, the cooling air flows h opening 14, along straight through channels 19 and annular through channel 9, through suction ports 31 into jpipes 30, and. along' pipes 30 to opening 155 in panel 140, where it is drawn out by ventilation device 141 and expelled through exhaust opening 136.

In Figure 11, which shows an alternative embodiment- PCT/lBZOlZ/051134 to the one in Figure 10, n ports 31, pipes 30 and panel 140 are omitted; cooling system 127 is replaced by cooling system 227; suction assembly 129 is replaced by suction assembly 229; nacelle 103 is replaced by nacelle 203; and wind turbine 1 ses an electric machine 206 comprising a rotor 207 and stator 208 separated by an annular through channel 209. In the example shown, the electric e 206 is annular : rotor 207 is hollow and comprises a substantially cylindrical_rotor supporting ure 210 extending about axis of rotation A2; and stator 208 comprises a substantially cylindrical stator supporting structure 211 extending about axis of rotation A2.

Nacelle 203 comprises a central member 213 in the form of a hollow cylinder.

Stators 8 and 208 are substantially coaxial, i.e. have substantially dent Iaxes of symmetry, are spaced apart, and are ted by central member 213, which, in the example shown, is interposed between stators 8 and 208. Rotors 7 and 207 are connected by a transmission assembly 258, which transfers rotation from rotor 7 to rotor 207 as shown in Figure 11.

Hub 104 is fixed ly to rotor 7 to transfer wind—induced rotation to rotor 7.

Central member 213 is fixed to pylon 2 to rotate about an axis crosswise to axis_ of rotation A2, to- W0 2012/120485 2012/051134 position blades 5 into the wind.

Nacelle 203 comprises two r collars 259, 260' positioned contacting respective stator supporting structures 11, 211, and which define the opposite ends of nacelle 203. Two annular collars 259, 260 are located at the opposite side of the nacelle 203. stators 8 and 208, central member 213, and annular collars 259 and 260 define the supporting structure of nacelle 203.

Rotor 207 is connected to collar 260 by a g 212 at the end of nacelle 203 adjacent to rotor 207.

Rotor 207 'comprises a plurality of active rotor sectors 15: and stator 208 comprises active stator sectors 16 (only one shown in Figure 11) comprising stator gs not shown in the drawings. Active rotor sectors 15 and active stator sectors 16 are positioned facing and separated by annular through channel 209.

Each active rotor sector 15 comprises magnetized modules 17 and. magnetic guides 18, and is fitted to rotor supporting structure 210 to form a Istraight through channel 19 between active rotor sector 15 and _rotor ting structure 10.

More specifically, each straight through channel 19 is bounded at-one side by a respective'magnetiiédwmodulew 17 and respective pair of magnetic guides 18, at the other side by rotor supporting structure 210,’ and‘ W0 2012/120485 PCT/IBZOIZ/051134 laterally by arms 20 of rotor supporting structure 210.

Rotor supporting structure 210 is shown schematically as one body in the Figure 11 embodiment, and may be defined by a single body (in one piece) with arms 20‘ for supporting magnetic guides 18, or by a hollow rotor cylinder with grippers. bolted to it to "support magnetic guides 18.

With reference to Figure 11, transmission assembly 258 is deformable to permit relative movement of electric machines 6 and 206.

More specifically, ission assembly 258 is deformable to permit alignment adjustments and/or relative movement of rotors 7 and 207. ission assembly 258 comprises an annular elastic joint 261; and. a transmission shaft 262 comprising a hollow cylinder 263 connected to rotor 7 by elastic joint 261, and a hollow cylinder 264 ted at one end to hollow cylinder 263 by s, and at the other end to rotor 207.

Elastic joint 261 is deformable elastically to reduce stress transmitted to rotor 207 by movement of rotor 7 caused by stress transmitted from blades 5.

Transmission shaft 262 has openings 265' in w cylinder 263 to allow cooling air into hollow cylinder 263, and which are large enough to allow worker access into transmission shaft 262.

PCT/IBZOIZ/051134 Exhaust lopenin'g 136 is located at annular collar 260 on nacelle 203, on the opposite side to feed opening 133 and at rotor 207.

Cooling system 227 also comprises a truncated—cone— shaped baffle 266 with two r ends. Baffle 266 is connected at the larger—diameter annular end to the end of stator 8 opposite hub 104, is connected at the r—diameter annular end to hollow er 263, close to the s connecting it to hollow cylinder 264, and is designed to direct cooling air from outlet end 25 of ht through channels 19 and annular through channel 9 through openings 265 into hollow cylinder 263, i.e. defines a suction port. Cooling system 227 also comprises a truncated—cone-shaped baffle 267 located inside rotor 207, and which is connected at one end to hollow cylinder 264, and at the other end to annular collar 260, close to bearing 212. Central member 213 has cooling air inlet openings 268. And baffles 266, 267, transmission shaft 262, and ventilation device 141 are all functional parts of suction assembly 229.

Panel 134 of rotor‘ 7 is d. at transmission shaft 262 and positioned perpendicular to axis of rotation A2 to prevent cooling airflow from hub 104 to transmission shaft 262 “via: rotor"‘supporting“structure' . And supporting structure 210 extends up to hollow cylinder 264 to form a closed area and prevent the W0 2012/120485 PCT/IBZOIZ/051134 cooling air from openings 268 in central member 213 from flowing into rotor 207. _In this embodiment, cooling circuit 128 extends partly from outlet end 25 of straight h channels 19 and annular through channel 9 to exhaust g 136 via baffled 266, transmission shaft 262, ‘baffle 267, annular collar 260 and ventilation device 141. g system 227 also comprises a cooling circuit 228, which extends partly from opening 268 in central member 213 to inlet ends 24 of straight through channels 19 and annular through channel 209 of electric machine 206, extends partly from inlet ends 24 to-outlet ends 25 of straight through channels 19 and r through channel 209 of rotor 207 of electric machine 206, and extends from outlet ends 25 of straight through channels 19 and annular h channel 209 of rotorj 207 of. electric machine 206 to exhaust opening 136.

Cooling system 227 cools rotors 7 and 207 by means of two cooling circuits” 128, 228 traversed by two te streams of cooling air. Rotor 7 is cooled by a first stream defined by the g air -which Iflows through feed g 133 into hub 104, flows through fan 151, and is diverted into straight through channels 19 and. annular through» channel =Ehroughy openings “14‘ iﬁ"' rotor supporting structure 10. The cooling air flowing along straight through channels 19 and annular through WO 20485 PCT/IBZOlZ/051134 channel 9 heats up, and is diverted by baffle 266 through openings 265 into hollow cylinder 263; and the hot cooling air is drawn by fan 156 along hollow, cylinder 264, through baffle 267 and out through exhaust g 136. Rotor 207 is cooled by 51 second stream, which flows in through gs 268 in central member 213, is drawn by fan 156 towards straight through channels 19 and annular through channel 209 in electric machine 206, flows along straight through channels 19 and annular through channel 209 in electric machine 206 in a direction parallel to axis of rotation A2, and is drawn out by fan 156 through exhaust opening 136.

The t. invention provides for effectively cooling rotors 7 and 207, and for eliminating the drawback of the known art, whereby rotor 207 is cooled by cooling air already used to cool rotor 7. By virtue of the present ion, the second stream of cooling air is therefore colder than in the known art.

The present invention obviously also extends to embodiments not described in detail herein, as well as equivalent embodiments within the protective scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1) A fluid-cooled wind turbine comprising at least one electric machine, in turn comprising a stator 5 comprising a stator supporting structure and a plurality of active stator sectors supported by the stator supporting structure, and a rotor which rotates about an axis of rotation and has a rotor supporting structure and a plurality of active rotor s supported by the 10 rotor supporting structure; and a cooling system comprising a g circuit extending partly along a plurality of through channels adjacent to at least the active rotor sectors or the active stator sectors; wherein the plurality of h channels se a 15 plurality of straight through channels, each adjacent to a respective active rotor sector; wherein each active rotor sector comprises at least two rows of magnetized modules; the plurality of straight h channels comprising a plurality of intermediate through channels, 20 each bounded by two rows of magnetized modules of a respective active rotor sector.

2) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the plurality of through channels comprise an r through channel extending about the axis of rotation and 25 nt to the active rotor sectors and active stator sectors.

3) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 1, n each straight through channel is bounded by the rotor supporting structure and by an active rotor sector. 5

4) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each active rotor sector comprises at least one row of magnetized modules ing parallel to the axis of rotation; and each straight h channel is bounded by the row of magnetized modules of the respective 10 active rotor sector.

5) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each straight through channel extends parallel to the axis of rotation.

6) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein 15 the two rows of magnetized modules are spaced radially apart.

7) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 1 or 6, wherein the intermediate through channels extend parallel to the axis of rotation. 20

8) A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the ity of through channels extend, el to the axis of rotation, between a cooling fluid inlet end and a g fluid outlet end. 25

9) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the cooling system comprises a suction assembly designed to draw cooling fluid from the outlet end of the plurality of through channels; the cooling circuit extending partly along the suction ly. 5

10) A wind e as d in Claim 9, wherein the suction assembly comprises at least one suction port facing the outlet end of the through channels.

11) A wind e as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the suction port is integral with the stator supporting 10 structure.

12) A wind turbine as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, and comprising a nacelle integral with the stator ting ure; wherein the cooling t is a closed circuit; the suction assembly comprises a 15 heat exchanger, and a cooling fluid delivery port inside the nacelle; and the cooling circuit extends partly between the delivery port and the inlet end of the plurality of through channels.

13) A wind turbine as claimed in any one of Claims 20 9 to 11, and comprising a nacelle; wherein the cooling circuit is an open circuit; and the suction assembly extends between the outlet end of the plurality of through channels and an t opening in the nacelle.

14) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 13, wherein 25 the cooling system comprises a cooling fluid feed opening; the g circuit extending partly between the feed opening and the inlet end of the through channels.

15) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 14, and 5 comprising a hub; and wherein the feed g is formed in the hub.

16) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the feed opening is formed in the nacelle.

17) A wind turbine as claimed in any one of Claims 10 8 to 15, wherein the cooling circuit extends through openings formed in the rotor ting structure, so as to feed cooling fluid to the inlet end of the through channels.

18) A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the 15 foregoing Claims, n the wind turbine comprises a r electric machine, in turn comprising a r stator with a further stator supporting structure and a further plurality of active stator sectors supported by the further stator supporting structure, and a further 20 rotor with a further rotor supporting structure and a further plurality of active rotor sectors supported by the further rotor supporting structure; a ission assembly connecting the rotor to the further rotor; and a cooling system comprising a further cooling circuit 25 extending partly along a plurality of further through channels adjacent to at least the further active rotor sectors or further active stator sectors of the further electric e.

19) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 18, wherein 5 the transmission assembly ses a hollow transmission shaft; the cooling system comprises a suction assembly for drawing cooling fluid from an outlet end of the plurality of through channels in the ic machine, and which extends partly inside the 10 transmission shaft; and the cooling circuit extends partly along the suction assembly.

20) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the transmission shaft comprises a first hollow cylinder comprising openings; and the suction assembly comprises 15 at least one suction port defined by an annular baffle extending about the first hollow er and for guiding cooling fluid from the outlet end of the h channels in the electric machine into the transmission shaft. 20

21) A wind turbine as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the suction assembly ses a further annular baffle extending inside the further rotor, connected to the transmission shaft, and for guiding cooling fluid from inside the transmission shaft to an exhaust opening in 25 the nacelle.

22) A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the cooling fluid is air.

23) A fluid-cooled wind e substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the 5 embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.