Brush assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11187209-B2
Application number	US-201916698148-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 27, 2019
Priority date	Dec 6, 2018
Publication date	Nov 30, 2021
Grant date	Nov 30, 2021

Abstract

Provided is a brush assembly for transferring lightning current between a first structure and a second structure, which brush assembly includes a holder realized for mounting to one of the two structures; a recess formed in the holder, which recess is shaped to accommodate a brush and to expose a first brush face; and a first displacement means arranged to move the first exposed brush face against a surface of the first structure; and wherein the recess is shaped to also expose a second brush face, and the brush assembly further includes a second displacement means arranged to move the second exposed brush face against a surface of the second structure. Further provided is a lightning protection circuit of a wind turbine; and a wind turbine.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A brush assembly for transferring lightning current between a first structure and a second structure in a wind turbine, the brush assembly comprising:
a holder for mounting to one of the first structure and the second structure;
a recess formed in the holder, wherein the recess is shaped to accommodate a brush and to expose a first brush face; and
a first displacement means arranged to press the first exposed brush face against a surface of the first structure;

wherein the recess is shaped to also expose a second brush face, and the brush assembly further comprises a second displacement means arranged to press the second exposed brush face against a surface of the second structure;
wherein the first structure includes a first current path arrangement configured to provide a path for lightning current through a rotatory part of the wind turbine towards an interface;
wherein the second structure includes a second current path arrangement configured to provide a path for lightning current through the stationary part of the wind turbine to ground; and
wherein the brush assembly is configured to connect the first current path arrangement and the second current path arrangement.

2. The brush assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the brush has the shape of a block, and wherein the first brush face is perpendicular to the second brush face.

3. The brush assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first displacement means comprises a spring configured to press against the brush face that is opposite the first exposed brush face.

4. The brush assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first displacement means comprises a release means arranged to facilitate removal of a worn brush from the holder and to allow insertion of a replacement brush into the holder.

5. The brush assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second displacement means comprises a low-friction contact to a brush face that is opposite the second exposed brush face.

6. The brush assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second displacement means comprises a plate arranged to lie against a brush face that is opposite the second exposed brush face.

7. The brush assembly according claim 1 , wherein the second displacement means is spring-loaded.

8. The brush assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a brush cable arranged to terminate in a body of the brush, and a connector for connecting the brush cable to one of the first structure and the second structure.

9. A lightning protection circuit of a wind turbine, comprising:
a first current path arrangement configured to provide a path for lightning current through a rotatory part of the wind turbine towards an interface to a stationary part of the wind turbine;
a second current path arrangement configured to provide a path for lightning current through the stationary part of the wind turbine to ground; and
a brush assembly for electrically connecting the first current path arrangement to the second current path arrangement, wherein the brush assembly includes a holder for mounting to one of the rotary part and the stationary part; a recess formed in the holder, wherein the recess is shaped to accommodate a brush and to expose a first brush face and a second brush face; a first displacement means arranged to press the first exposed brush face against a surface of the first structure; and a second displacement means arranged to press the second exposed brush face against a surface of the second structure.

10. A wind turbine comprising the lightning protection circuit according to claim 9 , wherein the brush assembly is mounted at an interface between a generator rotor and a generator stator.

11. The wind turbine according to claim 10 , wherein the brush assembly is mounted at an interface between the generator rotor and a stationary housing.

12. The wind turbine according to claim 10 , wherein a current path arrangement of the lightning protection circuit includes an electrically conductive structure to which the brush assembly is mounted.

13. The wind turbine according to claim 10 , wherein the brush assembly of the lightning protection circuit comprises a brush cable, and wherein the brush cable is electrically connected to a structure to which the brush assembly is mounted.

14. The wind turbine according to claim 10 , wherein the wind turbine is configured as a direct-drive wind turbine.

Assignees

• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy As

Inventors

• Michaelsen Claus
• Olsen Kaj

Classifications

• H01R39/381 Primary

  characterised by the application of pressure to brush · CPC title

• H01R39/38

  Brush holders · CPC title

• F03D80/30 Primary

  Lightning protection · CPC title

• H01R39/383

  characterised by the electrical connection to the brush holder · CPC title

• H02G13/40

  Connection to earth · CPC title