Title of Invention

WIND POWER INSTALLATION

Abstract A wind power installation comprising a pylon and a machine housing (4) which is fitted on the pylon. The machine housing (4) carries a rotor (3) and a generator connected thereto. The wind power installation comprises a flight lighting arrangement (5) for producing a light which is visible over a long distance. The flight lighting arrangement (5) comprises a cover (6) which substantially prevents the light from the flight lighting arrangement from being visible in the region of 0-200m besides the wind power installation from the ground.
Full Text Wind Power Installation
The invention concerns a wind power installation. Such wind power installations have long been known. They usually consist of a number of components such as a pylon and a machine housing which is mounted thereon and which accommodates the rotor of the wind power installation and the generator connected thereto for producing energy. Whenever such wind power installations are located within air traffic zones, that is to say those regions which are directly in the relative proximity of airports, such wind power installations must be provided with certain signaling devices so that the attention of the air traffic is drawn to the existence of the wind power installation as a large structure, in good time.
Signaling devices can also be coats of paint on the rotor blades (in particular the tips thereof) of the wind power installation.
General guidelines for identifying obstacles to air travel are known from TSIachrichten fur Luftfahrer' ["News for Pilots'], Part I, NfL 115/00, 27th January 2000.
The various flight lighting arrangements are also mentioned therein. Another flight lighting arrangement is known from DE-U-200 08 289.
DE 201 14 306 Ul discloses a wind power installation with a pylon and a machine housing carrying a rotor and a generator. Furthermore, a flight lighting arrangement produces a light which is visible over a long distance. A reflecting surface is arranged adjacent to the lighting means. The reflector surfaces are used to reflect the light from the lighting means.
US 3,858,041 concerns a light sheild for a flight lighting arrangement. The light shield is designed to obscure light from the flight lighting arrangement with a view of persons on the ground. The flight lighting arrangement comprises two light sources and a series of louvres which are provided in a concentric manner wherein the surfaces comprise sections of regular cones having a common axis.
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The object of the invention is to eliminate the previous disadvantages of flight lighting arrangements.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a wind power installation comprising a pylon and a machine housing which is fitted thereon and which carries a rotor and a generator connected thereto, wherein the wind power installation is equipped with a flight lighting arrangement which produces a light which is visible over a long distance, preferably a flashing light, wherein the flight lighting arrangement is provided with a cover which very substantially prevents the light from the flight lighting arrangement from being visible in the region of 0 to 2000m, preferably 0 to 700m, beside the wind power installation, from the ground.
More preferably, the light of the flight lighting arrangement is not visible in a region of about 0 to 1000m beside the wind power installation and at a height of about 3 to 10m.
In the wind power installation, provided below the flashing signaling device is a cover which prevents the flashing device from being visible in a given cone (viewed from the flight arrangement) laterally of the wind power installation as seen from the ground. The cone is preferably of a width of at least 45°, but preferably 90 - 150° or thereabove to over 180° (horizontal). Such a cover admittedly prevents a view on to the flight lighting arrangement at an angle below the wind power installation, but
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normal air traffic is still in a position to recognise the light of the flight lighting arrangement.
If in addition the cover is a mirrored surface and in particular also is of a parabolic configuration, that causes the flashing to appear in strengthened form and more easily visible to the air traffic.
The device according to the invention provides that the flight lighting arrangement is no longer experienced as being annoying even right in the region of residences and light pollution for the residential population is avoided.
Depending on the respective height of the flight lighting arrangement, an angle of 150° or more already means that, as viewed from the ground, the light of the flight lighting arrangement is no longer to be seen, at a distance of 0 to 2000 m, preferably only up to 1000 m. This means that in particular the light of the flight lighting arrangement is no longer experienced as being a burden in adjoining residential areas.
The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by means" of an embodiment.
In the drawing:
Figure 1 shows a plan view of a wind power installation according to the invention,
Figure 2 shows a side view of a wind power installation according to the invention, and
Figures 3a, b, c, d and e show various embodiments of a wind power installation according to the invention.
Figure 1 shows a plan view of a wind power installation 1 comprising a pylon and a machine housing 2 mounted thereon as well as the rotor 3 of the wind power installation and the machine housing casing (pod) 4. As can be seen in Figure 2 provided on the pod is a flight lighting arrangement 5 which is caused to flash from time to time or constantly by a suitable control (not shown). Provided below the flight lighting arrangement is a cover 6 which prevents the light of the flight lighting arrangement from being visible from the ground in a region laterally of the wind power installation. That region can be 2000 m or more laterally of the wind power
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installation (depending on the respective location), in which respect it is usually sufficient if the range within which the light from the flight lighting arrangement is not to be seen is about 1000 m (from the ground) besides the wind power installation.
The shape of the covered surface can be predetermined by a corresponding shape of the cover or pod. If for example the cover comprises a large circular disc, then the light of the flight lighting arrangement is not visible in a conical region below the disc and, depending on the respective diameter of the disc, the covered area is larger (increase in the cone angle). If the flight lighting arrangement is in a parabolic cover (Figure 3a) or box-shaped cover (3c), the angle covered can be up to 180° (with respect to the cone), that is to say in that case light from the flight lighting arrangement is practically no longer visible below the horizontal, with respect to the flight lighting arrangement. Such a large angle however is usually scarcely necessary as the wind power installations in any case are often located at relatively high, that is to say exposed positions, and the buildings therearound are markedly below the height of the flight lighting arrangement of the wind power installation.
If therefore the cover angle is about 160 to 170° (with respect to the cone), then the light of the flight lighting arrangement is no longer visible in a region of about 500 - 2000 m laterally of the wind power installation, but at the same time the light from the flight lighting arrangement is readily visible for all the flight traffic, as hitherto.
In principle it is also possible for the cover of the flight lighting arrangement to be such that it is always only the same region in a given lateral region of the wind power installation that is covered. If that cover is stationary or can be adjusted by motor means (upon rotation of the pod about the point of rotation), therefore it is always only the same region laterally of the wind power installation that is covered, independently of the azimuth angle of the wind power installation. As Figures 3a - 3d show, various variations in respect of the cover can be envisaged. In that respect it is the position of the outer edge 7 of the cover 8 that is the determining aspect for coverage.
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The higher that outer edge is taken, the correspondingly greater is the cover angle and the correspondingly greater also is the distance from the wind power installation, within which the light from the flight lighting arrangement is no longer visible.
As the disturbing influence of the light from the flight lighting arrangement however decreases with the distance in relation to the wind power installation, it would usually be sufficient if the cover provides a 'shadow range1 which is 1500 to 3000 m or markedly less.
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I CLAIM :


1. A wind power installation comprising a pylon and a machine housing which is fitted
thereon and which carries a rotor and a generator connected thereto, wherein the wind
power installation is equipped with a flight lighting arrangement which produces a light ^
which is visible over a long distance, preferably a flashing light, characterised in that the
flight lighting arrangement is provided with a cover which very substantially prevents the
light from the flight lighting arrangement from being visible in the region of 0 to 2000m,
preferably 0 to 700m, beside the wind power installation, from the ground.
2. A wind power installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light of the flight lighting
arrangement is not visible in a region of about 0 to 1000 m beside the wind power
installation(and at a height of about 3 to 10m.

3. A wind power installation as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the
cover is a plate which is provided beneath and/or laterally of the flight lighting
arrangement.
4. A wind power installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the
cover is of a parabolic configuration, the flight lighting arrangement is disposed within the
cover and the cover permits the light of the flight lighting arrangement to be visible at an
angle of -10 to 90°, with respect to the horizontal.
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5. A wind power installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is of such a configuration that the light from the flight lighting arrangement is not visible or is scarcely visible at a distance of 0 to 2000m, preferably 0 to 1000m, only in a region portion laterally of the wind power installation independently of the azimuth adjustment of the machine housing of the wind power installation.
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A wind power installation comprising a pylon and a machine housing (4) which is fitted on the pylon. The machine housing (4) carries a rotor (3) and a generator connected thereto. The wind power installation comprises a flight lighting arrangement (5) for producing a light which is visible over a long distance. The flight lighting arrangement (5) comprises a cover (6) which substantially prevents the light from the flight lighting arrangement from being visible in the region of 0-200m besides the wind power installation from the ground.

Documents:

01771-kolnp-2004 abstract.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 claims.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 correspondence.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 description (complete).pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 drawings.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 form-1.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 form-18.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 form-3.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 form-5.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 g.p.a.pdf

01771-kolnp-2004 letters patent.pdf

1771-KOLNP-2004-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

1771-KOLNP-2004-FORM 27.pdf

1771-KOLNP-2004-FORM-27.pdf

1771-kolnp-2004-granted-abstract.pdf

1771-kolnp-2004-granted-claims.pdf

1771-kolnp-2004-granted-description (complete).pdf

1771-kolnp-2004-granted-drawings.pdf

1771-kolnp-2004-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 201661
Indian Patent Application Number 1771/KOLNP/2004
PG Journal Number 08/2007
Publication Date 23-Feb-2007
Grant Date 23-Feb-2007
Date of Filing 24-Nov-2004
Name of Patentee WOBBEN ALOYS
Applicant Address ARGESTRASSE 19, 26607 AURICH GERMANY
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 WOBBEN ALOYS ARGESTRASSE 19, 26607 AURICH GERMANY
PCT International Classification Number F 03D 11/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP03/05812
PCT International Filing date 2003-06-04
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 102 25 288.2 2002-06-07 Germany