News

24 April 2023

Active yaw brakes

Yaw brakes control the position of the nacelle, as it rotates with the changing wind direction to maximize power and efficiency. To avoid extreme loads on the yaw drives, pinions and gears, yaw brakes are mounted at the nacelle base frame, while a brake disc is mounted on the tower top.

During full operation of the turbine, the yaw brakes are pressurized to the maximum pressure. This will keep the nacelle in the correct wind direction, while decreasing the external loads on the yaw drives & pinions.

During a yaw movement, pressure inside the yaw brakes is decreased to 20-40% of the maximum braking force, to dampen external forces on the yaw drives & pinions, while the brake disc is sliding through the yaw brakes.