Innovative design of corrugated pipe damper for wind power sliding main bearing

Abstract

The invention provides an innovative design of a corrugated pipe damper integrated on a sliding main bearing aiming at the problems of transmission system abrasion and fatigue damage caused by vibration energy accumulation of the wind power main bearing under a complex wind load, and belongs to the technical field of wind power generation equipment. A traditional main bearing damping structure is low in energy absorption efficiency, insufficient in dynamic response and difficult to effectively suppress vibration. Through collaborative design of a corrugated pipe multi-stage laminated structure and a fluid energy dissipation channel, a composite mechanism for dynamically dissipating vibration energy is formed. The core of the damping device is composed of a corrugated pipe assembly, damping cavities and a main shaft adaptive structure, impact energy is absorbed through axial flexible deformation of the corrugated pipe, vibration attenuation is achieved in combination with reciprocating flowing of damping fluid in the multiple cavities, and low-frequency swing and high-frequency harmonic waves of a main bearing are synchronously restrained. According to the design, the bearing capacity is guaranteed, vibration transmission is remarkably reduced, the service life of the main bearing is effectively prolonged, the operation reliability of a unit is improved, and the damping requirement of a core transmission system of a high-power wind turbine generator is met.

Description

Technical field:

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of wind power generation equipment, and specifically relates to a vibration reduction and energy absorption device applied to a wind turbine sliding main bearing, especially an innovative design of a bellows damper integrated into the main bearing structure, which is used to solve the vibration suppression and energy dissipation problems of the main bearing of a wind turbine under complex alternating loads. Technical background:

[0002] As a key component of the wind turbine transmission chain, the sliding main bearing's housing-main shaft system's vibration energy dissipation capacity directly affects the unit's dynamic stability and economical operation and maintenance. As the capacity of wind turbines continues to increase, the asymmetric aerodynamic loads and broadband vibrations borne by the main bearings have significantly increased. Traditional split damping structures are difficult to meet the high reliability requirements of large-power units due to stress concentration in the housing joints and the need to dismantle the transmission chain for damping unit replacement. Especially under extreme working conditions such as high salt fog at sea and alternating temperature differences on land, the existing damping system faces two common technical bottlenecks: With the advancement of the concept of "intelligent damping control", it provides a technical breakthrough direction for the innovative design of sliding bearings. However, the existing sliding bearing dampers still have key technical bottlenecks in engineering applications, which are mainly manifested as follows:

[0003] 1. Insufficient maintenance adaptability: Traditional integral damping structures rely on disassembly of the transmission chain for maintenance, resulting in excessively long downtime and being unable to adapt to the rapid maintenance requirements in high-salt corrosion environments;

[0004] 2. Accumulated interface damage: The gap between the damping unit and the housing / spindle assembly can easily cause fretting wear, accelerating material failure and reducing long-term vibration suppression effectiveness. The industry urgently needs an innovative design for a main bearing damping system that combines high structural integration, online maintainability, and environmental adaptability.

[0005] To address the above issues, this patent proposes the following breakthrough designs:

[0006] 1. Integrated housing topology optimization: The main bearing housing is constructed using an integral molding process. The continuity design of the internal flow channel and the bearing surface eliminates the risk of stress concentration at the joints.

[0007] 2. Circumferentially segmented bellows damping layout: Multiple independent bellows damping modules are evenly distributed along the circumference of the housing-spindle dynamic contact interface. Each module is quickly disassembled and assembled via axial preloaded flanges. A high-viscosity damping medium is filled between the bellows layers, utilizing its axial flexible deformation to absorb impact energy. Combined with the circumferential segmentation design, the module can be independently replaced in the event of a local failure.

[0008] 3. Composite damping synergy mechanism: The bellows module and the gradient stiffness elastic layer embedded in the shell work together to form a dual path of axial impact buffering and radial vibration dissipation, suppressing broadband vibration transmission.

[0009] Elastic support layer: A thermoplastic polyetheretherketone matrix containing a shape memory alloy wire mesh achieves adaptive centering compensation at small angles; extrusion vibration absorption layer: A wedge-shaped spring with gradual stiffness is configured as a dynamic unit to convert vibration kinetic energy into system internal energy;

[0010] This design significantly improves the vibration energy absorption efficiency through block modular layout and integration of damping functions, while supporting non-dismantling maintenance, providing technical support for the long-term and stable operation of large-power wind turbines under extreme working conditions. Summary of the invention:

[0011] In order to solve the problems of difficult maintenance, increased local wear and insufficient broadband vibration suppression of traditional main bearing dampers, the present invention provides an innovative design of a wind turbine sliding main bearing based on a circumferentially segmented bellows damper. Through the coordinated optimization of modular layout and composite energy absorption mechanism, efficient dissipation of vibration energy and non-disassembly rapid maintenance are achieved.

[0012] The core design of the present invention includes the following features:

[0013] 1. Circumferentially segmented bellows damping module: Multiple independent bellows damping units are evenly distributed along the circumference of the sliding main bearing's housing-spindle dynamic contact interface. Each unit is rigidly connected to the housing via a flange preload structure. Each bellows unit utilizes a nested design of multiple layers of metal bellows filled with a high-viscosity damping fluid. The axial elastic deformation of the bellows absorbs impact energy, while vibration attenuation is achieved through the shear flow of the fluid between the segmented chambers. This segmented layout allows for the independent replacement of locally failed units, avoiding the drawback of traditional monolithic structures that require disassembly of the transmission chain.

[0014] 2. Damping synergy mechanism: Each bellows unit and the graded stiffness elastic layer embedded in the shell (such as a wedge spring array) form a synergistic energy absorption path; Axial cushioning: The bellows deformation and damping fluid shear jointly dissipate axial impact energy; Radial dissipation: The graded stiffness elastic layer converts radial vibration into internal energy of the system, suppressing low-frequency oscillation; Load-sharing compensation: The circumferential block layout enables each unit to evenly share the load, reducing the risk of local stress concentration; and the integrated shell and quick interface design:

[0015] The integrally cast main bearing housing integrates the bellows unit mounting slots and fluid circulation channels. End cover seals and quick-release flanges enable modular assembly. Maintenance requires only the end cover to be removed and a single bellows unit hoisted for replacement, significantly reducing downtime.

[0016] An innovative design of a bellows damper for a wind turbine sliding main bearing is characterized in that the structure consists of a wind turbine main shaft, a bearing housing, a sliding convex bearing, a sliding concave bearing, an oil channel cavity, a spring element, an elastic damping material, a lubricating oil flow channel inlet, a bearing flow channel, a main shaft gap, and a damper flow channel. Dynamic energy absorption during vibration of the wind turbine sliding main bearing is achieved through the elastic-damping composite material.

[0017] The invention is suitable for the field of vibration suppression of the main shaft of large wind turbines. To address the problems of low damping efficiency, poor dynamic adaptability, and high maintenance costs of traditional split sliding bearings, an innovative integrated design of an integral main bearing housing and an embedded composite damper is proposed. This solution achieves efficient absorption and conversion of vibration energy through a multi-modal energy dissipation structure arranged in layers within the gap between the integral cast housing and the main shaft, combined with the synergistic effects of friction energy dissipation and viscous shear. A dynamic control system based on damping force adaptively matches the main shaft bending deformation and damping requirements under complex working conditions. The modular damping unit and detachable end cover design significantly improve the convenience of maintenance in extreme environments, providing a highly reliable and long-life vibration absorption solution for large-power offshore wind turbines. Description of the drawings:

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly describes the drawings required for the specific embodiments or the description of the prior art. Similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals throughout the drawings. Elements or parts in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0019] Figure 1 Structural details of the innovative design of a bellows damper for a wind turbine sliding main bearing according to the present invention

[0020] Figure 2 This is an overall diagram of the innovative design of a bellows damper for a wind turbine sliding main bearing according to the present invention.

[0021] Reference numerals:

[0022] (1) Shaft sleeve arc segment (2) Damper housing (3) Bellows elastic damping element (4) Shaft sleeve outer circle (5) Spring pressure plate (6) Oil inlet (7) Damper cavity (8) Wind turbine main shaft (9) Lubricating oil flow channel (10) Bearing housing Specific implementation method:

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment, the present invention provides an innovative design of a bellows damper for a wind turbine sliding main bearing, comprising: (1) a shaft sleeve arc segment (2) a damper housing (3) a bellows elastic damping element (4) a shaft sleeve outer circle (5) a spring pressure plate (6) an oil inlet (7) a damper cavity (8) a wind turbine main shaft (9) a lubricating oil flow channel (10) a bearing housing, and realizes dynamic energy absorption during vibration of the wind turbine sliding main bearing through the elastic-damping composite material.

[0025] The damper housing (2), the outer diameter of the shaft sleeve (4), the wind turbine main shaft (8), and the bearing housing (10) are coaxially arranged, and the gap between the damper housing and the wind turbine main shaft is approximately 0.02 mm.

[0026] During assembly, first coaxially link the wind turbine main shaft, damper housing, and sleeve outer circle in sequence, and then assemble the spring and spring pressure plate.

[0027] Four bellows elastic damping elements are evenly distributed around the circumference. The four-quadrant symmetrical layout evenly distributes vibration energy to each element along the circumference, preventing premature fatigue of the bellows caused by localized load concentration. The four-module independent assembly and disassembly structure simplifies maintenance, allowing for rapid location of faulty elements within 90-degree intervals, minimizing the impact of maintenance on the drive train. This layout achieves simultaneous improvements in damping efficiency and reliability through the dual optimization of spatial symmetry and dynamic synergy. The outer diameter of the sleeve is connected to the bearing housing and assembled on the outermost portion of the wind turbine sliding main bearing.

[0028] The bearing housing is slotted to connect to the lubricant flow inlet, allowing the wind turbine lubricant to fill the bearing flow channel, the main shaft gap, and the lubricant flow channel. The wind turbine lubricant will fill the damper cavity and be squeezed together with the spring element to provide damping force for the elastic damping element.

[0029] The elastic damping material is also evenly distributed on the circumference. Adjacent bellows form a phase difference in the transmission of vibration waves, and the broadband vibration suppression effect is enhanced through the counter-shear and energy interference superposition of the damping fluid between the chambers. At the same time, it embodies the redundant fault-tolerant design: that is, when a single bellows fails, the remaining three units automatically reconstruct the flow field distribution through the fluid channel to maintain the overall damping efficiency of the system and ensure operational continuity. On both sides of the sliding concave bearing, the oil film extrusion force is made more uniform, and it is connected to the spring pressure plate by a spring.

[0030] The elastic structure is in close contact with other parts, and the maximum gap between the internal wire mesh and the bellows is 0.02mm. The elastic structure absorbs deformation, which effectively solves the problem of large deformation of the fan under actual working conditions.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An innovative integrated structure of a bellows damper for a wind turbine sliding main bearing, characterized in that: include: The invention comprises a shaft sleeve arc section (1), a damper housing (2), a bellows elastic damping element (3), a shaft sleeve outer circle (4), a spring pressure plate (5), an oil inlet (6), a damper cavity (7), a wind turbine main shaft (8), a lubricating oil flow channel (9), and a bearing housing (10). Dynamic energy absorption during vibration of a wind turbine sliding main bearing is achieved through the elastic-damping composite material.

2. The integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the bellows elastic damping elements (3) is 4, which are evenly distributed at 90° intervals along the circumference of the shell, and the number of bellows layers in each module decreases layer by layer from the inside to the outside, forming an axial stiffness gradient distribution.

3. The integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bellows elastic damping element (3) is a silicon-based shear thickening fluid, the viscosity of which changes exponentially with increasing shear rate. Nano-silicon dioxide particles are dispersed in the fluid, and the mass fraction of the particles is 10%-15%.

4. The integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bellows elastic damping element (3) is composed of a wedge-shaped spring array, the spring stiffness increases radially from the inside to the outside, a polyurethane friction energy-absorbing layer is filled between adjacent spring sheets, and the damping force is adaptively adjusted according to the wind load frequency.

5. The integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main shaft gap is a part of the lubricating oil flow channel (9) in the wind turbine sliding main bearing, and realizes the function of lubricating the wind turbine main shaft (8) during oil supply.

6. The integrated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bearing housing (10) is of an integrated design and plays a role in providing overall support in the wind power main bearing.

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