Yaw composite cable for wind turbine generator

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of wind power transmission, and provides a yaw composite cable for a wind turbine generator, which comprises a flexible loading framework, and a power transmission unit and a plurality of signal control transmission units which are loaded on the inner side of the flexible loading framework, and is characterized in that the flexible loading framework is formed by alternately connecting a plurality of chain link units and steering units; the chain link units can rotate along the connecting ends of the steering units, and the rotating planes of the chain link units at the two ends of each steering unit are perpendicular to each other. According to the yaw composite cable for the wind turbine generator, the multi-direction bending flexibility of the composite cable is remarkably improved, the yaw composite cable is suitable for the long-term, slow-speed and large-stroke reciprocating motion working condition of a yaw system of the wind turbine generator, and the problem of early failure caused by stress concentration and uncontrollable bending of a traditional yaw cable is fundamentally solved; and the service life of the wind turbine generator is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wind power transmission technology, and in particular to a yaw composite cable for wind turbine generators. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of wind power technology, wind turbines are moving towards larger scale, greater intelligence, and higher reliability. In wind turbines, the yaw system is a key actuator for achieving precise wind alignment and maximizing wind energy capture. The yaw cable, as the "lifeline" connecting the tower and the nacelle, needs to be laid along the top of the tower in a wound manner, enduring long-term slow, large-stroke reciprocating bending and torsional stresses. This unique application scenario requires the cable to simultaneously perform multiple functions within a limited space, including power transmission, control signal transmission, and data communication, and to maintain stable and reliable operation within its 20-25 year design life. Its performance directly affects the overall power generation efficiency and operational safety of the wind turbine.

[0003] Currently, the cables commonly used in wind turbine yaw systems have the following shortcomings: First, in terms of mechanical structure, traditional cables adopt a continuous integral design, with the internal conductor, insulation, shielding, and sheath layers tightly integrated to form a rigid coupling system. When the cable reciprocates and bends with yaw motion, stress is continuously concentrated at a fixed position, leading to accelerated material fatigue and typical failures such as conductor core breakage, insulation wear, and sheath cracking. Second, in terms of motion adaptability, the flexibility of traditional cables is mainly achieved through the elastic deformation of the material, lacking an active guidance mechanism for the bending trajectory, making them prone to excessive bending or kinking. This risk is further exacerbated, especially in low-temperature environments where decreased material flexibility further aggravates the problem. On the one hand, attempts have been made to improve cable performance by increasing material elasticity and optimizing the stranding structure, but these improvements have not broken through the basic paradigm of the "continuous" structure and cannot fundamentally solve the problems of stress concentration and deformation control. On the other hand, additional protective layers are installed on the outside of cables used in yaw systems to avoid the risk of sheath rupture due to long-term bending, which further reduces the overall bending performance of the cable.

[0004] Therefore, providing a novel yaw composite cable based on discrete structural design, which can achieve precise guidance of bending trajectory and effective stress dispersion through modular mechanical structure, while realizing a high degree of integration of power and signal transmission functions, is of great engineering significance for improving the operational reliability of wind turbine units, extending equipment life and reducing the total life cycle cost. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a yaw composite cable for wind turbine units.

[0006] The present invention provides a yaw composite cable for wind turbine generators. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine generators includes a flexible loading frame and a power transmission unit and multiple signal control transmission units loaded inside the flexible loading frame. The flexible loading frame is composed of multiple link units and steering units connected alternately. The link units can rotate along the connection end of the steering unit, and the rotation planes of the link units at both ends of each steering unit are perpendicular to each other.

[0007] Optionally, the yaw composite cable for wind turbines of the present invention includes a link unit comprising a link body that is hollow and drum-shaped, with two link arms symmetrically arranged at both ends of the link body, and a rotating seat provided at the outer end of each link arm. The rotating seat is provided with an assembly shaft hole, and the axes of each assembly shaft hole are in the same plane and intersect perpendicularly with the central axis of the link body.

[0008] Optionally, the yaw composite cable for wind turbines of the present invention includes a steering unit comprising an annular steering body. Two first rotating shafts are symmetrically arranged at one end of the steering body, and two second rotating shafts are symmetrically arranged at the other end of the steering body. The plane formed by the central axes of the two first rotating shafts is perpendicular to the plane formed by the central axes of the two second rotating shafts. A first limiting hole is provided on the first rotating shaft, and a second limiting hole is provided on the second rotating shaft. The central axis of the first limiting hole is perpendicular to the central axis of the second limiting hole.

[0009] Optionally, in the yaw composite cable for wind turbines of the present invention, the main body of the link and the steering main body have the same inner diameter, and the outer diameter of the main body of the link is larger than the outer diameter of the steering main body.

[0010] Optionally, in the yaw composite cable for wind turbine units of the present invention, the first rotating shaft at one end of the steering unit matches the rotating seat at the outer end of the chain link arm at one end of the chain link unit, and the first rotating shaft at one end of the steering unit and the chain link arm at one end of the chain link unit are rotatably connected by setting a first locking pin in the assembly shaft hole and the first limiting hole.

[0011] Optionally, in the yaw composite cable for wind turbines of the present invention, the second rotating shaft at the other end of the steering unit matches the rotating seat at the outer end of the connecting arm at one end of another link unit. The second rotating shaft at one end of the steering unit is rotatably connected to the link arm at one end of the link unit by setting a second locking pin in the assembly shaft hole and the second limiting hole.

[0012] Optionally, in the yaw composite cable for wind turbine units of the present invention, multiple bearing portions are integrally connected circumferentially arranged on the inner walls of the chain link unit and the steering unit, the cross section of the bearing portion is T-shaped, a through first buffer hole is provided in the middle of the bearing portion, and the outer end of the bearing portion is curved.

[0013] Optionally, in the yaw composite cable for wind turbine units of the present invention, multiple transmission support parts are respectively and correspondingly arranged between adjacent bearing parts on the inner wall of the chain link unit and the steering unit. The transmission support part is composed of an integrally connected radial part and a circular tube part, and a through second buffer hole is provided on the radial part.

[0014] Optionally, in the yaw composite cable for wind turbines of the present invention, the power transmission unit is coaxially mounted on the inner side of the flexible loading frame and supported by the bearing portion of the inner wall of the chain link unit and the steering unit.

[0015] Optionally, in the yaw composite cable for wind turbines of the present invention, multiple signal control transmission units are circumferentially assembled on the inner side of the flexible loading frame, and are fixed one-to-one by the circular tube portion of the transmission support portion of the inner wall of the chain link unit and the steering unit.

[0016] The yaw composite cable for wind turbines of the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects: 1. A discrete sheath structure replaces the continuous sheath structure, allowing adjacent link units to deflect independently in two mutually perpendicular planes. This enables the entire cable to flexibly bend in multiple degrees of freedom and complex trajectories, much like a "mechanical spine." Compared to traditional cables that rely on the material's own elasticity, this structure decomposes macroscopic bending deformation into a series of discrete, controllable micro-joint rotations, avoiding the reduction and constraint of overall flexibility caused by the continuous sheath, and significantly improving the cable's bendability.

[0017] 2. By coaxially arranging the power transmission units inside the flexible loading frame and supporting them with the load-bearing part, while circumferentially fixing multiple signal control transmission units inside the circular tube of the transmission support part, the integration of power, control and signal transmission is achieved. The flexible loading frame provides a robust protective layer for the internal components without reducing their bending performance, effectively protecting them when they come into contact with and rub against external objects, and significantly improving the overall durability of the cable.

[0018] This invention achieves a composite cable with multi-directional bending flexibility through comprehensive structural design, which is suitable for the long-term, slow, long-stroke reciprocating motion conditions of wind turbine yaw systems. It fundamentally solves the problem of early failure caused by stress concentration and uncontrollable bending of traditional yaw cables, and improves the operational reliability and service life of wind turbines. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a yaw composite cable for a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a link unit of a yaw composite cable for a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a steering unit for a yaw composite cable of a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the flexible loading skeleton for the yaw composite cable of a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 5 This is another partial structural example of the flexible loading skeleton for the yaw composite cable of a wind turbine according to exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention; Figure 6 This is another partial structural example of the flexible loading frame for the yaw composite cable of a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, 1-flexible loading frame, 2-power transmission unit, 3-signal control transmission unit, 11-link unit, 12-steering unit, 111-link body, 112-link arm, 113-rotating seat, 114-assembly shaft hole, 121-steering body, 122-first rotating shaft, 123-second rotating shaft, 124-first limiting hole, 125-second limiting hole, 126-first locking pin, 127-second locking pin, 13-bearing part, 131-first buffer hole, 14-transmission support part, 141-radial part, 142-circular tube part, 143-second buffer hole. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other; and, based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0023] It should be noted that various aspects of embodiments within the scope of the appended claims are described below. It will be apparent that the aspects described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any particular structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that one aspect described herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein can be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. Additionally, this device and / or method can be implemented using structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein.

[0024] Example 1 Exemplary Example 1 of the present invention provides a yaw composite cable for wind turbine generators. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a yaw composite cable for a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, the yaw composite cable for wind turbines in this embodiment includes a flexible loading frame 1 and a power transmission unit 2 and multiple signal control transmission units 3 loaded inside the flexible loading frame 1. The flexible loading frame 1 is composed of multiple link units 11 and steering units 12 connected alternately. The link units 11 can rotate along the connection end of the steering unit 12, and the rotation planes of the link units 11 at both ends of each steering unit 12 are perpendicular to each other.

[0025] In practical applications, the power transmission unit 2 can be selected according to the specific transmission requirements of the scenario. In this embodiment, a 0.6 / 1kV ethylene propylene rubber insulated flexible cable conforming to the IEC60502-2 standard is selected as the power transmission unit. The signal control transmission unit 3 can be an optical fiber core, a control core, or a combination of an optical fiber core and a control core.

[0026] The flexible loading frame 1 in this embodiment is made of an organic polymer material with excellent mechanical and physical properties and insulation properties, such as injection molding of a low-smoke halogen-free flame-retardant polyolefin material, silicone rubber material, or glass fiber reinforced polyamide material.

[0027] Example 2 Exemplary Example 2 of the present invention provides a yaw composite cable for wind turbine generators. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a link unit of a yaw composite cable for a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, the link unit 11 includes a link body 111 that is hollow and drum-shaped. Two link arms 112 are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the link body 111. A rotating seat 113 is provided at the outer end of each link arm 112. An assembly shaft hole 114 is provided in the rotating seat 113. The axes of each assembly shaft hole 114 are in the same plane and intersect perpendicularly with the central axis of the link body 111.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a steering unit for a yaw composite cable of a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the steering unit 12 includes an annular steering body 121. Two first rotating shafts 122 are symmetrically arranged at one end of the steering body 121, and two second rotating shafts 123 are symmetrically arranged at the other end of the steering body 121. The plane formed by the central axes of the two first rotating shafts 122 is perpendicular to the plane formed by the central axes of the two second rotating shafts 123. A through first limiting hole 124 is provided on the first rotating shaft 122, and a through second limiting hole 125 is provided on the second rotating shaft 123. The central axis of the first limiting hole 124 is perpendicular to the central axis of the second limiting hole 125.

[0029] As an optional example, in this embodiment, the link body 111 and the steering body 121 have the same inner diameter, and the outer diameter of the link body 111 is larger than that of the steering body 121. The outer diameter of the drum-shaped link body 111 decreases from the middle to both ends, avoiding large-area contact between the link unit 11 and the laying surface, reducing contact friction, and improving the smoothness of bending movement. The outer diameter setting of the link body 111 and the steering body 121 avoids motion interference, forms a larger bending movement space, provides structural clearance for the cable when bending significantly, enabling the cable to work smoothly with a very small dynamic bending radius, and effectively prevents the "sharp bends" and "kinks" common in traditional cables, avoiding the risk of internal damage caused by excessive bending.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the flexible loading frame for the yaw composite cable of a wind turbine according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first rotating shaft 122 at one end of the steering unit 12 matches the rotating seat 113 at the outer end of the link arm 112 at one end of the link unit 11. A first locking pin 126 is provided in the mounting shaft hole 114 and the first limiting hole 124 to rotatably connect the first rotating shaft 122 at one end of the steering unit 12 to the link arm 112 at one end of the link unit 11. The second rotating shaft 123 at the other end of the steering unit 12 matches the rotating seat 113 at the outer end of the link arm 112 at one end of another link unit 11. A second locking pin 127 is provided in the mounting shaft hole 114 and the second limiting hole 125 to rotatably connect the second rotating shaft 123 at one end of the steering unit 12 to the link arm 112 at one end of the link unit 11.

[0031] In traditional cables, stress is continuously concentrated at fixed points during reciprocating bending, leading to accelerated material fatigue. In this embodiment, bending stress is distributed to the joints connecting each link unit 11 and the steering unit 12, and released through minute rotations at the pin connections. In this embodiment, the flexible loading frame 1, composed of alternating link units 11 and steering units 12, uses a discrete sheath structure instead of a continuous sheath structure. The rotating seats 113 at both ends of each link unit 11 and the first and second rotating axes 122 perpendicular to each other at both ends of the steering unit 12 together form a universal joint kinematic pair, allowing adjacent link units 11 to independently deflect in two mutually perpendicular planes. This enables the entire cable to flexibly bend in multiple degrees of freedom and composite trajectories like a "mechanical spine." Compared to traditional cables that rely on the elasticity of the material itself, this structure decomposes macroscopic bending deformation into a series of discrete, controllable micro-joint rotations, avoiding the reduction and constraint of the continuous sheath on overall flexibility and significantly improving the cable's bendability.

[0032] Example 3 Exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention provides a yaw composite cable for wind turbine generators. Figure 5 This is another partial structural example of the flexible loading frame for the yaw composite cable of a wind turbine according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 6 This is another partial structural example of the flexible loading frame for the yaw composite cable of a wind turbine according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as shown in the figure. Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, multiple support portions 13 are integrally connected circumferentially arranged on the inner walls of the link unit 11 and the steering unit 12. The cross-section of the support portion 13 is generally T-shaped, and a through first buffer hole 131 is provided in the middle of the support portion 13. The outer end of the support portion 13 is curved. Multiple transmission support portions 14 are respectively and correspondingly arranged between adjacent support portions 13 on the inner walls of the link unit 11 and the steering unit 12. The transmission support portion 14 is composed of an integrally connected radial portion 141 and a circular tube portion 142. A through second buffer hole 143 is provided on the radial portion 141.

[0033] In practical applications, the power transmission unit 2 is coaxially mounted on the inner side of the flexible loading frame 1 and supported by the link unit 11 and the bearing portion 13 on the inner wall of the steering unit 12. Multiple signal control transmission units 3 are circumferentially mounted on the inner side of the flexible loading frame 1 and are fixed one-to-one by the circular tube portion 142 of the transmission support portion 14 on the inner wall of the link unit 11 and the steering unit 12.

[0034] In this embodiment, the power transmission unit 2 is coaxially arranged inside the flexible loading frame 1 and supported by the bearing part 13. At the same time, multiple signal control transmission units 3 are circumferentially fixed inside the circular tube part 142 of the transmission support part 14. This achieves the integration of power, control and signal transmission. The flexible loading frame 1 provides a robust protective layer for the internal components without reducing their bending performance, effectively protecting them when they come into contact with and rub against external objects, and significantly improving the overall durability of the cable.

[0035] The T-shaped support portion 13 and transmission support portion 14 provided on the inner walls of the chain link unit 11 and the steering unit 12 further provide stable zoned support for the internal power transmission unit 2 and signal control transmission unit 3. The first buffer hole 131 in the middle of the support portion 13 and the second buffer hole 143 on the transmission support portion 14 can absorb vibration energy during operation and protect the internal wire core from the impact load.

[0036] This invention achieves a composite cable with multi-directional bending flexibility through comprehensive structural design, which is suitable for the long-term, slow, long-stroke reciprocating motion conditions of wind turbine yaw systems. It fundamentally solves the problem of early failure caused by stress concentration and uncontrollable bending of traditional yaw cables, and improves the operational reliability and service life of wind turbines.

[0037] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A yaw composite cable for wind turbine generators, characterized in that, The yaw composite cable for wind turbines includes a flexible loading frame (1) and a power transmission unit (2) and multiple signal control transmission units (3) loaded inside the flexible loading frame (1). The flexible loading frame (1) is composed of multiple link units (11) and steering units (12) connected alternately. The link units (11) can rotate along the connection end of the steering unit (12). The rotation planes of the link units (11) at both ends of each steering unit (12) are perpendicular to each other.

2. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 1, characterized in that, The link unit (11) includes a link body (111) that is hollow and drum-shaped. Two link arms (112) are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the link body (111). A rotating seat (113) is provided at the outer end of each link arm (112). An assembly shaft hole (114) is provided in the rotating seat (113). The axes of each assembly shaft hole (114) are in the same plane and intersect perpendicularly with the central axis of the link body (111).

3. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steering unit (12) includes an annular steering body (121). Two first rotating shafts (122) are symmetrically arranged at one end of the steering body (121), and two second rotating shafts (123) are symmetrically arranged at the other end of the steering body (121). The plane formed by the central axes of the two first rotating shafts (122) is perpendicular to the plane formed by the central axes of the two second rotating shafts (123). A through first limiting hole (124) is provided on the first rotating shaft (122), and a through second limiting hole (125) is provided on the second rotating shaft (123). The central axis of the first limiting hole (124) is perpendicular to the central axis of the second limiting hole (125).

4. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 3, characterized in that, The chain link body (111) and the steering body (121) have the same inner diameter, and the outer diameter of the chain link body (111) is larger than the outer diameter of the steering body (121).

5. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first rotating shaft (122) at one end of the steering unit (12) is matched with the rotating seat (113) at the outer end of the link arm (112) at one end of the link unit (11). The first rotating shaft (122) at one end of the steering unit (12) is rotatably connected to the link arm (112) at one end of the link unit (11) by setting the first locking pin (126) in the mounting shaft hole (114) and the first limiting hole (124).

6. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second rotating shaft (123) at the other end of the steering unit (12) is matched with the rotating seat (113) at the outer end of the link arm (112) at one end of another link unit (11). The second rotating shaft (123) at one end of the steering unit (12) is rotatably connected to the link arm (112) at one end of the link unit (11) by setting the second locking pin (127) in the mounting shaft hole (114) and the second limiting hole (125).

7. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple bearing parts (13) are integrally connected in a circular pattern on the inner wall of the link unit (11) and the steering unit (12). The cross section of the bearing part (13) is T-shaped. A first buffer hole (131) is provided in the middle of the bearing part (13). The outer end of the bearing part (13) is curved.

8. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 7, characterized in that, Multiple transmission support parts (14) are respectively arranged one-to-one between adjacent bearing parts (13) on the inner wall of the chain link unit (11) and the steering unit (12). The transmission support part (14) is composed of an integrally connected radial part (141) and a round tube part (142). A through second buffer hole (143) is provided on the radial part (141).

9. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 8, characterized in that, The power transmission unit (2) is coaxially mounted on the inner side of the flexible loading frame (1) and supported by the load-bearing part (13) on the inner wall of the chain link unit (11) and the steering unit (12).

10. The yaw composite cable for wind turbine units according to claim 9, characterized in that, Multiple signal control transmission units (3) are circumferentially assembled on the inner side of the flexible loading frame (1) and fixed one by one by the circular tube (142) of the transmission support part (14) on the inner wall of the link unit (11) and the steering unit (12).

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