Insulated through-tube

Abstract

The present invention relates to a facility having a transmission device, a through pipe (103) and a fixing mechanism (101); wherein, the through pipe (103) is fixed in the transmission device by means of the fixing mechanism (101). The fixing mechanism (101) is made of a non-conductor.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a facility having a transmission device, a through tube, and a fixing mechanism. Background Art

[0002] There is a trend towards an integrated drive train in wind turbines. For an integrated drive train, the transmission device and the generator form a structural unit. This results in problems with stray currents. The stray currents can occur in the form of high-frequency alternating current, low-frequency direct current, or low-frequency alternating current. There is a risk of damage to the teeth and rolling bearings due to voltage surges.

[0003] Appropriate insulation measures must be taken to avoid indirect damage caused by stray currents. However, in a drive train operating at medium speed, the torque to be transmitted between the transmission device and the generator is relatively high. At the same time, due to the integrated structural form of the drive train between the transmission device and the generator, there is a lack of available structural space. This makes it difficult to dimension the components for transmitting torque sufficiently large. This particularly relates to the electrical insulation of the components for transmitting torque. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved solution compared to the transmission devices known from the prior art. In particular, damage that may occur in an integrated drive train due to stray currents should be avoided.

[0005] This object is solved by the facility according to the present invention.

[0006] In particular, the transmission device can be a transmission device for a wind turbine. The through tube, also known as a pitch tube, is a tube for passing supply lines such as electrical or hydraulic lines through the transmission device. The through tube is characterized in that it passes through the transmission device or the transmission device housing and its openings are arranged outside the transmission device or the housing of the transmission device. Preferably, the through tube is sealed relative to the housing of the transmission device so that lubricant cannot pass through.

[0007] The through tube is fixed in the transmission device, i.e., in at least one component of the transmission device, by means of a fixing mechanism. The through tube is usually designed to be rotationally symmetric. Preferably, the fixing mechanism is also rotationally symmetric accordingly.

[0008] The present invention is based on the recognition that since the through-tube completely penetrates the transmission, the through-tube is the main carrier of stray current. Therefore, according to the present invention, the fixing mechanism is made of a non-conductive material, such as polyamide. Thus, the fixing mechanism insulates the through-tube from the following components of the transmission, and the through-tube is fixed to these components by means of the fixing mechanism. Thereby, the main cause of leakage current is eliminated. The present invention effectively prevents the leakage current from the generator from being introduced into the transmission via the through-tube. The insulation according to the present invention is particularly suitable for an integrated drive system because it requires little structural space.

[0009] Preferably, the through-tube is modified so that it cannot move axially relative to the fixing mechanism, that is, it cannot move in the direction of the axis of rotation, for example, in the direction of the axis of rotation of the component in which the through-tube is fixed by means of the fixing mechanism. Preferably, the fixing mechanism is correspondingly fixed in the transmission or in the above-mentioned component in a non-axially movable manner.

[0010] In a preferred modification, the component of the transmission in which the through-tube is fixed by means of the fixing mechanism is a shaft, especially a hollow shaft, or a planet carrier that is rotatably supported. According to the modification, the fixing mechanism electrically insulates the through-tube from the shaft or the planet carrier.

[0011] In a more preferred modification, the fixing mechanism has a through-hole. The hole is centered, that is, its central axis coincides with the central axis of the through-tube. In particular, the through-tube and the hole can be rotationally symmetric. In this case, the symmetry axis of the through-tube and the symmetry axis of the hole coincide. The through-tube extends through the hole and is provided with a fixing mechanism there.

[0012] In a preferred modification, the fixing mechanism abuts against the component of the transmission in which the through-tube is fixed, or against the shaft or the planet carrier, along its radial outer edge.

[0013] Preferably, the fixing mechanism is modified so that it has a basic shape of a radially oriented disk. The basic shape of the body is the shape of the original body, and the body is formed from the original body by eliminating various regions (for example, by adding voids) and / or by adding various regions.

[0014] In a preferred modification, in order to hermetically seal the through-tube relative to the housing of the transmission in a fluid-tight manner, a seal is provided. The seal is axially spaced from the fixing mechanism. In particular, the seal and the fixing mechanism can be arranged on opposite walls of the transmission housing. The through-tube can move axially in the seal or relative to the seal. Thereby, it is ensured that the change in the length of the through-tube caused by temperature fluctuations is compensated. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. Identical reference numerals herein denote identical or functionally identical features. Among them:

[0016] Figure 1 show a fixing mechanism made of polyamide; and

[0017] Figure 2 show a seal made of polyamide; Detailed Description

[0018] Figure 1 The fixing mechanism 101 shown in is used to fix the through pipe 103 in the planet carrier 105 on the drive side. The radial positioning of the through pipe 103 is determined by the fixing mechanism 101.

[0019] The fixing mechanism 101 has projections 107 that extend radially inward and are embedded in corresponding cutouts 109 of the through pipe 103. Thereby, a connection resistant to relative rotation between the fixing mechanism 101 and the through pipe 103 is achieved. In addition, the fixing mechanism has a groove 111 that extends circumferentially around the through pipe 103 and opens inward. The through pipe 103 has a corresponding groove 111. The two grooves 111 and 113 point their openings towards each other so that they can jointly receive the fixing ring 115. Axial fixation between the fixing mechanism 101 and the through pipe 103 is achieved by the fixing ring 115.

[0020] The fixing mechanism 101 is rigidly fixed in the planet carrier 105, that is, the fixation between the fixing mechanism 101 and the planet carrier 105 does not allow any relative movement between the fixing mechanism 101 and the planet carrier 105.

[0021] The fixing mechanism 101 is made of an electrical insulator. In the embodiment described here, polyamide is used as the electrical insulator.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2 a labyrinth seal 201 is provided on the generator side, which is also made of an insulator, here made of polyamide. The labyrinth seal 201 seals the through pipe 103 on the one hand to prevent the transmission oil from flowing out and ensures electrical insulation on the other hand.

[0023] List of Reference Numerals

[0024] 101 Fixing mechanism

[0025] 103 Through pipe

[0026] 105 Planet carrier

[0027] 107 Projection

[0028] 109 Cutout

[0029] 111 groove

[0030] 113 groove

[0031] 115 fixing ring

[0032] 201 labyrinth seal

Claims

1. A facility having a transmission device, a through pipe (103) and a fixing mechanism (101); wherein, the through pipe (103) is fixed in the transmission device by means of the fixing mechanism (101); wherein the fixing mechanism (101) is made of a non - electrical conductor, characterized in that, the facility has a seal (201) axially spaced from the fixing mechanism (101); wherein, the through pipe (103) is hermetically sealed relative to the housing of the transmission device by means of the seal (201); and wherein, the through pipe (103) can move axially relative to the seal (201).

2. The facility according to claim 1; characterized in that, the through pipe (103) is fixed in the fixing mechanism in a non - axially - movable manner.

3. The facility according to claim 1 or 2; characterized in that, the through pipe (103) is fixed in the rotatably supported planet carrier (105) or shaft of the transmission device by means of the fixing mechanism (101).

4. The facility according to claim 1 or 2; characterized in that, the fixing mechanism (101) has a central, through - hole; wherein, the fixing mechanism (101) engages with the through pipe (103) in the hole.

5. The facility according to claim 2; characterized in that, the fixing mechanism (101) has a central, through - hole; wherein, the fixing mechanism (101) engages with the through pipe (103) in the hole, and wherein, the through pipe (103) is fixed in the rotatably supported planet carrier (105) or shaft of the transmission device by means of the fixing mechanism (101), and the fixing mechanism (101) abuts against the shaft or the planet carrier (105) along its radial outer edge.

6. The facility according to claim 1 or 2; characterized in that, the fixing mechanism (101) has the basic shape of a radially - oriented disk.

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