Wind turbine

Abstract

A wind turbine, comprising a nacelle (3), the nacelle having at least one main bearing (11), a rotational axis (18) of the main bearing being inclined towards a horizontal axis (19) and comprising an inner ring (14) and an outer ring (13), wherein the main bearing (11) is a sliding bearing (12), and the inner ring (14) is stationary while the outer ring (13) rotates around the inner ring (14), the main bearing (11) being lubricated with a lubricating fluid (22), and the outer ring (13) comprising first and second sealing means (25, 26), the first and the second sealing means being arranged on both sides of the outer ring (13) so as to seal against the inner ring (14) and extending around the outer ring (13), wherein, due to the inclination of the main bearing (11), the first sealing means (25) is lower than the second sealing means (26), wherein a stationary leakage lubricating fluid collecting means (39) is provided adjacent to the first lubricating means (25), adapted to collect the lubricating fluid leaking from the first and the second sealing means (25, 26), wherein the outer ring (13) is provided with one or more axial holes (42), the one or more axial holes (42) connecting a leakage lubricating fluid collecting area (37) adjacent to the second sealing means (26) to the leakage lubricating fluid collecting means (39), and wherein each sealing means (25, 26) comprises a groove (35, 36) for receiving a sealing element (27, 28) and a sealing element carrier ring (29, 30) having folding portions (31, 32) and a clamping ring (33, 34) attached to the carrier ring (29, 30), the clamping ring closing the folding portions (31, 32) to form the groove (35, 36) and clamping the sealing means (27, 28) in the groove (35, 36).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a nacelle having at least one main bearing, the rotational axis of which is inclined towards a horizontal axis and which comprises an inner ring and an outer ring. Background Art

[0002] Wind turbines generally comprise a tower having a nacelle at its top. A rotor is arranged at the nacelle and comprises a hub to which one or more rotor blades (usually three rotor blades) are fixed and which interacts with the wind. The rotation of the hub and the rotor drives a generator. The rotor is arranged in at least one main bearing which comprises an inner ring which is generally stationary and an outer ring which is connected to the rotor and rotates relative to the inner ring. However, especially with regard to gear-driven wind turbines, it is also known to connect the rotor to the inner ring of the main bearing and wherein the outer ring is stationary. Conventionally, wind turbines use roller bearings as main bearings, but new and large multi-megawatt wind turbines may find it beneficial to use sliding bearings as main bearings. Sliding bearings require liquid lubrication and good sealing to avoid leakage, although leakage still occurs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wind turbine with improved lubrication.

[0004] To solve this problem, the present invention proposes a wind turbine comprising a nacelle having at least one main bearing, the rotational axis of which is inclined towards a horizontal axis and which comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, wherein the main bearing is a sliding bearing and the inner ring is stationary while the outer ring rotates around the inner ring, the main bearing being lubricated with a lubricating fluid and the outer ring comprising first and second sealing means arranged on both sides of the outer ring so as to seal against the inner ring and extending around the outer ring, wherein, due to the inclination of the main bearing, the first sealing means is lower than the second sealing means, wherein a stationary leakage lubricating fluid collecting means is provided adjacent to the first lubricating means and is adapted to collect the lubricating fluid leaking from the first and second sealing means, wherein the outer ring is provided with one or more axial holes which connect a leakage lubricating fluid collecting area adjacent to the second sealing means to the leakage lubricating fluid collecting means, and wherein each sealing means comprises a groove for receiving a sealing element and a sealing element carrier ring having a fold and a clamping ring attached to the carrier ring, the clamping ring closing the fold to form the groove and clamping the sealing means in the groove.

[0005] The present invention proposes a wind turbine having a lubrication system that uses a lubricating fluid, preferably oil, to lubricate the main bearing, which is a sliding bearing, and the lubrication system has the possibility of collecting any leakage and returning the leakage to the lubrication circuit. This is possible because the rotating outer ring, which is preferably a one-piece ring made of a single component, is provided with first and second sealing means arranged on both sides of the rotating outer ring and extending around the entire circumference of the outer ring. The sealing means are arranged to provide a good seal towards the fixed inner ring. However, some leakage may occur. Collect such leakage. To collect the leakage, a stationary leakage lubricating fluid collecting means is provided adjacent to the first sealing means. The stationary lubricating fluid collecting means is adapted to collect the lubricating fluid leaking through the two seals. Since the first sealing means is adjacent to the stationary lubricating fluid collecting means, the amount of leakage can be easily collected. As described above, the second sealing means is arranged on the other side of the outer ring. To collect any leakage, a leakage lubricating fluid collecting area is provided adjacent to the second sealing means, and the leakage lubricating collecting area is preferably arranged to rotate together with the outer ring and the second sealing means. Thus, any lubricating fluid leaking through the second sealing means will be collected in the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area.

[0006] To transfer the collected leakage fluid, the outer ring is provided with one or preferably a plurality of axial holes that act as rotating channels, which connect the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area to a leakage lubricating fluid collecting means arranged on the other side of the bearing, such that the leakage fluid can flow from one side of the bearing to the other side of the bearing. The fact that the main bearing and thus the rotor etc. are slightly inclined towards the horizontal axis facilitates this flow. The inclination angle is typically about 5 - 10°. Due to the slight inclination of the main bearing, one side of the bearing is lower than the other side of the bearing. According to the present invention, the first bearing side to which the first sealing means is arranged is the lower bearing side, while the opposite second bearing side to which the second sealing means is arranged is the upper bearing side. Since the ring is also inclined and since the one or more holes provided in the rotating outer ring that connect the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area to the leakage fluid lubricating fluid collecting means are parallel to the rotational axis of the bearing, the one or more axial holes are also inclined, such that there is a permanent inclination from the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area to the leakage lubricating fluid collecting means, which facilitates the flow of the leakage fluid from the collecting area to the collecting means.

[0007] The present invention advantageously allows the use of a lubricating fluid to lubricate sliding bearings. Since it is a fluid, it allows all contact points to be lubricated during operation, all surfaces are wetted by the lubricating fluid and are thus protected from corrosion during operation and even during stoppages, even long-term stoppages. Due to its fluid properties, the lubricating fluid can be circulated in the lubrication circuit by means of at least one pump, allowing the lubricating fluid to be delivered to any point where it is needed, such that the lubricating fluid can be easily supplied to the different points of the main bearing that require good lubrication, and then the lubricating fluid is distributed throughout the main bearing from these points.

[0008] The wind turbine can be a direct drive wind turbine with a single bearing or a geared wind turbine. Although it can include only a single main bearing, the wind turbine can also include a double bearing system having an outer ring that rotates around a stationary inner ring. The leakage fluid collection and distribution system of the present invention also allows for good lubrication of the double bearing system, which is a double sliding bearing system.

[0009] As described above, a rotating leakage lubricating fluid collection area is provided at the rotating outer ring and the outer ring system. The leakage lubricating fluid collection area is preferably a collection groove that extends around the outer ring such that any leakage fluid leaking at any point on the circumference of the outer ring and the second sealing means can be collected in the circular groove. The leakage fluid typically accumulates on the lower side of the rotating groove, or at the lowest point, since it is a fluid and since the rotational speed is not very high. Even if only one axial hole or channel of a certain diameter is provided, the rotating hole passes through the leakage fluid collection trough and carries away some of the leakage fluid flowing to the other bearing side. Preferably, of course, a number of holes connecting the leakage lubricating fluid collection area to the leakage fluid connection means are provided, and the holes are preferably evenly distributed around the circumference of the outer ring. This ensures that the leakage fluid is almost constantly transported from one bearing side to the other, since there are multiple connecting holes that rotate through the leakage fluid collection trough and the fluid can flow into these holes. Since the number of holes is preferably evenly distributed, there is almost a constant fluid flow rate.

[0010] As described above, the collected lubricating fluid leaking from the first and second sealing means is collected in a collecting means which is arranged statically adjacent to the first sealing means. The leaking lubricating fluid collecting means is preferably arranged at the stationary inner ring, which is very close to the outer ring and the first sealing means, such that any fluid leaking from the first sealing means can be collected in the collecting means almost directly. The collecting means is preferably a collecting ring extending around the main bearing, which, as described above, is preferably arranged at the stationary inner ring. In an alternative, it may of course also be fixed to any other stationary support means, as long as it is adjacent to or very close to the first sealing means. The collecting ring allows the collection of the leaking fluid not only at the lowest point of the circumference but also along the entire 360° rotation of the outer ring, during which some of the leaking fluid exits in particular through the holes.

[0011] A drip edge ring may be arranged at the outer ring, extending to or into the leaking lubricating fluid collecting means, in particular the collecting ring. The drip edge ring bridges any axial distance between the first sealing means and the collecting means or collecting ring, such that the leaking fluid cannot flow anywhere else except into the collecting ring. It drips from the drip edge of the drip edge ring into the collecting means or collecting ring, which may have specific collecting grooves or the like.

[0012] Each sealing means is adapted to provide a proper seal between the rotating outer ring and the stationary inner ring, the sealing means being fixed to the rotating outer ring. Each sealing means preferably includes a groove for receiving a sealing element, such as a lip seal element having one or more lips extending from the base of the sealing element towards the inner ring, the sealing element or the (one or more) sealing lips sliding along the inner ring. The sealing element is received in the groove of the sealing means such that it is easily arranged at the correspondingly mounted sealing means.

[0013] Each sealing means includes a sealing element carrier ring having a fold and a clamping ring attached to the carrier ring, the clamping ring closing the fold to form the groove and clamping the sealing means in the groove. Thus, each sealing means consists of two parts, namely, a sealing element carrier having a fold and a clamping ring closing the fold to form the groove. The width of the sealing element is slightly greater than the width of the groove such that the sealing means is clamped when the groove is closed.

[0014] As described above, the area for leaking lubricating fluid is preferably as close as possible to the second sealing device and is preferably implemented as a collecting groove extending circumferentially around the outer ring. In a preferred embodiment, the clamping ring of the second sealing device includes the area for leaking lubricating fluid, in particular the collecting groove. The collecting area or the collecting groove is integrated in the second sealing device including the sealing element carrier and the clamping ring. It is directly integrated in the clamping ring so that any leaking fluid leaking from the sealing element in close proximity can be directly collected in the collecting groove.

[0015] To prevent any collected leaking fluid from leaking again from the area or the collecting groove for collecting leaking lubricating fluid, a sealing element such as a sealing lip is provided at the clamping ring where the collecting groove is sealed to the inner ring. The sealing lip seals the groove on the other side of the collecting groove so that any leaking fluid collected in the groove remains in the groove until it is guided via an axial hole to the leaking fluid collecting device on the other side of the main bearing.

[0016] As described above, the sealing device preferably includes a sealing element carrier and a clamping ring. The area for collecting leaking lubricating fluid is preferably implemented in the form of a groove close to or integrated into the sealing device. According to another embodiment of the present invention, at least one axial hole or each axial hole communicates with the area for collecting leaking lubricating fluid (in particular the groove), extends from the clamping ring through the sealing element carrier ring of the second sealing device, the outer ring, and through the sealing element carrier ring and the clamping ring of the first sealing device, and leads to the leaking fluid collecting device. Each axial hole connecting the area for collecting leaking lubricating fluid and the leaking fluid collecting device includes a number of hole sections, which together implement the complete axial hole connecting the collecting area to the connecting device. The hole sections are implemented in the clamping ring and the carrier ring of the second sealing device, in the outer ring, and in the element carrier and the clamping ring of the first sealing device. The axial hole or each axial hole is open at both ends. On the side of the second sealing device, it leads to the collecting area or the collecting groove, and on the side of the first sealing device, it leads to the collecting device or the collecting ring. Since all the corresponding hole sections are implemented at the same radius of all the ring components, only the individual parts need to be adjusted and the hole sections aligned so that the corresponding axial hole is achieved. Alignment is simple especially when the axial holes are equally spaced around the circumference.

[0017] The clamping ring and the component carrier ring are preferably fixed to the outer ring by means of a number of bolted connections, which are preferably evenly distributed around the circumference of the outer ring. Moreover, the fixing of the corresponding parts is achieved by bolted connections that are evenly spaced. For example, the bolted connections run along each axial bore or the like. However, the spacing can also be different. In this case, it is also possible to use a first bolted connection to fix the sealing element carrier to that side of the outer ring and a second bolted connection to fix the clamping ring to the sealing element carrier or also to the outer ring side.

[0018] Since each sealing device is a two-piece device for sealing or collecting fluid, it is preferred that at least one sealing ring is arranged between the clamping ring and the component carrier ring and between the component carrier ring and the outer ring, and the sealing ring is arranged in the corresponding groove. With these sealing rings, a radially tight connection of the clamping ring to the component carrier ring and a radially tight connection of the component carrier ring to the outer ring are achieved. The groove can be provided in only one of the adjacent parts, or two grooves can also be provided in the corresponding parts, which are complemented to form the final groove.

[0019] As described above, the main bearings of the present invention are preferably automatically lubricated. To achieve this automatic lubrication, the wind turbine preferably includes an automatic lubrication device having a lubrication circuit, which has a pump for circulating the lubricating fluid, and a leakage lubricating fluid collection device (in particular a collection ring) is connected to this lubrication circuit. Such a lubrication device allows the lubricating fluid to be automatically supplied to the point or points of need at or within one or two main bearings (i.e., one or two sliding bearings). Since the leakage lubricating fluid collection device (in particular the collection ring) is connected to the lubrication circuit, any leaked fluid is also recycled in the lubrication circuit and thus no loss occurs. Therefore, the amount of lubricating fluid in the circuit remains constant over a long period of time. Maintenance related to any refilling of the lubricating fluid or the like can be reduced.

[0020] The present invention further includes a main bearing for a wind turbine as detailedly disclosed above. The main bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring. Wherein, the main bearing is a sliding bearing, and the inner ring is adapted to be stationary during installation, while the outer ring is adapted to rotate around the inner ring during installation. The main bearing is lubricated with a lubricating fluid, and the outer ring includes first and second sealing means. The first and the second sealing means are arranged on both sides of the outer ring so as to seal to the inner ring and extend around the outer ring. Wherein, an associated stationary leakage lubricating fluid collecting means is arranged to be adjacent to the first lubricating means. The leakage lubricating fluid collecting means is adapted to collect the lubricating fluid leaking from the first and the second sealing means. Wherein, the outer ring is provided with one or more axial holes which connect the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area adjacent to the second sealing means to the leakage lubricating fluid collecting means. And wherein, each sealing means includes a groove for accommodating a sealing element, a sealing element carrier ring having a folded portion, and a clamping ring attached to the carrier ring. The clamping ring closes the folded portion to form the groove and clamps the sealing means in the groove.

[0021] All features directly or indirectly related to the main bearing, main bearing arrangement, main bearing components or the like disclosed for the wind turbine of the present invention are also relevant to the disclosure of the main bearing of the present invention itself, such that any of these features can also be claimed for the main bearing, as all of these features also have inventive relevance. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the drawings. However, the drawings are only schematic diagrams and are designed solely for illustrative purposes and not to limit the present invention. The drawings show:

[0023] Figure 1 Shows a main perspective view of the wind turbine,

[0024] Figure 2 Is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the hub, rotor and main bearing,

[0025] Figure 3 Is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main bearing,

[0026] Figure 4 Is an enlarged perspective view of the side of the main bearing with the second sealing means,

[0027] Figure 5 Is an enlarged perspective view of the side of the main bearing with the first sealing means, and

[0028] Figure 6 Is a partial cross-sectional view of the main bearing showing the first and second sealing means fixed to the outer ring. Detailed implementation mode

[0029] Figure 1 Shown is a wind turbine 1 of the present invention, which includes a rotor 2 rotatably arranged at a nacelle 3, and the nacelle 3 is arranged on top of a tower 4. As is well known, the rotor 2 includes three rotor blades 5 attached to a hub 6. The rotor blades 5 interact with the wind such that the rotor rotates. The rotor drives a generator, preferably a direct drive generator.

[0030] Figure 2 Shown is an arrangement structure having a central element of the wind turbine 1. It shows the hub 6 connected to a direct drive generator 7, the direct drive generator 7 includes a rotor 8 and also includes a stator 9, and the rotor 8 is directly coupled to the hub 6 here. The stator 9 is stationary and fixed to the main shaft 10.

[0031] The arrangement structures of the hub 6 and the rotor 8 are capable of rotating relative to the stationary shaft 10 or the stator 9 respectively. To support the hub-rotor arrangement structure, a main bearing 11 is provided, and in the illustrated embodiment, the main bearing 11 is a sliding bearing 12 including an outer ring 13, and the hub-rotor arrangement structure having the hub 6 and the rotor 8 is connected to the outer ring 13 such that when the hub 6 rotates, the outer ring 13 and the rotor 8 also rotate. The main bearing 11 further includes an inner ring 14 that is stationary and fixed to the main shaft 10.

[0032] Since the main bearing 11 is a sliding bearing 12, the rotating outer ring 13 is slidably guided by axial and radial guides or sliding pads, or alternatively by a conical guide or sliding pads in a conical sliding bearing. Figure 2 Shown are a front axial pad 15 and a rear axial pad 16 for axially guiding the outer ring 13 and a radial pad 17 for radially guiding the outer ring 13. The pads 15, 16, and 17 are stationary and fixed to the stationary inner ring 14. The sliding pads (15, 16, 17) may include several components (not shown), such as an outer sliding part, a support part for attaching to a structure by bolts or the like, an inclined support part for ensuring that the sliding pad can be inclined, and / or an elastic device (such as a spring) for ensuring the preloading of the sliding pad and the inclined support.

[0033] The rotation axis of the rotor 2 and thus the rotation axis of the main bearing 11 are slightly inclined relative to the horizontal plane or axis. Figure 2 Shown is an inclination angle α, and the rotation axis 18 of the main bearing 11 shows this inclination angle relative to the horizontal plane or axis 19. Thus, the main bearing 11 is slightly inclined, which is advantageous for a simple leakage lubricating fluid collection system, which will be described in detail below.

[0034] As described, the main bearing 11 is a sliding bearing. This sliding bearing needs to be lubricated by a lubricating fluid, which provides an extremely thin hydrodynamic fluid film between the sliding surface of the rotating outer ring and the axial and radial pads 15, 16, and 17. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly supply sufficient lubricating fluid in this area, which can be filled or directly introduced or lubricated to the corresponding bearing points or emptied bearing cavities, etc. The lubrication system needs to maintain a permanent and constant lubrication amount in this area.

[0035] To provide constant lubrication, an automatic lubrication device 20 is provided, which is schematically shown in Figure 2 . The lubrication device includes a reservoir 21 having a lubricating fluid 22, which is integrated in a lubrication circuit 23. The lubricating fluid 22 is circulated in the circuit 23 by a pump 24 integrated in the circuit 23. The circuit 23 includes one or more fluid pipes, and at least some of the one or more fluid pipes or the one or more fluid pipes are guided to the main bearing 11 to discharge the lubricating fluid 22 to the main bearing 11 at one or several points or to completely fill the main bearing. As Figure 2 further shown, the lubrication device 20 also includes a diversion pipe in the circuit 23, which allows any collected leaked lubricating fluid to change direction. The collected leaked lubricating fluid leaks from the main bearing 11 and is changed direction in the circuit 23, and the collection system will be described below.

[0036] Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of the main bearing 11 or the sliding bearing 12 is shown. This figure partially shows the outer ring 13 and the inner ring 14 and also shows the hub 6, which is attached to the outer ring 13 in this embodiment. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the lower end of the main bearing 11 is shown.

[0037] The outer ring 13 is provided with a first sealing device 25 attached to a corresponding inner side of the outer ring 13 and a second sealing device 26 attached to the other side of the outer ring 13. Each sealing device 25, 26 includes sealing elements 27, 28, which slidably contact the adjacent stationary surfaces of the inner ring 14. Each sealing element 27, 28 may include a lip that slidably contacts the inner ring surface, and the lip or details are not shown in the figure.

[0038] Each sealing device 25, 26 also includes sealing element carriers 29, 30 having folding portions 31, 32. In addition, each sealing device 25, 26 includes clamping rings 33, 34 attached to the element carriers 29, 30, and the clamping rings 33, 34 enclose the folding portions 31 to form corresponding grooves 35, 36, and the sealing elements 27, 28 are respectively arranged to be clamped in the grooves 35, 36.

[0039] Both the sealing devices 25 and 26 provide a good and tight seal. However, some leakage of the lubricating fluid 22 may occur. As described, the leaked lubricating fluid is collected and redirected to the lubrication circuit 23.

[0040] To collect the leaked fluid leaking from the second sealing device 26, a leaked lubricating fluid collection area 37 is implemented in the clamping ring 34, which is implemented as a circular groove 38. The groove 38 is as close as possible to the sealing element 32 so that any lubricating fluid leaking from the sealing element 32 is collected in the groove 38.

[0041] The leaked lubricating fluid collection area 37 is connected to a leaked lubricating fluid collection device 39, which is implemented as a collection ring 40 extending around the main bearing. The lubricant collection device 39 or the collection ring 40 is stationary and preferably attached to the inner ring 14 so that it is close to the first sealing device 25.

[0042] The collection ring 40 includes a collection groove 41 where any leaked lubricating fluid is collected, and the collection groove 41 is connected to the lubrication circuit 23 to redirect the collected leaked fluid.

[0043] To transfer the leaked fluid collected in the groove 38, a number of axial holes 42 are provided, which connect the leaked lubricating fluid collection area 37 to the leaked lubricating fluid collection device 39, and thus connect the groove 38 to the collection ring 40. A plurality of parallel axial holes 42 are equally arranged and distributed around the circumference of the outer ring 13. Each axial hole 42 leads to the groove 38 at one end and to the collection ring 40 at the other end. It includes a number of hole sections because each axial hole 42 extends through the clamping ring 34, the seal element carrier 30, the outer ring 13, the seal element carrier 29 and the clamping ring 33, as Figure 3 clearly shown. All corresponding hole sections are aligned so that a fluid passage is formed.

[0044] Since the main bearing 11 is slightly inclined towards the horizontal axis as shown by the rotational axis 18 and the horizontal axis 19 and the inclination angle α in Figure 3 and thus the right side of the main bearing with the first sealing device 25 is somehow lower than the other side with the second sealing device 26 due to the inclination, each axial hole 42 is also slightly inclined towards the horizontal axis by an inclination angle α so that a natural flow direction is achieved and the lubricating fluid automatically flows from the groove 38 to the collection ring 40.

[0045] When the lubricating fluid leaves the corresponding axial hole 42, the lubricating fluid flows on a dripping edge ring 43 fixed to the first sealing device 25, and the dripping edge ring 43 collects the fluid leaving the axial hole 42 and guides it to the collection ring 40. As Figure 3It is clearly shown that it extends axially into the collecting ring 40.

[0046] Not only is the lubricating fluid leaking from the second sealing device 26 collected on the drip edge ring 43 and the carrier ring 40, but also the lubricating fluid leaking from the first sealing device 25 is collected on the drip edge ring 43 and the carrier ring 40. This leaked fluid flows directly onto the drip edge ring 43 and from there directly into the collecting ring 40.

[0047] The corresponding leaked fluid flows Figure 3 is shown by the corresponding arrows.

[0048] The lubricating fluid is present inside the main bearing 11, which is filled with lubricating fluid or oil, or the fluid is directly lubricated to certain points. The lubricating fluid is present in regions 44, 45 of the main bearing 11 and thus on one side of each sealing device 25, 26 from where it leaks through the sealing devices 25, 26 and is collected as described above.

[0049] Figure 4 A second sealing device 26 with a seal element carrier 30 and a clamping ring 34 with a groove 38 is shown in an enlarged perspective view. Attached to the clamping ring 34 is a seal element 46 in the form of a sealing lip that extends into the inner ring 14. This seal element 46 provides a seal on this side such that any leaked lubricating fluid collected in the groove 38 remains in the groove 38 until it flows through the corresponding hole 42.

[0050] In order to firmly fix the element carrier 30 to the inner ring 13 and to firmly fix the clamping ring 34 to the element carrier 30, corresponding additional seal elements 47, 48 are arranged in corresponding grooves 49, 50 provided, for example, in the seal element carrier 30 and the clamping ring 34. This allows for axial sealing of the element connection.

[0051] Figure 5 An enlarged view of the other bearing side is shown, which shows the first sealing device 25. Here, corresponding seal elements 51, 52 are also arranged in corresponding grooves 53, 54, preferably also provided in the surfaces of the seal element carrier 29 and the clamping ring 33.

[0052] Figure 5 It is also shown that the collecting ring 40 is attached to the stationary inner ring 14 and the drip edge ring 43 overlaps above or enters the collecting ring 40 such that any leaked oil dripping from the drip edge of the drip edge ring 40 directly drips into this collecting groove 41.

[0053] Figure 6A cross-sectional view is shown which shows the first and second sealing devices 25, 26 fixed to the outer ring 13. Each sealing element carrier 29, 30 is connected to the outer ring 13 by first bolt connections 55, 56. The outer ring 13 is provided with corresponding threaded holes, and the bolt connections 55, 56 received in the corresponding through holes of the sealing element carriers 29, 30 are screwed into the corresponding threaded holes.

[0054] The clamping rings 33, 34 and also the entire sealing devices 25, 26, which additionally serve as a second fixing means, are also fixed by corresponding further bolt connections 57, 58 which engage corresponding through holes in the clamping rings 33, 34 and the sealing element carriers 29, 30 and extend into corresponding threaded holes in the outer ring, as Figure 6 shown.

[0055] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations from the disclosed examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Wind turbine, comprising a nacelle (3), said nacelle having at least one main bearing (11), the axis of rotation (18) of said main bearing being inclined towards a horizontal axis (19) and comprising an inner ring (14) and an outer ring (13), wherein, The main bearing (11) is a sliding bearing (12), and the inner ring (14) is stationary while the outer ring (13) rotates around the inner ring (14). The main bearing (11) is lubricated with a lubricating fluid (22), and the outer ring (13) includes a first sealing device (25) and a second sealing device (26). The first and second sealing devices are arranged on both sides of the outer ring (13) to seal to the inner ring (14) and extend around the outer ring (13). Wherein, due to the inclination of the main bearing (11), the first sealing device (25) is lower than the second sealing device (26). A stationary leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39) is provided adjacent to the first sealing device (25) and is adapted to collect the lubricating fluid leaking from the first sealing device (25) and the second sealing device (26). Wherein, the outer ring (13) is provided with one or more axial holes (42) that connect a leakage lubricating fluid collecting area (37) adjacent to the second sealing device (26) to the leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39). And wherein each of the first sealing device (25) and the second sealing device (26) includes a groove for receiving a sealing element, a sealing element carrier ring having a folded portion, and a clamping ring attached to the sealing element carrier ring. The clamping ring closes the folded portion to form the groove and clamps the sealing element in the groove.

2. The wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The leakage lubricating fluid collecting area (37) is a collecting groove (38) extending around the outer ring (13).

3. The wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39) is arranged at the inner ring (14).

4. The wind turbine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39) is a collecting ring (40) extending around the main bearing (11).

5. A wind turbine according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, A dripping edge ring (43) is arranged at the outer ring (13) and extends to or into the leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39).

6. The wind turbine according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, The clamping ring of the second sealing device (26) includes the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area (37).

7. The wind turbine according to claim 2, characterized in that, A sealing lip (46) is arranged at the clamping ring to seal the collecting groove (38) to the inner ring (14).

8. A wind turbine according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, The hole (42) communicates with the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area (37) and extends through the sealing element carrier ring of the second sealing device (26), the outer ring (13), and through the sealing element carrier ring and clamping ring of the first sealing device (25) and leads to the leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39).

9. A wind turbine according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, The clamping ring and the sealing element carrier ring are fixed to the outer ring (13) by means of a plurality of bolt connections (55, 56, 57, 58) that are evenly distributed around the circumference of the outer ring (13).

10. A wind turbine according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, At least one sealing ring (47, 48, 51, 52) is respectively arranged between the clamping ring and the sealing element carrier ring and between the sealing element carrier ring and the outer ring (13), and the sealing ring (47, 48, 51, 52) is arranged in a corresponding groove.

11. A wind turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A plurality of holes (42) connect the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area (37) to the leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39), and the holes (42) are evenly distributed around the circumference of the outer ring (13).

12. A wind turbine according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, The wind turbine includes an automatic lubrication device (20), the automatic lubrication device has a lubrication circuit (23), the lubrication circuit has a pump (24) for circulating the lubricating fluid (22), and the leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39) is connected to the lubrication circuit (23).

13. A main bearing for a wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an inner ring (14) and an outer ring (13), wherein, The main bearing (11) is a sliding bearing (12), and the inner ring (14) is adapted to be stationary while the outer ring (13) is adapted to rotate around the inner ring (14). The main bearing (11) is lubricated with the lubricating fluid (22), and the outer ring (13) includes a first sealing device (25) and a second sealing device (26). The first sealing device and the second sealing device are arranged on both sides of the outer ring (13) to seal to the inner ring (14) and extend around the outer ring (13). A related stationary leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39) is arranged to be adjacent to the first sealing device (25). The leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39) is adapted to collect the lubricating fluid leaking from the first sealing device (25) and the second sealing device (26). The outer ring (13) is provided with one or more axial holes (42), and the one or more axial holes (42) connect the leakage lubricating fluid collecting area (37) adjacent to the second sealing device (26) to the leakage lubricating fluid collecting device (39). Each of the first sealing device (25) and the second sealing device (26) includes a groove for receiving a sealing element, a sealing element carrier ring having a folded portion, and a clamping ring attached to the sealing element carrier ring. The clamping ring closes the folded portion to form the groove and clamps the sealing element in the groove.

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