Cable connection structure for a wind turbine generator system

Abstract

The application discloses a cable connecting structure of a wind turbine generator set, which comprises a mounting cylinder arranged in a tower cylinder, a rotating driving mechanism, a yaw cable fixing mechanism and a tower cylinder cable fixing mechanism. The rotating driving mechanism receives a yaw angle of the yaw system to drive the mounting cylinder to rotate synchronously. The yaw cable fixing mechanism comprises a plurality of radial fixing units, a sleeve fixed radially on the mounting cylinder, a connecting rod movably arranged in the sleeve and a limiting cover detachably fixed on the sleeve. The end of the cable is composed of a plurality of end branch cables, and the end branch cables are fixed with the connecting rod. The tower cylinder cable fixing mechanism comprises a plurality of annular fixing units, an annular track fixed on the tower cylinder and an annular contact piece fixed in the annular track. The contact piece is in contact with the connecting rod, and the start end of the cable of the tower cylinder is composed of a plurality of start branch cables, and the start branch cables are connected with the contact piece. The application has the beneficial effects of not affecting the wind-seeking requirement of the yaw system, avoiding cable twisting and stabilizing power generation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wind turbine generator technology. More specifically, this invention relates to a cable connection structure for wind turbine generators. Background Technology

[0002] One of the key components of a wind turbine is the yaw system. One of its functions is to quickly and evenly align the yaw system with the wind direction when the wind speed vector changes, thereby maximizing the wind energy delivered to the rotor. In existing technology, another aspect is that the rotation of the yaw system inevitably causes the cables between the nacelle and the tower to twist. The yaw system incorporates a cable unwinding mechanism to release this twist. The current unwinding mechanism operates on the following principle:

[0003] 1. Reserve a longer cable from the engine compartment so that after the cable is connected to the cable in the cut-off tube, there is enough slack to twist and wind it.

[0004] 2. Install limit switches at the cable bundle. When the cable bundle rotates with the nacelle to a certain extent, the switch is activated. For example, when the nacelle rotates in the same direction by a preset threshold angle, it indicates that the cable is excessively twisted. The switch is then activated, and the drive mechanism controls the nacelle to rotate back, so that the cable returns to its initial position, achieving the purpose of untying the cable and preventing excessive twisting.

[0005] However, for high-power units of 5MW, 6MW, and above, the cable bundle diameter required for the main power output of the unit at voltages below 1000V is extremely large. For example, the diameter of the main cable bundle for a 6MW unit reaches 600mm. Achieving the aforementioned torsion is clearly very difficult, and would also cause excessive energy consumption during engine rotation, increasing the risk of malfunctions. There are also limitations on the number of torsion cycles the cable can withstand. Typically, after a certain number of torsion resistance tests, the cable must not break, the sheath surface must not crack, and it must be able to withstand low temperatures (e.g., below -40℃). Therefore, for ultra-high-power units, existing cable unwinding mechanisms and cable performance are insufficient, and developing ultra-high-performance cables in a short period is also difficult. Solving these technical problems is extremely urgent. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve at least the above-mentioned problems and to provide at least the advantages that will be described later.

[0007] To achieve these objectives and other advantages according to the present invention, a cable connection structure for a wind turbine generator set is provided, comprising:

[0008] The mounting cylinder is installed inside the tower of the wind turbine generator set and is coaxially arranged with the rotation shaft of the yaw system of the wind turbine generator set. The mounting cylinder is driven to rotate by a rotary drive mechanism, which receives the yaw angle of the yaw system and drives the mounting cylinder to rotate synchronously.

[0009] A yaw cable fixing mechanism includes multiple radial fixing units. Each radial fixing unit includes an insulating sleeve that is detachably fixed radially along the mounting cylinder, a conductive connecting rod that is movably inserted into the sleeve, and a limiting cover that is detachably fixed to the sleeve. The cable end of the yaw system is composed of multiple end branch cables, and the multiple radial fixing units correspond one-to-one with the multiple end branch cables. The end branch cables pass through the sleeve and are fixed to the connecting rod.

[0010] The tower cable fixing mechanism includes multiple circumferential fixing units corresponding to multiple radial fixing units. Each circumferential fixing unit includes an insulated annular track fixed to the tower and coaxially arranged with the mounting cylinder, and an annular conductive contact piece fixed within the annular track. The contact piece contacts the connecting rod. The cable starting end of the tower is composed of multiple starting branch cables, which pass through the annular track and connect to the contact piece.

[0011] Preferably, the rotary drive mechanism includes a mounting bracket disposed inside the mounting cylinder, a stepper motor fixed on the mounting bracket, a motor controller for controlling the stepper motor, and a base fixed on the output shaft of the stepper motor, wherein the mounting cylinder is detachably fixed to the base.

[0012] Preferably, the base is a frustum shape with a smaller top and a larger bottom, and the side wall of the base is provided with a plurality of positioning ridges and a plurality of threaded countersunk holes, the positioning ridges being arranged along the generatrix direction of the base;

[0013] The bottom of the mounting cylinder is provided with a frustum-shaped bracket that is adapted to the base. The bracket has multiple positioning grooves and multiple positioning holes. The positioning grooves are engaged with the positioning ridges, and the positioning holes and the countersunk holes are fixed by bolts.

[0014] Preferably, the inner wall of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of limiting grooves along the axial direction, and the outer wall of the sleeve is provided with threads;

[0015] The connecting rod sidewall is provided with a plurality of limiting ridges along the axial direction, and the limiting ridges are slidably disposed in the limiting groove;

[0016] The inner wall of the limiting cover is provided with threads, and a fixed seat is coaxially provided at the bottom of the limiting cover. A compression spring is coaxially provided on the fixed seat, and an insulated abutment is provided at the end of the compression spring. The limiting cover is screwed to the side of the sleeve located inside the mounting cylinder, and the abutment extends into the sleeve and abuts against the connecting rod.

[0017] Preferably, a first cable hole is provided on the side wall of the sleeve, and a long strip-shaped first cable connection groove is provided on the connecting rod. The end branch cable passes through the first cable hole and is engaged in the first cable connection groove.

[0018] Preferably, a fixing ring is provided on the side wall of the sleeve, and the fixing ring is provided with multiple threaded holes. The side wall of the mounting cylinder is provided with corresponding threaded holes, and the fixing ring and the threaded holes on the mounting cylinder are fixed by bolts and nuts.

[0019] Preferably, the other end of the connecting rod is provided with a conductive connector that is less than a hemispherical shape;

[0020] The surface of the contact pad facing the connecting rod is arc-shaped, and a conductive ball is provided between the connector and the contact pad.

[0021] Preferably, the annular track has a second cable hole, the contact plate has a cylindrical second cable connection groove, and the starting branch cable passes through the second cable hole and is engaged in the second cable connection groove.

[0022] Preferably, the top of the mounting cylinder is provided with an annular limiting ring, and the limiting ring is provided with multiple limiting holes at intervals, through which multiple end branch cables are respectively limited.

[0023] Preferably, both the end branch cable and the starting branch cable are fixed to the side walls of the mounting cylinder and the tower respectively by multiple fixing plates. The middle of the fixing plate is arc-shaped and has lugs at both ends. The lugs are provided with round holes. The side walls of the mounting cylinder and the tower are provided with threaded holes corresponding to the round holes. The round holes and the threaded holes on the mounting cylinder are fixed by bolts and nuts, or the round holes and the threaded holes on the tower are fixed by bolts and nuts.

[0024] The present invention includes at least the following beneficial effects: when the cable connection structure is in operation, the cable will not twist, so it can meet the current need for ultra-large cables in ultra-high power generation. No matter how large the cable size is, it does not need to twist, thereby significantly improving the service life of the cable, and will not affect the wind requirements of the yaw system, and can generate electricity stably.

[0025] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent in part from the following description, and in part from those skilled in the art through study and practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the cable connection structure according to one of the technical solutions of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a detailed view of the radial fixing unit and the circumferential fixing unit according to one of the technical solutions of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a top view of the mounting cylinder according to one of the technical solutions of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a detailed view of the base according to one of the technical solutions of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can implement it based on the description.

[0031] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods described in the following embodiments are all conventional methods, and the reagents and materials described are all commercially available unless otherwise specified. In the description of this invention, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. It does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0032] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the definitions of the reference numerals in the attached drawings are as follows: nacelle 1, tower 2, mounting cylinder 3, rotary drive mechanism 4, radial fixing unit 5, sleeve 51, connecting rod 52, limit cover 53, end branch cable 7, circumferential fixing unit 6, annular track 61, contact plate 62, starting branch cable 8, mounting bracket 41, stepper motor 42, base 43, positioning ridge 44, countersunk hole 45, card seat 31, fixing seat 55, compression spring 56, abutment joint 57, fixing ring 58, connector head 59, connecting ball 50, limit ring 34, limit hole 32, fixing piece 33.

[0033] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the present invention provides a cable connection structure for a wind turbine generator set, comprising:

[0034] The mounting cylinder 3 is disposed inside the tower 2 of the wind turbine generator set and is coaxially arranged with the rotation shaft of the yaw system of the wind turbine generator set. The mounting cylinder 3 is driven to rotate by a rotary drive mechanism 4. The rotary drive mechanism 4 receives the yaw angle of the yaw system and drives the mounting cylinder 3 to rotate synchronously. The mounting cylinder 3 is preferably designed as a cylinder, and the bottom can be formed into a ring shape by narrowing the opening. It is fixed to the output shaft of the rotary drive mechanism 4 by a coupling or other method. The rotary drive mechanism 4 is preferably a motor and has a motor controller for interacting with the yaw system to control the motor rotation parameters, such as the rotation direction and rotation speed, so as to realize the synchronous rotation of the mounting cylinder 3 and the yaw system.

[0035] The yaw cable fixing mechanism includes multiple radial fixing units 5. Each radial fixing unit 5 includes an insulating sleeve 51 detachably fixed radially along the mounting cylinder 3, a conductive connecting rod 52 movably passing through the sleeve 51, and a limiting cover 53 detachably fixed to the sleeve 51. The cable end of the yaw system consists of multiple end branch cables 7, with each radial fixing unit 5 corresponding to one end branch cable 7. The end branch cables 7 pass through the sleeve 51 and are fixed to the connecting rod 52. The sleeve 51 is used to install and protect the connecting rod 52, which is used to connect the yaw system cable. The limiting cover 53 is used to fix the position of the connecting rod 52, ensuring that the other end of the connecting rod 52 is electrically connected to the cable of the tower 2, thus achieving electrical connection between the yaw system cable and the tower 2 cable. When the yaw system drives its cable to rotate, the rotation drive mechanism 4 also synchronously drives the mounting cylinder 3 to rotate, causing the yaw branch cables located on the mounting cylinder 3 to rotate synchronously, preventing cable torsion.

[0036] The tower cable fixing mechanism includes multiple circumferential fixing units 6 corresponding to multiple radial fixing units 5. Each circumferential fixing unit 6 includes an insulated annular track 61 fixed to the tower 2 and coaxially arranged with the mounting cylinder 3, and an annular conductive contact piece 62 fixed within the annular track 61. The contact piece 62 contacts the connecting rod 52. The cable starting end of the tower 2 is composed of multiple starting branch cables 8, which pass through the annular track 61 and connect to the contact piece 62. The annular track 61 is used for installing and protecting the contact piece 62, and also provides track support for the rotational movement of the connecting rod 52. When the mounting cylinder 3 rotates, it drives the outer end of the connecting rod 52 to rotate within the contact piece 62 and maintain contact with the contact piece 62. The contact piece 62 is electrically connected to the cable of the tower 2, so that the cable of the yaw system can stably conduct electrical energy to the cable of the tower 2 without twisting.

[0037] In the above technical solution, a cable connection structure is set up. When the nacelle 1 of the yaw system performs its wind-fighting function and rotates, it will drive the cable installed on the nacelle 1 to rotate, which in turn drives the end branch cable 7 to rotate. The rotation drive mechanism 4 synchronously responds and drives the mounting cylinder 3 to rotate synchronously. This ensures that the end branch cable 7 rotates synchronously and avoids torsional stress between the end branch cable 7 and the mounting cylinder 3, thereby reducing cable damage and improving cable service life. When the mounting cylinder 3 rotates, it drives the sleeve 51 and the connecting rod 52 to rotate synchronously. The connecting rod 52 always maintains stable contact with the contact pad 62 during rotation, thereby improving the stability of power transmission from the yaw system to the tower 2. During the above operation, the cable will not twist, so it can meet the current needs of ultra-large-size cables for ultra-high power generation. No matter how large the cable size is, twisting is not required, significantly improving cable service life without affecting the wind-fighting requirements of the yaw system.

[0038] In another technical solution, the rotary drive mechanism 4 includes a mounting bracket 41 disposed in the mounting cylinder 3, a stepper motor 42 fixed on the mounting bracket 41, a motor controller for controlling the stepper motor 42, and a base 43 fixed on the output shaft of the stepper motor 42, wherein the mounting cylinder 3 is detachably fixed on the base 43.

[0039] In the above technical solution, the motor controller can interact with the yaw system to obtain the rotation angle, direction and speed of the yaw system's nacelle 1, thereby accurately controlling the stepper motor 42 to rotate at the same angle, direction and speed, realizing the synchronous rotation of the mounting cylinder 3, the end support cable 7 and the connecting rod 52, and avoiding cable twisting.

[0040] In another technical solution, the base 43 is a frustum shape with a smaller top and a larger bottom. The side wall of the base 43 is provided with a plurality of positioning ridges 44 and a plurality of threaded countersunk holes 45. The positioning ridges 44 are arranged along the generatrix direction of the base 43.

[0041] The bottom of the mounting cylinder 3 is provided with a frustum-shaped card seat 31 that is adapted to the base 43. The card seat 31 has multiple positioning grooves and multiple positioning holes. The positioning grooves are engaged with the positioning ridge 44, and the positioning holes and the countersunk holes 45 are fixed by bolts.

[0042] In the above technical solution, since the rotation axis of the cabin 1 is set vertically, the mounting bracket 31 is set to engage with the base 43 vertically, making full use of gravity to improve installation stability. The frustum-shaped structure with a smaller top and a larger bottom, combined with the positioning groove, positioning ridge 44, and positioning hole, further utilizes gravity to improve positioning accuracy.

[0043] In another technical solution, the inner wall of the sleeve 51 is provided with a plurality of limiting grooves along the axial direction, and the outer wall of the sleeve 51 is provided with threads.

[0044] The connecting rod 52 has multiple limiting ridges along the axial direction on its side wall, and the limiting ridges are slidably disposed in the limiting groove;

[0045] The inner wall of the limiting cover 53 is provided with threads, and the bottom of the limiting cover 53 is coaxially provided with a fixing seat 55. The fixing seat 55 is coaxially provided with a compression spring 56. The end of the compression spring 56 is provided with an insulated abutment 57. The limiting cover 53 is screwed to the sleeve 51 on one side located inside the mounting cylinder 3. The abutment 57 extends into the sleeve 51 and abuts against the connecting rod 52.

[0046] In the above technical solution, the limiting groove can prevent the connecting rod 52 from rotating within the sleeve 51, thus improving the stability of the connecting rod 52. The limiting cover 53, equipped with a fixing seat 55, a compression spring 56, and an abutment 57, can adjust the interaction force between the connecting rod 52 and the contact pad 62. This prevents excessive friction between the connecting rod 52 and the contact pad 62 during rotation, extending the service life of both the contact pad 62 and the connecting rod 52. It also ensures stable contact between the connecting rod 52 and the contact pad 62, preventing disconnection.

[0047] In another technical solution, a first cable hole is provided on the side wall of the sleeve 51, and a long strip-shaped first cable connection groove is provided on the connecting rod 52. The end branch cable 7 passes through the first cable hole and is engaged in the first cable connection groove. The end branch cable 7 being engaged in the first cable connection groove can be fully connected and fixed with the connecting rod 52, improving conductivity stability.

[0048] In another technical solution, a retaining ring 58 protrudes from the side wall of the sleeve 51, and the retaining ring 58 has multiple threaded holes. The side wall of the mounting cylinder 3 has corresponding threaded holes, and the retaining ring 58 and the threaded holes on the mounting cylinder 3 are fixed by bolts and nuts. This provides a simple and reliable method for detachably mounting the sleeve 51 onto the mounting cylinder 3.

[0049] In another technical solution, the other end of the connecting rod 52 is provided with a conductive connector 59 in the shape of a smaller than hemispherical surface;

[0050] The surface of the contact pad 62 facing the connecting rod 52 is arc-shaped, and a conductive ball 50 is provided between the connector 59 and the contact pad 62.

[0051] In the aforementioned technical approach, designing the connector 59, connecting ball 50, and contact pad 62 as mutually contacting spherical shapes significantly increases the contact area and reduces resistance. Furthermore, the connecting ball 50 can roll freely; therefore, when the connector 59 rotates, it drives the connecting ball 50 to rotate, causing the connecting ball 50 to roll within the contact pad 62. This replaces the direct friction between the connecting rod 52 and the contact pad 62, significantly improving the service life of each component while still ensuring the stability of the electrical connection between them.

[0052] In another technical solution, a second cable hole is provided on the annular track 61, and a cylindrical second cable connection groove is provided on the contact piece 62. The starting branch cable 8 passes through the second cable hole and is snapped into the second cable connection groove. The starting branch cable 8 being snapped into the second cable connection groove can be fully connected and fixed with the contact piece 62, improving conductivity stability.

[0053] In another technical solution, the top of the mounting cylinder 3 is coaxially provided with an annular limiting ring 34, and the limiting ring 34 is provided with multiple limiting holes 32 at intervals. Multiple end support cables 7 are respectively limited to passing through multiple limiting holes 32. This limits and separates the end support cables 7 from the top of the mounting cylinder 3, improving the contact stability between the end support cables 7 and the connecting rod 52.

[0054] In another technical solution, both the end branch cable 7 and the starting branch cable 8 are fixed to the side walls of the mounting cylinder 3 and the tower 2 respectively by multiple fixing plates 33. Each fixing plate 33 has an arc-shaped middle section and lugs at both ends, with round holes on the lugs. Threaded holes corresponding to these round holes are provided on the side walls of both the mounting cylinder 3 and the tower 2. The round holes and the threaded holes on the mounting cylinder 3 are fixed together by bolts and nuts, or vice versa. By using the fixing plates 33, the end branch cable 7 and the starting branch cable 8 can be fixed vertically, thereby reducing cable sway, improving conductivity stability, and the fixing method of the fixing plates 33 is simple and reliable.

[0055] Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrations shown and described herein.

Claims

1. Cable connection structure of a wind turbine generator system, characterized by, The utility model relates to a wind turbine yaw cable fixing device, including: a mounting cylinder arranged in the tower cylinder of the wind turbine and coaxially arranged with the rotating shaft of the yaw system of the wind turbine, the mounting cylinder being driven to rotate by a rotary drive mechanism, the rotary drive mechanism receiving the yaw angle of the yaw system to drive the mounting cylinder to rotate synchronously; a yaw cable fixing mechanism including a plurality of radial fixing units, each radial fixing unit including an insulated sleeve fixed radially detachable to the mounting cylinder, a connecting rod with conductive performance movably arranged in the sleeve, and a limiting cover detachably fixed to the sleeve, wherein the cable end of the yaw system is composed of a plurality of end branch cables, the plurality of radial fixing units corresponding to the plurality of end branch cables one by one, the end branch cable passing through the sleeve and being fixed to the connecting rod; a tower cylinder cable fixing mechanism including a plurality of annular fixing units corresponding to the plurality of radial fixing units one by one, each annular fixing unit including an insulated annular track fixed to the tower cylinder and coaxially arranged with the mounting cylinder, and an annular contact sheet with conductive performance fixed in the annular track, wherein the contact sheet is in contact with the connecting rod, and the cable starting end of the tower cylinder is composed of a plurality of starting branch cables, the starting branch cable passing through the annular track and being connected to the contact sheet; a plurality of limiting grooves are arranged on the inner side wall of the sleeve along the axial direction, and a thread is arranged on the outer side wall of the sleeve; a plurality of limiting edges are arranged on the side wall of the connecting rod along the axial direction, and the limiting edges are slidably arranged in the limiting grooves; a thread is arranged on the inner side wall of the limiting cover, a fixing seat is coaxially arranged on the bottom of the limiting cover, a compression spring is coaxially arranged on the fixing seat, an insulating abutting head is arranged at the end of the compression spring, the limiting cover is screwed to one side of the sleeve in the mounting cylinder, and the abutting head extends into the sleeve and abuts against the connecting rod; the other end of the connecting rod is provided with a connecting head in the shape of a smaller than half of a spherical surface and having conductive performance; the surface of the contact sheet facing the connecting rod is in the shape of a curved surface, and a connecting ball with conductive performance is arranged in contact between the connecting head and the contact sheet.

2. The cable connection structure of a wind turbine generator system according to claim 1, wherein The rotary drive mechanism includes a mounting frame arranged in the mounting cylinder, a stepping motor fixed to the mounting frame, a motor controller for controlling the stepping motor, and a base fixed to the output shaft of the stepping motor, wherein the mounting cylinder is detachably fixed to the base.

3. The cable connection structure of a wind power generator set according to claim 2, wherein The base is in the shape of a circular truncated cone with the top smaller than the bottom, a plurality of positioning edges and a plurality of threaded counterbores are arranged on the side wall of the base at intervals, and the positioning edges are arranged along the generatrix direction of the base; a circular truncated cone-shaped clamping seat adapted to the base is arranged at the bottom of the mounting cylinder, a plurality of positioning grooves and a plurality of positioning holes are arranged on the clamping seat, wherein the positioning grooves are clamped on the positioning edges, and the positioning holes and the counterbores are fixed by bolt connection.

4. The cable connection structure of a wind turbine generator system according to claim 1, wherein a first cable hole is arranged on the side wall of the sleeve, and a first cable connecting groove in the shape of a long strip is arranged on the connecting rod, the end branch cable passing through the first cable hole and being clamped in the first cable connecting groove.

5. The cable connection structure of a wind power generator set according to claim 1, wherein The sleeve side wall is provided with a fixing ring, the fixing ring is provided with a plurality of threaded holes, the mounting cylinder side wall is provided with corresponding threaded holes, and the threaded holes of the fixing ring and the mounting cylinder are fixed through bolts and nuts.

6. The cable connection structure of a wind power generator set according to claim 1, wherein The annular track is provided with a second cable hole, the contact electric sheet is provided with a cylindrical second cable connecting groove, and the starting branch cable is clamped in the second cable connecting groove through the second cable hole.

7. The cable connection structure of a wind power generator set according to claim 1, wherein The mounting cylinder top is coaxially provided with an annular limiting ring, the limiting ring is provided with a plurality of limiting holes at intervals, and a plurality of terminal branch cables are respectively limited to pass through the limiting holes.

8. The cable connection structure of a wind power generator set according to claim 1, wherein The terminal branch cable and the starting branch cable are respectively fixed on the side wall of the mounting cylinder and the tower cylinder through a plurality of fixing pieces, the middle of the fixing piece is arc-shaped, both ends have lugs, the lugs are provided with round holes, the side wall of the mounting cylinder and the side wall of the tower cylinder are both provided with threaded holes corresponding to the round holes, the round holes and the threaded holes of the mounting cylinder are fixed through bolts and nuts, or the round holes and the threaded holes of the tower cylinder are fixed through bolts and nuts.

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