A wind turbine bearing circulating lubrication system

Abstract

The application discloses a wind turbine bearing circulating lubrication system, which comprises a bearing outer ring, a bearing inner ring, rolling elements and a retainer, the bearing inner ring is provided with a first oil inlet and is matched with an oil injection bucket, the bearing inner ring is provided with a first oil outlet and is matched with a waste oil bucket, the bearing inner ring is provided with an annular groove at one end and is sleeved with a sealing ring, the inner ring of the sealing ring is provided with an annular groove and is equally divided with a plurality of holes penetrating through the annular groove, the tangent line at the connection between the annular groove and each hole forms an included angle with the hole, the included angle is less than 90 degrees, and the first oil inlet and the first oil outlet are separately arranged on the two sides of the sealing cavity; the circulating lubrication is realized by adding lubricating grease, discharging waste grease and then filtering the waste grease and adding the waste grease into the oil injection bucket again; when the lubricating grease is added, the lubricating grease flows out in multiple directions through the holes, the filled lubricating grease is uniformly dispersed, the new grease fully extrudes the waste grease from the oil injection side to the other side, the waste oil is fully discharged, and the new grease is fully injected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of wind turbine bearing lubrication technology, specifically relating to a circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of wind power generation, bearings are crucial components, supporting the generator's rotor and shaft while bearing the inertia generated by the blade rotation and wind loads, ensuring the normal operation of the generator set. Bearings require adequate lubrication during operation. Lubricating grease ensures the smoothness of the bearing surface, reduces the coefficient of friction and wear, improves operational stability, and effectively extends service life.

[0003] During lubrication, the bearing is usually sealed in the bearing lubrication cavity, which is filled with grease to achieve the lubrication effect. The lubrication cavity is usually equipped with a grease port for adding grease after the grease is consumed. However, since the grease is not completely used, waste grease with impurities will be generated, which will affect the healthy operation of the bearing.

[0004] How to remove waste grease is a current challenge. First, the grease is located in the sealed cavity and is not easy to extract. Second, the lubricating oil pressure in the bearing cavity changes significantly during extraction. Third, the blower is in operation, which will affect the healthy operation of the bearing and make it difficult to remove the grease from the lubrication cavity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings. It achieves circulating lubrication by adding lubricating grease, discharging waste grease, and then filtering and refilling the waste grease into the oil tank. When adding lubricating grease, it flows out through multiple orifices, ensuring uniform dispersion. This allows the new grease to fully compress the waste grease from the oil filling side to the other, facilitating the full discharge of waste grease and the full injection of new grease, thus solving the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings, comprising an outer bearing ring, an inner bearing ring, rolling elements, and a cage. The outer bearing ring is fitted over the inner bearing ring, with a sealing cavity between them. The rolling elements are located within the sealing cavity and are positioned by the cage. The inner bearing ring has a first oil inlet penetrating the sealing cavity and is fitted with an oil filling tank. The oil filling tank is connected to the first oil inlet via a first oil pump. The inner bearing ring also has a first oil outlet penetrating the sealing cavity and is fitted with a waste oil tank. The waste oil drum is connected to the first oil outlet via a grease extractor; the inner ring of the bearing has an annular groove at one end of the first oil inlet that is in close contact with the sealing cavity, and a sealing ring that seals and is rotatable is fitted inside the annular groove. The inner ring of the sealing ring has an annular groove corresponding to the first oil inlet, and has a plurality of holes that pass through the annular groove equally. The tangent at the connection between the annular groove and each hole forms the same angle with the hole, and the angle is less than 90 degrees. The end of the first oil outlet that is in close contact with the sealing cavity and the end of the first oil inlet that is in close contact with the sealing cavity are respectively located on both sides of the sealing cavity.

[0007] Preferably, the inner ring of the bearing is further provided with a second oil inlet that penetrates the sealing cavity. The second oil inlet is located on the side opposite to the first oil inlet. The second oil inlet is matched with a cleaning oil tank. The cleaning oil tank is connected to the second oil inlet through a second oil pump. The second oil inlet is also provided with the sealing ring, the ring groove, and the hole.

[0008] Preferably, the inner ring of the bearing is further provided with a second oil outlet that penetrates the sealing cavity. The second oil outlet is located on the side opposite to the first oil outlet, and the second oil outlet and the first oil outlet are connected to the grease extractor through a multi-way control valve.

[0009] Preferably, the waste oil drum is connected to the oil filling drum via a circulation pump, and a filter is provided between the waste oil drum and the circulation pump.

[0010] Preferably, sealing rings are provided on both sides of the connection between the outer ring and the inner ring of the bearing.

[0011] Preferably, the bearing is provided with a pressure sensor in the sealed cavity, and multiple sets of pressure sensors are provided and located on both sides of the sealed cavity.

[0012] Preferably, the bearing inner ring consists of two separable parts and is fastened by multiple sets of bolts.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0014] 1. By adding lubricating grease, waste grease is discharged, and then the waste grease is filtered and added back to the oil tank to achieve circulating lubrication.

[0015] 2. When adding lubricating grease, the lubricating grease flows out through the holes in multiple directions. The original distribution of lubricating grease in the sealing cavity will be different, and the pressure will be different. The lubricating grease will first be discharged from the hole with lower pressure to make up for the difference, and push the sealing ring to rotate. This will make the filled lubricating grease evenly dispersed and fully enter the sealing cavity from one side, and then squeeze to the other side. This will make the new grease fully squeeze the waste grease from the oil injection side to the other side, which will facilitate the full discharge of waste oil and the full injection of new grease.

[0016] 3. During oil filling and draining, the oil pressure inside the cavity is relatively consistent, neither too low nor too high, which is conducive to detection. Simultaneous oil filling and draining helps to balance and control the oil pressure inside the bearing sealing cavity, ensuring healthy operation of the bearing during circulating lubrication.

[0017] 4. Cleaning oil is periodically injected into the cleaning oil tank via the second oil injection pump, reacting with the lubricating grease. During the injection, the cleaning oil is also fully and evenly injected under the action of the sealing ring, which facilitates its thorough mixing and reaction with the lubricating grease, thereby improving the reaction efficiency.

[0018] 5. When adding clean oil through the second oil inlet, waste oil can be discharged simultaneously through the second oil outlet to balance the oil pressure. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sealing ring, annular groove, and hole of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing ring, ring groove, and hole structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a side view of the bearing structure of the present invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Bearing outer ring; 2. Bearing inner ring; 3. Rolling element; 4. Cage; 5. First oil inlet; 6. Oil tank; 7. First oil pump; 8. First oil outlet; 9. Waste oil tank; 10. Grease extractor; 11. Sealing ring; 12. Ring groove; 13. Hole; 14. Second oil inlet; 15. Cleaning oil tank; 16. Second oil pump; 17. Second oil outlet; 18. Multi-way control valve; 19. Circulation pump; 20. Filter; 21. Sealing ring; 22. Pressure sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] Please see Figure 1-6 This invention provides a circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings, including an outer bearing ring 1, an inner bearing ring 2, rolling elements 3, and a cage 4. The outer bearing ring 1 is fitted over the inner bearing ring 2, with a sealing cavity between them. The rolling elements 3 are located within the sealing cavity and are positioned by the cage 4. The inner bearing ring 2 has a first oil inlet 5 that extends through the sealing cavity and is fitted with an oil filling tank 6. The oil filling tank 6 is connected to the first oil inlet 5 via a first oil pump 7. Oil is pumped from the oil filling tank 6 to the shaft via the first oil pump 7. Lubricating grease is added to the sealing cavity of the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 of the bearing for lubrication. The inner ring 2 of the bearing is provided with a first oil outlet 8 that passes through the sealing cavity and is matched with a waste oil tank 9. The waste oil tank 9 is connected to the first oil outlet 8 via a grease extractor 10. After waste oil is generated, it is extracted through the waste oil tank 9 via the grease extractor 10. The inner ring 2 of the bearing is provided with an annular groove at one end of the first oil inlet 5 that is close to the sealing cavity. A rotatable sealing ring 11 is fitted in the annular groove to seal it. The inner ring of the sealing ring 11 is provided with a groove that connects to the first oil inlet. The annular groove 12 corresponding to 5 is provided with a plurality of holes 13 that pass through the annular groove 12. The tangent at the connection between the annular groove 12 and each hole 13 forms the same angle with the hole, and the angle is less than 90 degrees. The first oil outlet 8 and the first oil inlet 5 are respectively located on both sides of the sealing cavity. During this period, when adding lubricating grease, the lubricating grease enters from the first oil inlet 5, first enters the annular groove 12 of the sealing ring 11, and then flows out in multiple directions through the holes 13. As the grease flows out through the holes 13, The original sealing cavity has different distribution and pressure of lubricating grease. The lubricating grease will be discharged first from the hole 13 with lower pressure to make up for the difference. The pressure difference when filling the different holes 13, together with the hole 13 which is inclined relative to the ring groove 12, will push the sealing ring 11 to rotate, thereby making the filled lubricating grease evenly dispersed and fully enter the sealing cavity from one side, and then squeeze it to the other side. Then the first oil outlet 8 on the other side simultaneously extracts the waste grease, so that the new grease can fully squeeze the waste grease from the oil filling side to the other side, which is conducive to the full discharge of waste grease and the full injection of new grease.

[0028] like Figure 1-2As shown, the inner ring 2 of the bearing is also provided with a second oil inlet 14 that penetrates the sealing cavity. The second oil inlet 14 is located on the side opposite to the first oil inlet 5. The second oil inlet 14 is matched with a cleaning oil tank 15. The cleaning oil tank 15 is connected to the second oil inlet 14 through a second oil pump 16. The second oil inlet 14 is also provided with the sealing ring 11, the ring groove 12, and the hole 13. In this embodiment, cleaning oil can be periodically injected through the cleaning oil tank 15 via the second oil pump 16 to react with the lubricating grease. When the cleaning oil is injected, it will also enter fully and evenly under the action of the sealing ring 11, which is conducive to its full mixing and reaction with the lubricating grease and improves the reaction efficiency.

[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the inner ring 2 of the bearing is also provided with a second oil outlet 17 that passes through the sealing cavity. The second oil outlet 17 is located on the side opposite to the first oil outlet 8. The second oil outlet 17 and the first oil outlet 8 are connected to the grease extractor 10 through a multi-way control valve 18. In this embodiment, when adding clean oil through the second oil inlet 14, waste oil can be discharged through the second oil outlet 17 at the same time to balance the oil pressure. The design of the opposite side also facilitates squeezing from one side to the other.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the waste oil tank 9 is connected to the oil filling tank 6 through the circulation pump 19, and a filter 20 is provided between the waste oil tank 9 and the circulation pump 19; in this embodiment, the waste oil extracted from the waste oil tank 9 is filtered through the filter 20 to achieve the repeated recycling of waste oil.

[0031] like Figure 1-3 , Figure 6 As shown, sealing rings 21 are provided on both sides of the connection between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 of the bearing; in this embodiment, a sealed cavity is formed between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 of the bearing to prevent grease from seeping out.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the bearing is equipped with a pressure sensor 22 inside the sealed cavity. Multiple sets of pressure sensors 22 are provided and are located on both sides of the sealed cavity. In this embodiment, the oil pressure inside the bearing cavity can be detected comprehensively at multiple points, which facilitates real-time control of the internal oil pressure during oil injection and oil extraction. The oil pressure will not be too low or too high, which is conducive to the healthy operation of the bearing during circulating lubrication.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the bearing inner ring 2 consists of two separable parts and is fastened by multiple sets of bolts; in this embodiment, the separable inner ring 2 facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the bearing outer ring 1, the bearing inner ring 2, and internal parts.

[0034] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A circulating lubrication system for a wind turbine bearing, comprising an outer bearing ring (1), an inner bearing ring (2), rolling elements (3), and a cage (4), wherein the outer bearing ring (1) is fitted over the inner bearing ring (2), and a sealing cavity is provided between them; the rolling elements (3) are located within the sealing cavity; and the rolling elements (3) are positioned by the cage (4), characterized in that... The bearing inner ring (2) is provided with a first oil inlet (5) that penetrates the sealing cavity, and is matched with an oil filling tank (6). The oil filling tank (6) is connected to the first oil inlet (5) via a first oil pump (7). The bearing inner ring (2) is provided with a first oil outlet (8) that penetrates the sealing cavity, and is matched with a waste oil tank (9). The waste oil tank (9) is connected to the first oil outlet (8) via a grease extractor (10). The bearing inner ring (2) is provided with an annular groove at one end of the first oil inlet (5) that is close to the sealing cavity, and in the annular groove... A sealing ring (11) is fitted inside the groove to seal and rotate it. The inner ring of the sealing ring (11) is provided with an annular groove (12) corresponding to the first oil inlet (5), and is provided with a plurality of holes (13) that pass through the annular groove (12). The tangent at the connection between the annular groove (12) and each hole (13) forms the same angle with the hole, and the angle is less than 90 degrees. The end of the first oil outlet (8) that is close to the sealed cavity and the end of the first oil inlet (5) that is close to the sealed cavity are respectively located on both sides of the sealed cavity.

2. The circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing inner ring (2) is also provided with a second oil inlet (14) that passes through the sealing cavity. The second oil inlet (14) is located on the side opposite to the first oil inlet (5). The second oil inlet (14) is matched with a cleaning oil tank (15). The cleaning oil tank (15) is connected to the second oil inlet (14) through a second oil pump (16). The second oil inlet (14) is also provided with the sealing ring (11), the ring groove (12), and the hole (13).

3. The circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing inner ring (2) is also provided with a second oil outlet (17) that passes through the sealing cavity. The second oil outlet (17) is located on the side opposite to the first oil outlet (8). The second oil outlet (17) and the first oil outlet (8) are connected to the grease extractor (10) through a multi-way control valve (18).

4. The circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The waste oil tank (9) is connected to the oil filling tank (6) via a circulation pump (19), and a filter (20) is provided between the waste oil tank (9) and the circulation pump (19).

5. A circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings according to claim 1, characterized in that, Sealing rings (21) are provided on both sides of the connection between the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2) of the bearing.

6. A circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing is equipped with a pressure sensor (22) inside the sealed cavity. Multiple sets of the pressure sensor (22) are provided and are located on both sides of the sealed cavity.

7. A circulating lubrication system for wind turbine bearings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing inner ring (2) consists of two separable parts and is fastened by multiple sets of bolts.

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