Operationally reliable bearing assembly for pitch tubes of wind turbines

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing assembly (28) for a pitch tube of a wind turbine (10), comprising a drive shaft (30), a bearing box (36) for mounting and sealing the pitch tube (26) relative to the drive shaft (30), a fastening flange (32) formed by the drive shaft (30) or the pitch tube (26) for fastening the bearing box (36) in a rotationally fixed manner, and an insulating element (34), the insulating element is fastened to the fastening flange (32) via a first fastening element (46) and to the bearing housing (36) via a second fastening element (48) for electrically insulating the pitch tube (26) from the propeller shaft (30). By means of the bearing box (36) which is fastened in an electrically insulating manner by an insulating element (34), the pitch tube (26) can be passed through the transmission (18) of the wind turbine (10) in a mechanically and electrically more operationally reliable manner in a low-cost and simple manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a bearing assembly for a pitch tube of a wind turbine, by means of which the pitch tube can be mounted and guided through a transmission of the wind turbine, a drive train having such a bearing assembly, a wind turbine having such a bearing assembly, and a data aggregate for virtual modeling of such a bearing assembly for the purpose of additive manufacturing and / or simulation. Background Art

[0002] In order to be able to perform blade angle setting control operations (pitch control operations) in the case of a wind turbine, electrical and / or hydraulic lines are required which extend between the rotor and the generator-side connector. A tube known as a pitch tube, which can extend from the generator to the rotor, serves to receive these lines. In particular, the rotor and the generator are arranged coaxially with respect to one another, as a result of which the pitch tube is guided through the transmission over the entire axial extent of the transmission connected between the rotor and the generator, in particular coaxially with respect to the transmission.

[0003] EP 3 795 825 A1 discloses fixing a pitch tube to a planet carrier of a planetary transmission of a wind energy park by means of a fixing device made of an electrical insulator, wherein the fixing device is fastened to both the pitch tube and the planet carrier.

[0004] EP 3 795 861 A1 discloses mounting a pitch tube via a bearing arranged outside the transmission housing in order to discharge stray currents generated in the generator via the bearing.

[0005] EP 3 795 862 A1 discloses fixing a pitch tube in a transmission of a wind turbine by means of a fixing device, wherein an electrically insulating insulating layer is arranged between the fixing device and the pitch tube.

[0006] EP 2 933 483 A1 discloses a wind power plant in which a generator shaft of a generator is connected to an output shaft of a transmission via an electrical insulator arranged between flange surfaces.

[0007] There is a constant need to lead the pitch tube through the transmission of a wind turbine in a manner that is as operationally reliable as possible. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to specify measures which make it possible to reliably pass the pitch tube through the transmission of a wind turbine.

[0009] This object is achieved by a bearing assembly having the features of claim 1, a drive train having the features of claim 13, a wind turbine having the features of claim 14 and a data aggregation having the features of claim 15. Preferred developments are specified in the dependent claims and in the following description, which can each represent an aspect of the invention individually or in combination. If a feature is described in conjunction with another feature, this serves only to simplify the overview of the invention and does not in any way mean that the feature cannot be developed without the other feature.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention relates to a bearing assembly for a pitch tube of a wind turbine generator set, the bearing assembly having a transmission shaft, in particular a transmission output shaft for introducing torque converted in a transmission into a generator; a bearing box (Lagerkassette) for mounting and sealing the pitch tube relative to the transmission shaft; a fastening flange constructed by the transmission shaft or the pitch tube for fastening the bearing box in a non-rotatable manner; and an insulating element, which is fastened to the fastening flange via a first fastening element and to the bearing box via a second fastening element for electrically insulating the pitch tube relative to the transmission shaft.

[0011] The relative rotation of the drive shaft relative to the pitch tube is generated by the mounting function of the bearing box. The pitch tube can be connected to the rotor of a wind turbine or the rotor of an electric motor that constructs a generator in a non-rotatable manner, for example, with the result that the bearing system to be arranged on one of the rotors in other ways can be replaced by a low-cost friction locking and / or shape locking coupling or mechanical connection. The bearing system saved on one of the rotors can be moved to the vicinity of the seal between the pitch tube and the transmission and can be combined in the bearing box. This results in the low-cost integration of the mounting and sealing functions into a common structural unit, which can be preassembled in particular in the form of a bearing box. Instead of firmly fixing the pitch tube to the rotating part of the transmission for joint rotation, the relative movement of the pitch tube relative to the transmission or the drive shaft and also the relative displacement in the axial direction are intentionally generated by means of the bearing box, and the relative rotation results in cost savings due to the integration of the components of the pitch tube relative to the seal of the transmission.

[0012] It is also basically possible that the pitch tube is configured so that it cannot rotate, in particular so that it cannot move. In particular, for installation purposes, an axial relative movement of the pitch tube relative to the transmission and / or relative to the drive shaft can be allowed, wherein the pitch tube is in a final installation position in which the pitch tube fixed in the circumferential direction is connected to the rotor of the wind turbine and the generator. For example, the pitch tube can be fastened to the generator housing of the generator in a non-rotatable manner, as a result of which a bearing system relative to the rotor of the generator can be saved. Due to the non-rotatable pitch tube, the cable guide through the transmission in the pitch tube is simplified and particularly reliable in operation.

[0013] The bearing box is constructed as a structural unit separate from the pitch tube and the transmission shaft, in particular can be preassembled, and is fastened to the transmission shaft or the pitch tube by means of a fastening flange. The fastening of the bearing box by means of the fastening flange to the insulating element by means of at least one first fastening element and the insulating element in turn is fastened to the bearing box via at least one second fastening element, and the fastening of the bearing box by means of the fastening flange makes it possible to electrically insulate the pitch tube in a particularly simple and low-cost manner relative to the transmission. In the component chain of the fastening flange, the first fastening element, the insulating element, the second fastening element and the bearing box, a sufficiently effective dielectric is provided between the first fastening element and the second fastening element by the insulating element, so that voltage flashovers can be reliably avoided in normal operation of the wind turbine even at the narrowest position between the conductive parts of the bearing device, which are usually the ends of the first fastening element and the second fastening element pointing to each other. By means of the bearing box fastened in an electrically insulating manner by means of the insulating element, it is possible to mechanically and electrically more operatively and reliably pass the transmission of the wind turbine.

[0014] If the fastening flange is constructed by the drive shaft, in particular as an integral part, the bearing box is fixedly connected to the drive shaft for common rotation and enables mounting and sealing of a pitch tube that is rotatable relative to the drive shaft and the bearing box. The bearing box can be configured to rotate together with the drive shaft. If the fastening flange is constructed by the pitch tube, in particular as an integral part, the bearing box is fixedly connected to the pitch tube for common rotation and enables mounting and sealing of a drive shaft that is rotatable relative to the pitch tube and the bearing box. The bearing box can be connected to the pitch tube for common rotation. In the text that follows, the invention will be explained by way of example using the example of a fastening flange constructed by a drive shaft, wherein the following explanation is intended to refer to the kinematic reversal applicable to the fastening flange constructed by the pitch tube.

[0015] The transmission shaft is in particular a transmission output shaft for introducing the torque converted in the transmission into the generator. In addition or as an alternative, the transmission shaft can also be a transmission input shaft for introducing the torque from the rotor of the wind turbine into the transmission. The transmission shaft is in particular designed as a hollow shaft extending over its entire axial extent. The sun gear of the planetary stage of the transmission is preferably fastened to the transmission shaft in a torque-transmitting manner, with the result that the transmission shaft can simultaneously be the sun shaft of the planetary stage.

[0016] The insulating element can be made of a non-conductive material, such as a polymer insulator, such as a thermoplastic. Therefore, currents induced by the generator in the pitch tube and / or stray currents or leakage currents of the generator cannot be transmitted to the transmission and cause damage there. The insulating element can be made of a relatively hard dielectric insulating material. This enables the bearing forces occurring on the bearing box to be supported on the fastening flange via the insulating element. The insulating element can have a disc-shaped area, which can be flat against the fastening flange on one axial side and can be fastened by means of at least one fastening element. The bearing box can be flatly supported on the axial side pointing away from the fastening flange and / or on one of its housing surfaces pointing in the radial direction, and can be fastened by means of at least one second fastening element.

[0017] The first fastening element and / or the second fastening element can, for example, be configured as a threaded connection and / or a riveted connection. For example, the insulating element can have an internal thread for the corresponding first fastening element and / or for the corresponding second fastening element for screwing in a screw. It is also possible that the insulating element has a through hole for the corresponding fastening element and that the corresponding fastening element clamps the insulating element between a head (e.g. a screw head or a swaged head) and a corresponding element (e.g. a threaded nut or a closed head). Here, in particular, the head of the corresponding element or the corresponding fastening element is positioned in the insulating element in a countersunk manner, in particular in view of the relatively small material thickness of the insulating element. Therefore, in the case of low installation space requirements, the spacing between the first fastening element and the second fastening element can be configured to be large enough to ensure the desired protection against voltage flashovers.

[0018] In particular, the first fastening element is spaced apart from both the second fastening element and the bearing box to such an extent that the first fastening element is electrically insulated from the pitch tube by the insulating element, and the second fastening element is spaced apart from the fastening flange to such an extent that the second fastening element is electrically insulated from the drive shaft by the insulating element. The first fastening element is spaced apart from the bearing box in an electrically insulating manner via the material of the insulating element. In addition, the second fastening element is spaced apart from the pitch tube in an electrically insulating manner via the material of the insulating element. The first fastening element and the second fastening element are also spaced apart from each other in an electrically insulating manner via the material of the insulating element. A direct connection of the first fastening element to the bearing box and a direct connection of the second fastening element to the pitch tube are avoided, wherein direct contact between the first fastening element and the second fastening element is also avoided. Therefore, sufficient electrical insulation of the pitch tube relative to the drive shaft and the rest of the transmission can be ensured.

[0019] The first fastening element and the second fastening element are preferably spaced apart from one another in the axial direction in such a way that, when viewed in the tangential direction, there is a non-overlapping offset between the first fastening element and the second fastening element. The axial offset between the first fastening element and the second fastening element, by itself or in combination with further specifications regarding the relative positioning of the at least one fastening element with respect to the at least one second fastening element, can already provide sufficient electrical insulation, which can be achieved in a particularly space-saving manner by further appropriate specifications regarding the relative positioning.

[0020] The first fastening element and the second fastening element are particularly preferably spaced apart from one another in the radial direction in such a way that, when viewed in the axial direction, there is a non-overlapping offset between the first fastening element and the second fastening element. The radial offset between the first fastening element and the second fastening element, by itself or in combination with further specifications regarding the relative positioning of the at least one fastening element with respect to the at least one second fastening element, can already provide sufficient electrical insulation, which can be achieved in a particularly space-saving manner by further appropriate specifications regarding the relative positioning.

[0021] In particular, the first fastening element and the second fastening element are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction in such a way that there is a non-overlapping offset between the first fastening element and the second fastening element when viewed in the radial direction. The circumferential angular offset between the first fastening element and the second fastening element, by itself or in combination with further specifications regarding the relative positioning of the at least one fastening element with respect to the at least one second fastening element, can already provide sufficient electrical insulation, which can be achieved in a particularly space-saving manner by further appropriate specifications regarding the relative positioning.

[0022] The bearing box preferably has a first box part for supporting a bearing, in particular an antifriction bearing, in a first axial direction, and a second box part connected to the first box part for supporting the bearing in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, wherein the first box part preferably has a seal, preferably a non-contact or contact seal, in particular a radial shaft sealing ring, a gap seal and / or a labyrinth seal, and / or the insulating element further preferably flatly bears at least against the second box part. The first box part and the second box part can be axially fixed and / or axially clamped in the outer ring or inner ring, in particular an antifriction bearing, which is configured as a locating bearing or a floating bearing, for example. Here, the first box part can simultaneously receive or form a seal. The first box part can in particular have a very small clearance fit with the component to be sealed, i.e. a pitch tube or a transmission shaft, so that there is a sealing effect on grease and / or lubricating oil, and a non-contact seal, in particular a gap seal, is configured. The first box part preferably has a hub with a plurality of grooves, as a result of which the first box part can form a labyrinth seal. However, a separately constructed seal, such as a radial shaft sealing ring, can also be connected to the first box part, in particular it can be constructed as a contact seal. The first box part and the second box part can be connected to each other by means of a second fastening element provided in any case. Additionally or as an alternative, the first box part and the second box part can be connected to each other by means of at least one third fastening element, which is constructed separately from the first fastening element and from the second fastening element. The second box part can in particular have an insertion bevel so that the second box part and the insulating element can be inserted into each other by an axial relative movement. The insertion depth can be predetermined in a defined manner by a flat contact. The insulating element particularly preferably bears flatly against both the first box part and the second box part.

[0023] Particularly preferably, it is provided that the insulating element forms a contactless seal, in particular a gap seal or a labyrinth seal, relative to a housing surface which is rotatable relative to the bearing cartridge. Thus, the insulating element can additionally fulfil the function of a contactless seal. In particular, the first cartridge part can seal on one axial side of the bearing, while the insulating element seals on the other axial side of the bearing, possibly assisted by the sealing action of the second cartridge part. In this way, in particular, lubricant for lubricating the bearing can be retained in the bearing.

[0024] In particular, an insulation element is provided to seal an axial side of a bearing of the bearing cartridge.The insulation element, in particular only the insulation element itself, may retain lubricant for lubricating the bearing in the bearing on one axial side of the bearing.

[0025] The bearing box is preferably designed to support radial forces between the pitch tube and the drive shaft. It can be taken into account here that due to the particularly long axial length of the pitch tube, due to its own weight and / or the bending moments caused by the rotor of the wind turbine and / or the rotor of the generator, the pitch tube can sag or deflect in the radial direction. In particular, this is enhanced by the fact that the drive train assembled from the rotor, the transmission device and the generator can extend at an angle relative to the horizontal plane, for example about 5°. The bearing box can not only mount and seal the pitch tube, but also support the pitch tube in the radial direction and possibly additionally in the axial direction, thereby avoiding deflections of the pitch tube over large axial distances and strengthening the pitch tube. As a result, the mechanical load on the pitch tube can be reduced and the operational reliability can be further improved.

[0026] Particularly preferably, the first fastening element and the second fastening element are oriented in the axial direction and, when viewed in the radial direction, are completely covered by the pitch tube and / or the drive shaft. Thus, the bearing cartridge and the fastening of the bearing cartridge by means of the first fastening element and the second fastening element can be arranged in a manner recessed into the interior of the drive shaft and preferably recessed into the interior of a transmission housing of the transmission. Access to the first fastening element and the second fastening element exists via an annular space constructed between the pitch tube and the drive shaft, as a result of which a tool can be introduced into the annular space at one axial end of the drive shaft to achieve the fastening of the bearing cartridge. Thus, the bearing cartridge is installed in a manner protected from environmental influences.

[0027] In particular, the bearing of the bearing cartridge is lubricated with grease and / or oil. Due to the sealing function of the bearing cartridge, dust, liquid or other contaminants can be prevented from penetrating into the bearing, while lubricant in the form of grease and / or oil can be prevented from escaping from the bearing. As a result of the lubrication of the bearing, the durability of the bearing can be increased and the probability of failure can be reduced.

[0028] The pitch tube, the bearing box, the fastening flange and the transmission shaft are preferably made of an electrically conductive material, in particular steel. Thus, the production costs can be kept low. At the same time, there is sufficient electrical insulation between the pitch tube and the transmission by the insulating element, so that the use of electrically conductive materials does not lead to disadvantages.

[0029] Another aspect of the invention relates to a drive train for a wind turbine, the drive train having a rotor shaft connectable to a wind-driven rotor, a motor shaft of a motor capable of operating in generator mode, a transmission connecting the rotor shaft to the motor shaft in a torque-transmitting manner for torque and speed conversion, and a pitch tube penetrating the transmission in an axial direction, wherein the pitch tube is mounted in the transmission in an electrically insulating manner by at least one bearing assembly, which bearing assembly can be constructed and developed as described above. The drive train can be constructed and developed in particular as described above. By means of a bearing cartridge fastened in an electrically insulating manner by an insulating element, the pitch tube can be passed through the transmission of the wind turbine in a more mechanically and electrically reliable manner in a low-cost and simple manner. The bearing assembly is preferably arranged in each case on both the axial side of the transmission pointing to the rotor and the axial side of the transmission pointing to the generator. Thus, one bearing assembly can interact with the input shaft of the transmission and the pitch tube, wherein the input shaft of the transmission particularly coincides with or is connected to the rotor shaft, while another bearing assembly interacts with the output shaft of the transmission and the pitch tube, wherein the output shaft of the transmission particularly coincides with or is connected to the motor shaft.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to a wind turbine for generating electrical energy from wind energy, the wind turbine having a rotor for providing torque from wind energy, a transmission coupled to the rotor for torque conversion, and a generator for generating electrical energy from torque introduced by the transmission, wherein the rotor, the transmission and the generator are arranged coaxially relative to each other, and the pitch tube passes through the transmission from the generator to the rotor, wherein the pitch tube is installed in the transmission in an electrically insulating manner by at least one bearing assembly, which bearing assembly can be constructed and developed as described above. The wind turbine can be constructed and developed in particular as described above. By means of a bearing box fastened in an electrically insulating manner by an insulating element, the pitch tube can be mechanically and electrically more reliably passed through the transmission of the wind turbine in a low-cost and simple manner. The bearing assembly is preferably arranged in each case on both the axial side of the transmission pointing to the rotor and the axial side of the transmission pointing to the generator. Thus, one bearing assembly may interact with an input shaft of the transmission and the pitch tube, wherein the input shaft of the transmission in particular coincides with or is connected to the rotor shaft, while another bearing assembly interacts with an output shaft of the transmission and the pitch tube, wherein the output shaft of the transmission in particular coincides with or is connected to the motor shaft.

[0031] Another aspect of the invention relates to a data aggregate having data packages combined in a common file or distributed on different files for modeling the three-dimensional design and / or interaction of all components arranged in a bearing assembly, which can be constructed and developed as described above, wherein the data packages are prepared during processing by a data processing device to perform additive manufacturing of the components of the bearing assembly by 3D printing and / or to perform a simulation of the operating method of the bearing assembly based on the data stored in the data packages about the design, material properties and physical interactions. The data aggregate can represent a virtual embodiment of the device, which is constructed as a bearing assembly in the present case, in the form of a simulation or real materialization by means of an additive manufacturing method. Here, the data package can include data about the design of the different components of the device, such as data required for additive manufacturing by 3D printing. The data package can preferably also include data about the material properties of the different components of the device and / or the physical interactions between the different components of the device, so as to simulate its operating method in a computer-based manner in a simulation environment suitable for this purpose, for example in order to check mechanical properties such as deformation, force loading, torque loading, especially based on finite element analysis, and / or to check the heat generation and / or heat distribution of the different components of the device. Here, in particular, each data package can model the individually constructed components of the respectively relevant device, with the result that the individual components can be easily assembled in a real and / or virtual manner in their relative position and / or relative mobility and / or their force and / or heat transfer in order to realize the interactions that are essential to the invention. This makes possible the low-cost production of prototypes and / or computer-based simulations in order to study the operating methods of the device, identify problems in specific applications and find improvements. With the help of the bearing cartridge which is fastened in an electrically insulating manner by means of an insulating element, it is possible in a low-cost and simple manner to make the pitch tube more operationally reliable mechanically and electrically through the transmission of the wind turbine, which can be easily and inexpensively checked with the help of the data aggregate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example using preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, the features shown below in each case representing an aspect of the invention alone or in combination. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a wind turbine generator system,

[0034] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a bearing assembly for a wind turbine generator system, and

[0035] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a bearing assembly for a wind turbine generator system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 The wind turbine 10 shown in can be used to generate electrical energy from wind power. To this end, the wind turbine 10 has a rotor 12, which can be arranged by wind rotation in a wind-driven manner. The rotor 12 is coupled to a transmission 14. To this end, the rotor 12 is connected to a rotor shaft 16, which is coupled to a transmission 18 in the transmission 14 to convert the torque introduced via the rotor 12 and the rotor shaft 16. The torque converted in the transmission 18 is fed to a motor that operates in a generator mode and can construct a generator 20 via a motor shaft 19. The electrical energy generated by the motor can be fed to a rechargeable battery and / or a power grid. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the transmission 14 is completely contained in a nacelle 22, which is attached to the upper free end of an independent tower 24. The rotor 12, the transmission 18 and the generator 20 can be arranged coaxially relative to each other and can preferably extend in an angled manner relative to the horizontal plane. A pitch tube 26 may extend from the generator 20 through the transmission 18 to the rotor 12 so that electrical wires may be routed to the blade angle setting control (pitch control) of the rotor.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the pitch tube 26 can be installed in a generator-side and / or rotor-side bearing assembly 28, for example, in or near the transmission 18. The bearing assembly 28 has a transmission shaft 30, which can be, for example, a rotor shaft 16 used as a transmission input shaft or a motor shaft 19 used as a transmission output shaft. The transmission shaft 30 is configured as a hollow shaft, and the pitch tube 26 can protrude from the axial end of the hollow shaft. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the transmission shaft 30 has, in particular, a one-piece fastening flange 32, to which a bearing box 36 is indirectly fastened via an insulating element 34, the bearing box mounting the relatively rotatable pitch tube 26. Alternatively, the fastening flange 32 can be configured by the pitch tube 26, and the bearing box 36 can mount the transmission shaft 30, which in this case can be relatively rotatable. The bearing box 36 has a first box part 38 and a second box part 40 connected to the first box part 38, and a bearing 42, in particular an anti-friction bearing, is received in a defined axial position between the first box part and the second box part. On one axial side, the first box part 38 can seal a bearing 42, which is lubricated in particular with a lubricant, for which purpose, in the exemplary embodiment shown, a sealing element designed as a radial shaft sealing ring 44 forms a contact seal. On the other axial side of the bearing 42, the second box part 40 can form a non-contact gap seal with the pitch tube 26.

[0038] In order that the current induced from the generator and, for example, by inductance, cannot be transferred to the transmission 18 or the transmission shaft 30 due to voltage flashover, sufficient electrical insulation is achieved by the insulating element 34. For this purpose, the insulating element 34 is fastened to the fastening flange 32 by means of at least one first fastening element 46, while the insulating element 36 is fastened to the bearing box 36 by means of at least one second fastening element 48. The first fastening element 46 and / or the second fastening element 46 can be configured in particular as a screw, which preferably interacts with an associated internal thread. The first fastening element 46 and / or the second fastening element 46 are particularly oriented in the axial direction. In particular, a plurality of first fastening elements 46 are provided, which are preferably evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and / or arranged on a common radius. In particular, a plurality of second fastening elements 48 are provided, which are preferably evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and / or arranged on a common radius. The first fastening element 46 and the second fastening element 48 are spaced apart from each other to such an extent that a sufficient amount of material of the insulating element 36 remains at the narrowest location between the first fastening element 46 and the second fastening element 48 to ensure the desired electrical insulation.

[0039] exist Figure 3 In the case of the embodiment of the bearing assembly 28 shown in FIG. Figure 2 In contrast to the embodiment of the bearing assembly 28 shown in , the gap seal is constructed on the axial side of the bearing 42 pointing away from the first box part 38 by means of an insulating element 36 on the pitch tube 26. In addition, a third fastening element 50 can be seen, which connects the first box part 38 to the second box part 40. The third fastening element 50 can be constructed in particular as a screw, which preferably interacts with an associated internal thread. The third fastening element 50 is oriented in particular in the axial direction. In particular, a plurality of third fastening elements 50 are provided, which are preferably evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and / or are arranged on a common radius. This is also in Figure 3 As is the case in the embodiment of the bearing assembly 28 shown, the fastening flange 32 could, as an alternative, be formed by the pitch tube 26 and the bearing box 36 could mount the drive shaft 30 , which in this case is relatively rotatable.

Claims

1. A bearing assembly (28) for a pitch tube of a wind turbine (10), comprising: Transmission shaft (30), a bearing box (36) for mounting and sealing the pitch tube (26) relative to the drive shaft (30), a fastening flange (32) which is formed by the drive shaft (30) or the pitch tube (26) for fastening the bearing cartridge (36) in a non-rotatable manner, and An insulating element (34) is fastened to the fastening flange (32) via a first fastening element (46) and to the bearing box (36) via a second fastening element (48) for electrically insulating the pitch tube (26) relative to the drive shaft (30).

2. A bearing assembly (28) as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening element (46) is spaced apart from the second fastening element (48) and from the bearing box (36) to such an extent that the first fastening element (46) is electrically insulated relative to the pitch tube (26) by the insulating element (34); and the second fastening element (48) is spaced apart from the fastening flange (32) to such an extent that the second fastening element (48) is electrically insulated relative to the drive shaft (30) by the insulating element (34).

3. A bearing assembly (28) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction in such a way that when viewed in the tangential direction, there is a non-overlapping offset between the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48).

4. The bearing assembly (28) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) are spaced apart from each other in the radial direction in such a way that a non-overlapping offset exists between the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) when viewed in the axial direction.

5. The bearing assembly (28) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction in such a way that a non-overlapping offset exists between the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) when viewed in the radial direction.

6. A bearing assembly (28) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bearing box (36) has a first box part (38) for supporting a bearing (42), in particular an anti-friction bearing, in a first axial direction, and a second box part (40) connected to the first box part (38) for supporting the bearing (42) in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, the first box part (38) having a seal, in particular a radial shaft sealing ring (44), a gap seal and / or a labyrinth seal, and the insulating element (34) is flatly supported at least against the second box part (40).

7. The bearing assembly (28) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insulating element (34) is configured as a non-contact seal, in particular a gap seal or a labyrinth seal, with respect to a housing surface that is rotatable relative to the bearing cartridge (36).

8. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 7, wherein the insulating element (34) seals an axial side of the bearing (42) of the bearing cartridge (36).

9. The bearing assembly (28) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bearing cartridge (36) is configured to support radial forces between the pitch tube (26) and the drive shaft (30).

10. The bearing assembly (28) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) are oriented along the axial direction, and the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) are completely covered by the pitch tube (26) and / or by the drive shaft (30) when viewed along the radial direction.

11. The bearing assembly (28) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the bearing (42) of the bearing cartridge (36) is lubricated with grease and / or oil.

12. The bearing assembly (28) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pitch tube (26), the bearing box (36), the fastening flange (32) and the transmission shaft (30) are made of an electrically conductive material, in particular steel.

13. A drive train (14) for a wind turbine (10), comprising a rotor shaft (16) connectable to a wind-driven rotor (12), a motor shaft (19) of an electric machine (20) operable in generator mode, a transmission (18) connecting the rotor shaft (16) to the motor shaft (19) in a torque-transmitting manner for torque and speed conversion, and a pitch tube (26) axially passing through the transmission (18), wherein the pitch tube (26) is mounted in the transmission (18) in an electrically insulated manner via at least one bearing assembly (28) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A wind turbine (10) for generating electrical energy from wind energy, comprising a rotor (12) for providing torque from wind energy, a transmission (18) connected to the rotor (12) for converting the torque, and a generator (20) for generating electrical energy from the torque introduced by the transmission (18), wherein the rotor (12), the transmission (18) and the generator (20) are coaxially arranged relative to each other, and a pitch tube (26) passes through the transmission (18) from the generator (20) to the rotor (12), and the pitch tube (26) is installed in the transmission (18) in an electrically insulated manner through at least one bearing assembly (28) as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A data aggregate having data packages combined in a common file or distributed on different files for modeling the three-dimensional design and / or interaction of all components in a bearing assembly (28) as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the data package is prepared during processing by a data processing device to perform additive manufacturing of the components of the bearing assembly (28) by 3D printing and / or to perform a simulation of an operating method of the bearing assembly (28) based on data about the design, material properties and physical interactions stored in the data package.

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