Bearing assembly for a wind turbine variable pitch tube, related drivetrain, wind power generator set and data aggregation

Abstract

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

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a bearing assembly for a pitch rohr of a wind power installation, by means of which the pitch rohr can be mounted and guided through a transmission of the wind power installation. The invention relates to a drive train having a bearing assembly of this type, to a wind power installation having a bearing assembly of this type, and to a data agglomerate for the virtual modeling of a bearing assembly of this type for the purpose of additive manufacturing and / or simulation. BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

[0006] EP 2 933 483 A1 discloses a wind power installation 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 rohr out through the transmission of a wind power installation in an operationally as reliable a manner as possible. SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the invention to specify measures that make it possible for the pitch rohr to be reliably guided through the transmission of a wind power installation.

[0009] This object is achieved by a bearing assembly having the features described below, by a drive train having the features described below, by a wind turbine generator having the features described below and by a data aggregate having the features described below. Preferred refinements are specified in the following description, which refinements can represent an aspect of the application individually or in combination. If a feature is described in conjunction with another feature, this is only for the sake of simplifying the summary of the application and by no means means that the feature cannot develop the application without the other feature.

[0010] One aspect of the application relates to a bearing assembly for a variable pitch tube of a wind turbine generator, having a drive shaft, in particular a drive output shaft for introducing a torque converted in a transmission into a generator; a bearing cassette for mounting and sealing the variable pitch tube relative to the drive shaft; a fastening flange configured from the drive shaft or the variable pitch tube for fastening the bearing cassette in a non-rotatable manner; and an insulation element fastened to the fastening flange via a first fastening element and to the bearing cassette via a second fastening element for electrically insulating the variable pitch tube relative to the drive shaft.

[0011] The relative rotation of the drive shaft relative to the variable pitch tube is produced by the mounting function of the bearing cassette. The variable pitch tube can be coupled in a non-rotatable manner to, for example, a rotor of the wind turbine generator or to a rotor of an electric motor configured as a generator, as a result of which a bearing system to be otherwise provided on one of the rotors can be replaced by a low-cost frictional locking and / or form-locking coupling or mechanical connection. The bearing system saved on one of the rotors can be moved near the seal between the variable pitch tube and the transmission and can be combined in the bearing cassette. This results in a low-cost component integration of the mounting and sealing functions into a common structural unit, which can be preassembled in particular in the form of the bearing cassette. Instead of firmly fixing the variable pitch tube to the rotating part of the transmission for joint rotation, a relative movement of the variable pitch tube relative to the transmission or the drive shaft and possibly also a relative displacement in the axial direction is deliberately produced by means of the bearing cassette, which relative rotation results in cost savings due to the component integration with the seal of the variable pitch tube relative to the transmission.

[0012] It is basically also possible that the pitch tube is configured such that it cannot be rotated, in particular such that it cannot be moved. In particular, for installation purposes, axial relative movement of the pitch tube relative to the transmission and / or relative to the transmission shaft can be allowed, wherein the pitch tube is in a final installation position in which the circumferentially fixed pitch tube is coupled to the wind turbine and to the rotor of 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 within the pitch tube is simplified and particularly operationally reliable.

[0013] The bearing cartridge is configured 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 to the pitch tube by means of a fastening flange. By means of the fastening flange being fastened to the insulating element by means of at least one first fastening element and the insulating element in turn being fastened to the bearing cartridge via at least one second fastening element, the fastening of the bearing cartridge by means of the fastening flange makes possible a particularly simple and low-cost electrical insulation of the pitch tube 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 cartridge, a sufficiently effective dielectric is provided between the first fastening element and the second fastening element by means of the insulating element, such that a voltage flashover can be reliably avoided in the normal operation of the wind turbine even at the narrowest location between electrically conductive components of the bearing arrangement, which are usually the end faces of the first fastening element and the second fastening element pointing towards one another. By means of the bearing cartridge fastened in an electrically insulating manner by means of the insulating element, it is made possible that the pitch tube is mechanically and electrically more operably reliably routed through the transmission of the wind turbine.

[0014] If the fastening flange is configured, in particular integrally configured, by the transmission shaft, the bearing cartridge is fixedly connected to the transmission shaft for co-rotation and enables the installation and sealing of the pitch tube, which can be rotated relative to the transmission shaft and the bearing cartridge. If the fastening flange is configured, in particular integrally configured, by the pitch tube, the bearing cartridge is fixedly connected to the pitch tube for co-rotation and enables the installation and sealing of the transmission shaft, which can be rotated relative to the pitch tube and the bearing cartridge. The bearing cartridge can be connected to the pitch tube for co-rotation. In the following text, the present application will be explained by way of example using the example of a fastening flange configured by the transmission shaft, wherein the following explanations are intended to refer to a kinematic reversal applicable to a fastening flange configured by the pitch tube.

[0015] The transmission shaft is in particular a transmission output shaft for introducing a torque converted in the transmission to the generator. In addition or as an alternative, the transmission shaft can also be a transmission input shaft for introducing a torque from a rotor of a wind power installation into the transmission. The transmission shaft is in particular configured as a hollow shaft which extends over its entire axial extent. The sun gear of a planetary stage of the transmission is preferably fastened to the transmission shaft in a torque-transmitting manner, as a result of which the transmission shaft can at the same time be a sun shaft of the planetary stage.

[0016] The insulation element can be made of a non-conductive material, for example a polymer insulation, for example a thermoplastic. As a result, currents induced in the pitch tube by the generator and / or stray currents or leakage currents of the generator cannot be transmitted into the transmission and cause damage there. The insulation element can be made of a relatively hard dielectric insulating material. This enables bearing forces occurring on the bearing cartridge to be supported on the fastening flange via the insulation element. The insulation element can have a disc-shaped region which can lie flat against the fastening flange on one axial side and can be fastened by means of at least one fastening element. The bearing cartridge can lie flat against one of the axial sides pointing away from the fastening flange and / or in a housing surface 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 be configured, for example, as a threaded connection and / or a rivet connection. For example, the insulation element can have an internal thread for the respective first fastening element and / or for the respective second fastening element for screwing in a screw. It is also possible for the insulation element to have a through-hole for the respective fastening element, and the respective fastening element clamps the insulation element between a head, for example a screw head or a swage head, and a counter element, for example a threaded nut or a closed head. Here, in particular, the head of the counter element or of the respective fastening element is positioned in a countersunk manner in the insulation element, in particular taking into account the relatively small material thickness of the insulation element. As a result, with low installation space requirements, the spacing between the first fastening element and the second fastening element can be configured to be sufficiently large to ensure the desired protection against voltage flashover.

[0018] In particular, the first fastening element is spaced apart from both the second fastening element and the bearing cartridge to such an extent that the first fastening element is electrically insulated with respect to the variable pitch tube by means of 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 with respect to the transmission shaft by means of the insulating element. The first fastening element is spaced apart from the bearing cartridge in an electrically insulating manner via the material of the insulating element. Furthermore, the second fastening element is spaced apart from the variable pitch tube in an electrically insulating manner via the material of the insulating element. The first fastening element and the second fastening element are likewise spaced apart from one another in an electrically insulating manner via the material of the insulating element. Direct connections of the first fastening element to the bearing cartridge and of the second fastening element to the variable pitch tube are avoided, wherein also direct contact between the first fastening element and the second fastening element is avoided. It is thus possible to ensure sufficient electrical insulation of the variable pitch tube with respect to the transmission shaft and the remaining transmission.

[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, in 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 suitable 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, in 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 suitable 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, when viewed in the radial direction, there is a non-overlapping offset between the first fastening element and the second fastening element. The circumferential angular offset between the first fastening element and the second fastening element, in 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 suitable specifications regarding the relative positioning.

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

[0023] It is particularly preferred that the insulation element is configured to provide a non-contact seal, in particular a gap seal or a labyrinth seal, with respect to a housing surface that can be rotated relative to the bearing cartridge. Thus, the insulation element can additionally fulfill the function of a non-contact seal. In particular, the first cartridge part can be sealed on one axial side of the bearing, while the insulation element seals on the other axial side of the bearing, possibly assisted by the sealing action of the second cartridge part. Thereby, in particular, it is possible to retain a lubricant for lubricating the bearing in the bearing.

[0024] In particular, the insulation element seals an axial side of the bearing of the bearing cartridge. The insulation element, in particular only the insulation element itself, can retain a lubricant for lubricating the bearing in the bearing on one axial side of the bearing.

[0025] The bearing cartridge is preferably configured to support radial forces between the variable pitch tube and the transmission shaft. It can be considered here that the variable pitch tube can sag or deflect in the radial direction as a result of the particularly long axial length of the variable pitch tube, as a result of its own weight and / or as a result of the bending moments caused by the rotor of the wind turbine generator unit and / or the rotor of the generator. In particular, the fact that the drive train assembled from the rotor, the transmission and the generator can extend at an angle, for example approximately 5°, with respect to the horizontal enhances this. The bearing cartridge can not only mount and seal the variable pitch tube, but also support this in the radial direction and possibly additionally in the axial direction, thereby avoiding deflection of the variable pitch tube over a large axial distance and the variable pitch tube being strengthened. As a result, it is possible to reduce the mechanical load on the variable pitch tube and to further increase the operational reliability.

[0026] It is particularly preferred that the first and second fastening elements are oriented in the axial direction and are completely covered by the variable pitch tube and / or the transmission shaft when viewed in the radial direction. The bearing cartridge and the fastening of the bearing cartridge by means of the first and second fastening elements can thus be arranged in such a way that they are recessed inside the transmission shaft and preferably inside the transmission housing of the transmission. Access to the first and second fastening elements is possible via the annular space configured between the variable pitch tube and the transmission shaft, as a result of which a tool can be introduced into the annular space at one axial end of the transmission shaft in order to achieve the fastening of the bearing cartridge. The bearing cartridge is thus mounted in a way that is protected from the environment.

[0027] In particular, the bearings of the bearing cartridge are lubricated with grease and / or lubricating oil. As a result of the sealing function of the bearing cartridge, it is possible to avoid the penetration of dust, liquids or other contaminants into the bearings, while it is possible to avoid the discharge of lubricants in the form of grease and / or lubricating oil from the bearings. As a result of the lubrication of the bearings, it is possible to increase the durability of the bearings and to reduce the probability of failure.

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

[0029] A further aspect of the application relates to a drive train for a wind power unit, having a rotor shaft which can be connected to a wind-driven rotor, a motor shaft of an electric machine which can be operated in a generator mode, a transmission which connects the rotor shaft to the motor shaft in a torque-transmitting manner for torque and rotational speed conversion, and a pitch tube which runs through the transmission in the axial direction, wherein the pitch tube is mounted in the transmission in an electrically insulating manner by at least one bearing assembly, which can be configured and developed as described above. The drive train can in particular be configured and developed as described above. By means of the bearing cartridge which is fastened in an electrically insulating manner by means of an insulating element, the pitch tube can be made to run through the transmission of the wind power unit in a mechanically and electrically more operationally reliable manner at low cost and in a simple manner. The bearing assembly is preferably provided in each case on both the rotor- pointing axial side of the transmission and the generator- pointing axial side of the transmission. Thus, one bearing assembly can 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, and 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.

[0030] A further aspect of the application relates to a wind power unit for generating electrical energy from wind energy, having a rotor for providing torque from wind energy, a transmission which is coupled to the rotor for torque conversion, and a generator for generating electrical energy from the torque introduced by the transmission, wherein the rotor, the transmission and the generator are arranged coaxially relative to one another, and a pitch tube runs from the generator through the transmission up to the rotor, wherein the pitch tube is mounted in the transmission in an electrically insulating manner by at least one bearing assembly, which can be configured and developed as described above. The wind power unit can in particular be configured and developed as described above. By means of the bearing cartridge which is fastened in an electrically insulating manner by means of an insulating element, the pitch tube can be made to run through the transmission of the wind power unit in a mechanically and electrically more operationally reliable manner at low cost and in a simple manner. The bearing assembly is preferably provided in each case on both the rotor- pointing axial side of the transmission and the generator- pointing axial side of the transmission. Thus, one bearing assembly can 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, and 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 present application relates to a data aggregate having data packets combined in a common file or distributed over different files for a three-dimensional design and / or interaction modeling of all components arranged in a bearing assembly, which can be configured and developed as described above, wherein the data packets are prepared during processing by a data processing device to perform an additive manufacturing of the components of the bearing assembly by 3D printing and / or to perform a simulation of an operating method of the bearing assembly based on data stored in the data packets about the design, material properties and physical interactions. The data aggregate can represent in the manner of a so-called "digital twin" a virtual embodiment of the device configured as a bearing assembly in the present case, which makes a virtual check in a simulated or real materialized form by means of an additive manufacturing method possible. Here, the data packets can include data about the design of the different parts of the device, as required for an additive manufacturing by 3D printing. The data packets can preferably additionally include data about the material properties of the different parts of the device and / or the physical interactions between the different parts of the device in order to simulate their 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, in particular on the basis of a finite element analysis, and / or to check the heat generation and / or heat distribution of the different parts of the device. Here, in particular, each data packet can model an individually configured component of the respective associated device, as a result of which the individual components can be easily assembled in their relative position and / or relative mobility and / or their force and / or heat transfer in an actual and / or virtual manner in order to achieve the interactions essential to the present application. This makes a low-cost production of prototypes and / or computer-based simulations possible in order to investigate the operating method of the device, to identify problems in a specific application and to find improvements. By means of the bearing cartridge 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 mechanically and electrically more operationally reliable through the transmission of the wind turbine, which can be easily and cost-effectively checked by means of the data aggregate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

[0033] Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of a wind power plant is shown,

[0034] Figure 2 a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of a bearing assembly for a wind power plant of Figure 1 and

[0035] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a bearing assembly for a wind turbine generator set. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figure 1 The wind turbine generator set 10 shown can be used to generate electrical energy from wind power. For this purpose, the wind turbine generator set 10 has a rotor 12 that is configured to rotate by wind power. The rotor 12 is connected to a drivetrain 14. For this purpose, the rotor 12 is connected to a rotor shaft 16, which is connected within the drivetrain 14 to a transmission 18 to convert the torque introduced via the rotor 12 and rotor shaft 16. The torque converted in the transmission 18 is fed via a motor shaft 19 to a motor that operates in generator mode and can be configured as a generator 20. The electrical energy generated by the motor can be fed to a rechargeable battery and / or the power grid. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the drivetrain 14 is fully housed in a nacelle 22 attached to the upper free end of a freestanding tower 24. The rotor 12, transmission 18, and generator 20 can be arranged coaxially relative to each other and can preferably extend at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. The pitch tube 26 can extend from the generator 20 through the transmission 18 to the rotor 12 so that wires can be routed to the rotor blade angle setting control device (pitch control device).

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the pitch tube 26 can be mounted in, for example, in or near the drive unit 18, in the generator-side and / or rotor-side bearing assembly 28. The bearing assembly 28 has a drive shaft 30, which can be, for example, a rotor shaft 16 serving as the input shaft of the drive unit or a motor shaft 19 serving as the output shaft of the drive unit. The drive shaft 30 is constructed as a hollow shaft from which the pitch tube 26 can protrude axially. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the drive shaft 30 particularly has a one-piece fastening flange 32 to which a bearing housing 36 is indirectly fastened by an insulating element 34, the bearing housing mounting the relatively rotatable pitch tube 26. Alternatively, the fastening flange 32 can be constructed from the pitch tube 26, and the bearing housing 36 can mount the drive shaft 30, which in this case is relatively rotatable. The bearing housing 36 has a first housing portion 38 and a second housing portion 40 connected to the first housing portion 38, with bearings 42, particularly anti-wear bearings, received between the first and second housing portions in a defined axial position. On one axial side, the first housing portion 38 can seal the bearing 42, particularly the bearing lubricated with a lubricant. In the exemplary embodiment shown, for this purpose, the sealing element configured as a radial axial sealing ring 44 constitutes a contact seal. On the other axial side of the bearing 42, the second housing portion 40 can constitute a non-contact gap seal with the pitch tube 26.

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

[0039] In the case of the embodiment of the bearing assembly 28 shown in Figure 3 , in contrast to the embodiment of the bearing assembly 28 shown in Figure 2 , the gap seal is configured on the axial side of the bearing 42 pointing away from the first housing part 38 by means of the insulation element 34 on the pitch tube 26. Furthermore, a third fastening element 50 can be seen, which connects the first housing part 38 to the second housing part 40. The third fastening element 50 can in particular be configured as a screw, which preferably interacts with an associated internal thread. The third fastening element 50 is in particular oriented in the axial direction. In particular, a plurality of third fastening elements 50 are provided, which are preferably uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and / or are arranged on a common radius. This is also the case in the embodiment of the bearing assembly 28 shown in Figure 3 , instead of which the fastening flange 32 can be configured by the pitch tube 26 and the bearing housing 36 can mount the transmission shaft 30, which in this case can be relatively rotatable.

Claims

1. A bearing assembly (28) for a variable pitch tube of a wind turbine generator (10), having: a drive shaft (30), a bearing cartridge (36) for mounting and sealing the variable pitch tube (26) relative to the drive shaft (30), a fastening flange (32) configured by the drive shaft (30) or the variable pitch tube (26) for fastening the bearing cartridge (36) in a rotationally fixed manner, and an insulation element (34) fastened to the fastening flange (32) via a first fastening element (46) and to the bearing cartridge (36) via a second fastening element (48) for electrically insulating the variable pitch tube (26) relative to the drive shaft (30).

2. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 1, wherein the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) and the bearing cartridge (36) are spaced apart to such an extent that the first fastening element (46) is electrically insulated relative to the variable pitch tube (26) by the insulation element (34); and the second fastening element (48) is electrically insulated relative to the drive shaft (30) by the insulation element (34).

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

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

5. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction in such a way that there is a non-overlapping offset between the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) when viewed in a radial direction.

6. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing cartridge (36) has a first cartridge portion (38) for supporting a bearing (42) in a first axial direction and a second cartridge portion (40) connected to the first cartridge portion (38) for supporting the bearing (42) in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, the first cartridge portion (38) having a seal and the insulation element (34) flatly bears at least against the second cartridge portion (40).

7. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 6, wherein the bearing is an anti-friction bearing.

8. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 6, wherein the seal is a radial shaft seal ring, a gap seal and / or a labyrinth seal. ​ ​ ​ ​ 9. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the insulating element (34) constitutes a contactless seal with respect to a housing surface that is rotatable relative to the bearing cartridge (36).

10. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 9, wherein the contactless seal is a gap seal or a labyrinth seal.

11. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 9, wherein the insulating element (34) seals an axial side of a bearing (42) of the bearing cartridge (36).

12. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing cartridge (36) is configured to support radial forces between the variable pitch tube (26) and the transmission shaft (30).

13. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) are oriented in the axial direction, the first fastening element (46) and the second fastening element (48) being completely covered by the variable pitch tube (26) and / or by the transmission shaft (30) when viewed in the radial direction.

14. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 1 or 2, wherein a bearing (42) of the bearing cartridge (36) is lubricated with grease and / or lubricating oil.

15. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the variable pitch tube (26), the bearing cartridge (36), the fastening flange (32) and the transmission shaft (30) are made of an electrically conductive material.

16. The bearing assembly (28) of claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive material is steel.

17. A drive train (14) for a wind turbine generator (10) having a rotor shaft (16) connectable to a wind driven rotor (12), a machine shaft (19) of an electric power machine operable in a generator mode, a transmission (18) connecting the rotor shaft (16) to the machine shaft (19) in a torque transmitting manner for torque and rotational speed conversion, and a variable pitch tube (26) axially passing through the transmission (18), wherein the variable pitch tube (26) is mounted in the transmission (18) in an electrically insulated manner by at least one bearing assembly (28) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A wind turbine generator (10) for generating electric power from wind energy, having a rotor (12) for providing torque from wind energy, a transmission (18) coupled to the rotor (12) for converting the torque, and a generator (20) for generating electric power from the torque introduced by the transmission (18), wherein the rotor (12), the transmission (18) and the generator (20) are arranged coaxially relative to each other, and a variable pitch tube (26) passes from the generator (20) through the transmission (18) up to the rotor (12), the variable pitch tube (26) being mounted in the transmission (18) in an electrically insulated manner by at least one bearing assembly (28) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A data aggregate having data packets combined in a common file or distributed over different files for modeling a three-dimensional design and / or interaction of all components arranged in a bearing assembly (28) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the data packets are prepared during processing by a data processing device to perform additive manufacturing of 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 stored in the data packets about design, material properties and physical interactions.

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