Reliable pitch tube for blade pitch control system of wind turbine

Abstract

The invention relates to a pitch tube (26) for a blade pitch control system of a wind turbine (10), provided with a tube body (28) extending from a first axial end to a second axial end for passing a supply line through a gearbox (18), the tube body (28) being made of a non-conductor material at least in an axial partial region, the first axial end is electrically insulated from the second axial end and / or the tube body (28) is electrically insulated from the gearbox (18). The pitch tube (26) itself is electrically insulated due to the non-conductor material of the tube body (28), which allows the pitch tube (26) to pass through the gearbox (18) of the wind turbine (18) in a cost-effective and simple manner while ensuring electrical operational safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a pitch tube which can be used to lead supply lines to a blade pitch control system of a wind turbine. The invention also relates to a transmission having such a pitch tube, a drive train having such a pitch tube, a wind turbine having such a pitch tube, and a data set for virtually representing such a pitch tube for the purpose of additive manufacturing and / or simulation. Background Art

[0002] In order to be able to pitch control the blades in a wind turbine, electrical and / or hydraulic supply lines are required which extend between the rotor and the generator-side connection. A tube known as a pitch tube, which can extend from the generator to the rotor, is used to accommodate these supply lines. In particular, the rotor and the generator are arranged coaxially with each other so that the pitch tube passes through the entire axial extent of a transmission connected between the rotor and the generator, in particular coaxially with the transmission.

[0003] From EP 3 795 825 A1 it is known to fix a pitch tube to a planet carrier of a planetary transmission of a wind turbine via fixing means made of an electrical insulator, which fixing means are fastened to both the pitch tube and the planet carrier.

[0004] From EP 3 795 862 A1 it is known to fasten a pitch tube in a transmission of a wind turbine by means of a fastening device, wherein an electrically insulating insulating layer is arranged between the fastening device and the pitch tube.

[0005] From EP 3 094 861 B1 it is known to produce a pitch tube for a wind turbine from plastic.

[0006] From DE 10 2016 202 735 A1, it is known to design the pitch tube of a wind turbine to be divisible in order to simplify the installation of the pitch tube. The entire pitch tube can be composed of an insulator.

[0007] There is a constant need to make the passage of the pitch tube through the drive of a wind turbine as operationally reliable and cost-effective as possible. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to propose measures which enable the passage of the pitch tube through the transmission of a wind turbine to be more operationally reliable and more economical and efficient.

[0009] This object is achieved by a pitch tube having the features of claim 1, a transmission having the features of claim 13 and a data aggregate having the features of claim 15. Preferred developments are specified in the dependent claims and in the following description and can each represent an aspect of the invention alone or in combination. If a feature is presented in combination with another feature, this serves only to simplify the description of the invention and does not in any way mean that the feature cannot also be a development of the invention without the other feature.

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a pitch tube for a blade pitch control system of a wind turbine, the pitch tube having a tube body extending from a first axial end to a second axial end, the pitch tube being used to pass a supply line through a transmission device, wherein the tube body is constructed in multiple parts, wherein the tube body is made of non-conductive material only in an axial part area to electrically insulate the first axial end relative to the second axial end and / or to electrically insulate the tube body relative to the transmission device.

[0011] By means of the non-conductive material of the tube body acting as an electrical insulator, a sufficiently effective dielectric is provided so that voltage flashovers can be safely avoided during normal operation of the wind turbine even at the narrowest points between the conductive parts of the tube body and / or between the tube body and the transmission. The currents of the generator induced in the pitch tube by the generator and / or stray currents or leakage currents can at most reach an area before the partial area generated by the non-conductive material. Therefore, the non-conductive material is positioned so that within the tube body the area affected by the voltage and / or current outside and / or inside the tube can be kept in an area where voltage flashovers entering the transmission parts of the transmission can be safely avoided. Damage and / or damage to the transmission parts caused by voltage flashovers caused by the pitch tube can therefore be avoided or at least reduced.

[0012] Since the pitch tube itself provides electrical insulation, it is possible to avoid taking electrical insulation measures on the transmission components and / or connecting elements, which form a rigid or relatively movable connection between the pitch tube and the transmission. In particular, the electrical insulation can be provided in the pitch tube as a separate preassembled construction unit, so that the installation of the pitch tube in the transmission becomes simple and cost-effective. For example, multi-part connecting elements, which are intended to provide electrical insulation in the transmission at locations that are usually difficult to access, can be avoided. As a result, the pitch tube can be installed in the drive train of the wind turbine with high reliability and quickly, which is particularly advantageous in wind turbines that are set up for offshore use, because the installation and maintenance times depend to a large extent on suitable weather conditions and therefore usually only a short time window is available. In addition, the electrical insulation in the pitch tube can be provided at an earlier position in the current-carrying path between the generator and the transmission than the connecting elements engaged on the pitch tube and the transmission. This makes it possible to provide electrical insulation between the generator and the transmission even outside the transmission housing of the transmission, so that no voltage and / or current can enter the interior of the transmission in the transmission housing at all. By means of the non-conductive material of the tube body, the pitch tube itself is designed to be electrically insulating and thus an electrically operationally reliable passage of the pitch tube through the transmission of the wind turbine can be made cost-effective and simple.

[0013] Since the non-conductive material is only provided in the axial partial region, the production of the entire pitch tube from non-conductive material is avoided. This makes it possible to use only the usually more expensive non-conductive material very sparingly compared to materials that are usually used for pitch tubes but are electrically conductive. In particular, since the non-conductive material serves as a dielectric between the electrically conductive other regions, it is sufficient to provide the electrically insulating axial partial region with the same non-conductive material as is specifically required for the electrical insulation. A large part of the body of the pitch tube can be made of a cost-effective electrically conductive material. As a result, the production costs can be kept low.

[0014] The pitch tube has an axial extension sufficient to bridge the distance between the generator and the wind-driven rotor in the wind turbine. Preferably, the pitch tube can penetrate not only the transmission, but also the generator over the entire axial extension. The associated wind turbine can be constructed for industrial power generation and is usually dimensioned to be particularly for a nominal output of at least 2MW, preferably at least 5MW and particularly preferably at least 15MW, and is particularly designed for offshore operation, which means corresponding proportions of the components of the wind turbine and the pitch tube and the pipe body of the pitch tube. In this case, a transmission preferably having two or more planetary stages connected in series in the axial direction is arranged axially between the generator and the wind-driven rotor. The pitch tube can penetrate the transmission and therefore has a larger axial extension than the transmission housing of the transmission provided for the wind turbine. At the same time, the pitch tube, which is particularly constructed in the form of a hollow shaft, has a sufficiently large opening cross section so that it can accommodate power and / or hydraulic supply lines from the generator to the rotor, which are arranged for operating the blade pitch control and in particular can provide power supply or hydraulic actuation force and / or can transmit sensor signals. Here, the pitch tube has such a wall thickness in the radial direction that at this wall thickness, the static loads of the pitch tube and the power and / or hydraulic supply lines can be borne. The maximum outer diameter of the pitch tube in the transmission is preferably selected to be as small as possible so as not to unnecessarily block the construction space in the transmission. The pitch tube provided for a wind turbine typically has a length L of 2.0m≤L≤6.0m, in particular 2.5m≤L≤5.0m, preferably 3.0m≤L≤4.5m. The pitch tube provided for a wind turbine typically has an outer diameter D of 12cm≤D≤50cm, in particular 14cm≤D≤30cm, preferably 15cm≤D≤20cm. The pitch tube provided for a wind turbine typically has an inner diameter D of 10cm≤D≤45cm, in particular 12cm≤D≤26cm, preferably 13cm≤D≤16cm. Furthermore, the pitch tube has at the first axial end and at the second axial end suitable coupling technology, in particular coupling technology specially designed in this respect, for coupling the pitch tube to the generator or the rotor.

[0015] The multi-part pipe body of the pitch tube can, for example, have a plurality of pipes, which are formed independently of each other and each of which can define a radially inner internal space for electrical and / or hydraulic supply lines leading to the blade pitch control system and can be connected continuously in the axial direction. Preferably, the electrical insulator is only arranged in a precise partial area of ​​the axial range of the pipe body, and therefore, other partial areas of the axial range of the pipe body that are different from this partial area can be made of conductive materials, such as steel, without any problem. The pipe body can optionally be formed into two or more layers in the radial direction over its entire axial range or only in at least one axial partial area. For example, an outer tube made of an electrical insulator can be attached to the outside of the inner tube of the pipe body, wherein the inner tube is made of a conductive material. For example, a hose made of an electrical insulator can be contracted to the circumferential surface of the inner tube facing radially outward. In the installed state, the first axial end of the pipe body can face the generator and protrude from the transmission device or protrude from the transmission housing of the transmission device. In the installed state, the second axial end of the pipe body can face the wind turbine rotor and protrude from the transmission device or protrude from the transmission housing of the transmission device.

[0016] The non-conductive material of the axial region may be made of an electrically non-conductive material, such as a polymer electrical insulator, such as a thermoplastic. In particular, the electrical conductivity of the non-conductive material is less than 10 -8 S / cm or resistivity greater than 10 8 Ωcm. As a result, currents induced by the generator in the pitch tube and / or stray currents or leakage currents cannot enter the transmission and cause damage there. The non-conductive material can be made of a relatively hard dielectric insulating material. This allows the forces generated to be absorbed via the non-conductive material. The non-conductive material can interrupt the electrical lines in the tube body in the axial direction and / or in the radial direction, thereby preventing and / or shielding charges from entering the transmission.

[0017] The axial partial area of ​​the multi-part pipe body made of non-conductive material can be configured as a pipe, which provides electrical insulation in the axial and / or radial direction. In order to achieve electrical insulation in the axial direction, the axial partial area made of non-conductive material can be attached to the pipe made of conductive material in the axial direction, and the axial partial area made of non-conductive material is preferably axially arranged between two pipes made of conductive material to use the non-conductive partial area as a dielectric to electrically insulate the conductive pipes from each other. In order to achieve electrical insulation in the radial direction, the axial partial area made of non-conductive material can be configured as a pipe, which can be attached to the pipe made of different conductive materials in the pitch tube, in particular, so as to provide electrical insulation relative to the bearing and / or seal as a dielectric. The pipe made of non-conductive material and providing an axial partial area made of non-conductive material can have a significant axial and / or radial range so that it can absorb the mechanical loads that occur precisely in the manner of at least one other conductive pipe. Therefore, the axial partial area made of non-conductive material can be constructed not only as electrically insulating, but also as a load dissipation.

[0018] In particular, the tube body has an insulating tube made of a non-conductive material and, radially outside the insulating tube, a sleeve made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, for providing a bearing surface and / or a contact or non-contact sealing surface relative to the transmission. If the non-conductive material has an unfavorable material pairing with a transmission component that is movable relative to it, a sleeve surface that is more suitable for supporting and / or sealing the transmission component that is movable relative to the non-conductive material can be provided. This ensures that the non-conductive material provided for electrical insulation does not interfere with the support and / or sealing of the pitch tube within the transmission. To this end, the material thickness of the insulating tube can be appropriately selected, at least in the axial region occupied together with the sleeve, in order to reliably prevent voltage flashovers to the sleeve.

[0019] Preferably, the tube body has an inner tube made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, and an insulating sleeve made of a non-conductive material on the radially outer side of the inner tube for providing a bearing surface and / or a contact or non-contact sealing surface relative to the transmission. If the non-conductive material provides a sufficiently advantageous material pairing with the transmission component that can be moved relative to it, this function can provide electrical insulation and the function of providing a bearing and / or sealing with respect to the transmission component that can be moved relative to the non-conductive material can be combined in the insulating sleeve and thus constitute a single component. This makes use of the finding that the narrowest point between the transmission component and the inner tube is usually formed in the region of the bearing and / or the seal, so that, in order to achieve sufficient electrical insulation, it is sufficient to provide the electrically insulating non-conductive material and the insulating sleeve designed for this purpose only in the partial region in which the bearing and / or the seal of the pitch tube are arranged in the transmission. Outside this partial region, a sufficiently large air gap can be formed between the inner tube and the transmission component, which provides sufficient electrical insulation even without the use of non-conductive material. The material thickness of the non-conductive material of the insulating sleeve can be appropriately selected to reliably prevent voltage flashovers between the inner tube and the transmission component through the insulating sleeve. In addition, the axial extent of the non-conductive material of the insulating sleeve can be appropriately selected to reliably prevent voltage flashovers between the inner tube and the transmission component axially through the insulating sleeve.

[0020] Different electrical insulation concepts can be provided in different axial sub-regions. For example, sleeves or insulating sleeves can be arranged at different bearing points between the pitch tube and the transmission and / or at different sealing points between the pitch tube and the transmission, in particular depending on the prevailing boundary conditions. In particular, currents that otherwise occur between the tube and the transmission in the radial direction can be interrupted by means of the sleeves or insulating sleeves.

[0021] Particularly preferably, the pipe body has an insulating pipe made of a non-conductive material and an inner pipe made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, wherein the insulating pipe and the inner pipe are continuously connected to each other in the axial direction. The insulating pipe can thereby interrupt the current that otherwise occurs in the pipe body in the axial direction, so that even if the inner pipe is arranged in the direction of the wind turbine rotor, the current flowing into the transmission device does not occur. Even in the case of metal / metal contact between the pitch tube and the transmission device, the insulating pipe arranged close to the generator can reliably prevent the current from flowing into the transmission device.

[0022] In particular, the insulating tube is arranged between the two inner tubes in the axial direction. This can minimize the amount of material in the non-conductive material, which can reduce manufacturing costs while providing sufficient electrical insulation. In particular, the pitch tube can be coupled to the generator and the pitch tube can be coupled to the wind driven rotor via the preferably metallic inner tube, and the insulating tube can be provided spaced apart from both the first axial end of the tube body and the second axial end of the tube body.

[0023] Preferably, the insulating tube and the inner tube are connected to each other via a flange connection and are thus fixed against movement. The flange connection can be realized in particular by means of axially aligning connecting means, such as screws, which are easily accessible by tools via the annular space formed between the pitch tube and the transmission. This simplifies installation. Furthermore, a fixed connection between the insulating tube and the inner tube can be easily realized, in which a relative movement is not possible.

[0024] Particularly preferably, the insulating tube and the inner tube are connected to one another in an axially fixed manner. The axial fixing forms an anti-loosening fixing device that acts in the axial direction, so that disintegration of the tube body can be reliably avoided in the event of tensile forces acting in the axial direction. Particularly preferably, the axial fixing device is designed to be releasable and thus simplifies disassembly for maintenance purposes.

[0025] In particular, the insulating tube and the inner tube are inserted into one another in the axial connection region. In this case, the axial section of the insulating tube can surround the axial section of the inner tube radially on the outside or vice versa. Furthermore, an axial stop can be formed which limits the insertion depth in a defined manner and achieves a predetermined axial range of the tube body. Furthermore, installation is simple and fast.

[0026] Preferably, at least one axial fixing element is provided for axial fixing, in particular a radially extending connection device in the connection area and / or a fixing ring and / or a slot nut outside the connection area. The axial fixing element can prevent an axial relative movement of the insulating tube relative to the inner tube in the axial direction or in both axial directions and prevent an axial movement away. Thus, an axial disassembly of the parts inserted into one another can be avoided by force fit and / or form fit. In addition or alternatively, the axial fixing can be provided by material bonding, for example using an adhesive layer.

[0027] Particularly preferably, a sleeve made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, is provided in the connection region for providing a bearing surface and / or a contact or non-contact sealing surface relative to the transmission and / or an insulating sleeve made of a non-conductive material for providing a bearing surface and / or a contact or non-contact sealing surface relative to the transmission. The sleeve or insulating sleeve attached to the connection region can compress those parts of the insulating tube and the inner tube which overlap each other in the radial direction in the connection region and improve the assembly. The sleeve and / or insulating sleeve can thereby additionally fulfil the function of connecting the insulating tube and the inner tube to each other in a form-fitting manner.

[0028] In particular, a clamping ring is provided in the connection region for pressing the insulating tube and the inner tube together and thereby securing them against movement. The clamping ring provided in the connection region and designed, for example, in the form of a hose clamp can compress the sections of the insulating tube and the inner tube which overlap one another in the connection region in the radial direction and improve assembly. Preferably, the clamping ring can be released again and thus simplifies disassembly of the tube body for maintenance purposes.

[0029] Preferably, the axial subregion made of non-conductive material is configured as a load-dissipating pipe for a multi-part pipe body. A pipe made of non-conductive material and providing an axial subregion made of non-conductive material can have a significant axial and / or radial extent in order to be able to absorb occurring mechanical loads in exactly the same way as at least one other electrically conductive pipe. Thus, the axial subregion made of non-conductive material can be configured not only to be electrically insulating, but also to dissipate loads.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to a transmission for a wind turbine, wherein the transmission has a pitch tube which can be designed and developed as described above, wherein, in particular, a first axial end of the tube body, which is located on the generator-side axial side of a transmission housing of the transmission, and / or a second axial end of the tube body, which is located on the rotor-side axial side of the transmission housing facing away from the generator-side axial side, protrudes from the transmission housing. The transmission can in particular be designed and developed as described above. By means of the non-conductive material of the tube body, the pitch tube itself is designed to be electrically insulating and can therefore be passed through the transmission of the wind turbine in a cost-effective and simple manner so that it is electrically and reliably operable.

[0031] Preferably, the pitch tube is mounted and / or guided in the transmission and / or the transmission housing so as to be rotatable relative to the transmission and / or the transmission housing and axially movable relative to the transmission / transmission housing. This saves the need for anti-torsion fixing with the transmission components of the transmission. For example, the pitch tube can be connected to a portion of the generator at a first axial end to rotate with it, while the pitch tube is connected to the rotor at a second axial end to be rotatable relative to the rotor. However, the pitch tube can also be connected to a portion of the rotor at the second axial end to rotate with it, while the pitch tube is connected to the generator at the first axial end to be rotatable relative to the rotor. In principle, the pitch tube can also be designed to be non-rotatable, in particular non-movable. In particular, for installation, 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 positioned in an axially defined manner in the final installation position, in which the pitch tube fixed in the circumferential direction is connected to the rotor and the generator of the wind turbine. For example, the pitch tube can be fastened to the generator housing of the generator to rotate with it, thereby eliminating the need for bearings relative to the rotor of the generator. The non-rotatable pitch tube simplifies the routing of the cables through the transmission in the pitch tube and is particularly reliable in operation.

[0032] 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 an electric machine operable in generator mode, a transmission for converting torque and rotational speed, which connects the rotor shaft torque-transmittingly to the motor shaft and which can be designed and developed as described above, and a pitch tube penetrating the transmission in the axial direction and which can be designed and developed as described above. The drive train can be designed and developed in particular as described above. By means of the non-conductive material of the tube body, the pitch tube itself is designed to be electrically insulating and can therefore be passed through the drive of the wind turbine reliably in an economical and simple way to make the pitch tube electrically operable.

[0033] Another aspect of the invention relates to a wind turbine for generating electrical energy from wind energy, having a rotor for providing torque from wind energy, a transmission device connected to the rotor and designed and developed as described above for converting torque, and a generator for generating electrical energy from the torque introduced by the transmission device, wherein the rotor, the transmission device and the generator are arranged coaxially with each other; and the pitch tube that can be designed and developed as described above leads from the generator through the transmission device to the rotor. The wind turbine can be designed and developed in particular as described above. By means of the non-conductive material of the tube body, the pitch tube itself is designed to be electrically insulating, and it is therefore possible to cost-effectively and simply pass the pitch tube through the transmission device of the wind turbine in an electrically reliable manner.

[0034] One aspect further relates to a data aggregate having data packages combined in a common file or distributed across different files for representing the three-dimensional design and / or interaction of all components provided in a pitch tube, which pitch tube can be designed and developed as described above, wherein the data packages are prepared when processed by a data processing device for operating a machine tool for an additive manufacturing device to perform additive manufacturing of components of the pitch tube, in particular by 3D printing, and / or when processed by a data processing device for performing technical simulations to perform functional simulations of the pitch tube and thus output simulation results generated in the process for further use, in particular for providing fatigue strength verification according to variable loads and / or variable temperature loads and optionally comparing them with measurement data determined on a device actually produced according to the invention and / or on a prototype of the device according to the invention. The data packages of the data aggregate are particularly suitable for the construction according to the invention of the corresponding above-mentioned device according to the invention so as to be able to fully represent the interaction according to the invention of the components of the device according to the invention during processing in the data processing device. The data packets can be stored in particular in a spatially distributed manner, but can be adapted to one another in such a way that, when all data packets are brought together in a common data processing device, the data aggregate thus assembled provides all the data required for additive manufacturing and / or for the technical simulation of the device according to the invention by means of the data processing device. For example, the data packets are individually separate parts of a database, which are combined to form a data aggregate and are adapted to one another with respect to dimensions relative to one another and / or absolute dimensions and / or material properties corresponding to the corresponding device according to the invention. The data aggregate can represent a virtual embodiment of the corresponding device according to the invention in the manner of a so-called "digital twin", which allows a virtual investigation in the form of a simulation or a real objectification by means of an additive manufacturing process. Such a digital twin is shown, for example, in US 2017 / 286572A1, the disclosure of which is hereby made part of the present invention.

[0035] When a data processing device of a machine tool processes a data aggregate, the device according to the invention is manufactured so that after processing the data aggregate in the data processing device, a device according to the invention is obtained, at least in the form of a prototype. In particular, the data packets can in each case represent the components of the individual implementations of the respective relevant devices according to the invention, and the respective components can therefore easily be assembled in their relative positions and / or relative movability, actually and / or virtually, to achieve the interaction that is essential to the invention. In particular, the different components of the respective devices can be generated individually and optionally in different materials by additive manufacturing with the help of the respective data packets and then assembled to form a prototype of the respective device. The division of the data of the data aggregate into different data packets thus makes it possible to sequentially additively manufacture the components mentioned in the device in the form of partial kits, which can be moved relative to each other, which are prepared for the interaction according to the invention of the components of the prototype to be assembled only on an emergency basis in order to solve the problem on which the invention is based.

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, during a technical simulation, using data packages of a data aggregate in a virtual environment, it is possible to calculate and / or predict the changes in the individual components of the respective device and their interactions, physical states and / or physical parameters over time according to different boundary conditions of the relevant device according to the invention and / or to continue using them to check whether the device according to the invention is sufficiently suitable for the intended use based on the assumed configuration and taking into account the assumed simulated influences. When the data aggregate is processed by a data processing device representing the simulated environment, it is possible to study the behavior of the device according to the invention, in particular taking into account the changing boundary conditions. This makes it possible, for example, to study the influence of centrifugal forces on the individual components of the device according to the invention according to different static and / or dynamic loads and / or different operating temperatures, wherein such simulation results can be incorporated into the creation of fatigue strength verification. Preferably, the simulation results obtained after processing the data aggregate in the data processing device for the simulated environment are stored in order to compare them with measurement data determined on the device actually produced according to the invention and / or on a prototype of the device according to the invention. This makes it possible to evaluate the quality of the simulation results obtained with the help of the data aggregate and / or, in particular in the case of particularly large deviations, to identify measurement errors and / or erroneous measurements. Thus, the non-destructive quality control of the device according to the invention is simplified and improved.

[0037] Data aggregates enable the cost-effective production of prototypes and / or computer-based simulations to study the functioning of rotating bodies and / or holding tools, identify problems in specific applications and find ways to improve them. Using data aggregates, solutions to the problems on which the invention is based can be easily and cost-effectively examined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] These and other aspects of the present invention will also be clarified and made clear with reference to the embodiments described below. Each feature disclosed in the embodiments may constitute an aspect of the present invention alone or in combination. In the accompanying drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 : shows a schematic perspective view of a wind turbine,

[0040] Figure 2 : Shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a wind turbine in FIG.

[0041] Figure 3 : Shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a pitch tube of a wind turbine in FIG.

[0042] Figure 4 : Shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a pitch tube of a wind turbine in FIG.

[0043] Figure 5 : Shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a pitch tube of a wind turbine in FIG. 1 , and

[0044] Figure 6 : Shows Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a pitch tube of a wind turbine in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1 The wind turbine 10 shown in can be used to generate electric energy from wind power. For this purpose, the wind turbine 10 has a rotor 12, which can be rotated by wind power supply. The rotor 12 is connected to a transmission system 14. For this purpose, the rotor 12 is connected to a rotor shaft 16, which is connected to a transmission device 18 in the transmission system 14 to convert the torque introduced via the rotor 12 and the rotor shaft 16. The torque converted in the transmission device 18 is supplied to an electric machine that operates in a generator mode and can form a generator 20 via a motor shaft 19. The electric energy generated by the electric machine can be supplied to a rechargeable battery and / or a power grid. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the transmission system 14 is completely contained in a cabin 22, which is attached to the upper free end of a fixed tower 24. The rotor 12, the transmission device 18 and the generator 20 can be coaxially arranged with each other and can preferably extend at a certain angle to the horizontal.

[0046] like Figure 2As shown, the pitch tube 26 can extend through the generator 20 and the transmission 18 to the rotor 12 to be able to route electrical and / or hydraulic supply lines to the rotor's blade pitch control system. The pitch tube 2 can be mounted and / or sealed on the rotor shaft 16 and the motor shaft 19 so as to be rotatable relative to the rotor shaft and the motor shaft. In one embodiment, the tube body 28, in particular a one-piece body, can be made entirely of a non-conductive material and can be supported and sealed by a metal sleeve 30 pressed onto the tube body 28. In another embodiment, the tube body 28, in particular a one-piece body, can be made of a conductive material, such as steel, and in order to electrically insulate the transmission 18 relative to the tube body 28, an insulating sleeve 32 made of a non-conductive material can be pressed onto the tube body 28, and in addition to electrical insulation, the insulating sleeve can also support the support and / or sealing of the pitch tube 26.

[0047] The rotor shaft 16 can be connected to a rotor 34 for rotation therewith, which electromagnetically interacts with a stator 36 to form an electric machine of a generator 20. The generator 20 can be directly adjacent to a transmission housing 38 of the transmission 18, so that the material of the transmission housing 38 can also enclose the axial side of the generator 20 facing the transmission 18. The rotor shaft 19, which can be connected to the rotor 12, is an input shaft of the transmission 18, wherein, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the transmission has a first planetary stage 40 and a second planetary stage 42 that are consecutive in the axial direction.

[0048] like Figure 3As shown, the pipe body 28 of the pitch tube 26 can also be made of multiple parts and made into a composite of different materials. The pipe body 28 can have a metal inner pipe 44 and an insulating pipe 46 made of a non-conductive material, which are continuously arranged in the axial direction and connected to each other. The insulating pipe 46 provides an electrically insulating axial partial area of ​​the pipe body 28, which prevents the transmission of the voltage and current induced in the generator 20. Here, for example, the inner pipe 44 can be inserted into the insulating pipe 46 or vice versa. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a metal sleeve 30 can be provided in the axial connection area 48 where the part of the inner pipe 44 and the part of the insulating pipe 46 are continuously arranged in the radial direction, and the metal sleeve forms a bearing surface 50 and / or a sealing surface 52 on its radial outer shell surface. The sleeve 30 can be axially fixed, for example, by a fixing ring 56 inserted into the insulating pipe 46. Preferably, the inner pipe 44 and the insulating pipe 46 are axially connected to each other in a non-loose manner by a radially extending connecting device 54, in particular a pin. In particular, at least one connecting device 54 is radially covered by the sleeve 30 on the outside. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the insulating tube 46 is arranged on the axial side facing the generator 20, while the inner tube 44 is arranged on the axial side facing the rotor 12, wherein the reverse arrangement may also be adopted. This allows even a conductive path to be formed between the inner tube 44 and the sleeve 30 through the connecting device 54, because the axial extension of the insulating tube 46 is of a size sufficient to provide electrical insulation between the generator 20 and the sleeve 30. Therefore, direct contact of the sleeve 30 with the connecting device 54 contacting the inner tube 44 can be allowed, thereby simplifying production and installation. In particular, the sleeve 30 can be replaced by a clamping ring, so that when the clamping ring is tightened, the clamping ring can drive the connecting device 54 inwardly in the radial direction into the inner tube 44 to pin the insulating tube 46 to the inner tube 44.

[0049] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown, Figure 3 Compared to the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown, only a plug-in connection is provided between the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 in the connection region 48. The connection between the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 can be realized by force fit (e.g., by a pressure fit between the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 in the connection region), and / or material bonding (e.g., by an adhesive layer between the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 in the connection region), and / or form fit (e.g., as a latching connection).

[0050] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown, Figure 3Compared to the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown, the insulating tube 46 is arranged in the axial direction between two inner tubes 44 which are inserted in a mirror image of each other. In this case, a common, in particular insulating, sleeve 30 can be provided to cover all connection devices 54 or separate sleeves 30 can be provided in each case, which can be arranged directly in succession in the axial direction. In the exemplary embodiment shown, one sleeve 30 can form the bearing surface 50, while the other sleeve forms the sealing surface 52, so that different surface qualities can thus be easily and cost-effectively provided and optimized for the respective purpose.

[0051] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown, Figure 5 Compared to the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown, the insulating tube 46 is connected to the inner tube 44 via a flange connection 58. In this case, the respective flange connections 58 are arranged on different radii so that the material of the insulating tube 46 can provide sufficient electrical insulation between the fastening means of the respective flange connections 58.

Claims

1. A pitch tube (26) for a blade pitch control system of a wind turbine (10), comprising: a tubular body (28) extending from a first axial end to a second axial end for passing a supply line through the transmission device (18), Features The tube body (28) is composed of multiple parts: The tube body (28) is made of a non-conductive material only in a partial axial region to electrically insulate the first axial end from the second axial end and / or to electrically insulate the tube body (28) from the transmission device (18).

2. The pitch tube (26) according to claim 1, wherein: The tubular body (28) has an insulating tube (46) made of a non-conductive material and, radially outside the insulating tube (46), a sleeve (30) made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, for providing a bearing surface (50) and / or a contact or non-contact sealing surface (52) relative to the transmission device (18).

3. The pitch tube (26) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The tube body (28) has an inner tube (44) made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, and has an insulating sleeve (32) made of a non-conductive material on the radial outside of the inner tube (44) for providing a bearing surface (50) and / or a contact or non-contact sealing surface (52) relative to the transmission device (18).

4. The pitch tube (26) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The tube body (28) comprises an insulating tube (46) made of the non-conductive material and an inner tube (44) made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, wherein the insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) are continuously connected to each other in the axial direction.

5. The pitch tube (26) according to claim 4, wherein: The insulating tube (46) is arranged between the two inner tubes (44) along the axial direction.

6. The pitch tube (26) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) are connected to each other via a flange connection (58) to be fixed to prevent movement.

7. The pitch tube (26) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) are connected to each other to be axially fixed.

8. The pitch tube (26) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: The insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) are inserted into one another in an axial connecting region (48).

9. The pitch tube (26) according to claim 8, wherein: At least one axial fixing element is provided for axial fixing, in particular a radially extending connecting device (54) in the connecting area (48) and / or a fixing ring (56) and / or a slot nut outside the connecting area (48).

10. The pitch tube (26) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: In the connection region (48), a sleeve (30) made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, is provided for providing a bearing surface (50) and / or a contact or non-contact sealing surface (52) relative to the transmission device (18); and / or an insulating sleeve (32) made of a non-conductive material for providing a bearing surface (50) and / or a contact or non-contact sealing surface (52) relative to the transmission device (18).

11. The pitch tube (26) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: A clamping ring is provided in the connection area (48) for pressing the insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) together to fix them against movement.

12. The pitch tube (26) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The axial partial region made of non-conductive material is configured as a load dissipating pipe for a multi-part pipe body (28).

13. A transmission device (18) for a wind turbine, wherein: The transmission (18) has a pitch tube (26) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, in particular, the first axial end of the tube body (28) located on the generator-side axial side of a transmission housing (38) of the transmission (18) and / or the second axial end of the tube body (28) located on the rotor-side axial side of the transmission housing (38) facing away from the generator-side axial side protrude from the transmission housing (38).

14. The transmission device (18) according to claim 13, wherein: The pitch tube (26) is mounted and / or guided in the transmission device (18) so as to be relatively rotatable and relatively axially displaceable.

15. A data aggregate having data packages combined in a common file or distributed across different files for representing the three-dimensional design and / or interaction of all components provided in a pitch tube (26) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The data packet is prepared as follows: When processed by a data processing device for operating a machine tool for additive manufacturing of a device, preparation is made for additive manufacturing of components of the pitch tube (26), in particular by 3D printing, and / or When processed by a data processing device for technical simulation, preparation is made to simulate the operation of the pitch tube (26) and thereby output the simulation results generated in the process for further use, in particular to provide fatigue strength verification according to variable loads and / or variable temperature loads.

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