Rotor of assembled generator

Abstract

There is described a method of assembling a substantially cylindrical symmetric rotor housing (101) and a substantially circular reinforcing ring (102) of an electric permanent magnet generator, in particular a wind turbine, the method comprising: using an assembly device (103) comprising a retaining ring (104) and a plurality, in particular at least four contact levers (105a, b, c, d), the contact levers have contact surfaces (106a, b, c, d) at respective longitudinal ends, which contact surfaces are adjustable with respect to their positions; a plurality of rotor housing positions (107a, b, c, d) contacting an outer surface (108) of the rotor housing (101) by contact surfaces (106a, b, c, d); applying a force (F) to the rotor housing position (107a, b, c, d) via the at least one contact surface (106a, b, c, d) in order to adjust the actual shape of the rotor housing (101) in order to achieve a target shape of the rotor housing (101); a reinforcing ring (102) is mounted to the rotor housing (101) at the first axial end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assembling a rotor housing and a reinforcement ring for an electro-permanent magnet generator and a corresponding system. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for assembling a generator. Background Art

[0002] Generators in power plants, particularly wind turbines, are becoming increasingly larger. Assembling the rotor, or generators in general, is becoming increasingly difficult due to the large size of the components and the heavy weight of the generators. The diameter of the rotor housing increases with each new generation of wind turbines. As a result, the rotor housing's shape increasingly deviates from the target shape, and accurate shape control is no longer possible. Due to its larger size, the rotor housing can become increasingly flexible. This presents particular challenges when installing or attempting to install brake discs. The same applies when inserting multiple permanent magnets into the rotor.

[0003] Therefore, conventionally, guide pins and a large force are used to connect the brake disc to the rotor housing.

[0004] For magnet insertion, some shims may have been used, ie plastic support structures that are inserted into the rails before inserting the stator into the rotor housing and / or magnets.

[0005] However, conventional methods are either unreliable or do not produce reproducible results.

[0006] Therefore, there may be a need for a method and a corresponding system for assembling a rotor housing and a reinforcement ring (particularly a brake disc), wherein installation is simplified and better conformity of the assembly to a target shape or geometry is ensured. Furthermore, there may be a need for a corresponding method for assembling an entire generator, wherein the assembly process can also be simplified and / or improved with respect to the final shape of the generator (including the desired size of the air gap between the stator and the rotor). Summary of the Invention

[0007] This need is met by the subject matter according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described by the dependent claims.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for assembling a substantially cylindrical, symmetrical rotor shell and a substantially circular reinforcement ring of an electro-permanent magnet generator, in particular a wind turbine, is provided, the method comprising: using an assembly device comprising a retaining ring and a plurality of, in particular at least four, contact rods having contact surfaces at respective longitudinal ends, the contact surfaces being adjustable with respect to their (e.g., radial) position; contacting a plurality of rotor shell positions at the outer surface of the rotor shell via the contact surfaces; applying a force to the rotor shell positions via at least one contact surface so as to adjust the actual shape of the rotor shell so as to achieve a target shape of the rotor shell; and mounting the reinforcement ring to the rotor shell at a first axial end.

[0009] The permanent magnet generator may be a synchronous permanent magnet generator that provides, for example, multi-phase (such as three-phase) AC power.

[0010] The rotor housing may have a substantially cylindrical, symmetrical shape. For example, the rotor housing may have a diameter between 5 and 15 m. On its inner surface, the rotor housing may include multiple tracks or traces for inserting multiple permanent magnets in the axial direction. The tracks may be spaced apart circumferentially.

[0011] The reinforcement ring can be configured as a brake disk or can be a separate auxiliary ring or enforcing or reinforcement ring for ensuring the stability of the rotor housing at the first axial end.

[0012] The assembly device may be regarded as an auxiliary device enabling the assembly of the rotor housing and the reinforcement ring to be performed.The assembly device may comprise a plurality of parts which may be mounted to each other.

[0013] The retaining ring can be manufactured from a single part or from several parts that are then assembled together. The retaining ring can be configured to substantially surround the rotor housing, which can be received within the retaining ring. However, the axial extent of the retaining ring can be smaller than the axial extent of the rotor housing. The retaining ring can be constructed and configured to withstand forces acting in the plane of the retaining ring, which can in particular be perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the rotor housing. The assembly device can also substantially have four-fold, six-fold, or even more cylindrical symmetry.

[0014] The contact rod may be configured to protrude radially inwardly from the retaining ring and may be connected to the retaining ring via corresponding guide members as will be described in detail below.

[0015] The contact surfaces may be provided at respective longitudinal ends of the contact rod, which may correspond to radially inner ends of the contact rod. Thus, the contact rod projects inwardly from the retaining ring, and the contact surfaces may be located at respective radially inner ends of the contact rod.

[0016] The rotor housing can then be placed within the retaining ring and contacted by the plurality of contact surfaces of the plurality of contact rods. In particular, four contact rods and corresponding four contact surfaces, or six contact rods and corresponding contact surfaces, or an even higher number of contact surfaces can be provided. The contact surfaces can contact or touch corresponding locations on the outer surface of the rotor housing, such that all contact surfaces have in fact contacted corresponding locations on the outer surface of the rotor housing.

[0017] By applying a pulling force or a compressive force via a corresponding plurality of contact surfaces (at different circumferential locations), the shape of the rotor housing (at least near the contact surfaces) can be modified, altered, or adjusted to achieve a target rotor housing shape. The compressive and / or pulling force can be applied via the contact surfaces. A specific configuration of the rotor housing outer surface may not be necessary to apply the compressive force.

[0018] In order to allow application of (additionally or alternatively) a pulling force, some kind of hooks may be provided at the outer surface of the rotor housing.

[0019] In other embodiments, magnets may be arranged at the contact surface to allow the contact surface to be connected to a corresponding outer surface location of the rotor housing via magnetic force, and the magnetic force also enables the application of a pulling force (in a radially outward direction using the contact surface of the contact rod). For example, if the head of the rod or the material forming the contact surface is magnetic or the rotor housing design changes, it will be possible to pull at the corresponding location of the rotor housing.

[0020] Not the entire shape of the rotor housing may be adjustable by this method, but at least the shape of the rotor housing at and around the first axial end may be adjustable by this method. In particular, at least the shape of the mounting portion or mounting surface or region of the rotor housing, where the reinforcement ring is to be mounted, may be adjustable by this method.

[0021] The reinforcement ring may have a geometry or shape that may no longer be adjustable or changeable. Thus, the target shape may be derived from the actual shape of the reinforcement ring. When the shape of the rotor housing is adjusted to achieve the target shape, installation of the reinforcement ring may be achieved.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, the pressing force and / or pulling force of the at least one contact surface is applied in dependence on the actual shape and / or the target shape of the rotor housing.

[0023] The target shape can be a substantially circular target shape of the end face or end surface at the first axial end of the rotor housing. However, the actual shape may deviate from a circular shape, such as when the actual shape is, for example, an elliptical shape. By applying a pressing force to those areas that protrude (from the circular geometry) and / or applying a pulling force to those areas that are bulged in or deformed inwards (from the ideal circular geometry), a target shape, in particular a circular shape, can be achieved for the rotor housing at least at or near the first axial end. When a pressing force and also a pulling force are applicable or are actually applied, the adjustment of the shape can even be improved or accelerated. In particular, the shape accuracy achieved by the adjustment or application of force can be maintained with a higher degree of accuracy in achieving the target shape.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of rotor housing positions contacted by the contact surface of the contact rod are at a plurality of different circumferential positions of the outer surface of the rotor housing, in particular uniformly covering the entire circumference, and in particular at substantially the same axial position.

[0025] For example, four, six, eight, ten, or even more contact rods with corresponding contact surfaces may be provided, spaced apart by an angle (in the circumferential direction) obtained by dividing 360° by the number of rods. The contact rods may be located in the same axial position or, in other embodiments, in different axial positions. This allows for precise implementation of the desired target shape.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of rotor housings are located axially closer to the first axial end than to the second axial end of the rotor housing, and / or wherein a rotor bearing is mounted at the second axial end of the rotor housing, thereby providing reinforcement, wherein the rotor bearing is particularly mounted with an inner stator having a stator winding, the rotor bearing rotatably supporting the rotor relative to the stator.

[0027] Compared to the possibility of changing the shape near or at the first axial end, the shape of the rotor housing at the second axial end may be substantially less changeable. This may be due to the installation of at least one further component, in particular a rotor bearing, at the second axial end. The installed rotor bearing may provide stability to the rotor housing at the second axial end.

[0028] At the first axial end, the rotor housing may be free of any reinforcement rings when the assembly method is initiated. It should be noted that the method can be performed when the rotor housing is already coupled to the inner stator via the rotor bearings. However, when the assembly method is initiated or commenced, the plurality of permanent magnets may or may not be inserted into the inner mounting position of the rotor housing.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the invention, the radial position of the contact surface is adjustable, in particular by radially moving the contact rod, thereby applying a pressing and / or pulling force in radial direction inwardly and / or outwardly to the corresponding rotor housing position in order to deform the rotor housing towards a target shape.

[0030] The rods, or at least the contact surfaces at their longitudinal ends, can be adjustable with respect to their position (at least radial position). However, to adjust their (radial) position, a (radially inward or outward) force must be applied, due to the corresponding locations of the contact surfaces contacting the outer surface of the rotor housing (which provides a counterforce that must be overcome). The target shape and / or the actual shape can define the desired changes in the radial position of the various contact surfaces. However, to reach those various target locations of the contact surfaces, a corresponding force must be applied.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, for each contact rod, the assembly device includes a guide member mounted to the retaining ring, wherein the contact rod is guided in the radial direction in the corresponding guide member using at least one of the following: a hydraulic system; a pneumatic system; an internal thread in the guide member, the contact rods each having an external thread.

[0032] The guide member can ensure that the contact rod is guided essentially inward or outward along the (corresponding) radial direction. The guide member can, for example, completely surround the entire corresponding contact rod or at least a portion of the contact rod. For example, lubricating oil can be applied between the outer surface of the corresponding contact rod and the inner surface of the guide member. The contact rod can, for example, have a cylindrical shape with, for example, a circular cross-section. The guide member can include an elongated hole or a through hole through which the contact rod can slide, or along which the contact rod can slide. Movement of the contact rod can be achieved by operating a hydraulic or pneumatic system that allows at least a specific pressing force to be applied. In other embodiments, the guide member can include an internal thread into which the external thread of the contact rod engages. The pulling force or the pressing force can be applied by turning or rotating the contact rod relative to the internal thread in the guide member.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises: before and / or during the assembly method, performing measurements, in particular optical measurements, of the shape of the rotor housing and / or of the shape of the reinforcement ring (which can be configured as a brake disc) to generate measurement results, wherein these measurement results are in particular provided by an optical measuring device, in particular a LIDAR or laser tracker, or are provided using another method.

[0034] For example, the following procedures could be implemented:

[0035] Measuring the shape of the reinforcement ring to produce the target shape of the rotor housing

[0036] Manipulate / deform / adjust the rotor housing until it conforms to the shape of the reinforcement ring

[0037] Install the reinforcement ring to the adjusted rotor housing

[0038] The measurement results can advantageously be used to control assembly equipment, in particular to control the forces applied via the contact surface and / or to control the position of the contact surface. The LIDAR device can measure distances from the center of the LIDAR device (in particular, the reflector) to multiple locations on the object to be measured. The shape of the object under investigation can be derivable from the multiple distances. Thus, the method can ensure that a target shape is achieved, or at least approximately achieved.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to measure the shape of the rotor housing, multiple (e.g., relative) positions at the leading edge surface at the first axial end of the rotor housing are measured, and / or wherein, in order to measure the shape of the reinforcement ring, multiple (e.g., relative) positions at the circumferential outer edge surface of the reinforcement ring are measured.

[0040] At or near the leading edge surface, a reinforcement ring may be mountable and also mounted during the method. The circumferential outer edge surface of the reinforcement ring may then contact at least a portion of the leading edge surface of the rotor housing at the first axial end in the assembled state.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the invention, the actual shape of the rotor housing is based on measurements of the shape of the rotor housing and / or wherein the target shape of the rotor housing is derived from measurements on the shape of the reinforcement ring.

[0042] The measurement results may be provided by an optical measuring device (eg LIDAR or laser tracker), whereby the shape of the rotor housing and / or the reinforcement ring may be derived or obtained in a reliable and accurate manner.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the invention, applying a force to the rotor housing via the at least one contact surface and performing measurements are performed iteratively until the actual shape of the rotor housing deviates from a target shape by less than a predefined amount.

[0044] For example, the actual shape of the rotor housing can be measured and compared to a target shape. Depending on or based on the comparison, a contact surface can be moved or controlled to apply a corresponding force to reduce any deviation between the actual and target shapes. After applying or applying the force, the shape measurement can be repeated, and the force can be applied accordingly depending on the next measurement result or the next deviation between the actual and target shapes. This allows the actual shape to increasingly correspond to the desired target shape. When the deviation between the actual and target shapes remains acceptable within the corresponding tolerances, the process can be interrupted or terminated, allowing the reinforcement ring to be installed at the first axial end of the rotor housing.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring has an adjustable size and / or wherein the retaining ring is produced from flat steel, in particular as a single part or as several parts mounted together, and / or wherein the retaining ring comprises a plate shape or a disk ring shape, the main surface of which lies in a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the rotor housing, and / or wherein the reinforcement ring has a disk ring shape, in particular configured as a brake disk.

[0046] Thereby, great flexibility is provided and conventional generators can be supported.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises: before mounting the reinforcement ring to the rotor housing: inserting a plurality of magnets at the inner surface of the rotor housing along the axial direction, particularly for a plurality of circumferential positions.

[0048] It should be noted that the stator may already be assembled with the rotor housing during the insertion of the magnets.The insertion of the magnets may be performed before or after or during the adjustment of the shape of the rotor housing.

[0049] It has been observed that when one or more magnets are inserted or installed at the rotor housing, the shape of the rotor housing may have changed (possibly due to magnetic pull). Therefore, monitoring the shape of the rotor housing during installation of the magnets may enable any undesired shape changes to be counteracted by applying force(s) at corresponding locations of the rotor housing in order to re-establish the target shape.

[0050] Further, after all of the plurality of magnets have been inserted, the method may continue by measuring the shape of the rotor housing and / or adjusting the shape of the rotor housing and then installing the reinforcement ring.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the invention, mounting the reinforcement ring to the rotor housing comprises mounting the reinforcement ring to the first axial end of the rotor housing, in particular at a front edge of the first axial end of the rotor housing, in particular using a plurality of bolts.

[0052] When the reinforcement ring is mounted at the first axial end of the rotor housing, the shape of the rotor housing at this end may also be reinforced and may be at least no longer as flexible as before the reinforcement ring is mounted.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for assembling an electro-permanent magnet generator, in particular a wind turbine, is provided, the method comprising: mounting a rotor bearing at a second axial end of a rotor housing; then, mounting an inner stator at the rotor bearing, the rotor bearing rotatably supporting the rotor relative to the stator; then, performing a method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0054] It should be understood that the features disclosed, described, explained or provided for the method of assembling a rotor housing and a reinforcement ring, alone or in any combination, may also be applied to the system for assembling a rotor housing and a reinforcement ring according to embodiments of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for assembling a substantially cylindrical, symmetrical rotor shell and a substantially circular reinforcement ring of an electro-permanent magnet generator, in particular a wind turbine, is provided, the system comprising: an assembly device comprising a retaining ring and a plurality of, in particular at least four, contact rods having contact surfaces at respective longitudinal ends, the contact surfaces being adjustable with respect to their (e.g. radial) position; wherein the contact surfaces are configured to contact a plurality of rotor shell positions of the outer surface of the rotor shell and to apply forces to the rotor shell positions so as to adjust the actual shape of the rotor shell so as to achieve a target shape of the rotor shell; in particular, an optical measuring device for measuring at least the actual shape of the rotor shell; a controller adapted to control the forces applied via the contact surfaces and / or control the positions of the contact surfaces, in particular based on the actual shape and / or target shape of the rotor shell.

[0056] The aspects defined above and further aspects of the invention are apparent from the examples of embodiment to be described hereinafter and are explained with reference to the examples of embodiment.The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to examples of embodiment but to which the invention is not limited. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown or described.

[0058] Figure 1 Schematically illustrating method steps of a method for assembling a rotor housing and a reinforcement ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method utilizing a system for assembling a rotor housing and a reinforcement ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 2Method steps of a method of assembling a rotor housing and a reinforcement ring according to an embodiment of the present invention are schematically illustrated, the method utilizing a system for assembling a rotor housing and a reinforcement ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The figures in the drawings are schematic. It should be noted that in different figures, elements that are similar or identical in structure and / or function are provided with the same reference numerals or reference numerals that differ only in the first digit. The description of an element not described in one embodiment can be obtained from the description of the element in another embodiment.

[0061] Figure 1 The system 100 for assembling a rotor housing 101 and a reinforcement ring 102 of an electro-permanent magnet generator 126 shown in FIG 1 includes an assembly device 103 including a retaining ring 104 and a plurality of contact rods 105a, b, c having contact surfaces 106a, b, c at respective longitudinal ends (particularly radially inner ends), the contact surfaces being adjustable with respect to their (radial) positions. The contact surfaces 106a, b, c, d are configured to contact a plurality of rotor housing positions 107a, b, c, d of an outer surface 108 of the rotor housing 101 and to apply a force F to the rotor housing positions 107a, b, c, d in order to adjust the actual shape of the rotor housing 101, thereby achieving a target shape of the rotor housing 101.

[0062] For each contact rod 105a,b,c,d, the assembly device 103 comprises a guide member 124a,b,c,d mounted to the retaining ring 104, wherein the contact rod is guided in the radial direction 117 in the respective guide member 124a,b,c,d.

[0063] The embodiment 100 of the system further comprises an optical measuring device 109 configured for measuring at least the actual shape of the rotor housing 101. The optical measuring device is configured as a LIDAR system, which enables measurement of a direction from the center of the measuring device 109 to a first axial side ( Figure 1 Multiple distances 110a, 110b, 110c, ... at multiple positions 111a, b, c, ... at an edge or front edge surface 112 at the upper side (in the figure).

[0064] Figure 1The embodiment 100 illustrated in FIG further comprises a controller 113 adapted to control the force F and / or the position of the contact surfaces 106a, b, c, d at the ends of the contact rods 105a, b, c, d, in particular based on the actual shape and / or the target shape of the rotor housing 101. Thus, the controller 113 receives measurement values ​​114 from the optical measuring device 109 and supplies control signals 115 to a hydraulic system (not illustrated) configured to move the plurality of rods 105a, b, c, d, ... to defined positions and / or to apply defined forces to the plurality of positions 107a, b, c, d via the contact surfaces 106a, b, c towards the rotor housing outer surface 108 at the plurality of positions 107a, b, c, d.

[0065] The system 100 is configured to implement a method of assembling a rotor housing 101 and a reinforcement ring 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. During the method, a plurality of rotor housing locations 107a, b, c, d of an outer surface 108 of the rotor housing 101 are contacted by contact surfaces 106a, b, c, d, and a force F is applied to the rotor housing location 107a via at least one contact surface 106a to adjust the actual shape of the rotor housing 101 so as to achieve a target shape of the rotor housing 101.

[0066] In a further method step, the reinforcement ring 102 is mounted to the rotor housing at a first axial end.

[0067] The position of the contact surfaces 106a, b, c, d and / or the applied force F may be varied depending on the actual shape and / or target shape of the rotor housing 101. Figure 1 It can be seen that the plurality of rotor housing positions 107a, b, c, d are arranged at a plurality of different circumferential positions (in Figure 1 , the circumferential direction is indicated by reference numeral 116, the radial direction is indicated by reference numeral 117, and the axial direction is indicated by reference numeral 118).

[0068] Further, the plurality of rotor housing positions 107a, b, c, d are located at substantially the same axial position (along the axial direction 118). Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG, the four contact rods are spaced 90° apart in the circumferential direction 116. Compared to the second axial end ( Figure 1 The plurality of rotor housing positions 107a, b, c, d are axially closer to the first axial end ( Figure 1 (upper side in the middle).

[0069] Figure 1The figure includes a mirror image provided by a virtual mirror at ground level. As can be seen in the mirror image (showing the components from below), the rotor bearing 119 is mounted at the second axial end of the rotor housing 101. When starting the assembly method or when performing the assembly method, the rotor bearing 119 can be further aligned with the stator ( Figure 1 Rods 105a, b, c, d can be connected using Figure 1 The hydraulic system not shown in the figure is movable.

[0070] The optical measuring device 109 is configured to measure the shape of the rotor housing 101 and / or the reinforcement ring 102. The measurement results can be used to determine the shape of the rotor housing 101 and / or the reinforcement ring 102. Thus, the shape of the rotor housing is defined or determined by determining a plurality of relative positions 111a, b, c at the front edge surface 112 at the first axial end of the rotor housing 101.

[0071] The retaining ring 104 may be manufactured from a single part or from multiple parts mounted to one another, and the size of the retaining ring may be adjustable, such as by inserting one or more spacer elements. Figure 1 In the embodiment illustrated in FIG, the retaining ring 104 is made of flat steel, thereby providing rigidity particularly in the plane of the retaining ring 104, which is substantially Figure 1 The rotation axis 120 of the rotor housing 101 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane and coincides with the axial direction 118 .

[0072] Before mounting the stiffening ring 102 on the rotor housing 101, the assembly method may include inserting a plurality of permanent magnets 121 along the axial direction at the inner surface 122 of the rotor housing 101. After the magnets have been inserted, the stiffening ring 102 may be mounted (particularly via the outer edge 125) at the front edge 112 of the rotor housing 101, particularly using a plurality of bolts. In particular, a stepped edge 112 or a tapered edge may be provided to allow for engagement between the stiffening ring 102 and the first axial side of the rotor housing 101.

[0073] During the method of assembling the electric permanent magnet generator, the rotor bearing 119 may first be mounted at the second axial end of the rotor housing 101. Then, the inner stator ( Figure 1 The rotor housing and the reinforcement ring are mounted at the rotor bearing 119. As a next step, the method of assembling the rotor housing and the reinforcement ring can be performed as explained in detail above.

[0074] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment illustrated in , the assembly apparatus 101 including the retaining ring 104 includes upright or support members (legs) or base members 123 that rest on the ground floor on a lower end and carry the retaining ring 104 on an upper end.

[0075] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment 200 of the system illustrated in FIG, those upright members 123 are missing, and the retaining ring may be secured by other means, such as from above or from the side.

[0076] It should be noted that Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the drawings, elements or structures that are similar in structure and / or function are marked with reference numerals that differ only in the first digit. The description of an element that is not described in detail with respect to one embodiment or figure can be obtained from the description of the corresponding element with respect to another embodiment or figure.

[0077] The retaining ring can also be called a support ring (size adjustable). The support ring and several hydraulic units can control the shape of the open end of the rotor housing. Measuring devices (such as, Figure 1 The measuring device 109 shown in FIG is measuring a brake disc (e.g., a stiffening ring 102) that defines the target shape of the rotor housing before assembly begins. The shape of the rotor housing can be continuously measured while the magnets are inserted and the brake disc is installed. Due to the measurement of the brake disc, or more generally the stiffening ring (which defines the target shape of the rotor housing in particular), and due to the real-time measurement as the magnets are inserted, the rotor housing shape can be controlled throughout the entire insertion and installation process. This allows for a faster magnet insertion and installation process, making it possible to achieve a high degree of precision in the designed shape in order to achieve a minimum air gap between the rotor and stator.

[0078] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Moreover, elements described in connection with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a substantially cylindrical, symmetrical rotor housing (101) and a substantially circular reinforcement ring (102) of an electric permanent magnet generator, in particular a wind turbine, the method comprising: using an assembly device (103) comprising a retaining ring (104) and a plurality of, in particular at least four, contact rods (105a, b, c, d) having contact surfaces (106a, b, c, d) at respective longitudinal ends, the contact surfaces being adjustable with respect to their position; a plurality of rotor housing locations (107a, b, c, d) contacting an outer surface (108) of the rotor housing (101) via the contact surfaces (106a, b, c, d); applying a force (F) to the rotor housing location (107a, b, c, d) via at least one contact surface (106a, b, c, d) to adjust the actual shape of the rotor housing (101) to achieve a target shape of the rotor housing (101); The reinforcement ring (102) is mounted to the rotor housing (101) at a first axial end.

2. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein A pressing force and / or a pulling force (F) of at least one contact surface (106a, b, c, d) is applied depending on the actual shape and / or the target shape of the rotor housing (101).

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The plurality of rotor housing positions (107a, b, c, d) contacted by the contact surface (106a, b, c, d) of the contact rod are at a plurality of different circumferential positions of the outer surface of the rotor housing (101), in particular uniformly covering the entire circumference, and in particular at substantially the same axial position.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The plurality of rotor housing positions (107a, b, c, d) are axially closer to the first axial end than to the second axial end of the rotor housing (101), and / or wherein a rotor bearing (119) is mounted at the second axial end of the rotor housing to provide reinforcement, The rotor bearing (119) is particularly equipped with an inner stator having a stator winding, and the rotor bearing rotatably supports the rotor relative to the stator.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The radial position of the contact surfaces (106a, b, c, d) is adjustable, in particular by radially moving the contact rod, thereby applying pressing and / or pulling forces inwardly and / or outwardly in the radial direction to the corresponding rotor housing positions (107a, b, c, d) in order to deform the rotor housing towards the target shape.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, For each contact rod (105a, b, c, d), the assembly device (103) comprises a guide member (124a, b, c, d) mounted to the retaining ring, wherein the contact rod is guided in the radial direction in the corresponding guide member using at least one of the following: Hydraulic system; Pneumatic system; The guide member has an internal thread, and the contact rods each have an external thread.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Before and / or during the assembly method, measurements, in particular optical measurements, are performed on the shape of the rotor housing (101) and / or the shape of the reinforcement ring (102) to generate measurement results, The measurement results are provided in particular by an optical measuring device (109), in particular a LIDAR or laser tracker.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, To measure the shape of the rotor housing, a plurality of (relative) positions (111a, b, c) are measured at a front edge surface (112) at a first axial end of the rotor housing (101), and / or In order to measure the shape of the reinforcement ring, a plurality of (relative) positions on the circumferential outer edge surface (125) of the reinforcement ring (102) are measured.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The actual shape of the rotor housing is based on measurements of the shape of the rotor housing (101), and / or The target shape of the rotor housing is derived from measurement results regarding the shape of the reinforcement ring (102).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, Applying the force (F) to the rotor housing via at least one contact surface (106a, b, c, d) and performing measurements are iteratively performed until an actual shape of the rotor housing deviates from the target shape by less than a predefined amount.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The retaining ring (104) has an adjustable size, and / or wherein the retaining ring (104) is made of flat steel, in particular as a single part or several parts mounted together, and / or wherein the retaining ring (104) comprises a plate shape or a disk ring shape, a main surface of which is located in a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the rotor housing, and / or The reinforcement ring (102) has a disk ring shape and is particularly configured as a brake disk.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Before installing the reinforcement ring (102) to the rotor housing (101): In particular, a plurality of magnets (121) are inserted at an inner surface (122) of the rotor housing (101) along the axial direction (118) at a plurality of circumferential positions.

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein Mounting the reinforcement ring to the rotor housing comprises: The reinforcement ring (102) is mounted to the first axial end of the rotor housing, in particular at the front edge (112) of the first axial end of the rotor housing (101), in particular using a plurality of bolts.

14. A method of assembling an electric permanent magnet generator (126), in particular a wind turbine, comprising: Installing the rotor bearing (119) at the second axial end of the rotor housing (101); and An inner stator is mounted on the rotor bearing (119), the rotor bearing rotatably supporting the rotor relative to the stator; and Performing a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. A system (100) for assembling a substantially cylindrical, symmetrical rotor housing (101) and a substantially circular reinforcement ring (102) of an electric permanent magnet generator, in particular a wind turbine, the system comprising: an assembly device (103) comprising a retaining ring (104) and a plurality of, in particular at least four, contact rods (105a, b, c, d) having contact surfaces (106a, b, c, d) at respective longitudinal ends, the contact surfaces being adjustable with respect to their position; wherein the contact surfaces (1076a, b, c, d) are configured to contact a plurality of rotor housing locations (107a, b, c, d) of the outer surface (108) of the rotor housing (101) and apply a force (F) to the rotor housing locations (107a, b, c, d) to adjust the actual shape of the rotor housing to achieve a target shape of the rotor housing; In particular, an optical measuring device (109) for measuring at least the actual shape of the rotor housing (101); A controller (113) is adapted to control the force (F) applied via the contact surfaces (106a, b, c, d) and / or to control the position of the contact surfaces, in particular based on the actual shape and / or target shape of the rotor housing (101).

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