Bearing assembly for wind power facility

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing assembly for a wind power plant for supporting a drive train on a tower of a wind power plant. The bearing assembly has a base plate which can be placed on a tower. The bearing assembly further includes: a bearing housing for receiving and supporting the driveline; and a coupling device. The coupling device has a coupling element for converting a torque applied by the drive train to the bearing housing about a torque axis into a supporting force acting in a supporting direction. The coupling device also has a bearing element for introducing a supporting force from the coupling element into the substrate. The coupling device is configured to allow the bearing housing to translate relative to the base plate in a transverse direction perpendicular to the torque axis and the bracketing direction. The invention further relates to a wind power facility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a bearing assembly for wind power facilities. This disclosure also relates to a wind power facility having a bearing assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Wind power facilities are known for generating electricity by converting wind energy. To perform this conversion, a rotor is installed in such facilities, configured to convert wind energy into mechanical power, for example, into rotation with torque. This torque can then be introduced into a drivetrain for conversion into electrical power, for example, by a generator. Given the large weight and forces generated in large wind power facilities, such as those with a power output of several megawatts, high requirements are placed on the support drivetrain regarding load-bearing capacity and vibration characteristics. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The first aspect of this disclosure relates to a bearing assembly for supporting a drivetrain on the tower of a wind power facility. The wind power facility may have a rotor. The rotor may be configured to convert wind energy into rotational mechanical energy and introduce that rotational mechanical energy into the drivetrain. The wind power facility may have a tower and a nacelle that houses and supports at least several portions of the drivetrain. The nacelle may be mounted on the upper end of the tower. The nacelle may be rotatably mounted on the tower. The nacelle is rotatable about a vertical yaw axis to perform yaw motion relative to the tower. The wind power facility may have a yaw bearing for providing yaw motion. Yaw motion can be used to orient the nacelle or drivetrain relative to the wind in a horizontal plane, for example, to achieve a desired angle of attack relative to the wind direction. The lower end of the tower may be anchored to the ground. Alternatively, the lower end of the tower may be mounted on an offshore wind power facility platform.

[0004] The drive system may include a generator to convert wind energy into electrical energy. A rotor may be connected to the generator, for example, via a rotor shaft of the drive system. The rotor may have multiple rotor blades, such as three rotor blades. The drive system may have a truncated beam, via which the rotor is coupled to the rotor shaft. The truncated beam may be configured to adjust the angle of attack of the rotor blades. The drive system may have a transmission device arranged in the torque flow between the rotor and the generator. The generator may be configured to generate current using rotation of the rotor shaft or rotation of the output end of the transmission device. The transmission device may be configured to convert the rotational speed of the rotor shaft to another, for example, a higher rotational speed, to drive the generator. During operation, the rotational speed of the rotor shaft may, for example, be between 2 rpm and 30 rpm, for example, between 5 rpm and 20 rpm. During operation, the rotational speed used to drive the generator may, for example, be between 500 rpm and 3000 rpm, for example, between 900 rpm and 2000 rpm. The drive end of the transmission can be mechanically connected to the rotor, and the output end of the transmission can be mechanically connected to the generator, for example. The transmission can be configured to transmit torque from the rotor shaft to the generator. During operation, the torque at the output end of the transmission can, for example, be between 500,000 Nm and 15,000,000 Nm, or, for example, between 3,000,000 Nm and 10,000,000 Nm. The transmission system can also have auxiliary units. These auxiliary units can be configured to affect parameters of the rest of the transmission system and the physical parameters of the wind power facility. These auxiliary units may, for example, include heating systems, cooling systems, orientation systems for the nacelle, regulation systems for the turbine, and / or converter systems for the generated electrical energy, such as inverters.

[0005] Bearing assemblies can be configured to support at least several kinematic degrees of freedom of the drivetrain. These kinematic degrees of freedom may include three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom. Bearing assemblies can also be configured to support one, several, or all degrees of freedom of the drivetrain or portions thereof. Depending on the design of the bearing assembly, additional bearing assemblies may be provided to lock unconstrained degrees of freedom and / or support portions of the drivetrain not supported by the bearing assembly. In principle, for the operation of wind power facilities, it may be necessary to maintain five of the six degrees of freedom of the rotor shaft. The rotational degree of freedom of the rotor shaft can be kept unconstrained during operation to allow for the rotation of the rotor shaft and the accompanying torque introduction for energy generation. Rotation of the rotor shaft may induce a reaction torque in the generator. This reaction torque in the generator can be supported by the bearing assembly. The drivetrain may also have a braking device that can brake the rotation of the rotor shaft, for example, during periods of high wind or for maintenance work.

[0006] The bearing assembly has a base plate that can be mounted on a tower. The base plate can be rotatably supported on the tower, for example, directly on the tower or indirectly on the tower via a yaw bearing. The base plate can be configured to provide connection points for the bearing assembly to introduce forces and / or torques. These connection points can include rigid connections and / or hinged connections. The base plate can, for example, be configured as at least a partially annular element. The base plate can also be configured as a shell member.

[0007] The bearing assembly has a bearing housing for housing and supporting the transmission system. The bearing housing can be configured to: house and support the entire transmission system or only house and support certain parts of the transmission system. For example, the bearing housing may support only the transmission, only the generator, or both the transmission and the generator. The bearing housing can also be configured to support rotatable elements. These rotatable elements may, for example, have a rotor shaft or a transmission element such as a gear. Housing and supporting certain parts and / or rotatable elements in the bearing housing can introduce forces and / or torques into the bearing housing.

[0008] The bearing assembly also includes a coupling device. This coupling device has a coupling element for converting the torque applied to the bearing housing by the transmission system about the torque axis into a supporting force acting in the supporting direction. The torque may be, for example, the reaction torque of the driving torque of the generator and / or transmission on the rotor shaft. The torque may also include a portion in a direction different from the rotational direction of the rotor shaft. The supporting force may have a line of action extending in the supporting direction. The coupling element may be configured to convert the torque about the torque axis into a supporting force acting in the supporting direction by means of a geometric arrangement forming a lever arm between the torque axis and the line of action of the supporting force. The supporting direction may be a direction extending perpendicular to the torque axis. The supporting direction may also have a component extending not perpendicular to the torque axis. In the case of a horizontally structured wind turbine where the rotor shaft extends substantially horizontally, the supporting direction may, for example, extend substantially perpendicular to the ground. In the case of a vertically structured wind turbine where the rotor shaft extends substantially vertically, the supporting direction may, for example, extend substantially horizontally, i.e., parallel to the ground.

[0009] The bearing assembly can be configured to support the rotor shaft torque on the tower via a base plate using coupling elements. The wind turbine can be equipped with an additional bearing assembly that further supports the rotor shaft on the tower. This additional bearing assembly can, for example, withstand radial forces on the rotor shaft. This additional bearing assembly can, for example, have a rotor shaft main bearing disposed near the rotor-side end of the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft main bearing can be configured to withstand radial forces. The rotor shaft main bearing can also be configured to withstand axial forces on the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft main bearing can also be fastened to or integrally constructed with the base plate.

[0010] The coupling element can be configured as a torque support that associates the torque with the substrate in a manner spaced apart from the torque axis. The coupling element can be configured to support the torque at the substrate by introducing a supporting force into the substrate. The coupling element can also be configured to introduce forces other than those generated by the torque into the substrate. For example, the coupling element can be configured to introduce gravity acting on the bearing housing into the substrate. Introducing a force or torque means that the degree of freedom associated with that force or torque is locked. Therefore, introducing a force in one direction means that translation in that direction is suppressed or substantially prevented. Similarly, introducing a torque means that rotation about the torque axis is suppressed or substantially prevented.

[0011] The coupling element can be fastened to the bearing housing. The coupling element can also be integrally constructed with the bearing housing. The coupling element can be fastened to a base plate. The coupling element can be rigidly or movably fastened on the bearing housing side and / or the base plate side. The coupling element can, for example, be fastened on the bearing housing side and / or the base plate side via a rotating hinge. As an example, the coupling element can be constructed as a link or have a link. As another example, the coupling element can be constructed as a fork or have a fork. The structure of the link and the fork will be described in detail later.

[0012] The coupling device also includes a support element for introducing a supporting force from the coupling element into the substrate. The support element can be configured to connect the coupling element to the substrate. The support element can be configured to lock a specific kinematic degree of freedom between the coupling element and the substrate. The coupling element can be configured, for example, as a sliding bearing. The sliding bearing can be, for example, a planar sliding bearing that allows translation perpendicular to the supporting direction but locks translation in the supporting direction on one or both sides. Alternatively or additionally, the support element can have a kinematic mechanism to guide the relative movement between the coupling element and the substrate in at least one degree of freedom. The support element can be damped or undamped. A damped support element resists the applied force and thereby causes resistance to the translation accompanying that force. An undamped support element can cause translation with substantially no resistance to the applied force.

[0013] The coupling device is configured to allow translation of the bearing housing relative to the base plate in a lateral direction perpendicular to the torque axis and the support direction. This lateral translation of the bearing housing relative to the base plate can be permitted by a support element and a coupling element, or a combination of both. The support element can, for example, be configured to allow translation relative to the base plate in the lateral direction of the coupling element. The coupling element can, for example, be configured to change its geometry, e.g., deform, to allow relative movement of the bearing housing relative to the base plate.

[0014] Using the bearing assembly according to the first aspect, a bearing assembly is provided that decouples the introduction of force acting on the substrate in the transverse direction from the introduction of force and torque in other directions. In principle, components of the transmission system that are operatively connected to the rotor and tower, such as transmission devices, can be vibration excitations of the rotor and / or tower and can generate operating vibrations. This vibration excitation occurs, for example, in the radial direction of the rotor shaft. In certain cases, the radial direction has components in the support direction and in the transverse direction. Due to the large weight of the transmission system, this vibration excitation results in a large force introduced into the rotor and tower. Here, the rotor, such as rotor blades and / or tower, can act as a resonator and further amplify the vibration. By decoupling the introduction of force in the transverse direction according to the first aspect, the vibration excitation in the transverse direction is also decoupled. Since the component of the vibration excitation in the support direction is decoupled from the component of the vibration excitation in the transverse direction, the bearing assembly of the first aspect results in a significant reduction in the vibration excitation acting on the substrate. Even if lateral forces are introduced into the substrate via this bearing assembly or other elements of another bearing assembly, this can still be done spatially separately, so that vibration modes do not reinforce each other or only reinforce each other to a very small extent. Therefore, the first aspect provides a bearing assembly for wind power facilities that utilizes a simple structure to minimize operating vibration.

[0015] In one embodiment, the support element is configured as a sliding element capable of translating the bearing housing relative to the base plate in the lateral direction. The support element configured as a sliding element may, for example, have two flat sliding surfaces that can slide relative to each other using their lateral components. The support element can be configured to allow translation of the bearing housing only in the lateral direction. The support element can also be configured to allow translation in a direction parallel to the torque axis. The support element can allow its respective translation with damping or without damping. A simple structure is provided by configuring the support element as a sliding element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the bearing assembly has two coupling devices. These two coupling devices are arranged on opposite sides of the torque axis. This allows for further dispersion of the force introduced into the substrate. For example, these coupling devices can be configured to introduce a supporting force only on one side, i.e., only in one direction. Because these coupling devices are arranged on opposite sides of the torque axis, each coupling device can support the torque in only one torque direction in this manner. Therefore, vibration about the torque axis is introduced only on one side, thereby reducing vibration excitation overall. In another embodiment, these coupling elements can be configured such that they introduce a supporting force on both sides. This allows for a smaller size of the coupling elements because each coupling element only needs to support half the torque.

[0017] In one embodiment, the bearing assembly has an additional coupling element for transmitting lateral forces from the bearing housing to the base plate. This additional coupling element may be constructed in the same manner as or differently from the coupling element. The additional coupling element may be configured to introduce lateral forces onto the base plate at a connection point different from that of the coupling element. The additional coupling element may be configured to inhibit or dampen translational motion in the lateral direction. The additional coupling element may be arranged along the torque axis at the same height as the support element of the coupling element. Alternatively, the additional support element may be arranged along the torque axis at a different height than the support element.

[0018] In one embodiment, the support element is configured to withstand forces in the direction of the torque axis. Thus, the coupling device can also introduce forces in the direction of the torque axis into the substrate. The forces in the direction of the torque axis can have at least a portion in the axial direction of the rotation axis, thereby supporting these portions. If the support element has a lever arm relative to the yaw axis, it is also possible to support the yaw moment about the yaw axis.

[0019] In one embodiment, the base plate is supported on the tower in a manner rotatable about a yaw axis. The support element is configured to allow translational movement in the circumferential direction about the yaw axis. The bearing assembly has an additional coupling element for converting the yaw moment about the yaw axis on the bearing housing into a force in the lateral direction. This additional coupling element for converting the yaw moment is configured to introduce the lateral force into the base plate. The additional coupling element for converting the yaw moment may be constructed in the same manner as or differently from the original coupling element. The additional coupling element for converting the yaw moment may be a separate coupling element for transmitting the force in the lateral direction or may be different from the original coupling element. The bearing assembly may have multiple additional coupling elements.

[0020] In one embodiment, one of the coupling elements has a link. The link is configured to transmit tension and compression. The link is rotatably supported at both ends. The coupling element having a link can be one, more, or all of these coupling elements and / or these additional coupling elements. The link can be configured to provide kinematic coupling between its two ends. The link can have greater stiffness in the longitudinal direction between its two ends than transversely to that longitudinal direction. The link can be configured to transmit tension and compression in the longitudinal direction. The ends of the link can be rotatably supported by rotatable hinges. Examples of rotatable hinges include: a rotary hinge with one rotational degree of freedom; a universal joint or constant velocity universal joint with two rotational degrees of freedom; and a ball joint with three rotational degrees of freedom. By using a link, a particularly simple guidance and force introduction is provided. By using rotatable hinges at the ends of the link, undesirable associations with degrees of freedom different from translation in the longitudinal direction of the link are avoided.

[0021] The link can be made of metallic or non-metallic materials. The link can have passive or active damping mechanisms. The link can be configured to allow for length variation. Length variation may occur due to deformation of the link. Alternatively or additionally, length variation may occur due to relative translation of two parts of the link. Length variation can, for example, be used to achieve translation of a bearing housing in the lateral direction. The link can be configured as an actuator for active length variation. A desired change in positioning can be caused by active length variation of the link. For example, if another coupling element supporting the yaw moment has a link configured as an actuator, then length variation of the link configured as an actuator can be used to induce yaw motion.

[0022] In one embodiment, one of the coupling elements is configured as a fork. The coupling element configured as a fork can be one, more, or all of these coupling elements and / or these additional coupling elements. The fork can be configured to provide kinematic coupling between three connection points. The fork can be, for example, L-shaped or triangular. The fork can have rigid elements and / or hinged supports, such as links as described above, for kinematic coupling between connection points. The fork can be configured in a triangular form. Two sides of the triangle can be configured as force-transmitting elements, such as links. These sides may converge at the corner midpoint and be angled to each other. The triangle may include a portion of a member that connects the distal ends of these sides away from the corner midpoint, as a third side. Examples of such end-connecting members may include portions of a bearing housing, a base plate, and / or an auxiliary frame described later. As an example of a fork-shaped component, two elongated members, such as rotatable or fixedly supported links, are fastened to the bearing housing at different heights and move toward each other towards the support elements, such that a portion of the bearing housing, together with these elongated members, forms a triangle. As another example, two links can branch off from the bearing housing to each of two support elements, wherein two support elements are provided at different heights, thereby forming a triangle using these links and the connecting member between the two support elements.

[0023] In one embodiment, one of the coupling elements has a damping element. The damping element can act passively or actively. The damping element can be configured to dampen vibrational excitation in the longitudinal direction of the coupling element.

[0024] In one embodiment, multiple support elements and / or coupling elements are fastened to an auxiliary frame. The auxiliary frame is supported on a substrate. The support of the auxiliary frame on the substrate can be configured to lock all degrees of freedom of the auxiliary frame relative to the substrate. The support can be rigid or implemented via hinges. The support can also have damping elements. For example, the auxiliary frame can be fastened to the substrate by an elastic support element. The elastic support element can be configured as an elastomeric support, such as a rubber damper.

[0025] In one embodiment, the bearing housing and the coupling element are independent of each other and formed of different materials. For example, the bearing housing is formed of a metallic material, such as a steel alloy or an aluminum alloy. For example, the coupling element is formed of a non-metallic material.

[0026] The second aspect of this disclosure relates to a wind power facility having a bearing assembly according to the first aspect. The wind power facility can, for example, be configured to generate electric current. The wind power facility has a drivetrain, a tower, and the bearing assembly of the first aspect. The bearing assembly is mounted on top of the tower. For example, the base plate of the bearing assembly can be mounted on top of the tower via a yaw bearing. Corresponding advantages and other features will become apparent from the description of the first aspect, wherein the design of the first aspect also constitutes the design of the second aspect, and vice versa.

[0027] In one embodiment, the support element of the bearing assembly overlaps with the wall on the top side of the tower in the support direction. This introduces the support force into the tower with a short distance and high stiffness. Therefore, the vibration behavior of the tower is improved using a simple structure.

[0028] In one embodiment, the drive system includes: a rotor with at least two rotor blades; and a generator. The rotor is mechanically connected to the generator via a rotor shaft. In another embodiment, the drive system includes a transmission device arranged in the torque flow between the rotor shaft and the generator. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 The illustration illustrates a wind power facility with a drive system.

[0030] Figure 2 The front sectional view schematically illustrates Figure 1 A first embodiment of a bearing assembly for a transmission system of a wind power facility.

[0031] Figure 3 The front sectional view schematically illustrates Figure 1 A second embodiment of a bearing assembly for a drive system of a wind power facility.

[0032] Figure 4 The front sectional view schematically illustrates Figure 1 A third embodiment of a bearing assembly for a transmission system of wind power facilities.

[0033] Figure 5 The front sectional view schematically illustrates Figure 1 The fifth embodiment of a bearing assembly for a transmission system of wind power facilities. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1A schematic diagram illustrates a wind turbine 1 of a horizontal structure type. The wind turbine 1 has a nacelle 3, which is rotatably secured to the upper end of a tower 2 via a yaw bearing 6. The lower end of the tower 2 is anchored to the ground 5. A drivetrain 10 is housed within the nacelle 3, comprising a rotor shaft 11, a transmission 12, a generator 13, an auxiliary unit 14, and a turbine 15. The rotor 4 of the wind turbine 1 is mechanically connected to the generator 13 via the turbine 15, the rotor shaft 11, and the transmission 12. The auxiliary unit 14 may include: a device for temperature regulation of the drivetrain 10; a device for power conversion; a device for adjusting the turbine 15; and a device for orienting the nacelle 3 via the yaw bearing 6. The wind turbine 1 also has bearing assemblies for supporting portions of the drivetrain 10.

[0035] Figure 2 A first embodiment of a bearing assembly for a drivetrain 10 of a wind power facility 1 is schematically illustrated in a front sectional view. The bearing assembly has a base plate 20, which is configured as a ring member in this case. The base plate 20 is rotatably connected to the tower 2 via a yaw bearing 6. Within the base plate 20, a base plate 21 is provided at its lower end.

[0036] The bearing assembly has a bearing housing 22. In this configuration, the bearing housing 22 surrounds a portion of the transmission 10 and is rigidly connected to at least one of the transmission 12 and the generator 13. Therefore, the transmission 12 and / or the generator 13 can transmit the reaction force generated by the force introduced via the rotor shaft 11 to the bearing housing 22. It should be noted that additional reaction forces introduced via the rotor shaft 11, such as radial forces, can be supported on a rotor shaft main bearing (not shown), which acts as an additional bearing assembly.

[0037] In the current configuration, the bearing assembly has two coupling devices 24. Each coupling device 24 has a coupling element 26 and a support element 28. In the current embodiment, the two coupling devices 24, each with one coupling element 26 and one support element 28, are arranged on opposite sides of the torque axis 70. The torque axis 70 substantially corresponds to the rotation axis of the rotor shaft 11. Figure 2 In this configuration, the torque axis 70 is marked as a cross within the bearing housing 22. The two coupling devices 24 are constructed identically and are horizontally mirrored only around the torque axis 70. Therefore, for simplicity, only one of the coupling devices 24 will be described below, namely, Figure 2 The coupling device on the left side. These relationships similarly apply if the direction of the torque 80, described later, is reversed. Figure 2 The coupling device 24 on the right side of the middle.

[0038] In the current configuration, the coupling device 24 has a housing connection 27 that at least partially surrounds and is coupled to the bearing housing 22 to withstand all reaction forces from the bearing housing 22. In the current configuration, the coupling element 26 of the coupling device 24 is configured as a fork 40. The fork 40 has a triangular shape formed by a portion of the housing connection 27 and two sides 42, 44. In the current configuration, the sides 42, 44 are configured as rigid straight arms, which are spaced apart from each other on one side of the housing connection 27 and converge toward each other towards the support element 28.

[0039] The coupling element 26 of the coupling device 24 is configured to convert the torque 80 about the torque axis 70 into a supporting force 82 acting in the supporting direction 72. Therefore, the coupling element 26 is functionally configured as a torque support. The supporting force 82 is introduced into the substrate 20 via the support element 28. The supporting force 82 in... Figure 2 The left side is indicated by an arrow, and the line of action 83 of the supporting force 82 is indicated by a double-dotted line. In the current case, the support element 28 is configured to allow the coupling element 26 and therefore the bearing housing 22 to translate relative to the base plate 20 in the lateral direction 74. The lateral direction 74 is perpendicular not only to the torque axis 70 but also to the supporting direction 72. The directions 71 of the torque axis 70, the supporting direction 72, and the lateral direction 74 are... Figure 2 The upper right corner is drawn as a directional arrow. In the current case, the support element 28 is constructed as a planar sliding element that transmits force in the support direction 72 and in the direction of the torque axis 70, but not in the lateral direction 74. In the current case, the support element 28 transmits force in the support direction 72 only on one side, i.e., downwards.

[0040] Torque 80 is applied to the bearing housing 22 by the transmission system. In the present case, the bearing housing 22 is mechanically coupled to the housing connection 27. The support element 28 is spaced apart from the torque axis 70 by the structure of the coupling element 26. Thus, the coupling element 26 acts as a lever arm for applying torque 80 to the bearing housing 22. Through this lever arm, torque 80 is converted into a supporting force 82, which is introduced into the base plate 20 via the support element 28. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the support element 28 is spaced apart from the yaw axis 76 and is also configured to withstand a force in the direction of the torque axis 70, which substantially corresponds to the direction of the yaw axis 76. Figure 2 The support element 28 is located in the circumferential direction around the yaw axis 76 within the cross-sectional plane. Thus, in the current embodiment, the support element 28 is also able to support the yaw moment around the yaw axis 76. The support element 28 allows translation in the lateral direction 74, so that vibrations and forces in the lateral direction 74 are not introduced into the substrate 20.

[0041] Figure 3 A second embodiment of the bearing assembly for the drivetrain 10 of a wind power facility 1 is schematically illustrated in a front sectional view. Only the following is described: Figure 2 The difference lies in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the support element 28 is configured to allow translation in the circumferential direction about the yaw axis 76. Therefore, the support element 28 in the second embodiment is not configured to support the yaw moment about the yaw axis 76. To support the yaw moment about the yaw axis 76, an additional coupling element 30 is provided in the second embodiment. In this case, the additional coupling element 30 is configured as a rigid beam. The additional coupling element 30 is fastened to the base plate 20 and extends in the lateral direction 74. The additional coupling element 30 is offset relative to the yaw axis 76 along the torque axis 70 and thus spaced apart from the yaw axis 76. The additional coupling element 30 has two connecting sections 31 that are connected to the connecting element 23. The connecting element 23 is firmly connected to the bearing housing 22 to introduce force. The connecting element 23 and the connecting sections 31 are configured to transmit force in the lateral direction 74. Since the additional coupling element 30 is spaced apart from the yaw axis 76, the additional coupling element, through the connection section 31 and the connection element 23, connects to the bearing housing 22, converting the yaw moment acting on the bearing housing 22 about the yaw axis 76 into a lateral force 84 introduced into the additional coupling element 30. Because the additional coupling element 30 is fastened to the base plate 20, the bearing assembly of the second embodiment can support the yaw moment about the yaw axis 76 independently of the support of the torque 80.

[0042] Figure 4 A third embodiment of the bearing assembly for the drivetrain 10 of a wind power facility 1 is schematically illustrated in a front sectional view. Only the differences from the second embodiment are described. In the second embodiment, lateral forces are transmitted via a rigid additional coupling element 30, while in the third embodiment, lateral forces are transmitted via two additional coupling elements 32. These additional coupling elements 32 are each constructed as a link. Each additional coupling element 32 constructed as a link has a hinge 34 at each of its two ends. These hinges 34 are implemented as ball joints, having all rotational degrees of freedom. These additional coupling elements 32 extend generally parallel to the lateral direction 84. Furthermore, these additional coupling elements 32 are spaced apart from the yaw axis 70. Therefore, these additional coupling elements 32 are capable of supporting the lateral forces and yaw moments of the drivetrain 10 and the bearing housing 22.

[0043] Figure 5A fourth embodiment of the bearing assembly for the drivetrain 10 of a wind power facility 1 is schematically illustrated in a front sectional view. Only descriptions related to... Figure 2 The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the coupling element 26 is not directly supported on the substrate 20, but rather on an auxiliary frame 46. The auxiliary frame 46 is supported on the substrate 20 via a resilient support element 48. The resilient support element 48 allows slight movement of the auxiliary frame 46 in a direction perpendicular to the support direction 72 and has high damping. The bearing housing 22 is supported in the auxiliary frame 46 via two coupling elements 26. In this case, the coupling elements 26 are configured as fork-shaped members 40. Each fork-shaped member 40 is formed by two sides 42, 44 and a portion of the auxiliary frame 46. These sides 42, 44 are supported on the frame 46 via support elements 28. These sides 42, 44 are rigidly connected to the bearing housing 22 at their other ends. In this case, these sides 42, 44 are configured as links that allow translation of the bearing housing 22 in the lateral direction 74. More precisely, these sides 42, 44 are capable of changing their length under the action of a force in the lateral direction 74. In the present case, this length change is passively damped by the structure of these sides 42, 44. In another embodiment, these sides 42, 44 have an active damping structure. Through the above-described structure of the fork 40 of the coupling element 26, a double-arm structure is essentially provided in the fourth embodiment. This double-arm structure can withstand the torque 80 with high stiffness, while simultaneously enabling the bearing housing 22 to translate in the lateral direction relative to the auxiliary frame 46 and the base plate 20. These translations are strongly damped by these sides 42, 44. Furthermore, the frame 46 is supported on the base plate 20 via a damped elastic support element 48. In summary, the bearing assembly of the fourth embodiment has particularly advantageous vibration characteristics.

[0044] Figure Labels

[0045] 1. Wind power facilities

[0046] 2 towers

[0047] 3 Cabin

[0048] 4 rotors

[0049] 5. Ground

[0050] 6. Yaw axis

[0051] 10. Transmission System

[0052] 11 Rotor shaft

[0053] 12 Transmission device

[0054] 13 Generators

[0055] 14 Auxiliary Units

[0056] 15 hubs

[0057] 20 substrate

[0058] 21 Base Plate

[0059] 22 Bearing housing

[0060] 23 Connecting elements

[0061] 24 Coupling devices

[0062] 26 Coupling Elements

[0063] 27 Housing connection part

[0064] 28 Support elements

[0065] 30, 32 Other coupling elements

[0066] 31 Connecting Section

[0067] 34 Hinges

[0068] 40 Fork-shaped parts

[0069] 42, 44 Side

[0070] 46. ​​Auxiliary Framework

[0071] 48. Elastic support element

[0072] 70 Torque axis

[0073] 71. Direction of the Torque Axis

[0074] 72 Support direction

[0075] 74 Lateral direction

[0076] 76 Yaw axis

[0077] 80 Nm of torque

[0078] 82 Supporting force

[0079] 83 Line of Action

[0080] 84 Lateral force

Claims

1. A bearing assembly for a wind power facility (1) for supporting a drivetrain (10) on a tower (2) of the wind power facility (1), the bearing assembly having: a base plate (20) for mounting on the tower (2); a bearing housing (22) for housing and supporting the drivetrain (10); and a coupling device (24) having a coupling element (26) for converting a torque (80) applied by the drivetrain (10) to the bearing housing (22) about a torque axis (70) into a support force (82) acting in a support direction (72); and a support element (28) for introducing the support force (82) from the coupling element (26) into the base plate (20), wherein, The coupling device (24) is configured to allow the bearing housing (22) to translate relative to the base plate (20) in a lateral direction (74) perpendicular to the torque axis (70) and the support direction (72).

2. The bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support element (28) is configured as a sliding element capable of enabling the bearing housing (22) to translate relative to the base plate (20) in the lateral direction (74).

3. The bearing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bearing assembly has two coupling devices (24) arranged on opposite sides of the torque axis (70).

4. The bearing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The bearing assembly has additional coupling elements (30; 32) for transmitting forces in the lateral direction (74) from the bearing housing (22) to the substrate (20).

5. The bearing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The support element (28) is configured to withstand forces in the direction of the torque axis (70).

6. The bearing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The base plate (20) is supported on the tower (2) in a manner that allows rotation about the yaw axis (76), the support element (28) is configured to allow translation in the circumferential direction about the yaw axis (76), and the bearing assembly has additional coupling elements (30; 32) for converting the yaw moment about the yaw axis (76) on the bearing housing (22) into a force in the lateral direction (74), and the additional coupling elements (30; 32) for converting the yaw moment are also configured to introduce the force in the lateral direction (74) into the base plate (20).

7. The bearing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, One of the coupling elements (26; 30; 32) has a link configured to transmit tension and compression, and the link is rotatably supported at both ends.

8. The bearing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, One of the coupling elements (26; 30; 32) is configured as a fork (40).

9. The bearing assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, One of the coupling elements (26; 30; 32) has a damping element.

10. A wind power facility (1) having a drive system (10), a tower (2) and a bearing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the bearing assembly being mounted on top of the tower (2).

11. The wind power facility (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The support element (28) of the bearing assembly overlaps with the top side wall of the tower (2) in the support direction (74).

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