Support of spindle housing with springing diaphragm

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive assembly (101, 301) for a wind turbine, comprising a main shaft, a housing (103), a support structure (105) fixed relative to a nacelle, and at least one spring element (107, 109), the main shaft being mounted completely in the housing (103), and the housing (103) being mounted in the support structure (105) in a sprung manner by means of the at least one spring element (107, 109). The at least one spring element (107, 109) has at least one spring diaphragm (403).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving component according to the preamble of claim 1. Background Technology

[0002] A drive assembly for a wind turbine generator is known from DE 10 2021 210 007 A1, which has a main shaft, a housing, a support structure fixed relative to the nacelle, and multiple spring elements. The main shaft is fully supported in the housing. The housing is spring-loaded in the support structure by means of the spring elements. The spring elements are elastic bodies.

[0003] Elastomers are disadvantageous because they age, and therefore their springing effect decreases over time. Furthermore, elastomers require a large amount of structural space, which is insufficient in the support area of ​​the spindle housing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The objective of this invention is to provide a drive assembly for wind turbine generators that is an improvement over solutions known in the prior art. This objective is achieved by the drive assembly according to claim 1. Preferred improvements are contained in the dependent claims and will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

[0005] The drive assembly according to the invention includes a main shaft, a housing, a support structure fixed relative to the nacelle, and at least one spring element. The main shaft is the input shaft of the transmission device of the wind turbine generator set. In the installed state, it is connected to the wind-driven rotor of the wind turbine generator set in a rotation-resistant manner. Preferably, the main shaft is also connected to the input end (input shaft or planetary gear carrier on the input side) of the transmission device of the wind turbine generator set in a rotation-resistant manner.

[0006] The aforementioned housing is preferably joined to the housing of the transmission device. In particular, the two housings can be threaded together or connected to each other as single pieces.

[0007] A support structure that is fixed relative to the nacelle refers to a support structure that is rigidly designed for the nacelle of a wind turbine generator, meaning it is fixed or can be fixed in the absence of relative movement. In particular, the frame can form a support structure.

[0008] The spindle is fully supported within the housing. This means that the spindle is supported within the housing using each of its bearings. Therefore, the spindle does not have any bearings within the housing that are not supported by these bearings.

[0009] Each bearing of the spindle comprises two bearing rings. The first bearing ring is fixed to the spindle or formed as a single piece with the spindle. Correspondingly, the second bearing ring is fixed in the housing or formed as a single piece with the housing.

[0010] The housing is at least partially spring-loaded in the support structure by means of at least one spring element. This means that at least one support portion (in which the housing is supported in the support structure) is spring-loaded. The spring-loaded support portion allows relative movement between the housing and the support structure. The support portion has a spring element whose spring force resists these relative movements.

[0011] To apply the spring force, according to the invention, at least one elastic diaphragm is configured as part of at least one spring element. The elastic diaphragm generates the aforementioned spring force that opposes the relative motion between the housing and the support structure.

[0012] A diaphragm is a device formed from a thin layer of material. Compared to its thickness, a diaphragm has a large surface area. Diaphragms form a biaxially tensioned surface. In particular, diaphragms can be designed in a pot-shaped or bowl-shaped configuration.

[0013] In the context of this invention, a spring-loaded diaphragm is advantageous because it requires very little space due to its surface structure. Therefore, this invention enables the housing to be supported in a space-saving manner within a support structure that is fixed relative to the cabin.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the elastic diaphragm, at least one spring element also has a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. An engagement portion refers to a device constructed for engagement with another engagement portion.

[0015] According to the improved design, at least one spring element engages with the housing in a first engagement portion and with the support structure in a second engagement portion. Specifically, the housing forms an engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion. The support structure correspondingly forms a separate engagement portion that engages with the second engagement portion.

[0016] The joint connections between the first joint and the housing, and between the second joint and the support structure, can be implemented using force-locking, form-locking, and / or material-locking methods. In particular, the spring element can be threaded to the housing in the first joint and threaded to the support structure in the second joint. In this case, the first and / or second joints, as well as the corresponding joints between the housing and the support structure, are preferably implemented as threaded flanges.

[0017] The first and second joints are elastically connected to each other via a diaphragm. This means that the diaphragm is configured to apply a spring force acting between the first and second joints. This spring force, as described above, counteracts the relative movement between the shell and the support structure fixed relative to the cabin, and therefore counteracts the relative movement between the first and second joints.

[0018] The diaphragm, the first engagement portion, and / or the second engagement portion are preferably modified to be rotationally symmetric. The diaphragm is preferably narrowly rotationally symmetric, meaning that the diaphragm can be mapped to itself by rotating about its axis of symmetry by any arbitrary angle. The first engagement portion and / or the second engagement portion can be broadly rotationally symmetric. This means that they can be mapped to themselves by rotating about their axis of symmetry by one or more angles less than 360 degrees. Rotationally symmetric spring elements according to the modified scheme are advantageous because these spring elements can be easily manufactured and installed.

[0019] Alternatively, the first and / or second engagement portions are not rotationally symmetric. Specifically, the first engagement portion may be rotationally symmetric, while the second engagement portion is not. According to the improved embodiment, the first and / or second engagement portions correspondingly have different dimensions in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Therefore, the first and / or second engagement portions extend at different distances in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Extension in the longitudinal direction refers to extension along the longitudinal axis, which is an axis orthogonal to the height axis of the spring element. Correspondingly, extension in the transverse direction refers to extension along the transverse axis, which is orthogonal to both the height axis and the longitudinal axis.

[0020] The improvement of non-rotational symmetry at the first and / or second joints is advantageous because it generates different spring stiffnesses in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Therefore, the spring element can be adapted to the longitudinal and transverse forces to be borne on the housing side.

[0021] In the case of rotationally symmetrical first and / or second joints, the height axis of the spring element coincides with the axis of symmetry of the first and / or second joints. In the case of non-rotationally symmetrical first and / or second joints, the height axis preferably coincides with the geometric midline of the spring element or diaphragm.

[0022] In a preferred improvement, the height axis is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the main shaft. The aforementioned longitudinal axis is preferably parallel to the rotation axis. The orientation of the height axis of the spring element according to the improved design takes into account the introduction of supporting force through the housing in the main direction.

[0023] In addition to the at least one spring element described above, the assembly preferably has at least two spring elements. In this case, the additional spring element belongs to the assembly. The additional spring element preferably has the same characteristics as the at least one spring element described above. In particular, the two spring elements can be structurally identical. If two technical devices or device arrangements are consistent with each other within the range of manufacturing tolerances regarding their physical characteristics, especially regarding their material and geometric properties, they are structurally identical. The height axes of at least one spring element and the additional spring element preferably run parallel to each other.

[0024] In a preferred improvement, at least one spring element is made of metal, preferably spring steel. Metals have the advantage of almost unlimited resistance to aging compared to elastomers.

[0025] Preferably, at least one spring element is modified as a single piece. In particular, the diaphragm, the first engagement portion, and / or the second engagement portion can be connected to each other as single pieces.

[0026] The weight of the housing and / or main shaft is preferably at least partially transferred to a support structure fixed relative to the cabin via at least one spring element. The various components of this assembly are modified accordingly. Specifically, this means that the housing is modified to bear the weight of the main shaft and transfer that weight, along with its own weight, to at least one spring element. At least one spring element is modified to bear the weight and transfer that weight to the support structure fixed relative to the cabin. The support structure is further modified to bear the force transferred by the at least one spring element.

[0027] Preferably, the components of the assembly are modified to bear and further guide the forces generated by the driving torque loaded onto the transmission housing, similar to the weight of the housing and / or the main shaft. According to the modification, the driving torque is at least partially introduced into a support structure fixed relative to the nacelle via at least one spring element. Furthermore, the assembly is preferably constructed to bear and further guide additional forces acting on the housing, such as forces acting on a wind-driven rotor. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. Consistent reference numerals herein denote the same or similar features. Figure 1 The drive assembly for a wind turbine generator is shown in a side view. Figure 2 The previous view showed the driving components; Figure 3 Alternative driver components are shown; Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the spring element is shown; Figure 5A top view of the spring element is shown; and Figure 6 A top view of the alternative spring element is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 The drive assembly 101 shown includes a housing 103 for the spindle, a frame 105 forming a support structure fixed relative to the nacelle, and spring elements. Figure 1 In the side view, the first spring element 107 and the second spring element 109 are visible.

[0030] The housing 103 has four torque support sections. There are two torque support sections on each side of the housing. Figure 1 The first torque support portion 110 and the second torque support portion 111 are shown.

[0031] The housing 103 is supported in the frame 105 by torque supports. Each torque support is spring-loaded in the frame 105. Thus, the first torque support 110 is spring-loaded in the frame 105 by a first spring element 107. The second torque support 111 is correspondingly spring-loaded in the frame 105 by a second spring element 109.

[0032] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the same drive assembly 101 is shown. This cross-section can extend through either the first torque support 110 or the second torque support 111. The same view is produced in both cases.

[0033] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the drive assembly 101 shown, spring elements 107 and 109 are arranged between their respective torque supports 110 and 111 and the frame 105. Here, the spring elements 107 and 109 are entirely located in the intermediate space between the torque supports 110 and 111 and the frame 105. This is advantageous because it results in a simpler structure. However, the spring elements 107 and 109 require structural space corresponding to the aforementioned intermediate space.

[0034] An alternative drive assembly 301 for reducing the structural space requirements of spring elements 107 and 109 is provided. Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. Here, spring elements 107 and 109 are arranged below the frame 105 or on the side of the frame 105 opposite to the housing 103. Therefore, the housing 103 and the spring elements 107 and 109 are located on different sides of the frame 105. Figure 3 The frame 105 passes through the space between the housing 103 and the spring elements 107 and 109.

[0035] To connect the housing 103 or the torque support portions 110, 111 to their respective spring elements 107, 109, a connecting device 303 is provided. This connecting device... Figure 3 The design is cylindrical. The connecting device 303 passes through the open portion of the frame 105 and engages with the housing 103 or the respective torque support portions 110, 111 at one end. On the opposite end, the connecting device 303 engages with the respective spring elements 107, 109.

[0036] In order to make according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The spring element and housing 103 or their respective torque supports 110, 111 or according to Figure 3 Engaged with their respective connecting devices 303, the spring elements respectively have in Figure 4 The first threaded flange 401 is shown in the diagram. The first threaded flange 401 is threadedly connected to the housing 103 or the respective torque support portions 110, 111 or the corresponding threaded flange of the connecting device 103. The first threaded flange is elastically connected to the second threaded flange 405 via a spring-loaded diaphragm 403. The diaphragm 403 is preferably made of spring steel.

[0037] In the second threaded flange 405, spring elements 107 and 109 are threadedly connected to the frame 105.

[0038] Spring elements 107 and 109 Figure 5 The embodiment shown is rotationally symmetrical. Specifically, the first threaded flange, diaphragm 403, and second threaded flange 405 are rotationally symmetrical about the height axes of the spring elements 107 and 109.

[0039] Figure 6 A non-rotationally symmetric alternative is shown. Here, only the first threaded flange 401 is rotationally symmetric. The second threaded flange 405 has an elliptical shape. Accordingly, the diaphragm 403 connecting the first threaded flange 401 and the second threaded flange 405 is also not rotationally symmetric.

[0040] List of reference numerals

[0041] 101 driver components

[0042] 103 casing

[0043] 105 rack

[0044] 107 Spring Component

[0045] 109 Spring Components

[0046] 110 Torque Support

[0047] 111 Torque Support

[0048] 301 driver components

[0049] 303 Connector

[0050] 401 threaded flange

[0051] 403 membrane

[0052] 405 threaded flange

Claims

1. A drive assembly (101, 301) for a wind turbine generator set, the drive assembly having a main shaft, a housing (103), a support structure (105) fixed relative to the nacelle, and at least one spring element (107, 109), wherein, The main shaft is fully supported within the housing (103), and wherein, The housing (103) is spring-loaded within the support structure (105) by means of at least one spring element (107, 109), characterized in that, The at least one spring element (107, 109) has at least one elastic diaphragm (403).

2. The component (101, 301) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one spring element (107, 301) has a first engagement portion (401) and a second engagement portion (405), wherein, The at least one spring element (107, 301) engages with the housing (103) in the first engagement portion (401) and with the support structure (105) in the second engagement portion (405), wherein, The diaphragm (403) elastically connects the first engagement portion (401) and the second engagement portion (405) to each other.

3. The component (101, 301) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The diaphragm (403), the first engagement portion (401), and / or the second engagement portion (405) are rotationally symmetrical.

4. The component (101, 301) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first engagement portion (401) and / or the second engagement portion (405) extend at different distances in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction.

5. The component (101, 301) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The height axis of the spring elements (107, 109) is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the main shaft.

6. The component (101, 301) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one spring element (107, 109) is made of metal.

7. The component (101, 301) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one spring element (107, 109) is implemented as a single piece.

8. The component (101, 301) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The weight of the housing (103) and / or the main shaft is at least partially introduced into the support structure (105) fixed relative to the cabin by the at least one spring element (107, 109).

9. The component (101, 301) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The driving torque loaded on the housing (103) is at least partially introduced into the support structure (105) fixed relative to the cabin through the at least one spring element (107, 109).

Images