Braking device for a wind turbine

Abstract

The invention relates to a braking device for a wind turbine, comprising a braking force generation unit for generating an output force acting in an output direction aligned parallel to a braking device's central axis. Furthermore, the braking device comprises a brake contact unit and an adjustment device. The brake contact unit has a brake pad element with a friction surface facing away from the braking force generation unit and arranged at least substantially in a friction plane for generating a friction force. The adjustment device includes at least one intermediate element arranged between the braking force generation unit and the brake contact unit and is configured to adjust the brake contact unit relative to the braking force generation unit such that the friction plane pivots at least partially about a pivot axis angled to the braking device's central axis relative to the braking force generation unit.According to the invention, the adjusting device is designed such that the brake contact unit can be pivoted relative to the intermediate element about a rotation axis angled to the brake friction plane by a first angle of less than 90°.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a braking device for a wind turbine and to the wind turbine with the braking device. The braking device has a braking force generating device for generating an output force that acts in an output direction parallel to a braking device center axis. The braking device further has a brake contact unit. The brake contact unit comprises a brake pad element. The brake pad element has a braking friction surface facing away from the braking force generating device, which is arranged at least substantially in a braking friction plane and serves to generate a friction force. The braking device also has an adjusting device. The adjusting device comprises at least one intermediate element arranged between the braking force generating device and the brake contact unit.The adjustment device is designed to adjust the brake contact unit relative to the braking force generating device in such a way that the brake friction plane pivots relative to the braking force generating device at least partially about a pivot axis angled to the braking device center axis.

[0002] Typical wind turbines have a tower and a nacelle mounted on the tower so they can rotate about a vertical axis. Known braking devices are used in such wind turbines to prevent the nacelle from accidentally rotating about its vertical axis. The braking friction surface is typically in contact with a tower bearing ring. Because the braking contact unit presses against the tower bearing ring without any direct counterforce, a nacelle bearing ring pulls the end of the tower bearing ring facing it upwards, frequently resulting in deformation of the tower bearing ring. The deformation of the tower bearing ring results in the surface facing the braking devices being angled to the braking friction plane, and only a small portion of the braking friction surfaces resting on the bearing ring, significantly reducing the friction force.If the friction force is reduced, it is no longer possible to prevent unintentional movement.

[0003] A braking device of this type is known from EP 3 246 588 A1. Here, a ball-and-socket joint with two degrees of freedom is arranged between the braking force generating device and the brake contact unit. The joint is intended to enable the brake contact surface to bear fully against the bearing ring of the tower, even if the bearing ring has been deformed. In order to utilize the degrees of freedom of the ball-and-socket joint, a so-called surface sliding bearing formed by the intermediate element and the brake contact unit is also required to compensate for lateral displacements of the brake contact unit associated with pivoting of the brake contact unit around the ball-and-socket joint. Due to the large number of parts that move relative to one another in a complex manner, this design has proven to be not only space-intensive, but also maintenance-intensive and prone to damage.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved braking device that avoids the described disadvantages. Furthermore, the object includes providing a wind turbine with the improved braking device.

[0005] According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the adjusting device is designed such that the brake contact unit is pivotable relative to the intermediate element about a rotational axis that is angled to the brake friction plane by a first angle of less than 90°. This means that the rotational axis is arranged at an angle to a brake friction normal that is perpendicular to the brake friction plane. The brake friction plane is, in particular, positioned stationary relative to the brake pad element. The adjusting device is, in particular, further designed such that the brake contact unit is pivotally movable relative to the intermediate element exclusively about the rotational axis and preferably prevents a translational movement of the brake contact unit relative to the intermediate element, in particular in a direction angled to the rotational axis.

[0006] The prescribed position of the rotation axis relative to the brake friction plane ensures that the pivoting of the brake friction plane about the pivot axis can be achieved, in particular solely, by pivoting the brake contact unit about the rotation axis. The adjustment device is particularly designed such that pivoting the brake contact unit about the pivot axis necessarily requires pivoting about the rotation axis. When the braking device is mounted in a wind turbine, with the brake friction surface only partially in contact with a deformed bearing ring of the tower, the brake contact unit automatically rotates relative to the tower in the event of a rotation of the nacelle until the brake contact unit has pivoted sufficiently far about the pivot axis for the brake friction surface to once again be in full contact with the bearing ring of the tower.This state is achieved in particular by potential energy stored by the braking force generating device and is maintained once reached, even if the nacelle continues to rotate relative to the tower.

[0007] In contrast to known devices, the braking device according to the invention not only prevents unintentional rotation of the nacelle around the vertical axis, but also ensures high reliability of the braking device. Due to the significantly less extensive relative movement of the components of the braking device to one another, damage can be prevented and maintenance intervals extended by utilizing simple mechanical principles. Furthermore, the braking device according to the invention is considerably smaller than previously known devices.

[0008] The braking device according to the invention is, in particular, an azimuth brake. The braking force generating devices of such braking devices typically allow output forces of approximately 150 kN to be generated. At least some of the aforementioned components of the braking device are arranged, in particular at least partially, in a housing element. This is, in particular, a bearing bush or the like, which is designed to be rotationally symmetrical and is to be fixed in a recess in a nacelle frame of the nacelle. The central axis of the braking device corresponds, in particular, to an axis of symmetry of the housing element.

[0009] The housing element preferably supports the braking force generating device at least opposite to the starting direction. The braking force generating device is, in particular, preloaded or is preloaded and / or comprises at least one spring or a component with at least a spring-like action. The housing element preferably surrounds the intermediate element and / or the brake contact unit at least partially and preferably serves to guide it in the starting direction. The brake contact unit preferably bears against the housing element at least partially.

[0010] The brake contact unit is mounted in particular on the intermediate element. The brake contact unit is a rigid unit whose parts are fixed to one another, i.e., immovably mounted, in the case of a multi-part design of the brake contact unit. In a first preferred variant, the brake contact unit comprises exclusively the brake pad element. In a second preferred variant, the brake contact unit comprises, in addition to the brake pad element, a brake pad fixing element. This is arranged in particular between the brake pad element and the intermediate element. The brake pad element is made in particular from a material typical for brake pads and is preferably replaceable. To compensate for wear of the brake pad element, it is preferably gradually displaced in the starting direction by the braking force generating device during operation of the braking device.The at least substantially flat brake friction surface is preferably round and particularly preferably has a diameter of 80 mm. The brake pad element is designed to generate the friction force in such a way that a frictional connection rather than a positive connection exists between the brake pad element and the bearing ring of the tower.

[0011] In addition to the intermediate element, the adjustment device can be formed by other parts of the braking device. In particular, the brake contact unit can also form the adjustment device. The adjustment device is designed to pivot the brake contact unit relative to the braking force generating device and / or the housing element about the pivot axis. The pivot axis intersects the braking device center axis, in particular at right angles. Pivoting about the pivot axis means that, in a longitudinal section through the braking device along the braking device center axis, the braking friction plane, which is linear in this section, pivots relative to the braking device center axis about the pivot axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal section plane. The longitudinal section plane is positioned stationary relative to the braking force generating device and / or the housing element.

[0012] The intermediate element supports the brake contact unit, in particular directly or indirectly. At least apart from components that directly support the brake contact unit, such as rollers of a roller bearing, there are preferably no parts of the braking device between the intermediate element and the brake contact unit. The brake contact unit preferably rests directly against the intermediate element and forms a friction bearing.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the brake contact unit has an intermediate contact surface which rests on the intermediate element and is designed to be rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation. The brake contact unit rests with the intermediate contact surface, in particular in a planar or linear manner, on the intermediate element or a mating contact surface thereof. The mating contact surface preferably has the same shape as the intermediate contact surface. The intermediate contact surface is, for example, conical in shape or designed to form an annular rail for guiding the brake contact unit on the intermediate element. Preferably, the intermediate contact surface is flat and particularly preferably formed at right angles to the axis of rotation. In this case, the brake contact unit is preferably at least substantially wedge-shaped in longitudinal section, wherein the brake friction surface and the intermediate contact surface approach one another with increasing distance from the brake device center axis.The rotationally symmetrical and particularly flat design of the intermediate contact surface results in a mechanically particularly simple and space-saving design of the braking device, allowing its advantages to be fully realized. Particularly if the brake contact unit is not directly in contact with the intermediate element, apart from lubricants, for example, a ball or tapered roller bearing can be arranged between the brake contact unit and the intermediate element to reduce the friction generated during pivoting around the rotation axis.

[0014] Preferably, the intermediate contact surface and / or the mating contact surface in contact with it are formed from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Teflon). The other surface is preferably formed from a polished metal. Alternatively or additionally, lubrication is provided between the intermediate element and the brake contact unit. This reliably reduces the friction generated when the brake contact unit pivots relative to the intermediate element about the rotation axis.

[0015] The adjustment device is preferably designed such that the brake contact unit can be pivoted relative to the intermediate element by at least 90°, particularly preferably by at least 180°, about the rotation axis. In particular, the brake contact unit can be rotated relative to the intermediate element by more than 360°. This range of pivoting or rotation allows for a particularly extensive pivoting of the brake friction plane about the pivot axis.

[0016] The housing element preferably at least partially surrounds the intermediate element. Particularly preferably, the braking device comprises a blocking device that blocks, i.e., prevents, pivoting of the intermediate element relative to the housing element and / or relative to the braking force generating device. The blocking device is formed, in particular, by the housing element or the intermediate element itself. The blocking device reliably prevents the intermediate element from rotating together with the brake contact unit about the braking device center axis. In particular, the intermediate element is movable relative to the housing element exclusively in the starting direction.

[0017] As an alternative to the blocking device, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate element is pivotable or rotatable relative to the braking force generating device, in particular to the housing element. The pivoting or rotatability is preferably independent of the mobility of the brake contact unit relative to the intermediate element. Preferably, the intermediate element is pivotable relative to the braking force generating device about an intermediate element pivot axis angled to the rotation axis, in particular about the braking device center axis. Due to the pivoting or rotatability,Rotatability of the intermediate element both relative to the brake contact unit and relative to the braking force generating device, in particular to the housing element, the brake friction plane can be pivoted about the pivot axis through a range of angles without the angles encompassed by the range being related to how the brake contact unit is positioned relative to the braking force generating device about the intermediate element pivot axis, in particular about the braking device center axis.

[0018] Preferably, a housing contact surface of the intermediate element, with which it rests against the braking force generating device, is flat, at least in sections, in particular at right angles to the intermediate element pivot axis. Preferably, the housing contact surface and / or a surface of the braking force generating device against which the housing contact surface rests is at least partially formed from polytetrafluoroethylene. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the braking device has a rotary drive for generating the pivoting or rotational movement of the brake contact unit relative to the intermediate element and / or of the intermediate element relative to the braking force generating device. This allows the optimal position of the brake pad element or the brake friction plane to be actively adjusted.

[0019] Preferably, the adjustment device is designed such that the rotation axis is angled by a second angle of less than 90° to an auxiliary plane perpendicular to the brake device center axis. This means that the rotation axis is angled or skewed to the brake device center axis. In particular, the intermediate element is also at least substantially wedge-shaped in longitudinal section. By angling the rotation axis to both the auxiliary plane and the brake friction plane, a greater pivoting of the brake friction plane about the pivot axis can be achieved without having to increase the pivot angle of the brake contact unit about the rotation axis. In particular, the maximum pivoting of the brake friction plane about the pivot axis can be achieved by pivoting 180° about the rotation axis.Alternatively, the rotation axis coincides with the brake device center axis, i.e. the rotation axis is angled by 90° to the auxiliary plane.

[0020] Preferably, the adjustment device is designed such that the brake contact unit is positioned relative to the intermediate element such that the brake friction plane is positioned perpendicular to the brake device center axis. From this position of the brake contact unit, the brake friction plane can be pivoted around the pivot axis, preferably in only one direction or in both directions, depending on the extent of the deformation of the bearing ring to which the brake device is to react.

[0021] The first angle and the second angle preferably differ by no more than 50%. This means that one of the two angles is at most twice as large as the other of the two angles. Particularly preferably, the first angle and the second angle are the same size. This allows, in a structurally simple manner, the brake friction plane to be pivoted from the aforementioned position in only one direction and to a particularly large extent.

[0022] Preferably, the first angle and / or the second angle is / are at least 80°, preferably 88°, more preferably at least 89°, particularly preferably 89.5°. It has been shown that these angles allow for particularly good response to the deformations of the bearing rings that actually occur. By avoiding smaller angles, excessively rapid movement of the brake contact unit towards the bearing ring during normal nacelle rotations is prevented. This reduces the risk of damage to the braking device. Ideally, both the first angle and the second angle are 89.5°. This means in particular that the adjustment device enables the brake friction plane to be pivoted by 1° around the pivot axis, for which the brake contact unit must be moved by 180° around the rotation axis. This results in the best possible combination of the aforementioned advantages for conventional wind turbines.

[0023] The intermediate element preferably has at least one holding element that at least partially surrounds the brake contact unit. Alternatively, the contact unit has at least one holding element that at least partially surrounds the intermediate element. The holding element is particularly preferably a collar that runs around the brake contact unit or the intermediate element. Alternatively, the holding element is formed by holding teeth or the like distributed around the circumference. The holding element serves to prevent relative movement of the aforementioned components to one another in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation. As an alternative to the holding element of the intermediate element, the brake contact unit is preferably held by a holding element formed by the housing element.

[0024] The object is further achieved by a wind turbine. The wind turbine has a tower and a nacelle mounted on a nacelle frame so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the tower. At least one braking device as described above and / or below is arranged on the nacelle frame. The braking device is preferably arranged such that the braking device center axis runs parallel to the vertical axis and the braking friction surface is in contact with the tower, in particular with a bearing ring of the tower. The bearing ring is preferably part of an azimuth bearing, a second bearing ring of which is arranged on the nacelle frame. The bearing ring of the tower has, in particular, a gear ring into which a pinion of an azimuth drive engages to rotate the nacelle relative to the tower.

[0025] The braking device is preferably arranged in the wind turbine such that the rotation axis intersects the vertical axis, in particular at least in one position of the braking device below the nacelle. If the first angle and the second angle are equal, this means that the braking friction plane can be pivoted about the pivot axis into a first end position in which the braking friction plane is arranged at a right angle to the vertical axis. With the braking friction plane in this end position, the braking device can in particular be mounted and brought into contact with the bearing ring of the tower before it deforms. In the event of deformation of the bearing ring, the braking friction plane can be brought into a second end position, in particular by pivoting the brake contact unit relative to the intermediate element by 180°, in which second end position the braking friction plane is minimally angled to the vertical axis.

[0026] In an alternative preferred variant of the invention, the braking device is arranged in the wind turbine such that the axis of rotation, in particular at least in one position of the braking device, runs skew to the vertical axis. In particular, the axis of rotation in this case is arranged in a vertical plane in which the braking device central axis is also arranged and whose distance from the vertical axis is as great as the distance of the braking device central axis from the vertical axis. In this variant, the braking friction plane can be pivoted in both directions from a central position in which the braking friction plane is arranged at right angles to the vertical axis in order to bring the braking friction surface into full contact with the bearing ring even in the event of an atypical deformation of the bearing ring in which the bearing ring is deformed opposite to the deformation induced by the braking device.

[0027] Further details and advantages of the invention can be seen from the schematically illustrated figures described below; they show: Fig. 1 a wind turbine according to the invention with a tower and a nacelle in an overview view; Fig. 2 a part of the tower and a part of a nacelle frame of the nacelle of the wind turbine according to Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 3 a part of the nacelle frame of the wind turbine according to Fig. 1 in a plan view; Fig. 4 shows a part of a nacelle with a non-preloaded braking device and a part of a tower of a wind turbine according to the prior art in a sectional view; Fig. 5 a detailed representation of the Fig. 4; Fig. 6 the sectional view according to Fig. 4, wherein the braking device is preloaded; Fig. 7 a detailed representation of the Fig. 6; Fig. 8 a part of a nacelle with a non-prestressed braking device according to the invention and a part of a tower of the wind turbine according to Fig. 1 in a sectional view; Fig. 9 a detailed view of the Fig. 8; Fig. 10 the sectional view according to Fig. 8, where the brake device is preloaded and has not yet adjusted; Fig. 11 a detailed view of the Fig. 10; Fig. 12 the sectional view according to Fig. 8, wherein the braking device is preloaded and has adjusted; Fig. 13 a detailed view of the Fig. 12.

[0028] The features of the illustrated embodiment can also be combined to form embodiments according to the invention in a manner different from that shown, but always at least in combination with the features of claim 1. Components of the embodiment having the same or similar effects are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0029] A wind turbine 4 according to the invention has a tower 22 and a nacelle 24 arranged to be rotatable relative to the tower 22 about a vertical axis VA ( Fig. 1). The gondola 24 has a gondola frame 26 which rests on an upper end of the tower 22 ( Fig. 2). Several braking devices 2 are arranged in the gondola frame 26, of which only one is shown ( Fig. 3 shows only a partial segment of the gondola frame 26).

[0030] The braking device 2 is arranged such that a braking device center axis MA runs parallel to the vertical axis VA. A braking friction surface 10 of the braking device 2 is in contact with a bearing ring 30 of the tower 22 (see. Fig. 5). The bearing ring 30 of the tower 22 is mounted on a tower element 32 of the tower 22 (cf. Fig. 6). The bearing ring 30 of the tower 22 forms a pivot bearing with a bearing ring 28 of the nacelle 24.

[0031] The braking device 2 has a braking force generating device 6 for generating an output force. The output force acts in an output direction AR, which is aligned parallel to the braking device center axis MA ( Fig. 5). The braking device 2 has a brake contact unit 12, which comprises a brake pad element 8 and a brake pad fixing element 11 arranged stationary therewith. The brake pad element 8 has the brake friction surface 10. The brake friction surface 10 faces away from the braking force generating device 6 and is arranged at least substantially in a brake friction plane RE. The brake friction surface 10, in contact with the bearing ring 30 of the tower 22, serves to generate a friction force.

[0032] The Fig. 4 to 7 show a braking device according to the prior art and illustrate its disadvantages. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the braking device in the non-preloaded state. In this state, a surface of the bearing ring 30 lies in the brake friction plane RE. Thus, the brake friction surface 10 is in surface contact with the aforementioned surface of the bearing ring 30. The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the braking device according to the prior art in a preloaded state. Due to the initial force generated in this state, the braking device deforms the bearing ring 30 of the tower 22 by means of the nacelle 24 and in particular by means of the bearing ring 28 of the nacelle 24. The deformation is accompanied by a section according to Fig. 7, an at least substantially wedge-shaped gap 29 is formed between the nacelle frame 26 and the bearing ring 30. The deformation results in the aforementioned surface of the bearing ring 30 of the tower 22 no longer being located in the brake friction plane RE. The brake friction plane RE extends invariably at right angles to the brake device center axis MA. As a result, the brake friction surface 10 no longer rests flatly, but only at a point at the support point AP on the surface of the bearing ring 30 of the tower 22, thus preventing the friction force required for braking. This can be prevented by the brake device 2 according to the invention.

[0033] The details of the braking device 2 according to the invention are shown in Fig. 8 to 13. These figures show the braking device 2 in three different states.

[0034] The braking device 2 according to the invention has an adjustment device. The adjustment device comprises an intermediate element 14 arranged between the braking force generating device 6 and the brake contact unit 12. The adjustment device is designed to adjust the brake contact unit 12 relative to the braking force generating device 6 in such a way that the brake friction plane RE pivots relative to the braking force generating device 6 at least partially about a pivot axis SA angled to the braking device center axis MA ( Fig. 9). The adjustment device is designed such that the brake contact unit 12 is rotatable relative to the intermediate element 14 about a rotation axis RA angled to the brake friction plane RE by a first angle α of less than 90°.

[0035] The brake contact unit 12 has an intermediate contact surface 16 abutting the intermediate element 14, which is rotationally symmetrical to the rotation axis RA and includes a flat section formed at a right angle to the rotation axis RA. A first distance A1 between a first point P1 of the section of the intermediate contact surface 16 and the brake friction plane RE is at least 1.2 times as large as a second distance A2 between a second point P2 of the section of the intermediate contact surface 16 and the brake friction plane RE. The intermediate contact surface 16 and a mating contact surface 18 in contact with the intermediate contact surface 16 are formed from polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0036] The intermediate element 14 surrounds a housing element 20 of the braking device 2. The brake contact unit 12 surrounds the intermediate element 14. The intermediate element 14 is designed to be rotatable relative to the housing element 20 about the braking device central axis MA.

[0037] The adjustment device is designed such that the rotation axis RA is angled to an auxiliary plane HE perpendicular to the brake device center axis MA by a second angle β of less than 90°. The first angle α and the second angle β are equal and each amount to 89.5°.

[0038] In the condition according to the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the brake device 2 according to the invention is not preloaded. The brake friction plane RE extends perpendicular to the brake device center axis MA and has a flat contact with the surface of the bearing ring 30 of the tower 22. In the state according to the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the braking device 2 according to the invention is preloaded. This causes a deformation of the bearing ring 30. Due to the deformation, the braking friction surface 10 rests only on one side at a support point AP on the surface of the bearing ring 30. Due to the distance of the support point AP from the braking device center axis MA and the rotatability of the braking contact unit 12 relative to the intermediate element 14 and of the intermediate element 14 relative to the housing 20, the braking contact unit 12 automatically rotates relative to the housing element 20 upon rotation of the nacelle 24 relative to the tower 22 until the state according to the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 is reached. In this state, the surface of the bearing ring 30 of the tower 22 is again in the braking friction plane RE and a sufficient friction force and thus braking effect is ensured.

Claims

[1] Braking device (2) for a wind turbine (4), comprising a braking force generating device (6) for generating an output force acting in an output direction (AR) aligned parallel to a braking device center axis (MA), a brake contact unit (12) comprising a brake pad element (8) having a brake friction surface (10) facing away from the braking force generating device (6) and arranged at least substantially in a braking friction plane (RE) for generating a friction force, and an adjusting device comprising at least one intermediate element (14) arranged between the braking force generating device (6) and the brake contact unit (12) and designed for such an adjustment of the brake contact unit (12) relative to the braking force generating device (6),that the brake friction plane (RE) pivots relative to the braking force generating device (6) at least partially about a pivot axis (SA) angled to the brake device central axis (MA), , characterized by that the adjusting device is designed such that the brake contact unit (12) can be pivoted relative to the intermediate element (14) about an axis of rotation (RA) angled to the brake friction plane (RE) by a first angle (α) of less than 90°. [2] Braking device according to claim 1, characterized by that the brake contact unit (12) has an intermediate contact surface (16) lying on the intermediate element (14) and which is rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation (RA). [3] Braking device according to claim 2, characterized by that the intermediate contact surface (16) comprises at least one flat section which is in particular perpendicular to the axis of rotation (RA). [4] Braking device according to claim 3, characterized bythat a first distance (A1) between a first point (P1) of the section of the intermediate contact surface (16) and the brake friction plane (RE) is at least 1.1 times, in particular at least 1.2 times as large as a second distance (A2) between a second point (P2) of the section of the intermediate contact surface (16) and the brake friction plane (RE). [5] Braking device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the intermediate contact surface (16) and / or a counter-contact surface (18) of the intermediate element (14) in contact with the intermediate contact surface (16) are / is formed at least partially from a polytetrafluoroethylene. [6] Braking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adjusting device is designed such that the brake contact unit (12) can be pivoted relative to the intermediate element (14) by at least 90°, preferably by at least 180°, about the axis of rotation (RA). [7] Braking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the intermediate element (14) at least partially surrounds a housing element (20) of the braking device (2) or the housing element (20) at least partially surrounds the intermediate element (14). [8] Braking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the intermediate element (14) is designed to be pivotable relative to the braking force generating device (6), in particular to the housing element (20). [9] Braking device according to claim 8, characterized by that the intermediate element (14) is designed to be pivotable relative to the braking force generating device (6) about an intermediate element pivot axis angled to the rotation axis (RA), in particular about the braking device central axis (MA). [10] Braking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the adjusting device is designed such that the axis of rotation (RA) is angled by a second angle (β) of less than 90° to an auxiliary plane (HE) perpendicular to the braking device center axis (MA). [11] Braking device according to claim 10, characterized by that the first angle (α) and the second angle (β) differ by a maximum of 50%, preferably are equal. [12] Braking device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the first angle (α) and / or the second angle (β) is / are at least 88°, preferably at least 89°, particularly preferably 89.5°. [13] Braking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the intermediate element (14) or the brake contact unit (12) has at least one holding element that at least partially encompasses the brake contact unit (12) or the intermediate element (14). [14] Wind turbine (4) with a tower (22) and a nacelle (24) which is arranged to be rotatable relative to the tower (22) about a vertical axis (VA) and has a nacelle frame (26), on which nacelle frame at least one braking device (2) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged such that the braking device central axis (MA) runs parallel to the vertical axis (VA) and the braking friction surface (10) is in contact with the tower (22). [15] Wind turbine according to claim 14, characterized by that the braking device (2) is arranged such that the rotation axis (RA) intersects the vertical axis (VA) below the gondola (24). [16] Wind turbine according to claim 14, characterized by that the braking device (2) is arranged such that the rotation axis (RA) is skewed to the vertical axis (VA).

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