Inflatable mounting seal

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement having a transmission (101) and a seal (107); wherein the transmission (101) has a housing (103) and at least one means (109) arranged at least partially in the interior of the housing (103). The seal (107) is filled with a pressurized fluid; wherein the seal (107) is braced by the overpressure in a gap running between the means (109) and the housing (103).

Description

[0001] Inflatable mounting seal

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, a method according to claim 8, a method according to claim 10 and a seal according to claim 12.

[0003] For assembly and disassembly, wind turbine gearboxes often require partial disassembly. This involves opening the gearbox housing and sealing the resulting opening with a transport cover. Before the transport cover is installed, the housing is open. There is a risk that dirt particles could penetrate the interior of the gearbox during this process.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of preventing the penetration of contaminants into an open transmission housing. This object is achieved by an arrangement according to claim 1, a method according to claim 8, a method according to claim 10, and a seal according to claim 12. Preferred developments are contained in the subclaims and will become apparent from the following description.

[0005] The assembly comprises a gear unit, such as a wind turbine gearbox, and a seal. The gear unit has a housing and at least one means arranged inside the housing. The interior of the housing refers to a cavity at least partially encapsulated by the housing. At least part of the means is located in this cavity.

[0006] The seal is located in a gap between the medium and the housing and is filled with a pressurized fluid. A fluid can be a liquid or a gas. In particular, the seal can be filled with air.

[0007] Overpressure is a pressure that is higher than the ambient pressure. In this case, it is a pressure that exceeds the pressure prevailing inside the housing. The seal is made of a material that is flexible to the overpressure. The seal is preferably made of an elastomer.

[0008] When the seal is subjected to overpressure, the material's flexibility causes it to deform elastically, causing the seal to expand. This causes the seal to become compressed in the gap between the medium and the housing. The medium and the housing are subjected to overpressure along the gap through the seal. A corresponding force causes the medium to become compressed.

[0009] The tensioning ensures that the seal is firmly fixed in the gap and seals it. This prevents the ingress of contaminants. The seal is characterized by its shape adapting to the gap between the center and the housing. This makes it universally applicable. No special modifications to the gearbox are required.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the seal completely fills the gap. This improves the sealing effect.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the means is rotatably mounted in the housing. For example, the means is a shaft or a planetary carrier. The seal, in turn, is designed to be rotationally symmetrical to a rotational axis of the means.

[0012] In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the seal can have the shape of a toroid. A toroid refers to a ring with a constant cross-section. The cross-section is preferably circular or rectangular.

[0013] The housing is preferably further developed with at least one opening. When the gearbox is assembled, this opening can be closed with a cover. The housing can also consist of two or more parts that together close the opening. When the housing parts are separated from each other, the opening is exposed. According to the further development, the seal can be inserted through the opening into the interior of the housing and placed in the gap.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, a transport cover is provided for closing the opening. The opening is thus closed or closable with the transport cover. A transport cover refers to a cover that is mounted on the housing for the purpose of transporting the gearbox in such a way that it closes the opening. The transport cover serves to seal the opening in a way that is airtight and / or oil-tight, while the seal is provided only as a temporary closure that protects the gearbox from contamination until the transport cover is attached.

[0015] A method according to the invention serves for the assembly and / or disassembly of the above-described embodiment with a housing having an opening. Implementation of the method requires that the seal is initially depressurized and located outside the housing, i.e., before performing the subsequent process steps. A fluid, such as air, may already be present in the seal. However, its pressure initially corresponds to the ambient pressure.

[0016] If the opening is closed, for example, with the transport cover, it must first be exposed, for example, by removing the transport cover. According to the invention, the seal is inserted through the opening at least partially, preferably completely, into the interior of the housing. The seal is then placed between the medium and the housing or in the gap. In this position, the seal is filled with the fluid. The fluid is pressurized, clamping the seal between the medium and the housing.

[0017] In a preferred further development, the opening is then closed by the transport cover.

[0018] According to a further method according to the invention, the steps of the above-described method according to the invention are carried out in reverse order to remove the seal. Accordingly, the seal is initially filled with the pressurized fluid and is clamped by the overpressure in the gap between the means and the housing. At least a portion of the fluid is then drained from the seal, so that any remaining fluid in the seal is at ambient pressure. This releases the clamping of the seal between the means and the housing, and the seal can be removed through the opening in a subsequent step.

[0019] If the opening is closed with the transport cover before carrying out the method steps described above, this is removed according to a preferred development before draining at least part of the fluid.

[0020] The above-described seal of the arrangement according to the invention or a preferred development is in turn according to the invention.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures. Corresponding reference numerals indicate identical or functionally equivalent features. In detail:

[0022] Fig. 1 A shows a cross-section of a gearbox; and

[0023] Fig. 1 B an axial view of the gearbox.

[0024] The gear 101 shown in Figures 1A and 1B has a housing 103. This forms a flange 105.

[0025] Along the flange 105, a portion of the housing 103 shown in Figures 1A and 1B can be connected to another portion not shown. For assembly and disassembly purposes, the additional portion is removed. The gearbox is then opened, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0026] To prevent dirt from penetrating the interior of the housing 103 during this time, a seal 107 is provided. This seal is arranged between the housing 103 and a rotatably mounted planet carrier 109 and is rotationally symmetrical to a rotational axis of the planet carrier 109.

[0027] The seal 107 is designed as an elastic ring. It can be filled with compressed air. As a result of the filling with compressed air, the seal 107 expands and is pressed against the housing 103 and the planet carrier 109. The seal 107 thus forms a barrier that prevents the ingress of dirt.

[0028] A transport cover 111, shown in Figure 1A, provides an oil-tight seal for the housing 103. The transport cover 111 is screwed to the flange 105. A seal is preferably located between the transport cover 111 and the flange to prevent oil from escaping.

[0029] Seal 107 serves to protect the gearbox from dirt until the transport cover 111 is installed. It can be removed for commissioning the gearbox after the compressed air has been released.

[0030] Reference symbol Gearbox Housing Flange Seal Planet carrier Transport cover

Claims

Patent claims 1. Arrangement with a gearbox (101) and a seal (107); wherein the gearbox (101) has a housing (103) and at least one means (109) arranged at least partially inside the housing (103); characterized in that the seal (107) is filled with a fluid pressurized by overpressure; wherein the seal (107) is clamped by the overpressure in a gap running between the means (109) and the housing (103).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1; characterized in that the seal (107) completely fills the gap.

3. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the means (109) is rotatably mounted in the housing (103); wherein the seal (107) is rotationally symmetric to an axis of rotation of the means (109).

4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the means (109) is a planet carrier.

5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the seal (107) has the shape of a toroid.

6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the housing (103) has an opening through which the seal (107) can be inserted into the interior of the housing (103) and placed in the gap.

7. Arrangement according to the preceding claim; characterized by a transport cover (111 ) for closing the opening.

8. Method for assembling or disassembling an arrangement according to any one of the preceding two claims; wherein the seal (107) is initially without overpressure and is located outside the housing (103); comprising the steps - Inserting the seal (107) through the opening into the interior of the housing (103); - Placing the seal (103) in the gap; and - Pouring the fluid into the seal (107) and pressurizing the fluid.

9. Method according to the preceding claim for assembling or disassembling an arrangement according to claim 7; characterized in that the opening is closed after the fluid has been filled by means of the transport cover (111 ).

10. Method for assembling or disassembling an arrangement according to claim 6 or 7; wherein the seal (107) is first filled with the pressurized fluid and is clamped in the gap by the overpressure; comprising the steps of draining at least a portion of the fluid from the seal (107); and - Remove the seal (107) through the opening.

11. Method according to the preceding claim for assembling or disassembling an arrangement according to claim 7; characterized in that the opening is initially closed with the transport cover (111); wherein the transport cover (111) is removed before draining at least a part of the fluid.

12. Seal (107) which is configured to be used as a seal (107) of an arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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