Reliable pitch tube for a blade pitch control system of a wind turbine

Abstract

The invention relates to a pitch tube (26) for a blade pitch control system of a wind turbine (10), which pitch tube is provided with a tubular body (28), that extends from a first axial end to a second axial end, for passing supply lines through a gearbox (18), wherein the tubular body (28) is manufactured from a non-conductive material at least in an axial partial region in order to electrically insulate the first axial end with respect to the second axial end and / or in order to electrically insulate the tubular body (28) with respect to the gearbox (18). The pitch tube (26) itself is electrically insulating due to the non-conductive material of the tube body (28), which allows the pitch tube (26) to be passed through the gearbox (18) of the wind turbine (18) in a cost-effective and simple manner and while ensuring electrical operational safety.

Description

[0001] Reliable pitch tube for a blade pitch control of a wind turbine

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a pitch tube with which supply lines can be connected to a blade pitch control system of a wind turbine. The invention also relates to a gearbox with such a pitch tube, a drive train with such a pitch tube, a wind turbine with such a pitch tube, and a data agglomerate for the virtual representation of such a pitch tube for the purposes of additive manufacturing and / or simulation.

[0004] To control the blade pitch angle (pitch control) in wind turbines, electrical and / or hydraulic supply lines are required. These supply lines are housed in a pipe known as a pitch tube, which can extend from a generator to the rotor. In particular, the rotor and generator are arranged coaxially to one another, so that the pitch tube is guided through a gearbox interposed between the rotor and the generator over the entire axial extent of the gearbox, in particular coaxially to the gearbox.

[0005] From EP 3 795 825 A1 it is known to fix a pitch tube to a plate carrier of a planetary gear of a wind turbine via a fixing means made of an electrical non-conductor, wherein the fixing means is fastened to both the pitch tube and the plate carrier.

[0006] From EP 3 795 862 A1 it is known to fix a pitch tube in a gearbox of a wind turbine by means of a fixing means, wherein an electrically insulating layer is provided between the fixing means and the pitch tube.

[0007] From EP 3 094 861 Bl it is known to produce a pitch tube of a wind turbine from a plastic.

[0008] DE 10 2016 202 735 A1 discloses a divisible pitch tube for a wind turbine to simplify installation. The entire pitch tube can be made from an insulator.

[0009] There is a constant need to make the passage of a pitch pipe through a gearbox of a wind turbine as reliable and cost-effective as possible.

[0010] The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that enable a more reliable and cost-effective passage of a pitch tube through a gearbox of a wind turbine.

[0011] The problem is solved by a pitch tube having the features of claim 1, a transmission having the features of claim 13, and a data agglomerate having the features of claim 15. Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims and the following description, each of which, individually or in combination, can represent an aspect of the invention. If a feature is presented in combination with another feature, this serves only to simplify the presentation of the invention and is in no way intended to imply that this feature cannot also be a further development of the invention without the other feature.One aspect of the invention relates to a pitch tube for a blade pitch control of a wind turbine, having a tubular body extending from a first axial end to a second axial end for conducting supply lines through a gearbox, wherein the tubular body is designed in several parts, wherein the tubular body is made of a non-conductive material only in an axial partial area for electrically insulating the first axial end from the second axial end and / or for electrically insulating the tubular body from the gearbox.

[0012] The non-conductive material of the tubular body acts as an electrical insulator, providing a sufficiently effective dielectric that even at the narrowest point between electrically conductive components of the tubular body and / or between the tubular body and the gearbox, voltage flashover can be reliably prevented during normal operation of the wind turbine. Currents induced by the generator into the pitch tube and / or stray or leakage currents from the generator can at most reach as far as the section made of the non-conductive material. By positioning the non-conductive material within the tubular body, an area affected by electrical voltages and / or electrical currents can be contained outside and / or inside the tubular body in an area where voltage flashover into a gearbox component can be reliably prevented.Damage and / or impairment of transmission components caused by voltage flashovers caused by the pitch tube can thus be avoided or at least reduced.

[0013] Since it is the pitch tube itself that provides electrical insulation, electrical insulation measures on transmission components and / or connecting elements that create a rigid or relatively movable connection between the pitch tube and the transmission can be avoided. In particular, it is possible to provide the electrical insulation in the pitch tube as a separate, pre-assembled unit, simplifying and cost-effectively installing the pitch tube in the transmission. For example, a multi-part connecting element intended to provide electrical insulation within the transmission at a location that is typically difficult to access can be avoided.This allows the pitch tube to be installed in a wind turbine drive train very reliably and quickly, which is particularly advantageous for wind turbines intended for offshore use, as installation and maintenance times depend heavily on suitable weather conditions and therefore often only short time windows are available. In addition, the electrical insulation within the pitch tube can be provided at a much earlier point in the current-carrying path between the generator and the gearbox compared to a connecting element that engages the pitch tube and the gearbox. This even makes it possible to provide electrical insulation between the generator and the gearbox outside of a gearbox housing, so that no electrical voltages and / or currents can enter the interior of the gearbox inside the gearbox housing.With the help of the non-conductive material of the pipe body, the pitch pipe itself is designed to be electrically insulating, so that a cost-effective and simple electrically safe passage of the pitch pipe through the gearbox of the wind turbine is possible.

[0014] Since the non-conductive material is only provided in an axial section, it is avoided that the entire pitch tube is made of non-conductive material. This allows the non-conductive material, which is generally more expensive than the electrically conductive materials typically used for the pitch tube, to be used very sparingly. In particular, it is sufficient to provide only as much non-conductive material for the electrically insulating axial section as is absolutely necessary for electrical insulation due to the non-conductive material acting as a dielectric between other electrically conductive areas. The majority of the pitch tube body can be made of a cost-effective electrically conductive material. This keeps manufacturing costs low.The pitch tube has an axial extent sufficient to bridge the distance between the generator and the wind-driven rotor in a wind turbine. Preferably, the pitch tube can penetrate not only the gearbox but also the generator over its full axial extent. The associated wind turbine can be designed for industrial power generation and is generally dimensioned in particular for a nominal output of at least 2 MW, preferably at least 5 MW and particularly preferably at least 15 MW and is designed in particular for offshore operation, which implies corresponding size ratios for the components of the wind turbine and the pitch tube as well as the tubular body of the pitch tube. In this case, the gearbox is provided in the axial direction between the generator and the wind-driven rotor and can preferably have two or more planetary stages connected one behind the other in the axial direction.The pitch tube can penetrate this gearbox and therefore has a greater axial extent than a gearbox housing of the gearbox intended for the wind turbine. At the same time, the pitch tube, which is designed in particular in the manner of a hollow shaft, has a sufficiently large opening cross-section to accommodate the electrical and / or hydraulic supply lines intended for operation of the blade pitch control, which can in particular provide a power supply or a hydraulic actuation force and / or transmit sensor signals, from the generator to the rotor. The pitch tube has a wall thickness in the radial direction at which the dead weight of the pitch tube and the electrical and / or hydraulic supply lines can be supported.The maximum outer diameter of the pitch tube within the gearbox is preferably chosen as small as possible to avoid unnecessarily blocking installation space within the gearbox. A pitch tube intended for a wind turbine typically has a length L of

[0015] 2.0 m < L < 6.0 m, in particular 2.5 m < L < 5.0 m, preferably 3.0 m < L < 4.5 m. A pitch tube intended for a wind turbine generally has an outer diameter D of 12 cm < D < 50 cm, in particular 14 cm < D < 30 cm, preferably

[0016] 15 cm < D < 20 cm. A pitch tube intended for a wind turbine generally has an internal diameter d of 10 cm < d < 45 cm, in particular 12 cm < d < 26 cm, preferably 13 cm < d < 16 cm. Furthermore, the pitch tube has a suitable coupling technology at the first axial end and at the second axial end, in particular a coupling technology specifically designed for this purpose, in order to couple the pitch tube to the generator or the rotor, respectively.

[0017] The multi-part tubular body of the pitch tube can, for example, have a plurality of tubular sections that are designed separately from one another, each defining a radially inner interior space for the electrical and / or hydraulic supply lines leading to the blade pitch angle control, and can be connected to one another in the axial direction. Preferably, the non-conductor is provided only in exactly one partial region of the axial extent of the tubular body, so that the other partial regions of the axial extent of the tubular body that differ from this partial region can essentially be made from an electrically conductive material, for example steel, without any problems. The tubular body can, if necessary, be designed in two or more layers in the radial direction over its entire axial extent or only in at least one axial partial region.For example, an outer tube made of a non-conductor can be applied outside an inner tube of the tubular body made of a conductive material. For example, a hose made of a non-conductor can be shrunk onto a radially outward-facing surface of the inner tube. The first axial end of the tubular body can point toward the generator in the assembled state and protrude from the gearbox or the gearbox housing of the gearbox. The second axial end of the tubular body can point toward the wind turbine-driven rotor in the assembled state and protrude from the gearbox or the gearbox housing of the gearbox.

[0018] The non-conductive material for the axial region can be made of an electrically non-conductive material, for example a polymeric non-conductive material, such as a thermoplastic. The non-conductive material has, in particular, an electrical conductivity of less than 10' 8 S / cm or a specific resistance of over 10 8Q cm. Currents induced by the generator into the pitch tube and / or stray or leakage currents from the generator cannot thus enter the gearbox and cause damage there. The non-conductive material can be made of a comparatively hard dielectric insulating material. This makes it possible to support occurring forces via the non-conductive material. The non-conductive material can interrupt an electrical conduction in the axial and / or radial directions within the tube body and thus block and / or shield electrical charges from entering the gearbox.

[0019] The axial portion of the multi-part tubular body made of the non-conductive material can be configured as a tubular piece that provides an electrically insulating effect in the axial and / or radial directions. For electrical insulation in the axial direction, the axial portion made of the non-conductive material can be attached in the axial direction to a tubular piece made of an electrically conductive material, wherein the axial portion made of the non-conductive material is preferably arranged axially between two tubular pieces made of an electrically conductive material in order to electrically insulate the electrically conductive tubular pieces from one another with the electrically non-conductive portion as a dielectric.For electrical insulation in the radial direction, the axial section made of the non-conductive material can be designed as a tube section that can be plugged onto another tube section of the pitch tube made of an electrically conductive material, in particular to provide electrical insulation to a bearing and / or a seal as a dielectric. The tube section made of the non-conductive material that provides the axial section made of the non-conductive material can have a significant axial and / or radial extension in order to be able to support the occurring mechanical loads just like the at least one other electrically conductive tube section. The axial section made of the non-conductive material can therefore be designed not only to be electrically insulating but also to be load-bearing.In particular, the tubular body comprises an insulating tube made of the non-conductive material and, radially outside the insulating tube, a sleeve made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, for providing a bearing surface and / or a contacting or non-contacting sealing surface with respect to the gearbox. If the non-conductive material has an unfavorable material pairing with a relatively movable gearbox component, a surface more suitable for mounting and / or sealing with the relatively movable gearbox component can be provided by the sleeve. This can ensure that the non-conductive material provided for electrical insulation does not impair the mounting and / or sealing of the pitch tube within the gearbox.For this purpose, a material thickness of the insulating tube can be selected appropriately, at least in the axial area occupied together with the sleeve, in order to reliably prevent voltage breakdown to the sleeve.

[0020] Preferably, the tubular body comprises an inner tube made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, and radially outside the inner tube, an insulating sleeve made of the non-conductive material for providing a bearing surface and / or a contacting or non-contacting sealing surface with respect to the gear. If the non-conductive material provides a sufficiently favorable material pairing with a relatively movable gear component, the functions of providing electrical insulation and the function of providing support and / or sealing with the relatively movable gear component can be combined in the insulating sleeve and thus combined into a single component.This takes advantage of the knowledge that the narrowest point between the transmission component and the inner tube is usually formed in the area of ​​a bearing and / or a seal, so that for sufficient electrical insulation it can be sufficient to provide the electrically insulating non-conductive material together with the insulating sleeve designed for this purpose only in the partial area in which a bearing and / or seal for the pitch tube is provided in the transmission. Outside of this partial area, a sufficiently large air gap can be designed between the inner tube and the transmission components, which ensures sufficient electrical insulation even without the application of the non-conductive material. The material thickness of the non-conductive material of the insulating sleeve can be suitably selected to reliably prevent voltage breakdown between the inner tube and the transmission component through the insulating sleeve.In addition, the axial extension of the non-conductive material of the insulating sleeve can be suitably selected to reliably prevent voltage breakdown between the inner tube and the gear component axially past the insulating sleeve.

[0021] It is possible to provide different electrical insulation concepts in different axial sections. For example, the sleeve or insulating sleeve can be provided at different bearing points between the pitch tube and the gearbox and / or at different sealing points between the pitch tube and the gearbox, particularly depending on the prevailing boundary conditions. In particular, the sleeve or insulating sleeve can be used to interrupt an otherwise occurring current flow in the radial direction between the tubular body and the gearbox.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the tubular body comprises an insulating tube made of the non-conductive material and an inner tube made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, wherein the insulating tube and the inner tube are connected to one another in the axial direction. The insulating tube can thus interrupt an otherwise occurring current flow in the axial direction within the tubular body, so that even with an inner tube provided facing the wind turbine-driven rotor, a current flow into the gearbox cannot occur. Even in the event of metal-to-metal contact between the pitch tube and the gearbox, a current flow into the gearbox can be reliably prevented by the insulating tube provided closer to the generator.

[0023] In particular, the insulating tube is provided in the axial direction between two inner tubes.

[0024] The amount of non-conductive material can thus be minimized, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient electrical insulation. In particular, it is possible to couple the pitch tube to the generator and the pitch tube to the wind-powered rotor using the preferably metallic inner tubes, and to provide the insulating tube at a distance from both the first axial end of the tubular body and the second axial end of the tubular body.

[0025] Preferably, the insulating tube and the inner tube are rigidly connected to each other via a flange connection. The flange connection can be achieved, in particular, via axially aligned fasteners, such as screws, which are easily accessible for a tool via an annular space formed between the pitch tube and the gear. This simplifies assembly. Furthermore, it is easy to create a rigid connection between the insulating tube and the inner tube, preventing relative movement.

[0026] Particularly preferably, the insulating tube and the inner tube are connected to each other in an axially secured manner. The axial securing device forms a loss-prevention device acting in the axial direction, which reliably prevents the tube body from falling apart when tensile forces act in the axial direction. Particularly preferably, the axial securing device is designed to be detachable, thus simplifying disassembly for maintenance purposes.

[0027] In particular, the insulating tube and the inner tube are inserted into each other in an axial connection area. An axial part of the insulating tube can radially surround an axial part of the inner tube, or vice versa. In addition, an axial stop can be provided that defines the insertion depth and results in a predefined axial extension of the tube body. Furthermore, assembly is quick and easy.

[0028] Preferably, at least one axial securing element is provided for axial securing, in particular a radially extending connecting means in the connecting area and / or a retaining ring and / or a grooved nut outside the connecting area. The axial securing element can block an axial relative movement of the insulating tube to the inner tube in one axial direction or simultaneously in both axial directions and prevent axial displacement. Axial separation of the nested parts can thus be prevented by force-locking and / or form-locking. Additionally or alternatively, the axial securing can be achieved by material bonding, for example, with the aid of an adhesive layer.

[0029] Particularly preferably, it is provided that a sleeve made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, is provided in the connecting region to provide a bearing surface and / or a contacting or non-contacting sealing surface with respect to the gear unit, and / or an insulating sleeve made of the non-conductive material is provided to provide a bearing surface and / or a contacting or non-contacting sealing surface with respect to the gear unit. The sleeve or insulating sleeve placed on the connecting region can press together the parts of the insulating tube and the inner tube that lie radially one above the other in the connecting region and improve the bond. The sleeve and / or the insulating sleeve can therefore additionally fulfill the function of non-positively connecting the insulating tube and the inner tube to one another.

[0030] In particular, a clamping ring is provided in the connecting area for compressing the insulating tube to the inner tube in a movement-resistant manner. The clamping ring provided in the connecting area, which is designed, for example, in the manner of a hose clamp, can press together the parts of the insulating tube and the inner tube that are radially superimposed in the connecting area and improve the bond. Preferably, the clamping ring can be released again, thus simplifying disassembly of the tube body for maintenance purposes. Preferably, the axial section made of the non-conductive material is designed as a load-bearing tube piece for the multi-part tube body.The pipe section made of the non-conductive material, which provides the axial section made of the non-conductive material, can have a significant axial and / or radial extension in order to be able to support the occurring mechanical loads just like the at least one other electrically conductive pipe section. The axial section made of the non-conductive material can thus be designed not only to be electrically insulating but also to be load-bearing.

[0031] A further aspect of the invention relates to a gearbox for a wind turbine, wherein the gearbox has a pitch tube which can be designed and further developed as described above, wherein in particular the first axial end of the tubular body protrudes from the gearbox housing on a generator-side axial side of a gearbox housing of the gearbox and / or the second axial end of the tubular body protrudes from the gearbox housing on a rotor-side axial side of the gearbox housing facing away from the generator-side axial side. The gearbox can in particular be designed and further developed as described above. With the aid of the non-conductive material of the tubular body, the pitch tube itself is designed to be electrically insulating, thus enabling a more electrically reliable passage of the pitch tube through the gearbox of the wind turbine in a cost-effective and simple manner.

[0032] Preferably, the pitch tube is mounted and / or guided in the gearbox and / or in the gearbox housing so as to be relatively rotatable and relatively axially displaceable. A rotationally fixed fixation to a gearbox component of the gearbox can thus be eliminated. The pitch tube can, for example, be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a part of the generator at the first axial end, while the pitch tube is coupled to the rotor in a relatively rotatable manner at the second axial end. However, it is also possible for the pitch tube to be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a part of the rotor at the second axial end, while the pitch tube is coupled to the generator in a relatively rotatable manner at the first axial end. In principle, it is also possible for the pitch tube to be designed so as to be non-rotatable, in particular immobile.Particularly during assembly, an axial relative movement of the pitch tube relative to the gearbox and / or relative to the gearbox shaft can be permitted, with the pitch tube being positioned in a defined axial position in the final assembly position, in which the circumferentially fixed pitch tube is coupled to the rotor of the wind turbine and the generator. For example, the pitch tube can be non-rotatably attached to a generator housing of the generator, thus eliminating the need for a bearing relative to the generator rotor. The non-rotatable pitch tube simplifies cable routing within the pitch tube through the gearbox and ensures particularly reliable operation.

[0033] A further aspect of the invention relates to a drive train for a wind turbine with a rotor shaft that can be connected to a wind-powered rotor, a motor shaft of an electric machine that can be operated in generator mode, a gearbox that connects the rotor shaft to the motor shaft in a torque-transmitting manner and can be designed and developed in particular as described above, for converting a torque and a speed, and a pitch tube that penetrates the gearbox in the axial direction and can be designed and developed as described above. The drive train can be designed and developed in particular as described above. With the help of the non-conductive material of the tubular body, the pitch tube itself is designed to be electrically insulating, so that a more electrically reliable passage of the pitch tube through the gearbox of the wind turbine is possible in a cost-effective and simple manner.

[0034] A further aspect of the invention relates to a wind turbine for generating electrical energy from wind energy, comprising a rotor for providing a torque from wind energy, a gearbox coupled to the rotor, which gearbox can be designed and further developed in particular as described above, for converting the torque, and a generator for generating electrical energy from the torque introduced by the gearbox, wherein the rotor, the gearbox, and the generator are arranged coaxially to one another and a pitch tube, which can be designed and further developed as described above, leads from the generator through the gearbox to the rotor. The wind turbine can be designed and further developed in particular as described above.With the help of the non-conductive material of the pipe body, the pitch pipe itself is designed to be electrically insulating, so that a cost-effective and simple electrically more reliable passage of the pitch pipe through the gearbox of the wind turbine is possible.

[0035] One aspect further relates to a data agglomerate with data packets summarized in a common file or distributed across different files for mapping the three-dimensional shape and / or the interactions of all components provided in the pitch tube, which can be designed and developed as described above, wherein the data packets are prepared to carry out an additive production of the components of the pitch tube, in particular by 3D printing, when processed by a data processing device for operating a machine tool for the additive manufacture of devices, and / or to carry out a simulation of the functioning of the pitch tube when processed by a data processing device for carrying out a technical simulation and to output the simulation results generated thereby for further use,in particular for the purpose of providing proof of fatigue strength as a function of variable loads and / or variable temperature loads and, if necessary, comparing it with measurement data determined on a real-life device according to the invention and / or on a prototype of the device according to the invention. The data packets of the data agglomerate are specifically adapted to the inventive design of the respective device according to the invention described above in order to be able to adequately represent the inventive interaction of the components of the device according to the invention during processing in the data processing device. The data packets can, in particular, be stored spatially distributed, but adapted to one another in such a way that, in the event that all data packets are combined in a common data processing device,The data agglomerate thus assembled provides all the necessary data for additive manufacturing and / or a technical simulation with the aid of the data processing device for the device according to the invention. For example, the data packets are each separate parts of a data library (“library”), which are combined to form the data agglomerate and are adapted to each other with regard to their relative dimensions and / or absolute dimensions and / or material properties corresponding to the respective device according to the invention. The data agglomerate can represent a virtual embodiment of the respective device according to the invention in the manner of a so-called “digital twin,” which enables a virtual investigation in the form of a simulation or a real objectification with the aid of an additive manufacturing process. Such a digital twin is described, for example, in US 2017 / 286572 A1.the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as part of the invention.

[0036] When the data processing device of the machine tool processes the data agglomerate, the device according to the invention is produced, so that after processing the data agglomerate in the data processing device, the device according to the invention is obtained, at least in the form of a prototype. In particular, each data packet can represent a separately implemented component of the respective associated device according to the invention, so that the individual components can easily be assembled, actually and / or virtually, in terms of their relative position and / or relative mobility in order to realize the interactions essential to the invention. In particular, it is possible, with the aid of the respective data packets, to produce the various components of the respective device separately and, if appropriate, from different materials by additive manufacturing and subsequently assemble them to form a prototype of the respective device.The division of the data of the data agglomerate into different data packets thus enables a simple sequential additive production of components of the respective device that are movable relative to one another in the form of a kit (“kit of parts”), which is designed to only be assembled in a meaningful way for the inventive interaction of the components of the prototype for the solution of the problem underlying the invention.Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to use the data packets of the data agglomerate in a virtual environment during a technical simulation to calculate and / or predict the individual components of the respective device, their interactions, the physical state, and / or the change in physical parameters as a function of various boundary conditions and / or over time of the associated device according to the invention, and to further use them to check whether the device according to the invention is sufficiently suitable for the intended purpose based on the assumed design and taking into account the assumed simulated influences. If the data agglomerate is processed by a data processing device that maps the simulation environment, it is possible to examine the behavior of the device according to the invention taking into account boundary conditions, in particular changing ones.This makes it possible, for example, to investigate centrifugal force effects on individual components of the device according to the invention as a function of various static and / or dynamic loads and / or different operating temperatures, whereby such simulation results can be incorporated into the preparation of a fatigue strength verification. Preferably, the simulation results obtained after processing the data agglomerate in the data processing device for the simulation environment are stored in order to compare them with measurement data determined on an actually produced device according to the invention and / or on a prototype of the device according to the invention. This makes it possible to assess the quality of the simulation results obtained with the aid of the data agglomerate and / or, in particular in the case of particularly significant deviations, to identify measurement errors and / or an erroneous measurement.Non-destructive quality control of the device according to the invention is thereby simplified and improved.

[0037] The data agglomerate enables the cost-effective production of prototypes and / or computer-based simulations to study the functionality of the rotating body and / or the holding tool, identify problems in the specific application, and find improvements. The solution to the problem underlying the invention can be easily and cost-effectively verified using the data agglomerate.

[0038] The invention will be explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments, wherein the features presented below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. They show:

[0039] Fig. 1 : a schematic perspective view of a wind turbine,

[0040] Fig. 2: a schematic sectional view of part of the wind turbine from Fig. 1,

[0041] Fig. 3: a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of a pitch tube for the wind turbine of Fig. 1,

[0042] Fig. 4: a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of a pitch tube for the wind turbine of Fig. 1,

[0043] Fig.5: a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of a pitch tube for the wind turbine from Fig. 1 and

[0044] Fig. 6: a schematic sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a pitch tube for the wind turbine of Fig. 1.

[0045] The wind turbine 10 shown in Fig. 1 can be used to generate electrical energy from wind power. For this purpose, the wind turbine 10 has a rotor 12 that can be rotated by wind power. The rotor 12 is coupled to a drive train 14. For this purpose, the rotor 12 is connected to a rotor shaft 16, which is coupled within the drive train 14 to a gearbox 18 in order to convert the torque introduced via the rotor 12 and the rotor shaft 16. The torque converted in the gearbox 18 is fed via a motor shaft 19 to an electrical machine operated in generator mode, which can form a generator 20. The electrical energy generated by the electrical machine can be fed to a rechargeable battery and / or a power grid.In the illustrated embodiment, the drive train 14 is entirely housed in a nacelle 22, which is attached to an upper free end of a tower 24. The rotor 12, the gearbox 18, and the generator 20 can be arranged coaxially with each other and preferably run at an angle to the horizontal.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 2, a pitch tube 26 can extend through the generator 20 and the gearbox 18 to the rotor 12 in order to carry electrical and / or hydraulic supply lines to a blade pitch control system (pitch control) of the rotor. The pitch tube 26 can be mounted and / or sealed relatively rotatably on the rotor shaft 16 and the motor shaft 19. In one embodiment, a tubular body 28, in particular a one-piece one, can be made entirely of a non-conductive material and can be mounted and sealed via metallic sleeves 30 pressed onto the tubular body 28.In another embodiment, the tubular body 28, in particular a one-piece tubular body, can be made of an electrically conductive material, for example steel, while insulating sleeves 32 made of a non-conductive material can be pressed onto the tubular body 28 for electrical insulation of the gear 18 from the tubular body 28, which insulating sleeves 32 can support the mounting and / or sealing of the pitch tube 26 in addition to the electrical insulation.

[0047] The rotor shaft 16 can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotor 34, which interacts electromagnetically with a stator 36 to form an electrical machine of the generator 20. A gear housing 38 of the gear 18 can be directly connected to the generator 20, so that the material of the gear housing 38 can also close off an axial side of the generator 20 facing the gear 18. The rotor shaft 19, which can be connected to the rotor 12, represents an input shaft of the gear 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the gear has a first planetary stage 40 and a second planetary stage 42 following in the axial direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the tubular body 28 of the pitch tube 26 can also be made in several parts and as a composite of different materials.The tubular body 28 can have a metallic inner tube 44 and an insulating tube 46 made of the non-conductive material, which are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction and are connected to one another. The insulating tube 46 provides an electrically insulating axial portion of the tubular body 28, which blocks the transmission of electrical voltages and currents induced in the generator 20. In this case, for example, the inner tube 44 can be inserted into the insulating tube 46, or vice versa. In an axial connection region 48, in which, in the illustrated embodiment, part of the inner tube 44 and part of the insulating tube 46 are arranged one behind the other in the radial direction, the metallic sleeve 30 can be provided, which forms a sealing surface 52 on its radially outer surface and bearing surface 50 and / or. The sleeve 30 can be axially secured, for example, with the aid of a retaining ring 56 inserted into the insulating tube 46.Preferably, the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 are axially captively connected to one another via a radially extending connecting means 54, in particular a pin. In particular, the at least one connecting means 54 is covered radially outwardly by the sleeve 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating tube 46 is provided on the axial side facing the generator 20, while the inner tube 44 is provided on the axial side facing the rotor 12, although the reverse arrangement is also possible. This even allows an electrically conductive path between the inner tube 44 and the sleeve 30 via the connecting means 54, since the axial extent of the insulating tube 46 is large enough to provide electrical insulation between the generator 20 and the sleeve 30. Direct contact between the sleeve 30 and the connecting means 54 contacting the inner tube 44 can therefore be permitted, thereby simplifying manufacture and assembly.In particular, it is possible to replace the sleeve 30 with a clamping ring, so that when the clamping ring is contracted, the clamping ring can drive the connecting means 54 radially inward into the inner tube 44 in order to pin the insulating tube 46 to the inner tube 44. In the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown in Fig. 4, in comparison to the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown in Fig. 3, only a plug-in connection between the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 is provided in the connecting region 48. The connection between the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 can be force-fitting, for example by means of a press fit between the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 in the connecting region, and / or material-fitting, for example by means of an adhesive layer between the inner tube 44 and the insulating tube 46 in the connecting region, and / or form-fitting, for example as a snap-in connection.

[0048] In the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown in Fig. 5, in comparison to the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown in Fig. 3, the insulating tube 46 is provided in the axial direction between two inner tubes 44 that are inserted in a mirror image of one another. In this case, a common, in particular insulating, sleeve 30 can be provided to cover all connecting means 54, or a separate sleeve 30 can be provided, which can be arranged directly one behind the other in the axial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, one sleeve 30 can form the bearing surface 50 and the other sleeve can form the sealing surface 52, so that different surface qualities optimized for the respective purpose can be provided easily and cost-effectively.

[0049] In the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown in Fig. 6, compared to the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown in Fig. 5, the insulating tube 46 is connected to the inner tubes 44 via flange connections 58. Here, the various flange connections 58 are provided at different radii so that the material of the insulating tube 46 can provide sufficient electrical insulation between the fastening means of the respective flange connection 58.

Claims

Patent claims Pitch tube (26) for a blade pitch angle control of a wind turbine (10), with a tubular body (28) extending from a first axial end to a second axial end for conducting supply lines through a gearbox (18), characterized in that the tubular body (28) is designed in several parts, wherein the tubular body (28) is made of a non-conductive material only in an axial partial area for electrically insulating the first axial end from the second axial end and / or for electrically insulating the tubular body (28) from the gearbox (18).Pitch tube (26) according to claim 1, wherein the tube body (28) has an insulating tube (46) made of the non-conductive material and, radially outside the insulating tube (46), a sleeve (30) made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, for providing a bearing surface (50) and / or a contacting or non-contacting sealing surface (52) relative to the gear (18). Pitch tube (26) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube body (28) has an inner tube (44) made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, and, radially outside the inner tube (44), an insulating sleeve (32) made of the non-conductive material for providing a bearing surface (50) and / or a contacting or non-contacting sealing surface (52) relative to the gear (18).Pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube body (28) comprises an insulating tube (46) made of the non-conductive material and a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel. Inner tube (44), wherein the insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) are connected to one another in the axial direction one behind the other. Pitch tube (26) according to claim 4, wherein the insulating tube (46) is provided in the axial direction between two inner tubes (44). Pitch tube (26) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) are connected to one another in a movement-resistant manner via a flange connection (58). Pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) are connected to one another in an axially secured manner. Pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the insulating tube (46) and the inner tube (44) are inserted into one another in an axial connection region (48).Pitch tube (26) according to claim 8, wherein at least one axial securing element is provided for axial securing, in particular a radially extending connecting means (54) in the connecting region (48) and / or a retaining ring (56) and / or a grooved nut outside the connecting region (48). Pitch tube (26) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a sleeve (30) made of a material different from the non-conductive material, in particular steel, is provided in the connecting region (48) for providing a bearing surface (50) and / or a contacting or non-contacting sealing surface (52) relative to the gear (18) and / or an insulating sleeve (32) made of the non-conductive material is provided for providing a bearing surface (50) and / or a contacting or non-contacting sealing surface (52) relative to the gear (18).

11. Pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a clamping ring is provided in the connecting region (48) for the movement-proof pressing of the insulating tube (46) with the inner tube (44).

12. Pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the axial portion made of the non-conductive material is designed as a load-bearing tube piece for the multi-part tube body (28).

13. Gearbox (18) for a wind turbine, wherein the gearbox (18) has a pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in particular the first axial end of the tubular body (28) protrudes from the gearbox housing (38) on a generator-side axial side of a gearbox housing (38) of the gearbox (18) and / or the second axial end of the tubular body (28) protrudes from the gearbox housing (38) on a rotor-side axial side of the gearbox housing (38) pointing away from the generator-side axial side.

14. Gearbox (18) according to claim 13, wherein the pitch tube (26) is mounted and / or guided in the gearbox (18) so as to be relatively rotatable and relatively axially displaceable.

15. Data agglomerate with data packets summarized in a common file or distributed across different files for depicting the three-dimensional shape design and / or the interactions of all components provided in the pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the data packets are prepared to carry out an additive production of the components of the pitch tube (26), in particular by 3D printing, when processed by a data processing device for operating a machine tool for the additive production of devices and / or when processed by a data processing device for carrying out to carry out a simulation of the functioning of the pitch tube (26) in a technical simulation and to output the simulation results generated thereby for further use, in particular for the purpose of providing proof of fatigue strength as a function of changing loads and / or changing temperature loads.

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