Assemblies for wind turbines and methods

Abstract

To provide assemblies for wind turbines and methods with a rotor hub configured to be removable from a generator rotor and a shaft.SOLUTION: The present disclosure relates to an assembly comprising a rotor hub, a generator rotor, and a shaft for supporting the generator rotor on a stationary frame, where the rotor hub is configured to be removable from the generator rotor and the shaft without disassembling the generator rotor from the shaft. The present disclosure further relates to methods for assembly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an assembly for a wind turbine and a method for providing an assembly for a wind turbine, and more particularly to an assembly for a wind turbine comprising a rotor hub configured to be removable from a generator rotor and a shaft.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, wind turbines are commonly used to supply power to the electrical grid. This type of wind turbine generally consists of a tower and a rotor disposed on the tower. The rotor usually consists of a hub and a plurality of blades and rotates under the influence of wind on the blades. This rotation generates torque, which is usually transmitted directly ( "direct drive" or "gearless") or through the use of a gearbox to a generator via a rotor shaft. In this way, the generator can generate electricity and supply it to the electrical grid.

[0003] In a direct drive wind turbine, the rotor hub is directly coupled to the generator rotor (i.e., without a gearbox). One or more rigid frames may be provided to support the weight of the generator rotor and the hub. In some configurations of wind turbines, the hub (and the generator rotor) is coupled to a shaft. The shaft is arranged to rotate about a stationary frame. One or more bearings may be provided between the shaft and the stationary frame.

[0004] In some known configurations, the rotor hub can have a flange that is connected to a flange of the generator rotor or a mating surface by a plurality of bolts. The generator rotor may in turn be connected to a flange or mating surface of the shaft by another plurality of bolts, i.e., two bolt connections may be provided.

[0005] This type of two-by-two connection may require a relatively large contact area between parts to accommodate all connection points. Therefore, the components generally form relatively large and thick flanges where the connections are made. Consequently, the large flange dimensions due to the connection point configuration can lead to heavy assemblies (assemblies) for load requirements and increase the inertia of the moving parts when they are set to rotate. The size and thickness of the flanges directly impact the material cost of these components.

[0006] As a result, this disclosure provides a method and system that provides a robust and versatile connection between the rotor hub, the generator rotor, and the shaft, and that at least partially overcomes some of the aforementioned shortcomings. [Overview of the project]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an assembly for a wind turbine. The assembly comprises a rotor hub, a generator rotor, and a shaft for supporting the generator rotor on a fixed frame. The assembly further comprises a plurality of main fasteners extending at least partially through the rotor hub, the generator rotor, and the shaft. Furthermore, the rotor hub is configured to be removable from the generator rotor and the shaft without disassembling the generator rotor from the shaft.

[0008] In this embodiment, the rotor hub is configured to be detachable from the generator rotor and shaft, resulting in a versatile assembly. This configuration simplifies the installation and disassembly processes of the wind turbine rotating structure. Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotor hub can be removed during uptower operations (e.g., maintenance) without requiring additional devices to hold the generator rotor in place. At the same time, a separate bolted flange connection is not required between the generator rotor and the shaft.

[0009] In an additional embodiment, a method for providing an assembly is provided. The method includes providing a shaft and a generator rotor. Furthermore, the method includes connecting a support frame to the generator rotor using a plurality of auxiliary fasteners to form a shaft-generator rotor assembly, and connecting a wind turbine hub to the shaft-generator rotor assembly using main fasteners. The main fasteners extend through the shaft, the generator rotor, and the wind turbine hub.

[0010] In this additional embodiment, this method allows the generator rotor to be coupled to the shaft first, and then the wind turbine hub to be assembled with the shaft and generator rotor assembly. Thus, this method allows for the separation of the assembly / disassembly of the aforementioned nacelle components and can also reduce the lifting requirements of lifting equipment such as cranes. Furthermore, because the shaft and generator rotor assembly can be separated from the rotor hub, the assembly can be commissioned and tested, such as in heat run tests, without assembling the wind turbine rotor hub.

[0011] The shaft of the rotor assembly can be considered a rotatable support frame that supports the generator rotor.

[0012] Additional objectives, advantages, and features of the embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art through a review of this specification or through the practice of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a wind turbine. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a wind turbine hub and nacelle. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a wind turbine assembly. [Figure 4] A schematic cross-sectional view of the wind turbine assembly shown in Figure 3 is provided. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram of the radial cross-section crossing the radial plane A-A' in Figure 4 is shown. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram of the radial cross-section crossing the radial plane B-B' in Figure 4 is shown. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of a method for providing a wind turbine assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of this teaching will be described in detail, with one or more examples illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided for illustrative purposes only and not as an limitation. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this teaching. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in conjunction with another embodiment to result in yet another embodiment. Thus, this disclosure is intended to cover modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a wind turbine 10. In this embodiment, the wind turbine 10 is a horizontal-axis wind turbine. Alternatively, the wind turbine 10 may be a vertical-axis wind turbine. In this embodiment, the wind turbine 10 includes a tower 15 extending from a support system 14 on the ground 12, a nacelle 16 mounted on the tower 15, and a rotor 18 coupled to the nacelle 16. The rotor 18 includes a rotatable hub 20 and at least one rotor blade 22 coupled to the hub 20 and extending outward from the hub 20. In this example, the rotor 18 has three rotor blades 22. In alternative embodiments, the rotor 18 may include more or fewer than three rotor blades 22. The tower 15 may be made of tubular steel to define a cavity (not shown in Figure 1) between the support system 14 and the nacelle 16. In alternative embodiments, the tower 15 is any suitable type of tower having any suitable height. According to the alternative, the tower can be a hybrid tower comprising concrete sections and tubular steel sections. The tower can also be a partial or complete lattice tower.

[0016] The rotor blades 22 are positioned at a distance from the hub 20 to rotate the rotor 18 and convert kinetic energy from wind into usable mechanical energy, and ultimately electrical energy. The rotor blades 22 are fitted to the hub 20 by coupling the blade root portions 24 to the hub 20 in multiple load transmission regions 26. The load transmission regions 26 may have hub load transmission regions and blade load transmission regions (neither of which are shown in Figure 1). The load induced on the rotor blades 22 is transmitted to the hub 20 via the load transmission regions 26.

[0017] In this example, the rotor blades 22 can have lengths ranging from approximately 15 m to approximately 90 m or more. The rotor blades 22 may have any suitable length that allows the wind turbine 10 to function as described herein. For example, non-limiting examples of blade lengths include lengths of 20 m or less, 37 m, 48.7 m, 50.2 m, 52.2 m, or more than 91 m. When wind strikes the rotor blades 22 from the wind direction 28, the rotor 18 rotates around the rotor axis 30. As the rotor blades 22 rotate and experience centrifugal force, various forces and moments are also acted upon the rotor blades 22. As a result, the rotor blades 22 may deflect and / or rotate from the neutral position, i.e., the non-deflected position, to the deflected position.

[0018] Furthermore, the pitch system 32 can change the pitch angle of the rotor blades 22, i.e., the angle that determines the orientation of the rotor blades 22 relative to the wind direction, thereby controlling the load and power generated by the wind turbine 10 by adjusting the angular position of at least one rotor blade 22 relative to the wind vector. The pitch axis 34 of the rotor blades 22 is shown. During the operation of the wind turbine 10, the pitch system 32 can change the pitch angle of the rotor blades 22 in particular so as to reduce the angle of attack of some of the rotor blades, thereby facilitating a reduction in rotational speed and / or a stall of the rotor 18.

[0019] In this embodiment, the blade pitch of each rotor blade 22 is controlled individually by the wind turbine controller 36 or by the pitch control system 80. Alternatively, the blade pitch of all rotor blades 22 may be controlled simultaneously by these control systems.

[0020] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the wind direction 28 changes, the nacelle 16 may be rotated about the yaw axis 38 in the yaw direction so that the rotor blades 22 are arranged with respect to the wind direction 28.

[0021] In the embodiment, the wind turbine control device 36 is shown as being centrally arranged within the nacelle 16, but the wind turbine control device 36 may be a distributed system across the entire wind turbine 10, on the support system 14, within a wind farm, and / or at a remote control center. The wind turbine control device 36 includes a processor 40 configured to execute the methods and / or steps described herein. Further, many of the other components described herein include a processor.

[0022] As used herein, the term "processor" is not limited to an integrated circuit referred to as a computer in the art, but broadly refers to a controller, microcontroller, microcomputer, programmable logic controller (PLC), application-specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. It should be understood that the processor and / or control system can also include a memory, an input channel, and / or an output channel.

[0023] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the wind turbine 10. In this embodiment, the wind turbine 10 includes a nacelle 16 and a rotor 18 rotatably coupled to the nacelle 16. More specifically, the hub 20 of the rotor 18 is rotatably coupled to an electric generator 42 disposed within the nacelle 16 by a main shaft 44, a gearbox 46, a high-speed shaft 48, and a coupling 50. In the embodiment, the main shaft 44 is disposed at least partially coaxially with the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the nacelle 16. The rotation of the main shaft 44 drives the gearbox 46 that converts the relatively slow rotational movement of the rotor 18 and the main shaft 44 into the relatively fast rotational movement of the high-speed shaft 48, which then drives the high-speed shaft 48. The latter is connected to the generator 42 for generating electrical energy with the help of the coupling 50. Further, a transformer 90 and / or appropriate electronic devices, switches and / or inverters can be disposed within the nacelle 16 to convert the electrical energy generated by the generator 42 having a voltage of 400V - 1000V into electrical energy having a medium voltage (10 - 35KV). The electrical energy is conducted from the nacelle 16 to the tower 15 via a power cable.

[0024] The gearbox 46, the generator 42 and the transformer 90 may optionally be supported by a main support structure frame of the nacelle 16 embodied as a main frame 52. The gearbox 46 may include a gearbox housing connected to the main frame 52 by one or more torque arms 103. In the embodiment, the nacelle 16 also includes a main front support bearing 60 and a main rear support bearing 62. Further, the generator 42 can be attached to the main frame 52 by decoupling support means 54, particularly to prevent the vibration of the generator 42 from being introduced into the main frame 52, thereby creating a noise emission source.

[0025] Optionally, the main frame 52 is configured to carry the weight of the components of the rotor 18 and nacelle 16, as well as the loads generated by the wind load and rotational load, and to introduce these loads into the tower 15 of the wind turbine 10. The rotor shaft 44, generator 42, gearbox 46, high-speed shaft 48, coupling 50, and support 52, as well as any associated fastening, support, and fixing devices including but not limited to the front support bearing 60 and rear support bearing 62, may be referred to as the drive train 64.

[0026] In some examples, the wind turbine may be a direct-drive wind turbine without a gearbox 46. The generator 42 operates at the same rotational speed as the rotor 18 in a direct-drive wind turbine. Therefore, they generally have a much larger diameter than the generators used in wind turbines with a gearbox 46 in order to supply a comparable amount of power.

[0027] The nacelle 16 may also include a yaw drive mechanism 56 which can be used to rotate the nacelle 16 in order to control the perspective of the rotor blades 22 relative to the wind direction 28, and thereby also to rotate the rotor 18 around the yaw axis 38.

[0028] To properly position the nacelle 16 with respect to the wind direction 28, the nacelle 16 may also include at least one meteorological measurement system 58 which may include a wind vane and an anemometer. The meteorological measurement system 58 can provide the wind turbine control device 36 with information which may include the wind direction 28 and / or wind speed. In this embodiment, the pitch system 32 is at least partially located on the hub 20 as a pitch assembly 66. The pitch assembly 66 includes one or more pitch drive systems 68 and at least one sensor 70. Each pitch drive system 68 is coupled to each rotor blade 22 (shown in Figure 1) to modulate the pitch angle of the rotor blade 22 along the pitch axis 34. Figure 2 shows only one of the three pitch drive systems 68.

[0029] In the embodiment, the pitch assembly 66 includes at least one pitch bearing 72 coupled to the hub 20 and each rotor blade 22 (shown in Figure 1) to rotate each rotor blade 22 around the pitch axis 34. The pitch drive system 68 includes a pitch drive motor 74, a pitch drive gearbox 76, and a pitch drive pinion 78. The pitch drive motor 74 is coupled to the pitch drive gearbox 76 so that the pitch drive motor 74 imparts mechanical force to the pitch drive gearbox 76. The pitch drive gearbox 76 is coupled to the pitch drive pinion 78 so that the pitch drive pinion 78 is rotated by the pitch drive gearbox 76. The pitch bearing 72 is coupled to the pitch drive pinion 78 so that the rotation of the pitch drive pinion 78 causes the rotation of the pitch bearing 72.

[0030] The pitch drive system 68 is coupled to the wind turbine control device 36 to adjust the pitch angle of the rotor blades 22 upon receiving one or more signals from the wind turbine control device 36. In embodiments, the pitch drive motor 74 is any suitable motor driven by a power and / or hydraulic system that enables the pitch assembly 66 to function as described herein. Alternatively, the pitch assembly 66 may include any suitable structure, configuration, arrangement, and / or components such as (but not limited to) hydraulic cylinders, springs, and / or servo mechanisms. In certain embodiments, the pitch drive motor 74 is driven by a storage energy source (not shown) that supplies energy extracted from the rotational inertia of the hub 20 and / or to components of the wind turbine 10.

[0031] The pitch assembly 66 may also include one or more pitch control systems 80 for controlling the pitch drive system 68 in accordance with a control signal from the wind turbine control device 36 in certain preferred conditions and / or during overspeed of the rotor 18. In an embodiment, the pitch assembly 66 includes at least one pitch control system 80 communicably coupled to each pitch drive system 68 in order to control the pitch drive system 68 independently of the wind turbine control device 36. In an embodiment, the pitch control system 80 is coupled to the pitch drive system 68 and the sensor 70. During normal operation of the wind turbine 10, the wind turbine control device 36 may control the pitch drive system 68 to adjust the pitch angle of the rotor blades 22.

[0032] In one embodiment, for example, a generator 84, comprising a battery and an electric capacitor, is located in or within the hub 20 and coupled to the sensor 70, the pitch control system 80, and the pitch drive system 68, providing a power source to these components. In this embodiment, the generator 84 provides a continuous power source to the pitch assembly 66 while the wind turbine 10 is in operation. In an alternative embodiment, the generator 84 supplies power to the pitch assembly 66 only during power loss events of the wind turbine 10. Power loss events may include power grid losses or dips, malfunctions of the wind turbine 10's electrical system, and / or failures of the wind turbine control device 36. During a power loss event, the generator 84 operates to supply power to the pitch assembly 66 so that it can operate during the power loss event.

[0033] In this embodiment, the pitch drive system 68, sensor 70, pitch control system 80, cable, and generator 84 are each located within a cavity 86 defined by the inner surface 88 of the hub 20. In alternative embodiments, these components may be positioned relative to the outer surface of the hub 20 and coupled directly or indirectly to the outer surface. It should be noted that some of the technical features described with respect to Figure 2 may also be present in direct-drive wind turbines, as shown in Figure 3.

[0034] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a wind turbine assembly. The assembly comprises a rotor hub 20, a generator rotor 100, and a shaft 110 for supporting the generator rotor 100 on a stationary frame 111. Figure 3 schematically shows that the assembly further comprises several main fasteners 130 extending at least partially through the rotor hub 20, the generator rotor 100, and the shaft 110. The rotor hub 20 is configured to be removable from the generator rotor 100 and the shaft 110 without disassembling the generator rotor 100 from the shaft 110. Examples of the aforementioned connections are detailed in Figures 4 to 6.

[0035] Furthermore, the example in Figure 3 shows that the rotor hub 20, the generator rotor 100, and the shaft 110 constitute a common rotation axis RA. In this example, the generator rotor 100 radially surrounds the generator stator 101, but the assembly may alternatively consist of a generator rotor 100 located radially inward of the generator stator 101. Similarly, the shaft 110 may be a single structure or consist of multiple structures to which other wind turbine components are attached.

[0036] Figure 3 also shows that the generator rotor 100 is fixed between the flange of the shaft 110 and the rotor hub 20. In other examples, the generator rotor 100 may be fixed on the opposite side of the rotor hub 20, i.e., on either side of the shaft 110.

[0037] Furthermore, although only two main fasteners 130 are shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, it should be noted that the number, arrangement, and type of fasteners connecting the wind turbine rotor hub 20, the generator rotor 100, and the shaft 110 can vary. For example, the multiple main fasteners 130 may be bolts, and the bolt heads may be positioned to contact and press the rotor hub 20 against the generator rotor 100 or the shaft 110. Fasteners such as studs with nuts can also be used.

[0038] As described herein, the hub 20 can be removed from the wind turbine without disassembling the generator 100 and shaft 110. In the absence of the hub (either after the hub has been removed or before the hub has been initially installed), the overall structure of the generator remains intact and testing can be performed. In this embodiment, the overall structure of the generator is formed by a generator rotating structure (including the shaft 110 and generator rotor 100), a generator stationary structure (including the fixed frame 111 and generator stator 101), and bearings between the generator rotating structure and the generator stationary structure.

[0039] Figure 4 is a detailed view of the wind turbine assembly shown in Figure 3, illustrating the connections between assembly components. This figure shows the contact region between the rotor hub 20 and the generator rotor 100, and another contact region between the generator rotor 100 and the shaft 110. As shown, the fasteners 130, 140 that secure this connection may be threaded bolts of different metrics.

[0040] The example shown in Figure 4 illustrates that the main fastener 130 extends through through-holes in the rotor hub 20 and the generator rotor 100, and through blind holes in the shaft 110; that is, the main fastener may extend entirely through the rotor hub 20 and the generator rotor 100, or only partially through the flange of the shaft 110.

[0041] In another example of a wind turbine assembly where the shaft 110 may be positioned between the rotor hub 20 and the generator rotor 100, the main fastener 130 may extend through through holes in the rotor hub 20 and the shaft 110, and through blind holes in the generator rotor 100. In yet another example, the main fastener may extend from the opposite direction toward the hub, i.e., from the support frame 110, through the generator rotor 100, to the flange of the hub 20.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in the example in Figure 4, the assembly may further include a number of auxiliary fasteners 140 configured to connect the generator rotor 100 to the shaft 110. The auxiliary fasteners 140 may have different lengths and metrics than the main fasteners 130. Both types of fasteners may be optimized for their particular application.

[0043] Furthermore, multiple through-holes and blind holes in the wind turbine assembly can be distributed radially and at equal intervals in at least one row around the rotation axis RA defined by the rotor hub 20, the generator rotor 100, and the shaft 110. The radial distribution of holes, and thus fasteners, allows for the splitting of loads with radial symmetry that maintains the balance of the wind turbine assembly with respect to the rotation axis RA.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 4, multiple through-holes and blind holes are distributed radially around the rotation axis RA in two rows: a radially outer row relative to the rotation axis RA and a radially inner row relative to the rotation axis RA. More specifically, the hole distribution may define an inner row in which multiple holes in the inner row are configured to receive auxiliary fasteners 140 for attaching the generator rotor 100 to the shaft 110, and another multiple holes in the outer row are configured to receive main fasteners 130 for attaching the rotor hub 20 to the generator rotor 100 and the shaft 110. Even more specifically, the hole distribution may define an outer row in which all holes are configured to receive main fasteners 130 for attaching the rotor hub 20 to the generator rotor 100 and the shaft 110, and an inner row in which all holes are configured to receive only auxiliary fasteners. Arranging the holes and fasteners in this manner can assist the operator during the release process and reduce the overall time in maintenance and replacement work.

[0045] In yet another example, as seen in Figure 6, the same hole may be configured to selectively accept both a main fastener and an auxiliary fastener.

[0046] The auxiliary fastener 140 may be configured to temporarily connect the generator rotor 100 to the shaft 110 when the rotor hub 20 is detached from the generator rotor 100 and shaft 110. This results in a versatile connection configuration in which the main fastener 130 and the auxiliary fastener 140 provide two different types of connections, facilitating maintenance and replacement work. As will be described with respect to the assembly method, in the first stage, the generator rotor 100 and shaft 110 can be mounted using the (temporary) auxiliary fastener 140. Next, when assembling the rotor hub 20 to the generator rotor 100 and shaft 110 using the main fastener 130, the auxiliary fastener 140 (or its option) can be removed.

[0047] Figure 4 also shows that multiple through-holes in the rotor hub 20, through-holes in the generator rotor 100, and blind holes in the shaft 110 can be aligned to define holes 120, 150 configured to receive fasteners 130, 140 for mounting the aforementioned components. Similarly, multiple alignments of the through-holes in the generator rotor 100 and blind holes in the shaft 110 can also define connection paths configured to receive fasteners 140 for connecting these two components independently of the rotor hub 20.

[0048] Figure 5 is a radial projection of a cross-section crossing the radial plane A-A' depicted in Figure 4, schematically showing an example configuration of holes 120, 150 and fasteners 130, 140. The other rows of holes 120, 150 may be positioned radially inward or outward (relative to the axis of rotation RA) relative to the illustrated configuration.

[0049] Figure 5 shows that the illustrated rows of holes 120, 150 comprise a plurality of main holes 120 for receiving main fasteners 130 and a plurality of auxiliary holes 150 for receiving auxiliary fasteners 140. For visualization purposes, the first main holes 120 and auxiliary holes 150 (from left to right) are shown without fasteners 130, 140, while the second main holes 120 and auxiliary holes 150 are shown with the corresponding fasteners 130, 140. Figure 5 also illustrates that the main fastener 130 may consist of a head 131 having a diameter larger than the minimum diameter of the plurality of through holes 121, 151 in the rotor hub 20. In some examples, the head 131 of the main fastener can be stationary relative to the surface of the hub. Alternatively, as disclosed in Figure 5, the main hole 120 may have a shape that can receive the head 131 of the main fastener.

[0050] On the other hand, the auxiliary fastener 140 may include a head 141 having a diameter smaller than the minimum diameter of the through-holes 151 of the rotor hub 20, but larger than the minimum diameter of each of the through-holes 122 of the generator rotor 100. Note that the main and auxiliary through-holes 121, 151 of the rotor hub 20 may be configured to receive the head 141 of the auxiliary fastener 140.

[0051] Furthermore, the shapes of the through-holes 121, 122, and 151 in the generator rotor 100 and rotor hub 20 can be adapted to mate with the heads 141, 131 (or parts thereof) of the auxiliary and main fasteners 140, 130, respectively. More precisely, the through-hole 122 in the generator rotor may include at least a local widening 155 to partially receive the head 142 portion of the auxiliary fastener 140. Similarly, the through-hole 121 in the rotor hub may constitute a local widening 124 to partially receive the head 131 portion of the main fastener 130.

[0052] In the example illustrated in Figure 5, the assembly consists of holes of different shapes, namely a main hole 120 and an auxiliary hole 150. However, as illustrated in Figure 6, the assembly may also include multiple holes extending at least partially through the rotor hub 20, the generator rotor 100, and the shaft 110, and the holes are configured to selectively receive the main fastener 130 and the auxiliary fastener 140. Thus, at least some of the holes may be configured to have substantially the same internal shape. This means that these holes may receive the main fastener 130 and the auxiliary fastener 140 at different points during the assembly, maintenance, or replacement of the wind turbine.

[0053] The blind hole 123 shown in Figure 5 also constitutes an inner thread 126 configured to match the threads of fasteners 132 and 142. As discussed, the inner thread 126 may have a different metric in the main hole 120 than in the auxiliary hole 150 to match each fastener. Alternatively, all threads 126, 132, and 142 may be the same to allow for fastener replacement.

[0054] Figure 6 is a radial projection of a cross-section crossing the radial plane B-B' depicted in Figure 4, schematically showing an example configuration of holes 120, 150 and fasteners 130, 140. Similar to Figure 5, only the two fasteners 130 and 140 are shown.

[0055] In this example, multiple blind holes 123 may consist of one or more internal threads 126, 127. More specifically, the shaft 110 constitutes a blind hole 123 having two internal threads: a first internal thread 126 configured to receive and match a main fastener 130, and a second internal thread 127 configured to receive and match an auxiliary fastener 140. It should be noted that the blind holes 123 may be located in either the generator rotor 100 or the shaft 110, depending on the overall configuration of the wind turbine assembly.

[0056] In a further example (not shown in the diagram), the shaft may be sandwiched between the generator rotor and the hub. In this case, a blind hole may also be located in the generator rotor. The blind hole can be located either at the front "upwind" end or the rear "downwind" end of the assembly. In yet another example, the main hole and / or auxiliary hole may be a through hole extending through all three components.

[0057] Figure 6 also shows that the auxiliary holes 150 may consist of through holes 151 in the rotor hub 20 having a minimum diameter larger than the minimum diameter of the corresponding through holes 122 in the generator rotor 100. As previously mentioned, the main holes 120 may also have the aforementioned features if they are also intended to receive auxiliary fasteners 140 during a particular assembly period.

[0058] This disclosure also provides a wind turbine assembly comprising a rotor hub 20, a generator rotor 100, a shaft 110, and a plurality of main and auxiliary fasteners 130, 140. The rotor hub 20 comprises a plurality of main and auxiliary holes 120, 150. The generator rotor 100 is configured to include a plurality of through holes 122. The shaft 110 is configured to include a plurality of blind holes 123. Furthermore, a plurality of main fasteners 130 penetrate the rotor hub 20, the main holes 120 of the generator rotor 100, and extend into the shaft 110. Furthermore, an auxiliary through hole 151 is configured to receive an auxiliary fastener 140 configured to connect the shaft 110 to the generator rotor 100.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wind turbine 10 is provided, which includes a wind turbine assembly according to any one of the embodiments described above and the technical features included herein.

[0060] In another aspect of this disclosure, a method 600 for assembly is provided. Method 600 is suitable for providing an assembly for a wind turbine according to the technical features disclosed herein. Method 600 is schematically shown in Figure 7.

[0061] The method includes providing a shaft 110 and a generator rotor 100 in block 601. Method 600 also includes forming a shaft-generator rotor assembly in block 602 by connecting the support frame 110 to the generator rotor 100 using a plurality of auxiliary fasteners 140. Furthermore, Method 600 includes connecting a wind turbine hub 20 to the shaft-generator rotor assembly in block 603 using a main fastener 130 that extends at least partially through the shaft 110, the generator rotor 100, and the wind turbine rotor hub 20.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the method allows the shaft and generator rotor assembly to be mounted independently of the wind turbine rotor hub 20. This independence reduces the overall complexity of assembly and disassembly operations from the wind turbine. Furthermore, field testing can be performed to verify the shaft and generator rotor assembly before joining the rotor hub 20.

[0063] In embodiments, Method 600 may further include providing a rotor hub 20 including a main through-hole 121 and an auxiliary through-hole 151 for receiving a main fastener 130 and an auxiliary fastener 140, respectively. Furthermore, Method 600 may also include removing at least selected auxiliary fasteners. Furthermore, Method 600 may include the step of coupling one or more main fasteners into the auxiliary through-holes left open by the removal of the auxiliary fasteners. These additional steps of the Method allow the wind turbine assembly to be secured with main fasteners, providing a more secure coupling before operating the wind turbine.

[0064] Furthermore, method 600 may also include the step of uncoupling all main fasteners 130 to free the rotor hub 20 from the shaft and generator rotor assembly, and bringing the rotor hub 20 downtower for maintenance or replacement work.

[0065] The detailed description of the invention uses examples to disclose teachings, including preferred embodiments, and enables a person skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein, including the manufacture and use of any device or system, and the execution of any incorporated methods. The patentable scope is defined by the claims and may include other examples that a person skilled in the art can imagine. Such other examples are intended to be included in the claims if they have structural elements that are not different from the language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that have substantially no differences from the language of the claims. Aspects from the various embodiments described, and other known equivalents to each such aspect, may be mixed and matched by a person skilled in the art to construct additional embodiments and techniques in accordance with the principles of this application. Where reference numerals related to the drawings are placed in parentheses in the claims, they are merely for the purpose of improving the clarity of the claims and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10: Wind turbine 12: Ground 14: Support system 15: Tower 16: Nacelle 18: Rotor 20: Hub 22: Rotor blade 23: Reference line 24: Blade root 25: Pitch angle 26: Load transfer area 28: Wind direction 30: Rotor shaft 32: Pitch system 34: Pitch shaft 36: Wind turbine control device 38: Yaw shaft 40: Processor 42: Generator 43: Communication module 44: Main shaft 46: Gearbox 48: High-speed shaft 50: Coupling 52: Main frame 54: Decoupling support means 56: Yaw drive mechanism 58: Weather measurement system 60: Main front support bearing 62: Rear support bearing 64: Drive train 66: Pitch assembly 68: Pitch drive system 70: Sensor 72: Pitch bearing 74: Pitch drive motor 78: Pitch drive pinion 80: Pitch control system 84: Power supply 86: Cavity 88: Inner surface 90: Transformer 100: Generator rotor 101: Generator stator 103: Torque arm 110: Shaft 111: Fixed frame 120: Main hole 123: Blind hole 124, 155: Localized expansion 126: Female thread 130: Main fastener 131, 141: Head 132, 142: Fastener 140: Auxiliary fastener 150: Auxiliary hole 151: Through hole RA: Rotating shaft

Claims

1. An assembly for a wind turbine, Rotor hub (20) and Generator rotor (100) and A shaft (110) for supporting the generator rotor (100) on a fixed frame (111), Multiple main fasteners (130) extending at least partially through the rotor hub (20), the generator rotor (100), and the shaft (111), Multiple auxiliary fasteners (140) are configured to connect the generator rotor (20) to the shaft (110), Equipped with, The rotor hub (20) is configured to be removable from the generator rotor (100) and shaft (110) without disassembling the generator rotor (100) from the shaft (110).

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of main fasteners (130) are bolts, and the heads (131) of the bolts are arranged to contact and press the rotor hub (20) against the generator rotor (100) or shaft (110).

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of main fasteners (130) extend through holes (121, 122) in the rotor hub (20) and the generator rotor (100) and into a blind hole (123) in the shaft (110).

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the blind hole (123) includes one or more female threads (126, 127).

5. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of through holes (121, 151, 122) and blind holes (123) are distributed radially and at equal intervals in at least one row around the axis of rotation (RA) of the rotor hub (20), the generator rotor (100), and the shaft (110).

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of auxiliary fasteners (140) are configured to temporarily connect the generator rotor (20) to the shaft (110) when the rotor hub (20) is separated from the generator rotor (100) and shaft (110).

7. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a hole (122) in the generator rotor (100) or shaft (110) is configured to engage with the head of an auxiliary fastener (142), and a hole (121) in the rotor hub (20) is configured to engage with the head of a main fastener (131).

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotor hub (20) comprises a plurality of main holes (120) for receiving a main fastener (130) and a plurality of auxiliary holes (150) for receiving an auxiliary fastener (140).

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary hole (150) includes a through hole (151) in the rotor hub having a minimum diameter larger than the hole (122) in the generator rotor or shaft.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, comprising a rotor hub (20), a generator rotor (100), and a plurality of holes (121, 122, 123, 151) extending at least partially through the shaft (110), wherein the holes (121, 122, 123, 151) are configured to selectively receive a main fastener (130) and an auxiliary fastener (140).

11. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the auxiliary fastener (140) includes a head (142) having a diameter smaller than the minimum diameter of the main hole (151) through the rotor hub (20) and larger than the minimum diameter of the main hole (122) through the generator rotor (100) and / or shaft (110).

12. Assembly method (600), The steps include providing a shaft (110) and a generator rotor (100), The steps include: connecting the shaft (110) to the generator rotor (100) with multiple auxiliary fasteners (140) to form an assembly of the shaft and the generator rotor; The steps include: connecting the wind turbine rotor hub (20) to the shaft and generator rotor assembly using a main fastener (130) that extends at least partially through the shaft (110), the generator rotor (100), and the wind turbine rotor hub (20); Method (600), including.

13. The method according to claim 12 (600), further comprising the step of providing a rotor hub (20) having a main through hole (120) and an auxiliary through hole (150) for receiving a main fastener (130) and an auxiliary fastener (140), respectively.

14. The steps include removing at least selected auxiliary fasteners (140) from among several auxiliary fasteners (140), The steps include connecting one or more main fasteners (130) to the auxiliary through-hole (150) that was opened by removing the auxiliary fastener (140), The method according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising (600).

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