Contact cleaning device and wind power generation device

Abstract

To suppress the occurrence of contamination at the contact points of a slip ring due to dust generated in the slip ring.SOLUTION: A contact purification device 1 according to the present invention includes a rotatably supported rotor 2, a first contact 5A1 provided around the rotor 2, a second contact 5B1 provided around the rotor 2, a case 3 forming an air flow path 5C that houses at least a portion of the rotor 2 and the first and second contacts 5A1 and 5B1, a pump 8 that pressurizes air into the air flow path 5C, and air flow paths 6A, 5C, and 6C through which the air pressurized by the pump 8 flows. The second contact 5B1 forms a dust generating portion. The air flow paths 6A, 5C, and 6C are configured such that the air pressurized into the air flow path 5C flows from the first contact 5A1 to the second contact 5B1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact purifying device (contact purifier) for transmitting electric power or communication signals, and a wind power generation device using the purifying device.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a contact for transmitting electric power or communication signals, there is a slip ring of a wind power generation system described in Patent Document 1, for example. In the wind power generation system of Patent Document 1, transmission of electric power from the nacelle into the rotor and a pitch angle command of the blade are performed via the slip ring (paragraph 0013).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, sufficient consideration is not given to the contamination at the contacts of the slip ring due to dust generated in the slip ring.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of contamination at the contacts of the slip ring due to dust generated in the slip ring.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the contact purifying device of the present invention includes a rotor rotatably supported by a shaft, a first contact provided around the rotor, a second contact provided around the rotor, A case that forms an air chamber for accommodating at least a part of the rotor, the first contact point, and the second contact point. A pump that pumps air into the air chamber. An air flow path through which the air pumped by the pump flows. And is provided with The second contact point constitutes a dust generation part. The air flow path is configured such that the air pumped into the air chamber flows from the first contact point to the second contact point.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the wind power generation device of the present invention includes A blade whose pitch angle is controlled by a pitch actuator, a rotor connected to the blade, a rotating machine including a generator driven by the rotor, a nacelle that houses the rotating machine, a slip ring that sends a command signal and power for controlling the pitch angle of the blade from the nacelle side to the pitch actuator side, and a contact cleaning device that removes dust generated inside the slip ring. The slip ring has the rotor, a first contact point provided around the rotor, a second contact point provided around the rotor, and a case that forms an air chamber for accommodating at least a part of the rotor, the first contact point, and the second contact point. The contact cleaning device has a pump that pumps air into the air chamber and an air flow path through which the air pumped by the pump flows. The second contact point constitutes a dust generation part. The air flow path is configured such that the air pumped into the air chamber flows from the first contact point to the second contact point.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of dirt at the first contact point due to dust generated inside the case where the first contact point and the second contact point are arranged. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] In this embodiment, a slip ring that performs power transmission and signal transmission is targeted. When transmitting large power and communication signals using a slip ring, minute dust generated by the abrasion of carbon used as a brush for power transmission adheres to the signal transmission contacts (first contacts), which may cause problems such as communication failures and the acceleration of contact wear. Therefore, the dust generated on the power transmission contact (second contact) side needs to be discharged outside the slip ring so as not to flow into the location where the signal transmission contacts are located.

[0011] As a structure for preventing dust from flowing into the location where the signal transmission contacts are located, it is conceivable to divide the signal transmission contacts and the power transmission contacts into separate air chambers, seal each air chamber, and adopt a structure in which the internal body does not move back and forth between them.

[0012] However, the rotor stores the power transmission conductors and the communication conductors and rotates. In order to seal each air chamber, it is necessary to seal the bearing portion. Considering the load on the support structure, it is desirable that the bearing portion pivotally supports the rotor so that it can rotate with a light force. Also, considering the assemblability during manufacturing, etc., it is difficult to adopt a structure in which the outer case completely seals and separates the two air chambers.

[0013] As another method, a method of restricting the gas inside the second air chamber from moving to the first air chamber by increasing the internal pressure of the air chamber (first air chamber) where the signal transmission contacts are arranged with respect to the air chamber (second air chamber) where the power transmission contacts that generate dust are arranged can be considered.

[0014] However, if only the first air chamber is pressurized, the dust generated in the second air chamber may clog in places that cannot be assumed, such as the gaps in the container. In this case, when pressurizing the first air chamber, there is a problem that an air flow path for the pressurizing air and a dust collection mechanism for the dust generated in the second air chamber must be installed.

[0015] Regarding the pressurization of the first air chamber, in order to newly pressurize using an electric pump, it is necessary to secure a power source, and depending on the installation location of the slip ring, it may not be possible to easily secure a power source. For this reason, it is preferable that the pressurizing pump is a passive pump that utilizes the rotation of the slip ring rotor.

[0016] When the operation of the pump becomes intermittent, the first air chamber is not pressurized while the rotor is not rotating, but no new dust is generated in the state where the rotor is not rotating. For this reason, even if the pressure of the first air chamber gradually decreases, it will not immediately cause a problem. At this time, when setting a path for moving air from the first air chamber to the second air chamber, by providing a pipe in which the pressure of the first air chamber becomes slightly positive pressure and the gas flows only in the direction from the first air chamber to the second air chamber, the intrusion of dust into the first air chamber can be prevented. For this purpose, a structure is required in which the pressure of the first air chamber is higher than the pressure of the second air chamber, and the gas flows only in the direction from the first air chamber to the second air chamber regardless of the presence or absence of pressurization.

[0017] In this embodiment, it is assumed that carbon dust is generated in the second air chamber when the rotor rotates in a slip ring having at least two air chambers, the first air chamber and the second air chamber, and this dust is discharged outside the slip ring without flowing into the first air chamber.

[0018] According to this embodiment, compared with the conventional slip ring, it is possible to avoid generating communication errors for a long time and reduce the wear amount of the brush contacts.

[0019] An embodiment of the contact purification device for a slip ring of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the contact purification device will be described as a device including the configuration of the slip ring.

[0020] Note that the analysis method, setting values, and other specific various configurations shown in this embodiment are not limited to the embodiments and examples taken up here, and appropriate combinations and improvements are possible without changing the gist. In addition, elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustration. Also, in the drawings used in this specification, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated explanations of these components may be omitted.

[0021] [Example 1] A first embodiment (Example 1) of the slip ring (contact purification device) of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment (Example 1) of the contact purification device 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the air flow in the slip ring 1A in the first embodiment.

[0022] In this embodiment, the case where the contact purification device 1 is used in a wind power generation system will be described. The contact purification device 1 according to the present invention is applicable not only to a wind power generation system but also to other devices and systems.

[0023] In a large windmill used in a wind power generation system, in order to control the pitch angle of the blade, a pitch actuator is arranged in the hub, and the pitch angle of the blade is controlled by transmitting electric power and a command signal of the pitch angle from the nacelle side through the slip ring 1A.

[0024] However, in the method of arranging the actuator and the control device on the hub side, if a trouble occurs in the slip ring, the pitch angle cannot be controlled. When the pitch angle cannot be controlled, control such as an emergency stop cannot be executed either. For this reason, even a slight communication error will cause a safety stop, and if there is a trouble in the slip ring, the operation rate of the wind turbine will be greatly reduced.

[0025] The causes of troubles include poor conduction of contacts and accelerated wear of the sliding part due to dust generated inside the slip ring. On the other hand, opening and cleaning the slip ring to remove dust is time-consuming even for normal wind turbines, and for wind turbines installed in mountainous areas or at sea, time-consuming maintenance work has a significant impact on maintenance costs.

[0026] It is desirable that the wind turbine does not need to perform maintenance such as disassembling and cleaning frequently, and operates almost maintenance-free with only grease replenishment.

[0027] In order to solve such problems, the contact purification device in this embodiment sends purified air into the air chamber storing the sliding contact portion of the slip ring in order to discharge the dust generated from the sliding contact portion of the slip ring, and purifies the contacts, thereby improving the durability and life of the slip ring.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the slip ring 1A includes two air chambers 5A and 5B, i.e., an air chamber (second air chamber) 5B for power transmission and an air chamber (first air chamber) 5A for signal transmission, a rotor (rotating shaft) 2 passing through the two air chambers 5A and 5B, a partition plate (partition wall) 3A partitioning the two air chambers 5A and 5B, a device (hereinafter referred to as a bearing) 4 supporting the rotor 2, a signal transmission contact (first contact, communication contact) 5A1 for transmitting a communication signal (see FIG. 3), a power transmission contact (second contact) 5B1 for transmitting power (see FIG. 3), and a case (stator) 3 forming the air chambers 5 (5A, 5B) and accommodating the rotor (rotating shaft) 2, the signal transmission contact 5A1, and the power transmission contact 5B1.

[0029] The bearing 4 is composed of a first bearing 4A provided on the partition plate 3A and a second bearing 4B provided on the case wall 3B on the coupling part 20 side. The bearing 4A is provided on the partition plate (partition wall) 3A. Therefore, terms such as "partition" and "partition wall" do not mean a structure having complete airtightness.

[0030] The signal transmission contact (first contact) 5A1 and the power transmission contact (second contact) 5B1 are provided around the rotor 2. The case 3 constitutes an air chamber 5 (5A, 5B) that houses at least a part of the rotor 2, the signal transmission contact 5A1, and the power transmission contact 5B1. The signal transmission contact (first contact) 5A1 is disposed in the first air chamber 5A. The power transmission contact (second contact) 5B1 is disposed in the second air chamber 5B.

[0031] The first bearing 4A and the second bearing 4B may be any device (support part) that rotatably supports the rotor 2 with respect to the case 3. The first bearing 4A may be referred to as the first support part, and the second bearing 4B may be referred to as the second support part for explanation.

[0032] The contact purifying device 1 is a device that removes dust generated inside the slip ring 1A. The contact purifying device 1 includes an air filter (filter) 7 that purifies air, a pump 8 that pumps air, a pipe 6A from the pump 8 to the first air chamber 5A, a pipe 6B that connects between the two air chambers 5A and 5B, and a pipe 6C that serves as a flow path (discharge flow path) for the air discharged from the second air chamber 5B. The slip ring 1A can be regarded as a part of the contact purifying device 1. That is, the contact purifying device 1 may be regarded as including the slip ring 1A as a part of its components.

[0033] The pipe 6A is connected to the inlet 5A2 of the first air chamber 5A. One end of the pipe 6B is connected to the outlet 5A3 of the first air chamber 5A, and the other end is connected to the inlet 5B2 of the second air chamber 5B. The pipe 6C is connected to the outlet 5B3 of the second air chamber 5B.

[0034] Regarding the above-mentioned air chambers 5 (5A, 5B) and pipes 6A, 6B, the air chamber into which the air pumped from the pump 8 first enters is the first air chamber (signal transmission air chamber) 5A that stores the signal transmission contact 5A1. A differential pressure-driven check valve 21 is provided in the pipe 6B connected from the first air chamber 5A to the second air chamber (power transmission air chamber) 5B, and air flows only in the direction from the second air chamber 5B to the first air chamber 5A. By providing the differential pressure-driven check valve 21 in this pipe 6B, the first air chamber 5A is at a higher pressure than the second air chamber 5B, and a small amount of air can flow from the first air chamber 5A to the second air chamber 5B through the bearing 4A provided on the wall 3A separating the two air chambers 5A, 5B. As a result, the dust generated in the second air chamber 5B does not flow into the first air chamber 5A through the bearing 4A, but is discharged from the discharge port 5B3 of the second air chamber 5B together with the air.

[0035] The air discharged from the discharge port 5B3 flows through the pipe 6C. A check valve 22 is provided in the pipe 6C. A dust pack 23 for collecting dust is provided on the downstream side of the pipe 6C.

[0036] In the present invention, the air purified using the filter 7 is sucked, but if there is little dust in the surrounding air, it may be sucked as it is, or instead of using the pump 8 to compress the air, another gas may be used, or compressed air or the like may be used. If there is no need to collect dust, a configuration without the dust pack 23 is also possible.

[0037] Also, instead of the sliding contact, the present invention can be applied to a slip ring having a capacitive signal transmission path or a slip ring having an electromagnetic induction-based power transmission path.

[0038] Each of the above-described configurations will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the slip ring 1A includes a rotating rotor (rotating shaft) 2, a non-rotating stator formed by a case 3 serving as an outer shell, and a bearing 4 that supports the rotor 2 on the stator 3, and makes an electrical connection between the rotor 2 and the stator 3.

[0039] The rotor 2 is connected to the rotating machine 30 via the coupling part 20. In the case of a wind turbine, the rotating machine 30 is composed of a generator and a speed increaser. The stator 3 is connected to a rotation stopper 31 that fixes it to the non-rotating ground side only with respect to the degree of freedom of rotation of the rotating machine 30. That is, the movement of the stator 3 in the rotation direction of the rotating machine 30 is restricted by the rotation stopper 31.

[0040] The contact purifying device 1 includes a filter 7, a pump 8, a pipe 6B connecting between the signal transmission air chamber (first air chamber) 5A and the power transmission air chamber (second air chamber) 5B, an actuating drive type check valve 21 provided in the pipe 6B, and a dust pack 23 provided on the downstream side of the discharge port 53 of the second air chamber 5B in the air flow direction. The pump 8 pumps the clean air sucked through the filter 7 into the first air chamber 5A. The air pumped into the first air chamber 5A flows into the second air chamber 5B through the pipe 6B and the bearing 4A, and is further discharged from the discharge port 5B3 of the second air chamber 5B to the outside of the slip ring 1A and collected by the dust pack 23.

[0041] The filter 7 can be composed of a dry filter using a non-woven fabric filter material that can collect particles with a particle size of, for example, 2.5 μm.

[0042] The pump 8 is fixed to a pump bracket 34 fixed to the stator 3. The pump 8 of this embodiment is composed of a diaphragm pump driven by a coupling part 20 having a cam groove on the outer peripheral part. The diaphragm pump 8 pumps the air purified by the filter 7 into the first air chamber 5A when the rotor 2 is rotating. The diaphragm pump 8 is provided with differential pressure driven check valves (not shown) at the suction port and the discharge port respectively, and inhales and discharges air by the action of these check valves and the reciprocating membrane. The pump 8 is not limited to the diaphragm pump 8, and other pumps can be used. For example, when an impeller type pump is used, a differential pressure driven check valve is provided at the discharge port.

[0043] The air chamber 5A for signal transmission includes two partition walls 3A and 3B through which the rotor 2 penetrates the air chamber 5A for signal transmission, and a bearing 4 for connecting the rotor 2 and the stator 3.

[0044] The partition wall 3A between the first air chamber 5A and the second air chamber 5B includes a bearing (first bearing) 4A that rotatably supports the rotor 2 on the stator 3. In the rotational axis direction of the rotor (rotational axis) 2, a bearing (second bearing) 4B is provided on the case wall 3B on the coupling portion 20 side of the case 3. The rotor 2 is rotatably supported by the first bearing 4A and the second bearing 4B. In the rotational axis direction of the rotor 2, a through portion (through hole) 41 through which the rotor 2 penetrates is provided on the case wall 3C on the side opposite to the coupling portion 20 side of the case 3. The through portion 41 has a radial gap of about 1 mm between it and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2. Here, the radial direction is the direction centered on the rotational axis of the rotor 2 and perpendicular to the rotational axis. Even if dust adheres to the through portion 41, the radial gap between the through portion 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2 is large, so it does not prevent the rotation of the rotor 2.

[0045] The case 3 includes a bearing (first bearing, first support portion) 4A and a bearing (second bearing, second support portion) 4B that rotatably support the rotor 2 with respect to the case 3. The bearing 4A and the bearing 4B are provided separately in the direction along the rotational axis of the rotor 2. In this embodiment, the bearing 4A is arranged closer to the vicinity of the power transmission contact (second contact) 5B1 than the bearing 4B.

[0046] Note that it is preferable that the first air chamber 5A is arranged on the base side (coupling portion 20 side) of the slip ring 1A, and the second air chamber 5B is arranged on the rear end portion side (opposite to the coupling portion 20 side) of the slip ring 1A. Also, the partition wall 4A between the first air chamber 5A and the second air chamber 5B preferably has a structure at the center of the slip ring 1A in the rotational axis direction of the rotor 2. In this case, bearings 4A for pivotally supporting the rotor 2 on the stator 3 can be arranged at the base portion and the central portion of the slip ring 1A respectively, and the rigidity of the slip ring 1A can be improved.

[0047] Next, the flow of air containing dust will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the first air chamber 5A is provided with at least one inlet 5A2 and at least one outlet 5A3. The second air chamber 5B is also provided with at least one inlet 5B2 and at least one outlet 5B3. The pipe 6B connecting the outlet 5A3 and the inlet 5B2 is provided with a differential pressure type check valve 21, and air flows when the internal pressure of the second air chamber 5B drops below the internal pressure of the first air chamber 5A.

[0048] The power transmission contact 5B1 stored in the second air chamber 5B is characterized in that a large amount of dust is generated by sliding. The signal transmission contact 5A1 stored in the first air chamber 5A generates less dust than the power transmission contact 5B1, but may wear and break due to poor lubrication caused by foreign matter intrusion.

[0049] Here, according to the driving pressure of the differential pressure type check valve 21, the internal pressure of the first air chamber 5A is higher than the internal pressure of the second air chamber 5B. Also, the bearing 4A installed on the partition wall 3A separating the two air chambers 5A and 5B is not completely airtight. Therefore, air moves from the first air chamber 5A to the second air chamber 5B through the bearing 4A. During the rotation of the rotor 2, the air in the first air chamber 5A with less dust flows through the bearing 4A, making it difficult for the air in the second air chamber 5B containing dust to enter the bearing 4A.

[0050] In this embodiment, the air flow paths 6A, 5A, 6B, 5B, 6C are configured such that the air pumped into the air chambers 5 (5A, 5B) by the pump 8 flows from the signal transmission contact 5A1 to the power transmission contact 5B1. The bearing 4A may be included in these air flow paths 6A, 5A, 6B, 5B, 6C. These air flow paths 6A, 5A, 6B, 5B, 6C include a pipe 6B that communicates the first air chamber 5A and the second air chamber 5B outside the air chambers 5 (5A, 5B). The pipe 6B is provided with a check valve 22 that prevents the backflow of air from the second air chamber 5B to the first air chamber 5A.

[0051] As described above, the signal transmission contact 5A1 and the power transmission contact 5B1 constitute a dust generation part that generates dust. In the slip ring 1A, the signal transmission contact 5A1 constitutes the first dust generation part, and the power transmission contact 5B1 constitutes the second dust generation part. The amount of dust generated in the second dust generation part 5B1 is much larger than the amount of dust generated in the first dust generation part 5A1, and the second dust generation part 5B1 constitutes the main dust generation part. Therefore, when simply referring to the "dust generation part", this "dust generation part" refers to the second dust generation part 5B1.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet 5A2 and the inlet 5B2 are installed above the air chambers 5A and 5B (vertically upper side). In this case, the nozzles of the inlet 5A2 and the inlet 5B2 are provided so as not to protrude from the inner surface of the case 3 and so that air is discharged along the tangential direction of the rotation of the rotor 2. The outlets 5A3 and 5B3 are installed below the air chambers 5A and 5B (vertically lower side). In this case, the nozzles of the outlets 5A3 and 5B3 are provided so as not to protrude from the inner surface of the case 3 and so that air is discharged along the tangential direction of the rotation of the rotor 2.

[0053] A dust pack 23 (see FIG. 1) is provided at the tip (downstream side) of the outlet 5B3, and the dust discharged from the second air chamber 5B is collected by the dust pack 23. The dust is mainly generated from the carbon brush 5B4 provided on the power transmission contact 5B1. If the dust pack 23 has a volume of about 5 to 10 times the total volume of the carbon brushes 5B4 in total, there is no need to replace the dust pack 23 except during an overhaul involving brush replacement.

[0054] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the dust mainly generated at the power transmission contact 5B1 is discharged outside the air chamber 5 so as not to flow into the first air chamber 5A, preventing dust from entering the first air chamber 5A and the bearing 4A, thereby preventing wear of the first contact 5A1 and seizure of the bearing 4A. Therefore, the life of the slip ring 1A in the case of maintenance-free operation can be extended.

[0055] [Embodiment 2] Using FIG. 4, a second embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the contact purifying device 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the second embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the contact purifying device 1 according to the present invention.

[0056] In the first embodiment, the contact purifying device 1 for the slip ring 1A in which the second air chamber 5B and the first air chamber 5A are approximately airtightly separated was described. In the second embodiment, the contact purifying device 1 for the slip ring 1A in which the contact 51 for power transmission and the contact 61 for signal transmission are stored in one air chamber will be described.

[0057] The air chamber 5 of the slip ring 1A in this embodiment is composed of one air chamber 5C. That is, the first air chamber 5A and the second air chamber 5B of the first embodiment are composed of one air chamber 5C, and a partition wall 3A that partitions the first air chamber 5A and the second air chamber 5B is not provided. For this purpose, the bearing 4A provided on the partition wall 3A is arranged on the case wall 3C on the side opposite to the coupling portion 20 side of the case 3. That is, the through portion (through hole) 41 of the first embodiment is replaced with the bearing 4A. Also, there is no need to provide the pipe 6B connected from the first air chamber 5A to the second air chamber 5B.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the following points are changed with respect to the first embodiment. The pump 8 is of a type that is driven by a separate power source such as electric power regardless of the rotation of the rotor 2, and operates constantly. Also, the inlet 5A2 is intensively arranged around the signal transmission contact 5A1, and the exhaust port 5B3 is arranged around the power transmission contact 5B1. That is, the inlet 5A2 and the exhaust port 5B3 are arranged so that the air pumped into the air chamber 5C by the pump 8 flows from the side of the signal transmission contact 5A1 to the side of the power transmission contact 5B1.

[0059] In this embodiment, the air flow paths 6A, 5C, and 6C are configured so that the air pumped into the air chamber 5C by the pump 8 flows from the signal transmission contact 5A1 to the power transmission contact 5B1.

[0060] As a result, even when the rotor 2 is not rotating, purified air is always sent to the air chamber 5C, protecting the signal transmission contact 5B1 from dust. However, in this configuration, the bearing 4A cannot be protected from dust, so the airtight performance of the seal 4A1 in the bearing 4A is enhanced.

[0061] That is, in this embodiment, the case 3 includes a bearing (first bearing, first support portion) 4A and a bearing (second bearing, second support portion) 4B that rotatably supports the rotor 2 with respect to the case 3. The bearing 4A and the bearing 4B are provided separately at both ends in the direction along the rotation axis of the rotor 2. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the bearing 4A is disposed closer to the power transmission contact (second contact) 5B1 than the bearing 4B. Further, the bearing 4B is disposed closer to the signal transmission contact (first contact) 5A1 than the bearing 4A. In this case, the bearing 4B has a seal 4A1 that enhances airtightness.

[0062] Other configurations and operations of the contact purifying device 1 in this embodiment are the same as those of the contact purifying device 1 in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The present invention can also be applied to a slip ring having only one air chamber in which the signal transmission contact 5A1 and the power transmission contact 5B1 are arranged. Further, the configuration of this embodiment related to the pump 8 may be applied to the first embodiment.

[0063] [Embodiment 3] The contact purifying device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment (Embodiment 3) of the contact purifying device 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the diaphragm pump 8 of the first embodiment and the slip ring 1A of the second embodiment are combined, and some of the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 are omitted.

[0064] In the first and second embodiments, when the slip ring 1A vibrates, a large amount of dust generation is expected at a specific frequency (for example, the resonance frequency), that is, at a specific rotational speed. When a large amount of dust generation is expected, it is preferable to increase the air flow rate to promote the discharge of dust. In the case of the pump 8 that utilizes the rotation of the rotor 2 as in the first embodiment, it is necessary to design it so that the required air volume can be obtained at a specific rotational speed at which the vibration becomes large. Further, when the pump 8 is an electric pump as in the second embodiment, it is necessary to constantly operate the pump 8 at the maximum required air volume.

[0065] When the pump 8 is configured using a diaphragm, by configuring the pump 8 so that the diaphragm is driven by the vibration acceleration, a large air flow rate can be ensured only when the vibration acceleration increases. Therefore, in this embodiment, a cantilever beam 81 with a tip concentrated mass whose natural frequency (resonance frequency) can be easily adjusted is installed at the tip of the slip ring 1A (the side opposite to the coupling portion 20 side), and the tip of the cantilever beam 81 is used to drive the diaphragm pump 8. The vibration frequency at which the pump 8 operates is adjusted by the length L of the cantilever beam 81 and the mass M of the weight 81B.

[0066] That is, in this embodiment, the pump 8 is driven by the vibration accompanying the rotation of the rotor 2.

[0067] The cantilever beam 81 includes a leaf spring 81A, a weight 81B, and a fixing device 81C. The leaf spring 81A is installed at the end of the slip ring 1A. The fixing device 81C adjusts the length L of the leaf spring 81A and clamps and fixes the leaf spring 81A with a bolt 81C1. That is, the length L of the leaf spring 81A is adjusted and fixed by the fixing device 81C.

[0068] The weight 81B is fixed to the end of the leaf spring 81A, and the weight 81B is connected to the diaphragm pump 8. The diaphragm pump 8 sucks air from the filter 7, and the discharged air of the diaphragm pump 8 is sent to the inlet 5A1.

[0069] In the contact cleaning device 1 of the present embodiment, other configurations and operations are the same as those of the contact cleaning device 1 in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0070] In the contact cleaning device 1 of the present embodiment, the single-degree-of-freedom vibration system by the leaf spring 81A can also function as a dynamic vibration absorber with respect to the main body of the slip ring 1A. When vibration occurs due to the natural vibration mode of the slip ring 1A or other components, the effect of reducing the response acceleration can also be exerted.

[0071] The contact cleaning device 1 according to the above-described embodiment has the following features.

[0072] (1) A rotor 2 rotatably supported, A first contact 5A1 provided around the rotor 2, A second contact 5B1 provided around the rotor 2, A case 3 that forms an air chamber 5 (5A, 5B, 5C) that houses at least a part of the rotor 2, the first contact 5A1, and the second contact 5B1, A pump 8 that pumps air into the air chamber 5 (5A, 5B, 5C), Air flow paths 6A, 5A, 6B, 5B, 6C, 5C through which the air pumped by the pump 8 flows, and The second contact 5B1 constitutes a dust generation part, The air flow path is configured such that the air pumped into the air chamber 5 flows from the first contact 5A1 to the second contact 5B1.

[0073] (2) The air chamber 5 includes a first air chamber 5A and a second air chamber 5B partitioned by a partition wall 3A, The first contact 5A1 is disposed in the first air chamber 5A, The second contact 5B1 is disposed in the second air chamber 5B.

[0074] (3) The air flow paths 6A, 5A, 6B, 5B, 6C include a pipe 6B that communicates the first air chamber 5A and the second air chamber 5B outside the air chamber 5, The pipe 6B is provided with a check valve 22 that prevents the reverse flow of air from the second air chamber 5B to the first air chamber 5A.

[0075] (4) The partition wall 3A is provided with a support portion 4A that rotatably supports the rotor 2 with respect to the case 3.

[0076] (5) The pump 8 is driven by a coupling portion 20 having a cam groove on its outer peripheral portion.

[0077] (6) The pump 8 is constituted by a diaphragm pump.

[0078] (7) The case 3 is provided with a first support portion 4A and a second support portion 4B that rotatably support the rotor 2 with respect to the case 3. The first support portion 4A is disposed closer to the second contact point 5B1 than the second support portion 4B. The second support portion 4B is disposed closer to the first contact point 5A1 than the first support portion 4A. The first support portion 4A has a seal 4A1 for enhancing airtightness.

[0079] (8) The pump 8 is driven by vibrations accompanying the rotation of the rotor 2.

[0080] (9) The wind power generation device includes a blade (not shown) whose pitch angle is controlled by a pitch actuator (not shown), a rotor 2 connected to the blade, a rotating machine 30 including a generator driven by the rotor 2, a nacelle (not shown) that houses the rotating machine 30, a slip ring 1A that sends a command signal and power for controlling the pitch angle of the blade from the nacelle side to the pitch actuator side, and a contact cleaning device 1 that removes dust generated inside the slip ring 1A. The slip ring 1A has a rotor 2, a first contact point 5A1 provided around the rotor 2, a second contact point 5B1 provided around the rotor 2, and a case 3 that constitutes an air chamber 5 (5A, 5B, 5C) that houses at least a part of the rotor 2, the first contact point 5A1, and the second contact point 5B1. The contact purifying device 1 includes a pump 8 that pumps air into the air chambers 5 (5A, 5B, 5C), and air flow paths 6A, 5A, 6B, 5B, 6C, 5C through which the air pumped by the pump 8 flows. The second contact 5B1 constitutes a dust generating portion. The air flow path is configured such that the air pumped into the air chamber 5 flows from the first contact 5A1 to the second contact 5B1.

[0081] In the above-described embodiments according to the present invention, the effects of purifying the contacts and bearings of the slip ring can be obtained, and the reliability of the equipment using the contacts and bearings of the slip ring can be improved.

[0082] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail for the purpose of easily explaining the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Also, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, or replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.

[0083] For example, it is also possible to use a piston cylinder type pump instead of the diaphragm pump. Also, in the above-described embodiments, an example of flowing air in series through a plurality of air chambers is shown, but air may be pumped in parallel into the first air chamber and the second air chamber. In this case, a differential pressure driven check valve may be provided in the exhaust path from each air chamber, and the operating pressure on the first air chamber side may be increased with respect to the operating pressures of the two check valves.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0084] 2… Rotor, 3A… Partition wall (partition board), 4A… First support part (support part), 4A1… Seal, 4B… Second support part, 5… Air chamber, 5A… First air chamber, 5A1… First contact point, 5B… Second air chamber, 5B1… Second contact point, 6A, 5A, 6B, 5B, 6C, 5C… Air flow path, 6B… Pipe communicating the first air chamber 5A and the second air chamber 5B, 8… Pump, 20… Coupling part, 22… Check valve.

Claims

1. A rotor rotatably supported on a shaft, A first contact provided around the rotor, A second contact provided around the rotor, A case forming an air chamber that houses at least a part of the rotor, the first contact, and the second contact, A pump for pumping air into the air chamber, An air flow path through which the air pumped by the pump flows, Comprising, The second contact constitutes a dust generation part, The air flow path is a contact purification device configured such that the air pumped into the air chamber flows from the first contact to the second contact.

2. In the contact purification device according to Claim 1, The air chamber includes a first air chamber and a second air chamber partitioned by a partition wall, The first contact is disposed in the first air chamber, The second contact is disposed in the second air chamber, and it is a contact purification device.

3. In the contact purification device according to Claim 2, The air flow path includes a pipe that communicates the first air chamber and the second air chamber outside the air chamber, The pipe is a contact purification device provided with a check valve for preventing the backflow of air from the second air chamber to the first air chamber.

4. In the contact purification device according to Claim 2, The partition wall is a contact purification device provided with a support portion that rotatably supports the rotor with respect to the case.

5. In the contact purification device according to Claim 1, The pump is a contact purification device driven by a coupling portion having a cam groove on its outer peripheral portion.

6. In the contact purification device according to Claim 5, The pump is a contact purification device constituted by a diaphragm pump.

7. In the contact purification device according to Claim 2, The case includes a first support portion and a second support portion that rotatably support the rotor with respect to the case, The first support portion is disposed closer to the second contact than the second support portion, The second support portion is disposed closer to the first contact than the first support portion, The first support portion is a contact purification device having a seal for enhancing airtightness.

8. In the contact purification device according to Claim 2, The pump is a contact purification device driven by vibrations accompanying the rotation of the rotor.

9. A rotating machine including a blade whose pitch angle is controlled by a pitch actuator, a rotor connected to the blade, a generator driven by the rotor, a nacelle housing the rotating machine, a slip ring for sending a command signal and power for controlling the pitch angle of the blade from the nacelle side to the pitch actuator side, and a contact purifying device for removing dust generated inside the slip ring. The slip ring has a rotor, a first contact provided around the rotor, a second contact provided around the rotor, and a case forming an air chamber that houses at least a part of the rotor, the first contact, and the second contact. The contact purifying device has a pump for pumping air into the air chamber and an air flow path through which the air pumped by the pump flows. The second contact constitutes a dust generating portion. The air flow path is configured such that the air pumped into the air chamber flows from the first contact to the second contact, which is a wind power generation device.

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