Drive assembly for a wind turbine

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive assembly (101, 201, 301) for a wind turbine, having a main shaft (103), an intermediate piece (105, 303), a main shaft housing (109) and a transmission; wherein the main shaft (103) is supported completely in the main shaft housing (109); and wherein a planetary carrier (107) of the transmission is fixed in the main shaft (103) in a rotationally fixed and self-supporting manner via the intermediate piece (105, 303). The drive assembly (101, 201, 301) has a releasable first joint connection (123) between the intermediate piece (105, 303) and the planetary carrier (107).

Description

[0001] Drive arrangement for a wind turbine

[0002] The invention relates to a drive arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to the preamble of claim 11.

[0003] A planetary carrier with a membrane-shaped adapter is known from DE 10 2017 223 356 A1. The adapter connects the planetary carrier to a main shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. The adapter specifically reduces the tilting stiffness of the connection between the main shaft and the planetary carrier. The adapter is integrally connected to the planetary carrier.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved drive arrangement for a wind turbine. This object is achieved by a drive arrangement according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 11. Preferred developments are contained in the subclaims and will become apparent from the following description and the figures.

[0005] A drive arrangement according to the invention is designed for use in a wind turbine and comprises a main shaft, an intermediate piece, a main shaft housing and a gearbox.

[0006] The main shaft runs between a wind turbine rotor, driven by the wind and located in the wind turbine's wind turbine shaft, and the gearbox. It forms an input shaft of the gearbox or connects the rotor to a non-rotatable input shaft of the gearbox.

[0007] In this case, the main shaft is completely mounted in a separate housing – the main shaft housing. This means that all bearings supporting the main shaft are located in the main shaft housing. Preferably, the bearings are joined to the main shaft housing, i.e., they are fixed in the main shaft housing via joints between each of the bearings and the main shaft housing. The main shaft is located at least partially in the main shaft housing. In the circumferential direction relative to a rotational axis of the main shaft, the main shaft housing completely encloses at least part of the main shaft.

[0008] The main shaft housing is preferably constructed in one piece. It can be connected to a gearbox housing in one or more pieces.

[0009] On the input side, the gearbox features a planetary carrier. This is fixed to the main shaft via the intermediate piece, providing a non-rotatable, cantilevered connection.

[0010] A first joint exists between the intermediate piece and the planetary carrier. This creates a torsionally rigid and tilt-resistant connection between the intermediate piece and the planetary carrier.

[0011] The intermediate piece is connected to the main shaft via a second joint. This second joint is also torsionally and tilt-resistant.

[0012] A tilt-resistant connection refers to a connection that is rigid with respect to tilting. Tilting refers to rotation about a transverse axis, in this case an axis that is orthogonal to the rotational axis of the main shaft and / or the planet carrier. A tilt-resistant connection counteracts such rotation by applying a counter-torque, i.e., a torque that opposes the tilting.

[0013] A cantilevered fixation of the planet carrier means that the planet carrier does not have its own bearing, i.e. no bearing that is physically directly connected to the planet carrier, and is supported via the intermediate piece in the main shaft. At least part of the weight of the planet carrier is transmitted via the intermediate piece into the main shaft and from the main shaft via its bearings into the main shaft housing. Apart from the bearings of the main shaft, there are no other bearings by which the planet carrier is supported in a housing or a structure fixed to the housing. The intermediate piece is preferably designed to be flexible with regard to tilting of the planet carrier relative to the main shaft. Such tilting is accompanied by an elastic deformation of the intermediate piece. This can be achieved, for example, by a low wall thickness of at least part of the intermediate piece, which extends in a disc-like manner in the radial direction.

[0014] According to the invention, the first joint is detachable. A detachable joint is characterized by the fact that it can be removed without destroying the joined components. For example, a detachable joint can be designed as a screw connection.

[0015] In a preferred further development, the second joint connection is also detachable.

[0016] The invention and the further development with a second detachable joining connection are advantageous because the detachability of the first joining connection and, if applicable, the second joining connection simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the drive arrangement.

[0017] The drive arrangement is preferably further developed with an intermediate housing. This connects the main shaft housing and the transmission housing, or a ring gear that forms part of the transmission housing, to one another. The intermediate housing can be integrally connected to the main shaft housing and / or the transmission housing. Likewise, the intermediate housing and the main shaft housing and / or the intermediate housing and the transmission housing can be designed as separate pieces. The connection of the intermediate housing to the main shaft housing and / or the connection of the intermediate housing to the transmission housing is preferably detachable.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate housing has at least one mounting opening. This is a continuous recess that connects a space between the intermediate piece and the intermediate housing with the external environment of the intermediate piece. Through the mounting opening, a technician gains external access to the intermediate piece for maintenance, assembly, and / or disassembly purposes.

[0019] Preferably, the first joint and / or the second joint are accessible through the mounting opening for maintenance, assembly, and / or disassembly purposes. To prevent dirt from penetrating the space between the intermediate piece and the intermediate housing, the mounting opening is preferably closed or closable with a removable cover.

[0020] The drive assembly is preferably further developed with a first seal and / or a second seal. The first seal separates a space between the intermediate piece and the intermediate housing from a space within the transmission housing in a fluid-tight manner. The first seal thus acts as a barrier against fluid, such as lubricating oil, present in the transmission housing, and prevents the fluid from penetrating the space between the intermediate piece and the intermediate housing.

[0021] The second seal fluidically separates the space between the intermediate piece and the intermediate housing from a space between the main shaft and the main shaft housing. The second seal thus acts as a barrier to fluids, such as lubricating oil for the main shaft bearings, contained in the space between the main shaft and the main shaft housing, and prevents the fluid from penetrating the space between the intermediate piece and the intermediate housing.

[0022] The first seal and / or the second seal keep the space between the intermediate piece and the intermediate housing free of fluid. This is advantageous with regard to the maintenance, assembly, and disassembly work described above.

[0023] The intermediate piece is preferably further developed with a first flange and / or a second flange. A flange refers to an axial end section with a circular end face. According to the further development, the first flange forms the first joint and / or the second flange forms the second joint. Thus, according to the further development, the intermediate piece is releasably joined to the planet carrier in the first flange and / or releasably joined to the main shaft in the second flange. Preferably, the first flange and / or the second flange are designed as screw flanges.

[0024] Preferably, the intermediate piece is further developed with a central part that connects the first flange and the second flange to each other. In particular, the first flange and the second flange can be arranged on axially opposite sides of the intermediate piece and thus form the axial end faces of the central part.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the first flange and / or the second flange project radially outward from the central part. This means that the first flange and / or the second flange extend radially outward from the central part. With respect to the first flange and / or the second flange, the central part is therefore arranged radially inward, i.e., at a shorter distance from a rotational axis of the main shaft, the central part, and / or the planet carrier. Such a development is advantageous because, according to the development, the first flange and / or the second flange are accessible through the at least one assembly opening.

[0026] Deviating from this, in a preferred embodiment, the second flange projects radially inward from the central section. Thus, according to the embodiment, the second flange extends radially inward from the central section. The central section is then arranged radially further outward, i.e., at a greater distance from the aforementioned axis of rotation. A radially inwardly projecting second flange is accessible for maintenance, assembly, and disassembly work through a main shaft designed as a hollow shaft.

[0027] The method according to the invention serves for the maintenance, assembly and / or disassembly of the above-described drive arrangement having an intermediate housing which has at least one assembly opening. The method provides that the at least one assembly opening is used to open or close the first joining connection and / or the second joining connection. In particular, a fitter can penetrate through the at least one assembly opening with a tool into the space between the intermediate piece and the intermediate housing in order to open or close the first joining connection and / or the second joining connection. In the case of smaller drive assemblies, the fitter can be located outside the cavity. Larger drive assemblies allow the fitter to enter the cavity through the assembly opening for maintenance, assembly and / or disassembly.

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures. Corresponding reference numerals indicate identical or functionally equivalent features. In detail:

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a first drive arrangement;

[0030] Fig. 2 a second drive arrangement and

[0031] Fig. 3 a third drive arrangement.

[0032] A first drive assembly 101 shown in Fig. 1, a second drive assembly 201 shown in Fig. 2, and a third drive assembly 301 shown in Fig. 3 each comprise a main shaft 103, an intermediate piece 105, a planetary carrier 107, and a housing. The housing comprises a main shaft housing 109, an intermediate housing 111, and a ring gear 113.

[0033] The main shaft 103 is rotatably mounted in the main shaft housing 109 by means of two axially spaced-apart bearing assemblies 115. The intermediate piece 105 connects the planet carrier 107 to the main shaft 103 in a rotationally fixed manner and supports it in the main shaft 103. As a result, the planet carrier 107 does not require its own bearings. The assembly consisting of the main shaft 103, the intermediate piece 105, and the planet carrier 107 is supported exclusively by the main shaft bearings 115. The intermediate housing 111 has mounting openings 117. Depending on the size of the drive arrangement 101, a fitter can enter the space between the intermediate piece 105 and the intermediate housing 111 through the assembly openings 117 or reach into this space from the outside in order to carry out maintenance, assembly and / or disassembly work on the intermediate piece 105 or its fixation in the main shaft 103 and / or the planet carrier 107.

[0034] To prevent lubricant from entering said space, a first seal 119 and a second seal 121 are provided. The first seal 119 extends between the planet carrier 107 and the intermediate housing 111. It can be fixed in the planet carrier 107 and clamped against the intermediate housing 111 with one or more sealing lips, or it can be fixed in the intermediate housing 111 and clamped against the planet carrier 107 with one or more sealing lips. The first seal 119 forms a fluid-tight barrier against lubricant contained inside the transmission.

[0035] The second seal 121 extends between the main shaft 103 and the main shaft housing 109. It can be fixed in the main shaft 103 and clamped against the main shaft housing 109 by one or more sealing lips, or it can be fixed in the main shaft housing 109 and clamped against the main shaft 103 by one or more sealing lips. Thus, a space running between the main shaft 103 and the main shaft housing 109 is encapsulated in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the space between the intermediate piece 105 and the intermediate housing 111. Lubricating oil contained in the space between the main shaft 103 and the main shaft housing 109 is prevented by the second seal 121 from entering the space between the intermediate piece 105 and the intermediate housing 111.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiments 101, 201, 301 shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the intermediate piece 105 is screwed to the main shaft 103 and the planet carrier 107 by means of a screw flange each. Fig. 1 shows a first screw flange 123, with which the intermediate piece 105 is screwed to the planet carrier 107, and a second screw flange 125, with which the intermediate piece 105 is screwed to the main shaft 103. Starting from a central part of the intermediate piece 105, the first screw flange 123 and the second screw flange 125 extend radially outward. Thus, both screw flanges 123, 125 are accessible through the mounting openings 117.

[0037] The second drive assembly 201 shown in Fig. 2 differs from the first drive assembly 101 of Fig. 1 with regard to the design of the second flange 125. Thus, according to Fig. 2, the second flange 125 extends radially inward from the center portion of the intermediate piece 105. This means that the screw connections of the second flange 125 are no longer accessible through the assembly openings 117. To open or close the screw connections of the second flange 125, a fitter can instead enter through the hollow main shaft 103 and thus reach the second flange 125.

[0038] In the third drive arrangement 301 shown in Fig. 3, the intermediate piece is designed as a flat disc 303. A flat disc 303 can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively compared to a curved intermediate piece 105 according to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0039] The disk 303 is bolted to the main shaft 103 via a spacer 305. The planet carrier 107 forms an extension 307, which extends from an input-side cheek of the planet carrier 107 toward the disk 303. The disk 303 is bolted to this extension 307. A corresponding screw connection forms the first screw flange 123. The second screw flange 125 is formed by screwing the disk 303 to the main shaft 103. Starting from the second screw flange 125, the first screw flange 123 is arranged radially further outward. The first screw flange 123 thus surrounds the second screw flange 125. Reference symbol

[0040] Drive assembly Main shaft Intermediate piece Planet carrier Main shaft housing Intermediate housing Ring gear Bearing assembly Mounting opening Seal Seal Screw flange Screw flange

[0041] Drive arrangement Drive arrangement Disc Spacer Extension

Claims

Patent claims 1. A drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) for a wind turbine, comprising a main shaft (103), an intermediate piece (105, 303), a main shaft housing (109), and a gearbox; wherein the main shaft (103) is completely mounted in the main shaft housing (109); and wherein a planet carrier (107) of the gearbox is fixed in a rotationally fixed and cantilevered manner in the main shaft (103) via the intermediate piece (105, 303); characterized by a detachable first joining connection (123) between the intermediate piece (105, 303) and the planet carrier (107).

2. Drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to claim 1; characterized by a detachable second joining connection (125) between the intermediate piece (105, 303) and the main shaft (103).

3. Drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to one of the preceding claims; characterized by an intermediate housing (111) which connects the main shaft housing (109) and a housing (113) of the transmission.

4. Drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to the preceding claim; characterized in that the intermediate housing (111) has at least one mounting opening (117).

5. Drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to one of the preceding two claims; characterized by a first seal (119) which separates a space between the intermediate piece (105, 303) and the intermediate housing (111) and a space inside the housing (113) of the gearbox in a fluid-tight manner, and / or a second seal (121) which separates the space between the intermediate piece (105, 303) and the intermediate housing (111) and a space between the main shaft (103) and the main shaft housing (109) in a fluid-tight manner.

6. Drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to the preceding claim; characterized in that the first seal (119) extends between the planet carrier (107) and the intermediate housing (111) and / or the second seal (121) extends between the main shaft (103) and the main shaft housing (109).

7. Drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the intermediate piece (105, 303) has a first flange (123) forming the first joint connection and / or a second flange (125) forming the second joint connection.

8. Drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to the preceding claim; characterized in that the intermediate piece (105, 303) has a central part which connects the first flange (123) and the second flange (125) to one another.

9. Drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to the preceding claim; characterized in that the first flange (123) and / or the second flange (125) project radially outwardly from the central part.

10. Drive arrangement (201, 301) according to one of the preceding two claims; characterized in that the second flange (125) projects radially inwardly from the central part.

11. A method for servicing, assembling, or disassembling a drive arrangement (101, 201, 301) according to claim 4 or one of claims 5 to 10 with reference back to claim 4; characterized in that the first joining connection (123) and / or the second joining connection (125) are opened or closed through the at least one assembly opening (117).

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