Pitch tube for conducting supply lines of a blade pitch angle controller for a wind turbine

Abstract

The invention relates to a pitch tube (26) for conducting supply lines of a blade pitch angle controller for a wind turbine (10), provided with a first tube piece (48), a second tube piece (50), and a sealing sleeve (46) received between the first tube piece (48) and the second tube piece (50) and positioned in the radial direction at least partially in a common radial region with the first tube piece (48) and with the second tube piece (50) in order to form a sealing surface (44) for a contacting shaft seal. By reducing the sealing functionality of the multi-part pitch tube (26) to the sealing sleeve (48), good sealing of the pitch tube (26) in the wind turbine (10) is made possible in a cost-effective manner even under restricted installation space conditions.

Description

[0001] Pitch pipe for the passage of supply lines of a blade pitch control system for a wind turbine

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a pitch tube, through which supply lines of a blade pitch control system for a wind turbine can be routed. The invention also relates to a wind gearbox with such a pitch tube, a drive train with such a pitch tube, and a data agglomerate for virtual

[0004] Illustration of such a pitch tube for the purpose of additive manufacturing and / or simulation.

[0005] In order to be able to control the blade pitch angle (pitch control) of a wind turbine's rotor blades, electrical and / or hydraulic lines are required that run between the wind rotor and a generator-side connection.

[0006] These cables are housed in a pipe called a pitch pipe, which can extend from a generator to the wind rotor. In particular, the wind rotor and the generator are arranged coaxially to each other, so that the pitch pipe is guided over the entire length by a wind gearbox interposed between the wind rotor and the generator.

[0007] Axial extension of the wind gear, in particular coaxial to the wind gear, is passed through.

[0008] From EP 3 795 861 A1 it is known to mount a pitch pipe via a bearing provided outside a gear housing of a wind gearbox within a generator coupled to the wind gearbox and to seal it off from the gear housing of the wind gearbox in a lubricant-tight manner.

[0009] From US 2022 / 307481 Al a pitch tube for a wind turbine is known, wherein a flexible sealing element is applied to an outer side of the pitch tube.

[0010] From DE 10 2011 117 901 A1 it is known to assemble a pitch pipe from various pipe sections that are connected to each other via elastic couplings.

[0011] From DE 10 2015 223 669 B4 it is known to insert and weld a pitch tube into a hollow cylindrical end piece, wherein the end piece is guided axially displaceably in a cover fastened to a planetary carrier.

[0012] There is a constant need to seal a pitch pipe of a wind turbine cost-effectively, even in confined spaces.

[0013] It is the object of the invention to show measures that enable a cost-effective sealing of a pitch tube in a wind turbine even in confined space conditions.

[0014] The object is achieved by a pitch tube having the features of claim 1, a wind gearbox having the features of claim 13, a drive train having the features of claim 14, and a data agglomerate having the features of claim 15. Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims and the following description, which may each individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention, wherein the scope of protection is determined by the claims. If a feature is presented in combination with another feature, this only serves to simplify the representation of the invention and is in no way intended to imply that this feature cannot also be a further development of the invention without the other feature.

[0015] One aspect of the invention relates to a pitch tube for the passage of supply lines of a blade pitch control system for a wind turbine, comprising a first tube section, a second tube section and a sealing sleeve received between the first tube section and the second tube section and positioned in the radial direction at least partially in a common radial region with the first tube section and with the second tube section to form a sealing surface for a contacting shaft seal.

[0016] Because the sealing sleeve is designed separately from the first pipe section and the second pipe section, it is sufficient to design only the sealing sleeve for a contact sealing contact with the shaft seal, which can be designed as a radial shaft seal, for example. This makes it possible to realize the desired material properties and surface characteristics only in the sealing sleeve, while the rest of the pitch pipe, particularly with regard to the first pipe section and the second pipe section, can be designed for significantly lower requirements. In particular, in radially confined installation spaces that would not allow a sleeve that is slipped or shrunk on radially outside the outer diameter of the pipe sections, it is not necessary to design and configure the entire pitch pipe for sealing contact with the shaft seal. The manufacturing costs of the pitch pipe can therefore be kept low even in radially confined installation spaces.In addition, the sealing sleeve enables cost-effective sealing of the pitch tube using a contacting shaft seal, which improves the sealing effect compared to a non-contacting gap seal. This prevents lubricant from the wind turbine's wind gearbox from entering the interior of a generator coupled to the wind gearbox along the pitch tube, thus preventing impairment, particularly of the generator's current-carrying components, from a lubricant intended for the wind gearbox. By reducing the sealing functionality of the multi-part pitch tube to the sealing sleeve, a good, cost-effective sealing of the pitch tube in the wind turbine is possible, even in confined spaces.

[0017] The first pipe section and the second pipe section can be based essentially on a hollow cylinder in terms of their geometric shape, wherein geometric adaptations for a connection technology with another separately designed component can be provided, in particular at the axial ends of the respective pipe section. The internal volume of the pipe sections is, in particular, large enough to accommodate the supply lines of the blade pitch control for the blades of the wind rotor. If necessary, sufficient internal volume is provided to also allow signal lines or other devices to pass through. The first pipe section and / or the second pipe section can be made of an electrically conductive material, for example steel, or an electrically non-conductive material, for example thermoplastic.Preferably, the pitch pipe consists exclusively of the first pipe section, the second pipe section and the sealing sleeve, apart from elements for connection technology or sealing technology.

[0018] The sealing sleeve can have a significantly smaller axial extent compared to the first pipe section and the second pipe section. Compared to the pipe sections, the sealing sleeve can be at least largely, preferably substantially completely, countersunk into the material of the pipe sections. The sealing sleeve can have a radially outer circumferential surface which forms the sealing surface at least in an axial partial region, preferably over the entire axial extent. The radially outer circumferential surface of the sealing sleeve can run substantially flush with the outer surfaces of the first pipe section and the second pipe section or protrude slightly, wherein in particular an offset of the circumferential surfaces radially inward relative to the outer surfaces of the pipe sections is avoided.The outer surface of the sealing sleeve provided for forming the sealing surface is in particular essentially cylindrical, whereby it is fundamentally possible to design the outer surface convex and / or spherical at least in an axial partial region. The radial installation space requirement of the pitch tube, which is determined in particular by the outer surface of the sealing sleeve, can thus be kept as small as possible. At the same time, it is possible that loads on the shaft seal caused by the first pipe section and / or the second pipe section during assembly of the pitch pipe can be kept to a minimum or even avoided. The outer diameter of the sealing sleeve preferably defines the maximum outer diameter of the pitch pipe. Compared to the remaining wall thickness, the wall thickness of the first pipe section and / or the second pipe section can be thinner in the axial region occupied by the sealing sleeve.Since the sealing sleeve used to form the sealing surface has a comparatively high level of rigidity and stability, the thinner wall thickness of the pipe sections does not actually impair the stability and strength of the pitch pipe, as the sealing sleeve can function as a load-bearing element and compensate for or even overcompensate for reduced stability resulting from the thinner wall thicknesses. This even makes it possible for the sealing sleeve, which is at least partially recessed into the wall thickness of at least one pipe section, to not reduce the strength and stability of the pitch pipe, but rather to improve it in the manner of a stiffening inlay. In particular, the sealing sleeve is designed as a single piece, although it is fundamentally possible for the sealing sleeve to alternatively be designed as multiple parts and be composed of two or more distinguishable, preferably annular, individual parts.

[0019] The shaft seal can be connected to a component outside the pitch tube. In particular, the pitch tube can be threaded into the shaft seal during assembly in the drive train of the wind turbine and moved axially into the desired end position. The shaft seal can thus serve as a rough centering device for the pitch tube and facilitate assembly. The shaft seal can, in particular, be designed as a radial shaft seal. The wind turbine in which the pitch tube is to be installed can, in particular, be an industrial wind turbine. Industrial wind turbines are primarily designed to generate energy from wind power. Electrical energy generated from wind power can, in particular, be fed into a public power grid in order to supply energy consumers with renewable energy.A wind turbine gearbox designed for an industrial wind turbine is designed in particular for an output of more than 1.0 MW, preferably more than 5.0 MW and particularly preferably more than 7.5 MW and is designed to be correspondingly robust and large-volume.

[0020] The pitch tube can be installed in the drive train of the wind turbine by pre-assembling the pitch tube as a whole and, in the assembled state, pushing it through the shaft seal to the defined axial end position. In a further aspect of the invention, however, it is also possible to utilize the multi-part nature of the pitch tube in an assembly process by initially assembling only one of the pipe sections in a separate state, wherein the sealing sleeve can already be fastened to this pipe section or is only installed subsequently. Before fastening the other pipe section to the already assembled pipe section, the shaft seal can first be installed, wherein the sealing sleeve can generally be installed before the shaft seal is installed or after the shaft seal is installed.Once the shaft seal is in contact with the sealing sleeve, the unassembled pipe section can be secured to the already assembled pipe section. By installing the shaft seal while the pipe sections are separated, contact between the pipe sections, which would otherwise place stress on the shaft seal, can be avoided during installation of the pitch pipe. This enables a cost-effective, effective sealing of the pitch pipe in the wind turbine, even in confined spaces.

[0021] In particular, a radially outward-facing outer surface of the sealing sleeve has substantially the same outer diameter as the outer surfaces of the first pipe section and the second pipe section adjoining the sealing sleeve. The radial space requirement of the pitch pipe can thereby be minimized. The outer surface of the sealing sleeve can, in particular, merge flush with the shape of the outer surfaces of the raw pieces. In comparison to a one-piece pitch pipe produced from a single pipe with a constant outer diameter, the sealing sleeve can replace a part, in particular an annular part, of the one-piece pitch pipe at a junction between the first pipe section and the second pipe section.

[0022] Preferably, in a particularly alternative embodiment, it is provided that a radially outward-facing jacket surface of the sealing sleeve projects radially outwards towards outer surfaces of the first pipe section and the second pipe section adjoining the sealing sleeve, wherein in particular the outer diameter of the sealing sleeve is selected relative to the outer diameters of the pipe sections such that the shaft seal, which interacts in contact with the sealing surface of the sealing sleeve, forms a clearance fit with the outer surfaces adjoining the sealing sleeve in the non-contacting, relaxed state. The jacket surface of the sealing sleeve can have a slightly larger outer diameter than the first pipe section and the second pipe section. Any impact or sliding of the shaft seal on the first and / or second pipe section during assembly can thereby be reduced or even completely avoided.In particular, it can be ensured that the shaft seal only comes into contact with the sealing sleeve. However, the radial protrusion of the sealing sleeve is preferably so small that an unnecessary increase in the radial space required by the pitch tube when installed is avoided.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the sealing sleeve bears against the first pipe section and the second pipe section in the axial direction. The sealing sleeve can be joined in axial direct contact both on the first pipe section and on the second pipe section, in particular without axial play, for example by the first pipe section and the second pipe section being pressed towards one another in the axial direction. The axial relative position of the sealing sleeve can thus be defined. In addition, the sealing sleeve can also support forces via its axial end faces, whereby stability and strength can be improved. Furthermore, relative rotation of the sealing sleeve relative to the pipe sections can be inhibited or prevented by frictional engagement.

[0024] In particular, the first pipe section has a tubular inner extension in a radially inner radius region and the second pipe section has a tubular outer extension in a radially outer radius region for direct or indirect connection to the inner extension. The inner extension and the outer extension can be shaped such that, at least without a sealing sleeve, the outer extension can radially encompass the inner extension at least in an axial partial region. In particular, the inner extension and / or the outer extension are formed to be completely closed in the circumferential direction. The inner extension and the outer extension can preferably interact in such a way that tilting or canting at the separation point between the first and second pipe sections can be avoided. Relative rotation of the pipe sections can preferably be permitted.

[0025] Preferably, the inner extension has an external thread and / or the outer extension has an internal thread, wherein in particular the first pipe section and the second pipe section are screwed together via the interaction of the external thread with the internal thread, preferably in a self-locking and / or rotationally fixed manner. The pitch pipe can thus be easily assembled by relative rotation of the pipe sections, in particular during assembly into the drive train of the wind turbine. A sufficiently high frictional connection, in particular as a result of a self-locking threaded connection between the external thread and the internal thread, secures the pitch pipe against unintentional loosening and separation. In addition, when the pipe sections are screwed together, the sealing sleeve can be easily pressed and clamped between the pipe sections in the axial direction. Particularly preferably, the sealing sleeve is screwed to the external thread of the inner extension.The screw connection of the sealing sleeve eliminates the need to press the sealing sleeve onto the inner collar. Even without pressing the sealing sleeve onto the inner collar, the sealing sleeve can be sufficiently secured to prevent it from accidentally falling off during installation and assembly of the pitch pipe.

[0026] Preferably, the threaded connection between the sealing sleeve and the inner attachment is self-locking.

[0027] In particular, the sealing sleeve is provided entirely within a common axial area with the inner shoulder. This allows the inner shoulder to protrude axially beyond the axial area occupied by the sealing sleeve, enabling interaction not only with the sealing sleeve but also with the outer shoulder. A defined axial position and a movement-resistant fastening can be achieved solely by connecting the inner shoulder to the outer shoulder, for example, by pressing the sealing sleeve between the axial surfaces of the pipe sections when the pipe sections are fastened together.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the sealing sleeve is preferably screwed to the internal thread of the outer extension, wherein the sealing sleeve in particular has a central ring separating the inner set from the outer extension. The sealing sleeve can have a stepped profile in the axial direction, so that the sealing sleeve can be connected to the inner extension with a radially outer portion and to the outer extension with a radially inner portion, wherein the outer portion and the inner portion can be axially spaced from one another via the central ring. The outer portion and the inner portion can be designed as a single piece together with the central ring.However, it is also possible for the outer sub-region, the inner sub-region, and the center ring to form two or three interconnected separate components, of which at least one of the separate components is preferably made of an electrically insulating material, for example, to prevent leakage currents from the generator into the wind turbine gearbox and to electrically insulate the wind turbine gearbox from the generator. The center ring can form an electrically insulating dielectric, at least in a partial volume, which electrically separates the first pipe section from the second pipe section.

[0029] Particularly preferably, the outer surface of the sealing sleeve has a higher hardness and / or lower roughness compared to the outer surfaces of the first pipe section and the second pipe section adjoining the sealing sleeve. The sealing sleeve can be designed and optimized on its outer surface to form the contact seal, while such measures are not required for the pipe sections and can be omitted.

[0030] In particular, the sealing sleeve has a radially inner fastening body and a radially outer annular bearing seat fastened to the fastening body. The sealing surface provided for the contacting shaft seal can be formed by the bearing seat, which, for example, is originally designed to form a plain bearing. The sealing surface can be formed by a plain bearing material, such as a plain bearing bronze, of the bearing seat. Preferably, the bearing seat is pressed onto the remaining sealing sleeve. The axial extent of the bearing seat can essentially correspond to the axial extent of the remaining sealing sleeve, so that axial surfaces of the bearing seat and the remaining sealing sleeve can lie in common radial planes.However, it is also possible that the bearing seat protrudes or recedes beyond the rest of the sealing sleeve in at least one axial direction, for example due to a longer or shorter axial extension of the bearing seat compared to the rest of the sealing sleeve.

[0031] Preferably, a radially and / or axially sealing sealing element is sealingly received between the sealing sleeve and the first pipe section and / or between the sealing sleeve and the second pipe section. The penetration of lubricant from the wind gear into the interior of the pitch pipe can thus be prevented using simple and cost-effective measures. The sealing element can, for example, be designed as a radially acting O-ring. However, it is also possible, for example on the axial sides of the sealing sleeve, to design the sealing element as an annular flat seal, which makes it possible to eliminate a sealing groove that partially accommodates the sealing element and / or to simplify its design.

[0032] A further aspect of the invention relates to a wind gearbox for transmitting and / or converting a wind-generated torque, comprising a pitch tube, which can be designed and further developed as described above, for conveying supply lines of a blade pitch control system for a wind turbine from one axial end to another axial end of the wind gearbox. The shaft seal, in particular a radial shaft seal, which interacts in contact with the sealing surface of the sealing sleeve, is fastened to a gearbox housing or a torque-transmitting gearbox shaft, in particular a sun gear shaft. The wind gearbox can be designed and further developed, in particular, as explained with reference to the aspects of the invention described above. By reducing the sealing functionality of the multi-part pitch tube to the sealing sleeve, a good, cost-effective sealing of the pitch tube in the wind turbine is possible, even in confined installation spaces.

[0033] A further aspect of the invention relates to a drive train for a wind turbine with a wind rotor shaft that can be connected to a wind-powered wind rotor, a motor shaft of an electrical machine that can be operated in generator mode, and a wind gearbox that connects the wind rotor shaft to the motor shaft in a torque-transmitting manner, which can be designed and developed as described above. The pitch tube can have a further sealing point that is spaced from the sealing sleeve and is preferably provided within the electrical machine. In particular, the pitch tube is mounted and supported in the electrical machine, with the further sealing point preferably being formed near this mounting. The drive train can be designed and developed in particular as explained with reference to the aspects of the invention described above. The pitch tube can penetrate the wind gearbox in the axial direction.By reducing the sealing functionality of the multi-part pitch tube to the sealing sleeve, a good sealing of the pitch tube in the wind turbine is possible at low cost, even in confined installation spaces.

[0034] A further aspect of the invention relates to a wind turbine for generating electrical energy from wind energy, comprising a wind rotor for providing torque from wind energy, a wind gearbox coupled to the wind rotor for converting the torque, and a generator for generating electrical energy from the torque introduced by the wind gearbox. In particular, the wind rotor, the wind gearbox, and the generator are arranged coaxially to one another, and a pitch tube, which can be designed and developed as described above, leads from the generator through the wind gearbox to the wind rotor. The wind turbine can be designed and developed, in particular as explained with reference to the aspects of the invention described above. By reducing the sealing functionality of the multi-part pitch tube to the sealing sleeve, good sealing of the pitch tube in the wind turbine is possible at low cost, even in confined installation spaces.

[0035] A further aspect of the invention further relates to a data agglomerate with data packets summarized in a common file or distributed across different files for mapping the three-dimensional shape and / or the interactions of all components provided in the pitch tube, which is designed and further developed as described above, wherein the data packets are prepared to carry out an additive production of the components of the pitch tube, in particular by 3D printing, when processed by a data processing device for operating a machine tool for the additive manufacture of devices, and / or to carry out a simulation of the functioning of the pitch tube when processed by a data processing device for carrying out a technical simulation and to output the simulation results generated thereby for further use,in particular for the purpose of providing proof of fatigue strength as a function of variable loads and / or variable temperature loads and, if necessary, comparing it with measurement data determined on a real-life device according to the invention and / or on a prototype of the device according to the invention. The data packets of the data agglomerate are specifically adapted to the inventive design of the respective device according to the invention described above in order to be able to adequately represent the inventive interaction of the components of the device according to the invention during processing in the data processing device. The data packets can, in particular, be stored spatially distributed, but adapted to one another in such a way that, in the event that all data packets are combined in a common data processing device,the data agglomerate thus assembled provides all the necessary data for additive manufacturing and / or technical simulation with the aid of the data processing device for the device according to the invention.

[0036] For example, the data packets are each separate parts of a data library (“library”), which are combined to form the data agglomerate and adapted to each other with regard to their relative dimensions to one another and / or absolute dimensions and / or material properties corresponding to the respective device according to the invention. The data agglomerate can represent a virtual embodiment of the respective device according to the invention in the manner of a so-called “digital twin,” which enables a virtual investigation in the form of a simulation or a real objectification using an additive manufacturing process. Such a digital twin is described, for example, in US 2017 / 286572 A1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as part of the invention.

[0037] When the data processing device of the machine tool processes the data agglomerate, the device according to the invention is produced, so that after processing the data agglomerate in the data processing device, the device according to the invention is obtained, at least in the form of a prototype. In particular, each data packet can represent a separately implemented component of the respective associated device according to the invention, so that the individual components can easily be assembled, actually and / or virtually, in terms of their relative position and / or relative mobility in order to realize the interactions essential to the invention. In particular, it is possible, with the aid of the respective data packets, to produce the various components of the respective device separately and, if appropriate, from different materials by additive manufacturing and subsequently assemble them to form a prototype of the respective device.The division of the data of the data agglomerate into different data packets thus enables a simple sequential additive production of components of the respective device that are movable relative to one another in the form of a kit (“kit of parts”), which is designed to only be assembled in a meaningful way for the inventive interaction of the components of the prototype for the solution of the problem underlying the invention.

[0038] Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to use the data packets of the data agglomerate in a virtual environment during a technical simulation to calculate and / or predict the individual components of the respective device, their interactions, the physical state, and / or the change in physical parameters as a function of various boundary conditions and / or over time of the associated device according to the invention, and to further use them to check whether the device according to the invention is sufficiently suitable for the intended purpose based on the assumed design and taking into account the assumed simulated influences. If the data agglomerate is processed by a data processing device that maps the simulation environment, it is possible to examine the behavior of the device according to the invention taking into account boundary conditions, in particular changing ones.This makes it possible, for example, to investigate centrifugal force effects on individual components of the device according to the invention as a function of various static and / or dynamic loads and / or different operating temperatures, whereby such simulation results can be incorporated into the preparation of a fatigue strength verification. Preferably, the simulation results obtained after processing the data agglomerate in the data processing device for the simulation environment are stored in order to compare them with measurement data determined on an actually produced device according to the invention and / or on a prototype of the device according to the invention. This makes it possible to assess the quality of the simulation results obtained with the aid of the data agglomerate and / or, in particular in the case of particularly significant deviations, to identify measurement errors and / or an erroneous measurement.Non-destructive quality control of the device according to the invention is thereby simplified and improved.

[0039] The data agglomerate enables the cost-effective production of prototypes and / or computer-based simulations to study the functionality of the device under consideration, identify problems in the specific application, and find improvements. The solution to the problem underlying the invention can be easily and cost-effectively verified using the data agglomerate.

[0040] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments. The features presented below can represent an aspect of the invention, both individually and in combination, with the scope of protection being determined by the claims. If a feature is presented in combination with another feature in the purely exemplary drawings and the associated description, this serves only to simplify the illustration of the invention and is in no way intended to imply that this feature cannot also be a further development of the invention without the other feature. They show:

[0041] Fig. 1 : a schematic perspective view of a wind turbine,

[0042] Fig. 2: a schematic sectional view of a drive train of the wind turbine from Fig. 1, Fig. 3: a schematic sectional detailed view of a first embodiment of a pitch tube for the drive train from Fig. 2 and Fig. 4: a schematic sectional detailed view of a second embodiment of a pitch tube for the drive train from Fig. 2.

[0043] The industrial wind turbine 10 shown in Fig. 1 can be used to generate electrical energy from wind power. For this purpose, the wind turbine 10 has a wind rotor 12 that can be rotated by wind power. The wind rotor 12 is coupled to a drive train 14. For this purpose, the wind rotor 12 is connected to a wind rotor shaft 16, which is coupled within the drive train 14 to a wind gearbox 18, in particular having at least one planetary stage, in order to convert the torque introduced via the wind rotor 12 and the wind rotor shaft 16. The torque converted in the wind gearbox 18 is fed to an electrical machine 20 operated in generator mode. The electrical energy generated by the electrical machine 20 can be fed to a rechargeable battery and / or a power grid.In the illustrated embodiment, the drive train 14 is completely housed in a gondola 22 which is attached to an upper free end of a tower 24.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2, a pitch tube 26 can be guided centrally through the wind gearbox 18, which has, for example, two planetary stages 28, and the coaxially arranged generator 20 in order to be able to lead supply lines from outside the generator 20 to a blade pitch angle control of the wind rotor 12. The wind gearbox 18 and the generator 20 are separated from one another by a housing part 30 through which the pitch tube 26 passes, wherein the housing part 30 partially delimits both an internal volume of the wind gearbox 18 and an internal volume of the generator 20. The generator 20 has a rotor 32 and a stator 34 which interacts electromagnetically with the rotor 32 and to which a generator housing 36 is connected. In the illustrated embodiment, the generator housing 36 is indirectly connected to the housing part 30 via the stator 34 in order to house the rotor 32 in the generator 20.The pitch tube is mounted on the axial end of the generator facing away from the wind gearbox in the generator housing 36 via a generator bearing 38 and is supported in particular radially and / or axially.

[0045] The rotor 32 of the generator 20 is attached to an output shaft 40 of the wind gear 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the output shaft 40 is guided through the housing part 30 and projects into the interior volume of the generator 20. The output shaft 40 is, in particular, rigidly connected and / or formed integrally with a sun shaft 42 of the last planetary stage 28 in the torque flow. A shaft ring, in particular designed as a radial shaft seal, can be connected radially inside to the sun shaft 42, which is designed as a hollow shaft. This shaft ring forms a contact seal for the pitch tube 26 so that no lubricant, in particular lubricating oil, can penetrate along the pitch tube 26 into the interior volume of the generator 20.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft ring can be in contact with a sealing surface 44 which is formed on a radially outer surface of a sealing sleeve 46 and has a suitable hardness and surface finish for this purpose. The sealing surface 44 can be formed essentially on a common outer diameter with the first pipe section 48 and the second pipe section 50 or can protrude slightly radially outwards. The sealing sleeve 46 is pressed in the axial direction between a first pipe section 48, for example on the wind rotor side, and a second pipe section 50, for example on the generator side. In addition, the annular sealing sleeve 46 is slipped, in particular pressed, or screwed onto a tubular inner extension 52 of the first pipe section 48 which projects axially on an inner radius.The second pipe section 50 has a tubular outer extension 54 projecting axially along an outer radius, which, in the illustrated embodiment, covers the inner extension 52. The outer extension 54 can be connected to the inner extension 52 in a rotationally fixed and sufficiently captive manner, for example, by pressing and / or screwing. A sealing element can be provided between the inner extension 52 and the outer extension 54 and / or between the sealing sleeve 46 and the first pipe section 48 and / or second pipe section 50 to prevent lubricant from the wind gear 18 from reaching the interior of the pitch pipe 26.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, in comparison to the embodiment of the pitch tube 26 shown in Fig. 3, the sealing sleeve 46 can have a stepped profile along its axial extent, so that the first tube section 48 is axially spaced from the second tube section 50 via a center ring 56 of the sealing sleeve 46. In particular, the sealing sleeve 46 can be made entirely or partially of an electrically insulating material. The first tube section 48 is fixedly secured to the second tube section 50 indirectly via the respective fastening technology of the tube sections 48, 50 with the sealing sleeve 46.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Pitch tube (26) for the passage of supply lines of a blade pitch control for a wind turbine (10), with a first pipe section (48), a second pipe section (50) and a sealing sleeve (46) received between the first pipe section (48) and the second pipe section (50) and positioned in the radial direction at least partially in a common radial region with the first pipe section (48) and with the second pipe section (50) to form a sealing surface (44) for a contacting shaft seal.

2. Pitch pipe (26) according to claim 1, wherein a radially outwardly facing lateral surface of the sealing sleeve (46) has substantially the same outer diameter as outer surfaces of the first pipe section (48) and the second pipe section (50) adjoining the sealing sleeve (46).

3. Pitch tube (26) according to claim 1, wherein a radially outwardly facing lateral surface of the sealing sleeve (46) projects radially outwards towards outer surfaces of the first pipe section (48) and the second pipe section (50) adjoining the sealing sleeve (46), wherein in particular the outer diameter of the sealing sleeve (46) is selected relative to the outer diameters of the pipe sections (48, 50) such that the shaft seal, which interacts in a contacting manner with the sealing surface (44) of the sealing sleeve (46), forms a clearance fit with the outer surfaces adjoining the sealing sleeve (46) in the non-contacting, relaxed state.

4. Pitch pipe (26) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing sleeve (48) bears in the axial direction against the first pipe section (48) and against the second pipe section (50).

5. Pitch pipe (26) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first pipe section (48) has a tubular inner extension (52) in a radially inner radius region and the second pipe section (50) has a tubular outer extension (54) in a radially outer radius region for direct or indirect connection to the inner extension (52).

6. Pitch pipe (26) according to claim 5, wherein the inner extension (52) has an external thread and the outer extension (54) has an internal thread, wherein in particular the first pipe section (48) and the second pipe section (50) are screwed together via the interaction of the external thread with the internal thread, preferably in a self-locking and / or rotationally fixed manner.

7. Pitch tube (26) according to claim 6, wherein the sealing sleeve (46) is screwed to the external thread of the internal extension (52).

8. Pitch tube (26) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sealing sleeve (46) is provided entirely in a common axial region with the inner extension (52).

9. Pitch tube (26) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sealing sleeve (46) is screwed to the internal thread of the outer extension (54), wherein in particular the sealing sleeve (46) has a central ring (56) separating the inner set (52) from the outer extension (54), preferably in an electrically insulating manner.

10. Pitch pipe (26) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the outer surface of the sealing sleeve (46) has a higher hardness and / or a lower roughness compared to the outer surfaces of the first pipe section (48) and the second pipe section (50) adjoining the sealing sleeve (46).

11. Pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sealing sleeve (46) has a radially inner fastening body and a radially outer annular bearing seat fastened to the fastening body.

12. Pitch pipe (26) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a radially and / or axially sealing sealing element is sealingly received between the sealing sleeve (46) and the first pipe section (48) and / or between the sealing sleeve (46) and the second pipe section (50).

13. Wind gearbox (18) for transmitting and / or converting a wind power-generated torque, with a pitch tube (26) according to one of claims 1 to 12 for passing supply lines of a blade pitch control for a wind turbine (10) from one axial end to another axial end of the wind gearbox (18), wherein the shaft seal interacting in contact with the sealing surface (44) of the sealing sleeve (46) is fastened to a gearbox housing or a torque-transmitting gearbox shaft.

14. Drive train (14) for a wind turbine (10) with a wind rotor shaft (16) connectable to a wind-powered wind rotor (12), a motor shaft of an electric machine (20) operable in generator mode, and a wind gearbox (18) connecting the wind rotor shaft (16) to the motor shaft in a torque-transmitting manner according to claim 13.

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

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