Main bearing housing; main bearing for a rotor of a wind turbine; wind turbine having a rotor; method for carrying out service work on a main bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a main bearing housing (1) for a rotor (2) of a wind turbine (3), which is prepared to receive a plurality of plain bearing segments (4), characterised in that the main bearing housing (1) is axially (5) divided in order to remove or insert the plain bearing segments (4). The invention further relates to a main bearing (14) for a rotor (2) of a wind turbine (3), comprising a main bearing housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the main bearing (14) is designed as a hydrodynamic plain bearing. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wind turbine (3) having a rotor (2) which is mounted in a main bearing (14) according to claim 8, and to a method for carrying out service work on a main bearing (14) according to claim 8, wherein at least part of the main bearing housing (1) which is divided at the separating plane (8) is displaced axially (5) and the plain bearing segments (4) are removed, exchanged or inserted.

Description

[0001] Main bearing housing; main bearing for a rotor of a wind power plant;

[0002] Wind turbine with one rotor; method for performing service work on a main bearing

[0003] The invention relates to a main bearing housing for a wind turbine rotor, which is prepared to receive a plurality of plain bearing segments. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wind turbine with a rotor mounted in a main bearing and a method for performing service work on a main bearing.

[0004] Plain bearings offer advantageous alternatives to rolling bearings in terms of maintenance, repair, and installation space requirements. Their service life, maintenance and repair costs in the event of bearing failure, and expected downtime (which is not required to replace the entire rotor in the event of a rolling bearing failure) are all reduced, resulting in greater cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, due to their smaller diameter compared to rolling bearings, plain bearings allow for a greater number of bearings to be installed in the same space. This advantage is clearly illustrated in planetary gearboxes. The smaller diameter enables the use of a greater number of planets per stage. This allows for the transmission of higher torques within the same installation space, thus effectively meeting the ever-increasing power output of wind turbines.

[0005] Given the steadily increasing performance demands, including the associated high effective bearing forces, high rotational speeds, and stringent load-bearing requirements, hydrodynamic plain bearings offer an advantageous bearing design. This is particularly true considering their ease of installation, the low-wear continuous operation achievable through hydrodynamic lubrication, and the possibility of segmenting the bearings. A plain bearing thus consists of at least two bearing segments, which are mounted separately, for example, on the stator and rotor sides. According to current technology, the individual bearing segments are connected separately to a wind turbine housing, against which they are supported.In the event of damage, for repair or maintenance purposes, the individual bearing segments can be accessed separately, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire drivetrain or wind turbine. Bearing replacement is therefore possible without removing the rotor. Particularly relevant due to the limited accessibility of offshore wind turbines, bearing segment replacement can be performed on a supporting column of the wind turbine, i.e., the tower.

[0006] According to the current state of the art, the sliding bearing segments are usually attached to the housing separately with screws, i.e., fixed in place, and are removed axially during disassembly by loosening the screws. The separate connection of the individual sliding bearing segments to the housing necessitates a complex assembly and disassembly process.

[0007] EP 3 844410 B1 discloses a bearing arrangement of a rotor of a

[0008] The bearing arrangement is designed to support the rotor in a stationary housing, with housing-side axial sliding bearing segments that engage the housing, are stationary together with the housing and are supported against a first sliding surface of the rotor, with housing-side radial sliding bearing segments that engage the housing, are stationary together with the housing and are supported against a second sliding surface of the rotor, and with further axial sliding bearing segments, wherein the further axial sliding bearing segments are provided on the rotor side, engage the rotor, rotate together with the rotor and are supported against a sliding surface of the housing, wherein the rotor has a radial projection forming a rotor-side track disk, which is rigidly connected to a hub or shaft of the rotor, wherein the rotor-side axial sliding bearing segments are attached to the radial projection.

[0009] Another embodiment of the sliding bearing is disclosed in the publication.

[0010] AT 524 520 B1. In addition to the plain bearing, one equipped with the plain bearing is

[0011] A nacelle for a wind turbine is disclosed. The diagram shows an inner ring element, for example in the form of a rotor shaft, an outer ring element, and sliding bearing pads arranged between the inner and outer ring elements, with a bearing surface of each sliding bearing pad and a corresponding surface of the outer ring element in contact. A sliding bearing pad mounting ring, which is received, in particular shrunk-on, onto the inner ring element, serves to fasten the sliding bearing pads. The mounting ring has several threaded bores extending axially from a first end face of the mounting ring and serving to accommodate fastening screws. Through holes are formed in the sliding bearing pads through which the fastening screws are inserted to screw them into the threaded bores, thereby clamping the sliding bearing pads to the mounting ring.The sliding bearing pad mounting ring has a relief on its inner surface, starting from the first end face.

[0012] US patent 12,110,874 B2 discloses a sliding bearing arrangement for a rotor shaft of a wind turbine. The sliding bearing pads are arranged on a ring element. In contrast to other arrangements, the front part of the nacelle housing serves only as a cover and seal by means of a sealing element arranged between the split nacelle housing parts.

[0013] The publication US 2023 7417 224 A1 discloses a method for assembling a rotor bearing for a wind turbine. The following process steps are disclosed in detail: providing a rotor shaft; providing a bearing block; providing individual bearing pads; inserting the bearing pads into the bearing block; and joining the rotor shaft and the bearing block fitted with the bearing pads.

[0014] The present invention aims to achieve an improvement over the prior art. Known disadvantages are to be eliminated or at least reduced. In particular, the accessibility of hydrodynamic sliding bearings is to be improved.

[0015] In the invention, this is achieved in a main bearing housing as described above by axially splitting the main bearing housing to allow for the removal or insertion of the sliding bearing segments. The main bearing housing is to be considered the direct, load-bearing housing of the main bearing, usually distinct from the nacelle housing, which can provide enclosure and protection against the elements. The main bearing housing according to the invention can therefore also be referred to as a segment carrier.

[0016] In other words, the invention relates to a bearing housing for hydrodynamic plain bearings for rotors. The so-called rotor main bearing housing is axially split and designed to enable and simplify up-tower repairs. To simplify up-tower repairs, and thus repairs on the system under conditions of limited space, a portion of the housing can be axially displaced. This axial displacement of parts of the housing makes the hydrodynamic plain bearing segments more easily accessible, allowing them to be individually removed and replaced.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims and are explained in more detail below. In connection with the explanation of the embodiments, the directional specifications refer to the drive train of the wind turbine and its rotor for which the main bearing housing according to the invention is designed. Accordingly, the axial direction is defined as the longitudinal direction of the wind turbine drive train and thus of the rotor, and the longitudinal direction of the main bearing housing. The radial direction of the rotor corresponds to the vertical direction of the main bearing housing. The circumferential direction is defined accordingly in the third dimension.

[0018] It has proven advantageous for the main bearing housing to have an internal contour that allows for the sliding insertion and removal of the plain bearing segments. By designing the main bearing housing with an internal contour specifically prepared for insertion, the guided insertion and removal of the plain bearing segments is advantageously possible without additional tools and without errors. This is also advantageously true under up-tower conditions with limited space for assembly and disassembly and poor visibility into the interior of the main bearing housing. The internal contour is preferably designed such that the plain bearing segments are inserted and slid in from the axial direction of the main bearing housing.This represents a preferred embodiment because it facilitates the insertion of the sliding bearing segments into the main bearing housing and ensures a simple and, in particular, reproducible process even under difficult operating conditions with limited space and restricted securing factors within the nacelle under up-tower conditions. Assembly and disassembly are thus made easier.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the main bearing housing, i.e., both main bearing housing parts, is prepared for a form-fit, force-fit and / or material-fit connection of at least one or all sliding bearing segments.

[0020] The form-fit, force-fit, and / or positive-locking connection of the main bearing housing to one or all of the plain bearing segments is advantageous in that, through the form-fit, force-fit, and / or material-fit connection, continuous and reliable support of the at least one or the majority of the plain bearing segments on the main bearing housing is ensured under the operating conditions of the wind turbine. The fastening method is preferably predetermined depending on the forces occurring under operating conditions and assembly aspects, and the connection is designed accordingly.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the main bearing housing is divided along a parting plane that is oriented transversely or orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the main bearing housing and / or the rotation axis of the rotor.

[0022] The division of the main bearing housing provides separate options for access, positioning, and handling of its components, preferably also with regard to assembly and disassembly. The division of the main bearing housing along the parting plane results from this division. A parting plane oriented transversely or orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the main housing and / or the axis of rotation is oriented such that the normal to the parting plane points in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation and thus in the axial direction.

[0023] The separation plane is preferably described by the direction vectors transverse and orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0024] The axial direction preferably corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the rotor shaft as part of the drive train and the longitudinal direction of the main bearing housing. The advantage realized by this embodiment is that, according to the prior art, the position of the main bearing segments is preferably determined as a function of the axis of rotation and thus of the rotor shaft, and is therefore oriented around the circumferential direction and along the rotor shaft / axis of rotation, i.e., along its longitudinal axis and thus in the axial direction. The main bearing housing therefore preferably extends over the circumferential direction and also over the longitudinal direction.By arranging the parting plane perpendicular to the longitudinal / rotational axis, and thus as a transverse plane, the advantage arises that the essential performance components for the rotor bearings are located in this parting plane or in a plane arranged parallel to it. If the longitudinal direction of the main bearing housing and the rotational axis of the rotor do not coincide, it is advantageous if the parting plane is aligned at least with the longitudinal direction of the main bearing housing or the rotational axis of the rotor. As a consequence of this arrangement of the parting plane, the plain bearing segments lie at least partially within this plane.

[0025] It has proven advantageous if the main bearing housing is divided into two halves.

[0026] By dividing the main bearing housing into two parts, designed as halves, it is advantageously possible to move the two halves independently. As a result of dividing the main bearing housing into preferably two halves, improved accessibility to the sliding bearing segments is achieved, since when one of the two halves of the main bearing housing is separated and axially pulled off / moved, only one half of the main bearing remains covered by the unmoved or unmoved half of the main bearing housing. This allows for advantageous access to the remaining half of the main bearing housing.

[0027] The two halves are preferably of the same size to ensure uniform accessibility. This allows for the rows with different sliding bearing segment dimensions, even if the main bearing housing is not exclusively divided in half. Due to the load spectrum, it is also advantageous for the main bearing to be a radial bearing or a combined axial-radial bearing. This allows for radial bearings on both sides of the main bearing housing sections and / or the axial bearing on only one side.

[0028] A further advantage becomes clear when considering the rotor-side segmentation of the housing. Segmenting the housing makes it advantageously possible to preferably shift the gearbox-side half of the housing to access the bearing by engaging the rotor-side half. This is particularly advantageous because there is no space on the rotor side. In this case, according to another embodiment, there is no need for a sliding design for the rotor-side half. The gearbox-side half is the only movable half.

[0029] Furthermore, it is advantageous if all plain bearing segments are attached to the main bearing housing together.

[0030] By attaching all sliding bearing segments to the main bearing housing in a common, rather than separate, manner, advantageous access to all sliding bearing segments and simultaneous replacement of the sliding bearing segments is possible. This results in advantages with regard to repair time and, in particular, downtime.

[0031] The reversible and therefore detachable fastening of preferably all plain bearing segments to the main bearing housing makes it advantageously possible to replace the plain bearing segments in the event of damage. It is easy to achieve the

[0032] to detach the plain bearing segments from the main bearing housing and the

[0033] Main bearing segments can be replaced separately from the main bearing housing. This design offers economic advantages.

[0034] Furthermore, this embodiment offers advantages in terms of ease of disassembly. These advantages arise from the fact that the main bearing housing, or one half thereof, is easier to handle in the limited working space inside the nacelle of a wind turbine due to its reduced, and preferably halved, dimensions and weight compared to the complete main bearing housing. The common attachment of all plain bearing segments to the main bearing housing also makes them easier to handle.

[0035] Furthermore, it is advantageous if screws are used for fastening.

[0036] By attaching the sliding bearing segments to the housing via screws as

[0037] With this fastening element, it is advantageously possible to apply predetermined and reproducible tightening forces to the screws. Due to the predetermined tightening force, which is uniform across all fastening elements, comparable forces act on each of the connections thus constructed.

[0038] Forces. This results in the advantage that a comparable service life of the connections and thus of the fastening can be expected. Furthermore, the use of screws as fasteners makes it easy to check the quality of the connection and allows fastening even under difficult and confined space conditions, such as in the nacelle of a wind turbine.

[0039] Main bearing for a rotor of a wind turbine with a main bearing housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the main bearing is designed as a hydrodynamic sliding bearing.

[0040] By designing the main bearing as a hydrodynamic sliding bearing, the advantages of space savings, a long bearing life and wear-resistant operation, simple assembly, advantageous damping, and reliable bearing and support of the rotor shaft can be achieved even under high bearing forces and high speeds.

[0041] Wind power plant with a rotor mounted in a main bearing.

[0042] The advantages of the main bearing in its hydrodynamic sliding bearing configuration are analogous for a wind turbine equipped with such a main bearing. Consequently, the wind turbine achieves a significantly increased economic efficiency through reduced costs and shorter downtimes in the event of damage or repair. The latter is particularly advantageous given that bearing damage in wind turbines is one of the most costly types of damage.

[0043] A method for performing service work on a main bearing is also presented, wherein at least a part of the main bearing housing, which is divided at the parting line, is axially displaced and the sliding bearing segments are removed, replaced or inserted together.

[0044] The method according to the invention results in advantages with regard to disassembly and assembly during maintenance and / or repair work due to the improved accessibility of the main bearing. These advantages include shorter operating times and improved working conditions through simplified service work resulting from the simplified assembly and disassembly.

[0045] Removal of the main bearing housing components. The parting line is determined in such a way that the service work is carried out from a position of the service personnel radially and thus transversely to the drive train.

[0046] The possibility of axially disassembling preferably one half of the main bearing housing in the axial direction advantageously simplifies access to and engagement of the other, preferably adjacent, axial half of the main bearing housing from the axial direction. This simplification lies in the fact that the assembly / service personnel can access the preferably and usually axially oriented drivetrain of the wind turbine from the radial direction and engage the remaining, preferably one, half of the main bearing housing in the axial direction. This is particularly advantageous given that, in both the split and the integrated and semi-integrated drivetrain designs of wind turbines, the most space for assembly / service personnel is usually available in the nacelle in the radial direction.

[0047] The ability to remove the sliding bearing segments together offers further advantages in terms of repair time and, in particular, downtime. These advantages stem from the fact that separate assembly or disassembly of the individual sliding bearing segments is not required.

[0048] The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing. A preferred embodiment of the main bearing housing according to the invention is shown. It shows:

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a main bearing housing according to the invention in a two-dimensional view and

[0050] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a wind turbine with a drive train, a rotor shaft and a rotor which is mounted in a main bearing which has a main bearing housing according to the invention.

[0051] The drawings are purely schematic and serve only to illustrate the invention. The same elements are identified by the same reference numerals. The features of the individual embodiments may be mutually complementary or interchangeable.

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a main bearing housing 1 according to the invention for a rotor 2 of a wind turbine 3, which is prepared for receiving a plurality of plain bearing segments 4. The main bearing housing 1 is divided in the axial 5 direction and has an inner contour 6 over which the plain bearing segments 4 can be guided in or out. The parting plane 8 divides the main bearing housing 1. The normal to this

[0053] The separating plane 8 is oriented in the axial 5 direction of the rotation axis 7 of the rotor 2 and thus of the drive train 9 of the wind turbine 3, as shown in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the rotation axis 7 of the rotor 2 corresponds to the rotor shaft 10.

[0054] The main bearing housing 1 is divided into two by the division in the axial direction 5.

[0055] The main bearing housing 1 is divided into two halves 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the halves 11 correspond to each other in their shape along the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft 10 in the axial 5 direction. The main bearing housing 1 is thus divided into two equal halves 11, which can be removed separately. By removing one of the halves 11 of the main bearing housing 1, assembly and service personnel have the possibility of axial 5 access to the remaining other half 11 of the main bearing housing 1 and access to the sliding bearing segments 4, which are arranged in the main bearing housing 1 according to the invention.

[0056] The main bearing housing 1 encloses a main bearing 14, which is designed as a hydrodynamic sliding bearing.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a wind turbine 3 with a drive train 9, a rotor shaft 10, and a rotor 2, which is supported in a main bearing 14 comprising a main bearing housing 1 according to the invention. Aerodynamic power is generated by the rotor blades 15 of the rotor 2 and converted into mechanical power via the rotating rotor shaft 10. Depending on the design of the wind turbine 1, the mechanical power is transmitted via the rotor shaft 10 as rotary motion to a gearbox 16 or, in the case of gearless wind turbines 1, to the generator 17, which converts the mechanical power into electrical power. The machine elements from the rotor 2 via the rotor shaft 10 and any gearbox 16 to the generator 17 are combined to form the drive train 9. Due to the high forces involved, bearings and supports for the rotor shaft 10 are required. The bearings and

[0058] Support on a housing of the drive train 9 is provided by at least one hydrodynamic bearing as an embodiment of the main bearing 14 of the rotor 2. The main bearing 14 is surrounded by a main bearing housing 1 according to the invention, which is provided for the protection and support of the rotor 2 and is typically connected to other system housings of the drive train 9. The main bearing housing 1 according to the invention is segmented.

[0059] Reference symbol list

[0060] 1 Main bearing housing

[0061] 2 Rotor 3 Wind turbine

[0062] 4 axial sliding bearing segment / sliding bearing segment

[0063] 5 axial / axial direction / longitudinal direction

[0064] 6 Inner contour

[0065] 7 Axis of rotation 8 Separating plane

[0066] 9 Drivetrain

[0067] 10 Rotor shaft

[0068] 11 Half

[0069] 12 radial / radial direction 13 tangential / circumferential direction

[0070] 14 Main bearings / hydrodynamic sliding bearings

[0071] 15 rotor blades

[0072] 16 gearboxes

[0073] 17 Generator

Claims

Patent claims 1. Main bearing housing (1) for a rotor (2) of a wind turbine (3), which is prepared to receive a plurality of sliding bearing segments (4), characterized in that the main bearing housing (1) is axially (5) split in order to remove or insert the sliding bearing segments (4).

2. Main bearing housing (1) according to claim (1), characterized in that the main bearing housing (1) has an inner contour (6) which enables the sliding insertion and removal of the sliding bearing segments (4).

3. Main bearing housing (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the main bearing housing (1) is prepared for a form-fit, force-fit, and / or material-fit connection of at least one sliding bearing segment (4) or all sliding bearing segments (4).

4. Main bearing housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the main bearing housing (1) is divided along a parting plane (8) oriented transversely or orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the main bearing housing (1) and / or the axis of rotation (7) of the rotor (2).

5. Main bearing housing (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the main bearing housing (1) is divided into two halves (11).

6. Main bearing housing (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that all sliding bearing segments (4) are jointly attached to the main bearing housing (T).

7. Main bearing housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that screws are used for fastening.

8. Main bearing (14) for a rotor (2) of a wind turbine (3) with a main bearing housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the main bearing (14) is designed as a hydrodynamic sliding bearing.

9. Wind turbine (3) with a rotor (2) mounted in a main bearing (14) according to Claim (8) is stored.

10. Method for performing service work on a main bearing (14) according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the main bearing housing (1) divided at the parting plane (8) is axially (5) displaced and the The sliding bearing segments (4) can be removed, replaced or inserted.

Images