Flushable cavity between two wind turbine gearbox modules

Abstract

The invention relates to a wind turbine gearbox arrangement having a first module (114) and a second module (115), which each have at least one rotatable component (101, 103) and at least one housing part (109, 111); wherein the rotatable components (101, 103) can be or are joined together; and wherein the housing parts (109, 111) can be or are joined together. The first module (114) and the second module (115) each have at least one seal (107, 117) which seals off the respective rotatable component (101, 103) and the respective housing part (109, 111) with respect to one another.

Description

[0001] ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13

[0002] Washable cavity between two wind turbine gearbox modules

[0003] The invention relates to a wind turbine gearbox arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to claim 7.

[0004] Prior art wind turbine gearboxes are known with a main shaft mounted in a separate housing section. This housing section is bolted to another housing section containing a planet carrier that is rotationally fixed to the main shaft.

[0005] Higher power outputs from wind turbines necessitate larger gearboxes. However, the size of these gearboxes is often limited by the capacity of available transport. This problem can be solved by dividing the gearbox into smaller modules that can be transported individually. However, there is a risk that the interfaces between the individual modules will become contaminated with dirt before assembly. This jeopardizes the gearbox's operational reliability and reduces its lifespan.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a wind turbine gearbox that is improved compared to the prior art. This objective is achieved by a wind turbine gearbox arrangement according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 7. Preferred embodiments are included in the dependent claims and will become apparent from the following description and the figures.

[0007] A wind turbine gearbox arrangement is an arrangement for a wind turbine gearbox, that is, an arrangement that forms a wind turbine gearbox or is suitable to be used as part of a wind turbine gearbox.

[0008] The wind turbine gearbox arrangement according to the invention comprises a first module and a second module. According to the common understanding in the art, a module denotes a technical unit that can be assembled with one or more further modules or technical units to form an arrangement that constitutes a closed functional unit. The first module and the second module are accordingly technical units that can be joined together and, in the assembled state, form a wind turbine gearbox, or can be joined with one or more further modules and, in the assembled state, form a wind turbine gearbox with the one or more further modules.

[0009] The first module and the second module each have a housing part, that is, a portion of a housing, and at least one rotatable component. The rotatable components are joinable or assembled. Likewise, the housing parts are joinable or assembled. In the assembled state, a connection exists between the rotatable components. Similarly, in the assembled state, a connection exists between the housing parts. Preferably, the connection between the rotatable components is rotationally fixed, so that torque can be transmitted between the rotatable components.

[0010] Once the rotating components and the housing parts are joined together, the first module and the second module form a wind turbine gearbox or part of the wind turbine gearbox, which can be completed with one or more further modules to form a wind turbine gearbox.

[0011] According to the invention, the first module and the second module each have at least one seal. The seals seal the respective rotatable component and the respective housing part against each other. The seal of the first module thus seals the rotatable component of the first module and the housing part of the first module against each other. Similarly, the seal of the second module seals the rotatable component and the housing part of the second module against each other.

[0012] The seal provided by the gaskets is preferably fluid- and / or particle-tight. In this case, the gaskets prevent fluids and / or particles from passing through a gap running between the respective rotatable component and the respective housing part. The gaskets each form a preferably fluid- and / or particle-tight barrier between a cavity jointly encapsulated by the housing parts in the assembled state, which is located between the two ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13

[0013] The term "housing parts" refers to the interior of each housing part. The interior of the housing parts refers to a cavity encapsulated by the respective housing part, in which one or more components of the transmission, such as shafts, gears, and bearings, are located.

[0014] The seals according to the invention protect the interior of each housing part from contamination by foreign substances. In particular, it is possible to clean the interface area between the first and second modules with a fluid before assembly. The seals prevent the fluid from penetrating the interior of the respective housing part.

[0015] Preferably, the housing part of the first module and / or the housing part of the second module are further developed with at least one opening. This opening serves to insert at least one washing nozzle into the cavity encapsulated by the housing parts when assembled. Using the at least one washing nozzle, a fluid, for example, a liquid suitable for washing, such as water or solvent mixed with a cleaning agent, or compressed air, can be introduced into the cavity when assembled to remove foreign substances. Such cleaning in the assembled state is advantageous because otherwise there would be a risk of recontamination.

[0016] To drain the fluid introduced into the cavity and any foreign substances that may need to be removed, the housing part of the first module and / or the housing part of the second module are, in a further preferred embodiment, provided with at least one drain. Preferably, the drain is an opening located at the lowest point of the cavity. Preferably, the drain is closable to prevent recontamination.

[0017] In a preferred further development, the rotatable component of the first module is designed as a shaft and the rotatable component of the second module as a planet carrier. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13

[0018] The shaft in question can be, in particular, a main or input shaft of the wind turbine gearbox. The shaft is supported in the housing part of the first module. Specifically, the first module has at least two bearings, whose inner and outer rings are each joined to the shaft or the housing part in one or more pieces.

[0019] The planet carrier is designed to be supported by the shaft. This means that the planet carrier has no bearings of its own and is supported exclusively by the shaft's bearings. The weight of the planet carrier and the planet gears mounted within it, together with the forces resulting from the meshing of the planet gears with a ring gear and a sun gear, are fully supported by the joint between the shaft and the planet carrier within the shaft and by the shaft's bearings in the housing section of the first module.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, an outer surface of the planet carrier and an inner surface of the housing part of the second module are sealed against each other by means of the seal of the second module. According to this embodiment, the seal of the second module thus forms a preferably particle- and / or fluid-tight barrier between the aforementioned surfaces. It seals a gap running between the surfaces, preferably in a particle- and / or fluid-tight manner.

[0021] The seal of the second module only needs to function during assembly. It becomes obsolete after the area between the first and second modules has been cleaned. Therefore, it is permissible, according to further training, to use a simple and inexpensive seal for the second module, the failure of which after commissioning of the wind turbine gearbox is accepted.

[0022] At least one of the bearings mentioned above, with which the shaft is supported in the housing part of the first module, is designed as a sealed bearing in a preferred embodiment. According to this embodiment, this bearing forms the at least one ZF Friedrichshafen AG file 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13

[0023] The seal of the first module is removed. This is advantageous because commercially available sealed bearings can be used.

[0024] The method according to the invention serves to assemble the wind turbine gearbox described above. The method involves joining the rotatable component of the first module and the rotatable component of the second module, as well as the housing parts of the first module and the housing parts of the second module. A region of the first module, contained within the cavity encapsulated by the housing parts in the assembled state as described above, and / or a corresponding region of the second module, are cleaned using a fluid. The seals of the first and second modules protect the interior of the two housing parts.

[0025] The cleaning of the areas of the first and second modules can be carried out before the two housing parts are joined. In a preferred embodiment, however, the cleaning takes place after the joining of the rotatable component of the first module and the rotatable component of the second module, and after joining the housing parts of the first and second modules. In particular, the entire cavity encapsulated by the two housing parts in their joined state can be cleaned. This can be achieved using the at least one washing nozzle and / or the at least one drain described above.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures. Matching reference numerals denote identical or functionally equivalent features. Specifically, the figures show:

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a section of a wind turbine gearbox;

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment with washing nozzles;

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment with wash nozzles; and ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment with washing nozzles.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a main shaft 101 with a planet carrier 103. The main shaft 101 is supported in a main shaft housing 109 by means of a rotor-side main bearing 105 and a generator-side main bearing 107.

[0032] The planet carrier 103 has no bearings of its own. It is fixed to a generator-side end of the main shaft 101 and is supported via the main shaft 101 in the main bearings 105, 107. The weight of the planet carrier 103 and all forces acting on the planet carrier 103, for example via planet gears mounted in the planet carrier 103, are transmitted via the main shaft 101 and the main bearings 105, 107 into the main shaft housing 109.

[0033] The planet carrier 103 is arranged in a gearbox housing 111. This is bolted to the main shaft housing 109 via a flange connection 113.

[0034] The main shaft 101, together with the main bearings 105, 107 and the main shaft housing 109, forms a first module 114. A second module 115 is formed by the planet carrier 103, the gearbox housing 111 and other gearbox components contained in the gearbox housing 111.

[0035] If the first module 114 and the second module 115 are delivered separately and only assembled at the wind turbine installation site, there is a risk that the flange connection 113 will become contaminated. Therefore, the area around the flange connection 113 must be cleaned before the two modules 114 and 115 are installed.

[0036] To prevent cleaning fluid or contaminants from entering the respective housing 109, 111, both housings 109, 111 are sealed from the flange connection 113 to the respective housing interior.

[0037] A seal integrated into the generator-side main bearing 107 serves to seal the main shaft housing 109. This seal is provided by ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13

[0038] The main shaft bearing 117 separates the main shaft 101 from the main shaft housing 109. Conventional bearing seals are suitable as seals for the generator-side main bearing 107.

[0039] A separate seal 117 is provided for sealing the housing 111.

[0040] This runs between the planet carrier 103 and the gearbox housing 111. It can be fixed in the planet carrier 103 and clamped against the gearbox housing 111, or fixed in the gearbox housing 111 and clamped against the planet carrier 103. The seal 117 seals the planet carrier 103 and the housing 111 against each other.

[0041] The seal 117 can be designed, for example, as a V-profile. In this configuration, a base body of the seal 117 is fixed to the planet carrier 103 or to the housing 111. In the former case, a V-shaped sealing lip is clamped against the housing 111, and in the latter case, against the planet carrier 103.

[0042] To minimize the risk of recontamination after cleaning, it is advantageous to rinse the area around the flange connection 113 only after the two modules 114 and 115 have been assembled. For this purpose, washing nozzles are inserted into the cavity surrounding the flange connection 113 after assembly. The main shaft housing 109 and / or the gearbox housing 111 have openings for inserting the washing nozzles.

[0043] Corresponding openings 201 in a housing part 203 belonging to the gearbox housing 111 are shown in Fig. 2. Washing nozzles 205 can be screwed into the openings 201. A cleaning fluid is injected into the cavity surrounding the flange connection 113 by means of the washing nozzles 205.

[0044] To drain the rinsing fluid, the housing part 203 is provided with a drain opening 207. This is located at the bottom of the housing part 203, or at its lowest point. The introduced rinsing fluid can flow out through the drain opening 207. ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13

[0045] Various designs are conceivable for the washing nozzles 205. Figure 2 shows simple washing nozzles 205 in which the liquid exits directly at the respective opening 201.

[0046] Figure 3 shows an annular washing nozzle 301. The washing nozzle 301 is formed by an annular hose. The hose extends from two immediately adjacent openings 201 into the cavity surrounding the flange connection 113 and runs tangentially in the circumferential direction around a generator-side end of the main shaft 101. The hose has several nozzle openings through which the cleaning fluid is sprayed. Due to the large number of nozzle openings achievable with an annular hose, the cleaning fluid can be sprayed more evenly. This improves the cleaning effect.

[0047] An embodiment with a total of four openings 201 in the housing part 203 is shown in Fig. 4. A rod-shaped washing nozzle 401 is inserted through each of the four nozzle openings 201. The washing nozzles 401 have several nozzle openings through which the cleaning fluid is sprayed into the cavity surrounding the flange connection 113. Compared to annular washing nozzles 301, the rod-shaped nozzles 401 have the advantage of simplified handling.

[0048] ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13

[0049] Reference sign

[0050] 101 Main wave

[0051] 103 planetary carriers

[0052] 105 Main Camps

[0053] 107 Main Camps

[0054] 111 Gearbox housing

[0055] 113 Flange connection

[0056] 114 Module

[0057] 115 Module

[0058] 117 Seal

[0059] 201 Opening

[0060] 203 Housing part

[0061] 205 Wash nozzle

[0062] 207 Drainage opening

[0063] 301 Washer nozzle

[0064] 401 Washer nozzle

Claims

ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13 Patent claims 1. Wind turbine gearbox arrangement comprising a first module (114) and a second module (115), each comprising at least one rotatable component (101, 103) and at least one housing part (109, 111); wherein the rotatable components (101, 103) are joinable or assembled; and wherein the housing parts (109, 111) are joinable or assembled; characterized in that the first module (114) and the second module (115) each have at least one seal (107, 117) which seals the respective rotatable component (101, 103) and the respective housing part (109, 111) against each other.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1; characterized in that the housing part (109) of the first module (114) and / or the housing part (111) of the second module (115) has at least one opening (201) for inserting at least one washing nozzle (205, 301, 401) into a cavity encapsulated by the housing parts (109, 111) in the assembled state.

3. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the housing part (109) of the first module (114) and / or the housing part (111) of the second module (115) have at least one drain (207).

4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the rotatable component (101) of the first module (114) is designed as a shaft and the rotatable component (103) of the second module (115) is designed as a planet carrier; wherein the shaft (101) is mounted in the housing part (109) of the first module (114); and wherein the planet carrier (103) is designed to be supported by the shaft (101).

5. Arrangement according to the preceding claim; characterized in that ZF Friedrichshafen AG File 302382-DE-NP Friedrichshafen 2024-08-13 the seal (117) of the second module (115) seals an outer surface of the planet carrier (103) and an inner surface of the housing part (111) of the second module (115) against each other.

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 4 or 5; characterized in that the first module (114) has at least one sealed bearing (107) with which the shaft (101) is mounted in the housing part (109) of the first module (114), and which forms the at least one seal of the first module (114).

7. Method for assembling a wind turbine gearbox with an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the rotatable component (101) of the first module (114) and the rotatable component (103) of the second module (115) are joined together; wherein the housing part (109) of the first module (115) and the housing part (111) of the second module (115) are joined together; and wherein a region of the first module (114) contained in the cavity encapsulated by the housing parts (109, 111) in the joined state and / or a region of the second module (115) contained in the cavity encapsulated by the housing parts (109, 111) in the joined state are cleaned by means of a fluid.

8. Method according to the preceding claim; characterized in that after joining the rotatable component (101) of the first module (114) and the rotatable component (103) of the second module (115) and joining the housing part (109) of the first module (114) and the housing part (111) of the second module (115), the area of ​​the first module (114) and / or the area of ​​the second module (115) is cleaned.

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