Fixing means for transmission component

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing means (10) for a transmission component (110), comprising a main body (16) with a first (18) and at least one second external thread (20) and a through-hole (22) which extends in the axial direction of the main body (16), a bolt (24) which sits displaceably in the through-hole (22), and a closure nut (26) which can be screwed onto the second external thread (20) in order to close the through-hole (22) at one end. A multi-part system is provided, in which the bolt (24) is fastened indirectly via the main body (16), which is seated in the transmission component (110), and the closure nut (26).

Description

[0001] FLENDER GMBH Düsseldorf, January 20, 2026 Our reference: FD 45801 - 2024P04742WO

[0002] Flender GmbH

[0003] Alfred-Flender-Str. 77, 46395 Bocholt, Germany

[0004] Fixing agent for gearbox component

[0005] Description

[0006] The invention relates to a fixing means for a gear part, comprising a base body with at least one external thread and a through hole extending in the axial direction of the base body and a bolt slidably seated in the through hole.

[0007] For the assembly and disassembly of large gearboxes, such as planetary gearboxes in wind turbine drive trains, it may be necessary to temporarily fix individual components. For example, if the gearbox is fully integrated into the drive train, the main bearing unit supports the planet carrier of the first planetary stage, and this planet carrier has no independent bearing. To mount the gearbox to the main bearing unit, the planet carrier must be fixed in a pre-set position. Without precise fixing and positioning of the planet carrier, there is a risk of displacement in subsequent steps, which is a safety hazard and can compromise the quality of the subsequent process or the final product.

[0008] Currently, a one-piece threaded bolt is used as a fixing device, which also serves to position the planet carrier. However, this bolt has the disadvantage of being prone to thread seizure. In such cases, the gearbox must be disassembled from the main bearing unit, components must be replaced, and rework is necessary. This results in high costs and delivery delays. In this context, German patent DE 102019214 094 Al should be mentioned. There is a constant need to make the described process more reliable by using improved fixing devices.

[0009] The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that make it possible to provide improved fixing agents.

[0010] The problem is solved by a fixing means having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims and the following description, each of which, individually or in combination, can represent an aspect of the invention. When a feature is presented in combination with another feature, this serves only to simplify the presentation 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.

[0011] One embodiment relates to a fixing means for a gear part, comprising a base body with a first and at least a second external thread and a through hole extending in the axial direction of the base body, a bolt slidably seated in the through hole and a locking nut screwable onto the second external thread to close the through hole on one side.

[0012] The transmission component can be, for example, a transmission housing or a housing flange belonging to the transmission housing. The base body and the through-hole extend in a longitudinal direction AL. The axial length of the bolt exceeds the axial length of the base body, so that the bolt, while seated in the base body, always projects beyond one axial side of the base body. The base body is designed as a sleeve overall. The locking nut can be screwed onto the base body such that an inner surface of the locking nut is flush with the through-hole. In a preferred embodiment, the base body forms a radially projecting contact collar between the first and second external threads. This contact collar ensures that the base body can be positioned in a defined position relative to a transmission component.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the locking nut has a second external thread corresponding to an internal thread of the base body.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the base body and the locking nut are made of the material 42CrMo4+QT. The use of this material significantly reduces the tendency to galling.

[0015] In a specific design, it may be provided that the bolt sits in the through hole of the base body with a clearance fit.

[0016] The problem is also solved by a planetary gear with a gear housing and at least one planet stage comprising a planet carrier, wherein several, preferably at least three, fixing means distributed over a circumference of the gear housing and supporting the planet carrier against the gear housing are provided as described.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the planetary gear, the fixing means are detachably inserted into the respective threaded bores of the gear housing via the first external thread.

[0018] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that three fixing means are provided, distributed over the circumference of the gearbox housing.

[0019] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention, either individually or in combination. The drawings show:

[0020] Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a drive train of a wind turbine, Fig. 2: a fixing device used in a gearbox component,

[0021] Fig. 3: an axial view from the rotor side of a gearbox component with the fixing devices in place and

[0022] Fig. 4: an axial view of a gearbox component on the generator side with fixing devices in place.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation, not to scale, of a possible configuration of a wind turbine 100. A side view with a partial sectional view is shown. The wind turbine 100 is positioned opposite a tower (not shown) at an inclination that is typically approximately 5°.

[0024] A key element of the wind turbine 100 is a drive train 102, which in this case can structurally comprise a rotor flange 104 with a multi-blade rotor 106, a rotor bearing 108, a gearbox component 110, and a generator 112. At least the rotor bearing 108 and the generator 112 are supported on a ground via a machine carrier 114 and a tower (not shown). The rotor bearing 108 includes a rotor shaft 118, which is rotatably mounted about the drive train axis AD relative to a rotor bearing housing 120 of the rotor bearing 108, for example, by means of an angled tapered roller bearing. The drive train axis AD defines an axial direction.

[0025] The rotor flange 104 is mounted at one end of the rotor shaft 118, and the multi-blade rotor 106 is mounted to the flange. The other end of the rotor shaft 118 is driven by a gearbox component 110 to transmit a drive torque applied by the multi-blade rotor 106. A reaction torque resulting from the torque transmission of the gearbox component 110—and also of the flanged generator 112—is supported against the machine carrier 114 by a torque support 116. The gearbox component 110 is designed as a planetary gearbox with one or more planetary stages. The gearbox component 110 is driven by the generator 112. The rotor shaft 118 is connected to a planet carrier 14 of the gearbox component 110. The planet carrier 14 does not have its own bearings within the gearbox component 110. The planet carrier is supported indirectly above the rotor bearing 108.Reference numeral 10 denotes temporary and as-needed fixing devices, which will be described later. The machine carrier 114, the rotor bearing 108 with rotor shaft 118, the torque support 116, and the gearbox component 110 can be referred to as the gearbox drive train 10.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a fixing means 10. In addition to the fixing means 10, a housing housing 32 as part of a gear component 110 and the planet carrier 14 of a first planet stage 12 of the gear component 110 are shown in section and schematically.

[0027] The fixing element 10 is composed of several parts. It consists of a base body 16, which forms a through-hole 22 extending in the axial direction A of the base body 16. The base body 16 forms a first external thread 18 and a second external thread 20. Between the first external thread 18 and the second external thread 20, the base body 16 forms a radially projecting contact collar 28. The base body 16 is inserted or screwed into a threaded bore 34 of the gearbox housing 32 via the first external thread 18. The base body 16 is inserted into the threaded bore 34 to such an extent that the contact collar 28 rests against an outer surface 36 of the gearbox housing 32, thus limiting further screwing in of the base body 16.

[0028] A bolt 24 is slidably seated in the through-hole 22 of the base body 16. The bolt 24 also extends in axial direction A. Furthermore, a screw-on locking nut 26 is provided. The locking nut 26 has an internal thread 30 corresponding to the second external thread 20 of the base body 16. As shown, the locking nut 26 is screwed onto the second external thread 20 to close the through-hole 22 on one side. The bolt 24 fits into the through-hole 22 of the base body 16 with a clearance fit.

[0029] Figure 2 shows that the base body 16 is screwed into the threaded bore 34 via the first external thread 18 and is thus held in position by the gearbox housing 32. The bolt 24 is shown in conjunction with the planet carrier 14. By screwing the locking nut 26 onto the base body 16, and after the locking nut 26 has made contact with the bolt 24, the bolt 24 is then subjected to further tightening of the locking nut 26 against the planet carrier 14.

[0030] Figures 3 and 4 show an axial view of the gear component 110, designed as a planetary gear, from the rotor side (Figure 3) and the generator side (Figure 4). In Figure 3, the flange to which the planet carrier 14 is connected to the rotor bearing 108 is designated by reference numeral 126 in the center. Three fixing elements 10 are visible – one on the rotor side and one on the generator side – distributed around the circumference of the gear housing 32. These fixing elements hold the planet carrier 14 in a defined and locked position relative to the gear housing 32. A multi-part system is provided in which the bolt 24 is indirectly clamped via the base body 16, which is embedded in the gear component 110, and the locking nut 26. The base body 16, which functions as a threaded bushing, can be unscrewed without preload after loosening the locking nut 26.

[0031] 10 Fixatives

[0032] 12th planetary stage

[0033] 14 planetary carriers

[0034] 16 basic shapes

[0035] 18 external threads

[0036] 20 external threads

[0037] 22 Through holes 24 Bolts

[0038] 26 Locking nut 28 Mounting collar

[0039] 30 internal threads

[0040] 32 Gearbox housing 34 Threaded holes 36 Outer surface

[0041] 100 Wind turbine 102 Drive string

[0042] 104 Rotor flange

[0043] 106 multi-blade rotor

[0044] 108 Rotor bearing

[0045] 110 Gearbox component 112 Generator

[0046] 114 Machine support 116 Torque support 118 Rotor shaft

[0047] 120 Rotor bearing housing 126 Flange

Claims

- 8 - Patent claims 1. Fixing agent (10) for a gear component (110), comprising a base body (16) with a first (18) and at least a second external thread (20) and a through hole (22) extending in axial directions of the base body (16) and open in both axial directions, a bolt (24) which is slidably seated in the through hole (22) and a locking nut (26) which can be screwed onto the second external thread (20) in order to close the through hole (22) on one side.

2. Fixing means (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (16) forms a radially projecting contact collar (28) between the first (18) and the second external thread (20).

3. Fixing means (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking nut (26) has an internal thread (30) corresponding to the second external thread (20) of the base body (16).

4. Fixing means (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base body (16) and the locking nut (26) are made of the material 42CrMo4+QT.

5. Fixing means (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bolt (24) is seated with a clearance fit in the through hole (22) of the base body (16).

6. Gear component (110), in particular planetary gear, comprising a gear housing (32) and at least one planet stage (12) comprising a planet carrier (14), wherein several, preferably at least three, planet stages extend over a circumference of the- 9 - Fixing means (10) distributed between the gearbox housing (110) and supporting the planet carrier (14) against the gearbox housing (12) according to one of the preceding claims are provided.

7. Gearbox component (110) according to claim 6, characterized in that the fixing means (10) are detachably seated in respective threaded bores (34) of the gearbox housing (32) via the first external thread (18).

8. Gearbox component (110) according to claim 6, or 7, characterized in that three fixing means (10) distributed over a circumference of the gearbox housing (32) are provided.

9. Drive train (102) comprising a rotor shaft (118) which is connected to a transmission component (110) in a torque-transmitting manner and a generator (112) which is connected to the transmission component (110) in a torque-transmitting manner, characterized in that the transmission component (110) is designed according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. Drive train (102) according to claim 9, characterized in that three rotor shaft-side and three generator-side fixing means (10) are provided for the transmission component (110).

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