Angled Bearing Housing for Nacelle Force Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid-flow power plants face challenges in effectively dissipating the strong forces and bending moments transmitted from rotor blades to the rotor shaft and its bearing assembly, which can lead to stress and reduced efficiency in energy generation.
Innovation Solution
A bearing housing with a cylindrical section and an angled extension is designed to optimize force dissipation, featuring rolling-element bearings with strategically angled pressure lines and stiffening ribs to direct forces into the nacelle, while seals prevent lubricant leakage and fluid ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional cylindrical bearing housing is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the force dissipation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing housing transitions from a conventional cylindrical shape to a conical shape by introducing an angled section that extends at a specific angle relative to the cylindrical section. This dimensional change allows the housing to align with the pressure line of the rolling-element bearing, enabling more efficient force dissipation in the direction of the pressure line while maintaining structural integrity.
2Force
If the bearing housing is designed with optimized force dissipation geometry, then the force dissipation improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing housing is divided into two distinct sections: a cylindrical section that receives the bearing unit and a conical angled section that extends at a specific angle. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process, as each section can be formed using standard machining operations.
3Force
If the angled section angle is optimized for force dissipation, then the force transmission to nacelle is improved, but the bearing preload stability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The angle of the angled section is specifically designed to correspond to the angle between the bearing rotational axis and the pressure line of the rolling-element bearing. This parameter optimization ensures that forces are dissipated efficiently in the direction of the pressure line while maintaining proper bearing preload through appropriate stiffening rib configuration.
4Reliability
If stiffening ribs are added to improve tilting stiffness, then the bearing preload stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Stiffening ribs are strategically positioned at specific locations on the bearing housing, particularly in the angled section, to provide localized reinforcement where needed for optimal tilting stiffness and bearing preload stability. This localized approach enhances performance without uniformly increasing the complexity of the entire housing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing housing is configured as an end-side cover for a nacelle of a fluid-flow power plant and includes a cylindrical section having an interior and a bearing unit in the interior. The bearing unit includes at least one rolling-element bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring rotatably disposed with respect to each other about a bearing rotational axis and a plurality of rolling elements between the rings. A pressure line of the bearing intersects the bearing rotational axis at a first angle. An angled section of the housing extends from the cylindrical section of the housing at a second angle that is related to, and preferably substantially equal to, the first angle.