Wind Turbine Bearing Interface Filtering for High-Frequency Signal Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-frequency electrical signals in wind turbines can cause damage to bearings, reducing the lifetime of the wind turbine components and the entire system.

Innovation Solution

A system for a wind turbine is designed with a filter element coupled to the electrical connection between rotating components to attenuate high-frequency signals, using materials like ferrite or soft magnetic materials to reduce signal amplitude or completely suppress these signals, thereby protecting the bearings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-frequency electrical signals are allowed to flow through the electrical connection, then power supply functionality is maintained, but bearing damage occurs and lifetime is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing lifetimeVSAvoidhigh-frequency signal damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A filter element is introduced as an intermediary component in the electrical connection between the stationary and rotating parts. This filter element selectively attenuates high-frequency electrical signals while allowing the main power supply current to pass through, thereby preventing bearing damage without compromising power supply functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element changes the frequency parameter of the electrical signals by attenuating high-frequency components. This parameter modification allows the system to maintain the necessary power supply current while removing the harmful high-frequency signals that cause bearing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a filter element is added to the electrical connection, then bearing protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing lifetimeVSAvoidelectrical connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is designed as a simple, cost-effective component that can be easily integrated into the electrical connection. Rather than implementing complex active filtering systems, a passive filter element is used that provides sufficient protection while maintaining system simplicity and low cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If high-frequency signals are attenuated, then bearing damage is prevented, but signal transmission capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing lifetimeVSAvoidelectrical signal attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is positioned locally at the electrical connection point between stationary and rotating parts, where it selectively attenuates high-frequency signals. The filtering action is localized to this specific position, allowing the rest of the electrical system to operate normally without signal loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The filter element effectively reduces high-frequency signal damage to bearings, thereby increasing the lifetime of the wind turbine components and the overall system.

Implementation Method 1

The filter element is configured to at least partially attenuate high-frequency electrical signals in the electrical connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

using materials like ferrite or soft magnetic materials to reduce signal amplitude or completely suppress these signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4575223A1System for a wind turbine and wind turbine
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 NORDEX ENERGY SE & CO KG
  • EP4575223A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4575223A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4575223A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

According to an embodiment, the system (50) for a wind turbine (100) comprises a first component (1) and a second (2) component. The first component and the second component are arranged rotatable relative to each other with the help of a bearing (3). The system further comprises a first electrical device (10) coupled to the first component and a second electrical device (20) coupled to the second component. Moreover, the system comprises an electrical connection (12) between the first electrical device and the second electrical device as well as a filter element (40, 41) coupled to the electrical connection. The filter element is configured to at least partially attenuate high-frequency electrical signals in the electrical connection.