Fluid Film Bearing Pad Access Without Weakening Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid film bearings in wind turbines face challenges with wear and tear due to high loads, requiring frequent replacement of bearing pads, which is complex and costly, especially for modern turbines with increased loads, and existing methods either weaken the support structure or require extensive equipment for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A fluid film bearing design with a reduced number of openings in the support structure allows for the replacement of multiple bearing pads through each opening, using tilting and resilient bearing pads with actuator arrangements to facilitate easy access and loading, reducing material weakening and maintenance complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If openings are provided at the support structure for each bearing pad to allow replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but strength of the support structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into modular segments with strategically positioned openings that allow bearing pad replacement without requiring openings for every single pad. This segmentation approach provides access to bearing pads through a limited number of openings while preserving the structural integrity of the support structure between the openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings in the support structure serve multiple functions: they provide access for bearing pad replacement, maintain structural strength by minimizing the number of openings, and allow for the replacement of multiple bearing pads through a single opening. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between ease of repair and structural strength.
2Power
If the number of bearing pads is increased to support higher loads, then power capacity is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure with its strategically positioned openings serves as a universal access system that can accommodate the replacement of multiple bearing pads regardless of the total number of pads. This allows the bearing to support higher loads with more pads while maintaining simple replacement procedures through the same limited openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides access to bearing pads through openings in the support structure, changing the access dimension from requiring external crawl spaces to utilizing internal openings. This dimensional change allows for easier replacement procedures even when the number of bearing pads increases to support higher power capacities.
3Ease of operation
If access to bearing pads is provided from outside the bearing through crawl space, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing access to bearing pads from the outside through crawl spaces, the invention inverts the approach by providing openings in the support structure that allow access from the inside or through the support structure itself. This inversion simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining ease of operation for bearing pad replacement.
4Ease of repair
If bearing pads are replaced by removing the entire bearing, then ease of repair is improved, but loss of time worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bearing pads from the bearing assembly, allowing them to be replaced independently through openings in the support structure. This extraction enables the replacement of individual bearing pads without removing the entire bearing, significantly reducing the time required for repair while maintaining simplicity in the replacement procedure.
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
This design enhances the structural integrity of the bearing, simplifies maintenance by enabling in-situ replacement of bearing pads without external cranes, and reduces costs by allowing for manual replacement, thus supporting the increasing loads of modern wind turbines effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid film developing between the bearing pad sliding surface and the sliding surface of the bearing ring
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid film bearing (2) for a rotor hub (3) of a wind turbine (1) comprising a first part (10) and a second part (11) rotatably coupled to each other about a longitudinal axis. According to the invention, the first part (10) comprises an annular first sliding surface (14) extending in the circumferential direction of said fluid film bearing (2) along the first part (10). In addition, the second part (11) comprises a support structure (18) and a first group of bearing pads (12, 13) coupled to the support structure (18) and having a bearing pad sliding surface (17) configured to slide on the first sliding surface (14). In addition, the support structure (18) comprises a plurality of openings (20) for replacing the bearing pads (12, 13).