Wind Turbine Bearing Pretension Adjustment Through External Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges in maintaining high bending stiffness, clearance-free bearing arrangements with low wear and cost-efficiency, particularly in megawatt power ranges, where existing roller bearings require precise pretensioning to optimize load distribution and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A bearing arrangement featuring a first and second roller bearing with an actuation device that allows for adjustable pretension, enabling axial movement or radial deformation of the outer ring, allowing for external adjustment of pretension levels without disassembly, accessible from outside the bearing housing, reducing maintenance downtime and operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If roller bearings are pretensioned to ensure all rolling elements interact with raceways, then load distribution and lifetime are improved, but the pretension must be kept within narrow limits to avoid overloading the bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing arrangement transitions from a static pretension system to a dynamic adjustable system. The actuation device enables the outer ring to be moved axially or radially, allowing the pretension to be adjusted during operation rather than being fixed during assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by providing reliability through optimized pretension while reducing the complexity of maintaining precise pretension limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pretension parameter from a fixed value set during assembly to an adjustable value that can be modified during operation. By introducing the actuation device that moves the outer ring, the pretension level can be optimized based on actual operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between ensuring reliable bearing operation and avoiding overloading.
2Ease of repair
If the actuation device is positioned inside the bearing housing for direct access to the bearing components, then precise adjustment of pretension is possible, but access during maintenance requires disassembly of the gearbox or bearing housing
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation device is extracted from the interior of the bearing housing and positioned such that it can be actuated from outside the bearing housing. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to adjust the pretension without disassembling the gearbox or bearing housing, directly resolving the contradiction between accessible adjustment and maintenance downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing housing acts as an intermediary structure that allows the actuation device to be positioned in a location accessible from outside while still transmitting the adjustment force to the bearing components inside. This mediator approach enables external access to the adjustment mechanism without compromising the internal bearing arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bearing arrangement is designed with fixed pretension during assembly, then the structure is simpler and more cost-effective, but adjustment during operation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing arrangement incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the pretension to be changed during operation. The actuation device enables the outer ring to be moved axially or radially, transforming the static bearing arrangement into a dynamic one that can adapt to changing operational requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing arrangement for a rotating component of a wind turbine includes a first roller bearing and a second roller bearing. The rotating component defines a rotational axis and is supported by the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing. A bearing housing supports the roller bearing. The first roller bearing, the second roller bearing, the rotating component and the bearing housing are arranged to conjointly define a pretension circuit. A first bearing outer ring is axially moveable along the rotational axis with respect to the bearing housing and/or is radially deformable with respect to the rotational axis. An actuation device extends through an opening of the bearing housing and is accessible from outside of the bearing housing. Upon actuation of the actuation device, the pretension of the bearing arrangement is adjusted.