Wind Turbine Bearing Lubrication Seal with Segmented Sealing Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bearing design faces issues where the second seal ring fails to effectively address leaks caused by damage to the first sealing area, leading to premature lubrication barrier failure and increased maintenance costs, especially in wind turbines where main bearings require frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
A new lubrication barrier is created using a second seal ring that seals on a distinct area, preventing damage to the second sealing area and allowing for a longer service life by avoiding contact with the first seal ring's sealing surface, thus extending the bearing's operational life and reducing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the second seal ring seals on the same sealing area as the first seal ring, then the structure remains compact and simple, but the lubrication barrier fails to achieve extended service life because damage to the first sealing area causes continuous leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing area is divided into two distinct sealing areas (first sealing area and second sealing area) that are spatially separated. The first seal ring seals on the first sealing area while the second seal ring seals on the second sealing area, preventing overlapping wear and extending the lubrication barrier's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-plane sealing approach to a multi-dimensional sealing arrangement by creating offset sealing areas at different axial positions. This dimensional separation allows both seal rings to operate independently without compromising each other's sealing effectiveness.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a groove is created in the sealing surface for the second seal ring, then the second seal ring can seal on a new area, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and the first seal ring cannot remain sealing against the original surface
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface is segmented into multiple independent sealing areas that do not require grooves or modifications to the base surface. Each seal ring has its own dedicated sealing area, allowing the first seal ring to maintain its original sealing function while the second seal ring operates on a separate area.
3Ease of manufacture
If the support ring is made more compact with same-dimension seal rings, then cost is reduced, but the sealing areas must be of the same quality as bearing surfaces which increases manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Different sealing areas are provided with different quality levels appropriate to their specific functions. The first sealing area maintains high quality comparable to bearing surfaces for the critical first seal ring, while the second sealing area can have lower quality specifications since the second seal ring operates under less critical conditions, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
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 significantly extends the service life of the lubrication seals, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring the bearing operates effectively for an extended period without the need for frequent replacements, particularly benefiting wind turbines by minimizing costly replacements.
Implementation Method 1
a second seal ring (20) and a second sealing area (29) are provided, wherein the second seal ring (20) seals on the second sealing area (29)
Implementation Method 2
The second sealing area is protected from outside influences by the lubrication barrier so that damage to the second sealing area is prevented
Implementation Method 3
This material reduces friction between the sealing surface and the seal ring and so obtains an increased service life of the seal ring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns a lubrication seal such as an oil seal for providing a lubrication barrier to confine lubrication in a bearing (9) with a first bearing (17, 25) ring and second bearing ring (16, 23), comprising a support ring (14) that rotates with one of the bearing rings, mounted in the support ring (14) are a first seal ring (21) and a second seal ring (20) which seal rings are suitable for forming the lubrication barrier with a sealing surface (28, 29) that rotates with the other bearing ring and which support ring (14) is displaceable from a first sealing position in which the first seal ring forms the lubrication barrier with a first sealing area (28) and the second seal ring does not engage the sealing surface to a second sealing position in which the second seal ring forms the lubrication barrier. In accordance with the invention the sealing surface comprises a second sealing area (29) that only cooperates with the second seal ring (20) after the support ring ('14) is displaced into the second sealing position.