Wind Turbine Bearing Spacer Assembly Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slewing bearings in wind turbines face issues with increased loading due to larger turbine sizes, leading to ball bunching and increased torque, which can result in costly and complex repair processes.
Innovation Solution
A spacer assembly with load-bearing spacers having a spacer portion and an extension portion that contacts adjacent spacers, rather than the roller elements, to distribute loads and prevent ball bunching, allowing the roller elements to freely rotate and reducing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional spacers contact roller elements to maintain uniform loading, then loading uniformity is improved, but ball bunching occurs and torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the spacer with extension portion) that transfers loads between adjacent spacers rather than directly through roller elements. This mediator approach prevents roller elements from contacting each other, eliminating ball bunching while maintaining load distribution uniformity through the spacer network
2Force
If slewing bearing size increases to handle larger turbine loads, then load capacity is improved, but repair complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bearing assembly into modular components, particularly the spacer assembly that can be independently accessed and replaced. The spacers are designed as discrete elements that can be serviced without dismantling the entire bearing, making maintenance more accessible even in large-scale turbine applications
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 spacer assembly effectively transfers loads, reduces torque, and prevents ball bunching, enhancing the durability and maintenance accessibility of slewing bearings while maintaining uniform loading and reducing wear and friction.
Implementation Method 1
the loads experienced by the bearing assembly are transferred through the extension portions (or 'feet') of the spacers rather than through the roller elements themselves
Implementation Method 2
allowing the roller elements to freely rotate and reducing friction
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Spacer assembly 100 for a bearing of a wind turbine 10 and/or a bearing assembly 90 for a wind turbine 10. The bearing assembly 90 includes an outer race 52, an inner race 54 rotatable relative to the outer race 52, a plurality of roller elements 56 positioned between the inner 54 and outer 52 race, and a plurality of load-bearing spacers 102 configured between the roller elements 10. Each of the spacers 102 includes a spacer portion 104 and an extension portion 106. Thus, each of the spacers 102 is arranged to contact adjacent spacers 102 within the bearing assembly 90 via the extension portion 106 such that the extension portions 106 of the spacers 102 are configured to transfer loads experienced by the bearing assembly 90 rather than the loads passing through the roller elements 56.