Wind Turbine Blade Rotary Connection With Offset Rolling Rows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing slewing rings for wind turbine rotor blades face challenges in creating ideal space conditions for axial screw connections, limiting the variance in pitch circle diameter and stiffness distribution, which affects the length and efficiency of the rotor blade.
Innovation Solution
The slewing ring design features an inner ring with a bearing surface and screwing surface arranged parallel to each other, with specific radial and axial distances between rolling elements and screwing surfaces, allowing for a greater cylindrical length and optimized screw connection geometry, thereby enhancing the stiffness distribution and reducing the need for additional elements like rotor blade extenders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the rolling elements are positioned closer to the screwing surface, then the available space for screw connection increases, but the stiffness distribution and force absorption capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the rolling elements in a specific three-dimensional configuration with precise radial and axial distances from the screwing surface, creating optimal spatial relationships that simultaneously provide sufficient screw connection space and maintain structural stiffness through the defined geometric parameters
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cylindrical length of the inner ring is increased, then the stiffness distribution improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cylindrical length and geometric parameters of the inner ring to achieve ideal stiffness distribution, using specific dimensional relationships between the rolling elements and screwing surface that balance performance requirements with manufacturing feasibility
3Length of moving object
If additional elements like rotor blade extenders are used, then the rotor blade length can be increased, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the functions of the inner ring, rolling elements, and screw connection into a unified slewing ring assembly that directly supports the rotor blade, eliminating the need for separate extender components while achieving the required rotor blade length and structural performance
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 enables improved force absorption and torque transmission, simplifies maintenance, and optimizes the rotor hub casting geometry by minimizing the required screw connection area, leading to increased wind turbine efficiency and reduced installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The rolling elements can be shaped as a sphere, a truncated cone or a cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a rotary connection for a rotor blade of a wind turbine; in particular the invention relates to the inner ring of such a rotary connection. The rotary connection is used, for example, for adjusting a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotary connection according to the invention for a rotor blade of a wind turbine contains an outer ring and an inner ring. The inner ring has a contact surface in the direction of the rotor blade and a screw fixing surface in the direction of the rotor hub. The contact surface and the screw fixing surface are arranged parallel to each other and provided with passage holes, which each have a central axis. Rolling elements are arranged in at least two running rows (I/II) located under each other between the outer ring and the inner ring, wherein the rolling elements each have a rolling element diameter (d). According to the invention, at least the lower running row (I) is arranged with its rolling element centre underneath the screw fixing surface.