Wind Turbine Drivetrain Bearing With Elastomer Support for Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine drivetrain bearings require additional components for flexibility to counter deformation, leading to increased complexity and potential high edge loading and seizure issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of journal bearings with an elastomer support made from elastomeric material, reinforced with fiber or metal mesh, provides flexibility and thermal expansion compensation without additional parts, integrated into the bearing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bearings include additional components (gliding pads, pivot joints, steel springs, flexible geometry designs) to compensate for misalignment and deformation, then flexibility and compliance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bearing support structure and the flexibility function into a single integrated bearing assembly. The bearing is directly supported on the deflecting housing structure without requiring separate compliance components, thereby merging structural support and flexibility adaptation into one unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly utilizes the natural deflection characteristics of the housing structure to provide compliance and accommodate misalignment. The system serves itself by leveraging the housing's inherent flexibility rather than requiring external compliance mechanisms, eliminating the need for additional components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bearings include additional components for flexibility, then compliance is improved, but the risk of high edge loading and seizure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the bearing directly with the deflecting housing structure, creating a unified support system that naturally accommodates deformation. This merging eliminates the interfaces between separate compliance components and the bearing, thereby reducing potential failure points for edge loading and seizure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly leverages the housing structure's own deflection characteristics to provide compliance, allowing the system to self-accommodate misalignment and deformation without external compliance mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains reliability by avoiding additional components that could fail.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional bearings use stock materials formed into cylindrical shape with interference fit, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bearing support function with the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate interference-fit mounting arrangements. The bearing is directly supported on the deflecting housing structure, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining flexibility through the housing's natural deflection.
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 solution simplifies the bearing design, reduces complexity and cost, while maintaining necessary flexibility to prevent high edge loading and seizure, enhancing the operational reliability of wind turbine drivetrains.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomer support is constructed, at least in part, of an elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
The reinforcement material(s) may include a fiber material and/or a metal mesh
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly for a drivetrain of a wind turbine includes at least one shaft having a circumferential outer surface and a bearing secured circumferentially around the circumferential outer surface of the shaft(s). Further, the bearing assembly includes an elastomer support arranged on at least one of an inner surface or an outer surface of the bearing. The elastomer support is constructed, at least in part, of an elastomeric material.