Wind Turbine Drivetrain Bearing With Offset Torque Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines with dispersed bearing arrangements experience tilting moments due to the weight of the gearbox/generator unit, leading to uneven loading on gear teeth and cyclic bending of rotating components, necessitating heavier constructions and increased load strains during pitching movements.
Innovation Solution
A drivetrain bearing with an asymmetrical torque support design featuring axially offset support arms that generate a righting moment to counteract the tilting moment, utilizing existing components without additional reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the gearbox/generator unit is supported only by the rotor shaft and bearings in a dispersed bearing arrangement, then the surrounding structure is relieved of weight support, but tilting moments cause uneven loading on gear teeth and cyclic bending of rotating components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterweight element that is integrated with the torque arm support structure. This counterweight is positioned to generate a counterbalancing moment that offsets the tilting moment caused by the gearbox/generator unit weight. The counterweight creates a force couple with the support structure, generating a righting moment that compensates for the adverse tilting moment, thereby ensuring more uniform gear tooth loading and reducing cyclic bending stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque arm support structure is designed with an asymmetrical configuration where the support points are axially offset from each other. This asymmetrical arrangement creates a defined force couple that generates the righting moment necessary to counteract the tilting moment. The axial offset between support points is specifically designed to produce the required counterbalancing effect while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If machine elements are oversized to address cyclic bending, then the reliability under cyclic loading improves, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the counterweight element that generates a righting moment, the patent reduces the cyclic bending moments experienced by the rotor shaft and related components. This allows these components to be designed with smaller cross-sections and less material while still maintaining the required reliability under cyclic loading conditions, thereby reducing overall weight and cost.
3Strength
If the supporting structure below the gearbox/generator unit is designed to support its weight, then weight support is provided, but significant load increases occur during pitching movements
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical torque arm support structure with axially offset support points creates a mechanical advantage that distributes loads more effectively during pitching movements. The axial offset generates a moment arm that counteracts the additional loads experienced during pitch operations, allowing the supporting structure to bear the gearbox/generator weight without subjecting the flange connections to excessive peak loads during dynamic operations.
4Reliability
If additional components are added to reduce tilting moment, then the tilting effect is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the counterweight element directly into the existing torque arm support structure, combining two functions (torque support and tilting moment compensation) into a single integrated component. This merging approach reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps while achieving the desired reduction in tilting moment, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
Reduces tilting moments and cyclic bending, eliminating the need for over-dimensioning and saving costs by modifying the torque support's attachment points to the machine carrier, effectively compensating for the gearbox/generator weight-induced tilting.
Implementation Method 1
This axial offset generates a force couple, hereinafter also referred to as the first righting force and the second righting force, which generates a righting moment acting on the transmission component
Implementation Method 2
This moment counteracts the tilting moment caused by the weight of the transmission component
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drivetrain mounting 10 for a wind turbine 100 in a split mounting configuration, comprising a machine carrier 114, a rotor mounting 120 supported relative to the machine carrier 114 with a rotor shaft 118 mounted about a drivetrain axis AD, a torque support 14 with at least two support arms 16, and a transmission component 12 driven about the drivetrain axis AD via the rotor shaft 118, wherein the transmission component 12 is supported at least indirectly via the at least two radially projecting support arms 16 of the torque support 14. The torque support 14 is effectively supported on the machine carrier 114 with an axial offset Va. The axial offset generates a righting force, which in turn produces a righting torque acting on the transmission component 12.