Elastomer-Supported Wind Turbine Bearings for Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine drivetrain bearings require additional components for flexibility to counter deformation and misalignment, leading to increased complexity and potential high edge loading and seizure issues.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly with an elastomer support, constructed from elastomeric material reinforced with fiber or metal mesh, providing flexibility and thermal expansion compensation without additional parts, integrated into the drivetrain's journal bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bearings are used with additional flexibility components (gliding pads, pivot joints, steel springs), then compliance to counter deformation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining an elastomeric material with reinforcement materials (such as fabric or metal mesh) to create a single integrated bearing structure that provides both flexibility and structural integrity. This eliminates the need for separate flexibility components like gliding pads, pivot joints, or steel springs, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining compliance to counter deformation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bearings with extra flexibility components are used, then misalignment compensation is improved, but the risk of high edge loading and seizure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using an elastomeric material with specific properties (flexibility, damping characteristics) combined with reinforcement. This material composition allows the bearing to adapt to misalignment through elastic deformation while the reinforcement prevents excessive deformation that could lead to edge loading and seizure, thus improving misalignment compensation without increasing seizure risk.
3Strength
If conventional bearings are used, then structural support is provided, but thermal expansion compensation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of elastomeric material with reinforcement provides both structural support and thermal expansion compensation. The elastomeric component can expand and contract with temperature changes, accommodating thermal expansion, while the reinforcement maintains structural integrity and load-bearing capacity, thus addressing both requirements simultaneously.
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 elastomer-supported journal bearings offer reduced complexity and cost while maintaining necessary flexibility, mitigating deflection and thermal expansion issues, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of wind turbine drivetrain operations.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomer support is constructed, at least in part, of an elastomeric material... providing flexibility and thermal expansion compensation
Data Source
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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.