Fluid Film Bearing Pad Access for In-Situ Wind Turbine Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance and replacement of bearing pads in fluid film bearings of wind turbines are cumbersome due to their size, weight, and the need for complex maneuvers, which can compromise the structural integrity of the bearing and require external cranes or vessels, especially for offshore installations, and existing methods are not suitable for modern wind turbines with increased loads.
Innovation Solution
A fluid film bearing design with reduced openings in the support structure allows for the replacement of bearing pads through axial and radial openings, facilitated by actuators and a method that unloads the bearing pads for easy access and insertion, reducing the number of openings needed and maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If bearing pads are replaced through openings in the support structure, then ease of repair is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into modular sections with integrated openings that are strategically positioned and sized. Each opening is a discrete access point that allows bearing pad replacement while maintaining the overall structural integrity through the modular design approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings in the support structure are designed with specific local characteristics - their position, size, and shape are optimized to provide sufficient access for bearing pad replacement while minimizing the impact on overall structural strength. The openings are strategically located to balance accessibility requirements with structural integrity.
2Ease of repair
If the number of openings in the support structure is increased to allow access to all bearing pads, then ease of repair is improved, but structural integrity and load capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing openings for every single bearing pad, the design uses a partial action approach where a limited number of strategically positioned openings provide access to multiple bearing pads. This reduces the total number of openings while still enabling effective maintenance of all bearing pads through clever access routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings in the support structure are designed to serve multiple functions - each opening provides access not just to a single bearing pad but to multiple bearing pads through strategic positioning and sizing, allowing a single opening to fulfill the repair access requirement for several pads.
3Device complexity
If bearing pads are accessed from within the bearing through openings, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The openings in the support structure are pre-positioned and pre-sized during manufacturing to match the specific dimensions and locations of the bearing pads. This preliminary action ensures that the openings are precisely positioned without requiring complex adjustments during the bearing pad replacement procedure, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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 approach enables efficient, cost-effective, and simplified in-situ replacement of bearing pads without external cranes, preserving the bearing's structural integrity and reducing maintenance costs, suitable for modern wind turbines with high loads.
Implementation Method 1
fluid film bearing for a rotor hub of a wind turbine comprises a first part and a second part rotatably coupled to each other about a longitudinal axis. The first part comprises an annular first sliding surface extending in the circumferential direction of the fluid film bearing along the first part. The second part comprises a support structure and a first group of bearing pads coupled to the support structure and having a bearing pad sliding surface configured to slide on the first sliding surface.
Implementation Method 2
reducing a load between the first part and the second part by releasing a force applied to a first bearing pad and/or by applying a force to the first part and/or the second part
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid film bearing for a rotor hub of a wind turbine is provided including a first part and a second part rotatably coupled to each other about a longitudinal axis. The first part includes an annular first sliding surface extending in the circumferential direction of the fluid film bearing along the first part. In addition, the second part includes a support structure and a first group of bearing pads coupled to the support structure and having a bearing pad sliding surface configured to slide on the first sliding surface. In addition, the support structure includes a plurality of openings for replacing the bearing pads.