Gearbox Shaft Bearing Mounting With Roller-Plain Bearing Split
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine transmission shaft mounting solutions using fixed and floating roller bearings are prone to damage, and while using slide bearings for all shafts can be costly and inefficient in absorbing radial and axial forces.
Innovation Solution
Combining roller bearings with slide bearings on the same shaft, where the fixed roller bearing absorbs radial and axial forces in both directions and the floating slide bearing restricts rotational degrees of freedom, with a gearwheel positioned between them to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If roller bearings are used for fixed and floating bearings, then the mounting is simpler and cheaper, but the floating bearing is liable to sustain damage due to lack of prestress
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing system is segmented into two distinct types: fixed roller bearings that can be prestressed for reliability, and floating slide bearings that provide protective function. This segmentation allows each bearing type to be optimized for its specific function, preventing damage to floating bearings while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective sleeve or intermediary component is introduced between the floating roller bearing and the shaft. This intermediary absorbs misalignment stresses and prevents direct damage to the floating bearing, allowing the use of simpler roller bearings without compromising reliability.
2Reliability
If slide bearings are used for all shafts including fixed bearings, then damage resistance is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Different bearing qualities are applied locally: fixed bearings use robust slide bearings where high load capacity and damage resistance are critical, while floating bearings use simpler roller bearings where precision and ease of replacement are more important. This local differentiation reduces overall cost while maintaining necessary reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing system is divided into fixed and floating sections, with only the fixed bearing using expensive slide bearings. This segmentation limits the cost increase to only where absolutely necessary, while using cheaper roller bearings for the floating position.
3Force
If slide bearings are used for fixed bearing to absorb radial and axial forces, then force absorption capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed bearing combines slide bearing elements with roller bearing elements in a hybrid configuration. This merging allows the bearing to absorb both radial and axial forces like a slide bearing while maintaining the simpler structure and lower cost of roller bearings.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed bearing is designed with multi-functionality to handle both radial and axial loads simultaneously. By integrating features of both slide and roller bearings, it achieves universal force absorption capability without requiring separate bearings for each direction.
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 combination effectively reduces the risk of damage and cost by leveraging the advantages of both bearing types, providing robust force absorption and rotational stability for wind turbine transmission shafts.
Implementation Method 1
The fixed bearing consists exclusively of roller bearings, in particular of exactly two roller bearings
Implementation Method 2
the floating bearing is formed by at least one slide bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission shaft (1), designed particularly for a wind turbine, which is mounted by way of a fixed bearing (2, 3) and at least one floating bearing (4). At least one gearwheel (5) is fixed onto the transmission shaft (1) and positioned in the axial direction between the fixed bearing (2, 3) and the floating bearing (4). The fixed bearing (2, 3) is formed by at least one roller bearing and the floating bearing (4) is in the form of at least one slide bearing.