Hydraulic Spring Coupling for Wind Turbine Axial Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive train couplings for wind turbines face challenges in balancing high axial and torsional rigidity with low cardanic rigidity, particularly when dealing with high axial forces, and often require significant space and material, leading to potential damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device utilizing axially aligned, radially rigid spring elements and elastic hydraulic springs, with specific arrangements and fastening mechanisms to transmit and absorb axial forces, while maintaining low cardanic rigidity, comprising rotationally symmetrical disks or flange pieces with central bores for a shaft, and incorporating multiple pairs of hydraulic springs for tension and compression forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If elastic bushings are arranged axially aligned with the drive train to achieve high torsional rigidity, then low cardanic rigidity is achieved, but axial rigidity is insufficient and only small axial forces can be transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hydraulic springs as the core load-bearing element. These hydraulic springs use fluid pressure to provide axial stiffness while maintaining cardanic flexibility. The hydraulic system allows the coupling to transmit high axial forces through fluid pressure while the mechanical structure permits limited angular misalignment, thus resolving the contradiction between axial force transmission and cardanic rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling combines multiple materials and structural elements: hydraulic springs (fluid-mechanical system), elastic bushings (polymer material), and metallic coupling disks. This composite approach allows each element to contribute its strengths - the hydraulic springs provide axial stiffness, the elastic bushings provide torsional coupling and cardanic flexibility, and the metal disks provide structural support, collectively resolving the rigidity contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional elastic bushing couplings are used to achieve low cardanic rigidity, then high torsional rigidity is achieved, but axial rigidity remains low and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic springs provide a compact means of achieving high axial rigidity without requiring large mechanical structures. The fluid-based load bearing mechanism allows for a more space-efficient design compared to conventional mechanical spring systems or rigid bearing arrangements that would be needed to achieve similar axial stiffness.
3Force
If high axial rigidity is achieved through conventional means, then axial force transmission improves, but cardanic rigidity increases which is not desired for certain applications
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic springs provide axial stiffness through fluid pressure while the overall coupling structure maintains cardanic flexibility through the arrangement of coupling disks and elastic bushings. The hydraulic system independently provides axial load bearing without constraining angular movement, thus achieving high axial force transmission while preserving adaptability to misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling is divided into functionally independent segments: the hydraulic springs handle axial load bearing, the elastic bushings handle torsional coupling and cardanic flexibility, and the metal disks provide structural support. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the others, achieving high axial rigidity while maintaining cardanic flexibility.
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 solution effectively transfers high axial forces to other stable regions, reducing the load on critical components like rotor bearings, allowing for efficient torque transmission with minimal cardanic rigidity, thus enhancing the durability and operational efficiency of wind turbines.
Implementation Method 1
The greater axial rigidity achieved therewith naturally also results in greater cardanic rigidity, which is not really desired for certain applications. Moreover, the solutions of the cited prior art are at their limit when there are very high axial forces
Implementation Method 2
Couplings with elastic bushings axially aligned with the drive train are much more rigid in the radial direction than in the axial direction (factor of 10 to 100)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to machine components which are intended preferably for drive trains for driven installations and have the function of a cardanically flexible coupling with simultaneously high torsional stiffness, and are capable of absorbing high forces acting axially on the installation. The particular functionality of these couplings is achieved in particular through the use of specially equipped and oriented hydraulic springs. The invention relates in particular to drive trains for wind turbines, which are equipped with a corresponding coupling according to the invention, in order to divert and distribute in particular high axial forces.