Hydraulic Rotor Locking Pin Actuation for Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotor locking mechanisms for wind turbines are prone to mishandling or forgetting during maintenance and assembly, leading to hazards of damages or injuries due to their hand-operated nature.
Innovation Solution
A rotor locking system comprising a rotor locking disk, a rotor locking pin unit, and a locking sensor, where the rotor locking pin is actuated hydraulically and can extend into a recess of the rotor locking disk to prevent rotation, with sensors to determine the locking status and prevent unintended unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a hand operated locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to mishandling or forgetting during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual hand-operated locking mechanism with an automated actuator system that uses electric motors to drive the locking pin. This substitution eliminates human error in operation while maintaining mechanical simplicity in the locking action itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system incorporates sensors that automatically detect when the rotor hub is locked and provide feedback to the control system. The system self-verifies its own state through these sensors, eliminating the need for manual verification and preventing forgetting to lock properly.
2Reliability
If an automated actuator system is used, then the reliability improves by eliminating human error, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is divided into separate functional modules: a motor unit for driving the locking pin, a sensor unit for detecting the locked state, and a control unit for coordinating their operation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system serves multiple functions: it locks the rotor hub, verifies the locked state through sensors, and provides feedback for control decisions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and overall complexity.
3Reliability
If sensors are added to detect locking status, then the reliability improves through verification, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors act as intermediaries between the mechanical locking state and the electronic control system. They convert the physical position of the locking pin into electrical signals that the control system can process, enabling reliable verification without direct complex electronic interaction with the mechanical components.
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 system significantly reduces the risk of mishandling and ensures safe operation by providing a reliable locking mechanism that prevents hazards during maintenance and assembly, allowing for controlled and safe operation of the rotor hub.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor locking pin can be a hydraulically driven cylinder. The process fluid which is used inside the working volumes can be a hydraulic liquid, e.g. a hydraulic oil. High pressures advantageously provide higher forces which the actuated element, i.e. the rotor locking pin, can withstand.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotor locking system for a rotor hub of a wind driven power plant is provided, comprising a rotor locking disk, a rotor locking pin unit, and a rotor locking pin, wherein the rotor locking disk is mounted to the rotor hub, wherein the rotor locking pin is an actuated element of the rotor locking pin unit, wherein the rotor locking pin is configured to assume a first position, wherein the rotor locking pin is configured to assume a second position in which the rotor locking pin extends into a recess of the rotor locking disk such that a rotation of the rotor hub is preventable, and wherein the rotor locking pin is lockable.