Wind Turbine Main Bearing Lubrication via Overflow Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods struggle to accurately monitor the lubrication condition of a main bearing in wind turbines due to low oil pressure and the inability to use conventional level gauges, leading to difficulties in ensuring the cavity is fully filled with lubrication oil, especially during long periods without wind flow.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a container with an outlet and overflow passage to detect oil overflow, allowing detection of sufficient lubrication by measuring the difference in oil flow through the outlet and overflow passage, eliminating the need for additional pressure sources and sophisticated sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional level gauges are used to measure oil level, then measurement is possible, but they cannot be used in the top part of the main bearing where the lubrication oil simply fills the cavity without a defined level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil level measurementVSAvoidapplicability of level gauge

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system consisting of a collection container with overflow passage and detecting device. Instead of directly measuring oil level in the bearing cavity, the system collects leakage oil and detects its overflow, using this indirect measurement to infer the lubrication condition of the main bearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional oil flow meters are used to monitor oil flow, then flow monitoring is possible, but they require greater oil pressure than the small gravity-based pressure available in the main bearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil flow monitoringVSAvoidoil pressure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical oil flow meter with a detection system based on overflow detection. Instead of measuring flow directly through pressure-based meters, the system uses a detecting device to sense when oil overflows from the collection container, thereby monitoring flow conditions without requiring high oil pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a simple overflow detection system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliable detection of lubrication condition requires accurate differentiation between outlet flow and overflow flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidlubrication condition determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the oil flow path into two distinct channels: an outlet with predetermined flow rate and an overflow passage. This segmentation allows the detecting device to specifically monitor overflow flow, which occurs only when the bearing cavity is fully filled with lubrication oil, thereby accurately determining lubrication condition with simple detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Provides a reliable and simple means to determine if the main bearing cavity is sufficiently filled with lubrication oil, ensuring continuous lubrication even in low-pressure conditions, without requiring additional pressure sources or complex sensors.

Implementation Method 1

an outlet (11) which is configured to discharge the collected oil from the container (10) with a predetermined flow rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

an overflow passage (12) which is configured to discharge on overflow of the collected oil from the container (10)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

a detecting device (15) which is configured to detect an overflow of the collected oil through the overflow passage (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLevel detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4202282B1Method and device for determining a lubrication condition of a main bearing of a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2025.06.04 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

It is described a device for determining a lubrication condition of a main bearing (7) of a wind turbine (1), the device comprises a container (10) which is configured to collect a leakage lubrication oil from the main bearing (7); an outlet (11) which is configured to discharge the collected oil from the container (10) with a predetermined flow rate; an overflow passage (12) which is configured to discharge on overflow of the collected oil from the container (10); a detecting device (15) which is configured to detect an overflow of the collected oil through the overflow passage (12); and a determining device (14) which is configured to determine that the lubrication condition of a main bearing (7) is sufficient if the detecting device (15) detects the overflow of the collected oil through the overflow passage (12).