Wind Turbine Main Mount Inspection Guide for Reproducible Probe Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for visually inspecting roller bearings and gears in wind turbines and gearboxes face challenges in achieving precise and reproducible viewing angles and distances due to manual skill requirements and the inability to permanently arrange optical devices within the transmission housing, leading to contamination and collision risks.
Innovation Solution
A main bearing design with a closable passage in the bearing housing for a guide means, featuring a coupling piece that is releasably inserted and fixed, allowing for precise alignment and temporary insertion of a guide tube to facilitate reproducible positioning of an endoscope or videoscope at inspection sites, preventing collisions with rolling elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a guide element is permanently positioned inside the gearbox housing, then the endoscope can be guided to the inspection point, but the guide element collides with rolling elements and becomes contaminated by lubricants
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned or removed. The coupling piece enables the guide element to be temporarily positioned during inspection and then removed or repositioned to avoid collisions with rolling elements during operation, while still providing reproducible guidance when needed for inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling piece acts as an intermediary component that temporarily connects the guide element to the housing opening during inspection. This allows the guide element to be securely positioned for reproducible endoscope guidance without being permanently fixed, enabling easy removal or repositioning to prevent collisions with moving parts.
2Measurement precision
If the guide element is moved to the inspection point, then inspection accuracy improves, but the guide element cannot remain permanently in the gearbox housing
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, permanently fixed guide element to a dynamic, movable one. The coupling piece with its detachable connection allows the guide element to be positioned at the inspection point for accurate measurements and then easily removed or repositioned, eliminating the need for complex permanent positioning mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If manual guidance of the videoscope is used, then operation flexibility is maintained, but viewing angle and distance reproducibility cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element serves as a physical intermediary that provides reproducible geometric reference for the endoscope. It maintains a fixed spatial relationship between the access opening and the inspection point, ensuring consistent viewing angles and distances. Meanwhile, the detachable coupling piece allows operators to easily install and remove the guide element, preserving operational flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a main mount or a transmission (1) for a wind turbine having a bearing housing or transmission housing (2) with a closable passage (3) in one wall of the transmission housing for a guide means for inserting a probe into the bearing housing or transmission housing, wherein the guide means has a coupling piece (4) that is securely connected to the guide means and the coupling piece is releasably inserted into the passage and secured therein, wherein the coupling piece is designed in a manner complementary to the passage such that, in the inserted state, it closes the passage, and so as to predefine an orientation of the guide means at an inspection point (7) within the bearing housing or transmission housing, and wherein the guide means is secured only at the coupling piece.