Wind Turbine Pitch Bearing Compression for Higher Stiffness

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern wind turbines with longer blades face increased wind loads, leading to higher deformations and stress concentrations in pitch bearings, which can result in premature failure and reduced bearing life.

Innovation Solution

A tensioning system is integrated into the wind turbine to exert a radial compression force on the outer ring of the pitch bearing, enhancing its stiffness and reducing stress concentrations across the bearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the pitch bearing size is increased to handle higher wind loads, then the bearing can transfer loads more effectively, but the bearing cost and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transfer capacityVSAvoidbearing weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local reinforcement through reinforcing plates attached to the bearing rings at specific locations where stress concentrations occur, rather than uniformly increasing the entire bearing size. This allows the bearing to handle higher loads only where needed, reducing overall weight while maintaining load transfer capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the bearing structure with reinforcing plates to create a composite reinforcement system. The reinforcing plates are strategically positioned to address specific stress concentration areas, creating a hybrid structure that optimizes both load-bearing capacity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the pitch bearing size is increased to handle higher wind loads, then the bearing can transfer loads more effectively, but the bearing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transfer capacityVSAvoidbearing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local reinforcement through reinforcing plates attached to the bearing rings at specific locations where stress concentrations occur, rather than uniformly increasing the entire bearing size. This allows the bearing to handle higher loads only where needed, reducing overall weight while maintaining load transfer capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the bearing structure with reinforcing plates to create a composite reinforcement system. The reinforcing plates are strategically positioned to address specific stress concentration areas, creating a hybrid structure that optimizes both load-bearing capacity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If reinforcing plates are added to the bearing rings, then the bearing stiffness is improved, but the installation becomes complicated especially once blades are attached to the hub

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing stiffnessVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the reinforcing plates to be attached to the bearing rings before the blades are mounted to the hub. This preliminary installation approach allows for easier access to the bearing components and simplifies the reinforcement installation process, avoiding the complexity that would arise from attempting to install reinforcing plates after blade attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If reinforcing plates are added to the bearing rings, then the bearing stiffness is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to machining requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing stiffnessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local reinforcement through reinforcing plates attached to the bearing rings at specific locations where stress concentrations occur, rather than uniformly increasing the entire bearing size. This allows the bearing to handle higher loads only where needed, reducing overall weight while maintaining load transfer capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 tensioning system effectively reinforces the most loaded areas of the pitch bearing, ensuring smooth stiffness transition and reducing deformations, thereby extending the bearing's lifespan and maintaining its functionality.

Implementation Method 1

at least a tensioning system configured to exert a radial compression force to at least a part of the outer ring of the at least one pitch bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial compression force: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20250154936A1Wind Turbine

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 NORDEX ENERGY SPAIN SAU

AI summary

The present invention describes a wind turbine comprising a hub, at least one blade and at least one pitch bearing to connect the at least one blade to the hub, the at least one pitch bearing comprising at least an inner ring and an outer ring, and at least a rolling race, wherein the wind turbine further comprises at least a tensioning system configured to exert a radial compression force to at least a part of the outer ring of the at least one pitch bearing, thus increasing the resultant stiffness of the at least one pitch bearing.