Rotor Blade Rotary Connection for Stiffness and Screw Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing slewing rings for wind power plants face challenges in optimizing the axial screw connection of rotor blades, leading to inefficient space utilization and stiffness distribution, which affects the output of wind power plants.

Innovation Solution

The slewing ring design features an inner ring with a supporting surface and a screwing surface arranged parallel to each other, with specific geometric configurations that allow for a greater variance in hole circle diameters and a cylindrical length extension, enabling improved force transmission and torque distribution without the need for additional screwing planes or connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the inner ring is designed with traditional single-piece configuration, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the space utilization for screw connection and stiffness distribution is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilization for screw connectionVSAvoidinner ring structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner ring is divided into multiple segments or pieces that can be assembled together, allowing optimization of the screw connection space and stiffness distribution without requiring a completely new single-piece design. This segmentation enables better utilization of the available volume while maintaining manufacturability through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new geometric dimension by positioning the lower running row with its rolling body center below the screwing surface, creating a three-dimensional optimization of space utilization. This dimensional change allows the screw connection to occupy optimal space without interfering with the rolling body arrangement, thereby improving volume utilization without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the hole circle diameter is fixed to match the rolling circle diameter, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the variance and adaptability of screw connection configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariance of hole circle diameterVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows the hole circle diameter to vary independently from the rolling circle diameter, changing the geometric parameters to provide adaptability for different screw connection configurations. This parameter change enables optimization of the screw connection geometry without being constrained by the rolling body dimensions, thereby improving versatility while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity through standardized production methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the cylindrical length of the inner ring is reduced, then the device size is compact, but the stiffness distribution is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness distributionVSAvoidcylindrical length of inner ring

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the stiffness distribution by strategically positioning the lower running row with its rolling body center below the screwing surface, creating local reinforcement in critical areas. This local quality enhancement provides improved stiffness distribution without requiring a uniform increase in the overall cylindrical length, thereby maintaining compact dimensions while achieving the required strength characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If additional screwing planes or connectors are added, then the rotor blade connection is reinforced, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotor blade connection strengthVSAvoidnumber of screwing elements

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the screwing surface and supporting surface into a single optimized inner ring structure, merging multiple functions into one component. This consolidation provides reinforced rotor blade connection through the optimized geometry and material distribution, while eliminating the need for additional separate connectors or screwing planes, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11566599B2Rotary connection for a rotor blade of a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 MUHAMAD IBRAHIM

AI summary

A rotary connection for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotary connection is used, for example, for adjusting a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotary connection according contains an outer ring and an inner ring. The inner ring has a contact surface in the direction of the rotor blade and a screw fixing surface in the direction of the rotor hub. The contact surface and the screw fixing surface are arranged parallel to each other and provided with passage holes, which each have a central axis. Rolling elements are arranged in at least two running rows located under each other between the outer ring and the inner ring, wherein the rolling elements each have a rolling element diameter. According to the invention, at least the lower running row is arranged with its rolling element centre underneath the screw fixing surface.