Wind Turbine Rotor Locking Assembly for Higher Load Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine blocking mechanisms are designed for a maximum load based on wind speed and rotor size, limiting their use in higher load scenarios, necessitating costly redesigns when larger rotors or extreme wind speeds are encountered.
Innovation Solution
A rotor locking assembly with a movable locking pin and rotatable component that can be configured to block or allow rotor movement, featuring a spacer element to manage radial loads and a drive mechanism for controlled pin movement, allowing safe maintenance without requiring component redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the blocking mechanism is integrated into other components like a rotor bearing housing or a machine frame, then the blocking mechanism can be compactly arranged, but it cannot withstand higher loads and requires costly redesign
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is separated from the rotor bearing housing and machine frame into an independent, replaceable unit. This segmentation allows the blocking mechanism to be upgraded or replaced without redesigning the integrated housing or frame structures, enabling adaptability to higher loads while maintaining compact arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking mechanism is designed as a dynamic, replaceable component rather than a fixed integrated structure. This allows the system to adapt to varying load requirements by replacing the blocking mechanism with appropriate capacity, providing versatility without requiring redesign of the entire integrated assembly.
2Reliability
If the blocking mechanism is designed for a maximum load based on wind speed and rotor size, then it can ensure safety under normal conditions, but it cannot be used in case of higher loads
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is designed with replaceable components that have different load capacity parameters. When higher loads are expected, the blocking mechanism can be replaced with a unit designed for higher wind speeds and rotor sizes, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions while maintaining safety through proper component selection.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A rotor locking assembly (10) for removably locking a rotor (2) of a wind turbine (1) is specified, the rotor locking assembly (10) comprising a locking pin (11) movable along a locking direction (100) between a locking position and a non-locking position, a stationary component (12) comprising a pin-retaining region (120) reaching from a first side (121) to a second side (122) of the stationary component (12) along the locking direction (100), wherein the second side (122) is opposite to the first side (121) along the locking direction (100), the pin-retaining region (120) being configured for accommodating the locking pin (11), so that the locking pin (11) is movable in the pin-retaining region (120) along the locking direction (100), a rotatable component (13) arranged at a first side (121) of the stationary component (12), the rotatable component (13) being configured for rotating with the rotor (2) and comprising at least one locking element (131) configured for interacting with the locking pin (11), so that a rotational movement of the rotatable component (13) is prevented when the locking pin (11) is in the locking position, a spacer element (14) arranged at a second side (122) of the stationary component (12), the spacer element (14) comprising a spacer region (141) being configured for accommodating a part of the locking pin (11) at least when the locking pin (11) is in the non-locking position.