Wind Turbine Rotor Locking With Tangential Coupling Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotor locking devices for wind turbines are inefficient, requiring high costs and significant effort for assembly, maintenance, and repair due to their limited positioning capabilities and high locking forces, which restricts the flexibility and accuracy of rotor positioning.
Innovation Solution
A rotor locking device with a coupling system comprising multiple actuators and counter-coupling elements that can move tangentially to lock or release the rotor, allowing for precise positioning and reduced effort through a detachable connection mechanism, utilizing hydraulic cylinders for high torque application and check valves for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolt and opening locking devices are used, then secure locking of the rotor is achieved, but positioning the rotor is limited to positions where openings are provided and requires repeated locking/unlocking for blade mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device transitions from a static bolt-and-opening system to a dynamic coupling element system that can move tangentially along the rotor circumference. The coupling element is guided to move between multiple locking positions, enabling continuous positioning rather than discrete opening-based positioning. This dynamic movement allows the rotor to be locked at any position along the circumferential path, not just at predefined opening locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the coupling element that moves tangentially, the feedback element that provides positioning reference, and the actuators that drive the coupling element. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and enables the coupling element to engage with different feedback elements at different positions without requiring the entire system to be reconfigured.
2Reliability
If high locking forces are applied to secure the rotor, then safety is improved, but the effort and cost for assembly and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Hydraulic actuators are used to generate the high locking forces required for secure rotor positioning. The hydraulic system provides sufficient locking force through fluid pressure, while the force application is controlled and adjustable. This allows strong locking when needed but reduces the effort required compared to purely mechanical force application methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates check valves that automatically maintain locking force without requiring continuous active control. The check valves prevent unintended release by maintaining minimum locking force passively, reducing the operational effort and cost while ensuring safety.
3Reliability
If multiple bolts and openings are used for locking, then secure positioning is achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element serves multiple functions: it provides the locking connection, enables tangential movement to different positions, and interfaces with the feedback element for positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall system compared to traditional multi-bolt designs where each bolt serves a single locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking and positioning functions are merged into a single integrated system. The coupling element's tangential movement along the guided path combines the locking action with the positioning capability, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms and reducing the total number of components required.
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 solution enables cost-effective and simplified assembly, maintenance, and repair of wind turbines by allowing precise rotor positioning and reducing the effort required for locking and unlocking, while ensuring safety and stability against unintentional release.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing hydraulic cylinders for high torque application
Implementation Method 2
utilizing hydraulic cylinders for high torque application and check valves for safety
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rotor arresting device (1, 1') for a wind turbine (100), to a wind turbine and to a method for arresting and for moving a rotor (106) of a wind turbine. In particular, the invention relates to a rotor arresting device (1, 1') for a wind turbine (100) having a rotor (106) and a rotation assembly, connected in a rotationally conjoint manner to the rotor, comprising at least one coupling device (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 301) which can be arranged on a static assembly (200, 300), which is positionally fixed relative to the rotation assembly, of the wind turbine (100) having a first actuator (213, 310), a second actuator (216, 350), and a coupling element (212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262, 305) which is connected to the first and second actuators, a counterpart coupling element (124, 126) which can be arranged on the rotation assembly, wherein, in an arresting position of the coupling device, the coupling element and the counterpart coupling element are releasably connected, preferably in a form-fitting manner.