Segmented Radial Sliding Bearing for Planet Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional planetary gearboxes in wind turbines face high wear and maintenance challenges due to mixed friction and unstable operating conditions, leading to costly lubrication and cooling measures, with roller bearings being the primary choice due to the limitations of sliding bearings at low rotational speeds and high loadings.
Innovation Solution
The use of segmented radial sliding bearings positioned radially outside the planetary gear pins to support the planet gear carrier, allowing for easy replacement and adjustment of individual segments, reducing wear and simplifying maintenance by providing accessible and adjustable bearing support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If roller bearings are used for the planet gear carrier, then the bearing can handle high loadings, but the wear is high and maintenance is complex under unstable operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The radial sliding bearing is divided into multiple segments that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows individual bearing segments to be accessed and replaced without dismantling the entire gearbox, significantly simplifying maintenance while maintaining the bearing's load capacity.
2Ease of repair
If sliding bearings are used, then maintenance is simplified, but the bearings are unsuitable for low rotational speeds and high loadings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the sliding bearing by positioning it radially outside the planetary gear pins, where the sliding speed is higher and load distribution is more favorable. This parameter change enables sliding bearings to operate reliably under wind turbine conditions of low speed and high loading.
3Ease of repair
If segmented radial sliding bearings are positioned radially outside the planetary gear pins, then individual segments become accessible for replacement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented into multiple independent parts that can be replaced individually. This segmentation, combined with the radial positioning outside the gear pins, provides maintenance accessibility while the modular design actually simplifies the overall system by enabling easy replacement of worn segments without replacing the entire bearing assembly.
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
This configuration reduces wear and maintenance costs by enabling the replacement and adjustment of segmented radial sliding bearings, extending the service life of the gearbox and improving operational efficiency by minimizing mixed friction and wear at bearing surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the planet gear carrier is supported on the gearbox housing by at least one segmented radial sliding bearing which incorporates several radial sliding bearing segments
Data Source
AI summary
A planetary gearbox includes a gearbox housing, a sunwheel rotatable in the housing about a central gearbox axis and having outer teeth, a ringwheel arranged concentrically to the central gearbox axis within the housing and having inner teeth, a planet gear carrier rotatable in the gearbox housing about the central gearbox axis, and a plurality of planet gears mounted on the planet gear carrier for rotation about corresponding planetary gear pins and having outer teeth meshing with the inner teeth on the ringwheel and the outer teeth of the sunwheel. At least one segmented radial sliding bearing supports the planet gear carrier on the gearbox housing and includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart radial sliding bearing segments positioned radially outside the planetary gear pins so that the planet gear carrier is supported by the radial sliding bearing at a position located radially outside the planetary gear pins.