Segmented Roller Bearing for Wind Turbine Axial Radial Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roller bearing arrangements for wind turbines and similar energy systems face challenges in achieving optimal stability and longest service life while minimizing assembly effort, particularly due to complex machining requirements and elastic deformation of rolling elements under heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a roller bearing arrangement where no raceways are incorporated into the ring-shaped connection elements, with radial overlap of connection elements allowing axial loads to be transferred through axially acting rolling elements, and the use of plain bearings for radial load transfer, which simplifies assembly and manufacturing by eliminating the need for hardened raceways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rows of rolling elements with different contact angles are incorporated into the connection elements, then the bearing can handle both axial and radial loads, but the assembly complexity and machining precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing arrangement is segmented into two independent parts: rolling elements that roll between radially overlapping connection elements for axial load handling, and separate plain bearings for radial load handling. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex multi-row rolling element arrangements with different contact angles, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining versatile load handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Plain bearings are introduced as intermediary elements to handle radial loads, separating the radial load function from the rolling elements. This allows the rolling elements to focus solely on axial load transmission, simplifying their design and assembly while maintaining the bearing's ability to handle both axial and radial loads simultaneously.
2Strength
If raceways are incorporated directly into the connecting elements, then the structural integrity is improved, but the machining precision requirements and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The raceway function is segmented from the connecting elements. Instead of incorporating raceways directly into the connecting elements, the design uses rolling elements that roll between the radially overlapping connection elements, with the connection elements maintaining their structural integrity without requiring precision-machined raceways.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling elements themselves serve as the interface between connection elements, eliminating the need for precision-machined raceways in the connecting elements. The rolling elements naturally roll between the overlapping surfaces, allowing the connecting elements to focus on providing structural strength rather than precision surfaces.
3Force
If the bearing is designed to accommodate heavy loads, then the load capacity increases, but the bearing ring widening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing design utilizes the radial overlap dimension between connection elements to accommodate rolling elements, allowing heavy axial loads to be handled without increasing the axial width of the bearing rings. The radial overlap provides the necessary space for rolling element accommodation while maintaining compact axial dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters by implementing radial overlap between connection elements instead of increasing the axial width. This parameter change allows the bearing to accommodate heavy loads through the rolling elements in the radial overlap area, thereby increasing load capacity without proportionally increasing the bearing ring width.
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 design enhances stability, extends service life, reduces assembly complexity, and accommodates larger loads with smaller bearing ring widening, while maintaining effective load transfer capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least two rows of rolling elements are provided in the area of the gap in radially overlapping areas of the ring-shaped connection elements which each roll along two raceways
Implementation Method 2
at least one further bearing is provided for the transmission of predominantly radially acting force components, the support angle of which is less than 45°
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a roller bearing arrangement (1, 26, 31, 34, 36, 37), preferably a large-scale roller bearing with a diameter of 0.5 m or more, for mounting parts of an energy system, in particular as blade bearings for a wind turbine, comprising at least two annular counter-rotatable elements (2, 3), arranged concentrically to one another and one inside another at least in areas, for connecting to counter-rotatable parts of the energy system. Two counter-rotatable connecting elements (2, 3) are separated from one another by a gap (4) and overlap one another radially, at least in part. Furthermore, at least two rows of rolling bodies (17, 18) are provided in the area of the gap (4) in radially overlapping areas of the annular connecting elements (2, 3), each row rolling along two tracks (19, 20) overlapping one another in the radial direction at least in areas. One or more tracks (19, 20) for rolling bodies (17, 18) are arranged in radially overlapping sections (5, 6) in such a manner that the angle of support, which is enclosed by the connection line between the centres of the contact points of a rolling body (17, 18) with the two tracks thereof opposite the ring plane, is greater than or equal to 45°, with the result that such an axial roller bearing is used for transmission of predominantly axially acting force components. At least one additional bearing for transmission of predominantly radially acting force components is provided, the support angle of which is less than 45°, preferably 25° or less, in particular 10° or less, wherein at most such tracks for radial roller bearings, the maximum distance of which perpendicular to the track surface is equal to or less than 25% of the largest distance perpendicular to the track surface between two tracks of an axial roller bearing row, are introduced directly into the annular connection elements (2, 3).