Segmented Rotor Bearing Assembly for Replaceable Wind Turbine Slides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine rotor bearing assemblies require complete disassembly when a failure occurs, which is costly and time-consuming, and existing slide bearing solutions are complex to produce and lack validated design tools.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly comprising rotor-side and housing-side axial and radial slide bearing segments that can be individually accessed and replaced without disassembling the entire wind turbine, featuring a segmented segment holder and a rotor-side thrust collar for simplified maintenance, allowing for easy production and replacement of slide bearing segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rolling bearings are used for mounting the rotor, then the bearing assembly provides reliable support, but complete disassembly of the wind turbine is required when a failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is divided into multiple independent slide bearing segments (first axial slide bearing segment, second axial slide bearing segment, radial slide bearing segment) that can be individually accessed and replaced. Each segment is supported on different surfaces (first sliding surface, second sliding surface, third sliding surface) and can be maintained independently without disassembling the entire wind turbine, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of repair.
2Ease of repair
If slide bearing segments are used to enable individual replacement, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the production complexity increases due to spherical shape requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is segmented into multiple independent slide bearing segments that can be individually manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for simplified production of each segment while maintaining the overall functionality of the bearing assembly, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring spherical sliding surfaces as in conventional slide bearings, the patent inverts the approach by using planar sliding surfaces with multiple segments arranged in different orientations (axial and radial segments supported on different surfaces). This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the same load-bearing and motion-control functions.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective maintenance by allowing individual slide bearing segments to be replaced without disassembling the entire drive train or wind turbine, reducing downtime and production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
rotor-side axial slide bearing segments (13) which engage on the rotor (11), rotate together with the rotor (11) and are supported against a sliding surface (14) of the housing (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly of a rotor of a wind turbine, namely for mounting the rotor in a fixed housing, includes: a plurality of rotor-side axial slide bearing segments, each configured to: engage on the rotor, rotate together with the rotor, and be supported against a sliding surface of the housing; a plurality of housing-side axial slide bearing segments, each configured to: engage on the housing, be fixed together with the housing, and be supported against a first sliding surface of the rotor; and a plurality of housing-side radial slide bearing segments, each configured to: engage on the housing, be fixed together with the housing and be supported against a second sliding surface of the rotor.