Segmented Rotor Slide Bearing Assembly for Compact Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine rotor bearing assemblies require complete disassembly when roller bearings fail, leading to inefficiencies and large construction sizes, as they rely solely on rolling bearings and complex spherical slide bearing surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A compact bearing assembly design using axial and radial slide bearing segments with PEEK or PK materials, supported on metallic surfaces, allowing for individual access and maintenance without full disassembly, with a bearing length to diameter ratio optimized for compactness and ease of production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rolling bearings are used for mounting the rotor, then the bearing assembly can support high loads, but complete disassembly is required when the bearing fails
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is divided into multiple modular slide bearing segments (first axial, second axial, first radial, and second radial slide bearing segments) that can be individually accessed and replaced. Each segment is independently mountable on the housing, allowing maintenance without complete disassembly of the wind turbine.
2Adaptability or versatility
If spherical slide bearing surfaces are used, then the bearing can accommodate misalignment, but the production cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is divided into multiple modular slide bearing segments (first axial, second axial, first radial, and second radial slide bearing segments) that can be individually accessed and replaced. Each segment is independently mountable on the housing, allowing maintenance without complete disassembly of the wind turbine.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bearing assembly have different functional characteristics. The slide bearing segments are positioned at specific locations (axial and radial positions) to provide localized support and load distribution, with each segment having optimized geometry for its specific position rather than requiring a complex spherical surface throughout.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact bearing assembly design is implemented, then the overall size is reduced, but individual segment access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is divided into multiple modular slide bearing segments (first axial, second axial, first radial, and second radial slide bearing segments) that can be individually accessed and replaced. Each segment is independently mountable on the housing, allowing maintenance without complete disassembly of the wind turbine.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing segments are arranged in different spatial dimensions (axial and radial directions) to provide compact packaging while maintaining accessibility. The axial and radial arrangement allows maintenance personnel to access specific segments from different directions without requiring complete disassembly.
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 maintenance and production of wind turbine rotor bearing assemblies with reduced complexity and size, allowing for individual segment access and high load absorption without requiring complete disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
The respective slide bearing body is made of PEEK (polyether ether ketone) or of PK (polyketone) at least on the side with which it is supported on the respective sliding surface of the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly of a rotor of a wind turbine, for mounting a shaft of the rotor in a fixed housing, wherein the shaft of the rotor is coupled to rotor blades of the rotor via a hub, includes: a plurality of first housing-side axial slide bearing segments engaging on the housing; a plurality of second housing-side axial slide bearing segments; a plurality of first housing-side radial slide bearing segments; and a plurality of second housing-side radial slide bearing segments. An axial distance between the first and second axial sliding surfaces of the rotor defines a bearing length l. The radial sliding surfaces of the rotor on which the first and second radial slide bearing segments are supported, define a bearing diameter d of the bearing assembly, and V≤1 applies to a ratio V=l/d between the bearing length l and the bearing diameter d.