Slewing Bearing Outer Race Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slewing bearing devices in wind turbines face structural deformation due to uneven wind loads, leading to reduced lifespan and increased production costs, particularly when reinforcing the outer race with bolt holes and reinforcement members.
Innovation Solution
A slewing bearing device that includes a force receiving part fixed to the rotor hub, which absorbs radial deformation forces from the outer race, eliminating the need for bolt holes on the outer race and utilizing the rotor hub's rigidity to restrict deformation, with optional features like tapered surfaces, wedge members, bolts, resin filling, and ring-shaped units for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcement members are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the outer race with bolts, then the outer race is reinforced, but the production cost increases due to processing bolt holes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a side plate as an intermediary component that is attached to the outer race through a single bolt hole, rather than attaching multiple reinforcement members directly to the outer race. This mediator distributes the reinforcement function while minimizing the number of bolt holes needed, thereby reducing processing costs while maintaining structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The side plate serves multiple functions: it reinforces the outer race structure, distributes loads evenly, and requires minimal processing (only one bolt hole). By making this single component perform multiple functions, the invention reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the desired reinforcement effect
2Strength
If a side plate is attached to the outer race to restrict deformation, then the outer race is reinforced, but a sufficient gap must be secured between the inner race and side plate, making reinforcement difficult to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the side plate in the radial direction rather than the axial direction, allowing it to reinforce the outer race without interfering with the inner race. This dimensional change enables the side plate to be attached at the outer circumferential surface without requiring gaps in the axial direction, making the reinforcement easier to apply
3Stability of the object's composition
If the outer race is reinforced with reinforcement members, then structural deformation is restricted, but the load distribution becomes uneven and lifetime is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The side plate is designed with specific local features including a contact surface that faces the outer circumferential surface of the outer race, allowing it to locally reinforce the structure where deformation occurs most. The side plate's geometry and positioning are optimized to distribute loads evenly across the contact area, preventing uneven load distribution while maintaining structural stability
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 effectively restricts outward deformation of the outer race, maintains even load distribution, and reduces production costs by avoiding complex processing and bolt hole creation on the outer race, thereby extending the bearing's lifespan and ensuring stable wind turbine operation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer race and the inner race
Implementation Method 2
The force receiving part is configured to receive force transmitted from an outer circumferential surface of the outer race when the outer race is about to deform outward in a radial direction of the outer race
Data Source
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AI summary
A slewing bearing device (14) for a wind turbine (100) for attaching a wind turbine blade (10) to a rotor hub (12) rotatably includes: an outer race fixed to the rotor hub; an inner race fixed to the wind turbine blade; a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer race and the inner race; and a force receiving part fixed to the rotor hub (12) or formed integrally with the rotor hub (12), the force receiving part being configured to receive force transmitted from an outer circumferential surface of the outer race when the outer race is about to deform outward in a radial direction of the outer race.