Slewing Ring Bearing Assembly With Threaded Preload Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling slewing ring bearings in wind turbines face challenges in consistently applying a predetermined preload, which affects the bearing's performance due to increased play and reduced load-carrying capacity.
Innovation Solution
The slewing ring bearing is designed with a split outer or inner race that uses a threaded interface to establish a predetermined preload, with the threaded interface located in a lower-stress region to minimize stress concentration and ensure reliable assembly, and includes a spacer to set a mechanical limit, allowing for precise control of preload and bearing stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bearing preload is applied to reduce play, then the bearing performance is improved, but it is difficult to obtain the proper degree of preload at all points along the circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The inner race is divided into two separate portions that can be assembled together with precise spacing. This segmentation allows the bearing to be assembled in a controlled manner, ensuring uniform preload distribution around the entire circumference rather than relying on difficult post-assembly adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The preload is built into the bearing structure during assembly by positioning the two inner race portions at a predetermined spacing. This preliminary action ensures that the correct preload is applied uniformly to all rolling elements from the start, eliminating the need for difficult post-assembly preload adjustments and ensuring consistent performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the threaded interface is located in a high-stress region, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but the stress concentration increases which may lead to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded interface is deliberately positioned in a lower-stress region of the inner race, away from the raceway that experiences high contact stresses from the rolling elements. This local quality consideration ensures that the threading operation does not create stress concentrations in critical areas, maintaining the bearing's load-carrying capacity while still enabling easy 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 approach enables a consistent and predictable preload application, enhancing the bearing's load-carrying capacity and reducing the likelihood of failure by distributing stress effectively and maintaining the bearing's performance across its circumference.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second portions of at least one of the outer race or the inner race is coupled together via a threaded interface therebetween
Implementation Method 2
the magnitude of the contact stress is determined by a distance between the first and second portions
Data Source
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AI summary
A slewing ring bearing includes an outer race and an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race. At least one of the outer race or the inner race is split into a first portion and a separate, second portion. The slewing ring bearing also has a plurality of roller elements arranged between one or more raceways defined by the inner and outer races. The first and second portions of at least one of the inner or outer races are coupled together via a threaded interface therebetween so as to establish a predetermined preload for the slewing ring bearing.