Slip Clutch Friction Element Layout for Wind Turbine Load Peaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overload clutches for wind turbines are complex and costly due to their design, making them inefficient for sporadic load peak removal, which complicates their installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An overload clutch design featuring axially movable and displaceable friction elements that form a frictional connection with complementary counter-elements, allowing for reliable torque transfer while compensating for axial tolerances and discontinuities, with the preload force defining the maximum transferable torque and maintaining target torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional overload clutch designs are used, then torque transmission and overload protection functions are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch is divided into two separate torque-rigid bodies (first body connected to drive part, second body connected to output part) with friction elements distributed between them. This segmentation allows each body to be simpler in structure while collectively achieving the overload protection function through the friction element arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction elements are mounted movably along the prestressing axis in friction element receptacles, allowing them to displace axially under load. This dynamic mounting enables automatic engagement and disengagement based on torque conditions without complex control mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If friction elements are rigidly fixed, then position stability is improved, but tolerance compensation and load peak absorption capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Friction elements are mounted movably along the prestressing axis in friction element receptacles, allowing them to displace axially under load. This dynamic mounting enables automatic engagement and disengagement based on torque conditions without complex control mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable mounting of friction elements provides inherent cushioning capability against load peaks and axial tolerances. The friction elements can displace axially to absorb shock loads before they are transmitted to the rigid bodies, providing beforehand protection without requiring additional cushioning components.
3Power
If complex clutch designs are used, then torque transmission capability is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch is divided into two separate torque-rigid bodies (first body connected to drive part, second body connected to output part) with friction elements distributed between them. This segmentation allows each body to be simpler in structure while collectively achieving the overload protection function through the friction element arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they transmit torque under normal conditions, absorb load peaks through axial displacement, and compensate for tolerances. By merging these functions into a single component system, the design avoids additional separate components, simplifying manufacturing and 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
The design simplifies assembly, ensures even wear, and effectively compensates for tolerances and load peaks, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for protecting wind turbine gearboxes from overload by allowing load peaks to be reliably absorbed without affecting regular torque transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the second body comprises a plurality of friction elements which, forming a frictional connection between the first body and the second body, are prestressed against friction counter-elements on the first body along a prestressing axis Av
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an overload clutch, for example a slip clutch, for transmitting a torque M, limited in height and acting about a torque axis AM, from a drive part (2), for example a gearbox of a drive shaft (3) of a wind turbine, to a driven part (12), for example a drive train (13) of a generator, which is connected in an axially downstream manner, comprising at least one first body (4) rigidly connected either to the drive part (2) or to the driven part (12), and at least one correspondingly rigidly connected to the other part, i.e. the driven part (12) or to the driven part (13).the second body (14) connected to the drive part (2), wherein the second body (14) comprises a plurality of friction elements (18) which, forming a frictional connection between the first body (4) and the second body (14), are preloaded against friction counter elements (8) on the first body (4) along at least one preload axis Av, wherein the friction elements (18) are movably, in particular displaceably, mounted in friction element receptacles (19) in the second body (14) along the preload axis Av.