Wind Turbine Slip Ring Coupling for Tolerance-Induced Misalignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large wind turbines, manufacturing and assembly tolerances lead to non-perfectly circular geometries and displacements in the torque transmission system of slip ring units, causing damage and distorted position and speed signals, necessitating additional sensors for reliable operation.
Innovation Solution
A torque transmission system for slip ring units that allows degrees of freedom in axial and radial directions while preventing tangential displacement, ensuring precise alignment and accurate signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the torque transmission system uses rigid connections to prevent all displacements, then measurement precision is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to damage from tolerance-induced stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmission system incorporates a flexible coupling element that allows dynamic adjustments in radial and axial directions while maintaining tangential alignment. This dynamic capability enables the system to absorb tolerance-induced displacements without compromising signal accuracy or risking component damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element changes its geometric parameters (radial and axial positions) to accommodate tolerance variations while maintaining the critical tangential alignment parameter. This parameter adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by allowing physical movement in non-critical directions while preventing movement that would compromise measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added to compensate for tolerance effects, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling element acts as an intermediary component between the torque transmission system and the encoder. It mediates the effect of mechanical tolerances before they reach the sensor, preventing distortion of position and speed signals without requiring additional sensors for compensation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the slip ring unit is positioned farther from the rotating component to accommodate larger turbines, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling element provides dynamic compensation for the increased distances and tolerance variations inherent in larger wind turbines. It allows the system to maintain accurate signal transmission despite the greater separation between the slip ring unit and rotating component, enhancing adaptability without demanding excessive manufacturing precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to a torque transmission system (203) for a slip ring unit (200) The slip ring unit (200) is configured for being mounted along a rotational axis (30) of the wind turbine rotor (18). The slip ring unit (200) comprises an encoder, a rotating part (201) configured for connection to a rotating component of the wind turbine and a static part (202) configured for connection to a static component of the wind turbine. The torque transmission system (203) is configured for connecting the rotating part (201) of the slip ring unit (200) to the rotating component of the wind turbine while having a degree of freedom in an axial and/or in a radial direction. Furthermore, the torque transmission system (203) is configured to prevent relative displacement between the rotating part (201) of the slip ring unit (200) and the rotating component of the wind turbine in a tangential direction. The present disclosure also relates to methods (100) of assembly of a slip ring unit (200) in a wind turbine.