Spherical Plain Bearing Pads for Wind Turbine Shaft Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plain bearings for wind turbines face challenges in easy assembly and replacement of sliding bearing pads, and they struggle to compensate for rotor shaft deflections without increasing surface load.

Innovation Solution

A plain bearing design featuring spherical cap bearing surfaces and a fastening device with dovetail connections allows for easy installation and replacement of sliding bearing pads, enabling compensation of rotor shaft deflections without increased surface load through a clamping mechanism that securely fastens the pads to the inner ring element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional plain bearing pads are used with simple attachment methods, then assembly is straightforward, but the bearing pads cannot be securely fastened and are difficult to replace

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidfastening security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing pads are designed with a spherical cap geometry that fits into a corresponding spherical recess in the inner ring element. This curved surface design provides form-fitting connection that secures the bearing pads while allowing for easy assembly and replacement through axial movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The plain bearing is divided into separable components: the inner ring element with spherical recess, the spherical bearing pads, and the outer ring element. This segmentation allows individual bearing pads to be easily removed and replaced without affecting the entire bearing assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the outer ring element is made as a single piece for structural integrity, then the bearing is strong, but the bearing pads cannot be easily installed or removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidbearing pad replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing assembly is segmented into an inner ring element, removable bearing pads, and an outer ring element. The inner ring element contains spherical recesses that receive the bearing pads, allowing them to be installed or removed axially without splitting the outer ring element, thus maintaining its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If flat bearing surfaces are used, then manufacturing is simple, but rotor shaft deflections cannot be compensated without increasing surface load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddeflection compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing pads and corresponding recesses are designed with spherical cap geometry rather than flat surfaces. This curved surface design allows the bearing pads to self-align and compensate for rotor shaft deflections while maintaining uniform contact and avoiding increased surface load concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3947993B1Nacelle with plain bearing

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 MIBA GLEITLAGER AUSTRIA GMBH

Figure 1
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AI summary

The invention relates to a plain bearing arrangement (9) comprising: - an inner ring element (13); - an outer ring element (14); - at least one plain bearing element (15) which is arranged between the inner ring element (13) and the outer ring element (14). The plain bearing element (15) has multiple plain bearing pads (20), wherein the individual plain bearing pads (20) each have a bearing surface (26) which has the design of a spherical cap.