Split Tapered Roller Bearing for Mainshaft Replacement Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing split bearings in wind turbines and other applications face challenges in maintenance and replacement, particularly in accessing the shaft ends for bearing removal or replacement, which can disrupt operations and reduce bearing life.
Innovation Solution
A split bearing assembly with a two-row configuration, including a split inner race ring, clamping band, and seal wear ring, designed to secure and seal the bearing on the shaft, allowing for easy installation and maintenance without disconnecting the mainshaft, featuring a boss and aperture engagement interface for secure positioning and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a conventional spherical roller bearing is used in a wind turbine pillowblock, then the bearing can support radial and axial loads, but the bearing cannot be replaced without disconnecting the mainshaft from the wind turbine
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is divided into two separate halves (first and second bearing halves), each containing a raceway and rolling elements. These halves can be independently installed onto the mainshaft and secured with a clamping band, allowing the bearing to be replaced without disconnecting the mainshaft from the wind turbine while maintaining load support capabilities
2Loss of time
If a split tapered roller bearing is used to enable easy replacement, then bearing maintenance becomes possible without shaft disconnection, but the bearing structure becomes more complex with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The seal wear ring is integrated with the clamping band to form a single unified component. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts that need to be handled during installation and maintenance, simplifying the overall assembly process while still providing both clamping and sealing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping band serves multiple functions: it secures the bearing halves to the mainshaft, provides axial positioning, and when integrated with the seal wear ring, also provides sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies maintenance operations
3Ease of operation
If a clamping band is used to secure the bearing halves on the shaft, then the bearing can be easily installed and removed, but additional components and assembly steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The seal wear ring is nested within or integrated into the clamping band structure, with the seal portion extending radially inward to contact the shaft surface. This nested configuration allows both clamping and sealing functions to be achieved within a single integrated component, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining ease of installation and removal
Data Source
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AI summary
A bearing assembly (100) includes a split inner race ring (115) configured to be installed on a shaft (25) and defines two raceways (135, 140) for supporting rolling elements (156, 155). A split clamping band (170) is configured to be installed over the split inner race ring to secure the split inner race ring (115) on the shaft. A split seal wear ring (290, 295) is configured to be installed on an outer diameter surface of the split clamping band (170). An engagement interface between the split clamping band and the split seal wear ring includes a boss (340) on one of the split clamping band and the split seal wear ring, and an aperture (355) on the other one of the split clamping band and the split seal wear ring. The aperture (355) is sized and configured to receive the boss (340) for positioning the split seal wear ring on the split clamping band.