Standardized Yaw Claw Design for Wind Turbine Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing yaw claws for yaw bearings in wind turbines are costly due to the need for multiple differently sized bearing ring moulds and varying parts, leading to high production, storage, and maintenance costs, as well as complex logistics and inventory management.
Innovation Solution
A set of yaw claws with standardized dimensions, including similar lengths of spring pack centreline, inner and outer arcs, and radial width, allowing the use of the same parts and tools across different sizes, enabling the same packaging and efficient manufacturing, and a method of manufacturing using a base claw mould with machining to achieve the desired curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If differently sized bearing ring moulds are used for manufacturing yaw claws, then the structural strength and handling of each individual yaw claw can be optimized, but production, storage and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized yaw claw geometry that can be used across multiple bearing ring sizes. The key insight is that the critical dimensions for strength (spring pack centreline length, radial width, arc thickness) are kept constant, while only the arc span varies. This allows a single mold design to produce yaw claws suitable for different bearing ring circumferences, eliminating the need for multiple specialized molds and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by identifying which dimensions should remain constant (spring pack centreline length, radial width) and which can vary (arc span). By changing only the arc span parameter while maintaining other critical parameters constant, the invention enables adaptation to different bearing ring sizes without requiring complete redesign of the yaw claw geometry or manufacturing molds.
2Strength
If differently sized bearing ring moulds are used for manufacturing yaw claws, then the structural strength and handling of each individual yaw claw can be optimized, but storage and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized yaw claw design enables a single mold to serve multiple bearing ring sizes, dramatically reducing the quantity of molds that need to be stored and maintained. Instead of requiring a library of differently sized molds, the universal design allows one mold to produce claws for various applications by varying only the arc span during manufacturing.
3Strength
If varying parts and designs are used for differently sized bearing rings, then each yaw claw can be optimized for its specific application, but logistics and inventory management become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by standardizing the critical dimensions of yaw claws across different bearing ring sizes. All yaw claws have the same spring pack centreline length, radial width, and arc thickness, creating a homogeneous family of parts. This standardization simplifies logistics and inventory management while maintaining optimized performance through consistent design parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal yaw爪 design with standardized dimensions allows the same parts to be used across different bearing ring sizes, eliminating the need for separate inventory management systems for each size category. The same spring packs, bearing pads, and connection hardware can be used for all yaw claws in the standardized family.
4Strength
If differently sized bearing ring moulds are used for manufacturing yaw claws, then the structural strength and handling of each individual yaw claw can be optimized, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized yaw claw design enables a single mold to produce claws for multiple bearing ring sizes, significantly reducing manufacturing costs. The universal mold can be used repeatedly across different projects and applications, amortizing the mold cost over a larger number of produced parts compared to specialized molds that can only produce claws for one specific size.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing only the arc span parameter while maintaining constant critical dimensions, the invention enables cost-effective manufacturing across different sizes. The standardized parameters (spring pack centreline length, radial width, arc thickness) ensure consistent quality and performance while reducing the complexity and cost of mold design and manufacturing.
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 reduces costs and simplifies logistics and inventory management by enabling the use of standardized parts and tools across various yaw bearing sizes, while maintaining efficient performance and assembly without the need for additional connector claws.
Implementation Method 1
At least two spring packs for pre-tensioning the yaw claw are provided. Respective spring pack centres of the at least two spring packs are arranged on a spring pack centreline that is concentric with the inner arc and the outer arc.
Data Source
AI summary
A set (200) of yaw claws (150) is provided comprising at least a first yaw (150a) claw and a second yaw claw (150b). The first yaw claw (150a) is to be used in a bearing ring (140) of a first yaw bearing (130) and the second yaw claw (150b) in a bearing ring (130) of a second yaw bearing (140). A circumference of the bearing ring (140) of the first yaw bearing (130) is substantially different from a circumference of the bearing ring (140) of the second yaw bearing (130). Each yaw claw (150) has a periphery, formed by a first side end (176), a second side end (178), an inner arc (172) and an outer arc (174), the inner arc (172) and the outer arc (174) being concentric with the respective bearing ring (140). At least two spring packs (166) are provided for pre-tensioning the yaw claw (150), respective spring pack centres (167) of the at least two spring packs (166) being arranged on a spring pack centreline (169) that is concentric with the inner arc (172) and the outer arc (174). A length of the spring pack centreline (169), measured from the first side end (176) to the second side end (178), of the first yaw claw (150a) is substantially equal to a length of the spring pack centreline (169) of the second yaw claw (150b).