Torque-Supported Drive Train Mounting for Wind Turbine Load Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive train components in wind power installations experience significant dynamic forces and torques due to gravity and unpredictable meteorological conditions, leading to excessive stress and the need for costly oversizing to withstand these loads.
Innovation Solution
A drive train mounting assembly with a torque support system that counteracts gravity-induced torques by supporting the shaft and transmission components, allowing for reduced static and dynamic loads through adjustable units that provide reactive forces and damping, enabling a more robust and efficient mounting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are oversized with high safety factors to withstand dynamic forces and torques, then reliability is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by introducing a torque support that generates counteracting forces to balance gravity-induced torques and dynamic loads on the shaft. The support creates opposing forces that neutralize the harmful effects of weight and external forces, allowing for reduced component sizing while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque support acts as an intermediary element between the drive train components and the external environment. It mediates the transmission of forces by introducing reactive forces that counteract gravity-induced torques, thereby protecting the shaft and transmission components from excessive loads without requiring them to be oversized.
2Strength
If components are oversized to withstand dynamic wind events and gravity forces, then strength is improved, but material consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The torque support generates counteracting forces that balance gravity-induced torques and dynamic wind loads, reducing the strength requirements for shaft and transmission components. This allows for optimized material usage without compromising the ability to withstand extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque support provides preliminary counteracting forces before the full impact of dynamic wind events and gravity loads occurs. By continuously generating opposing forces, it prevents the accumulation of excessive stresses on components, allowing for more efficient material utilization.
3Stress or pressure
If torque support is added to counteract gravity-induced torques, then rotating bending stress is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque support serves as an intermediary device that introduces reactive forces to counteract gravity-induced torques. By positioning the support to act on the shaft or transmission housing, it reduces rotating bending stresses without requiring fundamental redesign of the entire drive train system.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque support modifies the force distribution parameters within the drive train by introducing counteracting forces. This changes the stress state from high rotating bending stress to a more favorable stress distribution, reducing peak stresses while adding only one additional component system.
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 system significantly reduces rotating bending stress and tilting moments, allowing for a more sustainable and lightweight construction with reduced wear and tear, while optimizing force transmission and absorbing pitching effects without additional loads on the machine support.
Implementation Method 1
a torque support (18), wherein the torque support (18) counteracts at least one gravity-induced torque which acts on the shaft (2) by means of the transmission component (16)
Implementation Method 2
adjustable units (18.1) which, in an adjustable manner, provide reactive forces and damping
Data Source
AI summary
A drive train mounting assembly for an industrial transmission, in particular for a rotor with double mounting or momentum mounting of a wind power installation, includes a first housing, a shaft of a drive train, a mounting supported in the first housing and supporting the shaft, a second housing, a transmission component surrounded by the second housing and coupled to the shaft, and a torque support designed to counteract a gravity-induced torque which acts on the shaft by the transmission component. The torque support is fastened to the first housing and includes an adjustable unit.