Wind Turbine Fluid Film Bearing Pads With Elastomer Tilt Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Classical pivot alignment systems in fluid film bearings for wind turbines experience fretting wear due to high dynamic loading, which is difficult to balance and minimize, and existing solutions like ball and socket joints are not optimal as they rely on relative movement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastomer between the bearing pads and the bearing housing, allowing tilting and encasing it within the housing, to reduce surface pressure and prevent fretting wear, while ensuring correct alignment and minimizing fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If classical pivot alignment systems are used for bearing pad alignment, then alignment function is achieved, but fretting wear occurs due to high dynamic loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastomer as an intermediary component between the bearing pad and the pivot alignment system. This elastomer layer absorbs contact stresses and prevents direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby eliminating fretting wear while maintaining the alignment function through the elastomer's flexible deformation characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid metal components to flexible elastomer material. This parameter change allows the supporting structure to deform elastically under load, distributing contact stresses and preventing the minute relative motions that cause fretting wear, while still achieving the required alignment
2Stress or pressure
If ball and socket joints are used to minimize contact pressure, then surface pressure is reduced, but relative movement between components still occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid ball and socket joints with a flexible elastomer layer that acts as a compliant supporting structure. This flexible film distributes contact pressures effectively while preventing relative movement between components through its viscoelastic properties and bonding to both the bearing pad and housing
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid supporting structures are used for bearing pad alignment, then structural stability is maintained, but fretting wear occurs at contact interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite supporting structure consisting of rigid elements for structural stability combined with an elastomer layer for stress distribution and wear prevention. This composite design maintains the necessary structural integrity while eliminating fretting wear through the elastomer's cushioning effect at contact interfaces
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 elastomer-based design reduces fretting wear and provides improved alignment and fatigue resistance by maintaining a low surface pressure interface and preventing relative movement between components, thus enhancing the bearing's performance under high dynamic loads.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting structure comprises an elastomer allowing tilting of the respective bearing pad, the elastomer being interposed between the respective seat and the respective bearing pad
Implementation Method 2
the elastomer achieves a low surface pressure at the contact interface between the elastomer and steel components of the fluid bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid bearing for a wind turbine including a bearing housing, a plurality of bearing pads inside the bearing housing and circumferentially distributed around a longitudinal axis of the fluid bearing, a plurality of supporting structures, each supporting structure having at least a first interface detachably connected to a respective seat provided in the bearing housing and at least a second interface detachably connected to a respective bearing pad of the plurality of bearing pads, the supporting structure including an elastomer allowing tilting of the respective bearing pad parallel to the longitudinal axis, the elastomer being interposed between the respective seat and the respective bearing pad is provided.