Wind Turbine Main Bearing Unit With Elastic Offset Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Load-dependent deflections of the rotor shaft in wind turbines complicate reliable coupling with the generator unit, especially in main bearing units with fixed loose bearing combinations, leading to size-related issues.
Innovation Solution
A main bearing unit with a rolling bearing and a coupling assembly that couples the rotor shaft to the output shaft, featuring a rolling element arrangement and an elastic element to compensate for offsets and deflections, allowing direct or indirect coupling to the inner or outer ring, thereby reducing the size of the drivetrain and enabling torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed loose bearing combination is used in the main bearing unit, then the rotor shaft can be supported, but load-dependent deflections complicate reliable coupling with the generator unit
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is integrated directly with the bearing unit by coupling it to either the inner ring or outer ring of the rolling bearing. This merging of the coupling function with the bearing structure eliminates the need for separate coupling mechanisms, thereby ensuring reliable coupling despite load-dependent deflections while reducing overall device complexity
2Reliability
If previous approaches are used to compensate for deflections, then coupling reliability improves, but the size increases detrimentally
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is merged with the bearing unit structure, specifically coupling to the inner ring or outer ring. This integration allows deflection compensation without requiring additional space for separate coupling components, thereby maintaining coupling reliability while avoiding detrimental size increase in the drivetrain
3Length of moving object
If the coupling assembly is directly coupled to the bearing ring, then the axial size is reduced, but the coupling must handle both support and torque transmission functions
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing ring (inner ring or outer ring) is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides rotational support through the rolling bearing function and simultaneously serves as the coupling interface for torque transmission to the output shaft. This multi-functionality reduces axial size by eliminating the need for separate coupling components while managing both support and torque transmission requirements
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 solution provides a compact design by reducing the axial size of the wind turbine's drivetrain, allowing for reliable coupling and offset compensation, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the rotor shaft's connection to the generator unit.
Implementation Method 1
a rolling bearing (11) with an inner ring (14), an outer ring (12) and a rolling element arrangement (16) taken between the outer and inner ring
Implementation Method 2
featuring a rolling element arrangement and an elastic element to compensate for offsets and deflections
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a main bearing unit for supporting the rotor shaft of a wind turbine, comprising: a rolling bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring and a rolling element arrangement received between the outer and inner ring; a coupling arrangement which is designed to couple the rotor shaft to an output shaft of the wind turbine at least indirectly and so as to transmit torque; the rotor shaft being coupled to one of the outer and inner ring so as to transmit torque; and the coupling arrangement being coupled so as to transmit torque to the same one of the outer and inner ring as the rotor shaft. The invention further relates to a wind turbine having such a main bearing unit.