Wind Turbine Gearbox Sliding Layer to Prevent Bearing Position Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance and replacement of sliding bearings in wind turbine gearboxes are complex and cost-intensive due to creep and relaxation effects, which complicates the process and increases expenses.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine gearbox with a deposition welded sliding layer made from a sliding bearing material, allowing for easier maintenance and preventing position losses, achieved by applying the layer directly to various surfaces such as the axle, axle holder, or sliding bearing bush, enabling both radial and axial bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sliding bearing bushes are shrunk onto the axle or pressed into the planetary gear, then the gear can be mounted on the axle, but the replacement and maintenance becomes complex and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sliding bearing function from a separate bushing component and integrates it directly into the axle structure through a deposition-welded layer. This eliminates the need for separate bearing bushes that require complex installation and replacement procedures, allowing maintenance to be performed directly on the axle structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding bearing material is merged with the axle structure through deposition welding, creating an integrated bearing surface. This combines the functions of the axle and the sliding bearing into a single structural element, eliminating the need for separate bearing bushes and simplifying maintenance operations.
2Reliability
If sliding bearing bushes are used, then the gear can be mounted on the axle, but position losses due to creep effects or relaxation effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where a sliding bearing material layer is deposition-welded onto the axle. This composite construction combines the load-bearing capacity of the axle with the low-friction properties of the sliding bearing material, creating a stable bearing surface that resists creep and relaxation effects while maintaining precise positioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If sliding bearing bushes are shrunk or pressed into place, then the gear can be mounted, but the production becomes more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The deposition welding process creates a self-bonding connection between the sliding bearing material and the axle, eliminating the need for separate fastening or mounting operations. The material itself serves both as the bearing surface and as the bonding agent, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
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
Facilitates maintenance on-site, reduces costs, and prevents position losses due to creep or relaxation effects, making the gearbox easier and less expensive to produce while maintaining effective sliding properties.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding surface which is arranged on at least one layer (25) of a deposition welded material made from a sliding bearing material
Implementation Method 2
The sliding surface is arranged on at least one layer of a deposition welded material made from a sliding bearing material
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine gearbox, in particular planetary gearbox, has at least one gear which is mounted on an axle, wherein a sliding surface is arranged between the gear and the axle. The sliding surface is arranged on at least one layer of a deposition welded material made from a sliding bearing material. Furthermore, a method produces the wind turbine gearbox.