Wind Turbine Drive Train Bearing Layout for Axial Load Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine drive trains with three-point bearing arrangements face complexities in production and require additional couplings to manage deformations, which complicate the transmission of torque and increase the risk of gearbox damage from axial and flexural loads.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine drive train design featuring a planetary gear train with a toroidal roller bearing and moment bearing, where the rotor shaft is connected to the planet carrier in a fixed and backlash-free manner, supported by elastic suspension elements that distribute forces and absorb pitching and yawing movements, eliminating the need for separate torque supports and couplings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a three-point bearing arrangement with fixed front bearing and couplings is used to support the rotor shaft and absorb axial forces, then the rotor shaft is properly supported and axial forces are managed, but the production becomes complicated and the risk of gearbox damage from flexural loads remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of supporting the rotor shaft, absorbing axial forces, and managing flexural loads into a single integrated three-point bearing arrangement. The fixed front bearing and the two gearbox supports work together as a unified system, eliminating the need for separate couplings and torque supports. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection for the gearbox.
2Reliability
If couplings are provided between the rotor shaft and the first gear stage to keep deformations away from the gearbox, then the gearbox is protected from deformations, but the production becomes more complicated due to the additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the deformation-absorbing function from separate coupling components and integrates it directly into the three-point bearing arrangement. The bearing supports and the rotor shaft connection are designed to inherently accommodate and isolate deformations through their structural configuration, eliminating the need for additional coupling components between the rotor shaft and the first gear stage.
3Reliability
If a separable shaft-hub connection is used to avoid transmission of axial forces to the gearbox, then axial forces are not transmitted to the gearbox, but the production becomes complicated due to the special connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the axial force management function into the integrated three-point bearing arrangement. The fixed front bearing and the gearbox supports collectively manage axial forces through their bearing capacities, eliminating the need for special separable shaft-hub connections. The unified bearing system provides comprehensive force management while simplifying the connection between the rotor shaft and gearbox.
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 design provides a robust and compact bearing arrangement that absorbs axial and flexural loads, maintains precise axial guidance, and reduces the risk of component misalignment, simplifying production and reducing the transport width of the drive train while maintaining high load-bearing capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a toroidal roller bearing, on a first carrying structure, the planet carrier that is connected to the rotor shaft in a fixed and backlash-free manner being supported by means of a moment bearing
Implementation Method 2
the combination of the outer ring of the moment bearing and the housing being connected to a second carrying structure via at least three elastic suspension elements arranged in an annular manner around the rotor axis
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine has a drive train that comprises a rotor shaft and a planetary gear train having a first gear stage, the rotor shaft being connected to the planet carrier of the first gear stage in a fixed and backlash-free manner. The rotor shaft is supported, on the side that faces away from the first gear stage, by a toroidal roller bearing, on a first carrying structure. The planet carrier that is connected to the rotor shaft in a fixed and backlash-free manner is supported by a moment bearing, as a fixed bearing. The outer ring of the moment bearing is connected to a housing. The combination of the outer ring of the moment bearing and the housing is connected to a second carrying structure via at least three elastic suspension elements arranged in an annular manner around the rotor axis.