Wind Turbine Bearing Support with Lockable Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine generator bearing systems are heavy, costly, difficult to install and service, and often fail to withstand loads effectively, requiring precise manufacturing tolerances and being prone to corrosion.

Innovation Solution

A bearing system with a lockable connection featuring a bearing surface and support surface with a support angle between 5 to 70 degrees, allowing for efficient material use, reduced production costs, and self-centering capabilities, enabling precise and controlled support of the shaft while transferring radial forces as normal forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bearing systems are used to support the shaft, then the shaft can be supported and rotation controlled, but the bearing system becomes very heavy and difficult to install and service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft support and rotation controlVSAvoidbearing system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing system is divided into separate modular components: a bearing unit with bearing elements and a support structure with bearing supports. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier installation and maintenance while maintaining reliable shaft support functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional bearing systems are used to support the shaft, then the shaft can be supported and rotation controlled, but the bearing system becomes costly to produce and install

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft support and rotation controlVSAvoidproduction and installation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the bearing system into separate bearing and support components, manufacturing complexity is reduced and standardization becomes possible, leading to lower production costs. The modular design also simplifies installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fitting the bearing into a pre-formed support structure, the invention allows the bearing to define the support structure geometry. This inversion simplifies manufacturing by allowing the support to be adapted to the bearing rather than requiring precise bearing-to-support alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If precise positioning of bearing parts is required to control shaft rotation, then rotation control is achieved, but manufacturing tolerances must be very precise and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft rotation controlVSAvoidbearing positioning tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing unit is designed to define the position and orientation of the support structure rather than requiring the support to precisely position the bearing. This inversion of the positioning relationship significantly relaxes manufacturing tolerance requirements while maintaining accurate shaft rotation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing unit serves multiple functions: supporting the shaft, controlling rotation, and defining the geometric relationship with the support structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate precision positioning mechanisms and reduces overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If bearing systems are designed for load bearing capacity, then loads can be withstood, but the system becomes heavy and difficult to service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidbearing exchange difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing system is segmented into a removable bearing unit and a fixed support structure. This allows the bearing elements to be exchanged independently without disturbing the load-bearing support structure, facilitating easy maintenance while maintaining full load capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing unit is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to be temporarily disassembled for maintenance and then reassembled to restore full load-bearing capacity. The support structure remains static and continues to provide structural strength throughout the maintenance process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9371822B2Wind turbine with bearing support

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

A wind turbine generator with a bearing system is disclosed. The bearing system includes a lockable connection having a bearing surface and a support surface which surfaces are engaged when the lockable connection is locked. Forces from the shaft are transferred via the bearing into the support through the bearing surface, wherein a support angle of the support surface, relative to a shaft plane formed by rotating the shaft around a first axis, which first axis is perpendicular to the center axis and which first axis is comprised in a vertical plane, is in a range from and including 5 degrees to and including 70 degrees.