Wind Turbine Radial Fluid Bearing Locking Without Loose Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing arrangements in wind turbines face issues with secure locking and maintenance due to loose parts and cumbersome assembly processes, particularly in radial fluid bearings, which can lead to loosening of bolt connections over time.
Innovation Solution
A bearing arrangement with a press-fitted locking mechanism using T-bar or I-bar elements and spring elements, providing a dovetail connection with the cylindrical seat, which eliminates the need for loose parts and simplifies assembly, ensuring secure locking and minimal maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bolts are used to secure radial bearing bodies to the cylindrical seat, then the bearing arrangement can be assembled, but loose parts are introduced and the connection may loosen over time requiring retightening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the bolts (loose parts) from the bearing arrangement by replacing the bolt connection with a press-fitted locking piece that integrates the locking function directly into the bearing body structure, thereby removing the source of loosening and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The locking piece merges the bearing body and locking function into a single integrated component, combining the radial bearing body with the locking mechanism to eliminate separate loose parts and create a more reliable connection
2Ease of manufacture
If bolts are used to secure radial bearing bodies, then the bearing arrangement can be assembled, but the assembly space requirement increases and assembly becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the bolts and their associated assembly complexity, extracting the fastening function and replacing it with a press-fitted locking mechanism that requires no additional assembly space for bolt insertion and tightening
Solution Approach 2:
The press-fitted locking piece provides self-locking through its geometric shape (dovetail connection), eliminating the need for external fastening elements and complex assembly procedures, allowing the bearing bodies to lock themselves into place
3Ease of manufacture
If many loose parts are introduced into the radial fluid bearing, then the bearing bodies can be secured, but the bearing arrangement requires more maintenance and has higher complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the bearing body and locking function into a single integrated component, combining multiple functions into one element to eliminate loose parts and reduce overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes all loose fastening parts from the radial fluid bearing, replacing them with an integrated press-fitted locking mechanism that eliminates maintenance requirements associated with loose components
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 secure, low-maintenance radial fluid bearing arrangement with reduced assembly complexity and no loose parts, effectively compensating for tolerances between the drive shaft and bearing pads, enhancing the stability and longevity of the wind turbine's bearing system.
Implementation Method 1
adjacent bearing bodies are locked in movement relative to one another and relative to the cylindrical seat by means of a press-fitted locking piece, the locking piece providing a dovetail connection with the cylindrical seat
Implementation Method 2
spring elements arranged between the locking pieces and the bearing bodies
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bearing arrangement (70) for a wind turbine (10) comprising a bearing housing (80) and a drive shaft (90), whereby the drive shaft (90) is arranged within the bearing housing (80) in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis (A) of the bearing housing (80), the bearing arrangement (70) further comprising a downwind bearing (100) and an upwind bearing (200), whereby the downwind bearing (100) and the upwind bearing (200) are arranged between the bearing housing (80) and the drive shaft (90), wherein the downwind bearing (100) and/or the upwind bearing (200) is a radial fluid bearing comprising multiple radial bearing pads (205), whereby each one of the multiple radial bearing pads (205) is attached to one of a multiple radial bearing bodies (203) of the radial fluid bearing and the multiple radial bearing pads (204) are arranged about the drive shaft (90). The multiple bearing bodies (203) are arranged adjacent to one another along a circumference of a cylindrical seat (202) of the bearing housing (80), whereby adjacent bearing bodies (203) are locked in movement relative to one another and relative to the cylindrical seat (202) by means of pressfitted locking pieces (221).