Wind Turbine Rotor Hub Bearing Nesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines with larger rotor hubs face increased loads on bearings, making them a significant cost driver and limiting the construction of larger turbines capable of generating high electrical power, as existing bearing designs struggle to support axial and radial loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
The bearing is arranged within the rotor hub close to the center of mass of the rotating parts, reducing static and dynamic bending moments and allowing for the use of alternative, less expensive bearings or larger turbines, with configurations such as radial and thrust bearings or journal bearings being used to support axial and radial loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bearing is arranged outside the rotor hub (conventional design), then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the bearing must support larger axial and radial loads from the rotating parts
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is arranged within the interior of the rotor hub, nesting the bearing inside the hollow shell structure. This allows the bearing to be positioned close to the center of mass of the rotating parts, reducing the bending moments and loads on the bearing while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The main shaft is extended to protrude into the interior of the rotor hub, creating a new spatial dimension for bearing arrangement. This dimensional change allows the bearing to be positioned optimally within the rotor hub rather than on its outer surface.
2Power
If larger rotor hubs are constructed to generate higher electrical power, then the power output increases, but the loads on bearings increase significantly making them more expensive and limiting further size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the bearing within the rotor hub interior and positioning it close to the center of mass, the design reduces the lever arm and bending moments on the bearing. This allows larger rotor hubs to be constructed without proportionally increasing bearing loads, enabling higher power outputs with available bearing technologies.
3Reliability
If the bearing is positioned closer to the center of mass of rotating parts, then static and dynamic bending moments on the bearing are reduced, but the bearing arrangement becomes more complex requiring the main shaft to protrude into the rotor hub interior
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is nested within the rotor hub interior, positioned close to the center of mass. This reduces static and dynamic bending moments on the bearing, extending its lifespan and reliability, while the integration within the existing rotor hub structure minimizes additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The main shaft serves multiple functions: it transmits torque from the rotor hub to the generator and simultaneously provides the structural support for the bearing arrangement by protruding into the rotor hub interior. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate support structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a stationary main shaft arranged within a nacelle of the wind turbine, a rotor hub including a hollow shell defining an interior and a plurality of rotor blades extending radially outwards from the rotor hub, wherein the rotor hub is rotatably mounted to the stationary main shaft via at least one bearing, wherein the at least one bearing is arranged within the interior of the rotor hub and connected to a section of the main shaft protruding into the interior of the rotor hub.