Wind Turbine Main Bearing Segmentation for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbine main bearing designs face challenges in achieving a balance between longevity, maintenance effort, acoustic damping, and cost efficiency, particularly in distributing axial and radial forces effectively while managing tilting moments and rotor yaw sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates two bearing sections with a combination of radial and axial plain bearings, where each section has a sliding lining on a common bearing ring, with collars interacting with the bearings to enhance force distribution and reduce wear, and uses metallic or composite materials for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single bearing section with moment bearing is used, then high load-bearing capacity is achieved, but bearing wear increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The main bearing is divided into two separate bearing sections (first bearing section with first radial and axial bearings, second bearing section with second radial and axial bearings) instead of using a single moment bearing. This segmentation distributes the axial forces across multiple bearings, reducing wear on each individual bearing while maintaining high overall load-bearing capacity.
2Device complexity
If a single bearing section is used, then device complexity is reduced, but force distribution becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing system is segmented into two distinct bearing sections, each with dedicated radial and axial bearings. This segmentation enables proper force distribution across the bearing components while the common first bearing ring provides structural integration, balancing complexity and force distribution requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The first bearing ring serves multiple functions: it supports both the first and second radial bearings, provides mounting for the axial bearings, and acts as a common structural element connecting both bearing sections. This multi-functionality achieves adequate force distribution without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Force
If moment bearing is used, then axial force absorption is improved, but sensitivity to rotor yaw moments increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bearing system into two separate bearing sections with dedicated radial and axial bearings, the system reduces sensitivity to rotor yaw moments compared to a single moment bearing. The segmentation allows independent optimization of axial force absorption while isolating the system from harmful yaw moment effects.
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 configuration leads to reduced bearing wear, better isolation of tilting moments, and increased sensitivity to rotor yaw moments, resulting in a more durable and cost-effective solution compared to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
The radial bearings are designed as hydrodynamic sliding bearings with sliding linings
Implementation Method 2
the first and second axial bearings (7a, 7b) each have a sliding bearing with sliding linings
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine (100) having one or more rotor blades (108), a rotor hub (106) on which the one or more rotor blades are mounted, and a generator (130) for generating electrical power, wherein the generator has a generator stator (132) and a generator rotor (134) that is fixed in rotation with the rotor hub and is able to rotate about an axis, wherein the rotor hub and the generator rotor have a common main bearing system (1) that is divided into two bearing sections (3a, 3b) that are separated from one another in the direction of the axis, characterized in that the first bearing section (3a) has a first radial plain bearing (5a) and a first axial plain bearing (7a), and the second bearing section (3b) has a second radial plain bearing (5b) and a second axial plain bearing (7b).