Wind Turbine Braking Device on Rotor Hub

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine braking and locking systems cause increased mechanical stress, wear, and weight on the generator, leading to higher maintenance costs and reduced performance, particularly in gearless turbines where additional installation space and weight are problematic.

Innovation Solution

A braking and locking device is attached to the stand assembly, specifically the axle journal, with a braking surface on the rotor hub, eliminating the need for auxiliary brake disks and allowing direct frictional contact, reducing weight and installation space, and utilizing a wedge-shaped brake body with replaceable pads for efficient braking and locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If braking devices are attached to the generator rotor or use frictional contact between generator rotor and stator, then braking function is achieved, but mechanical stress on generator increases and wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking functionVSAvoidmechanical stress on generator

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is extracted from the generator assembly and relocated to the rotor hub. The braking body is mounted on the rotor hub rather than the generator rotor, separating the braking function from the generator components. This extraction eliminates the mechanical stress and wear on the generator while maintaining the braking function through frictional contact between the braking body and braking surface on the rotor hub.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If drum brake principle is used with brake pads attached to stator, then braking function is achieved, but weight of rotating parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking functionVSAvoidweight of rotating parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching brake pads to the stationary stator as in conventional drum brakes, the braking body is inverted and mounted on the rotating rotor hub. The braking surface is provided on the rotor hub, reversing the traditional arrangement. This inversion reduces the weight of rotating parts by eliminating the need for heavy brake pads on the stator while maintaining effective braking through the frictional contact between the braking body and braking surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If separate brake disc is used with brake calliper, then braking function is achieved, but installation space increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking functionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is merged with the rotor hub structure. The braking body is integrated into the rotor hub assembly, and the braking surface is formed on the rotor hub itself. This merging eliminates the need for separate brake discs and brake callipers, reducing installation space while maintaining the braking function through the integrated frictional contact system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If locking system with positive fit is used, then rotor can be fixed in fail-safe position, but precise alignment is required to avoid damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A wedge-shaped intermediary element is introduced between the locking body and the rotor hub. The wedge shape provides self-alignment through geometric constraint, eliminating the need for precise alignment during installation. The wedge geometry automatically guides the locking body into the correct position, preventing damage while enabling the fail-safe locking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution minimizes stress on the generator, reduces the overall weight and installation space of the nacelle, and enables effective braking and locking of the rotor hub with reduced maintenance costs, suitable for both gearless and geared wind turbines.

Implementation Method 1

frictional contact between the at least one active surface of the braking body and the braking surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3740672B1Wind turbine having a braking and arresting device, static assembly for same, and method for operating same

Publication Date: 2025.01.01 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a wind turbine (100) having a static assembly which has a machinery support (110), preferably a stub shaft (114) connected to the machinery support (110), a rotor hub (111) which is mounted rotatably on the stub shaft (114), a generator (120) which is operatively connected to the rotor hub (111), and a braking and arresting device (1), wherein the braking and arresting device (1) has at least one brake body (2) and at least one actuator (10) which is set up to move the brake body (2) back-and-forth relative to a brake face (8). The invention proposes that the braking and arresting device (1) be secured to the static assembly, in particular to the stub shaft (114); and the brake face (8) be formed on the rotor hub (111).