Wind Turbine Drive Train Elastic Coupling Segmented Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing the drive train of wind turbines is cumbersome and time-consuming due to the need to navigate through narrow spaces, making maintenance tasks, such as checking preload and accessing elastic couplings, inefficient and uncomfortable for technicians.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a drive train configuration with coinciding openings in the bearing and coupling housings that allow direct access from the nacelle to the elastic coupling, enabling easier maintenance and equipment transport, and elastic elements with varying stiffness directions to manage torque loads effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If access to the elastic coupling is provided through the rotor hub and main shaft, then the coupling can be accessed for maintenance, but the access process becomes time-consuming and uncomfortable for technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing part and a second housing part that can be separated from each other. The first housing part is connected to the rotor shaft, while the second housing part contains the elastic coupling. By separating the housing into these two parts, technicians can directly access the elastic coupling from the second housing part without having to navigate through the rotor hub and main shaft, significantly reducing maintenance time and improving accessibility.
2Reliability
If the elastic coupling is positioned inside the housing, then it is protected from external damage, but maintenance access becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a first housing part connected to the rotor shaft and a second housing part containing the elastic coupling. These two parts can be separated to provide direct access to the elastic coupling for maintenance, while maintaining protection when assembled. This segmentation allows the elastic coupling to remain protected during operation while being easily accessible during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic coupling is effectively extracted from the fully enclosed housing by providing a second housing part that can be separated. This allows the elastic coupling to be taken out or accessed directly from the second housing part without disturbing the first housing part connected to the rotor shaft, combining protection during operation with ease of maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If technicians must navigate through narrow spaces inside the rotor shaft to reach the coupling, then access is possible, but the process becomes uncomfortable and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the housing into two separable parts, the invention eliminates the need for technicians to navigate through the complex narrow spaces inside the rotor shaft. The second housing part can be opened or removed to provide a direct, simple access path to the elastic coupling, significantly reducing access path complexity and improving ease of operation.
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 simplifies and enhances maintenance by providing direct access to the elastic coupling, reducing the time and effort required for maintenance tasks while minimizing wear on components, thereby improving gearbox and bearing reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic coupling (10) wherein the gearbox input shaft (6) is coupled to the rotor shaft (3) by the elastic coupling (10), the elastic coupling (10) comprising a first coupling part (11) rigidly connected with the rotor shaft (3), a second coupling part (12) rigidly connected with the gearbox input shaft (6) and elastic elements (EM1-EM10) positioned between the first coupling part (11) and the second coupling part (12)
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for accessing a drive train for a wind turbine utilize an elastic coupling. The drive train comprises a rotor shaft configured to be driven by a rotor about a main axis and a support structure including a bearing housing surrounding at least one bearing and supporting the rotor shaft for rotation about the main axis to constrain other movements of the rotor shaft. A gearbox input shaft and housing supports the gearbox input shaft for rotation while constraining other movements of the gearbox input shaft. The gearbox input shaft is coupled to the rotor shaft by an elastic coupling comprising a first coupling part rigidly connected with the rotor shaft, a second coupling part rigidly connected with the gearbox input shaft, and elastic elements positioned between the first and second coupling part to provide a single joint between the rotor shaft and the gearbox input shaft.