Wind Turbine Rotor Adjustment Device with Power Take-up Wheel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment devices for wind turbine rotors are cumbersome, require excessive manual operation, and lack remote control capabilities, making it difficult to accurately and efficiently adjust the rotor's angular position for maintenance and repair purposes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment device featuring a power take-up wheel or disk positioned on the drive train shaft, utilizing a power transmission means like a chain or belt, with a clutch for disengagement during normal operation, and a motor-driven tool for remote control actuation, allowing for flexible positioning and high-torque adjustment without damaging components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a torque wrench is used to adjust the rotor angle by engaging the brake disc toothing, then the rotor can be rotated to the desired position, but the brake disc material requires special hardening and treatment which complicates manufacturing and increases work requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the adjustment function from the braking function by introducing a dedicated adjustment wheel with its own toothing, independent of the brake disc. This allows the brake disc to maintain its original simple structure while the adjustment wheel handles the angle adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment toothing is extracted from the brake disc and placed on a separate adjustment wheel. This extraction eliminates the need for complex hardening and treatment of the brake disc, as the adjustment wheel can be made from different materials suitable for repeated engagement with the torque wrench.
2Ease of operation
If a torque wrench and drive pinion are added to the nacelle for rotor adjustment, then the rotor can be actively rotated, but the spatial conditions in the cramped nacelle do not permit this additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment wheel is merged with the existing brake disc assembly, sharing the same mounting location and space. The adjustment wheel is positioned adjacent to the brake disc, utilizing the same radial space without requiring additional nacelle volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment wheel is nested within the existing brake disc assembly structure. The adjustment wheel's toothing engages with the torque wrench in a compact arrangement that fits within the space already occupied by the braking system components.
3Ease of operation
If a torque wrench operated by an operator is used, then the rotor can be adjusted to the desired angle, but remote-controlled actuation is not permitted and requires visual inspection and manual control
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment wheel with its external toothing serves as an intermediary that can engage with different drive mechanisms. While the patent describes manual torque wrench operation, the standardized toothing interface allows for potential automation through motorized drive pinions or other automated power transmission means.
4Ease of operation
If the adjustment wheel is positioned on the shaft where sufficient space is available, then the device can be operated within the nacelle, but the power transmission means must be disconnectable during normal operation to prevent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission system is designed to be dynamically changeable between engaged and disengaged states. The belt or chain can be tensioned for adjustment operations and slackened or removed for normal turbine operation, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission means (belt or chain) can be temporarily installed for adjustment operations and then removed or discarded when no longer needed. This allows the adjustment mechanism to be used only when required, preventing interference with normal turbine operation while avoiding permanent installation of complex disengagement mechanisms.
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
Enables efficient, remote-controlled, and safe adjustment of the rotor's angular position with reduced operational complexity and cost, minimizing damage risks and requiring less space within the wind turbine's nacelle.
Implementation Method 1
a power transmission means (4), in particular a chain or a belt, acting on the power take-up wheel (5)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An adjusting device for adjusting the rotation angle position of the rotor of a wind energy system should be improved by the invention, whereby a complicated processing of the brake disc previously used for engagement of the drive is no longer necessary, and whereby said brake disc can be flexibly arranged in an area with sufficient construction space. For this purpose, the adjusting device has at least one force transducer wheel (5) and/or a force transducing disc which is mounted or can be mounted on a shaft (1) of the drive train which is switched downstream from the rotor, which is structured for engagement of a force transmitting means (4), and is designed as an independent component. The device also has a drive means for producing a drive force, and at least one force transmission means (3) for transmitting the drive force to the force transducer wheel (5) and/or the force transducing disc.