Wind Turbine Torque Limiter Assembly for Detachable Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Offshore wind turbines face challenges in assembly, transport, and maintenance due to complex drive train components and the need for efficient torque management to prevent overload damage.

Innovation Solution

A torque limiter assembly with clamping disks and a friction disk, preloading means, and sliding rings, allowing for easy detachment and reattachment without disassembling the generator, providing a sealed and insulated configuration to manage torque and prevent wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the torque limiter is integrated into the generator hub assembly with the friction disk bolted to the hub shaft, then the torque limiter becomes difficult to service and replace, but disassembling the generator is required for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of torque limiter maintenanceVSAvoidcomplexity of drive train assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive train is segmented into distinct modular assemblies: the generator hub assembly, the torque shaft assembly, and the torque limiter assembly. This allows the torque limiter to be serviced independently by detaching the torque shaft assembly from the generator hub assembly, eliminating the need to disassemble the generator for torque limiter maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The torque shaft assembly acts as an intermediary component between the generator hub assembly and the torque limiter. This intermediate structure enables the torque limiter to be accessed and maintained by simply detaching the torque shaft assembly, providing easy access to the friction disk and clamping disks without affecting the generator hub assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the friction disk is bolted to the hub shaft from the downwind side, then the torque limiter can be detached as a whole, but access for bolting requires specific spatial configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of torque limiter detachmentVSAvoidspatial configuration requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of accessing the friction disk from the conventional upwind side, the friction disk is bolted to the hub shaft from the downwind side. This inverted approach allows the entire torque limiter assembly to be detached as a single unit by accessing bolts from the downwind side, simplifying the detachment process while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the hub shaft and torque shaft are rigidly connected, then torque transmission is efficient, but the torque limiter cannot be detached without disassembling the generator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmission efficiencyVSAvoidease of torque limiter access

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid connection between the hub shaft and torque shaft is segmented by introducing the torque limiter assembly as a separate, detachable component. The torque shaft assembly can be detached from the generator hub assembly, allowing the torque limiter to be accessed and maintained without compromising torque transmission efficiency during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the hub shaft and torque shaft is made dynamic rather than permanently rigid. The torque limiter assembly can be attached and detached as needed, providing a flexible connection that maintains efficiency during operation while enabling easy access for maintenance by simply detaching the torque shaft assembly from the generator hub assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution reduces maintenance work, protects the drive train from overloads, and allows for efficient installation and maintenance by enabling the torque limiter to be exchanged or readjusted without removing the generator, while preventing premature wear and damage.

Implementation Method 1

The clamping disks and the friction disk are configured such that the friction disk is frictionally clamped between the clamping disks. The clamping force to frictionally clamp the friction disk between the clamping disks is pre-determined by the preloading means.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The clamping force to frictionally clamp the friction disk between the clamping disks is pre-determined by the preloading means.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11371570B2Drive train of a wind turbine comprising a torque limiter, wind turbine

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 ADWEN

AI summary

Provided is a drive train of a wind turbine. The drive train includes a torque limiter assembly including a torque limiter. The torque limiter includes: a first clamping disk, a friction disk, a second clamping disk, and a preloading means. The clamping disks and the friction disk are configured such that the clamping disks frictionally transmit a torque to the friction disk. The torque limiter assembly further includes a torque shaft and a hub shaft. The torque shaft is connected to a rotor of the wind turbine, and the hub shaft is connected to a generator rotor of a generator. The friction disk is bolted to the hub shaft via interface bolts from a downwind side, such that the torque limiter is detachable from the hub shaft as a whole. Further provided is a wind turbine.