Wind Turbine Yaw Bearing With Isolated Brake Disk Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current yaw systems in wind turbines face challenges with roller bearings, which are costly and prone to damage due to high loads, while gliding bearings suffer from reduced braking efficiency due to lubrication contamination, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential failures.
Innovation Solution
A yaw system incorporating a gliding yaw bearing with a separate braking disk, allowing for independent lubrication and braking, reducing contamination effects and enabling simpler, cheaper braking systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If roller bearings are used in yaw systems, then friction between inner and outer rings is reduced, but braking systems and yaw motors must be constantly activated and oversized, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the braking function from the bearing system by introducing a separate braking disk that can be independently activated. This allows the bearing to provide pure rotational support while the separate braking mechanism handles position holding, eliminating the need for oversized continuously-activated braking systems in roller bearing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The yaw system is segmented into distinct functional components: the roller bearing handles rotation with minimal friction, while a separate braking disk and braking units handle position holding. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If gliding bearings are used in yaw systems, then cost is reduced compared to roller bearings, but lubrication contaminates the braking system, reducing braking efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the lubrication zone and braking zone into separate spatial locations. The gliding bearing surfaces are lubricated for smooth rotation, while the braking disk is positioned and designed to remain free of lubrication contamination, ensuring reliable braking performance without the high costs of roller bearings.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking function is extracted from the lubricated bearing surfaces and placed on a separate braking disk that operates in a different environmental zone. This extraction prevents lubrication contamination of the braking interface while maintaining the cost advantages of gliding bearings.
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 enhances braking capacity and reduces maintenance costs by isolating lubrication from braking systems, improving the efficiency and reliability of yaw system operations.
Implementation Method 1
Lubrication, e.g. oil or grease, may be applied between the annular gear and the frame of the nacelle for allowing the frame to rotate with respect to the annular gear. Lubrication reduces the friction between the annular gear and the frame of the nacelle
Implementation Method 2
one or more braking units configured to exert a braking force on the braking disk for braking the rotation of the first bearing component with respect to the second bearing component
Data Source
AI summary
In a first aspect, a yaw system for rotating a nacelle with respect to a tower is provided. The yaw system comprises a gliding yaw bearing, an annular gear and a plurality of yaw drives, a braking disk and one or more braking disk for braking the rotation of the nacelle. In a further aspect, a tower adapter for a wind turbine is provided. The tower adapter comprises a first bearing component of a gliding yaw bearing and braking disk to brake the rotation of the nacelle with respect to the tower adapter. In yet a further aspect, a wind turbine comprising such a yaw system and/or such a tower adapter is provided.