AT521940B1 - Method for changing a slide bearing element of a rotor bearing of a wind turbine, as well as a nacelle for a wind turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for changing a slide bearing element (14, 15) of a rotor bearing (8), the rotor bearing (8) comprising an inner ring element (12) and an outer ring element (13), between which the slide bearing element (14, 15) is arranged, the inner ring element (12) and the outer ring element (13) being rotatable relative to each other, wherein a rotor hub (6) is attached to the inner ring element (12) or to the outer ring element (13), the sliding bearing element (14, 15) comprises several individual plain bearing pads (24). When changing the sliding bearing element (14, 15), the individual sliding bearing pads (24) are removed one after the other and replaced by new sliding bearing pads (24), with the inner ring element (12) being replaced during the changing of the individual sliding bearing pads (24) of the sliding bearing element (14, 15). and the outer ring element (13) cannot be dismantled. The rotor hub (6) is picked up by means of a mounting device (29) and such a force is exerted on the rotor hub (6) by means of the mounting device (29) that the sliding bearing pad (24) to be changed is relieved.

Description

description

The invention relates to a method for changing a slide bearing element of a rotor bearing, and a nacelle for a wind turbine.

From the prior art it is known that the rotor is removed from the nacelle housing to change the rotor bearing. This is very complex and therefore time-consuming. Since no electricity can be produced during the downtime, the maintenance of the wind turbine should be carried out as quickly as possible.

The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a method by means of which the rotor bearing can be changed as easily as possible. Furthermore, a nacelle for a wind power plant is to be specified in which the method can be carried out.

[0004] This object is achieved by an apparatus and a method according to the claims.

According to the invention, a method for changing a sliding bearing element of a rotor bearing of a wind turbine is provided. The rotor bearing comprises an inner ring element and an outer ring element, between which the sliding bearing element is arranged. The inner ring element and the outer ring element are rotatable relative to one another. A rotor hub is attached to the inner ring element or the outer ring element. Of course, it can also be provided that the inner ring element or the outer ring element are part of the rotor hub or part of the housing. The slide bearing element comprises a plurality of individual slide bearing pads which are each detachably fastened to the inner ring element or outer ring element of the rotor bearing by means of at least one fastening means. When changing the sliding bearing element, the individual sliding bearing pads are removed one after the other and replaced by new sliding bearing pads, the inner ring element and the outer ring element not being dismantled during the changing of the individual sliding bearing pads of the sliding bearing element.

The method according to the invention has the advantage that the replacement of the sliding bearing elements and thus the maintenance of the wind turbine can be done as easily and quickly as possible. This means that the wind turbine can produce energy again after only a short maintenance period. In particular, the use of individual guide bearing pads has the advantage that they can be removed from the wind turbine individually and independently of one another in order to be able to carry out maintenance while the rotor or rotor hub has not been dismantled.

Furthermore, it can be useful if in the course of the change process all of the individual sliding bearing pads are changed, with a sliding bearing pad to be changed in each case being brought into a sliding bearing pad change position in which it is not loaded to change the individual sliding bearing pads. By moving the sliding bearing pad to be changed into a sliding bearing pad changing position, it can be removed from the wind turbine. For this purpose, the fastening means by means of which the sliding bearing pad is fastened to the inner ring element or to the outer ring element must be released. The weight of the rotor hub or of the rotor can be absorbed in a distributed manner over the remaining plain bearing pads remaining in the rotor bearing.

Furthermore, it can be provided that both the inner ring element and the outer ring element are V-shaped and between the two ring elements axially spaced a first slide bearing element and a second slide bearing element are arranged, each with a plurality of individual slide bearing pads, the two slide bearing elements seen in cross section at an angle to each other, whereby due to a tilting moment acting on the rotor hub, one of the two sliding bearing elements is not loaded at its uppermost position and the second of the two sliding bearing elements is not loaded at its lowest position, resulting in the sliding bearing pad change positions. Particularly with a rotor bearing constructed in this way, the force of gravity acting on the rotor or the rotor hub can be used in order to be able to easily change the individual plain bearing pads.

In addition, it can be provided that the rotor hub is attached to the inner ring element and that the sliding bearing pads of the sliding bearing elements are attached to the inner ring element and that the first sliding bearing element further distanced from the rotor hub is not loaded at its lowest position and that the rotor hub The second sliding bearing element lying closer is not loaded at its uppermost position and that the individual sliding bearing pads of the sliding bearing elements are brought into the sliding bearing pad change position by rotating the rotor hub. Particularly in the case of a rotor bearing designed in this way, the process of changing the individual plain bearing pads is easily possible.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the rotor hub is attached to the outer ring element and that the sliding bearing pads of the sliding bearing elements are attached to the outer ring element and that the first sliding bearing element further distanced from the rotor hub is not loaded at its uppermost position and that the rotor hub The second sliding bearing element, which is closer, is not loaded at its lowest position and that the individual sliding bearing pads of the sliding bearing elements are brought into the sliding bearing pad change position by rotating the rotor hub. Particularly in the case of a rotor bearing designed in this way, the process of changing the individual plain bearing pads is easily possible.

Also advantageous is an expression according to which it can be provided that at least one of the sliding bearing pads remains in the rotor bearing at any point in time when the sliding bearing element is changed. As a result, the rotor hub or the rotor can be supported at any time.

According to a development, it is possible that the method comprises the following method steps:

- Rotation of the rotor hub relative to a nacelle housing of the nacelle until one of the slide bearing pads reaches a slide bearing pad change position at which it is not loaded;

- Removal of that slide bearing pad which is located at the slide bearing pad change position and insertion of a new slide bearing pad instead of the removed slide bearing pad;

- Rotating the rotor hub relative to the nacelle housing of the nacelle until another of the slide bearing pads reaches the slide bearing pad change position;

- Removal of that slide bearing pad which is located at the slide bearing pad change position and insertion of a new slide bearing pad instead of the removed slide bearing pad;

- Carry out the above procedural steps until all of the old plain bearing pads have been replaced by new plain bearing pads. The sequence of these process steps in particular leads to the simplest possible change of the slide bearing pads.

Furthermore, it can be useful if the rotor hub is received by means of a receiving device and such a force is exerted on the rotor hub by means of the receiving device that the sliding bearing pad to be replaced is relieved in each case. The weight force of the rotor, in particular the rotor hub and the rotor blades, can be absorbed by means of the receiving device, whereby a change of the sliding bearing pads can be simplified. In particular, it is possible to actively influence the position of the sliding bearing pad change position.

In addition, it can be provided that the sliding bearing pads are moved when changing in a change direction parallel to their sliding surface. In particular, it can be provided that the sliding bearing pads are pulled out of their operating position parallel to their sliding surface. This has the advantage that the two ring elements do not have to be removed from one another to remove the sliding bearing pads, but rather the sliding bearing pads can simply be pulled out of their position between the two ring elements. In the case of V-shaped ring elements, the plain bearing pads can be pulled out of their operating position in a diagonal direction. In the case of slide bearing elements which are designed as axial bearings, the slide bearing pads can be pulled out of their operating position in the radial direction. In the case of slide bearing pads that are designed as pure radial bearings, the slide bearing pads can be pulled out of their operating position in the axial direction.

[0015] It can further be provided that the lubricating oil located in a lubricating oil sump is drained off before the sliding bearing pads are removed. This can reduce the accessibility of the

Plain bearing pads can be achieved on their entire circumference.

According to the invention, a nacelle for a wind turbine is provided. The gondola includes:

- a nacelle housing;

- a rotor hub;

- A rotor bearing for mounting the rotor hub on the nacelle housing, the rotor bearing having at least one inner ring element and at least one outer ring element, at least one sliding bearing element being formed between the inner ring element and the outer ring element. The plain bearing element comprises several individual plain bearing pads which are arranged distributed over the circumference. The slide bearing pads are each arranged by means of at least one fastening means on that ring element which is designed to be rotatable relative to the gondola housing. The replacement of the sliding bearing according to the invention is made possible with such a structure.

According to a particular embodiment, it is possible that a slide bearing pad replacement opening is arranged in the gondola housing, through which the slide bearing pads can be passed. This has the advantage that the individual plain bearing pads can be easily changed.

Furthermore, it can be provided that internal threads are formed in the individual plain bearing pads, which cooperate with the fastening means, in particular with screws.

As an alternative to this, it can be provided that fastening inserts, in particular threaded inserts, are received in the individual plain bearing pads, which cooperate with the fastening means, in particular with screws.

In particular, it can be provided that the internal thread or the fastening inserts are formed or received in blind holes.

The fact that the inner ring element and the outer ring element are not dismantled during the change of the individual sliding bearing pads of the sliding bearing element means in particular that the two ring elements are no further than 300mm, in particular no further than 100mm, preferably no further than 5mm from one another from their operating position will. In particular, however, it can be provided that the inner ring element or the outer ring element is rotated and / or raised or tilted slightly in order to take the bearing load off the individual sliding bearing pads that are to be changed. In other words, it can be provided that a rotor hub is not removed from the nacelle housing of the nacelle during the changing process.

A nacelle in the sense of this document comprises, in addition to a nacelle housing, a rotor hub and a rotor bearing for supporting the rotor hub.

The inner ring element and the outer ring element can each be designed as independent components which can be coupled to the rotor hub or rotor shaft or to the nacelle housing. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the inner ring element is designed as an integral part of the rotor hub or the rotor shaft. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the outer ring element is designed as an integral part of the rotor hub or the rotor shaft. As an alternative to this, it is also conceivable that the inner ring element is designed as an integral part of the gondola housing. As an alternative to this, it is also conceivable that the outer ring element is designed as an integral part of the gondola housing.

For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0025] In each case, in a greatly simplified, schematic representation: [0026] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a wind power plant;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a gondola in a highly schematic illustration; [0028] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along the section line III-III from FIG. 3; 4 shows a detailed view of the detail x from FIG. 2.

At the outset, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred accordingly to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component names. The location details chosen in the description, such as above, below, to the side, etc., referring to the figure immediately described and shown, and if there is a change in position, these position details are to be transferred to the new position accordingly.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a wind turbine 1 for generating electrical energy from wind energy. The wind power plant 1 comprises a nacelle 2, which is rotatably received on a tower 3. The gondola 2 comprises a gondola housing 4, which forms the main structure of the gondola 2. The electrotechnical components such as a generator of the wind power plant 1 are arranged in the nacelle housing 4 of the nacelle 2.

Furthermore, a rotor 5 is formed which has a rotor hub 6 with rotor blades 7 arranged thereon. The rotor hub 6 is seen as part of the nacelle 2. The rotor hub 6 is rotatably received on the nacelle housing 4 by means of a rotor bearing 8.

The rotor bearing 8, which serves to mount the rotor hub 6 on the nacelle housing 4 of the nacelle 2, is designed to absorb a radial force 9, an axial force 10 and a tilting moment 11. The axial force 10 is due to the force of the wind. The radial force 9 is caused by the weight of the rotor 5 and acts on the center of gravity of the rotor 5. Since the center of gravity of the rotor 5 lies outside the rotor bearing 8, the tilting moment 11 is produced in the rotor bearing 8 by the radial force 9. The tilting moment 11 can also be caused by an uneven loading of the rotor blades 7.

The rotor bearing 8 according to the invention can, for example, have a diameter between 0.5 m and 5 m. Of course, it is also conceivable that the rotor bearing 8 is smaller or larger.

In Fig. 2, the nacelle housing 4 and the rotor hub 6 is shown in a schematic sectional view, the structure, in particular in its dimensions, has been greatly schematized. As can be seen from FIG. 2, it can be provided that the rotor bearing 8 has at least one inner ring element 12 and at least one outer ring element 13. At least one slide bearing element 14, 15 is arranged between the inner ring element 12 and the outer ring element 13. In particular, it can be provided that a first slide bearing element 14 and a second slide bearing element 15 are arranged between the inner ring element 12 and the outer ring element 13.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, it can be provided that the inner ring element 12 is coupled to the rotor hub 6. In particular, it can be provided that a rotor shaft 16 is formed on which the rotor hub 6 is arranged. The inner ring element 12 can be received directly on the rotor shaft 16.

In a further exemplary embodiment, not shown, it can of course also be provided that the inner ring element 12 is received directly on the rotor hub 6.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, not shown, it can of course also be provided that the inner ring element 12 is fastened to the nacelle housing 4 and that the rotor hub 6 is coupled to the outer ring element 13.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, it can be provided that both the inner ring element 12 and the outer ring element 13 are V-shaped and are axially spaced from one another on the V-shaped flank between the two ring elements 12, 13 two slide bearing elements 14, 15 are formed.

In particular, it can be provided that the two sliding bearing elements 14, 15 are arranged at an angle 17 to one another. As can be seen from FIG. 2, in one embodiment it can be provided that the slide bearing elements 14 are fastened to the inner ring element 12 by means of fastening means 18. Thus, a sliding surface 19 can be formed between the sliding bearing elements 14, 15 and the outer ring element 13. When the sliding bearing elements 14, 15 are arranged as shown in FIG. 2, the sliding surfaces 19 can also be arranged in a V-shape.

In an embodiment variant, not shown, it can also be provided that the sliding bearing element 14, 15 between the two ring elements 12, 13 are designed as radial bearings and / or as axial bearings.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, it can be provided that the inner ring element 12 is designed to be divided with respect to its axial extent in order to facilitate the assembly of the rotor bearing 8.

In an embodiment not shown, it is of course also conceivable that the inner ring element 12 does not form a groove as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but the V-shaped arrangement is reversed, so that a V- Shaped projection is formed. In this case, for easier assembly, it can be provided that the outer ring element 13 is designed to be divided in its axial extent.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, it can be provided that a lubricating oil sump 20 is formed, which is used to receive lubricating oil 21. In the operating state, the lubricating oil sump 20 can be filled with lubricating oil 21 up to a lubricating oil level 22. The lubricating oil level 22 is selected such that the sliding surfaces 19 are at least in sections below the lubricating oil level 22 and thus immerse into the lubricating oil 21 located in the lubricating oil sump 20.

To change the sliding bearing elements 14, 15 it can be provided that the lubricating oil 21 located in the lubricating oil sump 20 is drained.

In particular, it can be provided that the slide bearing elements 14, 15 are arranged around a rotor axis 23.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view according to the section line III-III from FIG. 3.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, it is provided that the Gileitlagerelement 14, 15 has a plurality of sliding bearing pads 24 which are arranged distributed over the circumference. The individual slide bearing pads 24 can be coupled to or fastened to the inner ring element 12 by means of the fastening means 18. In particular, it can be provided that the individual slide bearing pads 24 can be detached from the inner ring element 12 independently of one another by means of the fastening means 18. As a result, the individual slide bearing pads 24 can be removed or exchanged individually and independently of one another from their operating position.

As can also be seen from Fig. 2, it can be provided that a sliding bearing pad replacement opening 25 is formed in the gondola housing 4, through which the individual sliding bearing pads 24 can be removed from the gondola housing 4 without the gondola housing 4 having to be dismantled. Of course, it can also be provided that several of the slide bearing pad change openings 25 are provided in the gondola housing 4.

In a further exemplary embodiment it can also be provided that the slide bearing pad replacement openings 25 are also located in the rotor hub 6.

The slide bearing pad change openings 25 can be closed with a cover 26 which can be removed from the nacelle housing 4 to change the individual slide bearing pads 24.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, it can be provided that one of the slide bearing pad replacement openings 25 is in the region of an uppermost position 27 of the second slide bearing element 15

is arranged and that another of the sliding bearing pad change openings 25 is arranged at a lowermost position 28 of the first sliding bearing element 14. It can thus be provided that the individual sliding bearing pads 24 of the second sliding bearing element 15 at the uppermost position 27 of the second sliding bearing element 15 are changed. Furthermore, it can be provided that the slide bearing pads 24 of the first slide bearing element 14 are changed at the lowermost position 28 of the first slide bearing element 14.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a receiving device 29 is formed by means of which the rotor hub 6 can be fastened to the nacelle housing 4 in order to be able to relieve the individual slide bearing elements 14, 15 for changing the slide bearing pads 24.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the detail x from FIG. 2.

A changing process for changing the individual slide bearing pads 24 is described by looking at FIGS. 2 to 4 together.

In a first method step it can be provided that, if necessary, lubricating oil 21 located in a lubricating oil sump 20 is drained therefrom. The cover 26 can then be removed from the nacelle housing 4 in order to expose the slide bearing pad replacement openings 25. It can thereby be achieved that the individual slide bearing pads 24 can be removed from the interior of the nacelle housing 4 through the slide bearing pad replacement opening 25 and can be replaced by new slide bearing pads 24.

In a further method step it can be provided that the rotor 6 is rotated relative to the nacelle housing 4 in such a way that a first of the sliding bearing pads 24 of the second sliding bearing element 15 to be changed is in an uppermost position 27. Due to the tilting moment 11 acting on the rotor hub 6, the sliding bearing pad 24 of the second sliding bearing element 15, which is in the uppermost position 27, is not loaded and is therefore not clamped between the inner ring element 12 and the outer ring element 13. In particular, it can be provided that the sliding surface 19 of the sliding bearing pad 24 of the second sliding bearing element 15, which is located in the uppermost position 27, does not contact the outer ring element 13.

In a further method step, those fastening means 18 which fasten this slide bearing pad 24 to the inner ring element 12 can be released so that the slide bearing pad 24 is loosely received between the inner ring element 12 and the outer ring element 13 and in a subsequent method step in the alternating direction 30 can be pulled out of its position. Here, the slide bearing pad 24 can be removed from the interior of the gondola housing 4 through the slide bearing pad replacement opening 25 and then appropriately disposed of or reprocessed.

In a subsequent method step, a new and unworn slide bearing pad 24 can be inserted into the position of the removed slide bearing pad 24 and then fastened to the inner ring element 12 by means of fastening means 18. The rotor 6, together with the inner ring element 12, can then be rotated about the rotor axis 23, so that a further one of the slide bearing pads 24 of the second slide bearing element 15 reaches the uppermost position 27.

Then, analogously to the method described above, this slide bearing pad 24 can be exchanged for a new slide bearing pad 24.

Then the rotor 6 can be rotated further in order to be able to exchange a further slide bearing pad 24. These method steps can be repeated until all of the slide bearing pads 24 of the second slide bearing element 15 have been replaced.

Analogously to this, the individual sliding bearing pads 24 of the first sliding bearing element 14 can be exchanged in its lowest position 28.

To exchange the individual plain bearing pads 24, it can be provided that, in a first example of the method, all plain bearing pads 24 of the first plain bearing element 14 are exchanged and then all plain bearing pads 24 of the second plain bearing element 15 are exchanged. Of course, it is also conceivable that, in a first method step, all the plain bearing pads 24 of the

second slide bearing element 15 are exchanged and then all slide bearing pads 24 of the first slide bearing element 14 are exchanged. In yet another example of the method, it is also possible for the slide bearing pads 24 of the first slide bearing element 14 and the slide bearing pads 24 of the second slide bearing element 15 to be exchanged alternately in order to keep the rotation of the rotor hub 6 required for the exchange process as low as possible.

The individual sliding bearing pads 24 can be changed with the aid of the receiving device 29.

As can also be seen from FIG. 4, it can be provided that fastening inserts 31, in particular threaded inserts, are received in the individual guide bearing pads 24.

With a different structure of the rotor bearing 8 or the nacelle 2, it is of course also conceivable that the individual plain bearing pads 24 are replaced by a different method or in a different sequence.

For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced.

Austrian

REFERENCE LIST

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Wind turbine gondola

Tower nacelle rotor

Rotor hub

Rotor blade rotor bearing radial force

Axial force tilting moment

inner ring element outer ring element first slide bearing element second slide bearing element rotor shaft

Angle Fastening device Guide surface Lubricating oil sump Lubricating oil level Rotor axis Plain bearing pad Plain bearing pad replacement opening Cover

uppermost position lowermost position holding device changing device fastening insert

AT 521 940 B1 2020-10-15

Claims (7)

Claims 1. A method for changing a slide bearing element (14, 15) of a rotor bearing (8) of a wind turbine (1), the rotor bearing (8) comprising an inner ring element (12) and an outer ring element (13), between which the slide bearing element (14 , 15), the inner ring element (12) and the outer ring element (13) being rotatable relative to one another, a rotor hub (6) being attached to the inner ring element (12) or to the outer ring element (13), the sliding bearing element (14, 15) comprises a plurality of individual slide bearing pads (24) which are each detachably fastened to the inner ring element (12) or outer ring element (13) of the rotor bearing (8) by means of at least one fastening means (18), whereby when the slide bearing element (14 , 15) the individual slide bearing pads (24) are removed one after the other and replaced by new slide bearing pads (24), the inner ring element during the change of the individual slide bearing pads (24) of the slide bearing element (14, 15) ent (12) and the outer ring element (13) are not dismantled, characterized in that the rotor hub (6) is received by means of a receiving device (29) and such a force is exerted on the rotor hub (6) by means of the receiving device (29) that the sliding bearing pad (24) to be changed is relieved. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the course of the changing process all of the individual slide bearing pads (24) are changed, with a slide bearing pad (24) that is to be changed being brought into a slide bearing pad change position to change the individual slide bearing pads (24) it is not burdened. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that both the inner ring element (12) and the outer ring element (13) are V-shaped and between the two ring elements (12, 13) axially spaced apart a first sliding bearing element (14) and a second slide bearing element (15) each having a plurality of individual slide bearing pads (24) are arranged, the two slide bearing elements (14, 15) being arranged at an angle (17) to one another when viewed in cross section, whereby due to a tilting moment (11) that occurs on the rotor hub (6) acts, one of the two sliding bearing elements (14, 15) is not loaded at its uppermost position (27) and the second of the two sliding bearing elements (14, 15) at its lowest position (28), which results in the sliding bearing pad change positions . 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotor hub (6) is attached to the inner ring element (12) and that the sliding bearing pads (24) of the sliding bearing elements (14, 15) are attached to the inner ring element (12) and that of the rotor hub (6) further distant first sliding bearing element (14) is not loaded at its lowest position (28) and that the second sliding bearing element (15) closer to the rotor hub (6) is not loaded at its uppermost position (27) and that by Rotation of the rotor hub (6), the individual sliding bearing pads (24) of the sliding bearing elements (14, 15) are brought into the sliding bearing pad change position. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at any point in time when changing the sliding bearing element (14) at least one of the sliding bearing pads (24) remains in the rotor bearing (8). 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the following method steps: rotating the rotor hub (6) relative to a nacelle housing (4) of the nacelle (2) until one of the slide bearing pads (24) reaches a slide bearing pad change position at which it is not burdened; - Removing that slide bearing pad (24) which is located at the slide bearing pad change position and inserting a new slide bearing pad (24) instead of the removed slide bearing pad (24); - Rotating the rotor hub (6) relative to the nacelle housing (4) of the nacelle (2) until another of the slide bearing pads (24) reaches the slide bearing pad change position; - Removing that slide bearing pad (24) which is located at the slide bearing pad change position and inserting a new slide bearing pad (24) instead of the removed slide bearing pad (24); - Carry out the above process steps until all of the old plain bearing pads (24) have been replaced by new plain bearing pads (24). 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide bearing pads (24) when changing in a change direction (30) are moved parallel to their sliding surface (19). In addition 3 sheets of drawings