JP4454291B2 - Yaw drive method and apparatus for wind power generator - Google Patents

Description

    The present invention relates to a yaw drive method and apparatus for turning a wind power generation unit of a wind power generator in a substantially horizontal plane.

As a conventional wind power generator yaw driving method and apparatus, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known.
JP 2001-289149 A

  This is attached to the first gear mounted on the upper end of the tower, the second gear meshing with the first gear, and the wind power generation unit supported on the upper end of the tower so as to be capable of yaw rotation, An electric motor for rotating the wind power generation unit by yaw by driving and rotating the second gear; an electromagnetic brake attached to the electric motor using a friction plate; a brake disk fixed to the upper end of the tower; And a hydraulic brake including a friction-fixed brake shoe provided in the power generation unit and sandwiching the brake disk by hydraulic drive.

  And in this thing, when the wind power generation unit is yaw-turned by the electric motor, simultaneously with energization of the electric motor, the electromagnetic brake and the hydraulic brake are unbraking to release the electric motor and the wind power generation unit from braking, When the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit is stopped, the electromagnetic brake and the hydraulic brake are brought into a braking state at the same time as the energization of the electric motor is stopped, and braking torque is applied to the electric motor and the wind power generation unit from these brakes.

    However, in such a conventional wind power generator yaw drive method and apparatus, since braking to the electric motor disappears at the start of energization of the electric motor, the rotational drive torque of the electric motor remains as it is in the second gear. The second gear is rapidly rotated, but the wind power generation unit has a large inertial mass and cannot turn following the second gear. As a result, the teeth of the second gear are A large impact is given to the teeth of one gear. For this reason, at the start of the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit, the teeth of the first and second gears are damaged, a loud noise is generated, and the first aspect of the structure is to withstand the impact described above. The strength of the second gear or the like needs to be improved, and there is a problem that the device is expensive and large.

  On the other hand, when the energization of the electric motor is stopped, the electromagnetic brake starts to apply braking torque to the electric motor, so the rotation of the second gear stops suddenly. However, the wind power generation unit rotates with a large inertial mass when turning. In order to continue turning at a speed, the teeth of the first gear give a large impact to the teeth of the second gear. Because of this, even when the wind power generation unit stops yaw rotation, the teeth of the first and second gears are damaged or loud noise is generated, and it is necessary to improve the strength as described above. There was a problem that the apparatus was expensive and increased in size.

  The present invention suppresses an impact at the start of supply of drive energy to a drive motor, thereby reducing tooth damage and noise, and making it possible to reduce the size of the apparatus at a low cost, and a yaw drive method and apparatus for a wind power generator The purpose is to provide.

    Such an object is to firstly provide a second gear that meshes with a ring-shaped first gear attached to either the tower or a wind power generation unit supported on the upper end of the tower so as to be capable of yaw rotation. Alternatively, in the yaw driving method of the wind power generator that rotates the wind power generation unit by yaw rotation by driving and rotating by the drive motor attached to the remaining other of the wind power generation unit, a predetermined time from the start of supplying the drive energy to the drive motor, It can be achieved by the yaw driving method of the wind power generator in which the initial braking torque of a predetermined value smaller than the maximum driving torque of the driving motor is applied to the driving motor by the braking means,

  Second, a first gear attached to either the tower or a wind power generation unit supported at the upper end of the tower so as to be capable of yaw rotation, a second gear meshing with the first gear, and the tower or wind power generation When the drive energy is attached to the other side of the unit and supplied with drive energy, the drive motor rotates the second gear to yaw, and the drive energy is supplied to the drive motor for a predetermined time from the start of supply of the drive energy. This can be achieved by a yaw drive device for a wind power generator provided with braking means for applying to the drive motor a predetermined initial braking torque smaller than the maximum drive torque of the drive motor.

  When the wind power generation unit is yaw-turned by the drive motor, the drive energy is supplied to the drive motor. Since the start of the supply of drive energy to the drive motor, the initial braking torque is applied to the drive motor by the braking means. At the start of rotation, the second gear is provided with a rotational drive torque that is a value obtained by subtracting the initial braking torque from the drive torque output from the drive motor in a decelerated state. Here, since the initial braking torque is a predetermined value smaller than the maximum driving torque of the driving motor, the second gear can rotate and the wind power generation unit can be turned, but the rotational driving torque at this time is as described above. Since the rotation speed of the second gear is reduced by the initial braking torque, the impact between the teeth of the second gear and the teeth of the first gear is reduced. Damage to the teeth of the first and second gears and noise can be reduced, and the device can be reduced in size at low cost. When a predetermined time elapses in such a state, the rotational speed of the drive motor rises to a certain value, but at this time, the application of the initial braking torque from the braking means to the drive motor is completed, and the wind power generation unit is turned yaw. Done.

  Further, when configured as described in claims 2 and 5, the operation is as follows. That is, when the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit is stopped, the supply of drive energy to the drive motor is stopped. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the drive energy supply stop time to this drive motor, a final braking torque of a predetermined value is applied by the braking means. Since it is applied to the drive motor, the turning speed of the wind power generation unit gradually decreases due to the gyro effect or frictional resistance of the rotor head or the like until a predetermined time elapses after the drive energy supply is stopped. Since the final braking torque described above is applied from the braking means to the drive motor when the turning speed is thus reduced, the impact between the teeth of the second gear and the teeth of the first gear is reduced. Thus, damage to the teeth of the first and second gears and noise can be reduced, and the device can be reduced in size at low cost.

  Furthermore, as described in claim 3, when the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit is stopped, it is supplied to the drive motor for a predetermined time from immediately before the drive energy supply stop time to the drive motor until the drive energy supply stop time. If the drive energy to be applied is smaller than the drive energy supplied to the drive motor during normal yaw turning, and the applied turning force from the drive motor to the wind power generation unit during this period is reduced, The turning speed gradually decreases due to the gyro effect of the head and the frictional resistance. Then, after the turning speed is reduced and the supply of drive energy to the drive motor is stopped, a final braking torque having a predetermined value is applied to the drive motor by the braking means. The impact between the teeth of the first gear and the teeth of the first gear is reduced, which can reduce the damage and noise of the teeth of the first and second gears, and can reduce the size of the device at low cost. .

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the same braking means can be provided with an impact reducing function and a turning restriction function of the wind power generation unit when the drive motor is stopped. The structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case of providing.
Furthermore, if constituted as in claim 7, the braking means can be made simple and inexpensive.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the fixed and rotating friction bodies can be reliably separated from each other with a simple structure.
Furthermore, when the drive motor is stopped, an excessive wind load such as a gust wind acts on the wind power generation unit to turn the wind power generation unit, and the turn is transmitted to the braking means, so that the rotation side frictional body is fixed side friction. If the brake means rotates while being in frictional contact with the body, the braking means may be heated and damaged by frictional heat. However, if configured as described in claim 9, such a situation can be prevented.

Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a tower (post) of the wind power generator 12, and a wind power generation unit 13 can be yaw-turned via a bearing 14 at the upper end of the tower 11, that is, can turn in a substantially horizontal plane. It is supported. Here, the wind power generation unit 13 has a well-known structure, and includes a nacelle housing 15, a rotor head (not shown) that is supported by the nacelle housing 15 and is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, and a radial direction to the rotor head. A plurality of windmill blades (not shown) whose inner end portions are rotatably connected, and a generator (not shown) that is housed and fixed in the nacelle housing 15 and generates power by receiving rotation from the rotor head. It has.

  Here, although the inner race of the bearing 14 is fixed to the tower 11, a large number of inner teeth 18 are formed on the inner periphery of the inner race, and as a result, the inner race is connected to the tower 11 or the wind power generation unit. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, a ring-shaped internal gear 19 serving as a first gear attached to the upper end portion of the tower 11 is configured. If the inner race is shared by the internal gear 19 in this way, the overall structure of the apparatus is simplified and the size can be reduced.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes an electric motor as a plurality of drive motors attached to the nacelle housing 15 of the wind power generation unit 13 in the first embodiment, while the tower 11 or the remaining wind power generation unit 13 is interposed with the speed reducer 21 interposed therebetween. These electric motors 20 are arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction. Then, when driving energy is supplied to these electric motors 20, and since the driving motor is the electric motor 20 here, energization (power is supplied), the output shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 20 rotates. The rotational drive torque of the output shaft is decelerated by the speed reducer 21 and then applied to a pinion 23 that is an external gear as a second gear fixed to the rotary shaft 22 of the speed reducer 21 to rotate the pinion 23. . Here, these pinions 23 mesh with the internal teeth 18 of the internal gear 19, and as a result, when the pinion 23 rotates as described above, the wind power generation unit 13 is supported by the tower 11 via the bearings 14 while being yawed. Turn.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a control unit such as a CPU. The wind direction signals from the anemometer 27 and the potentiometer 28 are input to the control unit 26. Then, the control unit 26 operates the electric motor 20 based on the wind direction signal indicating the current wind direction so that the wind power generation unit 13 receives the wind from the front and generates power with high efficiency. Follow yaw and turn.

  Reference numeral 31 is attached to the electric motor 20, and is a braking means that can apply a braking torque having a value smaller than the maximum driving torque of the electric motor 20 to the output shaft of the electric motor 20. In the first embodiment, an electromagnetic brake using a known friction plate is used. When the braking means 31 is energized under the control of the control unit 26, the braking means 31 applies a braking torque to the output shaft of the electric motor 20, while the braking means 31 is energized under the control of the control unit 26. When stopped, the braking means 31 releases the output shaft of the electric motor 20 from braking.

  Here, the braking means 31 starts to apply braking torque to the electric motor 20 from at least two points of time under the control of the control unit 26, and one of the initial braking torques (reduction torque) is applied. The application of the final braking torque (stopping torque), which is the other one, is started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the electric motor 20 is stopped. Further, the application of the initial braking torque is terminated when a short predetermined time has elapsed from the start of energization, while the application of the final braking torque may be terminated after the turning of the wind power generation unit 13 is stopped. However, in order to prevent the wind power generation unit 13 from turning due to a wind load or the like, at least until the start of energization of the electric motor 20, the braking torque is continuously maintained while the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit 13 is stopped. Is preferably provided.

  In this way, if the initial braking torque is applied to the electric motor 20 by the braking means 31 for a short predetermined time from the start of energization of the electric motor 20, the output driving torque of the electric motor 20 is applied to the pinion 23 at the start of rotation. Thus, the rotational driving torque having a value obtained by subtracting the initial braking torque is applied in a decelerated state. Here, since the initial braking torque is a predetermined value smaller than the maximum driving torque of the electric motor 20 as described above, the pinion 23 can rotate and the wind power generation unit 13 can be rotated by yaw. The torque is a small value subtracted as described above, and the rotational speed of the pinion 23 is reduced by the initial braking torque, so the impact between the teeth of the pinion 23 and the internal teeth 18 of the internal gear 19 is reduced. As a result, damage to the teeth of the pinion 23 and the internal gear 19 and noise can be reduced, and the apparatus can be reduced in size at low cost. When a short predetermined time elapses in such a state, the rotational speed of the electric motor 20 increases to a certain value. At this point, the application of the initial braking torque from the braking means 31 to the electric motor 20 is completed, and wind power generation The unit 13 performs the yaw rotation.

  Further, as described above, if a final braking torque is applied to the electric motor 20 by the braking means 31 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the electric motor 20 is deenergized, a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the electric motor 20 was de-energized. In the meantime, the turning speed of the wind power generation unit 13 decreases due to the gyro effect of the rotor head and the frictional resistance. Since the final braking torque described above is applied from the braking means 31 to the electric motor 20 when the turning speed is thus reduced, the impact between the teeth of the pinion 23 and the internal teeth 18 of the internal gear 19 is reduced. As a result, damage to the teeth of the pinion 23 and the internal gear 19 and noise can be reduced, and the apparatus can be reduced in size at low cost.

  Here, the start and end braking torques described above may be constant values regardless of the passage of time, or may gradually decrease or increase as time passes. Further, these initial and final braking torque values may be the same or different from each other. In particular, the final braking torque may be equal to or greater than the maximum driving torque of the electric motor 20. Good.

  In the first embodiment, the application of the final braking torque is not terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed, but is continued until the time when the electric power supply to the electric motor 20 is started by the braking means 31 (from this point on, as described above). Energization for the initial braking torque is started), and the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit 13 when the electric motor 20 is stopped is limited. When the same braking means 31 is provided with both the impact reducing function and the turning restriction function of the wind power generation unit 13 when the electric motor 20 is stopped, the braking means is provided for each of the two functions. Compared to the above, the structure becomes simple and the production cost can be reduced.

  Here, when the wind power generation unit 13 is in a turning stop state and the braking means 31 applies a braking torque (final braking torque) to the electric motor 20, an excessive wind load such as a gust of wind is generated by wind power. There is a case where the wind power generation unit 13 acts on the power generation unit 13 and turns with the braking by the braking means 31. At this time, the wind power generation unit 13 turns by the internal gear 19, the pinion 23, the speed reducer 21, the electric motor. It is transmitted to the braking means 31 through the 20 output shafts and rotates while the friction plates are in frictional contact with each other. In such a case, frictional heat is generated and the braking means 31 may be heated and damaged by the frictional heat.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, a detection sensor 33 for detecting the temperature in the braking means 31 is attached to the braking means 31 to constantly detect the temperature in the braking means 31, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit 26. To output. As a result, when the inside of the braking means 31 rises to the allowable temperature or more due to the frictional heat as described above, the control unit 26 ends the application of the braking torque to the electric motor 20 of the braking means 31 based on the abnormal signal from the detection sensor 33. This prevents the above-described damage.

  A fluid pump 35 is driven and rotated by a motor 36 to discharge the fluid sucked from the tank 37 as a high-pressure fluid into the supply passage 38. A check valve 39 and an accumulator 40 are interposed in the supply passage 38. At the end, a solenoid type switching valve 41 controlled by the control unit 26 is connected. The switching valve 41 and the tank 37 are connected by a discharge passage 42. Reference numeral 43 denotes a plurality of brake mechanisms attached to the nacelle housing 15 of the wind power generation unit 13, and these brake mechanisms 43 are arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction.

  Each brake mechanism 43 includes a fluid cylinder 45 connected to the switching valve 41 via a supply / exhaust passage 44, and a friction-fixed brake shoe 46 driven by the fluid cylinder 45. 47 is a ring-shaped brake disc fixed to the upper end of the tower 11, and when the high-pressure fluid is supplied to the fluid cylinder 45, the brake disc 47 is sandwiched from both sides by the brake shoe 46, thereby A fluid braking force is applied to the power generation unit 13 to prevent the wind power generation unit 13 from making a yaw swirling in small increments. The fluid pump 35, the motor 36, the switching valve 41, the brake mechanism 43, and the brake disc 47 described above constitute a fluid brake 48 as a whole.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
Now, since the wind power generation unit 13 receives wind from the front, it is assumed that the energization of the electric motor 20 is stopped and the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit 13 is stopped. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the control unit 26 energizes the braking means 31 with a predetermined voltage and applies a braking torque to the output shaft of the electric motor 20. On the other hand, in the fluid brake 48, the switching valve 41 is switched to the supply position by the control unit 26, and the high pressure fluid discharged from the fluid pump 35 is supplied to the fluid cylinder 45. A fluid braking force is applied to the wind power generation unit 13 by being sandwiched.

  Next, when the wind direction changes, the anemometer 27 detects the change in the wind direction and outputs a wind direction signal to the control unit 26. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3C, the control unit 26 starts energizing the electric motor 20 at a predetermined voltage at time T1, and drives and rotates the output shaft of the electric motor 20. When the time T1 is reached, the switching valve 41 is switched to the discharge position by the control unit 26, and the fluid is discharged from the fluid cylinder 45 to the tank 37. Thus, the wind power generation unit 13 is released from the braking of the fluid brake 48. To be released. On the other hand, the braking means 31 applies an initial braking torque to the electric motor 20 from the start of energization T1 to the electric motor 20, but as described above, the braking means 31 continuously brakes while the rotation of the electric motor 20 is stopped. Since the torque is applied, actually, the braking means 31 is continuously energized before and after this time, and the braking torque is continuously applied to the electric motor 20. Thus, even after energization of the electric motor 20 is started, if the initial braking torque is applied from the braking means 31 to the electric motor 20, the initial braking is applied to the pinion 23 from the output drive torque of the electric motor 20. The rotational drive torque having a value obtained by subtracting the torque is applied in a decelerated state, and the impact between the teeth of the pinion 23 and the internal teeth 18 of the internal gear 19 is reduced.

  When energization is started to the electric motor 20 in this way, the rotational speed of the output shaft of the electric motor 20 gradually increases as shown in FIG. When the time elapses and time T2 is reached and the rotational speed of the output shaft increases to a certain level, energization to the braking means 31 is stopped as shown in FIG. Release the output shaft from braking. As a result, the output shaft of the electric motor 20 is suddenly accelerated to increase the rotation speed to the steady rotation speed, and the wind power generation unit 13 turns at a normal yaw turning speed so as to receive the wind from the front. When the wind power generation unit 13 makes a yaw turn just before the position where the wind is received from the front, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), energization to the electric motor 20 is stopped, and this energization stop time is time T3. .

  When a short predetermined time elapses from the energization stop time T3 and time T4 is reached, energization is started to the braking means 31 as shown in FIG. 3 (b), and the braking means 31 is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor 20. The application of the final braking torque is started. Here, since a short predetermined time has elapsed from when the electric motor 20 is de-energized until the final braking torque is applied by the braking means 31, the wind power generation unit 13 has its turning speed due to the gyro effect of the rotor head and the frictional resistance. Has fallen. Since the final braking torque described above is applied from the braking means 31 to the electric motor 20 when the turning speed is thus reduced, the impact between the teeth of the pinion 23 and the internal teeth 18 of the internal gear 19 is reduced. Is done.

  When the final braking torque is applied from the braking means 31 to the electric motor 20 as described above, the rotational speed of the output shaft of the electric motor 20 rapidly decreases as shown in FIG. At T5, the rotation stops and the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit 13 also stops. At this time, the wind power generation unit 13 receives wind from the front, and the power generation efficiency is the highest. At this time, the switching valve 41 is switched to the supply position by the control unit 26, the high-pressure fluid discharged from the fluid pump 35 is supplied to the fluid cylinder 45, the brake mechanism 43 holds the brake disc 47, and the wind power generation unit In addition to the braking force by the braking means 31, a fluid braking force is applied to 13.

  In this state, the wind power generation unit 13 stops turning until the next wind direction changes, but during this stop, a gust of wind blows and an excessive wind load acts on the wind power generation unit 13, and the wind power generation unit 13 is braked. The turning by the means 31 and the fluid brake 48 may be started. At this time, the turning of the wind power generation unit 13 is transmitted to the output shaft of the electric motor 20 through the internal gear 19, the pinion 23, and the speed reducer 21, and as shown in FIG. From this time, high-speed rotation is started by rapid acceleration. At this time, since the friction plates of the braking means 31 rotate while being in frictional contact with each other, frictional heat is generated and the braking means 31 is heated.

  When the temperature in the braking means 31 rises above the allowable temperature at time T7, the detection sensor 33 that constantly detects the temperature in the braking means 31 is sent to the control unit 26 as shown in FIG. 3 (d). Thus, an abnormal signal is output. As a result, the control unit 26 stops energization to the braking means 31 to finish applying the braking torque, and releases the electric motor 20 from the braking by the braking means 31 to prevent the braking means 31 from being damaged.

  Thereafter, when the time T8 is reached and the turning of the wind power generation unit 13 is stopped and the temperature in the braking means 31 falls below the allowable temperature, an abnormal signal is output from the detection sensor 33 as shown in FIG. At this time, the control unit 26 energizes the braking means 31 again and applies a braking torque to the electric motor 20 by the braking means 31 as shown in FIG.

    FIG. 4 is a diagram showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Here, since the structure of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description of the same parts will be omitted by omitting the duplicate description and only the same numbers are attached to the drawings, and only different parts will be described. In the figure, reference numeral 51 is attached to the electric motor 20, and is a braking means that can apply a braking torque having a value smaller than the maximum driving torque of the electric motor 20 to the electric motor 20. Here, as the braking means 51, A fluid type negative brake using a known friction plate is used.

  The braking means 51 has a fixed casing 52, and a piston 53 is movably accommodated in the fixed casing 52. Further, in the fixed casing 52, at least one rotating side friction body disposed between the piston 53 and the stepped surface 54 of the braking means 51 and splined to the outside of the output shaft 55 of the electric motor 20 is provided. The rotary friction plate 56 and at least one fixed friction plate 57 as a fixed side friction body that is spline-coupled to the inner wall of the fixed casing 52 are accommodated. 58 is a spring as an urging body capable of applying an urging force to the rotating friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 via the piston 53. The spring 58 has a step difference between the rotating friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57. By pressing against the surface 54, the rotary friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 are brought close to each other until they come into frictional contact.

  59 is a fluid passage that is connected to the fixed casing 52 and is provided with a throttle 60 in the middle. When a high-pressure fluid is guided to the braking chamber in the fixed casing 52 through the fluid passage 59, the piston 53 Moves against the spring 58 so as to be separated from the rotary friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57, whereby the rotary friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 are separated from each other. 61 is a switching valve connected to the fluid passage 59. One end of the switching valve 61 is connected to the supply passage 38 between the accumulator 40 and the switching valve 41. The other end and one end of the supply passage 62 are connected to the tank 37. The other end of the discharge passage 63 connected to is connected. When the switching valve 61 is switched to the supply position by the control unit 26, the high-pressure fluid from the fluid pump 35 is supplied to the braking chamber of the fixed casing 52, while when the switch valve 61 is switched to the discharge position, the fluid is fixed to the fixed casing 52. Discharged from the braking chamber.

  The fluid passage 59 and the throttle 60 described above constitute a separation mechanism 64 that separates the rotary friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 from each other against the spring 58. If the separation mechanism 64 is constituted by the fluid passage 59 and the restriction 60 as described above, the rotary friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 can be reliably separated from each other with a simple structure. The fixed casing 52, the piston 53, the rotating friction plate 56, the fixed friction plate 57, the spring 58, and the separation mechanism 64 described above constitute the braking means 51 as a whole. If the braking means 51 is constituted by the fixed casing 52, the piston 53, the rotating friction plate 56, the fixed friction plate 57, the spring 58, and the separation mechanism 64 as described above, the braking means 51 can be made simple and inexpensive.

  In the second embodiment, at time T1, the electric motor 20 is energized at a predetermined voltage as shown in FIG. 5 (d), while the switching valve 61 is turned on in FIG. ), The application of the valve switching voltage is started, and the switching valve 61 is switched to the supply position. As a result, the high pressure fluid from the fluid pump 35 is supplied into the control chamber of the fixed casing 52 through the supply passages 38 and 62 and the fluid passage 59, and the pressure in the control chamber rises as shown in FIG. 5 (b). At this time, since the throttle 60 is interposed in the middle of the fluid passage 59, the amount of fluid per unit time supplied to the control chamber of the fixed casing 52 is limited to a small amount.

  For this reason, the piston 53 moves at a low speed against the spring 58, and a predetermined time is required until the rotating friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 are separated from each other. Therefore, the rotating friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 of the braking means 51 are in frictional contact with each other by the urging force of the spring 58 until the predetermined time elapses from the time T1 (the same as the state before the time T1). And the same initial braking torque as described above is applied to the electric motor 20. Thus, even after energization of the electric motor 20 is started, the starting braking torque is applied to the electric motor 20 from the braking means 51, so that the impact is reduced as in the first embodiment.

  Next, at time T3, the energization of the electric motor 20 is stopped as shown in FIG. 5 (d), and the application of the valve switching voltage to the switching valve 61 is as shown in FIG. 5 (c). Then, the switching valve 61 is switched to the discharge position. As a result, fluid is discharged from the control chamber of the fixed casing 52 to the tank 37 through the supply passages 38 and 62 and the fluid passage 59 by the biasing force of the spring 58, and the pressure in the control chamber is as shown in FIG. 5 (b). At this time, since the throttle 60 is interposed in the middle of the fluid passage 59, the amount of fluid discharged from the control chamber of the fixed casing 52 per unit time is limited to a small amount.

  For this reason, the piston 53 moves at a low speed, and a predetermined time is required until the rotating friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 are in frictional contact with each other. Thus, after the energization of the electric motor 20 is stopped, the final braking torque is applied from the braking means 51 to the electric motor 20 only after a short predetermined time has elapsed. The impact is reduced in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  In addition, a wind gust or the like blows while the wind power generation unit 13 stops turning, and an excessive wind load acts on the wind power generation unit 13, thereby causing the wind power generation unit 13 to turn and the output shaft 55 of the electric motor 20 to rotate at high speed. As a result, the rotational friction plate 56 and the fixed friction plate 57 of the braking means 51 may generate a large amount of frictional heat. In this case, since the detection sensor 33 outputs an abnormal signal to the control unit 26 at time T7 as shown in FIG. 5 (e), the control unit 26 is shown in FIG. 5 (c). Then, a valve switching voltage is applied to the switching valve 61 to switch the switching valve 61 to the supply position. As a result, the high-pressure fluid is supplied to the braking chamber of the fixed casing 52, and the electric motor 20 is released from braking by the braking means 51. Thereafter, when the temperature in the braking means 31 falls below the allowable temperature, the braking torque is again applied to the electric motor 20 by the braking means 51. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, Example 3 will be described. In the third embodiment, when the yaw rotation of the wind power generation unit 13 is stopped, the final braking torque is not applied as described above, and a predetermined time from immediately before the stop of energization to the electric motor 20 until the stop of energization. During this period, the power value supplied to the electric motor 20 is controlled by the control unit 26 such as a triac, thyristor, etc., so that the electric power value supplied to the electric motor 20 during normal yaw turning is smaller. During this time, the applied turning force from the electric motor 20 to the wind power generation unit 13 is reduced. In this manner, the turning speed of the wind power generation unit 13 gradually decreases due to the gyro effect of the rotor head or the like and frictional resistance during the foregoing. Then, if the turning speed is decreased and the final braking torque of a predetermined value is applied to the electric motor 20 by the braking means after the time point when the electric power to the electric motor 20 is stopped, the teeth of the pinion 23 and the internal The impact with the internal teeth 18 of the gear 19 is reduced, which can reduce damage to the teeth of the pinion 23 and the internal gear 19 and noise, and can reduce the size of the apparatus at low cost.

    In the above-described embodiment, the first gear (internal gear) 19 is attached to the tower 11 and the electric motor 20 is attached to the wind power generation unit 13. However, in the present invention, the first gear is used as the wind power generation unit. The drive motor may be attached to the tower. In the above-described embodiment, the electric motor 20 is used as the drive motor. However, in the present invention, a fluid motor may be used. In this case, the driving energy is a high pressure fluid. In the above-described embodiment, the starting and ending braking torque is applied by the same braking means 31, but in the present invention, the starting and ending braking torques are respectively applied by separate braking means. Also good. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ring-shaped internal gear 19 is used as the first gear, and the pinion 23, which is the external gear, is used as the second gear. However, in the present invention, both the external gears are used as the first and second gears. A gear may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the electric motor (drive motor) 20 and the brake mechanism 43 are arranged at equal distances in the circumferential direction. However, the drive motor and brake mechanism may be separated by different distances in the circumferential direction. Good.

  Here, when a fluid motor is used in place of the electric motor 20 in the third embodiment, a current value is generated in the middle of the connection passage connecting the high pressure side supply / discharge passage connected to the fluid motor and the tank. A proportional pressure control valve capable of linearly controlling the passage pressure, or an open / close valve and a low-pressure relief valve may be sequentially provided. In this way, the pressure in the high-pressure side supply / exhaust passage can be maintained at a normal high pressure by setting the proportional pressure control valve to a high pressure or switching the open / close valve to the closed state when the wind power generation unit is turning yaw. On the other hand, the low pressure relief valve is set by setting the proportional pressure control valve to a low pressure or switching the open / close valve to an open state for a predetermined time from immediately before the supply stop time of the high pressure fluid to the fluid motor until the supply stop time. Thus, the fluid can be relieved so that the pressure in the high-pressure side supply / discharge passage can be lowered from the normal high pressure.

  The present invention can be applied to a wind power generator that generates power by rotating a windmill blade with wind power.

It is front sectional drawing which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is the schematic circuit diagram. In the graph explaining the operation timing of Example 1, (a) is the relationship between time and output shaft rotational speed, (b) is the relationship between time and braking voltage, (c) is the relationship between time and motor voltage, (d) shows the relationship between time and sensor signal. FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram similar to FIG. 2 showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the graph explaining the operation timing of Example 2, (a) is the relationship between time and output shaft rotational speed, (b) is the relationship between time and brake chamber pressure, (c) is the relationship between time and valve switching voltage. (D) shows the relationship between time and motor voltage, and (e) shows the relationship between time and sensor signal.

Explanation of symbols

11… Tower 12… Wind generator
13 ... Wind power generation unit 19 ... First gear
20 ... Drive motor 23 ... Second gear
31, 51 ... braking means 33 ... detection sensor
56 ... Rotating friction body 57 ... Fixing friction body
58 ... Biasing body 59 ... Fluid passage
60 ... Aperture 64 ... Separation mechanism

Claims (9)

    A drive motor attached to the other end of the tower or the wind power generation unit, the second gear meshing with the first gear attached to either the tower or the wind power generation unit supported on the upper end of the tower so as to be capable of yaw rotation In the yaw driving method of the wind power generator that rotates the wind power generation unit by yaw by rotating the vehicle, the initial braking of a predetermined value smaller than the maximum driving torque of the driving motor for a predetermined time from the start of driving energy supply to the driving motor. A method of yaw driving a wind power generator, wherein torque is applied to a drive motor by a braking means.     The yaw drive method for a wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein a final braking torque having a predetermined value is applied to the drive motor by a braking means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the drive energy supply stop time to the drive motor.     The drive energy supplied to the drive motor is smaller than the drive energy supplied to the drive motor during normal yaw rotation for a predetermined time from immediately before the drive energy supply stop time to the drive motor to the drive energy supply stop time. The wind power generator yaw driving method according to claim 1, wherein a final braking torque having a predetermined value is applied to the drive motor by the braking means after the stop of the supply of drive energy to the drive motor.     A first gear attached to one of the tower or the wind power generation unit supported at the upper end of the tower so as to be capable of yaw rotation, a second gear meshing with the first gear, and the remaining other of the tower or the wind power generation unit And when the drive energy is supplied, the second gear is driven to rotate to yaw the wind power generation unit, and for a predetermined time from the start of drive energy supply to the drive motor, A yaw drive device for a wind power generator, comprising: braking means for applying to the drive motor a predetermined braking torque smaller than a maximum drive torque.   The yaw drive device for a wind power generator according to claim 4, wherein a final braking torque having a predetermined value is applied to the drive motor after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the drive energy supply to the drive motor is stopped by the braking means.     6. The yaw drive device for a wind power generator according to claim 5, wherein a braking torque is continuously applied to the drive motor by the braking means until a drive energy supply start time to the drive motor.     The braking means includes a fixed-side friction body and a rotation-side friction body that can approach and move away from each other, an urging body that is brought into contact with each other by applying an urging force to the fixed-side and rotation-side friction bodies, and the attachment The yaw drive device for a wind power generator according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a separation mechanism that separates the fixed side and rotary side frictional bodies from each other against the force member.     The wind power generation according to claim 7, wherein the separation mechanism includes a fluid passage capable of separating the fixed and rotating friction bodies from each other by guiding high-pressure fluid, and a throttle interposed in the middle of the fluid passage. Machine yaw drive.     The wind turbine generator yaw according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a detection sensor for detecting the temperature of the braking means, wherein the drive motor is released from braking by the braking means when the braking means rises to an allowable temperature or more. Drive device.

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