JP4994960B2 - Yaw bearing - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a yaw bearing that rotatably supports a nacelle of a wind power generator.

  A yaw bearing that rotatably supports a nacelle of a conventional wind power generator is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-82277 (Patent Document 1). The yaw bearing described in the publication uses a rolling bearing. A braking brake is provided to stably hold the nacelle against the wind direction.

  Since a rolling bearing which is a conventional yaw bearing has a small rotational resistance, a braking brake having a strong braking force is required to prevent the nacelle from exceeding the stop position due to an inertial force. As a result, there are problems such as increasing the size of braking brakes, installing a large number of brakes, increasing the size and complexity of the device, increasing the weight, and increasing the price. In addition, rolling bearings require maintenance with grease replenishment, and contamination with grease has also been a problem.

Therefore, a wind power generator that solves the above problem is described in, for example, US Patent Publication No. 2005-196280 (Patent Document 2). The wind power generator described in the publication employs a sliding bearing composed of a plurality of sliding plates as a yaw bearing. As a result, it is described that the braking brake is simplified and the apparatus can be reduced in size and price. Further, it is described that the sliding plate is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
JP-A-8-82277 US Published Patent No. 2005-196280

  Wind generators are often installed around the coast as a stable geography of wind direction and wind, and are required to have high weather resistance because they continue to be exposed to coastal sea breezes. Also, the wind power generator has a tower that supports the nacelle with a total length of 30 m or more, and is difficult to maintain. Further, the yaw bearing arranged in the nacelle may reach 60 ° C. under the summer sun, and it is necessary that the friction characteristics with respect to the heat change do not vary.

  However, polyethylene terephthalate may be reduced in friction characteristics and mechanical strength due to hydrolysis, and it is considered that the sliding plate needs to be periodically replaced in order to prevent problems with the wind power generator.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a yaw bearing having a high weather resistance and a long service life, which is a bearing that supports a nacelle of a wind power generator in a swingable manner.

  A yaw bearing according to the present invention is a bearing that rotatably supports a nacelle of a wind power generator, and includes an annular horizontal sliding plate that abuts the lower surface of the nacelle and supports a thrust load. The horizontal sliding plate is a solid metal layer, a porous metal layer formed by solidifying metal powder and laminated on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the solid metal layer, and one thickness direction of the porous metal layer. And a resin layer that is laminated on the side wall surface and abuts against the nacelle. Furthermore, the resin layer is a mixed coating film of a fluororesin and a binder resin.

  The porous metal layer exhibits an anchor effect that firmly adheres the resin layer and the solid metal layer. Further, when the resin layer is worn and the porous metal layer is exposed on the surface, further progress of wear can be prevented. As a result, a long-life yaw bearing can be obtained.

  Even when the fluororesin coating is installed on the coast, it is not hydrolyzed or corroded by salt water, and its friction characteristics and mechanical strength are stable over the long term. As a result, maintenance-free for 30 years or more can be achieved.

  Preferably, the mixing ratio of the fluororesin and the binder resin is 35-60: 65-40 by weight. When the total amount of the fluororesin and the binder resin is 100 parts by weight, sufficient sliding characteristics cannot be obtained if the fluororesin is less than 35 parts by weight. It becomes difficult to exert binding force and wear resistance.

  Preferably, the binder resin is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide resin, polyamideimide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, epoxy resin, and phenol resin. Thereby, the binding force between the porous metal layer and the fluororesin can be improved, and the weather resistance and wear resistance of the resin layer can be improved.

  Preferably, the resin layer includes 10 to 80 parts by volume of a friction modifier with respect to 100 parts by volume of the fluororesin. By adding the friction modifier, a sufficient friction force can be applied to the resin layer, and the friction stability of the resin layer is improved. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size and labor of the braking brake. If the friction modifier is less than 10 parts by volume, sufficient frictional force is not applied to the resin layer. On the other hand, when it exceeds 80 volume parts, the frictional force of the resin layer becomes high, and the rotational performance of the nacelle decreases.

  Preferably, the friction modifier is made of a non-corrosive substance. As a result, high wear characteristics and mechanical strength can be maintained over a long period of time even when the wind power generator is installed around the coast.

  Preferably, the non-corrosive substance is selected from the group consisting of glass, carbon, silicon carbide, potassium titanate, magnesium borate, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, iron oxide, alumina, and wollastonite. At least one type.

  Preferably, the porous metal layer is a copper alloy powder layer formed by sintering or spraying on the surface of the solid metal layer. The sintered or sprayed layer of copper alloy is preferable in that it does not damage the counterpart material even when the resin layer is worn and the porous metal layer is exposed on the surface, and is excellent in workability and adhesion.

  Preferably, the yaw bearing is a cylindrical member extending in a direction intersecting with the horizontal sliding plate from the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal sliding plate, and further includes a vertical sliding plate that supports a radial load applied to the nacelle. Prepare. The vertical sliding plate is a solid metal layer, a porous metal layer formed by solidifying metal powder and laminated on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the solid metal layer, and the thickness of the porous metal layer. And a resin layer that is laminated on the wall on one side in the direction and abuts against the nacelle.

  According to this invention, even if the sliding plate of a yaw bearing is installed in a coast part, it can prevent a hydrolysis and corrosion by salt water effectively. As a result, a yaw bearing having high weather resistance and a long life can be obtained.

  With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the wind power generator 31 which employ | adopted the yaw bearing 11 (it is also called a "swivel seat bearing") which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The wind power generator 31 includes a support base 32, a yaw bearing 11, a nacelle 34, a blade 35, a main shaft 36, a speed increaser 37, a generator 38, a bearing housing 39, and a main shaft support bearing 42. The motor 40 for rotation and the reduction gear 41 are provided.

  The nacelle 34 is installed on the support base 32 via the yaw bearing 11, and can be turned horizontally by a turning motor 40 and a speed reducer 41. Moreover, it functions as a housing that accommodates the main shaft 36, the speed increaser 37, the power generator 38, the main shaft support bearing 42, the turning motor 40, the speed reducer 41, and the like, which are the main components of the wind power generator 31.

  The blade 35 is fixed to one end of the main shaft 36 and rotates by receiving wind. One end of the main shaft 36 is connected to the blade 35 and the other end is connected to the speed increaser 37, and the rotation of the blade 35 is transmitted to the generator 38 via the speed increaser 37. Further, it is rotatably supported by a main shaft bearing 42 incorporated in the bearing housing 39.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the yaw bearing 11 of the wind power generator 31 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of the horizontal sliding plate shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 2 is a view showing a yaw bearing 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a partial enlarged view.

  First, referring to FIG. 2, the yaw bearing 11 includes a horizontal sliding plate 12 and a vertical sliding plate 13 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “sliding plate”). The horizontal sliding plate 12 has an annular shape and constitutes a wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the yaw bearing 11. Specifically, the horizontal sliding plate 12 is formed by connecting a plurality of arc-shaped horizontal sliding members 12a in the circumferential direction. The horizontal sliding plate 12 is a thrust sliding bearing that contacts the lower surface of the nacelle 34 of the wind power generator 31 and supports the thrust load.

  The vertical sliding plate 13 is a cylindrical member that extends from the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal sliding plate 12 in a direction intersecting with the horizontal sliding plate 12 (in this embodiment, “orthogonal”). Specifically, the vertical sliding plate 13 is formed by connecting a plurality of arc-shaped vertical sliding members 13a in the circumferential direction. The vertical sliding plate 13 is a radial sliding bearing that supports a radial load applied to the nacelle 34 of the wind power generator 31.

  In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the horizontal sliding plate 12 is configured by connecting 12 horizontal sliding plates 12a in the circumferential direction. The horizontal sliding plate 12 can be configured by the member 12a. For example, the number may be about 4 to 16. The same applies to the case where the vertical sliding plate 13 is constituted by the vertical sliding member 13a.

  Referring to FIG. 3, horizontal sliding member 12 a and vertical sliding member 13 a (hereinafter collectively referred to as “sliding member”) are held by arc-shaped attachment portion 21. Then, the adjacent attaching portions 21 are connected in the circumferential direction by connecting means (not shown) to form the annular yaw bearing 11 as shown in FIG. Since the yaw bearing 11 is very large, the above configuration improves the assembly of the yaw bearing 11 and facilitates maintenance.

  1 and 2, the horizontal sliding plate 12 is a laminated structure in which a resin layer 22, a porous metal layer 23, and a solid metal layer 24 are laminated in the thickness direction. The solid metal layer 24 is formed of aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel, or the like.

  The porous metal layer 23 is formed by solidifying metal powder on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the solid metal layer 24. Specifically, the metal powder is formed by sintering or spraying the solid metal layer 24 on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction. As the metal powder, for example, iron-based, copper-based, nickel-based, molybdenum-based, aluminum-based, and a composite of these can be used. In view of cost, workability and adhesion, it is desirable to use copper alloy powder.

  The porous metal layer 23 exhibits an anchor effect that firmly adheres the resin layer 22 and the solid metal layer 24. Moreover, the original compression resistance characteristic of the resin material forming the resin layer 22 is enhanced. Further, when the resin layer 22 is worn and the porous metal layer 23 is exposed on the surface, further progress of wear can be prevented.

  The resin layer 22 is formed on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the porous metal layer 23 and is in contact with the lower surface of the nacelle 34. The resin layer 22 is a mixed coating film of a fluororesin that is a solid lubricant and a binder resin as a base material of the resin layer 22.

  Examples of the fluororesin that is a solid lubricant of the resin layer 22 include polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as “PTFE”), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-hexa. Fluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene-fluoroalkyl vinyl ether-fluoroolefin copolymer (EPE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), ethylene-chloro Trifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and polyvinyl fluoride (PDF) can be used. Among the above fluororesins, PTFE is preferable because it is low in price, excellent in availability, and easy to control friction characteristics.

  Among PTFE, powder PTFE having a function like a lubricant is preferable. Specifically, regenerated PTFE obtained by pulverizing PTFE that has been fired once, or PTFE powder that has been reduced in molecular weight by subjecting PTFE to gamma ray irradiation treatment to cleave molecular chains can be used. Examples of commercially available products corresponding to the former include Polyflon M15, Lubron L-2 manufactured by Daikin Industries, Teflon (registered trademark) TLP-10 manufactured by DuPont, and Fullon G163 manufactured by Asahi Glass. Commercial products corresponding to the latter include KTL610 manufactured by Kitamura.

  The binder resin that is the base material of the resin layer 22 improves the binding force between the resin layer 22 and the porous metal layer 23 and the retention of the fluororesin in the resin layer 22, and improves the wear resistance of the resin layer 22. Let

  Examples of the binder resin include polyimide resin (hereinafter referred to as “PI”), polyamideimide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin (hereinafter referred to as “PPS”), epoxy resin, phenol resin, and the like. Among them, PI and PPS have a low water absorption rate and good dimensional stability, so that the mechanical strength is hardly lowered. PI and PPS are excellent in binding property with the porous metal layer 23. From these two points, the binder resin is preferably PI or PPS.

  The mixing ratio of the fluororesin and the binder resin in the resin layer 22 is 35-60: 65-40 by weight ratio. When the total amount of the fluororesin and the binder resin is 100 parts by weight, sufficient sliding characteristics cannot be obtained if the fluororesin is less than 35 parts by weight. It becomes difficult to exert binding force and wear resistance.

  In addition, the yaw bearing 11 is capable of smoothly turning the nacelle 34 and requires a frictional force so that the inertial force does not exceed the stop position when the braking brake is operated. Specifically, a sufficient frictional force is applied to the resin layer 22 by adding a friction modifier to the resin layer 22. As a result, the friction stability of the resin layer 22 is improved, and the brake brake can be reduced in size or labor saving.

  The friction modifier is preferably added in an amount of 10 to 80 parts by volume with respect to 100 parts by volume of the fluororesin. When the friction adjusting material is 10 parts by volume, a sufficient frictional force is not applied to the resin layer 22. Moreover, when it exceeds 80 capacity parts, the frictional force of the resin layer 22 becomes too high, and the rotational performance of the nacelle 34 is lowered.

  In addition, the friction modifier is non-corrosive that does not cause oxidative degradation in order to prevent the frictional characteristics and mechanical strength of the sliding plate from deteriorating over a long period of time even when the wind power generator 31 is installed around the coast. It is desirable that the material is composed of an ionic substance, and a low water absorption material having a low water absorption rate is more desirable.

  Examples of the friction modifier having the above properties include glass fiber, glass bead, carbon fiber, carbon powder, graphite, spheroidal graphite, aramid fiber, iron oxide powder, alumina powder, wollastonite, silicon carbide, and titanic acid. Examples include various whiskers such as potassium, magnesium borate, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and various powders.

  Non-corrosive substances include glass, carbon, iron oxide, alumina, wollastonite, silicon carbide, potassium titanate, magnesium borate, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate and the like.

  Similarly, the vertical sliding plate 13 is a laminated structure in which a resin layer 25, a porous metal layer 26, and a solid metal layer 27 are laminated in the radial direction. Specifically, the porous metal layer 26 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the solid metal layer 27, and the resin layer 25 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the porous metal layer 26. In addition, since the composition and role of each layer of the vertical sliding plate 13 are the same as those of the horizontal sliding plate 12, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the yaw bearing 11 will be described.

  First, a laminated structure that forms the horizontal sliding member 12a is formed. Specifically, the porous metal layer 23 is formed on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the solid metal layer 24. The porous metal layer 23 is formed by solidifying metal powder. In one embodiment, the metal powder can be formed by sintering. As another embodiment, the metal powder can be formed by thermal spraying on the surface of the solid metal layer 24.

  Next, the resin layer 22 is formed on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the porous metal layer 23. Specifically, first, a coating material is prepared by dispersing a mixture of a fluororesin, a binder resin, and a friction modifier in a solvent. The prepared paint is applied to the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the porous metal layer 23. And the resin layer 22 is formed by press-contacting with a press etc. so that the resin component may be impregnated in the hole of the porous metal layer 23.

  Next, the laminated structure is fired in an electric furnace to form the horizontal sliding member 12a. The firing temperature is the firing temperature of the binder resin. Moreover, since the formation method of the vertical sliding member 13a is also almost common, description is abbreviate | omitted. Finally, the horizontal sliding member 12a and the vertical sliding member 13a are bonded and fixed to the metal attachment portion 21 or fixed by fastening means such as bolts, and the yaw bearing 11 is assembled.

  Prior to the step of forming the porous metal layer 23, it is desirable to perform plating on the surface of the solid metal layer 24 (particularly, the wall surface on which the porous metal layer 23 is formed). Thereby, the adhesiveness of the porous metal layer 23 and the solid metal layer 24 is improved. The plating is performed with the same metal element as the metal element included in the porous metal layer 23.

  In addition, prior to the step of attaching the sliding member to the attachment portion 21, it is desirable to machine (polish or the like) the wall surface of the sliding member abutted on the nacelle 34 obtained by the above method. By polishing or the like on the surface of the resin layer 22, the friction adjusting material can be exposed on the sliding surface in contact with the nacelle 34. If the area ratio of the friction modifier exposed on the processed surface is 5% to 40%, an appropriate frictional force can be applied to the sliding member. As a result, when a braking brake (not shown) that stops turning of the nacelle 34 is operated, the nacelle 34 does not exceed the stop position due to inertial force.

  In addition, the resin layers 22 and 25 constituting the horizontal sliding plate 12 and the vertical sliding plate 13 may have the same composition or different compositions. For example, a higher effect can be expected by appropriately combining a binder resin and a friction modifier in accordance with the characteristics of the load applied to the sliding plate.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example in which the yaw bearing is configured by the horizontal sliding plate 12 and the vertical sliding plate 13 has been shown. However, if only the horizontal sliding plate 12 is configured as described above, the effects of the present invention can be achieved. Obtainable. For example, a radial bearing may be adopted instead of the vertical sliding plate 13.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

  The present invention is advantageously used in a yaw bearing that rotatably supports a nacelle of a wind power generator.

It is sectional drawing in II of the horizontal sliding board shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the yaw bearing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the yaw bearing shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the wind power generator which employ | adopted the yaw bearing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an illustration side view of the wind power generator shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

11 Yaw bearing, 12 Horizontal sliding plate, 12a Horizontal sliding member, 13 Vertical sliding plate, 13a Vertical sliding member, 21 Mounting portion, 22, 25 Resin layer, 23, 26 Porous metal layer, 24, 27 Real metal layer, 31 wind power generator, 32 support base, 34 nacelle, 35 blade, 36 main shaft, 37 speed increaser, 38 power generator, 39 bearing housing, 40 swing motor, 41 speed reducer, 42 main shaft support bearing.

Claims (6)

A yaw bearing that rotatably supports a nacelle of a wind power generator,
It has an annular horizontal sliding plate that contacts the lower surface of the nacelle and supports the thrust load,
The horizontal sliding plate is
A solid metal layer,
A porous metal layer formed by solidifying metal powder and laminated on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the solid metal layer;
And laminated on the wall surface on one side in the thickness direction of the porous metal layer, and including a resin layer in contact with the nacelle,
The resin layer, Ri mixed coating der the friction modifier comprising a fluorocarbon resin and a binder resin and a non-corrosive material,
The friction modifier includes 10 to 80 parts by volume with respect to 100 parts by volume of the fluororesin,
The binder resin is at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a polyimide resin, a polyamideimide resin, a polyphenylene sulfide resin, an epoxy resin, and a phenol resin . The yaw bearing according to claim 1, wherein a mixing ratio of the fluororesin and the binder resin is 35-60: 65-40. The non-corrosive substance is selected from the group consisting of glass, carbon, silicon carbide, potassium titanate, magnesium borate, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, iron oxide, alumina, and wollastonite. The yaw bearing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there is at least one kind. The yaw bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the porous metal layer is a copper alloy powder layer formed by sintering or spraying on a surface of the solid metal layer. The yaw bearing is a cylindrical member extending in a direction intersecting with the horizontal sliding plate from an inner peripheral surface of the horizontal sliding plate, and further includes a vertical sliding plate that supports a radial load applied to the nacelle. Prepared,
The vertical sliding plate is
A solid metal layer,
A porous metal layer formed by solidifying metal powder and laminated on the inner peripheral surface of the solid metal layer;
The yaw bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a resin layer that is laminated on an inner peripheral surface of the porous metal layer and abuts against a nacelle. The yaw bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a surface of the resin layer that contacts the nacelle is a surface on which the friction modifier is exposed.

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