WO2007095953A1 - Gearbox for a wind turbine, bearing and method of manufacturing a bearing - Google Patents

Gearbox for a wind turbine, bearing and method of manufacturing a bearing Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007095953A1
WO2007095953A1 PCT/DK2007/000089 DK2007000089W WO2007095953A1 WO 2007095953 A1 WO2007095953 A1 WO 2007095953A1 DK 2007000089 W DK2007000089 W DK 2007000089W WO 2007095953 A1 WO2007095953 A1 WO 2007095953A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bearing
wind turbine
rolling elements
gearbox
rows
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2007/000089
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Knud Erik Petersen
Original Assignee
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vestas Wind Systems A/S filed Critical Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Publication of WO2007095953A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007095953A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C19/50—Other types of ball or roller bearings
    • F16C19/505—Other types of ball or roller bearings with the diameter of the rolling elements of one row differing from the diameter of those of another row
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D80/00—Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
    • F03D80/70—Bearing or lubricating arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C19/22—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings
    • F16C19/34—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings for both radial and axial load
    • F16C19/38—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of rollers
    • F16C19/383—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of rollers with tapered rollers, i.e. rollers having essentially the shape of a truncated cone
    • F16C19/385—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of rollers with tapered rollers, i.e. rollers having essentially the shape of a truncated cone with two rows, i.e. double-row tapered roller bearings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
    • F16C33/58—Raceways; Race rings
    • F16C33/60—Raceways; Race rings divided or split, e.g. comprising two juxtaposed rings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/20—Geometry three-dimensional
    • F05B2250/24—Geometry three-dimensional ellipsoidal
    • F05B2250/241—Geometry three-dimensional ellipsoidal spherical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/20—Geometry three-dimensional
    • F05B2250/29—Geometry three-dimensional machined; miscellaneous
    • F05B2250/292—Geometry three-dimensional machined; miscellaneous tapered
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/30—Arrangement of components
    • F05B2250/31—Arrangement of components according to the direction of their main axis or their axis of rotation
    • F05B2250/314—Arrangement of components according to the direction of their main axis or their axis of rotation the axes being inclined in relation to each other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2300/00—Application independent of particular apparatuses
    • F16C2300/10—Application independent of particular apparatuses related to size
    • F16C2300/14—Large applications, e.g. bearings having an inner diameter exceeding 500 mm
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2360/00—Engines or pumps
    • F16C2360/31—Wind motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H1/00—Toothed gearings for conveying rotary motion
    • F16H1/28—Toothed gearings for conveying rotary motion with gears having orbital motion
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a gearbox for a wind turbine, a bearing and method of manufacturing a bearing.
  • Bearings of a modern wind turbine often face high and changing loads. Further, they may need to accommodate axial, radial and moment loads acting either singly or in combination.
  • the bearing may be tuned different operating conditions as they occur in the wind turbine gearbox due to fluctuations of load or even load reversals. Further, the risk of skidding on a smaller row of bearing elements which may not be loaded in normal operation is decreased.
  • a plane should be understood as a plane perpendicular to the direction of rotational shafts connected to the rings of the bearing e.g. a mid plane of the bearing and the gearbox.
  • the bearing partly or totally encloses the transmission means.
  • the durable bearing ensures that the load forces of the wind turbine gearbox are transmitted to the rest of the drive train in a preferred manner.
  • the invention also relates to a bearing for a wind turbine comprising at least two rows of bearing rolling elements, said rows being asymmetrically in relation to a plane of the bearing, and inner and outer bearing rings at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is one unit including the inner or outer raceways for said bearing rolling elements.
  • each row may be efficiently adapted to the load situation of a wind turbine.
  • the entire bearing arrangement consumes less space.
  • the term "one unit" should be understood as one component manufactured with more than one raceway for bearing elements.
  • said rows being asymmetrically by one or more of the following choices; different contact angle, different roller length, different roller diameter, different roller number, as well as any combination hereof.
  • the bearing may face reverse loads. Reverse loads occur with a situation of reverse rotation but generally with lower loads.
  • Advantages are obtained as a larger bearing row may be adapted to the direction where the normal operating loads occur, and a smaller bearing to the reverse direction i.e. making it possible to manufacture a more compact and price efficient bearing.
  • said rolling elements are bearing rollers.
  • bearing rollers in contrary to bearing balls is usually more appropriate in the difficult load situations of a wind turbine.
  • said bearing is a double, triple or four row bearing.
  • said bearing is a double, triple or four row bearing.
  • said bearing is of a taper or spherical roller bearing type.
  • At least the inner or the outer bearing ring comprises a pre-adjusted internal clearance and/or common support shoulders.
  • the inner, outer ring or both rings being integrated with the bearing environment, for example the shaft, the housing or an idler gear of the gearbox.
  • the bearing environment for example the shaft, the housing or an idler gear of the gearbox.
  • Fretting corrosion is normally likely to occur in the axial surfaces between the bearing rows, and especially due to bending of the inner rings.
  • the invention also provides a method of manufacturing a bearing for a wind turbine where at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is manufactured as one unit and for example with a pre-adjusted internal clearance.
  • a pre-adjusted internal clearance e.g. of a wind turbine gearbox.
  • spacer rings arranged between the inner rings, the outer rings, or both may be avoided.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a large modern wind turbine
  • Fig. 2 illustrates the main components in a modern wind turbine
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a double row bearing in a bearing application of a wind turbine
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a wind turbine application.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a modern wind turbine 1.
  • the wind turbine 1 comprises a tower 2 positioned on a foundation 6.
  • a wind turbine nacelle 3 with a yaw mechanism is placed on top of the tower 2.
  • the wind turbine rotor comprises at least one rotor blade e.g. three rotor blades 5 as illustrated on the figure.
  • the rotor blades 5 may be pitchable in relation to the hub 4 by using pitch mechanisms or fixed mounted to the hub 4 as stall rotor blades.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates main components of a modern wind turbine and especially the main components of the nacelle 3.
  • a low speed shaft 7 extends out of the nacelle front and is connected with a wind turbine rotor 5 through the wind turbine hub 4.
  • the low speed shaft is connected to the gearbox 8 in the nacelle.
  • the gearbox transforms the low speed power to high speed power for the electric generator 11 via the high speed shaft 10.
  • the electric generator 11 transforms the shaft motion to an electric AC power e.g. for a utility grid.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a double row roller bearing 9 in a gearbox application of a modern wind turbine.
  • the gearbox 8 is illustrated as a planetary gearbox such as a three stage planetary or two planetary and one helical stage gearbox of a modern wind turbine.
  • Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a tapered double row roller bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Each row of the bearing is asymmetrical positioned in relation to the mid plane mp of the bearing.
  • Fig. 4a illustrates a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment according to the invention.
  • the tapered double row roller bearing 9 comprises a first row of bearing rollers 12a and second row of bearing rollers 12b.
  • the rows of bearing rollers are positioned between an inner bearing ring 13, illustrated as one unit including two inner raceways 14a, 14b, and an outer bearing 18.
  • the inner bearing ring 13 is further illustrated with a common support shoulder 16 between the two inner raceways 14a, 14b for the rows of bearing rollers.
  • the outer ring 18 is illustrated as a first and second outer ring part 15a, 15b, each part adapted for one row of bearing rollers.
  • the first and second outer ring part 15a, 15b is connected by connection part 17.
  • the bearing may comprise an outer ring as one unit and the inner rings manufactured in parts or even both rings may each be manufactured as one unit.
  • Fig. 4b especially illustrates how bearing asymmetry may be achieved by different lengths of the rollers i.e. L 2 is larger than L 1 or by different contact angles of the rows e.g. in relation to a given plane of the bearing such as the mid plane mp.
  • the contact angle ⁇ may be different from the contact angle ⁇ in relation to the mid plane.
  • diameter of the bearing rollers in one row may be different from diameter of the bearing rollers of the other row i.e. diameter D 1 may be different from D 2 or in a tapered bearing diameter D la and/or Oi b may be different from D la and/or D 2 b.
  • the number of rollers in each row may also be different.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a wind turbine application.
  • the figure illustrates the low speed shaft entrance in the gearbox where the bearing acts as a gear bearing facing the different loads of the shaft. Further the bearing encloses the transmission means such as planet and sun gear units of a planet gearbox.
  • a further application for the present invention may be as one or two separate bearings of the low speed shaft.
  • the bearing may be used in a blade pitch mechanism or as generator or yaw bearings of a wind turbine as well as in any other bearing application of a wind turbine.
  • the invention has been exemplified above with reference to specific examples of bearings in a wind turbine. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular bearing examples described above but may be altered e.g. in bearing types such as use of thrust bearings or type of rolling elements. Further, it should be understood that the bearing may be designed in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as specified in the claims.
  • Wind turbine tower 3. Wind turbine nacelle
  • Bearing rolling element of a first row e.g. a bearing roller 12b.
  • Bearing rolling element of a second row e. g. a bearing roller
  • Transmission means ⁇ Contact angle of the first row of bearing rolling elements in relation to the mid plane of the bearing ⁇ . Contact angle of the second row of bearing rolling elements in relation to the mid plane of the bearing cl. Centre line of a shaft in the rotational direction e.g. the low speed shaft mp. Mid plane of the bearing

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a wind turbine gearbox (9) comprising transmission means (19), and at least one bearing (9) comprising at least two rows of bearing rolling elements (12a, 12b), said rows being asymmetrically in relation to a plane of the bearing, and inner and outer bearing rings (13, 15 a, 15b, 17) at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is one unit including the inner or outer raceways (14a, 14b) for said bearing rolling elements. The invention also relates to a bearing, and a method of manufacturing a bearing.

Description

GEARBOX FOR A WIND TURBINE, BEARING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A
BEARING
Field of invention The present invention relates to a gearbox for a wind turbine, a bearing and method of manufacturing a bearing.
Description of the related art
Bearings of a modern wind turbine often face high and changing loads. Further, they may need to accommodate axial, radial and moment loads acting either singly or in combination.
It is well-known within the technical field to use bearing types suitable for the difficult load situations and especially double row tapered roller bearings. Due to the size of the bearing it is normal to pair two identical single row tapered roller bearings into one double row bearing i.e. back to back or face to face arrangements. The two rows make the bearing especially qualified in sustaining axial and radial loads and is generally a very robust solution for a wind turbine. However, the bearing solution is very large in size.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gearbox solution which is more size efficiently adapted to the load situation of a wind turbine.
The invention The invention provides a wind turbine gearbox comprising transmission means, and at least one bearing comprising at least two rows of bearing rolling elements, said rows being asymmetrically in relation to a plane of the bearing, and inner and outer bearing rings at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is one unit including the inner or outer raceways for said bearing rolling elements. Hereby is obtained an improved wind turbine gearbox in which the size of each row may be efficiently adapted to the load situation of a wind turbine. Thereby, the entire bearing arrangement consumes less space in relation to the significant axial and radial forces which are introduced from the rotor.
The bearing may be tuned different operating conditions as they occur in the wind turbine gearbox due to fluctuations of load or even load reversals. Further, the risk of skidding on a smaller row of bearing elements which may not be loaded in normal operation is decreased.
The term "a plane" should be understood as a plane perpendicular to the direction of rotational shafts connected to the rings of the bearing e.g. a mid plane of the bearing and the gearbox.
In one aspect of the invention, the bearing partly or totally encloses the transmission means. With the aspect is achieved an advantageous embodiment of the invention in relation to the significant diameter of modern wind turbine gearboxes. The durable bearing ensures that the load forces of the wind turbine gearbox are transmitted to the rest of the drive train in a preferred manner.
The invention also relates to a bearing for a wind turbine comprising at least two rows of bearing rolling elements, said rows being asymmetrically in relation to a plane of the bearing, and inner and outer bearing rings at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is one unit including the inner or outer raceways for said bearing rolling elements.
Hereby is obtained an improved bearing in which the size of each row may be efficiently adapted to the load situation of a wind turbine. Thereby, the entire bearing arrangement consumes less space. The term "one unit" should be understood as one component manufactured with more than one raceway for bearing elements.
In one aspect of the invention, said rows being asymmetrically by one or more of the following choices; different contact angle, different roller length, different roller diameter, different roller number, as well as any combination hereof. Hereby it is possible to adapt each row to a load situation in an optimal manner. Beyond the normal operating load situation with axial, radial and moment loads of one rotation direction it is also possible that the bearing may face reverse loads. Reverse loads occur with a situation of reverse rotation but generally with lower loads. Advantages are obtained as a larger bearing row may be adapted to the direction where the normal operating loads occur, and a smaller bearing to the reverse direction i.e. making it possible to manufacture a more compact and price efficient bearing.
In another aspect of the invention, said rolling elements are bearing rollers. Hereby is an advantageous embodiment of the invention achieved. The use of bearing rollers in contrary to bearing balls is usually more appropriate in the difficult load situations of a wind turbine.
In further aspect of the invention, said bearing is a double, triple or four row bearing. Hereby it is possible to adapt different bearing rows to even further different load situations.
In even further aspect of the invention, said bearing is of a taper or spherical roller bearing type. With the contact angles of each row pointing in opposite directions it is possible to adapt more advantageously to an axial, radial and moment load situation.
In an aspect of the invention, at least the inner or the outer bearing ring comprises a pre-adjusted internal clearance and/or common support shoulders. Hereby it is possible to reduce the necessary material use by rows sharing common functions and especially as tolerances and assembly slack can be controlled within much closer limits i.e. making it possible to manufacture a more compact and price efficient bearing.
In another aspect of the invention, the inner, outer ring or both rings being integrated with the bearing environment, for example the shaft, the housing or an idler gear of the gearbox. Hereby it is possible to take the robust function of the bearing to a higher level, because tolerances and assembly slack can be controlled within much closer limits.
In another aspect of the invention, the inner bearing ring is one unit, with more than one raceway, in order to avoid fretting corrosion.
Fretting corrosion is normally likely to occur in the axial surfaces between the bearing rows, and especially due to bending of the inner rings.
The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a bearing for a wind turbine where at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is manufactured as one unit and for example with a pre-adjusted internal clearance. Hereby, it is possible avoid any adjustment procedures, during the assembly process e.g. of a wind turbine gearbox. Especially alignment with the use of spacer rings arranged between the inner rings, the outer rings, or both may be avoided.
Figures
The invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which
Fig. 1 illustrates a large modern wind turbine,
Fig. 2 illustrates the main components in a modern wind turbine, Fig. 3 illustrates a double row bearing in a bearing application of a wind turbine,
Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a preferred embodiment of a bearing according to the invention, and
Fig. 5 illustrates the bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a wind turbine application.
Detailed description of the present invention
Fig. 1 illustrates a modern wind turbine 1. The wind turbine 1 comprises a tower 2 positioned on a foundation 6. A wind turbine nacelle 3 with a yaw mechanism is placed on top of the tower 2.
The wind turbine rotor comprises at least one rotor blade e.g. three rotor blades 5 as illustrated on the figure. The rotor blades 5 may be pitchable in relation to the hub 4 by using pitch mechanisms or fixed mounted to the hub 4 as stall rotor blades.
Fig. 2 illustrates main components of a modern wind turbine and especially the main components of the nacelle 3.
A low speed shaft 7 extends out of the nacelle front and is connected with a wind turbine rotor 5 through the wind turbine hub 4. The low speed shaft is connected to the gearbox 8 in the nacelle. The gearbox transforms the low speed power to high speed power for the electric generator 11 via the high speed shaft 10. The electric generator 11 transforms the shaft motion to an electric AC power e.g. for a utility grid.
The transmission part of the gearbox is pivotally connected to the gearbox housing and the nacelle via a bearing 9. Fig. 3 illustrates a double row roller bearing 9 in a gearbox application of a modern wind turbine.
The bearing is illustrated as a tapered double row roller bearing which each row is symmetrical positioned in relation to the mid plane of the bearing.
The gearbox 8 is illustrated as a planetary gearbox such as a three stage planetary or two planetary and one helical stage gearbox of a modern wind turbine.
Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a tapered double row roller bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Each row of the bearing is asymmetrical positioned in relation to the mid plane mp of the bearing.
Fig. 4a illustrates a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment according to the invention.
The tapered double row roller bearing 9 comprises a first row of bearing rollers 12a and second row of bearing rollers 12b. The rows of bearing rollers are positioned between an inner bearing ring 13, illustrated as one unit including two inner raceways 14a, 14b, and an outer bearing 18.
The inner bearing ring 13 is further illustrated with a common support shoulder 16 between the two inner raceways 14a, 14b for the rows of bearing rollers.
The outer ring 18 is illustrated as a first and second outer ring part 15a, 15b, each part adapted for one row of bearing rollers. The first and second outer ring part 15a, 15b is connected by connection part 17.
In other embodiments of the invention, the bearing may comprise an outer ring as one unit and the inner rings manufactured in parts or even both rings may each be manufactured as one unit. Fig. 4b especially illustrates how bearing asymmetry may be achieved by different lengths of the rollers i.e. L2 is larger than L1 or by different contact angles of the rows e.g. in relation to a given plane of the bearing such as the mid plane mp. In one embodiment the contact angle α may be different from the contact angle β in relation to the mid plane.
Further, the diameter of the bearing rollers in one row may be different from diameter of the bearing rollers of the other row i.e. diameter D1 may be different from D2 or in a tapered bearing diameter Dla and/or Oib may be different from Dla and/or D2b.
The number of rollers in each row may also be different.
Finally, combinations of any of the abovementioned asymmetric solutions may be used in the bearing.
Fig. 5 illustrates the bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a wind turbine application. The figure illustrates the low speed shaft entrance in the gearbox where the bearing acts as a gear bearing facing the different loads of the shaft. Further the bearing encloses the transmission means such as planet and sun gear units of a planet gearbox.
A further application for the present invention may be as one or two separate bearings of the low speed shaft.
Even further, the bearing may be used in a blade pitch mechanism or as generator or yaw bearings of a wind turbine as well as in any other bearing application of a wind turbine. The invention has been exemplified above with reference to specific examples of bearings in a wind turbine. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular bearing examples described above but may be altered e.g. in bearing types such as use of thrust bearings or type of rolling elements. Further, it should be understood that the bearing may be designed in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as specified in the claims.
Reference list
In the drawings the following reference numbers refer to:
1 , Wind turbine
2. Wind turbine tower 3. Wind turbine nacelle
4. Wind turbine rotor hub
5. Wind turbine rotor blade
6. Wind turbine foundation
7. Low speed shaft 8. Gearbox
9. Bearing of the gearbox
10. High speed shaft
11. Electric generator
12a. Bearing rolling element of a first row e.g. a bearing roller 12b. Bearing rolling element of a second row e. g. a bearing roller
13. Inner bearing ring for two rows of bearing rolling elements
14a. Inner raceway for bearing rolling elements in a first row
14b. Inner raceway for bearing rolling elements in a second row
15 a. First outer ring part for one row of bearing rolling elements 15b. Second outer ring part for one row of bearing rolling elements
16. Common support shoulder of the inner bearing ring
17. Connection part between the outer ring parts
18. Outer bearing ring
19. Transmission means α. Contact angle of the first row of bearing rolling elements in relation to the mid plane of the bearing β. Contact angle of the second row of bearing rolling elements in relation to the mid plane of the bearing cl. Centre line of a shaft in the rotational direction e.g. the low speed shaft mp. Mid plane of the bearing
D. Diameter of the bearing rolling elements L. Length of the bearing rolling elements

Claims

Claims
1. Wind turbine gearbox (9) comprising
transmission means (19),
at least one bearing (9) comprising at least two rows of bearing rolling elements (12a, 12b), said rows being asymmetrically in relation to a plane of the bearing, and inner and outer bearing rings (13, 15a, 15b, 17) at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is one unit including the inner or outer raceways (14a, 14b) for said bearing rolling elements.
2. Wind turbine gearbox (9) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing (9) partly or totally encloses the transmission means (19)
3. Wind turbine gearbox (9) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said inner bearing ring is one unit with more than one raceway (14a, 14b).
4. Bearing (9) for a wind turbine (1) such as a wind turbine gearbox according to any of claims 1 to 3, said bearing comprising
at least two rows of bearing rolling elements (12a, 12b), said rows being asymmetrically in relation to a plane of the bearing, and
inner and outer bearing rings (13, 15a, 15b, 17)
at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is one unit including the inner or outer raceways (14a, 14b) for said bearing rolling elements.
5. Bearing (9) according to claim 4, wherein said rows of bearing rolling elements (12a, 12b) being asymmetrically by one or more of the following choices; different contact angles (α, β),
different roller lengths (L1, L2),
different roller diameters (D1, D2 or Dla- D2b),
different roller number
as well as any combinations hereof.
6. Bearing (9) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said rolling elements are bearing rollers.
7. Bearing (9) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein said bearing (9) is a double, triple or four row bearing.
8. Bearing (9) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein said bearing (9) being of a taper or spherical roller bearing type.
9. Bearing (9) according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein at least the inner or the outer bearing ring (13, 18) comprises a pre-adjusted internal clearance and/or common support shoulders (16).
10. Bearing (9) according to claim 9, wherein the inner (13), outer ring (18) or both rings being integrated with the bearing environment, for example the shaft, the housing or an idler gear of the gearbox (8).
11. Bearing (9) according to any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the inner bearing ring (13) is one unit with more than one raceway (14a, 14b).
12. Method of manufacturing a bearing for a wind turbine such as wind turbine gearbox according to any of claims 4 to 11 where at least the inner or the outer bearing ring is manufactured as one unit.
13. Method according to claim 12 where the bearing is manufactured with a pre- adjusted internal clearance.
PCT/DK2007/000089 2006-02-24 2007-02-26 Gearbox for a wind turbine, bearing and method of manufacturing a bearing WO2007095953A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA200600269 2006-02-24
DKPA200600269 2006-02-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007095953A1 true WO2007095953A1 (en) 2007-08-30

Family

ID=37875499

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/DK2007/000089 WO2007095953A1 (en) 2006-02-24 2007-02-26 Gearbox for a wind turbine, bearing and method of manufacturing a bearing

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2007095953A1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010028633A1 (en) * 2008-09-10 2010-03-18 Schaeffler Kg Multi-row large-diameter rolling bearing having multi-part outer ring
EP2329158A2 (en) * 2008-08-27 2011-06-08 Aktiebolaget SKF Bearings for pod propulsion system
WO2014062922A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Roller bearing for wind turbines
DE102013214869A1 (en) * 2013-07-30 2015-02-05 Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg Unsymmetric tapered roller bearing for supporting a gear on a gear shaft
DE102014104862A1 (en) * 2014-04-04 2015-10-08 Thyssenkrupp Ag Rolling bearing assembly and wind turbine
EP3130802A1 (en) * 2015-08-11 2017-02-15 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Reinforced main bearing of a wind turbine
CN106438683A (en) * 2016-10-28 2017-02-22 国电联合动力技术有限公司 Spherical roller bearing and wind turbine main shaft transmission chain system comprising same
WO2018177946A1 (en) * 2017-03-31 2018-10-04 Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde Gmbh Rolling bearing arrangement and wind turbine

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61171917A (en) * 1985-01-25 1986-08-02 Nippon Seiko Kk Multi-row roller bearing
US5852947A (en) * 1996-02-28 1998-12-29 Ntn Corporation Main shaft gear mechanism in a transmission for a vehicle
WO2005050038A1 (en) * 2003-11-18 2005-06-02 Ntn Corporation Double-row self-aligning roller bearing and device for supporting wind turbine generator main shaft
JP2005147331A (en) * 2003-11-18 2005-06-09 Ntn Corp Double row rolling bearing
EP1553315A1 (en) * 2004-01-07 2005-07-13 Ntn Corporation Cylindrical roller bearing and planetary gear assembly utilizing the same

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61171917A (en) * 1985-01-25 1986-08-02 Nippon Seiko Kk Multi-row roller bearing
US5852947A (en) * 1996-02-28 1998-12-29 Ntn Corporation Main shaft gear mechanism in a transmission for a vehicle
WO2005050038A1 (en) * 2003-11-18 2005-06-02 Ntn Corporation Double-row self-aligning roller bearing and device for supporting wind turbine generator main shaft
JP2005147331A (en) * 2003-11-18 2005-06-09 Ntn Corp Double row rolling bearing
EP1705392A1 (en) * 2003-11-18 2006-09-27 Ntn Corporation Double-row self-aligning roller bearing and device for supporting wind turbine generator main shaft
EP1553315A1 (en) * 2004-01-07 2005-07-13 Ntn Corporation Cylindrical roller bearing and planetary gear assembly utilizing the same

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2329158A2 (en) * 2008-08-27 2011-06-08 Aktiebolaget SKF Bearings for pod propulsion system
WO2010028633A1 (en) * 2008-09-10 2010-03-18 Schaeffler Kg Multi-row large-diameter rolling bearing having multi-part outer ring
RU2647799C2 (en) * 2012-10-18 2018-03-19 Шеффлер Текнолоджиз Аг Унд Ко. Кг Roller bearing for wind turbines
WO2014062922A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Roller bearing for wind turbines
US9046128B2 (en) 2012-10-18 2015-06-02 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Roller bearing for wind turbines
DE102013214869A1 (en) * 2013-07-30 2015-02-05 Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg Unsymmetric tapered roller bearing for supporting a gear on a gear shaft
DE102013214869B4 (en) * 2013-07-30 2019-01-31 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Unsymmetric tapered roller bearing for supporting a gear on a gear shaft
WO2015150159A1 (en) * 2014-04-04 2015-10-08 Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde Gmbh Rolling bearing arrangement and wind turbine
DE102014104862A1 (en) * 2014-04-04 2015-10-08 Thyssenkrupp Ag Rolling bearing assembly and wind turbine
CN106438230A (en) * 2015-08-11 2017-02-22 西门子公司 Reinforced main bearing of a wind turbine
EP3130802A1 (en) * 2015-08-11 2017-02-15 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Reinforced main bearing of a wind turbine
CN106438683A (en) * 2016-10-28 2017-02-22 国电联合动力技术有限公司 Spherical roller bearing and wind turbine main shaft transmission chain system comprising same
WO2018177946A1 (en) * 2017-03-31 2018-10-04 Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde Gmbh Rolling bearing arrangement and wind turbine

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2007095953A1 (en) Gearbox for a wind turbine, bearing and method of manufacturing a bearing
US8459872B2 (en) Bearing with alternative load path for extreme loads
US8298115B2 (en) Wind turbine transmission assembly
US8578806B2 (en) Parallel gear unit for a gearbox for a wind turbine
EP2055986B1 (en) Epicyclic Gear System with Flexpins
US20050148425A1 (en) Cylindrical roller bearing and planetary gear assembly utilizing the same
US8414448B2 (en) Gear system for wind turbine
US20120208669A1 (en) Gear box for wind turbine generator and wind turbine generator
EP2532904A2 (en) Structure of slewing ring bearing
US9512899B2 (en) Stationary gear unit
US10385830B2 (en) Compound main bearing arrangement for a wind turbine
WO2006033320A1 (en) Double-row self-aligning roller bearing and main shaft support structure for wind-turbine generator
US8794094B2 (en) Parallel gear unit for a gearbox for a wind turbine
EP3742010A1 (en) System and method for assembling a slewing ring bearing with a predetermined preload
CN201368188Y (en) Supporting structure for planet gear
EP3662159B1 (en) Planet carrier of a wind turbine gearbox with improved lubricant path
JP2006009575A (en) Planetary gear device
Yagi et al. Technical trends in wind turbine bearings
WO2011089036A1 (en) Planetary gear unit with rotating ring gear
JPH08177711A (en) Speed increasing device for large capacity wind power generator
JP2006090346A (en) Double row automatic aligning roller bearing and main shaft supporting structure of wind power generator
CN113864404A (en) Planetary gear box and star gear box
CN111677760A (en) Self-lubricating isolating ring for lock catch type three-row cylindrical bearing
JP2007024113A (en) Self-aligning roller bearing

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 07702507

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1