Ball plunger retention for a slew ring bearing
阅读说明:本技术 用于回转环轴承的球塞保持 (Ball plunger retention for a slew ring bearing ) 是由 D.C.帕图沃思 A.D.米纳德奥 W.M.戈贝利 于 2019-08-22 设计创作,主要内容包括:一种用于风力涡轮的轴承组件包括轴承,该轴承包括:外圈;内圈,其相对于外圈是可旋转的;以及多个滚子元件,其定位于限定在外圈与内圈之间的至少一个滚道内。此外,外圈或内圈中的至少一个限定径向开口。轴承组件还包括至少一个球塞,其定位在外圈或内圈中的至少一个的径向开口内。(一个或多个)球塞可移除,使得多个滚子元件可插入外圈与内圈之间。而且,(一个或多个)球塞的至少一部分具有锥形截面。(A bearing assembly for a wind turbine includes a bearing, the bearing comprising: an outer ring; an inner ring rotatable relative to the outer ring; and a plurality of roller elements positioned within at least one raceway defined between the outer and inner rings. Further, at least one of the outer race or the inner race defines a radial opening. The bearing assembly also includes at least one ball plunger positioned within the radial opening of at least one of the outer race or the inner race. The ball plunger(s) are removable such that the plurality of roller elements are insertable between the outer race and the inner race. Also, at least a portion of the ball plunger(s) has a tapered cross-section.)
1. A bearing assembly for a wind turbine, comprising:
a bearing, the bearing comprising: an outer ring; an inner ring rotatable relative to the outer ring; and a plurality of roller elements positioned within at least one raceway defined between the outer ring and the inner ring, at least one of the outer ring or the inner ring defining a radial opening; and
at least one ball plunger positioned within the radial opening of at least one of the outer race or the inner race, the at least one ball plunger being removable such that the plurality of roller elements are insertable between the outer race and the inner race, at least a portion of the at least one ball plunger comprising a tapered cross-section.
2. The bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the tapered cross-section is positioned between an outer portion and an inner portion of the at least one ball plunger so as to define a transition region thereof.
3. The bearing assembly of claim 2, wherein the outer portion defines a first diameter and the inner portion defines a second diameter, the first diameter tapering to the second diameter in the transition region.
4. The bearing assembly of claim 2, further comprising an external retaining means disposed at or adjacent to a distal-most end of the outer portion of the at least one ball plunger.
5. The bearing assembly of claim 4, wherein the external retaining means comprises at least one of a circlip, a snap ring, a clamp, or a bonding means.
6. The bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein the bonding means comprises at least one of a weld, an adhesive, or a chemical-based solvent.
7. The bearing assembly of claim 4, further comprising at least one spacer or shim positioned between a distal-most end of the outer portion of the at least one ball plunger and the outer retaining means.
8. The bearing assembly of claim 2, further comprising an anti-rotation device extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the at least one ball plunger and engaging an outer surface of the transition region of the at least one ball plunger so as to prevent rotation thereof.
9. The bearing assembly of claim 2, further comprising one or more O-rings disposed circumferentially around an inner portion of the at least one ball plunger.
10. The bearing assembly of claim 9, wherein the inner portion of the at least one ball plunger further comprises at least one annular recess, the one or more O-rings being disposed within the at least one annular recess.
Technical Field
The present subject matter relates generally to wind turbines, and more particularly to ball plug retention for a slew ring bearing (such as a pitch bearing or a yaw bearing of a wind turbine).
Background
Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and in this regard, wind turbines have gained increased attention. Modern wind turbines typically include a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades derive kinetic energy from the wind using known foil principles, and transmit the kinetic energy through rotational energy to turn a shaft coupling the rotor blades to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy, which may be deployed to a utility grid.
In order to properly orient the nacelle and the rotor blades with respect to the direction of the wind, wind turbines typically include one or more yaw bearings and/or pitch bearings. The yaw bearing and/or pitch bearing are typically slew bearings, which are rotating roller element bearings that typically support a load, but slowly rotating or slowly oscillating loads. Thus, the yaw bearing allows the nacelle to rotate and is mounted between the tower and the nacelle, while the pitch bearing allows the rotor blades to rotate and is mounted between one of the rotor blades and the rotatable hub. A typical yaw bearing and/or pitch bearing comprises an outer ring and an inner ring, wherein a plurality of roller elements (e.g. ball bearings) are configured between the rings.
More particularly, the four-point slew ring bearing has ball plungers that are removable so that the roller elements can be easily inserted between the rings. Currently, one or more tapered (taper) pins are used in conventional ball plungers to help retain the radial seat of the plunger. For example, the one or more tapered pins may be inserted through the ball plunger(s), i.e., in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ball plunger(s). At times, the tapered pin(s) may result in areas of increased stress concentration.
Accordingly, the art is continually seeking new and improved systems and methods for ball plug retention for slewing ring bearings (such as pitch or yaw bearings of wind turbines).
Disclosure of Invention
Aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the disclosure.
In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes a bearing, the bearing including: an outer ring; an inner ring rotatable relative to the outer ring; and a plurality of roller elements positioned within at least one raceway defined between the outer and inner rings. Further, at least one of the outer race or the inner race defines a radial opening. The bearing assembly also includes at least one ball plunger positioned within the radial opening of at least one of the outer race or the inner race. The ball plunger(s) are removable such that the plurality of roller elements are insertable between the outer race and the inner race. Also, at least a portion of the ball plunger(s) has a tapered cross-section.
In one embodiment, the tapered cross-section may be positioned between the outer and inner portions of the ball plunger(s) so as to define a transition region thereof. In another embodiment, the outer portion may define a first diameter and the inner portion may define a second diameter, wherein the first diameter tapers to the second diameter in the transition region.
In further embodiments, the bearing assembly may further comprise an external retaining means arranged at or adjacent to the most distal end of the outer portion of the ball plunger(s). In such embodiments, the external retaining means may comprise, for example, a circlip, a snap ring, a clamp, a coupling means, or the like. More particularly, in one embodiment, the bonding means may comprise a weld, an adhesive, or a chemical-based solvent.
In additional embodiments, the bearing assembly may further comprise a spacer or shim positioned between a distal-most end of the outer portion of the at least one ball plunger and the outer retaining means.
In several embodiments, the bearing assembly may include an anti-rotation device that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ball plunger(s) and engages the outer surface of the transition region of the ball plunger(s) so as to prevent rotation thereof.
In particular embodiments, the bearing assembly may include one or more O-rings disposed circumferentially around an inner portion of the ball plunger(s). For example, in one embodiment, the inner portion of the ball plunger(s) may include at least one annular recess, with one or more O-rings disposed within the at least one annular recess. In another embodiment, the bearing assembly may include a plurality of O-rings disposed circumferentially around an inner portion of the ball plunger(s) within the at least one annular recess. In such embodiments, the plurality of O-rings may be aligned along the longitudinal direction of the ball plunger(s).
In yet another embodiment, the inner portion of the ball plug(s) may include a partial raceway defining a portion of at least one raceway of the outer or inner ring, the partial raceway being disposed on the inner portion of the ball plug(s).
In further embodiments, the bearing may comprise a pitch bearing or a yaw bearing of the wind turbine. In additional embodiments, the plurality of roller elements may include, for example, balls, spheres, rollers, tapered rollers, barrel rollers, or cylindrical elements.
In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes a bearing, the bearing including: an outer ring; an inner ring rotatable relative to the outer ring; and a plurality of roller elements positioned within at least one raceway defined between the outer and inner rings. Further, at least one of the outer race or the inner race defines a radial opening having a tapered diameter. Moreover, the bearing assembly includes at least one ball plunger having an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion defines a first diameter and the inner portion defines a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The ball plunger(s) is positioned within a radial opening of the outer race or the inner race and is removable such that the plurality of roller elements are insertable between the outer race and the inner race.
In one embodiment, the ball plunger(s) may have a varying cross-section that substantially corresponds to the tapered diameter of the radial opening. Further, the varying cross-section of the ball plug(s) may be located between the outer portion and the inner portion of the ball plug(s).
In another embodiment, the bearing assembly may include an external retaining device disposed adjacent a distal-most end of the outer portion of the ball plunger(s). For example, in one embodiment, the external retaining device may include a locknut or retaining plate and one or more mechanical fasteners engaged with the locknut or retaining plate and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ball plunger(s).
In yet another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine. The bearing assembly includes: an outer ring; an inner ring rotatable relative to the outer ring; and a plurality of roller elements positioned within at least one raceway defined between the outer and inner rings. At least one of the outer race or the inner race defines a set of radial openings. The bearing assembly also includes sets of ball plungers each having an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion defines a first diameter and the inner portion defines a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. Each of the ball plungers is positioned within one of the radial openings such that outer portions thereof contact each other. Further, the set of ball plungers may be removed such that a plurality of roller elements may be inserted between the outer race and the inner race.
It should be understood that the bearing assembly may also include any of the embodiments and/or combinations of features as described herein.
Technical solution 1. a bearing assembly for a wind turbine, comprising:
a bearing, the bearing comprising: an outer ring; an inner ring rotatable relative to the outer ring; and a plurality of roller elements positioned within at least one raceway defined between the outer ring and the inner ring, at least one of the outer ring or the inner ring defining a radial opening; and
at least one ball plunger positioned within the radial opening of at least one of the outer race or the inner race, the at least one ball plunger being removable such that the plurality of roller elements are insertable between the outer race and the inner race, at least a portion of the at least one ball plunger comprising a tapered cross-section.
The bearing assembly of claim 3, wherein the outer portion defines a first diameter and the inner portion defines a second diameter, the first diameter tapering to the second diameter in the transition region.
Claim 4. the bearing assembly of
Claim 5. the bearing assembly of claim 4, wherein the external retaining means comprises at least one of a circlip, a snap ring, a clamp, or a coupling means.
Claim 6. the bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein the bonding means comprises at least one of a weld, an adhesive, or a chemical-based solvent.
Claim 8. the bearing assembly of
Claim 9. the bearing assembly of
The bearing assembly of claim 9, wherein the inner portion of the at least one ball plunger further comprises at least one annular recess, the one or more O-rings being disposed within the at least one annular recess.
The bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing assembly further comprises a plurality of O-rings disposed circumferentially about an inner portion of the at least one ball plunger within the at least one annular recess, the plurality of O-rings aligned along a longitudinal direction of the at least one ball plunger.
Claim 12 the bearing assembly of
Solution 13. the bearing assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing comprises at least one of a pitch bearing or a yaw bearing of a wind turbine.
The bearing assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of roller elements comprises at least one of: balls, spheres, rollers, tapered rollers, barrel rollers, or cylindrical elements.
Technical solution 15. a bearing assembly for a wind turbine, comprising:
a bearing, the bearing comprising: an outer ring; an inner ring rotatable relative to the outer ring; and a plurality of roller elements positioned within at least one raceway defined between the outer ring and the inner ring, at least one of the outer ring or the inner ring defining a radial opening, the radial opening comprising a tapered diameter; and
at least one ball plunger including an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion defining a first diameter and the inner portion defining a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter, the at least one ball plunger being positioned within a radial opening of at least one of the outer race or the inner race, the at least one ball plunger being removable such that the plurality of roller elements are insertable between the outer race and the inner race.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be further supported and described with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
Drawings
A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective, interior view of an embodiment of a nacelle of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the rotor blades of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pitch bearing of a wind turbine according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a pitch bearing of a wind turbine according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 illustrates a partial, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pitch bearing of a wind turbine according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the pitch bearing of FIG. 5 along section line 7-7, particularly illustrating details of one embodiment of a ball plunger according to the present disclosure; and
FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a ball plug of a pitch bearing according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 illustrates a partial, perspective view of yet another embodiment of a ball plunger set for a pitch bearing according to the present disclosure, particularly illustrating the ball plunger set stacked together such that an anti-rotation feature is not required; and
fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of fig. 9.
Detailed Description
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the disclosure, not limitation of the disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is therefore intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
In general, the present subject matter is directed to a bearing assembly for a wind turbine that eliminates the conventional tapered pins described herein. More particularly, a taper may be introduced in the bearing to retain the ball plunger in the radial seat of the plunger. In addition, to prevent the ball plunger from rotating and being forced out of its radial seat, the ball plunger may also be clamped with a circlip/snap ring on the outer ring of the bearing.
Accordingly, the bearing assembly of the present disclosure provides many advantages not found in the noted field. For example, by eliminating the tapered pin, stress concentrations in the outer race due to the intersection of the tapered pin bore and the tap hole are eliminated. Thus, stresses and cracks may be reduced throughout the bearing assembly.
The present disclosure is described herein as it may relate to a wind turbine bearing, which comprises at least a yaw bearing, a pitch bearing and/or the like. However, it should be appreciated that systems and methods according to principles of the present disclosure are not limited to use with wind turbines, but may be applicable to any suitable bearing application. For example, it should be understood that the systems and methods as described herein are configured to fit (fit) within conventional slew bearings and/or improved slew bearings known in the art and later developed, and are not limited to a particular slew bearing configuration.
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a wind turbine 10. As shown, the wind turbine 10 generally includes a tower 12 extending from a support surface 14 (e.g., the ground, a concrete pad, or any other suitable support surface). In addition, wind turbine 10 may also include a nacelle 16 mounted on tower 12 and a
Referring now to FIG. 2, a simplified, interior view of an embodiment of nacelle 16 of wind turbine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is shown. As shown, the
The wind turbine 10 may also include a turbine controller 32 centralized within the nacelle 16. Further, as shown, the turbine controller 32 is housed within a control cabinet 34. Moreover, turbine controller 32 may be communicatively coupled to any number of components of wind turbine 10 in order to control the operation of such components and/or to implement various corrective actions as described herein.
Referring back to FIG. 2, each
Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of one of the
Moreover, as shown, the
Referring now to fig. 4-8, various views of an embodiment of a bearing
Further, the
Referring specifically to fig. 6, the
Thus, the
Referring now to fig. 7 and 8, various cross-sectional views of a
More particularly, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the
Still referring to fig. 7 and 8, the bearing
In additional embodiments, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the bearing
Still referring to fig. 7 and 8, the bearing
Additionally, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the bearing
Referring now to fig. 9 and 10, the bearing
This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
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