Method for extending the service life of a main bearing assembly of a wind turbine
AssigneeEolotec GmbH
InventorMathias Pick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A main bearing assembly of a wind turbine includes at least one main bearing with a rotation axis and at least one bearing row in which a rotor shaft of the wind turbine is mounted. The main bearing assembly has at least one stationary bearing ring, a circulating bearing ring and rolling elements. A method of extending the service life or servicing the main bearing assembly includes rotating the stationary bearing ring about the rotation axis of the main bearing assembly. Alternatively, only a new stationary bearing ring, preferably with at least two bearing ring segments is installed instead of a damaged outer ring, in particular without further important bearing components such as the inner ring being exchanged.
Claims13
A method for extending a service life of a main bearing assembly of a wind turbine, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing the main bearing assembly, the main bearing assembly including a main bearing and a fixed housing fastened to a base frame of the wind turbine;
- the main bearing including a stationary outer bearing ring, a revolving inner bearing ring, and at least one bearing row having a plurality of rolling elements and supporting a rotor shaft of the wind turbine in the at least one bearing row;
- the stationary outer bearing ring being configured to be fixed to the housing during normal operation and being further configured to be disengaged from the housing for rotating the stationary outer bearing ring, permitting the stationary outer bearing ring to be rotated within and relative to the housing;
- temporarily fastening a fixture to a structural component, the structural component being at least one of the base frame or a rotor hub;
- initially securing the rotor shaft against rotation by using a rotor lock, and raising a weight of the rotor shaft by using hydraulic tools;
- subsequently dismantling reconstruction parts on the housing to gain access to the stationary outer bearing ring;
- then, rotating the stationary outer bearing ring about an axis of rotation of the main bearing assembly by the steps of:
- fastening a rotator to the housing or to the base frame;
- engaging the rotator with the stationary outer bearing ring in a locking engagement;
- and
- acting upon the stationary outer bearing ring with the rotator to rotate the stationary outer bearing ring relative to the housing about the axis of rotation;
- once the stationary outer bearing ring has been rotated into a desired position, dismantling the rotator;
- and
- subsequently mounting the reconstruction parts again, removing the fixture and unlocking the rotor lock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.