Hub pitch gear repair method
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsPaul Stephen DiMascio, Ryan Close, Gunther Auer, Robert Grimley, Alan Hamel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for repairing a hub pitch gear assembly. The method includes providing a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth. A segment of the ring assembly is removed, the segment including at least a portion of at least one gear tooth, to form a repair cavity. A repair segment configured to mate the repair cavity is provided and the repair segment is directed into the repair cavity and fastened in position. A repaired pitch gear assembly and wind turbine are also provided.
Claims20
A method for repairing a hub pitch gear assembly comprising:
- providing a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth;
- removing a portion of the ring assembly including at least one gear tooth of the plurality of gear teeth, to form a repair cavity, the repair cavity including a cavity formed on a single tooth in the ring assembly;
- providing a repair segment configured to mate with the repair cavity, the repair segment being fastened to the single tooth and having a substantially identical geometry as an undamaged tooth that fits the cavity;
- and
- directing the repair segment into the repair cavity and fastening the repair segment in position.
A repaired pitch gear assembly comprising:
- a pinion assembly having a plurality of gear teeth;
- a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth configured to mesh the gear teeth of the pinion assembly, the ring assembly including a repair segment having a substantially identical geometry as an undamaged tooth, the repair segment being positioned in a repair cavity formed on a single tooth of the ring assembly;
- and
- wherein the repair segment mates with the repair cavity and is fastened to the ring assembly.
A repaired pitch gear assembly comprising:
- a pinion assembly having a plurality of gear teeth;
- a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth configured to mesh the gear teeth of the pinion assembly, the ring assembly including a repair segment positioned in a repair cavity of the ring assembly;
- wherein one or more clips are arranged intermediate to the repair segment and the ring assembly, and
- wherein the repair segment mates with the repair cavity and is fastened to the ring assembly with the one or more clips.
A wind turbine comprising:
- a wind turbine blade having an adjustable pitch angle;
- a pitch gear assembly operably disposed to adjust the pitch angle of the wind turbine blade, the pitch gear assembly comprising:
- a pinion assembly having a plurality of gear teeth;
- a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth configured to mesh the gear teeth of the pinion assembly, the ring assembly including a repair segment having a substantially identical geometry as an undamaged tooth, the repair segment being positioned in a repair cavity formed on a single tooth of the ring assembly;
- and
- wherein the repair segment mates with the repair cavity and is fastened to the ring assembly.
A wind turbine comprising:
- a wind turbine blade having an adjustable pitch angle;
- a pitch gear assembly operably disposed to adjust the pitch angle of the wind turbine blade, the pitch gear assembly comprising:
- a pinion assembly having a plurality of gear teeth;
- a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth configured to mesh the gear teeth of the pinion assembly, the ring assembly including a repair segment positioned in a repair cavity of the ring assembly;
- wherein one or more clips are arranged intermediate to the repair segment and the ring assembly;
- and
- wherein the repair segment mates with the repair cavity and is fastened to the ring assembly with the one or more clips.
A method for repairing a hub pitch gear assembly comprising:
- providing a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth;
- removing a portion of the ring assembly including at least one gear tooth of the plurality of gear teeth, to form a repair cavity, the repair cavity including a cavity formed in the ring assembly;
- providing a repair segment configured to mate with the repair cavity, the repair segment having a geometry that fits the cavity,
- providing one or more clips are arranged intermediate to the repair segment and the ring assembly;
- and
- directing the repair segment into the repair cavity and fastening the repair segment in position with the one or more clips.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.