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US 9,850,881 B2Granted
Sealing system and method of maintaining a clean environment in a wind turbine by absorbing lubricant used in the pitch or yaw bearings
AssigneeVestas Wind Systems A/S
InventorsTorben Friis Baun, Robert Rowntree
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sealing system for a wind turbine comprises first component and a second component positioned proximate the first component and movable relative thereto. An absorbent element is secured to the first component and comprises an oil-absorbent material. A contact member is secured to the absorbent element and comprises a non-absorbent material. The contact member abuts the second component so that lubricant leaking from between the first and second components is collected by the absorbent element. A method of maintain a clean environment in a wind turbine with such a sealing system is also disclosed.
Claims23
A sealing system for containing lubricant, comprising:
- a first component;
- a second component positioned proximate the first component and movable relative thereto;
- a region between the first and second components;
- an absorbent element secured to the first component, the absorbent element comprising an oil-absorbent material;
- and
- a contact member secured to the absorbent element but not enclosing the absorbent element within the contact member, the contact member abutting the second component and comprising a non-absorbent material which does not allow oil to pass through the material to reach the absorbent element,
- wherein the contact member is positioned between the region and the absorbent element, and
- wherein the contact member is positioned between the absorbent element and the second component such that the absorbent element is in non-contact relation with the second component.
5 more elements
A wind turbine, comprising:
- a tower;
- a nacelle supported by the tower;
- a rotor comprising a hub rotatably mounted to the nacelle and at least one blade rotatably mounted to the hub;
- and
- a bearing positioned between the tower and nacelle or between the hub and blade, the bearing having first and second rings movable relative to each other and a primary seal positioned between the first and second rings, the first and second rings each being secured to one of the tower, nacelle, hub, or blade;
- a sealing system for containing lubricant, comprising:
- an absorbent element secured to the first ring, the absorbent element comprising an oil-absorbent material;
- and
- a contact member secured to the absorbent element but not enclosing the absorbent element within the contact member, the contact member abutting at least one of the second ring and the component to which the second ring is secured, the contact member comprising a non-absorbent material which does not allow oil to pass through the material to reach the absorbent element,
- wherein the contact member is positioned between the primary seal and the absorbent element, and
- wherein the contact member is positioned between the absorbent element and the second ring such that the absorbent element is in non-contact relation with the second ring.
8 more elements
A wind turbine, comprising:
- a tower;
- a nacelle supported by the tower;
- a rotor comprising a hub rotatably mounted to the nacelle and at least one blade rotatably mounted to the hub;
- and
- a bearing positioned between the tower and nacelle or between the hub and blade, the bearing having first and second rings movable relative to each other and a primary seal positioned between the first and second rings, the first and second rings each being secured to one of the tower, nacelle, hub, or blade;
- a sealing system for containing lubricant, comprising:
- an absorbent element secured to the first ring, the absorbent element comprising an oil-absorbent material;
- and
- a contact member secured to the absorbent element, the contact member abutting at least one of the second ring and the component to which the second ring is secured, the contact member comprising a non-absorbent material,
- wherein the contact member is positioned between the primary seal and the absorbent element, and
- wherein the absorbent element is in non-contact relation with the second ring, further comprising a contact strip secured to the component the contact member abuts, the contact member and contact strip comprising a plastic material.
8 more elements
A method of maintaining a clean environment in a wind turbine, comprising:
- providing a primary seal to seal a lubricant between first and second components positioned proximate each other;
- securing an absorbent element to the first component, the absorbent element comprising an oil-absorbent material, wherein a contact member secured to the absorbent element but not enclosing the absorbent element within the contact member abuts the second component when the absorbent element is secured to the first component, wherein the contact member comprises a non-absorbent material which does not allow oil to pass through the material to reach the absorbent element, wherein the contact member is positioned between the primary seal and the absorbent element, and wherein the contact member is positioned between the absorbent element and the second component such that the absorbent element is in non-contact relation with the second component;
- operating the wind turbine so that the first and second components move relative to each other in different directions;
- and
- collecting lubricant leaking from between the first and second components with the absorbent element.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.