MACHINE SUPPORT AND WIND POWER INSTALLATION HAVING SUCH A MACHINE SUPPORT

Abstract

A machine support for a wind power installation, in particular a gearless wind power installation, wherein the machine support is designed to be rotated about a tower axis by means of an azimuth drive, and has a supporting structure which has a first mechanical interface for connecting the machine support indirectly or directly to an azimuth bearing and a second mechanical interface for assembling a generator or an axle journal on the machine support. It is proposed in particular that the supporting structure has one or a plurality of lateral through openings as access to the azimuth drive and/or the azimuth bearing.

Claims

1. A machine support for a wind power installation, comprising: a supporting structure having: a first mechanical interface for connecting the machine support indirectly or directly to an azimuth bearing and a second mechanical interface for assembling a generator or an axle journal on the machine support, wherein the machine support is configured to be rotated about a tower axis by an azimuth drive, wherein the supporting structure has one or more lateral through openings that provides access to at least one of the azimuth drive or the azimuth bearing.

2. The machine support according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure has one or more first struts that extends from the first mechanical interface to the second mechanical interface, wherein the one or more lateral through openings extend along a respective one of the one or more first struts.

3. The machine support according to claim 2, wherein the first mechanical interface and the second mechanical interface each are defined in a respective interface plane, and the one or more first struts extend so as to be inclined at an angle to the interface planes.

4. The machine support according to claim 3, wherein the one or more first struts is a connecting strut having a partially curved profile.

5. The machine support according to claim 3, wherein the supporting structure has one or more second struts extending at a height level of the first mechanical interface and approximately parallel to the interface plane of the first mechanical interface.

6. The machine support according to claim 5, wherein the supporting structure is configured as a reinforcement strut for the first mechanical interface.

7. The machine support according to claim 5, wherein the one or more lateral through openings in regions is in each case delimited by a respective first strut of the one or more first struts and a second respective strut of the one more second struts, wherein the first struts define a first plane, and the second struts define a second plane, the first and second planes extend spaced apart from and approximately parallel to a rotation axis of the first mechanical interface, wherein ends of the one or more first struts and of the one or more second struts converge in a point in an end region of the first mechanical interface.

8. The machine support according to claim 5, wherein the supporting structure has two pairs of struts composed, in each case, of one first strut and one second strut defining planes that extend at a mutual angle in a range from 5° to 25°.

9. The machine support according to claim 5, wherein a reinforcement element extends between the one or more first strut and the one or more second strut and delimits the one or more lateral through openings next to the first strut and the second strut in a region of the second interface.

10. The machine support according to claim 2, wherein the supporting structure between the first struts and/or between the second struts has, in each case, a through opening providing access to or from the machine support.

11. The machine support according to claim 2, wherein the one or more lateral through openings, at least in regions, is delimited by the one or more first struts and by at least one of the first mechanical interface or the second mechanical interface.

12. The machine support according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure has a wall portion that connects the first mechanical interface and the second mechanical interface to one another, and, at least in portions, extends in an approximately circular manner about a rotation axis of the first mechanical interface.

13. The machine support according to claim 12, wherein the wall portion, along a portion of the periphery of the first mechanical interface, extends on both sides of the second mechanical interface.

14. The machine support according to claim 12, wherein the first mechanical interface has a plurality of receptacles for the azimuth drive that are disposed on a common diameter about the rotation axis of the first mechanical interface and are externally encased by the wall portion, and wherein the first mechanical interface between the second strut and the receptacles have an engagement opening.

15. The machine support according to claim 1, wherein the planes of the first mechanical interface and of the second mechanical interface extend at a mutual acute angle that is greater than 80°.

16. The machine support according to claim 1, wherein the machine support is configured as a casting, wherein at least one of the one or more first or second struts of the supporting structure have a central web and two bands extending along the longitudinal sides of the central web.

17. A wind power installation, comprising: a tower and a machine support rotatably mounted on the tower and configured to receive at least one generator for generating electric power, wherein the machine support is the machine support according to claim 1.

18. The wind power installation according to claim 17, wherein the machine support is coupled to an azimuth bearing, which is disposed on an upper end of the tower, wherein the azimuth bearing has a stationary inner ring connected to the tower and an outer ring received so as to be rotatable in relation to the inner ring and to which the machine support is fastened.

19. The wind power installation according to claim 18, wherein the azimuth bearing on the stationary inner ring has an internal toothing which, for adjusting the machine support relative to the tower, interacts with an azimuth drive disposed on the machine support.

20. The wind power installation according to claim 17, wherein the wind power installation is a gearless wind power installation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention will be described in more detail hereunder by means of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a wind power installation for generating electric power;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a machine support known from the prior art;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a machine support according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a further perspective view of the embodiment of a machine support according to FIG. 3;

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the machine support according to FIG. 3;

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a view of a machine support according to FIG. 3, assembled on an azimuth bearing; and

[0047] FIG. 7 shows a view of the encircled detail VII shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a wind power installation 100 having a tower 102 and a nacelle 104. A rotor hub 106 having three rotor blades 108 and a spinner 110 is disposed on the nacelle 104. The rotor blades 108 by way of the rotor blade roots thereof are disposed on the rotor hub 106. During operation, the rotor hub 106 as a result of the air flow acting on the rotor blades is set into rotation and as a result drives a generator which is not illustrated in more detail and is disposed within the nacelle 104.

[0049] In order for the nacelle 104 to be coupled to the tower 102 of the wind power installation 100, a machine support 1 shown in FIG. 2 was used in the prior art. The machine support 1 has a first mechanical interface 2 for connecting the machine support 1 to an azimuth bearing on the wind power installation and a second mechanical interface 4 for assembling a generator or an axle journal on the machine support. The first interface 2, configured as a type of coupling plate, and the second interface 4, configured as an assembly flange, are connected to one another by way of a wall structure or shell structure 6, respectively, which is almost continuously closed. A plurality of receptacles 8 for drive motors of an azimuth drive to be assembled on the first interface 2 are provided on the first interface 2. As is shown in FIG. 2, the receptacles 8 are disposed about the external side of the wall structure or shell structure 6; in order to reach the drive motors of the azimuth drive the maintenance personnel had to move between the external side of the wall structure or shell structure 6 and the nacelle cladding which is not illustrated and surrounds the machine support, this often not being easy by virtue of the limited available space.

[0050] In contrast to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows a machine support 10 according to the present invention which has a first mechanical interface 12 for connecting the machine support indirectly or directly to an azimuth bearing. The machine support 10 furthermore comprises a second interface 14 for assembling a generator or an axle journal of the wind power installation on the machine support 10. The machine support 10 has a supporting structure 16 by means of which the first interface 12 and the second interface 14 are connected to one another. The supporting structure 16 has a main connection region 18 of the first and the second interface.

[0051] The supporting structure 16 furthermore has a plurality of struts 20, 20′, 22, 22′ which run from the first interface 12 to the second interface 14. The supporting structure 16 moreover has a plurality of lateral through openings 24, 24′ as access to an azimuth drive 26 and/or to an azimuth bearing 28 connected to the first interface 12 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0052] The first and the second interface 12, 14 each are defined along a plane 30, 30′. The supporting structure 16 has a plurality of first struts 20, 20′ which connect the end regions of the first and the second interface 12, 14 that lie opposite the main connection region 18 to one another. The supporting structure 16 furthermore has a plurality of second struts 22, 22′ which run at the height level of the first interface so as to be approximately parallel to the plane 30 of the first interface 12. The second struts 22, 22′ are configured as reinforcement struts for the first interface 12.

[0053] The lateral through openings 24, 24′ extend in the direction of the respectively assigned first strut 20, 20′ and/or second strut 22, 22′. In one embodiment of the machine support 10 the lateral through opening in regions is delimited by the first strut 20, 20′ and by the first and/or the second interface 12, 14. In a further embodiment of the machine support 10 the lateral through opening 24, 24′ is in each case delimited by a first and a second strut 20, 22; 20′, 22′.

[0054] A plurality of coupling portions 32, 32′ by way of which parts or portions of a frame supporting the nacelle 104 can be assembled or fastened are configured on the machine support 10, in particular on the periphery of the machine support. As can be furthermore seen from FIG. 3, the supporting structure 16 has two pairs of struts 34, 34′ composed in each case of one first and one second strut 20, 22; 20′, 22.

[0055] As illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 5, the supporting structure between the first struts 20, 20′ and/or between the second struts 22, 22′ has in each case a further through opening 36, 38 as access to or from the machine support 10. In particular, the maintenance personnel by way of the through opening 36 reaches the machine support 10 from the interior of the tower 102, and from said machine support 10 by way of the through openings 24, 24′, 38 reaches the remaining regions of the nacelle 104. A reinforcement element 40 which extends between the first and the second strut 20, 22; 20′, 22′ and delimits the lateral through openings 24, 24′ next to the first and the second strut is configured on the internal side of the second interface 14 that faces the interior space of the machine support 10.

[0056] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the supporting structure 16 has a wall portion 42 which additionally connects the first and the second interface 12, 14 to one another. In one embodiment of the machine support 10, the wall portion 42 in portions extends in a circular manner about a rotation axis 44 formed by the first interface 12 (FIGS. 5, 6). The second interface 14 has a longitudinal axis 46 which runs through the rotation axis 44. The rotation axis 44 and the longitudinal axis 46 run at a mutual angle which is unequal to 90°.

[0057] The rotation axis 44 and the longitudinal axis 46 define a plane, wherein the lateral through openings 24, 24′ are disposed so as to be spaced apart therefrom. Furthermore, the wall portion 42 along a portion of the periphery of the first interface 12 extends on both sides of the second interface 14. The wall height of the wall portion here decreases from the first interface in the direction of the rear end region at the first interface 12.

[0058] The first interface 12 furthermore comprises a plurality of receptacles 48 for an azimuth drive that are preferably disposed on a common diameter about the rotation axis 44 of the first interface. The receptacles 48 are externally encased by the wall portion 42, cf. FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0059] The first interface 12 between the receptacles 48 and the second struts 14 of the supporting structure 16 preferably has engagement openings 52, 52′. As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 5, the first and the second strut 20, 22; 20′, 22′ define a plane which runs so as to be spaced apart from, and approximately parallel to, the rotation axis of the first interface 12. FIG. 4 furthermore shows that the ends of the first and the second strut 20, 22; 20′, 22′ converge in a convergence point 53 in the rear end region of the first interface 12.

[0060] The pairs of struts 34, 34′ of the supporting structure 16 each define planes which run at a mutual angle a in the range from 5 to 25°. Proceeding from the second interface 14, the spacing between the pairs of struts 34, 34′ continuously decreases in the direction of the end region of the first interface. However, the conversion points 53 of the pairs of struts are disposed at a mutual spacing in the end region of the first interface. The dimension of the spacing is approximately one third of the diameter of the second interface 14.

[0061] The machine support 10 is configured as a casting. The machine support 10 including the supporting structure 16 and the first and the second interface 12, 14 configured thereon is made from one piece, preferably as a casting. The first and/or second struts 20, 20′, 22, 22′ have a central web 54 and two bands 56, 56′ extending along the longitudinal sides of the central web 54.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a lateral sectional view of the machine support 10 which by way of the first interface 12 thereof is connected to the azimuth bearing 28 by way of which the machine support 10 is movable in relation to the tower 102 of the wind power installation 100. An azimuth drive 26 having a plurality of drive motors 50 is used for moving the machine support and the nacelle 104 coupled to the machine support 10.

[0063] As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 6, the first struts 20, 20′ run so as to be inclined at an angle to the interface planes 30, 30′ of the first and the second interface 12, 14. The planes 30, 30′ of the first and the second interface 12, 14 run at a mutual acute angle β of more than 80°. The first and the second interface 12, 14 each comprise a flange as a connection/coupling portion to the azimuth bearing 28 or to a generator, not shown in more detail, in particular a generator stator.

[0064] The connection region between the first interface 12 and the azimuth bearing 26 is shown in detail in FIG. 7. The azimuth bearing 26 has an inner ring 60 which is fixedly connected to the upper segment 58 of the tower 102 and an outer ring 62 which is received so as to be rotatable on the inner ring 60. The outer ring 62 is fastened to the first interface 12 by way of a plurality of screw connections 66. The stationary inner ring 60 has an internal toothing 64, the azimuth drive 26, in particular the drive motors 50, received on the first interface interacting with said internal toothing 64. A rotating movement of the drive motors causes an adjustment movement of the machine support 10 relative to the stationary inner ring 60 of the azimuth bearing 28.

[0065] As can be seen from FIG. 7, the inner ring 60 is also connected to the upper segment 58 of the tower 102 by way of a plurality of screw connections 66. As can furthermore be seen, the azimuth bearing by way of the inner ring thereof is screwed to the upper segment 58 from the internal side of the tower 102.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS:

[0066] 1, 10 Machine support

[0067] 2, 12 First interface

[0068] 4, 14 Second interface

[0069] 6 Wall structure / shell structure

[0070] 8 Receptacle

[0071] 16 Supporting structure

[0072] 18 Main connection region

[0073] 20, 20′ First strut

[0074] 22, 22′ Second strut

[0075] 24, 24′ Through opening

[0076] 26 Azimuth drive

[0077] 28 Azimuth bearing

[0078] 30, 30′ Plane

[0079] 32, 32′ Coupling portion

[0080] 34, 34′ Pair of struts

[0081] 36, 38 Through opening

[0082] 40 Reinforcement element

[0083] 42 Wall portion

[0084] 44 Rotation axis

[0085] 46 Longitudinal axis

[0086] 48 Receptacle

[0087] 50 Drive motors

[0088] 52, 52′ Engagement opening

[0089] 53 Convergence point

[0090] 54 Central web

[0091] 56, 56′ Band

[0092] 58 Segment

[0093] 60 Inner ring

[0094] 62 Outer ring

[0095] 64 Internal toothing

[0096] 66 Screw connection

[0097] 100 Wind power installation

[0098] 102 Tower

[0099] 104 Nacelle

[0100] 106 Rotor hub

[0101] 108 Rotor blade

[0102] 110 Spinner

[0103] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.