Abstract
A wind turbine may include a rotor hub, a blade bearing, a rotor blade, and a conical rotor-hub extension disposed between the rotor hub and the blade bearing. The conical rotor-hub extension may have a first diameter on a first side that is directed toward the blade bearing and a second diameter on a second side that is directed toward the rotor hub. The first diameter may be greater than the second diameter, and the rotor blade may be connected to the blade bearing directly or indirectly. The blade bearing may comprise a first blade-bearing ring and a second blade-bearing ring, with the first blade-bearing ring being connected to the conical rotor-hub extension in a form-fitting manner, in a form- and force-fitting manner, or in a form configured as part of the conical rotor-hub extension.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A wind turbine comprising: a rotor hub; a blade bearing a rotor blade that is connected directly or indirectly to the blade bearing; and a conical rotor-hub extension disposed between the rotor hub and the blade bearing, wherein the conical rotor-hub extension has a first diameter on a first side directed toward the blade bearing and a second diameter on a second side directed toward the rotor hub, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.
17. The wind turbine of claim 16 wherein the blade bearing comprises a first blade-bearing ring and a second blade-bearing ring, wherein the first blade-bearing ring is connected to the conical rotor-hub extension in a form-fitting manner, in a form- and force-fitting manner, or in a form configured as part of the conical rotor-hub extension.
18. The wind turbine of claim 17 wherein the first blade-bearing ring is configured as an inner blade-bearing ring and the second blade-bearing ring is configured as an outer blade-bearing ring.
19. The wind turbine of claim 17 wherein the first blade-bearing ring is configured as an outer blade-bearing ring and the second blade-bearing ring is configured as an inner blade-bearing ring.
20. The wind turbine of claim 17 wherein the second blade-bearing ring is connected to the rotor blade directly.
21. The wind turbine of claim 17 wherein the second blade-bearing ring is connected to the rotor blade indirectly.
22. The wind turbine of claim 16 comprising an intermediate piece disposed between the blade bearing and the rotor blade.
23. The wind turbine of claim 16 wherein the conical rotor-hub extension is a separate component from the rotor hub.
24. The wind turbine of claim 16 wherein the conical rotor-hub extension is disposed immovably on the rotor hub, in either a form-fitting manner or a form- and force-fitting manner.
25. The wind turbine of claim 16 comprising a pitch drive configured as part of the conical rotor-hub extension or disposed within the conical rotor-hub extension.
26. The wind turbine of claim 16 wherein the conical rotor-hub extension comprises a first hub-extension component and a second hub-extension component, wherein the first and second hub-extension components are configured parallel to a main axis of rotation of the blade bearing as half-shells of the conical rotor-hub extension.
27. The wind turbine of claim 26 wherein the first and second hub-extension components of the conical rotor-hub extension comprise ribs.
28. The wind turbine of claim 16 wherein the blade bearing comprises a first blade-bearing ring and a second blade-bearing ring, wherein the first blade-bearing ring is connected to the conical rotor-hub extension in a form-fitting manner, in a form- and force-fitting manner, or in a form configured as part of the conical rotor-hub extension, the wind turbine comprising a nose disposed on the first or second blade-bearing ring.
29. The wind turbine of claim 16 wherein the conical rotor-hub extension comprises a through-passage opening for through-passage of a fastening element for fastening the rotor blade on the blade bearing and/or a tool that is substantially parallel to a main axis of rotation of the blade bearing.
30. The wind turbine of claim 16 wherein the conical rotor-hub extension is a cast component.
31. A method of operating the wind turbine of claim 16, the method comprising: moving the rotor blade relative to the rotor hub and the conical rotor-hub extension; and maintaining the rotor hub and the conical rotor-hub extension in a fixed state relative to one another.
32. A rotor system for a wind turbine comprising: a rotor hub; a blade bearing; a rotor blade connected to the blade bearing directly or indirectly; and a conical rotor-hub extension disposed between the rotor hub and the blade bearing, wherein the conical rotor-hub extension has a first diameter on a first side directed toward the blade bearing and a second diameter on a second side directed toward the rotor hub, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0031] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 10 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 11 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 12 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 13 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0044] Like parts are always provided with like reference signs in the various figures and are therefore generally also each referred to, or mentioned, only once.
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates in particular a sub-region of a rotor system having a rotor hub 1. The rotor hub 1 is connected to a rotor-hub extension 4, which is designed in the form of a part which is separate from the rotor hub 1. The rotor-hub extension 4 and the rotor hub 1 here are arranged in an immovable manner in relation to one another, and therefore, during operation, there is no relative movement taking place between the rotor-hub extension 4 and the rotor hub 1. A blade bearing 2 is fitted at that end of the rotor-hub extension 4 which is directed away from the rotor hub 1. The rotor-hub extension 4 tapers in the direction of the rotor hub 1 and is conical. This means that a first diameter 5 of the rotor-hub extension 4 at the blade-bearing end of the rotor-hub extension 4 is greater than a second diameter 6 of the rotor-hub extension 4 at the rotor-hub end of the rotor-hub extension 4. A region around the blade bearing 2 is illustrated on an enlarged scale in FIG. 1 within the circle outlined by dashes. A three-row roller-bearing slewing ring is illustrated here. It is possible according to the invention for the blade bearing 2 to comprise a first and a second blade-bearing ring 10, 11. The first blade-bearing ring 10 here either is installed on the rotor-hub extension 4 or is integrated directly in the rotor-hub extension 4 (that is to say is designed in the form of part of the rotor-hub extension 4, as illustrated in FIG. 1). In the case of the embodiment which is illustrated in FIG. 1, the second blade-bearing ring 11 is connected to the rotor blade 3 directly. The rotor-hub extension 4 comprises preferably a first hub-extension component and a second hub-extension component (not illustrated), wherein the first and second hub-extension components are formed preferably parallel to the main axis of rotation of the blade bearing 2, in particular as sub-shells of the rotor-hub extension 4. The arrow 8 symbolizes wind acting on the wind turbine.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiment which is illustrated in FIG. 1, an intermediate piece 9 is present between the blade bearing 2 and the rotor blade 3, said intermediate piece being designed, in particular, in the form of a separate part and being connected to the blade bearing 2 (in particular to the second blade-bearing ring 11) and also to the rotor blade 3. The intermediate piece 9 here can be of different shapes, for example cylindrical or conical.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The rotor-hub extension 4, designed, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a first blade-bearing ring 10, has the through-passage opening 12, through which, during the installation and removal of the rotor blade 3 (not shown here), the rotor blade 3 is screwed to the second blade-bearing ring 11 with the aid of the fastening opening 12′. The second blade-bearing ring 11 has the nose 13, which, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, is directed outward. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it is possible for the nose 13 to be arranged on the first blade-bearing ring 10 and to be oriented inward. Inward and outward here relate to a surface which is enclosed by the blade bearing and is orthogonal in relation to the axis of rotation of the blade bearing. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The rotor-hub extension 4, designed, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a first blade-bearing ring 10, has the through-passage opening 12, through which, during the installation and removal of the rotor blade 3 (not shown here), the rotor blade 3 is screwed to the second blade-bearing ring 11 with the aid of the fastening opening 12′. The second blade-bearing ring 11 has the nose 13, which, in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, is directed outward. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it is possible for the nose 13 to be arranged on the first blade-bearing ring 10 and to be oriented inward. A four-row roller-bearing slewing ring (4RD) having the axial rollers A and the radial rollers R is illustrated. The 4RD is integrated at least to some extent in the rotor-hub extension 4; the rotor-hub extension 4 forms the first blade-bearing ring 10 at least to some extent. The wind turbine illustrated also has the bearing part 15, which is fixed on the rotor-hub extension 4 by means of the screw connection 14. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Like the wind turbine which is illustrated in FIG. 3, the wind turbine which is shown here has the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11 with the nose 13. The bearing means here is likewise a three-row roller-bearing slewing ring 3RD. The first blade-bearing ring 10, rather than being integrated in the rotor-hub extension 4, is fixed, in the form of a bearing part 15, on the rotor-hub extension 4 by means of the screw connection 14. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11. The wind turbine illustrated has a double four-point bearing having two rows of balls. The first blade-bearing ring 10 is integrated in the rotor-hub extension 4. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11. The wind turbine illustrated has a double four-point bearing having two four-point bearings 4P. The bearing part 15 is fixed on the rotor-hub extension 4 by means of the screw connection 14 and forms the first blade-bearing ring 10. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0052] FIG. 8 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11. The wind turbine illustrated has a four-point bearing 4P. The bearing part 15 is fixed on the rotor-hub extension 4 by means of the screw connection 14 and forms the first blade-bearing ring 10. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11. The wind turbine illustrated has a four-point bearing 4P. The first blade-bearing ring 10 is integrated in the rotor-hub extension 4. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11. The wind turbine illustrated has a toroidal bearing having the barrel-shaped axial rollers A and the radial rollers R. The bearing part 15 is fixed on the rotor-hub extension 4 by means of the screw connection 14 and forms the first blade-bearing ring 10. In an embodiment which is not illustrated here, the first blade-bearing ring 10 can also be integrated at least to some extent in the rotor-hub extension 4. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0055] FIG. 11 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11. The wind turbine illustrated has a double crossed-roller bearing having two rows of crossed rollers K. The bearing part 15 is fixed on the rotor-hub extension 4 by means of the screw connection 14 and forms the first blade-bearing ring 10. In an embodiment which is not illustrated here, the first blade-bearing ring 10 can also be integrated at least to some extent in the rotor-hub extension 4. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0056] FIG. 12 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11. The wind turbine illustrated has a crossed-roller bearing having a single row of crossed rollers K. The bearing part 15 is fixed on the rotor-hub extension 4 by means of the screw connection 14 and forms the first blade-bearing ring 10. In an embodiment which is not illustrated here, the first blade-bearing ring 10 can also be integrated at least to some extent in the rotor-hub extension 4. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
[0057] FIG. 13 shows, schematically, a sub-region of a wind turbine according to a further embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates the rotor-hub extension 4, the through-passage opening 12, the fastening opening 12′ and the second blade-bearing ring 11. The wind turbine illustrated has a double crossed-roller bearing having two rows of crossed rollers K, wherein the two rows of crossed rollers K are tilted through 45° in comparison with the embodiment which is illustrated in FIG. 11. The bearing part 15 is fixed on the rotor-hub extension 4 by means of the screw connection 14 and forms the first blade-bearing ring 10. In an embodiment which is not illustrated here, the first blade-bearing ring 10 can also be integrated at least to some extent in the rotor-hub extension 4. The rotating blade-bearing ring here is the second blade-bearing ring 11.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0058] 1 Rotor hub [0059] 2 Blade bearing [0060] 3 Rotor blade [0061] 4 Rotor-hub extension [0062] 5 First diameter [0063] 6 Second diameter [0064] 8 Wind [0065] 9 Intermediate piece [0066] 10 First blade-bearing ring [0067] 11 Second blade-bearing ring [0068] 12 Through-passage opening [0069] 12′ Fastening opening [0070] 13 Nose [0071] 14 Screw connection [0072] 15 Bearing part [0073] A Axial roller [0074] K Crossed-roller bearing [0075] R Radial roller [0076] 4P Four-point bearing
