ROTOR ARRESTING DEVICE FOR A WIND TURBINE AND METHOD

Abstract

A rotor arresting device for a wind turbine, to a wind turbine and to methods for arresting and for moving a rotor of a wind turbine. A rotor arresting device for a wind turbine having a rotor and a rotation assembly which is connected to the rotor in a rotationally rigid manner, comprising at least one coupling device which can be arranged on a static assembly, which is positionally fixed relative to the rotation assembly, of the wind turbine, having a first actuator, a second actuator, and a coupling element which is connected to the first and the second actuator, and a counterpart coupling element which can be arranged on the rotation assembly, wherein the coupling element and the counterpart coupling element are releasably connected, preferably in a form-fitting manner, in an arresting position of the coupling device.

Claims

1. A rotor arresting device for a wind turbine having a rotor and a rotation assembly coupled to the rotor in a rotationally rigid manner, the rotor arresting device comprising: a coupling device configured to be arranged on a static assembly, wherein the static assembly is configured to be fixed relative to the rotation assembly of the wind turbine, the coupling device including: a first actuator, a second actuator, and a coupling element coupled to the first and the second actuator, a counterpart coupling element configured to be arranged on the rotation assembly, wherein the coupling element and the counterpart coupling element are releasably connected in an arresting position of the coupling device, wherein the coupling device is configured to move from a release position into the arresting position by at least one movement chosen from a first coupling movement of the first actuator and a second coupling movement of the second actuator, and wherein the first coupling movement has a first setting direction component and the second coupling movement has a second setting direction component, wherein the first setting direction component and the second setting direction component are directed in opposite directions.

2. The rotor arresting device as claimed claim 1, wherein the first coupling movement has a first coupling direction component and the second coupling movement has a second coupling direction component, wherein the first coupling direction component and the second coupling direction component are directed in a same direction, and wherein the first coupling direction component and the second coupling direction component is directed from the coupling element to the counterpart coupling element.

3. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling device is configured to move from the arresting position into the release position by at least one movement chosen from a first decoupling movement of the first actuator and a second decoupling movement of the second actuator, and wherein the first decoupling movement has a first release direction component and the second decoupling movement has a second release direction component, wherein the first release direction component and the second release direction component are directed in opposite directions of each other.

4. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are each configured to be activated independently of one another.

5. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator comprise extendable cylinders.

6. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are configured to be rotatably arranged on the static assembly.

7. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counterpart coupling element is arranged on a counterpart coupling device that is ring-shaped, wherein the counterpart coupling device configured to be arranged on the rotation assembly, wherein the counterpart coupling element is designed as a toothing recess, wherein the counterpart coupling element designed as a toothing recess substantially has a semicircular geometry, and the coupling element has a cylindrical geometry.

8. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of counterpart coupling elements that are semicircular toothing recesses that are spaced apart from one another by less than 45 degrees.

9. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one control device chosen among: a control device configured to cause at least one actuator chosen from the first actuator and the second actuator to move the coupling element from a release position into an arresting position, wherein the coupling element is releasably connected to the counterpart coupling element in the arresting position; and a control device configured to cause at least one actuator chosen from the first actuator and the second actuator to move the coupling element in a first tangential direction of the rotation assembly, wherein one of the first and second actuators is preferably switched to a force-free state.

10. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one control device chosen from: a control device configured to cause at least one actuator chosen from the first actuator and the second actuator to move the first coupling element and the second coupling element from a release position into an arresting position, wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are releasably connected one or more counterpart coupling elements in the arresting position; a control device configured to cause at least one actuator chosen from the first actuator and the second actuator to move the first and second coupling elements in a first tangential direction of the rotation assembly; and a control device configured to cause at least one actuator chosen from the first actuator and the second actuator to move the first coupling element into an arresting position, to move the second coupling element into a release position and in a second tangential direction, to move the first coupling element in the first tangential direction, to move the second coupling element into an arresting position, to move the first coupling element into a release position and in a second tangential direction, and to move the second coupling element in the first tangential direction.

11. A wind turbine comprising: a rotor, a rotation assembly coupled to the rotor in a rotationally rigid manner, and a static assembly fixed relative to the rotation assembly, the static assembly comprising a rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1.

12. A method for arresting the rotor of the wind turbine as claimed in claim 11, the method comprising: using at least one actuator chosen from the first actuator and the second actuator, moving the coupling element from a release position into an arresting position, wherein the first coupling element is releasably connected to the counterpart coupling element in the arresting position.

13. A method for moving the rotor of the wind turbine as claimed in claim 11, the method comprising: using at least one actuator chosen from the first actuator and the second actuator, moving the coupling element in a first tangential direction of the rotation assembly, wherein one of the first and second actuators is switched to a force-free state.

14. A method comprising: arresting the rotor of the wind turbine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotor arresting device is a first rotor arresting device and the coupling element is a first coupling element, wherein the wind turbine includes a second rotor arresting device having a second coupling element, a third actuator and a fourth actuator, wherein arresting comprises; using the first, second, third, and fourth actuators, moving the first coupling element and the second coupling element from a release position into an arresting position, wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are releasably connected to the counterpart coupling element in the arresting position.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, comprising: moving the first coupling element in a first tangential direction of the rotation assembly using at least one actuator chosen from the first actuator and the second actuator, wherein one of the first and second actuators is switched to a force-free state; and moving the second coupling element in the first tangential direction of the rotation assembly using a least one actuator chosen from the third actuator and the fourth actuator, wherein one of the third and fourth actuators is switched to a force-free state.

16. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling device is configured to move from the arresting position into the release position by at least one movement chosen from a first decoupling movement of the first actuator and a second decoupling movement of the second actuator, and wherein the first decoupling movement has a first decoupling direction component and the second decoupling movement has a second decoupling direction component, wherein the first decoupling direction component and the second decoupling direction component are directed in a same direction as each other.

17. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator comprise hydraulic cylinders.

18. The rotor arresting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are rotatably connected to the coupling element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a wind turbine;

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a generator of a wind turbine according to FIG. 1;

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a rotor arresting device;

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a three dimensional view of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a rotor arresting device.

[0065] In the figures, identical or substantially functionally identical or similar elements are designated with the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a wind turbine. FIG. 1 shows, in particular, a wind turbine 100 having a tower 102 and a nacelle 104. An aerodynamic rotor 106 having three rotor blades 108 and a spinner 110 is arranged on the nacelle 104. In the installed state and/or in the operating state, the aerodynamic rotor 106 is set into a rotational movement by the wind and thus drives a generator in the nacelle 104. The aerodynamic rotor 106 thus also drives an electrodynamic rotor of a generator which is directly or indirectly coupled to the aerodynamic rotor 106. The electric generator is arranged in the nacelle 104 and generates electrical energy. The pitch angles of the rotor blades 108 can be varied by means of pitch motors on the rotor blade roots of the respective rotor blades 108.

[0067] FIG. 2 schematically shows an inner-rotor generator 130 of the wind turbine 100 in a side view. It has a stator 132 and an electrodynamic rotor 134 mounted rotatably with respect thereto and is fastened by its stator 132 to a machine support 138 via a journal 136. The stator 132 has a stator support 140 and stator plate bundles 142 which form stator poles of the generator 130 and are fastened to the stator support 140 via a stator ring 144. The electrodynamic rotor 134 has rotor pole shoes 146 which form the rotor poles and are mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation 152 via a rotor support 148 and bearings 150 on the journal 136. The stator plate bundles 142 and rotor pole shoes 146 are separated by only a narrow air gap 154 which is a few millimeters thick, in particular less than 6 mm, but has a diameter of several meters, in particular more than 4 m. The stator plate bundles 142 and the rotor pole shoes 146 each form a ring and are together also ring-shaped, with the result that the generator 130 is a ring generator. As intended, the electrodynamic rotor 134 of the generator 130 rotates together with the rotor hub 156 of the aerodynamic rotor, of which starts of rotor blades 158 are indicated.

[0068] The inner-rotor generator 130 and the further shown elements of the wind turbine 100 comprise a static assembly 13 and a rotation assembly 14, wherein the static assembly 13 is enclosed by a dashed line for illustration. The static assembly 13 of this exemplary wind turbine comprises, for example, the machine support 138, the stator 132 with stator support 140, stator ring 144 and stator plate bundles 142, and the journal 136. The rotation assembly 14 of the partially shown wind turbine from FIG. 2 comprises, inter alia, the electrodynamic rotor 134 with the rotor support 148. These elements are connected to the aerodynamic rotor in a rotationally rigid manner and preferably have a common axis of rotation 152. The elements of the static assembly are arranged in a positionally fixed manner in relation to these elements of the rotation assembly. The static assembly comprises, for example, the machine support 138, the stator 132 with stator support 140, stator ring 144 and stator plate bundles 142, and the journal 136. As will be described below, rotor arresting devices according to the invention can be used to arrest the aerodynamic rotor 106.

[0069] FIG. 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a rotor arresting device. FIG. 3 shows, in particular, a rotor arresting device 1 having a first coupling device 210, a second coupling device 220, a third coupling device 230, a fourth coupling device 240, a fifth coupling device 250 and a sixth coupling device 260, each of which devices being arranged on a static assembly 200 which is positionally fixed relative to a rotation assembly. Moreover, the rotor arresting device 1 has a counterpart coupling device 120. The static assembly 200 has a ring-shaped geometry which has a center axis. The static assembly 200 also has a total of six projections, for example projection 202 or 204, which are arranged equidistantly on the outer radial circumferential surface of the static assembly. The counterpart coupling device 120, likewise ring-shaped, is arranged coaxially to the static assembly 200 and is preferably arranged on a rotation assembly (not shown) in a rotationally rigid manner.

[0070] The counterpart coupling device 120 has, moreover, a plurality of counterpart coupling elements which are designed here in the present case as toothing recesses. By way of example, the toothing recesses 124 and 126 are provided here with a reference sign, these two adjacent toothing recesses 124, 126 forming a tooth 122. The toothing recesses are arranged equidistantly on the inner circumferential surface of the counterpart coupling device 120. The toothing recesses are interrupted in certain regions in the axial direction. The interrupted part has a radius with respect to the center axis of the counterpart coupling device 120 which is greater than or equal to the radius from a low point of one of the toothing recesses to the center axis. It is thus possible for a cylindrical coupling element to be arranged in the toothing recesses and not to be influenced by the interrupted part.

[0071] All the toothing recesses on the counterpart coupling device 120 are designed in such a way that coupling elements 212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262 can be arranged in these toothing recesses. The coupling elements 212 to 262 have a cylindrical geometry, the cylinder axis being oriented substantially parallel to the center axis of the static assembly 200 and of the counterpart coupling device 120. It is thus possible for the coupling elements 212 to 262 to have a part of their radial circumferential surface arranged within the toothing recesses, which are here in the present case semicircular. As a representative of all the coupling devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 the detailed design of the coupling devices will be explained below on the basis of the first coupling device 210.

[0072] The coupling device 210 has a first actuator 213 and a second actuator 216. The first actuator 213 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 214 with an extendable cylinder element 215. Analogously to the first actuator 213, the second actuator 216 likewise has a hydraulic cylinder 217 with an extendable cylinder element 218. The first actuator 213 extends from a first end to a second end. The first actuator 213 is arranged by the first end on a first projection 202 of the static assembly 200 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the center axis of the static assembly 200. The first coupling element 212 is arranged on the second end of the actuator 213, in particular on the end of the cylinder element 215 that faces away from the hydraulic cylinder 214. The second actuator 216 likewise extends from a first end to a second end. The second actuator 216 is likewise arranged by the first end on the static assembly 200. In particular, the second actuator 216 is arranged by its first end on a second projection 204, wherein the second projection 204 is arranged adjacent to the first projection 202. On the second end of the second actuator 216, in particular on the end of the cylinder element 218 that faces away from the hydraulic cylinder 217, the second actuator 216 is likewise rotatably connected to the first coupling element 212.

[0073] In the completely retracted state, that is to say that the cylinder elements 215, 218 are arranged as far as possible within the hydraulic cylinders 214, 217, the first actuator 213 and the second actuator 216 are oriented substantially tangentially to the static assembly 200. The coupling element is then situated in a release position and is in particular not releasably connected to one of the counterpart coupling elements, for example 124, 126. If the cylinder elements 215, 218 are now extended from the hydraulic cylinders 214, 217, the coupling element 212 moves with a coupling direction component in the direction of the counterpart coupling element 120. With sufficient extension of the cylinder elements 215, 218, the coupling element 212 is situated, with corresponding tangential positioning, in one of the toothing recesses of the counterpart coupling element 120.

[0074] The counterpart coupling device 120 can be securely arrested relative to the static assembly 200 through the arrangement of the coupling element 212 in one of the recesses of the counterpart coupling element. This is achieved in particular in that tangential forces of the counterpart coupling device are channeled via the coupling element into the actuators and from there are channeled to the static assembly 200.

[0075] Moreover, the counterpart coupling device 120 can also be rotated by the provided coupling devices 210 to 260 relative to the static assembly 200 in the tangential direction T. This preferably occurs by the first actuators extending their cylinder elements and the second actuators of the coupling device being switched to a force-free state. The rotation occurs in particular by virtue of the fact that the second coupling devices exert a smaller tangential force on the counterpart coupling device than is caused by the cylinder elements of the first actuators. After the first actuators have completely extended the cylinder elements, there can at first not take place any further rotation of the counterpart coupling device in relation to the static assembly 200. A coupling element of a coupling device is then preferably successively set back again into an arresting position counter to the direction of rotation, with the result that the coupling element is again arranged within a toothing recess and the coupling elements can carry out a repeated movement in the tangential direction of the desired direction of rotation.

[0076] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a rotor arresting device. The rotor arresting device 1 comprises a coupling device 301 having a first actuator 310 and a second actuator 350, wherein the two actuators 310, 350 extend from a first end to a second end in an analogous manner to the previous description, wherein the first ends of the actuators 310, 350 are arranged on the static assembly on two adjacent projections 302, 303, and the second ends are each arranged on an individual coupling element 305. The coupling element 305 is situated in an arresting position in which the coupling element 305 is releasably connected to a counterpart coupling element of a counterpart coupling device 120. In the present case, this connection is produced in a form-fitting manner in that the cylindrical coupling element 305 is arranged in a semicircular toothing recess.

[0077] Particularly evident in the present case is the rotatable arrangement of the actuators 310, 350 on the static assembly 300 and on the coupling element 305. The actuators 310, 350 are each fastened at their first end to the static assembly by a bolt receiving element 313, 353 and a bolt 314, 354. In the present case, the axis of rotation is again oriented parallel to the center axis of the static assembly 300.

[0078] The actuators 310, 350 each have, in particular in a region adjoining the first end, a preferably circular first opening, and are arranged with this region between openings of the bolt receiving elements 313, 353, with the result that a bolt can be arranged in the openings of the bolt receiving element, and is thus also arranged in the first openings of the first ends of the first actuator 310 and second actuator 350, and therefore nonrotational movements of the first ends of the actuators 310, 350 relative to the static assembly 300 are substantially prevented. It is thus possible to realize a rotatable arrangement of the actuators 310, 350 on the static assembly 300. The coupling element 305 is designed in the present case as a cylindrical element and can be used in the present case, also acting as a bolt, to connect the first actuator 310 and the second actuator 350 to one another. In an analogous manner to the counterpart coupling device 120, the counterpart coupling device 120 has a plurality of counterpart coupling elements which are designed as semicircular toothing recesses.

[0079] The counterpart coupling device 120 can be rotated relative to the static assembly 300 through this arrangement. This occurs in particular by virtue of the fact that a tangential force of the one actuator is greater than the oppositely directed tangential force of the respective other actuator. The actuator which is not used for the rotation of the counterpart coupling device 120 is preferably switched to a force-free state. It is thus possible to achieve a preferably successive rotation of the counterpart coupling device 120 in relation to the static assembly 300.

[0080] Rotor arresting devices 1, 1 as shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4 can also be used for arresting the aerodynamic rotor 106 as shown in FIG. 1 in that a counterpart coupling element 124, 126 is arranged in a rotationally rigid manner the rotation assembly and at least one coupling device 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 301 is arranged on the static assembly. For example, the counterpart coupling element 124, 126 can be arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the end side of the rotor support 148 that faces the machine support 138. The at least one coupling device 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 301 is then preferably arranged on the end side of the stator support 140 that faces away from the machine support, with the result that the at least one coupling element 212, 222, 232, 242, 252, 262, 305 of the at least one coupling device 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 301 can be releasably connected to a counterpart coupling element 124, 126 of the counterpart coupling device 120, 120.

[0081] The rotor arresting devices 1, 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be arranged, to arrest an aerodynamic rotor 106, on stator supports 140 and rotor supports 148 of inner-rotor generators and also of outer-rotor generators.

[0082] Particularly by virtue of the fact that the actuators, which are preferably designed as hydraulic elements, are arranged on the static assembly, the supply lines and control devices for them can be arranged without great difficulties. Moreover, many elements are situated on a rotation assembly of a wind turbine, on which elements a counterpart coupling device 120, 120 can be arranged. Thus, a secure rotation of a rotor of a wind turbine can be achieved, with it being possible for the proposed rotor arresting device to be designed in a cost-effective manner. Moreover, given the large number of coupling devices to be arranged, said device offers a high safety factor which simplifies mounting and demounting, maintenance and repair work and other work in the region of the rotor and/or of the nacelle and reduces the effort for ensuring a controlled operation.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0083] 1, 1 Rotor arresting device [0084] 13 Static assembly [0085] 14 Rotation assembly [0086] 100 Wind turbine [0087] 102 Tower [0088] 104 Nacelle [0089] 106 Rotor [0090] 108 Rotor blade [0091] 110 Spinner [0092] 120, 120 Counterpart coupling device [0093] 122 Tooth [0094] 124 First toothing recess [0095] 126 Second toothing recess [0096] 130 Inner-rotor generator [0097] 132 Stator [0098] 134 Electrodynamic rotor [0099] 136 Journal [0100] 138 Machine support [0101] 140 Stator support [0102] 142 Stator plate bundles [0103] 144 Stator ring [0104] 146 Rotor pole shoes [0105] 148 Rotor support [0106] 150 Bearings [0107] 152 Axis of rotation [0108] 154 Air gap [0109] 156 Rotor hub [0110] 158 Rotor blade [0111] 200, 300 Static assembly [0112] 202 First projection [0113] 204 Second projection [0114] 210 First coupling device [0115] 212 First coupling element [0116] 213 First actuator [0117] 214 Hydraulic cylinder [0118] 215 Cylinder element [0119] 216 Second actuator [0120] 217 Hydraulic cylinder [0121] 218 Cylinder element [0122] 220 Second coupling device [0123] 222 Second coupling element [0124] 230 Third coupling device [0125] 232 Third coupling element [0126] 240 Fourth coupling device [0127] 242 Fourth coupling element [0128] 250 Fifth coupling device [0129] 252 Fifth coupling element [0130] 260 Sixth coupling device [0131] 262 Sixth coupling element [0132] 301 Coupling device [0133] 302, 303 Projections [0134] 305 Coupling element [0135] 310 First actuator [0136] 312 Hydraulic cylinder [0137] 313 Bolt receiving element [0138] 314 Bolt [0139] 315 Cylinder element [0140] 316 Arrangement element [0141] 350 Second actuator [0142] 352 Hydraulic cylinder [0143] 353 Bolt receiving element [0144] 354 Bolt [0145] 355 Cylinder element [0146] 356 Arrangement element [0147] T Tangential direction