ADJUSTABLE BEARING ASSEMBLY, IN PARTICULAR FOR WIND TURBINES

Abstract

A bearing arrangement includes a first anti-friction bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring, a second anti-friction bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring, a first spacer element seated between the inner ring of the first anti-friction bearing and the inner ring of the second anti-friction bearing and including an oil supply channel which runs in a radial direction, and a second spacer element arranged between outer ring of the first anti-friction bearing and the outer ring of the second anti-friction bearing for adjusting a bearing prestress. The second spacer element includes at least two curved pieces which are placed circumferentially in opposition to one another. The second spacer element extends in the radial direction such as to from a radial gap to the first spacer element and includes an oil supply channel which runs in the radial direction.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A bearing arrangement, comprising: a first anti-friction bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring; a second anti-friction bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring; a first spacer element seated between the inner ring of the first anti-friction bearing and the inner ring of the second anti-friction bearing and comprising an oil supply channel which runs in a radial direction; and a second spacer element arranged between the outer ring of the first anti-friction bearing and the outer ring of the second anti-friction bearing for adjusting a bearing prestress, said second spacer element comprising at least two curved pieces which are placed circumferentially in opposition to one another, said second spacer element extending in the radial direction such as to from a radial gap to the first spacer element and comprising an oil supply channel which runs in the radial direction.

17. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the second spacer element has an outer circumference formed with a groove for receiving a securing element which is connected to a surrounding housing.

18. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the second spacer element has an outer circumference formed with a keyway for receiving a key which is connected in a positively locking manner to at least one of the outer ring of the first and the outer ring of the second anti-friction bearing.

19. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the oil supply channel of the second spacer element includes an oil outlet bore.

20. The bearing arrangement of claim 19, wherein the oil supply channel of the second spacer element includes two of said oil outlet bore which are directed axially on both sides of the second spacer element.

21. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the radial gap has a radial dimension such that, in operation of the bearing arrangement, the radial gap has a substantially sealing effect between the first and second spacer elements.

22. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the radial dimension of the radial gap is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

23. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the radial dimension of the radial gap is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

24. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, further comprising screws designed to screw the at least two circumferential curved pieces against one another and/or locating pins designed to connect the at least two circumferential curved pieces to one another.

25. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first anti-friction bearing and the second anti-friction bearing is designed as an axial tapered roller bearing, as a tapered roller bearing, as an angular contact ball bearing, and/or as an axial self-aligning roller bearing.

26. The bearing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the first and second anti-friction bearings are arranged in an O-arrangement with respect to one another.

27. A method for mounting a bearing arrangement as set forth in claim 16 between a housing and a shaft, the method comprising: provisionally mounting the shaft fitted with the bearing arrangement within the housing or an apparatus which represents the housing; determining a dimension of an axial play between the housing or the apparatus which represents the housing and the shaft; dismantling the shaft from the housing; and finally mounting the shaft fitted with the bearing arrangement within the housing, with the second spacer element of the bearing arrangement having, with respect to the provisional mounting, an axial width dimension which is increased at least by the determined dimension of the axial play.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising correcting the dimension of the axial play in dependence on a tolerance dimension of a housing internal diameter and/or on a tolerance dimension of a bearing outer ring diameter.

29. A drive train for a wind power plant, the drive train comprising: a shaft assembly designed to connect a multiple blade rotor in a torque-transmitting manner to a generator, said shaft assembly comprising a housing and a shaft which is mounted rotatably in the housing; and a bearing arrangement designed to rotatably mount the shaft in the housing, said bearing arrangement comprising a first anti-friction bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring, a second anti-friction bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring, a first spacer element seated between the inner ring of the first anti-friction bearing and the inner ring of the second anti-friction bearing and comprising an oil supply channel which runs in a radial direction, and a second spacer element arranged between the outer ring of the first anti-friction bearing and the outer ring of the second anti-friction bearing for adjusting a bearing prestress, said second spacer element comprising at least two curved pieces which are placed circumferentially in opposition to one another, said second spacer element extending in the radial direction such as to from a radial gap to the first spacer element and comprising an oil supply channel which runs in the radial direction.

30. A wind power plant, comprising: a nacelle; a multiple blade rotor attached rotatably to the nacelle; a generator; and a drive train connecting the multiple blade rotor in a torque-transmitting manner to the generator, said drive train being designed as set forth in claim 29.

31. A non-transitory computer program product comprising commands which, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, cause the computer to simulate an operating behavior of a bearing arrangement which is used in a wind power plant, with the bearing arrangement being designed as set forth in claim 16.

Description

[0022] In the following text, the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the appended drawings on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it being possible for the features which are shown in the following text to represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. In the drawings:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a bearing arrangement,

[0024] FIGS. 2 and 3 shows details of a spacer element of a bearing arrangement according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view,

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a further longitudinal section through the bearing arrangement according to FIG. 1, and

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration of a wind power plant.

[0027] FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows one embodiment of a claimed bearing arrangement 10 in a mounted state. The bearing arrangement 10 has a first anti-friction bearing 20 and a second anti-friction bearing 30. The bearing arrangement 10 is arranged in a housing 2. Via the bearing arrangement 10, a shaft 4 is held in the housing 2 rotatably about a rotational axis A.sub.d. In the present case, the shaft 4 is configured as a hollow shaft. The assembly consisting of the housing 2, the shaft 4, the bearing arrangement 10 and further components can be called a hollow shaft assembly. As will still be described in the further course, the hollow shaft assembly can connect a transmission to a generator in drive terms.

[0028] The first anti-friction bearing 20 comprises an inner ring 22, an outer ring 24 and rolling bodies 23 which are arranged in between. In a manner which corresponds to this, the second anti-friction bearing 30 also comprises an inner ring 32, an outer ring 34 and rolling bodies 33 which are arranged in between. The first and second anti-friction bearings 20, 30 are arranged in an O-arrangement with respect to one another. In the case of the first and second anti-friction bearings 20, 30, the respective outer ring 24, 34 serves as a stationary component, since they are held fixedly in the housing 2 so as to not rotate in the mounted state. In a manner which corresponds to this, the inner rings 22, 32 of the first and second anti-friction bearings 20, 30 are each rotating components. A first spacer element 40 is seated between the inner rings 22, 32 of the two anti-friction bearings 20, 30, and a second spacer element 42 is seated between the outer rings 24, 34 of the two anti-friction bearings 20, 30. Via the first spacer element 40, the two inner rings 22, 32 are held spaced apart axially, and the two outer rings 24, 34 are held spaced apart axially via the second spacer element 42. The two spacer elements 40, 42 are of annular configuration, the inner and first spacer element 40 surrounding the shaft 4 in a sleeve-shaped manner, in particular. The second spacer element 42 can be assembled, for example, from two curved pieces 44, as is explained on the basis of FIG. 2.

[0029] The two inner rings 22, 32 of the anti-friction bearings 20, 30 are seated with a transition fit on the shaft 4. As a result, the inner rings 22, 32 are first of all held counter to a relative rotation with respect to the shaft 4. For further securing counter to a relative rotation between the inner rings 22, 32 and the shaft 4, a groove nut 12 is screwed onto the shaft 4 on the end side, which groove nut loads the two inner rings 22, 32 and the seated first spacer element 40 with an axial force against a shaft shoulder 26. In a mounted state of the bearing arrangement on the shaft 4 and in the housing 2, the two outer rings 24, 34 of the anti-friction bearings 20, 30 are likewise seated with an oversize in a receptacle bore 28 of the housing 2. An axial force which loads the two outer rings 24, 34 and the seated second spacer element 42 against a housing shoulder 18 is applied via an adjusting ring 14 and a housing cover 16. As a result, there is first of all securing counter to a relative rotation between the outer rings 24, 34 and the housing 2. A further possibility for securing counter to a relative rotation will be described in the further course in conjunction with the second spacer element 42.

[0030] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the second spacer element 42 in detail in different perspective illustrations, to which reference is made substantially jointly in the following text. In the present case, the second spacer element 42 is shown in a two-part configuration. The spacer element 42 then consists of two curved pieces 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 which are set circumferentially against one another. The two curved pieces 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 which are set against one another form a circumferentially closed ring. The two circumferential curved pieces 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 are screwed against one another via screws 36, and are additionally positioned against one another via locating pins 38.

[0031] As viewed in a longitudinal section, the second spacer element 42 can be of substantially T-shaped configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 1, in particular. The T-shape is formed by way of a radially outer space body 60 and a web 62 which continues radially inward from the former. It is the function of the spacer body 60 to be seated axially between the outer rings 24, 34 of the bearings 20, 30, and to hold the outer rings 24, 34 at a defined axial spacing. The second spacer element 42 is continued radially inward between the rolling bodies 23, 33 of the bearings 20, 30 by way of the web 62. The second spacer element 42 preferably continues radially inward as far as the first spacer element 40, with the result that the two spacer elements 40, 42 form a narrow radial gap 64 with respect to one another. The radial dimension of the gap 64 can vary in the present case depending on the application.

[0032] For example, the radial dimension of the gap 64 can be selected to be greater if a lubrication of the rolling bodies 23, 33 of the bearings 20, 30 is to be provided starting from the radially inner region of the spacer element 42. In the case of an embodiment of this type, at least one oil supply channel 54 which runs in the radial direction and has oil outlet bores 56 which are directed axially on both sides is arranged in the second spacer element 42. It can be seen from FIG. 2 that two oil supply channels 54 are arranged over the circumference. Lubricating oil can be conducted via the axially directed oil outlet bores 56 to the rolling bodies 23, 33. As an alternative, only one oil supply channel 64 can also be provided.

[0033] The radial dimension of the gap 64 can be selected to be smaller, for example, if it is intended to additionally be provided that the oil supply channel or channels 54 has/have a radially inwardly continuing oil through bore 58, which will be described in greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 4.

[0034] The second spacer element 42 configures a first groove 46 on the outer circumferential side. Via a key (not shown) which is received herein, the second spacer element 42 can be secured in a positively locking manner against rotations with respect to the housing 2. In addition, the second spacer element 42 configures a second keyway 50 on the outer circumferential side. Via a key (not shown) which is received herein, the second spacer element 42 can be secured in a positively locking manner against rotations with respect to at least one of the outer rings 24, 34.

[0035] The possible oil supply by way of the second spacer element 42 using an assembly will be shown on the basis of FIG. 4. The interaction of the first spacer element 40 with the second spacer element 42 is distinguished by a gap 64 with a small radial dimension. First of all, oil outlet bores 56 which are directed axially on both sides branch off from the oil supply channel 54, in order to oil the rolling bodies 23, 33. It is additionally provided that the oil supply channel 54 has an oil through bore 58 which continues radially inward and through the first spacer element 40. In a manner which corresponds to the oil through bore 58, a radial oil channel 66 is configured in the shaft 4, via which oil channel lubricating oil can pass, for example, to a longitudinal spline system 68 on an inner circumference of the shaft 4.

[0036] The present bearing arrangement 10 is mounted with an axial prestress between the housing 2 and the shaft 4. The mounting method which is used here is split into a first step of provisional mounting including axial play measurement, and a second step of final mounting with adjustment of the prestress to be achieved. First of all, the two anti-friction bearings 20, 30 are placed together with the first and second axially seated spacer elements 40, 42 on the shaft 4. The inner rings 22, 32 of the anti-friction bearings 20, 30 preferably have a transition fit with regard to the diameter of the shaft 4. Subsequently, the shaft 4 with the anti-friction bearings 20, 30 placed on it is pushed into the receptacle bore 28 of the housing 2. The provisional mounting has taken place in this way. For this provisional mounting, a second spacer element is provided, the axial width dimension of which is such that the provisionally mounted bearing arrangement 10 permits an axial play of the shaft 4 with respect to the housing 2. This axial play is determined or measured by way of corresponding measuring means. Subsequently, the shaft 4 is pulled together with the anti-friction bearings 20, 30 and spacer elements 40, 42 held on it out of the receptacle bore 28 of the housing 2, and the at least two-part second spacer element 42 between the two anti-friction bearings 20, 30 is removed. As a consequence of the multiple-part nature of the second spacer element 42, the two anti-friction bearings 20, 30 can remain unchanged in their position on the shaft 2, since the curved pieces 44 of the spacer element 42 between the anti-friction bearings 20, 30 can be removed. Subsequently, the final mounting of the bearing arrangement 10 takes place, a second spacer element 42 with an increased axial width dimension in comparison with the provisional mounting being used. This increased axial width dimension is composed of the axial width dimension of the spacer element 42 of the provisional mounting and the defined measurement of the axial play.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a wind power plant 70. The wind power plant 70 comprises a nacelle 71, to which a multiple blade rotor 72 is attached rotatably. The multiple blade rotor 72 is connected in a torque-transmitting manner to a main shaft 74, the main shaft 74 belonging to a drive train 76. Furthermore, the drive train 76 comprises a transmission 78 which is connected in a torque-transmitting manner to the main shaft 74. The transmission 78 has at least one planetary stage 80, and is in turn coupled via a hollow shaft assembly 82 to a generator 84. The hollow shaft assembly 82 is received into a tapering housing portion 86 of the transmission 78. The housing portion 86 can be designed as a stand-alone housing 2. A bearing arrangement 10 is provided in the hollow shaft assembly 82. The bearing arrangement 10 is configured in accordance with one of the above-described embodiments. The bearing arrangement 10 is modeled in a computer program product which is suitable for simulating its operating behavior during operation of the wind power plant 70.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0038] 2 Housing [0039] 4 Shaft [0040] 10 Bearing arrangement [0041] 12 Groove nut [0042] 14 Adjusting ring [0043] 16 Housing cover [0044] 18 Housing shoulder [0045] 20 Anti-friction bearing [0046] 22 Inner ring [0047] 23 Rolling body [0048] 24 Outer ring [0049] 26 Shaft shoulder [0050] 28 Receptacle bore [0051] 30 Anti-friction bearing [0052] 32 Inner ring [0053] 33 Rolling body [0054] 34 Outer ring [0055] 36 Screw [0056] 38 Locating pin [0057] 40 Spacer element [0058] 42 Spacer element [0059] 44 Curved pieces [0060] 46 Groove [0061] 50 Keyway [0062] 54 Oil supply channel [0063] 56 Oil outlet bore [0064] 58 Oil through bore [0065] 60 Spacer body [0066] 62 Web [0067] 64 Radial gap [0068] 66 Oil channel [0069] 68 Longitudinal spline system [0070] 70 Wind power plant [0071] 71 Nacelle [0072] 72 Multiple blade rotor [0073] 74 Main shaft [0074] 76 Drive train [0075] 78 Transmission [0076] 80 Planetary stage [0077] 82 Hollow shaft assembly [0078] 84 Generator [0079] 86 Housing portion