Optimised, New Product Designs for Rotor Bearings in Wind Turbines

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Optimised, new product designs for rotor bearings in wind turbines

A compact tapered roller bearing unit, with a direct flange mounting facility, simplifies logistics and mounting significantly. Spherical roller bearings that have been optimised to the last micrometre and a new asymmetrical spherical roller bearing allow wind turbines to generate energy even more reliably.

HANOVER/SCHWEINFURT, June 13, 2017. All the forces from the wind act directly on the rotor bearing in a wind turbine, which means the rolling bearings are subjected to high dynamic loads and harsh operating conditions. A range of powertrain designs have established themselves on the market, each of which requires a different bearing. Schaeffler has therefore optimised its proven bearings while, at the same time, developed new bearing designs for various bearing support concepts.

FAG flanged bearing unit: compact and easy to mount Schaeffler has developed a new, compact bearing unit for moment bearing concepts in rotor bearing supports. The flange-mounted tapered roller bearing unit allows all forces and moments in a bearing to be safely supported due to the large pressure angle and tight axial guidance of the rotor. The double row tapered roller bearing unit in an ‘O’ arrangement, with grease lubrication and seals, is supplied pre-assembled. The inner rings are flange-mounted to the rotor, while the outer ring is flange-mounted to the nacelle of the wind turbine. The bearing clearance is preset, which significantly reduces logistics and mounting costs.

FAG GreaseCheck: grease condition monitoring during operation As an option, the flange-mounted tapered roller bearing unit can be factory-fitted with FAG GreaseCheck. This grease sensor is set up and configured to the specific type of grease and provides optical measurement of the water content, turbidity and mechanical wear, as well as the grease temperature directly in the bearing support. An analysis unit, which is connected by cable, generates information on the condition from the measurements and transmits these as an analogue signal. If GreaseCheck detects that the water content in the grease has exceeded a defined threshold, it can typically generate two responses: send information to a control room so that plans can be put in place for an inspection and, if required, a replacement of the seal. Alternatively, the signal from the grease sensor can communicate with a central lubricating system via the

control room so that the bearings are relubricated at shorter intervals and in greater quantities in order to improve the condition of the grease in spite of the damage to the seals and to protect the bearing from damage due to grease failure.

ASTRAIOS: simulation models and test runs provide mutual optimisation Schaeffler's own large-sized bearing test rig, ASTRAIOS, contributed to the development of the flange-mounted tapered roller bearing unit. While rating life calculations from smaller rolling bearings transfer well to large-sized bearings, this is not so much the case for other parameters such as kinematics or frictional torque. Simulations in these areas must therefore be validated by test results. The measurements are fed back into the simulation models in a multi-stage process so that loads and the kinematic behaviour of a large-sized bearing can be calculated. If, for example, only deformation is calculated, then its effect on the function of the rolling bearing can be simulated and validated on the test rig.

Since ASTRAIOS was put into operation in 2011, it has supplied important information on features that could not previously be tested, such as sealing and lubrication concepts, operating clearance (influence of the temperature and connecting screws) and roller speed.

FAG spherical roller bearings: more robust than ever In order to improve reliability, availability and therefore the cost effectiveness of wind turbines, Schaeffler has optimised its spherical roller bearings for main rotor bearing supports. This bearing design is used exclusively on the shaft bearing support – the most common bearing support concept. In order to optimise the bearing, both its micro- and macro-geometry were addressed. The result is conclusive: it was possible to reduce friction and pressures in the bearing, to improve the distribution of forces, and to increase the axial rigidity. These optimised spherical roller bearings therefore have greater resistance to wear, which specifically occurs as a result of axial displacement. These bearings successfully completed a comprehensive range of tests as part of their validation for Schaeffler’s “X-life” premium quality seal of approval. The validation steps required for this have been certified by Germanischer Lloyd (GL certificate GL-CER-002- 2015).

Asymmetrical FAG spherical roller bearings: new design for improved load distribution This asymmetrical design represents a significant step forward. It substantially increases the axial load carrying capacity and therefore the operating life of main bearings in wind turbines. It allows a larger contact angle to be used on the bearing row subject to axial loads and a smaller contact angle on the bearing row subject primarily to radial loads.

This has resulted in improved load distribution, lower contact pressures and a significant reduction in the axial displacement.

Images: Schaeffler

New, compact moment bearing: the double row tapered roller bearing unit in an ‘O’ arrangement, with grease lubrication and seals, is supplied pre-assembled. The inner rings are flange-mounted to the rotor, while the outer ring is flange-mounted to the nacelle.

As an option, the flange-mounted tapered roller bearing unit can be factory-fitted with FAG GreaseCheck. This grease sensor is set up and configured to the specific type of grease and measures changes in the lubricant directly in the bearing support.

Optimised FAG spherical roller bearings: it was possible to reduce friction and pressures in the bearing, to improve the distribution of forces, and to increase the axial rigidity. The bearings therefore have greater resistance to wear, particularly as a result of axial displacement.

The asymmetrical spherical roller bearing significantly increases the axial load carrying capacity and therefore the operating life of main bearings in wind turbines. It has a larger contact angle on the bearing row subject to axial loads and a smaller contact angle on the bearing row subject mainly to radial loads.

About Schaeffler The Schaeffler Group is one of the world’s leading integrated automotive and industrial suppliers. The company stands for the highest quality, outstanding technology, and strong innovative ability. Its precision components and systems for engines, transmissions, and chassis as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for numerous industrial applications make the Schaeffler Group a key contributor to the “Mobility for tomorrow.” The technology company generated sales of approximately 13.3 billion euros in 2016. With around 86,600 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world’s largest companies in family ownership. It has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales companies at approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries.

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Contact: Dean Palmer, Director, SilverBullet PR Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK. Tel. 07703 023771, email: [email protected]