Rotor bearing with a magnetically coupled bearing cover

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10851840-B2
Application number	US-201716481505-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2017
Priority date	Jan 31, 2017
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

A support structure associated with a nacelle of a wind turbine, wherein the support structure includes a bearing having an outer ring and an inner ring is provided. The bearing is surrounded by a bearing housing and a bearing cover. The bearing cover is coupled to the bearing magnetically. In some embodiments, the bearing cover may be coupled to the outer ring of the bearing by bolting. The thickness of the outer ring of the bearing may be increased to accommodate one or more protrusions. The protrusions are composed of a magnetic material and configured to receive a bearing cover.

First claim

I claim:

1. A support structure of a nacelle associated with a wind turbine, wherein the support structure comprises:
a bearing assembly having an outer ring and an inner ring, a bearing housing and a bearing cover, wherein:
the bearing cover is coupled to the outer ring magnetically.

2. The support structure in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the outer ring of the bearing comprises a plurality of protrusions with a magnetic material.

3. The support structure in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the inner ring of the bearing comprises a plurality of protrusions with a magnetic material.

4. The support structure in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bearing cover includes a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of the plurality of protrusions on the outer ring, wherein the plurality of points are composed of material configured to attach with the plurality of protrusions.

5. The support structure in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bearing cover is adapted to cover the bearing assembly between the outer ring and the inner ring.

6. The support structure in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a surface of the outer ring comprises a magnetic material.

7. The support structure in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bearing cover is configured to attach to the magnetic material on the surface of the outer ring.

8. The support structure in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bearing cover comprises a plurality of openings.

9. The support structure in according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing cover is composed at least one of an alloy and a plastic based material.

10. A bearing cover for use in a bearing assembly associated with a wind turbine, wherein the bearing assembly comprises an outer ring and an inner ring, a bearing housing and a bearing cover, wherein:
the bearing cover is coupled to the outer ring magnetically.

11. The bearing cover in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the outer ring of the bearing comprises a plurality of protrusions with a magnetic material.

12. The bearing cover in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the bearing cover includes a plurality of points corresponding to the positions of the plurality of protrusions on the outer ring, wherein the plurality of points are composed of material configured to attach with the plurality of protrusions.

Assignees

• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy As

Inventors

• Moeskjaer Martin

Classifications

• F05B2240/50

  Bearings · CPC title

• F03D80/80

  Arrangement of components within nacelles or towers · CPC title

• F03D80/70 Primary

  Bearing or lubricating arrangements · CPC title

• F16C23/086

  forming a track for rolling elements · CPC title

• Y02E10/72

  Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction · CPC title