Wind turbine generator with fluid film bearing units

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9564786-B2
Application number	US-201113978312-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 5, 2011
Priority date	Jan 5, 2011
Publication date	Feb 7, 2017
Grant date	Feb 7, 2017

Abstract

A generator for a wind turbine is disclosed. The generator comprises a rotor configured to rotate about a rotational axis, and at least one stator arranged next to the rotor. Each stator comprises at least one flux-generating module facing the rotor but spaced therefrom, thereby forming an air gap between the rotor and each flux-generating module. Each stator also comprises at least one bearing unit, each bearing unit comprising a body defining a cavity with an open end facing the rotor. The generator further comprises a source of pressurized fluid communicating with each bearing unit, and the body of each bearing unit directs the fluid towards the rotor to help maintain the air gap between the rotor and each flux-generating module. Thereby the air gap between the rotor and the flux-generating modules is controlled by means of the fluid bearing units. The invention further provides a wind turbine comprising such a generator.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A generator for a wind turbine, the generator comprising:
a rotor configured to rotate about a rotational axis,
at least one stator arranged next to the rotor, each stator comprising at least one flux-generating module facing the rotor but spaced therefrom, thereby forming an air gap between the rotor and the at least one flux-generating module, and at least one bearing unit, the at least one bearing unit comprising a body defining a cavity with an open end facing the rotor, and
a source of pressurized fluid communicating with the at least one bearing unit, wherein the body of the at least one bearing unit directs the fluid towards the rotor to help maintain the air gap between the rotor and the at least one flux-generating module,
wherein the at least one bearing unit further comprises a first bearing unit and a second bearing unit respectively arranged above and below the at least one flux-generating module.

2. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one flux-generating module comprises a first flux-generating module and a second flux-generating module arranged on opposing sides of the rotor.

3. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein the body of each bearing unit further comprises a sliding surface at least partially surrounding the open end of the cavity and facing the rotor.

4. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein each bearing unit further comprises a nozzle portion coupled to the body, the nozzle portion comprising a passage configured to receive pressurized fluid from the fluid source and direct it to the cavity of the body.

5. The generator according to claim 4 , wherein, for at least one bearing unit, the nozzle portion or the coupling between the nozzle portion and the body defines a flow restricting portion.

6. The generator according to claim 4 , wherein the body of at least one bearing unit is pivotally connected to the associated nozzle portion.

7. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein the cavity defined by the body of at least one bearing unit has a cross sectional area which increases along a direction towards the rotor.

8. The generator according to claim 7 , wherein the cavity defined by the body of at least one bearing unit has a substantially conical shape.

9. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises at least two stators arranged along separate angular segments of the rotor.

10. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein the generator is an axial flux generator, an air gap between the flux-generating modules and the rotor extending substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotor.

11. A wind turbine comprising at least one generator according to claim 1 .

12. The wind turbine according to claim 11 , comprising two generators, the rotors of said generators being mounted on a common rotational shaft.

13. The wind turbine according to claim 11 , wherein the rotor of the generator is connected to a set of wind turbine blades.

14. The wind turbine according to claim 11 , the wind turbine being a horizontal axis wind turbine.

15. The wind turbine according to claim 11 , wherein the generator is a direct drive generator.

16. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein the body of each bearing unit directs the fluid towards the rotor in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the rotor.

17. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein the source of pressurized fluid is configured to supply a gaseous fluid.

Assignees

• STAGHØJ Michael
• Larsen Gerner
• Olsen Niels Christian
• MØLLER HANSEN Frank
• Wadehn Jörg
• Vestas Wind Sys As

Inventors

• STAGHØJ Michael
• Larsen Gerner
• Olsen Niels Christian
• MØLLER HANSEN Frank
• Wadehn Jörg

Classifications

• Y02E10/725

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic

• F03D9/002

  Mechanical Engineering · mapped topic

• H02K7/183 Primary

  wherein the turbine is a wind turbine (adaptation of a wind turbine to an electric generator F03D9/25) · CPC title

• F16C32/0603 Primary

  supported by a gas cushion, e.g. an air cushion · CPC title

• F16C32/0622

  via nozzles, restrictors · CPC title