Rolling bearing assembly and wind turbine equipped therewith

Abstract

A rolling bearing arrangement comprising two rings arranged concentrically and at least regionally one inside the other, and a gap between the rings, such that the rings are rotatable in opposite directions about an axis at the center of the rings and perpendicular to a ring plane, wherein at least one raceway is closed on itself in a circular shape in a plane and is provided with at least one row of symmetrical rolling bodies between the rings, wherein the rolling bodies of one row are guided at generally equidistant spacings by a cage having at least one disk-shaped region is placed in continuously circumferential, groove-shaped depression in the region of the raceway of one bearing ring, and wherein the cage is shaped like a comb, comprising a plurality of spacers that are joined together along a spine region, and, between every two neighboring spacers, a respective pocket for receiving a respective rolling body.

1 . A rolling bearing assembly for a main blade or nacelle bearing of a wind turbine, the assembly comprising two annular connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ) arranged concentrically to each other and at least regionally one inside the other, and forming a gap ( 6 ) between said connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ), the connecting elements being rotatable in opposite directions about an axis at the center of said connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ) and generally perpendicular to a ring plane, wherein at least one raceway ( 8 ,  9 ) is provided for at least one row of rotationally symmetrical rolling bodies ( 7 ) rolling between said connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ) in the region of the gap surrounding the axis of rotation at a generally constant radius, wherein the said rolling bodies ( 7 ) of one row are guided at approximately equal spacings by a cage ( 18 ,  28 ) having at least one disk-shaped region that is placed in a continuously circumferential, groove-shaped depression ( 27 ) in the region of said raceway ( 8 ,  9 ) of one said connecting element ( 2 ,  3 ), and wherein said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) comprises a plurality of spacers ( 25 ,  29 ) that are connected to a spine ( 26 ,  30 ), and disposed between every two neighboring spacers ( 25 ,  29 ) is a recess ( 23 ,  34 ) for receiving the spherical rolling bodies ( 7 ), wherein the opening of a recess ( 23 ,  34 ) extends continuously in a top face of said cage ( 18 ,  28 ), over the opposite edge ( 21 ) thereof from said spine ( 26 ,  30 ) and into the bottom face thereof, wherein said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) is interrupted in at least one location and is formed from a spring-elastic material, such that it can be elastically bent open and closed in the plane of the disk-shaped region. 
     
     
         2 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) is of steel. 
     
     
         3 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said spacers ( 25 ,  29 ) of said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) are connected to one another, such that said recesses ( 23 ,  34 ) are connected to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein when a distance between end faces ( 33 ) of the two neighboring spacers ( 25 ,  29 ) changes, the end faces ( 33 ) top and bottom edges do not shift in relation to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) consists of only one layer. 
     
     
         6 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said spacers ( 25 ,  29 ) has a greater height than said spine ( 26 ,  30 ) of said cage ( 18 ,  28 ). 
     
     
         7 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein all of said recesses ( 23 ,  34 ) of said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) are open on the opposite longitudinal edge ( 21 ) of said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) from said spine ( 26 ,  30 ). 
     
     
         8 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) has at least one designated bending area in the spine region thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one bending area extends transversely to the circumferential depression of said rolling bearing ( 1 ). 
     
     
         10 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 9 , wherein at least one bending area is located in a region of a spacer ( 25 ,  29 ). 
     
     
         11 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 9 , wherein at least one bending area is configured as a recess ( 24 ) in said cage ( 18 ,  28 ), in an end face ( 22 ) of said spine ( 26 ,  30 ). 
     
     
         12 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 11 , wherein the maximum depth of said recess ( 24 ) approximately corresponds to a minimum width of said spine ( 26 ,  30 ) at a base of said recess ( 23 ,  34 ). 
     
     
         13 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 11 , wherein said recess ( 24 ) passes through said spine region of said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) from the top face thereof to the bottom face thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 11 , wherein at least one said recess ( 24 ) has rounded edges extending vertically in relation to the base of said rolling bearing ( 1 ), in the region of the transition between flanks of said recess ( 24 ) and/or beyond the two flanks of said recess. 
     
     
         15 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said rolling bodies ( 7 ) are embraced by said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) where the peripheral speed of said rolling bodies is highest, hence generally in the regions of their equators. 
     
     
         16 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claims 1 , wherein said rolling bodies ( 7 ) are embraced over no more than about 180° of their circumferences. 
     
     
         17 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claims 1 , wherein an inner face of at least one of said recesses for receiving a respective rolling body ( 7 ) is at least regionally provided, generally at the level of said spine ( 26 ,  30 ) of said cage ( 18 ,  28 ), with a concave curvature. 
     
     
         18 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 17 , wherein said concavely curved region follows generally a semicircle or a smaller segment of a circle. 
     
     
         19 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claims 17 , wherein after said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) is placed in the depression ( 27 ) provided therefor, the radius of the concavely curved region in the area of said spine ( 26 ,  30 ) of said cage ( 18 ,  28 ) is equal to, or greater than, the equatorial radius of curvature of the said rolling body ( 7 ) received in the respective recess. 
     
     
         20 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said rolling bodies ( 7 ) have a doubly convexly curved outer surface. 
     
     
         21 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 20 , wherein said rolling bodies ( 7 ) comprise balls. 
     
     
         22 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein an inner face of at least one said recess for receiving a respective rolling body ( 7 ) has at least regionally a double concave curvature, i.e., is concavely curved in two mutually perpendicular directions. 
     
     
         23 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 22 , wherein the doubly concavely curved region of a said recess follows approximately a selected one of the surface of a hemisphere, or two spaced-apart quarter-spheres, or one or two smaller surface segment(s) of a hollow sphere. 
     
     
         24 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 23 , wherein depending on the direction of rotation of said rolling bearing ( 1 ), front or back sides ( 35 ,  36 ) of a spacer ( 25 ,  29 ) each follow a segment of a surface of a hollow sphere, each generally one fourth or less of the surface of a hollow sphere. 
     
     
         25 . The rolling bearing assembly as in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the rolling bodies comprise two or more mutually offset rows of rolling bodies ( 7 ), the offset being in the axial direction of said rolling bearing assembly ( 1 ). 
     
     
         26 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein one, more or all of the rows of said rolling bodies ( 7 ) and their raceways ( 8 ,  9 ) are fashioned in the manner of a preloaded four-point ball bearing. 
     
     
         27 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said gap ( 6 ) between said connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ) is sealed at both end faces ( 10 ,  11 ) of said rolling bearing ( 1 ). 
     
     
         28 . The rolling bearing assembly as in one  claim 27 , wherein said gap ( 6 ) between said connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ), within two end-face seals ( 12 ,  13 ), is filled with grease. 
     
     
         29 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 27 , wherein a filling channel extending from one end face or jacket surface ( 10 ,  11 ,  16 ,  17 ) to said raceway ( 8 ,  9 ) and serving to introduce the rolling bodies ( 7 ), is provided in one of said annular connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ), that does not have a groove depression ( 27 ) for receiving said cage spine ( 26 ,  30 ). 
     
     
         30 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 29 , wherein both of said annular connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ) comprise coronally distributed fastening means for connection to a frame, machine part or system part, the fastening means comprising coronally distributed bores ( 14 ,  15 ) perpendicular to an end face ( 10 ,  11 ). 
     
     
         31 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said annular connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ) has a continuously circumferential row of teeth on a jacket surface ( 16 ,  17 ) disposed oppositely from the gap ( 6 ). 
     
     
         32 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 31 , wherein said continuously circumferential row of teeth is provided on the annular connecting elements that has a depression ( 27 ) in which said cage spine is to be placed. 
     
     
         33 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 1 , and further comprising an electric motor for rotationally adjusting said two annular connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ) relative to each other. 
     
     
         34 . The rolling bearing assembly as in  claim 32 , wherein a rotary drive is coupled to one of said annular connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ) via a pinion or toothed wheel or worm, or the like meshing with a continuously circumferential row of teeth, and is affixed to the other of said annular connecting elements ( 2 ,  3 ). 
     
     
         35 . A wind turbine in combination with a rotor bearing or main bearing ( 1 ) configured according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         36 . A wind turbine, in combination with a blade bearing ( 1 ) configured according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         37 . A wind turbine, in combination with a nacelle bearing ( 1 ) configured according to  claim 1 .