Pitch bearin, Yaw bearing & Main bearing for WTG.PDF 

A strong partner for the wind industry

As a strong partner of the wind power industry, FV bearing industries offers the suitable solution for a wide range of requirements. These include components which are used as main-shaft, pitch (blade) and yaw adjustment systems in wind turbines. 

Implementation within the wind turbine

Pitch systems

FV produces well-engineered mechanical systems for rotor blade adjustment. Electric pitch systems are based on one or more mechanical gear units with electric motor, which drive a geared large diameter slewing bearing.

Hydraulic pitch systems are based on one or more hydraulic cylinders and a slewing ring bearing without gears to adjust the rotor blade position. In either case, the precise positioning of the rotor blades results in maximum energy yield.

In pitch systems, the following components from the Liebherr portfolio can be applied:

• Large diameter bearings
• Gearboxes
• Hydraulic cylinders
• Electric motors
• Integrated lubrication system

Three-row roller bearings for higher load capacity and more cost efficiency

Wind turbines are growing steadily in an effort to attain higher energy yields. The options of adapting existing designs to the growing dimensions and more demanding load profiles has however limits - particularly in regard to rotor blade bearings. Therefore, in addition to the current single-row and double-row four-point bearings, FV now also offers three-row roller bearings for pitch systems. This highly increases the potential in terms of dimensioning and load capacity.

Yaw systems

Depending on the specific system design, up to twelve or more high-performance planetary gearboxes drive a slewing bearing and ensure precises as well as reliable wind direction tracking. FV configures the entire yaw system, including the necessary electric motors, precisely to the needs of the customers. This guarantees a high level of system availability.

 

Yaw module concept study

In the course of the last 20 years, variety of parts and complexity have steadily increased within the wind industry. With this study, FV wants to show new ways to achieve more flexible yaw system. The result is a module which integrates all functions of the yaw system in a ready-to-install unit.

The current concept offers a wide range of advantages. It can be easily scaled in terms of size and capacity and adapted to the different turbine platforms. Additionally, the use of standard components across all platforms hold great cost savings potential. Further, the implementation of the yaw system as a ready-to-install module makes it possible to simplify processes for the turbine manufacturer along the entire value chain.

WHICH BEARING DESIGNS ARE AVAILABLE?

Depending on the type of wind turbine, triple-row roller bearings or double-row tapered roller bearings are used as main bearings. While the roller bearing leads to lower stresses in the adjacent construction, the tapered roller bearing is particularly attractive because it has zero play, therefore allowing for an optimal rolling behaviour of the bearing.

Triple-row roller bearings Lower tension in the adjacent construction	Double-row tapered roller bearing Bearing with zero play and optimal rolling behaviour of the rolling elements

Double-row Tapered Roller Bearings 

With the highest life ratings in the industry verified by GL, the new UltraWind series of bearings provides a cost-conscious, simplified drive train for main-shaft wind turbine designs (both gear and gearless).

Ideal for original equipment manufacturers developing multi-megawatt wind turbine designs, the double-row tapered roller bearing optimizes drive train simplicity, reliability and performance. It features a customized main-shaft bearing system approach that combines either a double-row tapered roller bearing or two, single-row tapered roller bearings with seals, lubrication and condition monitoring.

Bearing designs can accommodate most styles of wind turbine designs with variable bolt circles, shaft-mounted and shaftless designs, rotating inners and outers, gear and gearless wind turbines.

Design Attributes:

• Simplified, compact drive train design saves capital equipment costs
• Pre-set internal clearance facilitates ease and accuracy of the assembly
• Pre-loaded bearing designed for superior stiffness to manage motion of the main shaft and rotor
• Bearing raceway profiles control maximum stress levels to provide greater product durability
• Optimized cage designs, including steel and polymer configurations, improve capacity and roller retention

Applications:

• Wind turbine main-shaft bearing for turbines, with or without gearbox