US 12,352,244 B2
Fluid film bearing comprising bearing pads and method of replacing bearing pads
Niels Karl Frydendal, Herning (DK); Kim Thomsen, Skørping (DK); Morten Thorhauge, Ry (DK); and Anders Vølund, Vanløse (DK)
Assigned to SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S, Brande (DK)
Filed by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S, Brande (DK)
Filed on Sep. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/242,796.
Claims priority of application No. 22196818 (EP), filed on Sep. 21, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0093673 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. F03D 80/50 (2016.01); F03D 80/70 (2016.01); F16C 17/10 (2006.01)
CPC F03D 80/50 (2016.05) [F03D 80/703 (2023.08); F16C 17/10 (2013.01); F05B 2230/80 (2013.01); F05B 2240/53 (2013.01); F05D 2240/53 (2013.01); F16C 2237/00 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid film bearing for a rotor hub of a wind turbine comprising a first part and a second part rotatably coupled to each other about a longitudinal axis,
wherein the first part comprises an annular first sliding surface extending in the circumferential direction of the fluid film bearing along the first part, wherein the second part comprises a support structure and a first group of bearing pads coupled to the support structure and having a bearing pad sliding surface configured to slide on the first sliding surface,
wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of openings for replacing the bearing pads,
wherein the number of openings in the support structure is lower than the number of bearing pads so that at least two bearing pads can be replaced through one of the openings,
wherein the first part further comprising an annular second sliding surface extending in the circumferential direction of the fluid film bearing along the first part,
wherein the second part further comprising a second group of bearing pads coupled to the support structure and having a bearing pad sliding surface configured to slide on the second sliding surface, and
wherein the second group of bearing pads comprises radial bearing pads.
 
13. A fluid film bearing for a rotor hub of a wind turbine comprising a first part and a second part rotatably coupled to each other about a longitudinal axis,
wherein the first part comprises an annular first sliding surface extending in the circumferential direction of the fluid film bearing along the first part,
wherein the second part comprises a support structure and a first group of bearing pads coupled to the support structure and having a bearing pad sliding surface configured to slide on the first sliding surface,
wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of openings for replacing the bearing pads,
wherein the number of openings in the support structure is lower than the number of bearing pads so that at least two bearing pads can be replaced through one of the openings, and
wherein the bearing pads are kept in position between the first part and the second part by coupling means applying a load between the first part and the second part, thereby applying a force to the bearing pads arranged between the first part and the second part and preventing the bearing pads from shifting, whereby the coupling means are configured to release the load between the first part and the second part by untightening the coupling means.
 
15. A fluid film bearing for a rotor hub of a wind turbine comprising a first part and a second part rotatably coupled to each other about a longitudinal axis,
wherein the first part comprises an annular first sliding surface extending in the circumferential direction of the fluid film bearing along the first part, wherein the second part comprises a support structure and a first group of bearing pads coupled to the support structure and having a bearing pad sliding surface configured to slide on the first sliding surface,
wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of openings for replacing the bearing pads,
wherein the number of openings in the support structure is lower than the number of bearing pads so that at least two bearing pads can be replaced through one of the openings,
wherein the first part further comprises a further annular sliding surface extending in the circumferential direction of the fluid film bearing along the first part,
wherein the second part further comprises a further group of bearing pads coupled to the support structure and having a bearing pad sliding surface configured to slide on the further annular sliding surface, and
wherein the further group of bearing pads comprises axial bearing pads.