Wind turbine bearings

US10598159B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Adam Daniel Minadeo · Greenville, US
• Norman Arnold Turnquist · Carlisle, US
• Daniel Jason Erno · Clifton Park, US
• Fulton Jose Lopez · Clifton Park, US
• Bugra Han Ertas · Niskayuna, US
• Michael Colan Moscinski · Glenville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 6, 2016
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2020
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/72
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In one aspect, a dual pitch bearing configuration for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine. The dual pitch bearing configuration including a first pitch bearing and at least one additional pitch bearing disposed axially a distance LB from the first pitch bearing. The dual pitch bearing configuration further including one or more spacers disposed between the first pitch bearing and the at least one additional pitch bearing and extending the distance LB. The dual pitch bearing disposed radially within one of a blade root of the rotor blade, a hub extension or a bearing housing and coupled thereto. The dual pitch bearing configuration minimizing moment loading on the first pitch bearing and the at least one additional pitch bearing. A wind turbine including the dual pitch bearing configuration is further disclosed.