Wind turbine pitch bearing with line contact rolling elements
US10677290B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/74
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pitch bearing for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine includes an outer race configured to be coupled to the hub, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race and configured to be coupled to the rotor blade, and a first plurality of line contact rolling elements. The outer race defines a first outer raceway wall and the inner race defines a first inner raceway wall. The first plurality of line contact rolling elements is disposed between the first inner and outer raceway walls. Each of the plurality of line contact rolling elements defines a predetermined contact angle. The predetermined contact angle is defined as an angle between a reference line extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of line contact rolling elements and a reference line extending parallel to a horizontal plane of the pitch bearing. Further, the predetermined contact angle includes angles between 0 degrees (°) and 90°.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.