Systems and methods for assembling a pitch assembly for use in a wind turbine

• US 8,092,171 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology, LLC (GE Vernova, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Wiebrock, Dieter Hermann Benno, Volmer, Matthias Alfons
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eastman, Aaron R
• Application Number:
  US12/570,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20100135808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 416/244.R, 416/244.A, 416/245.R, 416/155, 416/156, 416/1, 416/210.R, 290/44, 290/55
• US Class Current: 416/1
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 7/0224 Adjusting blade pitch
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2230/60 Assembly methods
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/76 the adjusting mechanism using auxiliary power sources
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/79 Bearing, support or actuation arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/845 Redundancy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49316 Impeller making

Abstract

A method of assembling a wind turbine. The method includes coupling a pitch bearing to a hub that includes a wall. The pitch bearing includes a plurality of sets of pitch bearing teeth. At least one blade is coupled to the pitch bearing such that the blade is rotatable about a pitch axis. A plurality of pitch gearbox brackets are coupled to the hub wall. A pitch drive system is selectively coupled to one of the plurality of pitch gearbox brackets, wherein a predetermined set of pitch bearing teeth are in contact with the pitch drive system.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a wind turbine, said method comprising:

coupling a pitch bearing to a hub that includes a wall, the pitch bearing including a plurality of sets of pitch bearing teeth;

coupling at least one blade to the pitch bearing such that the blade is rotatable about a pitch axis;

coupling a first pitch gearbox bracket to the hub wall and adjacent a first set of pitch bearing teeth;

coupling at least a second pitch gearbox bracket to the hub wall, the second pitch gearbox bracket circumferentially-spaced from the first pitch gearbox bracket about the pitch bearing such that the second pitch gearbox is adjacent a second set of pitch bearing teeth that is different than the first set of pitch bearing teeth; and

,

selectively coupling a pitch drive system to one of the first pitch gearbox bracket and the second pitch gearbox bracket, such that the pitch drive system contacts one of the plurality of sets of pitch bearing teeth.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

coupling the first pitch gearbox bracket substantially opposite the second pitch gearbox bracket along a circumference of the pitch bearing.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising inserting the pitch drive system through the at least one pitch gearbox bracket, wherein each of the pitch gearbox brackets include a central opening sized to receive the pitch drive system therein.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the first and second pitch gearbox brackets include a first member and a second member, and wherein the pitch drive system includes a pitch pinion, said method further comprises coupling the pitch pinion to the first member, such that the pitch pinion is positioned adjacent the pitch bearing.

5. A pitch assembly for use in a wind turbine, said pitch assembly comprising:

a pitch bearing rotatably coupled to a hub, said pitch bearing comprising a plurality of sets of pitch bearing teeth;

a pitch drive system operatively coupled to said pitch bearing, said pitch drive system configured to contact a predetermined set o pitch bearing teeth;

a plurality of pitch gearbox brackets coupled to a wall of the hub, each pitch gearbox bracket of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets configured to orient said pitch drive system with respect to a different set of pitch bearing teeth, said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets comprising;

a first pitch gearbox bracket positioned adjacent a first set of bearing teeth; and

,

at least a second pitch gearbox bracket circumferentially-spaced from said first pitch gearbox bracket about said pitch bearing such that said second pitch gearbox bracket is positioned adjacent a second set of pitch bearing teeth that is different than the first set of pitch bearing teeth,

said pitch drive system removably coupled to one of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets to selectively contact one of the plurality of sets of pitch bearing teeth.

6. A pitch assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said first pitch gearbox bracket is positioned substantially opposite said second pitch gearbox bracket along a circumference of said pitch bearing.

7. A pitch assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets is configured to retain said pitch drive system.

8. A pitch assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the hub wall includes an inner surface, said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets are coupled to the hub inner surface.

9. A pitch assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the hub wall includes an outer surface, said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets are coupled to the hub outer surface.

10. A pitch assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein each pitch gearbox bracket of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets comprises a central opening sized to receive said pitch drive system therein, said pitch drive system coupled to at least one of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets by inserting said pitch drive system through said central opening.

11. A pitch assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein each pitch gearbox bracket of said plurality of said pitch gearbox brackets comprises a plurality of openings, said pitch drive system coupled to at least one of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets with at least one bolt inserted through at least one of said plurality of openings.

12. A pitch assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein each pitch gearbox bracket of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets comprises:

a first member comprising a central opening; and

a second member comprising a central opening, said first member positioned between said pitch bearing and said second member, said second member central opening concentrically aligned with said first member central opening.

13. A pitch assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein said pitch drive system comprises a pitch pinion coupled to said first member, said first member positioned adjacent said pitch bearing such that said pitch pinion is in contact with said pitch bearing.

14. A wind turbine system, comprising:

a hub comprising a wall;

a pitch bearing rotatably coupled to said hub, said pitch bearing comprising a plurality of sets of pitch bearing teeth;

at least one rotor blade coupled to said pitch bearing;

a pitch drive system operatively coupled to said pitch bearing, said pitch drive system configured to contact a predetermined set of pitch bearing teeth;

a plurality of pitch gearbox brackets coupled to said hub wall, each pitch gearbox bracket of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets configured to orient said pitch drive system with respect to a different set of pitch bearing teeth, said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets comprising;

a first pitch gearbox bracket positioned adjacent a first set of bearing teeth; and

,

at least a second pitch gearbox bracket circumferentially-spaced from said first pitch gearbox bracket about said pitch bearing such that said second pitch gearbox bracket is positioned adjacent a second set of pitch bearing teeth that is different than the first set of pitch bearing teeth;

said pitch drive system removably coupled to one of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets to selectively contact one of the plurality of sets of pitch bearing teeth.

15. A wind turbine system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said first pitch gearbox bracket is positioned substantially opposite said second pitch gearbox bracket along a circumference of said pitch bearing.

16. A wind turbine system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said hub wall comprises an inner surface, said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets are coupled to said inner surface.

17. A wind turbine system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said hub wall comprises an outer surface, said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets are coupled to said outer surface.

18. A wind turbine system in accordance with claim 14, wherein each pitch gearbox bracket of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets comprises a central opening sized to receive said pitch drive system therein, said pitch drive system coupled to at least one of said pitch gearbox brackets by inserting said pitch drive system through said central opening.

19. A wind turbine system in accordance with claim 14, wherein each pitch gearbox bracket of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets comprises a plurality of openings, said pitch drive system coupled to at least one of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets with at least one bolt inserted through at least one of said plurality of openings.

20. A wind turbine system in accordance with claim 14, wherein each pitch gearbox bracket of said plurality of pitch gearbox brackets comprises:

a first member comprising a central opening; and

,

a second member comprising a central opening, said first member positioned between said pitch bearing and said second member, said second member central opening concentrically aligned with said first member central opening.