Wind turbine mechanical brake

• US 8,864,464 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2011
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Innovation & Technology SL (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Gamesa Innovation and Technology SL (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Diaz de Cerio Garcia de Mendaza, Cesar, Fernandez Garcia, Angel
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHWARTZ, CHRISTOPHER P
• Application Number:
  US13/577,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20130056314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 416/1, 416/9, 188/71.1, 188/71.5, 188/73.1, 188/73.2
• US Class Current: 416/1
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 7/0248 by mechanical means acting on the power train
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/902 using frictional mechanical forces
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/107 to cope with emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 55/02 with axially-movable discs or pads pressed against axially-located rotating members
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

The mechanical brake comprises a double disc (D1 and D2) rotating with the transmission shaft and some brake calipers (P1 and P2) that apply friction on the disc when activated electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically. The brake is characterized because its high-speed shaft (Ea) is equipped with a drive train, adapting its diameter to some dimensions marked by the existing space and anchoring the brake calipers directly to the cover of the gearbox (M).

The mechanical brake thus constituted is capable of braking with the pitch actuator in power position, in initial conditions of nominal power and at nominal average wind speed for an installation below 1 MW.

Claims

1. A wind turbine mechanical brake that comprises a disc element that rotates with the transmission shaft and braking calipers that rub against the disc element when activated, wherein said wind turbine mechanical brake is located on a high-speed shaft and wherein the disc element is formed by at least two discs, each disc having a continuous braking surface, and wherein said wind turbine mechanical brake has at least two calipers applied one on each disc, said calipers being anchored on a gearbox chassis.

2. The wind turbine mechanical brake according to claim 1, wherein the braking calipers are anchored to the gearbox chassis by fastening elements.

3. The wind turbine mechanical brake according to claim 2, wherein the braking calipers are anchored to the gearbox chassis by threaded bolts.

4. The wind turbine mechanical brake according to claim 1, wherein the discs have dimensions of between 20 and 30 mm in thickness, and between 550 and 700 mm in diameter.

5. The wind turbine mechanical brake according to claim 4, wherein the discs have dimensions of 25 mm in thickness and 610 mm in diameter.

6. The wind turbine mechanical brake according to claim 1, wherein the at least two discs and braking calipers are located after the gearbox, as close to it and as far from a generator as possible.