Key design aspects of a wind turbine SRB main bearing for field
operation performance
Abstract
A main bearing (MB) preforms the critical role of supporting the rotor
and whole drive train in a wind turbine. It endures very heavy and
complex load coming from the rotor, meanwhile, high reliability in whole
operation life is required for the high cost of MB replacement. Taking a
spherical roller bearing (SRB) MB as an example, the paper analyzed
complex load characters of a SRB MB configuration and discussed how to
simplify the complex load in MB design works, then the key aspects
influencing the MB performance were discussed, including raceway
performance and shrink fit. Further more, thresholds of raceway contact
pressure occurrence, fitting contact pressure and hoop stress were
presented based on the state of art experiences. The paper gives an
overview of SRB MB design for field operation performance.