Machine support for receiving a rotor/generator assembly of a gearless wind energy plant

The invention relates to a machine girder for mounting a rotor assembly and a gearless generator of a wind power plant, wherein the machine girder that connects the rotor and generator assembly to the wind power tower is rotatably mounted on the tower and has sections connected to each other at an angle tubular, one of which can be connected to the rotor and generator assembly and the other to the tower.

[0002] A machine girder is known from operation, the pipe sections of which are connected to each other via end edges opposite to the rotor and generator assembly, or to the tower. This machine girder is subject to high static loads, but above all dynamic. The cross-sections of the pipes are deformed, in particular the ovalization of the pipe section connected to the rotor and generator assembly. It is disadvantageous that such deformations must be counteracted by using a sufficient amount of material.

[0003] Document WO 2 007 008 884 discloses a machine girder with all the technical features of the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0004] At the heart of the invention is the task of creating a new machine girder of the kind mentioned at the outset, which, with the lowest possible material consumption, will meet the strength requirements for gearless wind farms.

[0005] The machine girder according to the invention solving this task is characterized in that the tubular section connected to the rotor and generator assembly is through the end edge surface opposite to the rotor and generator assembly, connected to the side of the second tubular section and that the side of the second section tubular extends inward to the area bounded by the connection.

[0006] The connection between the pipe sections according to the invention achieves a marked improvement in the stability of the machine girder. The tubular wall area limited by the connection of the second pipe section connected to the tower strengthens in particular the pipe section connected to the rotor and generator assembly and prevents ovalization of its cross-section.

[0007] Particularly high stability is obtained when, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the end edge surface of the tubular section connected to the rotor and generator assembly is connected peripherally to said sidewall.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the second tubular section connected to the tower has a conical shape tapering upwards. Due to this conical shape, the machine girder can receive particularly high, tilting moments perpendicular to the rotor axis of rotation.

[0009] The side surface or tubular wall of the second tubular section may be in the area delimited by a completely continuous or continuous connection except for one hole. Such an opening preferably gives access to the rotor and generator assembly.

[0010] The hole is preferably surrounded by a stiffening frame, so that the associated with the hole decreases the strength of the adjacent side surface or tubular wall.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second tubular section connected to the tower may have a cover wall on its upper side, the cover wall preferably extending obliquely to a vertical line, for example at an angle of 45 °, which saves material. This cover wall significantly stabilizes the pipe section connected to the tower. An opening may be formed in the cover wall so that further devices located in the tower head can be accessed through the machine girder. [0012] At its upper edge, the cover wall may adjoin the connection to the pipe section connected to the rotor and generator assembly.

[0013] The machine girder is preferably cast in one piece. However, a welded construction consisting of several parts would also be possible.

[0014] The invention will be explained below in more detail on the basis of an embodiment and the attached drawings referring, inter alia, to this embodiment. The figures show:

<td>figure 1</td><td>machine crane according to the invention in a sideways perspective view from the front,</td>

<td>figure 2</td><td>dź the machine spigot from figure 1 in side view in section,</td>

<td>figure 3</td><td>dź the machine crane of figure 1 in view perspective sideways from behind,</td>

<td>figure 4</td><td>dź the machine crane of figure 1 in section view according to the line CC of figure 2, a</td>

<td>figure 5</td><td>machine crane according to the state of the art.</td>

<td> [0015]</td><td>We will first refer to figure 5, which</td>

<td>shows</td><td>classic machine girder 1. machine girder</td>

connects the 2nd rotor and generator set to the tower 3 of the wind farm. The rotor 4 of the rotor and generator assembly 2 has a direct drive connection with generator 5, without a gearbox. The rotor and generator assembly 2 is connected to the machine girder 1 via a generator 5. The machine girder 1 can rotate on the tower 3 about the axis

6.

[0016] The machine girder 1 comprises two tapered tubular sections 8 and 9. Through the facing end edge surfaces, the tubular sections 8 and 9 are connected to each other at location 10, creating a continuous tubular internal space.

[0017] The machine girder 1 is particularly affected by dynamic forces transmitted by the rotor 4, which causes a particularly critical load at the location 11. Due to such loads, the ovalization of the pipe section 9 can only be insufficiently counteracted by using a stiffening support point at the point marked 12. .

[0018] The machine girder 1 of the wind power plant shown in figures 1 to 4 is made in one piece in the form of a cast element and has a conical tubular section 8 and approximately a cylindrical tubular section 9. Through the end edge surface, which is formed by the cross section of the tubular wall, the tubular section 9 is connected at the periphery 10 to the outer side of the pipe section 8. The connection 10 does not create a continuous tubular internal space, as in the case of the machine girder of figure 5, but the side surface or tubular wall of the pipe section 8 extends, if we omit the opening 13, continuously through the area bounded by the peripheral connection 10. [0019] At the free ends, the pipe sections 8.9 have connecting flanges 14 or 15, respectively, wherein the connecting flange 14 serves to connect to the generator of the rotor and generator assembly and the connecting flange 15 to connect to the wind turbine tower.

[0020] As can be seen especially in figures 1 and 2, the opening 13 is surrounded by a circulating frame reinforcement 16.

[0021] The tubular section 8 is closed at the top by a cover wall 17 with an opening 18. The cover wall 17 inclined to the axis of rotation of the machine girder is set to the axis of rotation at an angle of about 45 °.

[0022] The mountings 19 and 20, which protrude radially from the tubular section 8 on the lower edge, serve to attach a total of four (not shown) motor-gear units intended for the rotary drive of the machine girder 1.

[0023] On the machine girder 1, several lugs 21 are arranged on the outer side for mounting fixtures.

[0024] Unlike the machine girder of figure 5, the machine girder 1 shown in figures 1 to 4 can transfer dynamic loads transmitted to the tower by the rotor and generator assembly without perceptible deformations. This improvement in the discharge of loads is due to the fact that the pipe section 9 is connected peripherally to the side of the pipe section 8 with its end edge opposite the flange 14, whereby the side or pipe wall, except for the opening 13, is continuous in the area surrounded by the connection 10. This especially prevents ovalization of the pipe section 9. The pipe section 9 is short and on the lower side reaches close to the conical pipe section 8. This also reduces the strain on the machine girder 1 under load. Therefore, the machine girder 3 can be produced, saving a total of material.

VENSYS Energy AG Representative:

EP 2 396 543 B1