This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Engine & Turbine Technology 


were normal and this damage would otherwise have gone undetected without the vibration measurements. Such damage would typically


result in a shortened service life and premature failure of the gearbox. In this case, the value of a detailed vibration analysis is obvious: in the long term, the customer saves time, money and reputation.


New bearing cage designs As well as running operational tests on gearboxes in order to detect any potential damage to gears and bearings, the design of the bearing itself can be improved, while simplifying bearing assembly and mounting.


off er higher load ratings and reduced friction. T e basic static and dynamic load ratings of these types of bearings are now higher than those of conventional cylindrical roller bearings with solid brass cages, resulting in up to 20% increases in rating life. In addition, high capacity cylindrical


roller bearings can be supplied with sheet steel cages, which enable a much more compact design compared to conventional solid brass cage designs. A more slimline cage frees up space for at least one additional rolling element in the bearing, which again increases the load rating signifi cantly.


Rolling


element bearings are manufactured to high accuracy and great care is taken over the geometrical accuracy, form and surface finish of the rolling surfaces.


Dr Steve Lacey, engineering manager, Schaeffler (UK) Ltd


Bearings for wind turbine gearboxes face the challenge of dealing with high dynamic forces, extreme peak and minimum loads, sudden alternating loads, as well as fl uctuating operating temperatures. Bearings therefore need to be supplied with high static safety ratings and reliable dynamic designs. Due to new developments in cage designs, the latest high capacity cylindrical roller bearings for wind turbine gearboxes


30 www.engineerlive.com


Due to new cage designs, these high capacity bearings have a signifi cantly lower friction than full complement cylindrical roller bearings with maximum basic load rating.


A self-retaining cage also simplifi es bearing mounting because the rolling elements are retained even when the ring is removed. Today, most planetary stages of wind turbine gearboxes use full complement


High capacity FAG cylindrical roller bearings for wind turbine gearboxes off er higher load ratings, reduced friction and simplifi ed mounting.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52