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EP-4737718-A1 - A ROTOR LOCK SYSTEM IN A WIND TURBINE GENERATOR

EP4737718A1EP 4737718 A1EP4737718 A1EP 4737718A1EP-4737718-A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a rotor lock system (100) for a wind turbine generator. To move the rotor lock system (100) a lubrication pump (140) is switched ON. The lubrication pump sprays lubrication oil at high pressure through a nozzle (170) on the fins of the impeller (160) mounted on high-speed shaft (220) of a gearbox (130) to rotate the high-speed shaft (220). The high-speed shaft of the gearbox (130) is configured to rotate a main shaft (210) and a rotor lock disc (120) of a wind turbine to align the rotor lock disc (120) with respect to plurality of lock-pins (110).

Inventors

  • REDDY M., SHANKAR

Assignees

  • RE Technologies GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20250225

Claims (7)

  1. A rotor lock system (100) in a wind turbine generator, the rotor lock system (100) comprising: a) a rotor lock disc (120) having one or more holes thereon, the rotor lock disc (120) mounted to a main shaft (210), the main shaft (210) operably connected through a gearbox (130) to a high speed shaft (220) of the gearbox, the rotor lock disc (120) configured to be rotated upon rotating the high speed shaft (220); b) one or more locking pins (110) mounted on a main bearing housing (400) of the wind turbine generator or a main frame of the wind turbine generator, the one or more locking pins (110) configured to be inserted in one or more holes on the rotor lock disc (120) for locking the rotor lock disc (120); c) an impeller (160) comprising a plurality of impeller fins, the impeller (160) mounted on the high-speed shaft (220) of the gearbox (130) such that upon rotating the impeller (160), the high speed shaft (220) and consequently the rotor lock disc (120) being rotated for aligning the holes on the rotor lock disc (120) with the locking pins (110), wherein the impeller (160) configured to be rotated by spraying a high-pressure jet of liquid on the impeller fins.
  2. The rotor lock system (100) as claimed in 1, wherein the liquid is lubrication oil being pumped in from an oil sump of the gearbox (130) by a lubrication pump (140).
  3. The rotor lock system (100) as claimed in 1, wherein the impeller (160) fins being arranged such that after spraying the lubrication oil thereon, the lubrication oil being directed back into the oil sump.
  4. The rotor lock system (100) as claimed in 1, wherein the impeller (160) being configured to be rotated by spraying a high-pressure jet of liquid on the impeller fins through a nozzle (170) facing the impeller fins.
  5. The rotor lock system (100) as claimed in claim 1, the system comprising a flow control valve (150) for controlling the flow of liquid.
  6. The rotor lock system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the lubrication pump (140) and the flow control valve (150) configured to be operated through a controller of the wind turbine.
  7. The rotor lock system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the impeller (160) is mounted within the gearbox (130) on the high speed shaft (220) of the gearbox (130).

Description

Field of Invention: The present invention relates to a rotor lock system in a wind turbine generator. Background of the Invention The following background discussion includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication expressly or implicitly referenced is prior art. During strong winds or for maintenance, a wind turbine generator is configured to be put on shutdown mode. During the shutdown mode, in addition to activating the brake systems, the rotor is locked through the rotor lock disc mounted on the main shaft by inserting one or more locking pins in the holes of the rotor lock disc. The locking pins are affixed on the main bearing housing or the main frame. To insert the pins in the rotor lock disc holes, the rotor lock disc needs to rotated to bring the holes on the rotor lock disc in alignment with the location of the locking pins. After the locking pins and the holes on the rotor lock disc are aligned, the locking pins are pushed into the rotor lock disc holes thereby locking the rotor. Thus, to align the rotor lock disc holes with the pins, the rotor lock disc needs to be rotated. Conventionally, the rotor lock disc is rotated either manually or by rotating a brake disc by means of a worm gear drive. The brake disc is mounted on a high speed shaft which is operably connected to the main shaft through a gearbox. The rotor lock disc is mounted on the main shaft. Thus, by rotating the brake disc, the rotor lock disc is rotated. However, the worm gear drive suffers from various shortcomings such as high initial cost, high maintenance cost. There is a need for an efficient rotor lock system which eliminates the need of a worm gear drive to align the locking pins and the holes on the rotor lock disc. Objectives of the Invention: The primary object of the present invention is to provide a system which eliminates the need of using the worm gear drive and/or manually rotating the rotor lock disc. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotor lock system comprising an impeller mounted on the high speed shaft of the gear box within the gearbox housing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotor lock system which has advantages of being efficient and cost effective. Summary of the Invention: In an aspect, present invention provides a wind turbine generator, the rotor lock system (100) comprising: a) a rotor lock disc (120) having one or more holes thereon, the rotor lock disc (120) mounted to a main shaft (210), the main shaft (210) operably connected through a gearbox (130) to a high speed shaft (220) of the gearbox, the rotor lock disc (120) configured to be rotated upon rotating the high speed shaft (220);b) one or more locking pins (110) mounted on a main bearing housing (400) of the wind turbine generator or a main frame of the wind turbine generator, the one or more locking pins (110) configured to be inserted in one or more holes on the rotor lock disc (120) for locking the rotor lock disc (120);c) an impeller (160) comprising a plurality of impeller fins, the impeller (160) mounted on the high-speed shaft (220) of the gearbox (130) such that upon rotating the impeller (160), the high speed shaft (220) and consequently the rotor lock disc (120) being rotated for aligning the holes on the rotor lock disc (120) with the locking pins (110), wherein the impeller (160) configured to be rotated by spraying a high-pressure jet of liquid on the impeller fins. Detailed description of drawings: To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of their scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1: illustrates a top view of a wind turbine generator depicting an embodiment of a rotor lock system of the present invention. Detailed description: For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the foll