Snap ring retention assembly for a main shaft in a wind turbine

摘要

A retention assembly for securing a main rotor shaft in a wind turbine relative to a pillow block is provided. A main rotor shaft extends through a pillow block, and a ring groove is defined in an outer circumferential surface of the main rotor shaft axially offset from the pillow block. A snap ring is engaged within the ring groove, wherein the snap ring and ring groove are designed to achieve a design axial load capacity.

主权项

1. A retention assembly for securing a main rotor shaft in a wind turbine relative to a pillow block, comprising:
a main rotor shaft extending through a pillow block; a ring groove defined in an outer circumferential surface of said main rotor shaft axially offset from said pillow block; a snap ring engaged within said ring groove; wherein said snap ring and said ring groove are designed to achieve a design axial load capacity; a relief groove defined in said outer circumferential surface of said main rotor shaft axially offset from said ring groove, said relief groove having a radial depth and defined at an axial distance from said ring groove so as to reduce stresses at said ring groove; and wherein said relief groove has a radial depth that is greater than a radial depth of said ring groove and is axially spaced from said ring groove of distance from 8 mm to 10 mm.