WIND TURBINE BEARINGS

摘要

In one aspect, a pitch bearing for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine may include an outer race defining a first outer raceway wall. The first outer raceway wall may define a center of curvature. The pitch bearing may also include an inner race defining a first inner raceway wall. The first inner raceway wall may define a center of curvature. In addition, the pitch bearing may include a plurality of roller elements disposed between the first inner and outer raceway walls. Each roller element may define a geometric center. Moreover, the center of curvature for each of the raceway walls may be offset from the geometric center of each roller element.

主权项

1. A pitch bearing for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine, the pitch bearing comprising:
an outer race configured to be coupled to the hub, the outer race defining a first outer raceway wall, the first outer raceway wall defining a curved profile having a center of curvature; an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race and configured to be coupled to the rotor blade, the inner race defining a first inner raceway wall, the first inner raceway wall defining a curved profile having a center of curvature; and a first plurality of roller elements disposed between the first inner and outer raceway walls, each of the first plurality of roller elements defining a geometric center, wherein the center of curvature for each of the first inner raceway wall and the first outer raceway wall is offset from the geometric center of each of the first plurality of roller elements.