Bearing Device for a Rotor Blade, Rotor Blade Pitch Device, Rotor for a Wind Energy Installation, and Wind Energy Installation

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention relates to a new bearing device for the rotor blades of wind turbines. The core idea is the use of a solid-body joint (a flexure or compliant mechanism) to connect the rotor blade to the rotor hub, allowing rotation of the blade about its adjustment axis through elastic deformation. At the same time, the design restricts nearly all other translations and rotations, providing precise control while reducing stress on conventional bearings during small-angle pitch adjustments.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Wind turbines requiring advanced individual blade pitch control to optimize performance depending on local wind conditions.
• Retrofit kits or next-generation wind turbine designs focused on improving reliability and extending maintenance intervals.
• Large offshore wind turbines where reduced maintenance demands are especially valuable.
• Wind turbines in harsh or remote environments where maintenance access is expensive or difficult.
• Other large rotating machinery where precise, durable pivot mechanisms with minimal maintenance are needed.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly increased bearing lifespan due to reduced wear from small, frequent angle adjustments.
• Reduced maintenance costs and downtime because the solid-body joint eliminates most relative motion that causes traditional bearing wear.
• More precise and responsive blade pitch control, enabling improved wind turbine performance and grid compatibility.
• Lighter and potentially more cost-effective turbine construction, as this bearing design can reduce loads on other components.
• Flexibility to optimize individual blade adjustment, leading to improved overall energy yield and lower structural stress on the turbine.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing device (4) for a rotor blade (3), to a rotor-blade adjusting device, and to a rotor (1) of a wind turbine, and to such a wind turbine. The bearing device (4) comprises a solid-body joint (12). The solid-body joint is used to retain the rotor blade (3) on a rotor hub (2) of the rotor (1) of the wind turbine. In addition, the solid-body joint (12) is designed in such a way that rotation about the blade adjustment axis (5) is permitted under elastic deformation and that translations and/or rotations directed transversely and/or longitudinally to the blade adjustment axis (5) are largely prevented.