Segmented composite bearings and wind generator utilizing hydraulic pump/motor combination
View Patent ↗A bearing assembly and wind generator. The bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearing segments defining a sliding member and a bearing body, with the sliding member and bearing body being joined together, and the plurality of bearing segments being coupled together to define an annular bearing structure. Also, a wind generator includes a wind rotor supported upon a tower, a hydraulic pump coupled to the wind rotor, and with rotation of the hydraulic pump pressurizing a hydraulic fluid, and a hydraulic motor in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, and an electrical generator driven by the hydraulic motor to produce electrical energy.
1. A segmented ring bearing comprising:
a plurality of bearing segments with each bearing segment comprising a non-metallic sliding member and a metal bearing body;
an annular ring supporting the plurality of bearing segments;
a ring housing carrying the annular ring and plurality of bearing segments; and
a bearing support positioned between the annular ring and a surface of the ring housing, said bearing support having flexibility to accommodate changes in alignment of the plurality of bearing segments during use.
2. The segmented ring bearing of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bearing segments include a retention structure adapted to receive a portion of the non-metallic sliding member.
3. The segmented ring bearing of claim 2 , wherein the non-metallic sliding member is positioned on at least two sides of the metal bearing body.
4. The segmented ring bearing of claim 3 , wherein the retention structure is defined within an aperture formed between the at least two sides of the metal bearing body.
5. The segmented ring bearing of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of bearing segments is a segment of a circle.
6. The segmented ring bearing of claim 1 , wherein the bearing support is contained within the ring housing between a lower surface of the ring housing and a pair of curved walls of the ring housing.
7. The segmented ring bearing of claim 1 , wherein the bearing support includes one or more of: a resilient material, a fluid, and a plurality of ball bearings.
8. The segmented ring bearing of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic sliding member is a PTFE-based material.
9. The segmented ring bearing of claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic sliding member is a self-lubricating, low coefficient of friction polymer.
10. The segmented ring bearing of claim 1 , wherein the ring housing is adapted to be connected to a base of a wind turbine, with the segmented ring bearing supporting at least a rotating component of the wind turbine.
11. A segmented ring bearing comprising:
a plurality of bearing segments with each of said plurality of bearing segments comprising a bearing body and a non-metallic sliding member;
a top annular ring positioned to engage the plurality of sliding members;
a bearing housing for mechanically coupling the plurality of bearing segments into the shape of a ring, wherein at least some of the plurality of bearing segments include a retention structure, said retention structure including an undercut cavity into which at least a portion of the non-metallic sliding member is secured.
12. The segmented ring bearing of claim 11 , wherein the non-metallic sliding member is positioned on at least two sides of the bearing body.
13. The segmented ring bearing of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of bearing segments is a segment of a circle.
14. The segmented ring bearing of claim 11 , further comprising a bottom annular ring supporting the plurality of bearing segments.
15. The segmented ring bearing of claim 14 , further comprising a flexible bearing support positioned between the bottom annular ring and the bearing housing.
16. The segmented ring bearing of claim 15 , wherein the bearing support is contained within the bearing housing between a lower surface of the bearing housing and a pair of curved walls of the bearing housing.
17. The segmented ring bearing of claim 15 , wherein the bearing support includes one or more of: a resilient material, a fluid, and a plurality of ball bearings.
18. The segmented ring bearing of claim 11 , wherein the non-metallic sliding member is a PTFE-based material.
19. The segmented ring bearing of claim 11 , wherein the non-metallic sliding member is a self-lubricating, low coefficient of friction polymer.
20. The segmented ring bearing of claim 11 , wherein the bearing housing is adapted to be connected to a base of a wind turbine, with the segmented ring bearing supporting at least a rotating component of the wind turbine.