Wind Energy
High Quality Materials. Industry Leading Design.
Overcoming nature with technology.
Harnessing natural energy requires technical innovations to withstand the challenging forces of nature.
Operation in strong and frequently changing winds and under particularly demanding operating conditions, as well as the enormous mass and enormous kinetic forces in wind turbine drive systems, place high demands on the components – especially the bearings.
For reliable and cost-effective operation, turbine manufacturers and operators alike need a development partner that simulates, tests, and implements advanced product technologies that deliver the highest levels of performance and efficiency.
A partner like NSK.
Long-life reliability: Super-Tough Spherical roller bearings
Wind turbine main shaft bearings work under immense and continuous dynamic wind loads while rotating at ultra-low speeds.
The interaction of these conditions and the resulting mechanical stress on power train components presents challenges and can result in excessive wear and unattainable requisite life requirements.
That is, for conventional bearing solutions.
NSK’s Super-Tough (STF) spherical roller bearings for main shafts are anything but conventional. Engineered to deliver superior and sustainable performance through advanced material technology and applied manufacturing process controls .
STF bearings are built to endure, delivering high-capacity performance for a significantly longer and more reliable operating life.
Bearings for Wind Turbine Gearboxes
NSK has been active in the field of wind energy for decades and is one of the main suppliers for rolling bearings to the producers of wind turbine gearboxes.
Our bearings are installed in gearboxes from the early days of Wind Turbine technology up to latest 15 MW gearboxes.
Our services cover product training courses, application engineering, profitability improvement programmes, technical tools, online services and downloads.
Skills from sales and application technology are combined in the wind energy team – and also include the latest research results from our technology centres. Bearings are specifically designed using highly developed calculation and simulation tools. Our experienced engineers take account of load cycles, lubrication, deformation, thermal response and also extreme and maximum conditions. This is the only way to produce a construction with cost-optimised components that also reliably function under maximum loads and have a long service life.
NSK’s Super-TF (STF) bearings are designed to deliver outstanding durability in the most severe conditions.
NSK Super TF Spherical Roller Bearings
MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY
- NSK used high cleanliness steel, in which oxygen content is kept as low as possible and other impurities are greatly reduced in order to reduce non-metallic inclusions. This ensures longer rolling fatigue life.
- Super-TF offers excellent resistance to wear and peeling, providing long life even in environments with poor lubrication or contamination.
EXTRA-CAPACITY ECA BEARINGS (ROLLER-GUIDED CAGE)
- Conventional (CA type) spherical roller bearings require a guide ring between the cage and the inner ring.
- Conversely, extra-capacity ECA bearings feature a roller-guided cage with specially shaped pockets that eliminate the need for a guide ring.
- The optimized design of these pockets reduces stress on the cage columns even with thinner columns, supporting a higher quantity of rollers and lager roller sizes to increase load capacity.
DLC COATING
- By increasing surface toughness with considerable hardness, DLC mitigates roller wear and damage in main shaft bearings for an extended bearing service life.
PROVEN ADVANTAGES
- ECA-Design with higher load capacities derived from a larger complement of larger-sized rollers.
- Super-TF steel promotes longer life with dramatically increased resistance to wear and seizure.
- Special roller surface treatment - DLC coating increases roller toughness and endurance.
- Controlled raceway surface finish improves lubrication performance and augments wear resist.
NSK Products for Wind Turbine Gearboxes
Single Row Tapered Roller Bearing
Typical Position:
- Planet carrier and high speed shaft
Double Row Tapered Roller Bearing
Typical Position:
- Low speed and high speed shaft
Double Row Tapered Roller Bearing (Asymetrical Arrangement)
Typical Position:
- Low speed and high speed shaft
Single Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing
Typical Position:
- Intermediate and high speed shaft
Full Comp. Cylindrical Roller Bearing
Typical Position:
- Planet carrier and planet wheels
Four Point Contact Ball Bearing
Typical Position:
- Intermediate and high speed shaft
Deep Groove Ball Bearing
Typical Position:
- Pitch tube
Double Row Tapered Roller Bearings for Integrated Planet Wheel
Multi Row Tapered Roller Bearings for Integrated Planet Wheel
NSK Wind Standard
As the first manufacturer, NSK defined the pioneering wind standard U303 for roller bearings back in 2000.
We included a one hundred percent traceability of the components of every single bearing and all essential processes. We have NDT methods (non-destructive testing) available to rule out potential defects such as grinding burns, material defects, and surface cracks. We offer the highest quality for gearboxes that have to operate reliably in turbines for decades under continuous operation.
Coating Countermeasures
Wear Countermeasures
Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC)
By increasing surface toughness with considerable hardness, DLC mitigates roller wear and damage in main shaft bearings for an extended bearing service life.
WSF Countermeasures
Black Oxide Coating (BOC)
Recommended by NSK as an effective surface treatment for all gearbox positions. Improves run-in behavior, counteracts bearing damage due to slippage, protects against corrosion and hydrogen penetration/white structure formation.
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