Application of Slewing Bearings in Wind Turbines

With the growing global demand for clean energy, wind power generation, as a sustainable energy solution, is being widely developed and applied. In wind power generation systems, slewing bearings, as one of the key components, play a crucial role. 

What is a Wind turbine Slewing Bearing?

A wind turbine slewing bearing, also known as a wind turbine slewing bearing, is a large-sized bearing specifically used in wind turbines. It mainly supports the rotating components of wind turbines, such as the nacelle and blades, enabling these components to rotate stably and accurately under different working conditions. As one of the core components of wind turbines, slewing bearings can simultaneously bear large axial loads, radial loads, and overturning moments, ensuring the reliable operation of wind turbines in complex natural environments and operating conditions.

Main Characteristics of Wind  turbines Slewing Bearings

• High load-carrying capacity: During the operation of wind turbines, slewing bearings need to bear the huge weight of components such as blades and nacelles, as well as complex forces caused by wind loads. Therefore, wind power slewing bearings must have high load-carrying capacity to ensure stable operation under various working conditions. For example, under strong wind conditions, the wind force on the blades will be transmitted to the slewing bearings through the hub, and at this time, the slewing bearings need to bear huge overturning moments, axial loads, and radial loads.

• Good corrosion resistance: Wind turbines are usually installed in the field, exposed to the natural environment for a long time, and face erosion from sand, rain, salt spray, etc. To ensure the service life and performance of slewing bearings, it is necessary to use corrosion-resistant materials and perform special surface treatments, such as hot-dip galvanizing and spraying anti-corrosion paint, to improve their corrosion resistance. In offshore wind farms, due to the high salt content in the marine environment, the corrosion resistance requirements for slewing bearings are more stringent.

• High precision and high reliability: The operating efficiency and power generation quality of wind turbines are closely related to the precision and reliability of slewing bearings. High-precision slewing bearings can ensure the stable rotation of blades and nacelles, reduce vibration and noise, and improve power generation efficiency. At the same time, highly reliable slewing bearings can reduce the probability of failures, lower maintenance costs and downtime, and ensure the long-term stable operation of wind turbines. Once a slewing bearing fails, it may cause the entire wind turbine to shut down, which not only affects power generation revenue but also increases maintenance costs.

• Long service life: Considering the high installation and maintenance costs of wind turbines, slewing bearings are usually required to have a long service life, generally designed to be more than 20 years. This requires the selection of high-quality materials and the adoption of advanced processing technologies and heat treatment techniques in the design and manufacturing process of slewing bearings to improve their fatigue life and wear resistance.

Types of Wind turbines Slewing Bearings

1.Three Row Cylindrical Roller Slewing Bearing

2.Double Row Ball Slewing Bearings

3.Cross Cylindrical Roller Slewing Bearing

4.Four point Contact Ball Slewing Bearing