General Electric Company
Bi-directional clutch for wind turbine yaw locking system

Abstract:

A yaw system for a wind turbine can have a yaw bearing with an outer bearing ring, an inner bearing ring, and a plurality of yaw rollers rotationally disposed between the outer and inner bearing rings so as to allow relative motion between the outer and inner bearing rings. A bi-directional braking assembly having an outer clutch ring attached to the outer bearing ring, an inner clutch ring attached to the inner bearing ring, and a plurality of brake rollers rotationally and slidably disposed between the inner clutch ring and at least one locking ramp adjacent the outer clutch ring. A plurality of spring members can extend from either ring projections or activation projections to each brake roller. An activation ring can slidably position the plurality of brake rollers into one of a locked position or unlocked position to prevent yaw rotation in an undesired direction.