Effect of high-strength bolts and supporting structures on the carrying capacity of three-row roller slewing bearings

Abstract

Three-row roller slewing bearings are the core components of large-scale rotating equipment. A large structural size and heavy load conditions require an extremely high carrying capacity. The inner ring of the slewing bearing is divided into upper and lower parts in this paper, which is the same as the actual working condition and effectively avoids the increase in the stiffness caused by simplifying the inner ring as a whole. Different bolt models and bolt preloads, the effect of the roller diameter on the stiffness and the strength of the support structure are analysed to improve the calculation accuracy and efficiency of the carrying capacity of the slewing bearing. Calculation formulas based on engineering experience and strain measurement are used to verify the validity of the finite element model. The research shows that the carrying capacity of the slewing bearing is affected by the supporting structure; as the bolt preload increases, the overall deformation of the slewing bearing decreases, and the load distribution is smoother. The key structures of the slewing bearing are studied, which is conducive to improving the carrying capacity and optimizing the design.