Device for filtering lubricants of a wind turbine transmission

Abstract

A device for filtering lubricants of a wind turbine transmission includes a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet. Lubricants of the wind turbine transmission are carried from the lubricant inlet to the lubricant outlet. The device further includes a filter element which is arranged between the lubricant inlet and the lubricant outlet. The filter element is designed such that water is separated from the lubricants by the filter element. A water outlet is connected to the filter element, such that the separated water can be drained out of the device. A hydrocarbon adsorber is arranged between the filter element and the water outlet, such that it purifies the separated water of hydrocarbons.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device for filtering lubricants of a wind turbine transmission, comprising:
 a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet, wherein lubricants of a wind turbine transmission are carried from the lubricant inlet to the lubricant outlet,   a filter element, which is arranged between the lubricant inlet and the lubricant outlet, wherein water is separated from the lubricants by the filter element,   a water outlet, which is connected to the filter element such that separated water is drained out of the device, and   a hydrocarbon adsorber, which is arranged between the filter element and the water outlet such that the hydrocarbon adsorber purifies the separated water of hydrocarbons.   
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the filter element comprises a hollow cylinder, and wherein the filter element is arranged in a filter housing such that a circumferential surface of the filter element is surrounded by the lubricant. 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the filter element comprises a hydrophobic fibrous braided fabric or a mesh. 
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the hydrocarbon adsorber comprises a cylinder or hollow cylinder, and wherein the hydrocarbon adsorber is arranged downstream the filter element. 
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the hydrocarbon adsorber comprises a hydrophobic adsorbent. 
     
     
         21 . The device as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the hydrophobic adsorbent is active carbon or carbon molecular sieves, or consists of a hydrophobic adsorbent. 
     
     
         22 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a measuring device for measuring a hydrocarbon content of the separated water.   
     
     
         23 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a measuring device for measuring a temperature of the separated water.   
     
     
         24 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the filter element includes a chamber which is coupled to an outlet valve, such that water that has been separated from the lubricant is drained out of the chamber via the outlet valve. 
     
     
         25 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein an outlet channel with at least one outlet valve, in particular a magnetic valve, is arranged between the filter element and the water outlet. 
     
     
         26 . The device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the at least one outlet valve is a magnetic valve. 
     
     
         27 . The device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the outlet channel comprises two magnetic outlet valves, and wherein the two outlet valves can be opened and/or closed independently of each other. 
     
     
         28 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a control device is connected to the a measuring device and/or to an outlet valve, such that a time at which the separated water is discharged is controlled as a function of measured values of the measuring device. 
     
     
         29 . The device as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the control device comprises a man-machine interface for local monitoring and/or for remote maintenance of the device. 
     
     
         30 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the lubricant inlet is arranged relative to the lubricant outlet such that the lubricant is carried from the lubricant inlet to the lubricant outlet without pressure due to gravity. 
     
     
         31 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the lubricant inlet is arranged relative to the lubricant outlet such that the lubricant is carried from the lubricant inlet to the lubricant outlet under pressure from a pump. 
     
     
         32 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 ,
 wherein the device comprises three segments,   wherein the lubricant inlet is arranged in a top segment,   wherein a lubricant container and the filter element arranged in the lubricant container is arranged in a middle segment,   wherein a control device, at least one measuring device and the water outlet are arranged in a base segment, and   wherein relative to a vertical axis, the top segment is arranged uppermost, the middle segment in a middle, and the base segment at a bottom of the device.   
     
     
         33 . A wind turbine transmission, comprising:
 a device for filtering lubricants, comprising:
 a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet, wherein lubricants of a wind turbine transmission are carried from the lubricant inlet to the lubricant outlet, 
 a filter element, which is arranged between the lubricant inlet and the lubricant outlet, wherein water is separated from the lubricants by the filter element, 
 a water outlet, which is connected to the filter element such that separated water is drained out of the device, and 
 a hydrocarbon adsorber, which is arranged between the filter element and the water outlet such that the hydrocarbon adsorber purifies the separated water of hydrocarbons. 
   
     
     
         34 . A method for filtering lubricants of a wind turbine transmission, comprising:
 providing a wind turbine transmission, a filter element and a hydrocarbon adsorber,   separating water from lubricants of the wind turbine transmission by the filter element, and   purifying separated water of hydrocarbons by the hydrocarbon adsorber.