Optimization Design of Flange Connection Bolt Set in Large-Scale Rolling Bearings Under Complicated Working Conditions

This paper presents an optimal design method for flange connection bolt set under complicated working conditions in large-scale rolling bearings. In this method, the minimum mass of bolt set is used as optimization objective, and the diameter, length of bolt and the number of bolts are used as optimization variables. The reliability and installation space of bolts are taken as constraints, and the final solution is realized by genetic algorithm. Using this method, the flange connection bolt set for a pitch bearing in a wind turbine with consideration of the fatigue load and ultimate load is optimized. Comparing the optimization result with the bolt set originally used in the pitch bearing, it shows that the method can greatly reduce the mass of bolt set.