Improving the Efficiency and Lowering the Operating and Manufacturing Costs by Suitable Power Distribution of Medium Speed Two Stage Planetary Gearboxes for Next Generation Wind Turbines

摘要

The main requirements having to be met by the gear drives are high reliability and load carrying capacity, long lifespan, high efficiency, easy manufacture and assembly, as well as low costs. These requirements can be met by some two stage compound planetary gears. Combining the elements of two stage planetary gears it is possible to create more than 140 gearbox constructions. Comparing the efficiency, volume and operating costs it can be seen that for next generation medium speed turbine drive train in the middle gear ratio range the simple two stage planetary gear type3 (Fig. 3.) is the best construction form all the 140 concepts. The manufacturing cost can be reduced by using the maximum number of planetary gear with smaller bearings. To lowering the operating costs, reach higher efficiency and reducing mass more power distribution and torque split is needed. I worked in the field of gearbox design and I invented a new type of gearbox, which has a higher power distribution and less volume comparing to common types of gears. Revolutionary new drive designs based on patented (P1400594) new concepts and characterized by higher efficiency, smaller form factor and smaller weight compared to traditional drives.