Compact Drive Train Design for Wind Turbines
Here’s PatSnap Eureka !
Summary
Problems
Existing drive train arrangements for wind turbines have complex structures, large overall lengths, and are heavy due to sequential component arrangement, making assembly, disassembly, and maintenance complex and weight-intensive.
Innovation solutions
A compact drive train arrangement where the transmission is partially or fully integrated into the rotor shaft, with a stationary machine carrier supporting reaction torques and using a torsionally rigid coupling and planetary gear mechanism to reduce weight and length, and an elastic coupling for torque transmission.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If a gearbox is installed between the rotor and generator, then the weight of the rotor and nacelle is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Why choose this principle:
The gearbox is integrated into the rotor shaft structure, merging two previously separate components (gearbox and rotor shaft) into a single unified assembly. This integration maintains the weight reduction benefit while simplifying the overall device structure by eliminating the need for separate mounting arrangements and reducing the number of external connections required.
Principle concept:
If all components are arranged sequentially, then the power transmission is straightforward, but the overall length of the drivetrain increases
Why choose this principle:
The gearbox is positioned within the hollow interior of the rotor shaft, creating a nested configuration where one component (gearbox) is placed inside another (rotor shaft). This nesting arrangement allows power transmission components to be compactly arranged without increasing the overall axial length of the drivetrain, while maintaining efficient power flow from the rotor through the gearbox to the generator.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A compact drive train arrangement where the transmission is partially or fully integrated into the rotor shaft, with a stationary machine carrier supporting reaction torques and using a torsionally rigid coupling and planetary gear mechanism to reduce weight and length, and an elastic coupling for torque transmission.
Abstract
The invention relates to a drive train arrangement, preferably for a wind turbine, comprising a rotor shaft (2), a generator (5) and a gearbox (1) which is connected directly or indirectly to the rotor shaft (2) and the generator (5), wherein the gearbox (1) is at least partially or completely integrated into the rotor shaft (2).