Gear transmission and method for heating lubricating oil for gear transmission

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gear transmission and a method for heating the lubricating oil of the gear transmission. A gear transmission comprises: shafts (101, 102) for connection to an external mechanical system; at least one gear stage (103) between the shafts; a lubricating oil chamber (104) for storing lubricating oil; and oil passages (105) for delivering lubricating oil from the lubricating oil chamber to at least one gear stage; and an immersion heater (106) for heating lubricating oil flowing in the lubricating oil chamber towards the inlet of the oil passage. The gear transmission also includes a mechanical deflector (108) located in the lubricating oil chamber and configured to alter the flow of lubricating oil toward the inlet of the oil passage for enhanced immersion heating The flow rate of the lubricating oil on the surface of the device. The increased flow rate on the surface of the immersion heater enables the use of higher heating power densities without damaging the lubricating oil.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a gear transmission, which may be, for example, but not necessarily, a gear transmission of a wind power plant. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for heating lubricating oil of a gear transmission. Background technique [0002] A lubrication system for a gear transmission typically includes a lubrication pump arranged to circulate lubricating oil through one or more gear stages of the gear transmission and the bearings of the gear transmission. Since the viscosity of lubricating oil is largely dependent on its temperature, if the lubricating oil is cold and thus too viscous for it to be pumped by the lubricating pump, the lubricating pump may be overloaded and even damaged. Especially in cold weather conditions, the lubricating oil must be heated during the start-up phase of the gearing so that the lubricating oil can be pumped and properly lubricate the gear stage or stages of the gearing and the bearings. [0...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

An inconvenience associated with this approach is that the heating power density in W / cm on the surface of the one or more immersion heaters 2 must be limited in order to avoid damage to the lubricating oil due to localized overheating of the lubricating oil on the surface of the one or more immersion heaters

However, limiting the heating watt density increases the time required to heat a sufficient quantity of lubricating oil to a temperature that avoids damage to the lubricating pump

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