System for reducing tooth power dissipation in a gear box

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for reducing gear power loss in a gear box (1), the system comprising at least two intermeshing toothed gears (11, 12), each toothed gear (11, 12) attached to a rotating shaft (13, 14) supported by a bearing (15, 16) and mounted within a housing (10); two vertical plates (2) configured for mounting inside the housing (10) between the bearings (15, 16) and the toothed gears (11, 12), one on each side of the toothed gears (11, 12); wherein the vertical plates (2) comprise one or more internal baffles configured for partitioning the oil flow within the housing (10); mounted on the side of the vertical plates (2) facing the toothed gears (11, 12); wherein the internal baffles comprise anti-recirculation plates (230, 240), wherein at least one anti-recirculation plate (230, 240) comprises one or more vertical fins (233) for blocking the axial flow of air-oil mixture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of gearboxes (transmissions, also known as transmissions) including mechanical gears, and more specifically, to gear power consumption (power loss, energy loss) in such gearboxes. Background Technology

[0002] Gear mechanisms known in the art are typically mounted within a housing (or outer casing) and include at least two gears, namely a first gear and a second gear, which are toothed components and each is fastened to a shaft rotating in a bearing connected to the housing. The teeth of the gears mesh with each other, such that rotation of one gear drives rotation of the other gear. In this way, the housing forms, for example, the housing of a transmission device used to drive a generator via a turbine. The housing and the gear mechanism mounted within the housing form a so-called gearbox, which is typically used to convert the torque and speed of a rotating machine (e.g., a rotating power source) into torque and speed suitable for another rotating machine or device.

[0003] This invention is particularly interested in turbocharged gearboxes, i.e. high-speed transmission devices, characterized by a pitch linear velocity between 60 and 180 m / s.

[0004] The conversion between torque and speed inevitably leads to power consumption, which manufacturers aim to minimize. This invention is particularly concerned with gear power consumption (hereinafter referred to as "TPL"), which is especially prevalent in turbocharged gearboxes. These TPLs may originate from:

[0005] - Friction within the gearbox, especially friction between gears;

[0006] - Pump effect, which results from insufficient lubricating oil in the meshing area of ​​the gears;

[0007] - Wind resistance is generated by the rotational speed of the gears driving the movement of the surrounding fluid;

[0008] - Improper fuel injection orientation or excessive flow rate.

[0009] To reduce total pressure drop (TPL), manufacturers have proposed various solutions. One solution is based on creating a vacuum, such as a partial vacuum, within the housing of the gears to reduce aerodynamic losses. Other solutions are based on enclosed gears to reduce drag losses. Still other systems focus on gear cooling. Indeed, it is well known that during operation, the heat generated in the meshing region of the gear teeth is primarily dissipated by the lubricant, which also lubricates that region. Increasing the flow rate of lubricating oil in this region will, on the one hand, further cool the region, but on the other hand, unfortunately, it will also significantly increase power consumption. For this reason, manufacturers have proposed additional cooling devices to maintain system efficiency while keeping the lubricating oil flow rate at a reasonable level, i.e., without increasing power consumption. Cooling devices known in the art include, for example, cooling conduits configured to cool the cladding walls enclosing the gears. However, this solution does not provide convenient access to the different components of the gearbox, making maintenance more complex and cumbersome.

[0010] US 2019 / 195335 A1 discloses a system for reducing TPL in a gearbox, which incorporates some features of this application.

[0011] US 2020 / 132183 A1 shows a gearbox with meshing gears, wherein an internal baffle covering a portion of the gears is provided inside the gearbox housing.

[0012] US 2018 / 313443 A1 discloses a cylindrical gear transmission with two meshing gears, wherein each gear includes a shaft supported in corresponding plates in both axial directions. A baffle, slightly spaced from the associated gear, is provided between the plates, enclosing the circumferential portion of the gear.

[0013] Therefore, known solutions are often complex, and thus, there is still a need for simple and effective solutions, especially those that do not complicate maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The purpose of this invention is to provide a simple and effective system for reducing total practical pressure (TPL) in gearboxes.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention relates to a system for reducing total pressure drop (TPL) in a gearbox, the system comprising a set of two separate vertical plates (vertical plates, vertical strips) configured to be mounted inside the housing of the gearbox to separate a first oil flow for cooling and / or lubricating the teeth of a gearbox tooth from a second oil flow for lubricating / cooling a hydrodynamic bearing supporting a rotating shaft to which the gearbox tooth is mounted or fixed. Each vertical plate (relative to the axial direction of the rotating shaft) is laterally mounted between the gearbox tooth and the bearing supporting the rotating shaft to which the gear tooth is fixed, the latter (the bearing) being sandwiched between the two vertical plates. The plates are referred to as "vertical plates" because they are mounted substantially perpendicular to the rotating shaft. Preferably, a space (spacing) of 10-40 mm is laterally formed between the side of the gear tooth and the vertical plate to allow axial displacement when necessary.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a gearbox comprising the system for reducing TPL. As is known in the art, the gearbox comprises at least two meshing toothed gears, each of the at least two toothed gears being attached to and rotatable about the axis of rotation of the rotating shaft, each rotating shaft being thus rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation in a bearing preferably supported by a gearbox housing.

[0017] The set of vertical plates therefore comprises at least two vertical plates, each configured for removable mounting within the housing, located between the bearings supporting the rotating shaft and the toothed gears, with one vertical plate on each side of the toothed gears such that the gears are clamped between the vertical plates. The vertical plates are independent of each other because they can be mounted one after another within the housing; that is, the vertical plates do not have a specific fixing device that would join them together like welding. An advantage is that the system according to the invention can be assembled and disassembled within an existing gearbox. According to the invention, each vertical plate includes two openings, each opening cooperating with one of the rotating shafts.

[0018] The vertical plate according to the invention includes a set of baffles for separating the oil flow within the housing of the gearbox, in particular:

[0019] - One or more external baffles for separating a first oil flow configured for cooling and / or lubricating gear teeth from a second oil flow configured for cooling and / or lubricating bearings. The external baffles are mounted on the side of the vertical plate 2 facing the exterior of the housing 10, and thus within the space between the vertical plate 2 and the wall of the housing 10; and / or

[0020] - One or more internal baffles for limiting or preventing the recirculation of gear cooling oil and its corresponding oil flow, or more precisely, air-oil mixture flow, dispersed by the rotation of the gears. The internal baffles are installed on the side of the vertical plates 2 facing the gears 11, 12, and are thus installed in the space between the two vertical plates 2.

[0021] Preferably, each vertical plate includes a bottom plate and a top plate, or is formed by a bottom plate and a top plate, which are configured to be vertically arranged or mounted on top of each other to form the vertical plate. Preferably, one edge of each of the openings belongs to the bottom plate, and the other edge of each of the openings belongs to the top plate, so that the bottom plate and the top plate can be assembled around the axis of rotation, the assembly causing the edge and the other edge to mate with and surround the circumference (peripheral, circumferential, outer periphery) of the axis of rotation. In practice, according to the invention, each vertical plate is configured to be mounted inside the housing, wherein two openings are each fitted around a axis of rotation.

[0022] Preferably, each vertical plate includes an outer baffle for separating the first oil flow from the second oil flow for each bearing. The outer baffle is configured to surround the top portion of the bearing—and thus act as a mudguard or headgear—and to guide the second oil flow to a container configured to collect it. Preferably, the outer baffle includes a first portion fixed to the top plate and a second portion fixed to the bottom plate, the first and second portions preferably being an arc-shaped plate and a flat plate, respectively. Preferably, the second portion includes two secondary plates (e.g., rectangular plates) that extend toward the bottom of the bottom plate (e.g., toward the container), for example, according to the length of the rectangular plates, wherein the first portion of the outer baffle surrounds the top portion of the bearing and is fitted (i.e., its ends at both sides of the bearing) between the two secondary plates such that the secondary plates form extensions of the first portion of the baffle on the bottom plate, the extensions extending toward the bottom of the bottom plate. Therefore, each of the outer baffles (one for each bearing supporting the rotating shaft) is configured to collect the dispersed second oil flow during operation of the gearbox bearing and to direct the second oil flow toward the bottom of the gearbox, i.e., toward the container. According to the invention, the distance between each point of one of the secondary plates and a point of the other secondary plate is greater than the diameter of the bearing it surrounds, to facilitate the mounting of the base plate within the housing. The advantage of the foregoingly described technical configuration is that, during gearbox operation, oil droplets from the second oil flow reach the inner wall of the outer baffle (i.e., the baffle wall facing the bearing, i.e., its surface normal vector points towards the bearing) and flow along the wall towards the container by gravity. The vertical plate may also include one or more latches mounted on the side of the vertical plate including the outer baffle and configured to rest against the side wall of the housing, serving as stops for the vertical plate.

[0023] The internal baffle for preventing recirculation preferably includes an anti-recirculation plate configured to prevent or limit the recirculation of cooling oil from the first oil flow. The anti-recirculation plate is located inside the housing, and (depending on the rotation direction of the gear) after a spray area located on the outer surface of the gear and defined by a gear cooling system located inside the housing, the anti-recirculation plate is configured to prevent an air-oil mixture from being driven by the rotation of the gear towards the meshing area (i.e., via a substantially circular arc path towards the meshing area), wherein the air-oil mixture is generated by the spraying of cooling oil towards and against the outer surface of the gear by the spray nozzles of the spray and cooling system within the spray area. Specifically, the anti-recirculation plate is configured to be fixed to at least one of the vertical plates. Other fixing means can be used in conjunction with, or can replace, the fixing method to the vertical plates, for example, by directly fixing the anti-recirculation plate to the housing using screws or other fixing means. The system according to the invention preferably includes at least two anti-recirculation plates, one for each gear in the gearbox. Preferably, each anti-recirculation plate includes a first end configured toward the gear tooth and a opposing second end configured toward the housing. The first end has an edge substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, extending along the width (preferably the entire width) of the gear tooth, the edge being located near the circumference of the gear tooth, while the second end may include an edge located near the housing wall, preferably conforming to the geometry of the housing wall, for example, to rest on the housing wall, the edge of the second end extending along the housing wall for a length preferably equal to the width of the gear tooth. Preferably, each anti-recirculation plate is fixed to at least one vertical plate, preferably to two vertical plates, and particularly defines a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical plates. Each anti-recirculation plate is preferably slidably fixed to the vertical plate so that the space separating the anti-recirculation plate from the gear tooth, i.e., the space separating the first end from the outer surface of the gear tooth, can be adjusted. Advantageously, the anti-recirculation plate defines two different volumes within the housing of the toothed gear, the first volume being located above the anti-recirculation plate and the toothed gear, and the second volume being located below the anti-recirculation plate and the toothed gear, wherein the air-oil mixture (and thus its corresponding flow) generated by the cooling system in the second volume is at least partially blocked by the anti-recirculation plate from reaching the first volume.

[0024] Preferably, the cooling system according to the invention includes one or more cooling nozzles located below the toothed gears and configured to direct a flow of cooling oil to the outer surface of the toothed gears, specifically at least one cooling nozzle directing a first flow of cooling oil to one of the toothed gears and at least one cooling nozzle directing a second flow of cooling oil to the other of the toothed gears, each cooling nozzle being configured to spray the cooling oil onto the outer surface of the corresponding toothed gear. Preferably, the angle between the cooling oil spray orientation (or direction) at the outlet of the cooling nozzle and the outer surface of the toothed gear cooled by the sprayed cooling oil is between 90° (i.e., the nozzle spray, or more precisely, the orientation relative to the outer surface of the toothed gear, is radial) and 180° (i.e., the orientation is tangent to the outer surface). Specifically, the angle is defined as the angle formed by two rays originating from a common point, which is the intersection of the orientation or direction extending to the outer surface of the gear teeth. One ray is defined by the orientation or direction extending to the common point, and the other ray is a tangent to the outer surface of the gear teeth at the common point, extending in the rotational direction of the gear teeth from the common point. The angle according to the invention is included in the range [90°, 180°]. According to the invention, when taking into account the rotational direction of the gear teeth, the cooling nozzle is located after the meshing area, typically below the latter (gear teeth), to prevent cooling oil dispersed by the rotation of the gear teeth from reaching the first volume and falling into the oil container by gravity. Preferably, the cooling system includes at least one additional nozzle, called a lubrication nozzle, specifically for cooling and / or lubricating the meshing area, i.e., configured to spray oil toward the meshing portion of the gear teeth, wherein the oil flow for cooling / lubrication is controlled by a feedback loop as a function of the temperature within the housing. Alternatively, the lubrication nozzle can be part of a separate lubrication system that works in conjunction with a cooling system and can be controlled by the feedback loop.

[0025] Independently, another system for reducing gear power consumption in a gearbox is provided, wherein the system includes at least two meshing toothed gears, each toothed gear being attached to a rotating shaft supported by a bearing and mounted within a housing, and two vertical plates configured to be mounted inside the housing, located between the bearings and the toothed gears, one on each side of the toothed gears, wherein the vertical plates include one or more baffles configured to separate oil flow within the housing, wherein the vertical plates include one or more baffles, hereinafter referred to as “outer baffles,” mounted on the side of the vertical plates facing outwards from the housing, wherein each outer baffle is formed in an inverted “U” shape and configured to surround one of the bearings.

[0026] Specifically, the system may include one or more baffles, hereinafter referred to as "internal baffles," mounted on the side of the vertical plate facing the toothed gear, wherein the internal baffles include anti-recirculation plates, and in particular, at least one anti-recirculation plate includes one or more vertical fins for blocking the axial flow of the air-oil mixture. The system may also be further designed as described above or below. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Further description and details of the invention will now be described based on embodiments shown in the following drawings, wherein similar reference numerals are used for similar and corresponding parts:

[0028] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a gearbox according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 Figure 1 An enlarged view of the outer baffle.

[0030] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the anti-recycling plate according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the cooling system according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the details of the anti-recycling plate according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 A gearbox 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, the gearbox 1 including a system for reducing TPL. The gearbox 1 includes toothed gears known in the art, namely a first toothed gear 11 and a second toothed gear 12. The teeth of the toothed gears mesh with each other. This meshing occurs in the meshing region M (see...). Figure 4 Due to this meshing, the first toothed gear 11 rotates in the direction w1 (see...). Figure 4 The rotation of the second toothed gear (corresponding to the arrow in the image) drives the rotation in the direction of rotation w2 (see...). Figure 4 (The corresponding arrow in the diagram) rotates, and vice versa. Each toothed gear is fixed to a rotating shaft, which is supported by at least one bearing mounted within the gearbox housing 10, allowing the rotating shaft to rotate about its axis of rotation. For example, a first toothed gear 11 is attached to a first rotating shaft 13 supported by at least one bearing 15, and a second toothed gear 12 is attached to a second rotating shaft 14 supported by at least one bearing 16. Both bearings 15 and 16 are typically supported by the housing 10. Preferably, two bearings support the rotating shafts 13 and 14, one on each side of the toothed gear to which the rotating shaft is fastened.

[0034] The system for reducing TPL includes one or more vertical plates 2, wherein for each bearing of the gearbox, at least one vertical plate 2 is installed to separate the bearings 15, 16 from the gears 11, 12. As previously explained, "vertical" means substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The vertical plate is a simple side panel mounted on each lateral side of the gears 11, 12, located between the gears 11, 12 and the bearings 15, 16 supporting the rotating shafts 13, 14. Thus, each vertical plate 2 is a thin plate, preferably a metal plate, comprising two lateral sides, one facing the gears 11, 12 (i.e., facing the gears 11, 12) and the other facing the exterior of the housing 10 (i.e., facing the wall of the housing).

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, a vertical plate 2 is installed in the axial space separating the gears 11, 12 from the bearings 15, 16. This also applies to the other side of the gears 11, 12, where another vertical plate 2 is installed. Each vertical plate is preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating shafts 13, 14, but other configurations are conceivable depending on the geometry of the housing, bearings, and gears. Therefore, according to the invention, for gears 11, 12 fixed to rotating shafts 13, 14 supported by bearings 15, 16 on each side of the gears, two vertical plates 2 can be installed in the housing 10, one on one side of the gear and the other on the other side, so that the gears are sandwiched between the vertical plates, as shown. Figure 1 As shown.

[0036] The vertical plate 2 according to the invention is configured for:

[0037] The first oil flow, configured for cooling and / or lubricating the toothed gears, is separated from the second oil flow, configured for cooling and / or lubricating the bearings.

[0038] and / or

[0039] Regarding the first oil flow, the oil flow configured for cooling the gear teeth (which is directed to the spray surface located after the meshing area with respect to the rotation of the gear teeth) is separated from the oil flow configured for primarily lubricating the gear teeth (which is therefore directed to the meshing area).

[0040] For the separation of different oil flows, the vertical plate according to the invention comprises a baffle system consisting of one or more baffles (protective shields) for separating different oil flows within the housing of the gearbox. The one or more baffles function particularly similarly to mudguards or headgear, and are preferably metal baffles configured for attachment to the vertical plate. Each vertical plate 2 is preferably a removable plate, capable of being easily removed from or installed within the housing 10. Each vertical plate 2 preferably consists of two separate plates, a top plate 21 and a bottom plate 22, configured such that one is mounted above the other, for example, one vertically aligned above the other to form the vertical plate 2. Each vertical plate 2 includes at least two openings, each of which is a circular opening that mates with one of the rotating shafts 13, 14. Preferably, each opening is arranged on both the top and bottom plates, such that one edge is an arc forming part of the top plate and the other edge is an arc forming part of the bottom plate. Thus, when the top and bottom plates are assembled, these two edges together form the circular opening that mates with the diameter of the corresponding rotation axis. The distribution of these two edges of each opening on the top and bottom plates allows the vertical plate to be easily installed within the gearbox housing.

[0041] The baffle system according to the invention includes at least an outer baffle and / or an inner baffle. The outer baffle is configured to separate a first oil flow from a second oil flow. It is referred to as "outer" because it is fixed to the side of the vertical plate 2 facing the bearing (i.e., its surface normal faces the bearing). The inner baffle is configured to separate the cooling oil flow from the lubricating oil flow of the first oil flow. It is referred to as "inner" because it is fixed to the side of the vertical plate 2 facing the toothed gear, i.e., facing the interior of the housing.

[0042] External baffles are configured to at least partially surround bearings 15, 16. According to the invention, each bearing 15, 16 may be partially surrounded by an external baffle. Each external baffle is preferably characterized by an inverted U-shape, opening towards the bottom of the housing to allow oil to flow to the bottom by gravity. The external baffle specifically comprises: a first portion 210 as an arcuate section, made, for example, of an arcuate plate; and optionally a second portion 220 as a straight section, made, for example, of a straight plate, the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 together forming the inverted U-shape. Preferably, the first portion 210 is fixed to a top plate 21, and if present, the second portion 220 is fixed to a bottom plate 22. A first portion 210 is configured to surround the top portion of bearings 15, 16 to collect centrifugal oil from the bearings. A second portion 220 is configured to extend the end of the top portion 210 to the bottom of the housing 10 to guide the collected oil to a container or tank within the housing 10. The collected oil flows from top to bottom by gravity during gearbox operation. The first portion 210 may have a semi-circular shape that mates with and is spaced apart from the circumference of bearings 15, 16. The first portion 210 acts like a hood, configured to collect oil dispersed by bearings 15, 16, forcing the oil to remain within a volume enclosed by an outer baffle. By vertically mounting the top plate 21 onto the base plate 22, the end of the first portion 210 of the outer baffle is configured to fit between the secondary plates of the second portion 220, so that each bearing 15, 16 preferably forms the inverted "U" shape. The first portion 210 is the arcuate portion of the inverted U, and the second portion 220 includes each rod of the inverted U, the arcuate portion preferably fitting between the rods of the U, i.e., fitted in the space separating the rods of the U. Thanks to this geometry of each outer baffle, dispersed bearing oil is collected within the U and guided along the rods of the U to a container, for example, located below the bearings 15, 16. Details of the outer baffle are described in... Figure 2 As shown in the enlarged view provided. On the side of the vertical plate including the outer baffle, the vertical plate also includes one or more locking blocks 223.

[0043] Figure 3An internal view of the housing 10 of the gearbox according to the invention is shown. As previously explained, the vertical plate 2 may also include internal baffles for separating different oil flows. These internal baffles include anti-recirculation plates 230, 240, which can be fixed to the vertical plate 2, particularly to one or two bottom plates and / or one or two top plates 21, 22 that clamp the toothed gears 11, 12. The anti-recirculation plates 230, 240 are configured to separate the oil flow of the cooling system 30, designed to cool the angular sectors of the toothed gears 11, 12, from another oil flow generated by the cooling system 30—in this case, the cooling system not only has a cooling function but also lubricates the meshing area M, thus being a cooling and lubrication system—or to separate it from another oil flow generated by a lubrication system, which is essentially configured to lubricate the meshing area M of the toothed gears 11, 12.

[0044] The cooling system 30 according to the invention particularly includes one or more cooling nozzles 31A, 31B, wherein a first set of cooling nozzles 31A of the cooling system 30 is configured to spray the outer surface of a first toothed gear 11, and a second set of cooling nozzles 31B of the cooling system 30 is configured to spray the outer surface of a second toothed gear 12. Each of the outer surfaces defines a single angular sector extending along the entire width (i.e., axial direction) of the toothed gear, and its arc is sprayed by one of the cooling nozzles. Thus, each set of cooling nozzles 31A, 31B is configured to spray a region defined on the outer surface of the toothed gear, wherein the region is located after the meshing region M, for example, substantially below the meshing region. Preferably, the angle formed by each nozzle jet and the outer surface of the toothed gear includes the range [90°, 180°], such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, 90° is a preferred value.

[0045] In addition to cooling nozzles 31A and 31B, the system according to the invention also includes one or more lubrication nozzles 32, which may be... Figure 3 and Figure 4The cooling system 30 shown may also be part of a separate and independent lubrication system (not shown). The oil flow dispersed by the lubrication nozzles 32 is preferably controlled by a feedback loop and, in particular, oriented parallel to a tangential velocity vector defined by the outer surface of the gear teeth, which is a function of the temperature inside the housing 10. The oil flow is preferably sprayed onto the top of the meshing region M, having, for example, a generally vertical orientation and being directed to the bottom, thereby simultaneously lubricating the first and second gear teeth. Alternatively, the oil flow may be sprayed only onto the gear tooth 14 with the lowest rotational speed, i.e., onto the area near and directly in front of the meshing region (M). Preferably, the lubrication nozzles 32 are connected to a secondary conduit 34 for supplying oil to them, wherein the secondary conduit 34 is connected to a main conduit 33 configured to supply oil to the cooling nozzles 31A, 31B. Preferably, the secondary conduit 34 passes through an anti-recirculation plate 230, which includes an opening 234 (see...). Figure 1 , Figure 5 or Figure 6 The opening 234 mates with the entire or at least part of the circumference of the secondary conduit 34 to prevent an air-oil mixture originating from the oil injected from the cooling nozzle from reaching the volume located above the anti-recirculation plate 230 through the opening.

[0046] Preferably, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the anti-recirculation plate 230 includes a U-shaped plate 235. For example, the U-shaped plate 235 is a plate bent into a U-shape, preferably welded to the anti-recirculation plate 230 to create a structure in which the secondary conduit 34 is wrapped with a U-shaped curve, and the arms of the U-shape extend toward the wall 17 of the housing 10, i.e., toward the second edge 230B of the anti-recirculation plate 230. The U-shaped plate 235 creates the opening 234 within the anti-recirculation plate 230 that mates with the secondary conduit 34. In fact, the arcuate portion of the U-shape creates a surface that substantially vertically surrounds a predetermined length of the secondary conduit. Specifically, the normal to this surface (wherein the normal is substantially parallel to the arms of the U-shape) is directed to the cooling system 30, such that the arcuate portion of the U-shape is configured to block the flow of air-oil mixture from the cooling system 30 toward the wall 17, while the space formed between the arms of the U-shape facilitates the installation of the anti-recirculation plate 230. The U-shaped plate 235 is preferably perpendicular to the first inclined plane 231 and the second inclined plane 232 of the anti-recycling plate 230. In particular, each arm of the U-shape forms a substantially vertical plane that is connected to the arcuate surface of the U-shape and parallel to the vertical fins 233 of the anti-recycling plate 230.

[0047] according to Figure 3 and Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the internal baffle according to the invention preferably includes two anti-recirculation plates for separating the cooling oil flow from the lubricating oil flow of the toothed gears 11 and 12. A first anti-recirculation plate 230 engages with the first toothed gear 11 (i.e., the toothed gear characterized by the highest rotational speed), and a second anti-recirculation plate 240 engages with the second toothed gear 12 (i.e., the toothed gear characterized by the lowest rotational speed) for the aforementioned separation of oil flow. Hereinafter, unless otherwise stated, the term "anti-recirculation plate" will be used to describe the features included in the first and second anti-recirculation plates, without specifying whether it is the first or the second anti-recirculation plate.

[0048] The first anti-recirculation plate 230 includes a first edge 230A facing the outer surface of the first toothed gear 11. The length of the first edge 230A is at least equal to the width of the first toothed gear, and it is spaced from the outer surface of the first toothed gear by an adjustable distance (typically measured radially). The first anti-recirculation plate 230 includes a second edge 230B located on the opposite side of the first anti-recirculation plate compared to the first edge 230A, thus facing the wall of the housing, and positioned below (i.e., at height) the first edge 230A, so that oil collected by the anti-recirculation plate immediately adjacent to the first edge 230A can flow to the second edge 230B by gravity. The second edge 230B is fitted onto the wall of the housing, preferably without contact with the wall, so that oil flowing on the top portion of the anti-recirculation plate can flow freely to the bottom of the housing. The first anti-recirculation plate 230A preferably includes: a first inclined plane 231 including the first edge 230A; and a second inclined plane 232 including the second edge 230B, wherein the inclination of the first inclined plane 231 relative to the horizontal plane is less than the inclination of the second inclined plane. The inclined planes 231 and 232 are preferably parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotation shaft, connected to each other by, for example, arcuate surfaces, and extend along the width of the first toothed gear 11. Optionally, the first anti-recirculation plate 230 further includes the vertical fins 233, which are attached perpendicularly to the first and second inclined planes and configured to guide the air-oil mixture while preventing or blocking axial flow generated by the rotation of the toothed gear. Advantageously, the fins also improve the rigidity of the anti-recirculation plate 230. Preferably, the first anti-recirculation plate 230 includes the opening 234 that mates with the secondary conduit 34, allowing the secondary conduit 34 to extend from a first volume of a gearbox located at the bottom of the housing and including cooling nozzles 31A, 31B to a second volume of a gearbox located at the top of the housing and including lubrication nozzles 32. Preferably, the opening 234 includes a U-shaped plate 235 fixed to the anti-recirculation plate and extending substantially vertically along its length, i.e., perpendicular to the anti-recirculation plate 230, extending above and below the anti-recirculation plate 230 to block the flow of air-oil mixture from the cooling system 30 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 5 and Figure 6 ).

[0049] like Figure 5As shown, the second anti-recirculation plate 240 includes a first edge 240A facing the outer surface of the second toothed gear 12. The length of the first edge 240A is at least equal to the width of the second toothed gear 12, and it is spaced from the outer surface of the second toothed gear by an adjustable distance (typically measured radially). The second anti-recirculation plate 240 includes a second edge 240B, which is located on the opposite side of the second anti-recirculation plate compared to the first edge 240A, and therefore faces the wall of the housing, and is located below (i.e., at height) the first edge 240A, so that oil collected by the anti-recirculation plate immediately adjacent to the first edge 240A flows to the second edge 240B by gravity. The second edge 240B is fitted to the wall of the housing, preferably without contact with the wall of the housing, so that oil flowing in the top portion of the anti-recirculation plate can flow freely to the bottom of the housing. The second anti-recycling plate 240A preferably includes: a first inclined plane 241 including the first edge 240A; and a second inclined plane 242 including the second edge 240B, wherein the inclination of the first inclined plane 241 relative to the horizontal plane is less than the inclination of the second inclined plane, and the inclined planes 241 and 242 are preferably parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotation shaft, for example, connected to each other by an arcuate surface, and extending along the width of the first toothed gear 11.

[0050] For the first and second anti-recirculation plates, the adjustable distance to the outer surface minimizes the space between the first edges 230A, 240A and the outer surface of the gear teeth, thereby preventing the first edges 230A, 240A from contacting the outer surface during gearbox operation and avoiding the creation of additional heating within the housing due to the minimized space. To adjust the adjustable distance, the anti-recirculation plates 230, 240 are preferably slidably fixed to the vertical plate 2. The distance between the outer surface and the first edge typically varies between 2 mm and 7 mm. A larger distance results in lower efficiency of the anti-recirculation plates in separating oil flow within the housing, and a greater temperature increase within the housing 10.

[0051] Preferably, the axial length of the first and / or second anti-recirculation plates is greater than the width (i.e., axial length) of the toothed gear closest to the anti-recirculation plate under consideration, thereby forming an axial space between the side of the toothed gear and the vertical plate of the side edge. Preferably, each vertical plate 2 includes a shelf bracket for each anti-recirculation plate 230, 240, to which the shelf bracket is fixed and configured to slidably support the anti-recirculation plate 230, 240. The cooperation of the shelf bracket with the anti-recirculation plate further enables the closure of the space between the anti-recirculation plate 230 and the vertical plate 2, the extension length of which is at least equal to 2 / 3 of the distance separating the first edge 230A and the second edge 230B. For example, the shelf bracket extends longitudinally along the extension length.

[0052] For the first and second anti-recirculation plates, the first inclined planes 231 and 241 are characterized in that their extensions E toward the teeth of the nearest toothed gear 11 intersect the toothed gear at the base of one of its teeth, for example, at the root diameter of the tooth, wherein the tooth under consideration is preferably not aligned with the vertical plane V. Preferably, its extensions are tangent to the root circle R of the nearest toothed gear and are inclined toward the bottom of the housing as it moves away from the nearest toothed gear. Preferably, the inclination of the first inclined plane to the horizontal plane is between 0.55° and 25°, i.e., the angle α belongs to the interval [0.55°, 25°].

[0053] According to the invention, the internal baffle allows for the division of two distinct volumes or regions around the toothed gears 11 and 12 within the housing 10: a top volume and a bottom volume, separated by the internal baffle, the meshing toothed gears, the housing wall, and the vertical plate 2. In the bottom volume, which includes cooling nozzles 31A and 31B, the air-oil mixture driven to rotate by the toothed gears 11 and 12 is prevented from connecting with the top space by the internal baffle, particularly the anti-recirculation plate. Therefore, the internal baffle and the vertical plate together limit the amount of air-oil mixture generated in the bottom volume that reaches the top volume.

[0054] Thanks to this configuration, TPL is reduced. In fact, by reducing oil recirculation through internal baffles, energy losses from pumping and ventilation are reduced. Consequently, the oil flow required to cool the gear teeth is also reduced. Furthermore, to reduce the pumping power consumption generated by the lubricating oil flow on the teeth, the oil flow injected by the lubrication nozzles can be controlled to minimize the lubricating oil flow required to create an oil film before entering the meshing region M.

[0055] Advantageously, the solution proposed in this invention allows for easy access to the toothed gear, thus facilitating maintenance. Furthermore, since the toothed gear is not completely enclosed by a plate (the internal volume of the housing is simply divided into two regions / volumes), no additional cooling system is required.

Claims

1. A system for reducing tooth power consumption in a gearbox (1), wherein, The system includes: At least two meshing toothed gears (11, 12), each toothed gear (11, 12) is attached to a rotating shaft (13, 14) supported by bearings (15, 16) and mounted inside a housing (10); Two vertical plates (2) are configured to be installed inside the housing (10) between the bearings (15, 16) and the toothed gears (11, 12), one on each side of the toothed gears (11, 12), and each vertical plate includes two lateral sides; The vertical plate (2) includes at least one baffle configured to separate the oil flow within the housing (10); The at least one baffle includes at least one internal baffle, which is mounted on one of the two lateral sides of the vertical plate (2) and fixed to one of the two lateral sides of the vertical plate (2), with one of the two lateral sides of the vertical plate (2) facing the toothed gear (11, 12). The at least one internal baffle includes at least one anti-recirculation plate (230, 240). The at least one anti-recirculation plate (230, 240) includes one or more vertical fins (233) for blocking the axial flow of the air-oil mixture. The at least one anti-recycling plate (230, 240) includes a first inclined plane (231, 241), wherein the first inclined plane intersects with the root diameter of one of the teeth of the nearest toothed gear (11, 12) at the tooth root diameter and is tangent to the tooth root diameter.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, Each vertical plate (2) includes a top plate (21) and a bottom plate (22).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one anti-recycling plate (230, 240) is slidably fixed to the vertical plate (2).

4. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one anti-recirculation plate (230, 240) is inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that the collected oil can flow from a position near the toothed gear (11, 12) to the wall of the housing (10).

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one baffle includes at least one external baffle, which is mounted on and fixed to the other of the two lateral sides of the vertical plate (2), the other of the two lateral sides of the vertical plate (2) facing the outside of the housing (10).

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, Each of the at least one outer baffle is formed as an inverted U-shape configured to surround one of the bearings (15, 16).

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The at least one external baffle includes a first part (210) and a second part (220), the first part (210) and the second part (220) being made of an arc-shaped plate and a flat plate, respectively, and together forming an inverted U-shape around the bearing (15, 16).

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein, The first part (210) is fixed to the top plate (21), and the second part (220) is fixed to the bottom plate (22).

9. The system according to claim 1, the system comprising at least one cooling system (30), wherein the cooling system (30) comprises at least one cooling nozzle (31A, 31B) located below the toothed gear (11, 12) and configured to direct cooling oil flow to the outer surface of the toothed gear (11, 12).

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one cooling nozzle includes a cooling nozzle that directs a first cooling oil flow to a first toothed gear and at least one cooling nozzle that directs a second cooling oil flow to a second toothed gear.

11. The system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The angle defined by the orientation of the cooling oil jet at the outlet of the at least one cooling nozzle (31A, 31B) and the outer surface of the toothed gear (11, 12) cooled by the cooling oil jet is included in [90°, 180°].

12. A gearbox (1), the gearbox (1) comprising: At least two meshing toothed gears (11, 12), each toothed gear (11, 12) being attached to a rotating shaft (13, 14) supported by bearings (15, 16) and mounted within a housing (10); and a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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