Integrated Gear-Electric Machine Lubrication for Compact Power Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The combination of a gear-box and an electrical machine in power generating systems presents challenges such as increased size and weight, complex lubrication and cooling systems, and reduced reliability due to the need for simultaneous proper functioning of both systems.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical device integrating one or more gear stages with a rotating electrical machine, utilizing a common lubricant oil system and oil channels to direct lubricant oil flow through both the gear stages and the electrical machine's bearings, simplifying and enhancing the reliability of the lubrication system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a gear-box is combined with an electrical machine in power generating systems, then the electrical machine can be significantly smaller in dimensions and weight, but the overall device complexity and weight increase due to separate lubrication and cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gear-box and electrical machine into a single integrated unit with a common lubrication system. The gear-box and electrical machine share the same lubricant oil circulation system, eliminating the need for separate lubrication systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the weight advantages of using a gear-box.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubrication system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it lubricates both the gear stages and the electrical machine bearings, and also provides cooling for both components. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of separate systems needed and simplifies the overall device architecture.
2Reliability
If separate lubrication systems are used for the gear-box and electrical machine, then each component can be optimally lubricated, but the reliability requirement becomes significantly higher and the systems more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate lubrication systems into a single common lubrication system that serves both the gear-box and electrical machine. This integration reduces the overall complexity while maintaining reliable lubrication for both components through a unified oil circulation system with strategic oil channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Within the common lubrication system, the patent uses segmented oil channels that strategically direct lubricant oil to specific locations: some channels direct oil through the gear stages, while other channels direct oil through the electrical machine bearings. This segmentation ensures each component receives appropriate lubrication despite the unified system.
3Volume of stationary object
If a common lubricant oil system is used for both gear stages and electrical machine, then the device becomes more compact and lighter, but the oil channels must be strategically designed to ensure proper lubrication distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lubrication functions into a single common oil system, allowing the gear-box and electrical machine to be integrated into a more compact housing. The unified system eliminates the need for separate oil reservoirs and circulation systems, reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses strategically designed oil channels as intermediaries to distribute lubricant oil from the common lubrication system to both the gear stages and electrical machine bearings. These channels act as mediators that ensure proper oil flow distribution throughout the integrated device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integration of gear stages and electrical machines with a common lubrication system results in a more compact, lighter, and more reliable electromechanical device compared to traditional systems with separate gear-boxes and electrical machines.
Implementation Method 1
oil channels for directing at least a part of lubricant oil circulated in the electromechanical device to flow via the one or more gear stages and at least a part of the lubricant oil to flow via bearings of the electrical machine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An electromechanical device comprises a mechanical interface structure (101) for connecting to an external rotating element, for example a wind turbine. The device comprises an electrical machine (102-104), and one or more gear stages (105-112) on a power transmission path between the mechanical interface structure and a rotor of the electrical machine. The device further comprises mechanical structures (113-115) constituting a common lubricant oil room for both the gear stages and the electrical machine. The electromechanical device comprises oil channels (116a) for directing lubricant oil circulated in the device to flow via the gear stages and via bearings (118, 119) of the electrical machine. Therefore, a common lubricating system can be used for both the gear stages and the electrical machine.