Wind Turbine Gearbox Support With Torque-Decoupling Load Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gearbox support arrangements in wind turbines face challenges in reliably transmitting torque loads while minimizing vibrations and reaction loads, often requiring complex and space-consuming torque arms that can lead to uneven load distribution and increased structural deformations.

Innovation Solution

A gearbox support arrangement that includes a torque support arrangement decoupling device, allowing for the transmission of torque loads between the gearbox housing and rotor bearing support structure while reducing vibrations and reaction loads, and avoiding direct vertical support to the base frame, thereby enabling a more compact and modular design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex torque arms are used to transmit torque loads, then torque transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtorque arm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque support arrangement is divided into multiple decoupling devices, each handling specific torque transmission tasks. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components while maintaining overall system reliability through distributed torque transmission paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Decoupling devices are introduced as intermediary elements between the gearbox housing and rotor bearing support structure. These intermediaries transmit torque loads while isolating vibrations and reaction loads, eliminating the need for complex direct-connected torque arms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If direct vertical support to base frame is used, then structural stability is improved, but vibrations and reaction loads increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibrations and reaction loads

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Decoupling devices serve as intermediary elements between the gearbox housing and rotor bearing support structure. These intermediaries transmit necessary torque loads while isolating vibrations and reaction loads, eliminating the need for complex direct-connected torque arms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful vibrations and reaction loads are extracted from the direct transmission path between gearbox and rotor bearing support. The decoupling devices allow torque transmission while removing the harmful vibrational components from the structural load path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If complex torque arms are used, then torque transmission is improved, but space consumption and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling devices incorporate dynamic characteristics that allow automatic adaptation to load conditions. This dynamic behavior simplifies the mechanical design compared to rigid complex torque arms, making the system easier to assemble and maintain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution ensures reliable torque transmission with reduced vibrations and reaction loads, allowing for a more compact nacelle configuration and easier assembly, while also reducing the need for complex torque arms, thus optimizing space and weight distribution.

Implementation Method 1

the decoupling device is configured to transmit the torque loads between the gearbox housing and the rotor bearing support structure and to reduce a transmission of vibrations and reaction loads between the gearbox housing and the rotor bearing support structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration reduction: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS20250341204A1Gearbox support arrangement for a wind turbine and wind turbine

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 NORDEX ENERGY SE & CO KG

AI summary

A gearbox support arrangement for a wind turbine includes: a gearbox housing, a torque support arrangement, a rotor bearing support structure, wherein the gearbox housing and the rotor bearing support structure are arranged next to each other along a longitudinal axis, the torque support arrangement couples the gearbox housing and the rotor bearing support structure with each other such that torque loads are transmittable between the gearbox housing and the rotor bearing support structure. The torque support arrangement includes a decoupling device configured to transmit the torque loads between the gearbox housing and the rotor bearing support structure and to reduce the transmission of vibrations and reaction loads between the gearbox housing and the rotor bearing support structure.