Planet Carrier Lubricant Path Outside Pin Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine gearbox lubrication systems face high stress concentrations at the upwind plug region of the second-stage planetary carrier, limiting load capacity and hindering upgrades for increased load requirements.
Innovation Solution
An improved lubricant path is established outside the pin shafts, using a manufactured component such as a casting or pipe assembly to route lubricant from the downwind end of the planetary carrier to the upwind end, eliminating the need for holes in the load path and reducing stress concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lubrication paths are used through the planetary carrier, then lubricant can reach the gear meshes, but high stress concentrations occur at the upwind plug region limiting load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lubrication function from the planetary carrier structure by introducing a separate lubricant supply system. The lubricant is delivered through a dedicated supply line to the gear meshes without requiring holes or passages through the planetary carrier, thereby eliminating stress concentrations at the upwind plug region while maintaining reliable lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lubricant supply line as an intermediary component to deliver lubricant to the gear meshes. This separate lubrication pathway acts as a mediator between the lubricant source and the gear contact points, eliminating the need for structural modifications to the planetary carrier that would cause stress concentrations.
2Reliability
If holes are drilled through the planetary carrier for lubricant paths, then lubrication is achieved, but the structural strength and fatigue life are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lubrication passages from the planetary carrier structure entirely. Instead of drilling holes through the carrier, a separate lubricant supply line is used to deliver lubricant to the gear meshes, preserving the structural integrity and fatigue life of the carrier while still achieving effective lubrication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lubrication systems are used, then friction is reduced, but bottlenecks occur that limit upgrades for increased load requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lubrication system from the planetary carrier structure by using a separate lubricant supply line. This modular approach allows the lubrication system to be independently optimized and upgraded without modifying the planetary carrier, eliminating bottlenecks and enhancing adaptability for increased load requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A gearbox assembly includes a gearbox housing and a planetary gear system configured within the gearbox housing. The planetary gear system includes a plurality of planet gears, at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear, at least one planetary carrier operatively coupled with the plurality of planet gears, and a plurality of pin shafts. Each of the plurality of planet gears are arranged so as to rotate around one of the plurality of pin shafts. Further, the plurality of planet gears are engaged with the ring gear and configured to rotate about the sun gear. The gearbox assembly also includes a first lubricant path defined from a first location to a second location through the at least one planetary carrier. Moreover, the first lubricant path is located outside of the plurality of pin shafts.