Transmission Deflector Layout for Feedthrough Oil Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wind turbine transmissions, conventional designs fail to effectively prevent lubricant oil from reaching critical components due to axial gaps and non-coaxial orientations, risking damage to generators and requiring enhanced sealing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system with strategically placed deflectors, oriented at a slight angle, catches and redirects trapped lubricant oil away from feedthroughs, utilizing gravity and surface tension to prevent oil from reaching sensitive areas, and is designed for integration with wind turbines, allowing for angled installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the transmission is oriented at a slight angle with respect to the horizontal, then the transmission can be installed in wind turbines, but lubricant oil drips from the outlet point onto the feedthrough due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
A deflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the outlet point and the feedthrough. The deflector intercepts the lubricant oil that would otherwise drip onto the feedthrough, redirecting it away from the critical sealing area. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by allowing the angled installation while preventing the harmful lubricant drip.
2Volume of moving object
If axial space is provided between sun and rotor-side component, then gear meshing is accommodated, but trapped oil is pressed into the axial space and conducted to the generator
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful trapped oil is extracted from the axial space before it can be conducted to the generator. The deflector intercepts and redirects the oil flow, removing it from the harmful path. This allows the axial space to maintain its necessary volume for gear meshing while preventing the oil contamination issue.
3Device complexity
If the pitch tube is sealed to the outside by a simple labyrinth seal, then sealing is simplified, but trapped oil from running gears is conducted directly in front of the seal to the generator
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector performs a preliminary action by intercepting and redirecting the trapped oil before it reaches the labyrinth seal and generator. This preliminary intervention prevents the oil from overwhelming the simple seal, allowing the labyrinth seal to remain simple while still protecting the generator.
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 solution effectively prevents lubricant oil from penetrating critical areas, maintaining component integrity and reducing sealing requirements, ensuring reliable operation and extended lifespan of wind turbine components.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one deflector can be designed to prevent lubricant, in particular trapped oil, from reaching the feedthrough. Since the deflector can be provided in the direction of gravity between the outlet point of the lubricant and the feedthrough, the dripping lubricant, driven by the effect of gravity, can be caught and removed by the deflector.
Implementation Method 2
the surface tension of the lubricant may not be sufficient that the lubricant remains adhering to the components of the outlet point because of adhesion forces caused by the surface tension
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission includes a first transmission stage, a feedthrough extending through the first transmission stage, and a first deflector designed to deflect a lubricant away from the feedthrough.