Wind Turbine Drivetrain Flexible Interface for Gearbox Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines face challenges with gearbox-generated vibrations and high torque loads, which are difficult to manage due to the limitations of traditional torque transmission technologies, especially in compact gearboxes.
Innovation Solution
A drivetrain assembly that replaces the bolted joint between the ring gear and bearing housing with a flexible member interface, using elastomeric materials and radially-extending pins to secure flexible members on the outer circumferential surface of the ring gear, reducing vibrations and improving torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolted joints are used to transmit torque from the ring gear to the bearing housing, then torque transmission is achieved, but vibrations are generated and the design reaches functional limits in compact gearboxes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flexible members as intermediary elements between the ring gear and bearing housing. These flexible members act as a mediator that transmits torque while absorbing vibrations, eliminating the need for direct bolted joints and reducing harmful vibrations generated by traditional rigid connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the connection interface by replacing rigid bolted joints with flexible members made of elastomeric materials. This parameter change allows the connection to exhibit both torque transmission capability and vibration damping characteristics, resolving the contradiction between reliable torque transmission and vibration reduction.
2Volume of moving object
If compact gearboxes are used to control costs and weight, then device size is reduced, but torque transmission becomes more difficult and reaches functional limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the torque transmission function into multiple flexible members distributed around the interface between the ring gear and bearing housing. This segmentation allows each flexible member to handle localized torque loads, enabling compact gearbox design while maintaining reliable torque transmission without reaching functional limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible members made of composite or elastomeric materials that combine the properties of flexibility and strength. These composite materials enable the compact gearbox design to transmit high torque loads while accommodating the space constraints, avoiding the functional limits of traditional rigid joint designs.
3Power
If bolted joints are used at the interface between ring gear and bearing housing, then torque transmission is achieved, but the joint is highly loaded and difficult to design
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible members serve as intermediary elements that simplify the joint design by eliminating the need for complex bolted connections. The flexible members directly transmit torque through their elastic deformation, reducing design complexity while maintaining high torque transmission capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection mechanism from rigid mechanical fastening to elastic deformation of flexible members. This parameter change simplifies the joint design by eliminating bolts and complex fastening structures, while the elastomeric materials provide sufficient torque transmission capacity through their flexibility and elastic properties.
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 effectively reduces gearbox-generated vibrations and enhances torque transmission efficiency by eliminating the need for bolted joints, allowing for more compact and reliable drivetrain designs in wind turbines.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible member(s) is configured to reduce vibrations generated by the gearbox
Implementation Method 2
configured to reduce vibrations generated by the gearbox
Implementation Method 3
at least one radially-extending pin extending through each of the flexible members and into the outer circumferential surface of the ring gear so as to secure each of the flexible members to the ring gear
Data Source
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AI summary
A drivetrain assembly for a wind turbine includes a main shaft, a bearing operatively coupled to an end of the main shaft, a bearing housing surrounding the bearing, and a gearbox having, at least, a ring gear. The ring gear is positioned adjacent to the bearing housing and includes an outer circumferential surface. The drivetrain assembly also includes at least one flexible member arranged at an interface between the bearing housing and the ring gear. As such, the flexible member(s) is configured to reduce vibrations generated by the gearbox.