Wind Turbine Drivetrain Flexible Components for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbine drivetrain configurations do not provide optimal bedplate stiffness, leading to inadequate control of gearbox-generated vibrations, which can cause damage from normal operating loads and forces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating flexible components between the torque arm and the ring gear of the gearbox, with corresponding teeth engagement and a retaining member to radially secure these components, enhances bedplate stiffness and reduces vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If large elastic components are configured between the torque arm and the bedplate to reduce vibrations, then vibration absorption is improved, but bedplate stiffness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flexible components as intermediary elements between the teeth of the ring gear and the torque arm. These flexible components serve as mediators that decouple the direct rigid connection, allowing vibration absorption while maintaining the structural load path. The flexible components absorb vibrations locally at the gear-torque arm interface rather than requiring large elastic components between the torque arm and bedplate, thus preserving bedplate stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible components with elastomeric materials between the ring gear teeth and torque arm teeth. These flexible elements function as thin film-like structures that provide vibration damping through their elastic properties while maintaining sufficient stiffness for torque transmission. This approach achieves vibration absorption without the need for large elastic components that would compromise bedplate stiffness.
2Ease of manufacture
If the gearbox and generator are separately mounted to the bedplate via torque arms, then modular assembly is improved, but bedplate stiffness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the torque transmission path by introducing flexible components between the ring gear and torque arm. This segmentation allows the gearbox and generator to remain separately mounted for modular assembly, while the flexible components create localized vibration isolation zones that prevent vibration propagation to the bedplate, thereby maintaining bedplate stiffness despite the modular configuration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible components are added between the ring gear and torque arm, then vibration control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible components only at specific locations where teeth from the ring gear engage with the torque arm, rather than throughout the entire drivetrain. This localized application provides vibration control precisely where gear mesh vibrations are generated and transmitted, achieving effective vibration control with minimal additional components and complexity.
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 configuration improves bedplate stiffness and effectively controls gearbox-generated vibrations, enhancing the structural integrity and operational reliability of wind turbines.
Implementation Method 1
one or more flexible components configured between a torque arm and a ring gear of the gearbox
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a drivetrain assembly for a wind turbine. The drivetrain assembly includes a gearbox having a ring gear, an annular torque support, and at least one flexible component configured therebetween. More specifically, the ring gear includes opposing inner and outer circumferential surfaces separated by side circumferential edges. The side circumferential edges include a rotor-side edge and a generator-side edge. The rotor-side edge has a first set of circumferentially-spaced teeth. The torque support has a generator-side surface having a second set of circumferentially-spaced teeth. Thus, the first set of teeth of the ring gear are configured to engage the second set of teeth of the torque support so as to couple the ring gear to the torque support. In addition, the flexible component is configured between the first and second sets of teeth so as to control vibrations in the wind turbine, e.g. transmission of gearbox-generated vibrations. Thus, location of the flexible components allows for improved bedplate stiffness of the wind turbine.