Wind Turbine Planetary Gear Lubrication Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-stage planetary gears in wind turbines require separate and costly lubrication systems for each stage, leading to increased expense and complexity in ensuring forced lubrication of all planet wheel bearings.
Innovation Solution
A single insert device comprising a stator and bushing is used to supply both planetary stages with lubricating oil simultaneously and continuously, utilizing an oil pump for forced lubrication, allowing both stages to operate with adequate lubrication even at low speeds and differing rotational speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate application device for introducing lubricating oil is used for each planetary stage, then each stage can be adequately lubricated, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lubrication function for both planetary stages into a single application device. The stator with integrated oil ducts distributes lubricating oil to planet wheel bearings of both planetary stages simultaneously through a unified lubrication circuit, eliminating the need for separate application devices for each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The single application device is designed with universal functionality to serve both planetary stages. The stator incorporates oil ducts that can distribute lubricating oil to multiple locations (both planetary stages) through a common lubrication system, making one device perform the function of multiple separate devices.
2Device complexity
If lubricating oil is supplied without forced guidance, then the system is simpler, but not all rows of rollers receive sufficient lubricating oil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces oil ducts as intermediary channels within the planet gear axes to guide lubricating oil directly to the planet wheel bearings. These ducts act as mediators that transport lubricating oil from the general lubrication circuit to specific bearing locations, ensuring forced guidance of lubrication without requiring complex external delivery mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If a single insert device is used to supply both planetary stages, then cost and complexity are reduced, but adequate lubrication distribution must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The application device is segmented into multiple independent oil ducts within the stator, with each duct serving specific planet wheel bearings. This segmentation allows precise control of lubricating oil distribution to different locations while maintaining a unified, cost-effective single-device structure.
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 reduces the complexity and cost of lubrication by providing constant and adequate lubrication to both planetary stages through a single system, enhancing the service life and efficiency of the gear while minimizing oil leakage.
Implementation Method 1
Since the lubricating oil is continuously and compulsorily supplied by means of an oil pump
Implementation Method 2
the planet wheel bearings are constantly and adequately supplied with lubricating oil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Planetary gear with a planetary stage rotating in a gear housing (1), wherein the planetary stage consists of a planet carrier (2) having two side plates (4) connected to each other by webs, and of several planet gears (5) mounted in the planet carrier (2) via planet gear bearings (6), which mesh on one side with a central sun gear shaft (10) and on the other side with a ring gear (8) fixedly connected to the gear housing (1), wherein a first oil guide channel (18) is connected at one end to an oil inlet (17) connected to an oil feed pump, which passes through the wall of the gear housing (1), and at the other end is connected via several second oil guide channels (20) passing through one of the side plates (4) of the planet carrier (2) to third and fourth oil guide channels (22, 23) passing through the axes (7) of all planet gears (5), which are open towards the planet gear bearings (6),wherein the first oil guide channel (18) penetrates an insert device (13) which is fixedly arranged in the gearbox housing (1). A second planetary stage with a second planet carrier (102), second planet gears (105) and a second sun gear shaft (109) is added to the first planetary stage, wherein the insert device (13) consists of a radial stator (14) with an axial bushing (15) which is arranged radially between the first planet carrier (2) and the second planet carrier (102).