Wind turbine gearbox lubrication system
AssigneeREM Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark D. Michaud, Gary J. Sroka, Ronald E. Benson, Lane Winkelmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wind-turbine gearbox system includes an input gear stage having mating gear surfaces finished to a surface roughness of less than 0.25 micron and at least one bearing supporting the input gear stage. A lubrication circuit is arranged to deliver lubricant to the input gear stage and the bearing during operation of the wind-turbine and includes an inline filter for removal of particles of less than 2 micron from the lubricant prior to delivery. A lubricant for use in the system may have a relatively low viscosity compared to conventional wind turbine gearbox lubricants.
Claims31
A gearbox system for a wind turbine rated to a capacity of more than 1 MW, comprising:
- an input gear stage operating at less than 60 rpm and having mating gear surfaces finished to a surface roughness Ra of less than 0.25 micron;
- at least one bearing supporting the input gear stage;
- a lubrication circuit arranged to deliver lubricant to the input gear stage and the bearing during operation of the wind-turbine and comprising an inline 2 micron filter;
- and
- a quantity of lubricant in the lubrication circuit, the lubricant having an ISO VG of between 100 and 220.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.