Gear unit with reduced power loss, operating method and industrial application

A method, comprising:

• operating a gear unit in a first operating state at a first lubricant level in a lubricant-containing reservoir of the gear unit;
• setting a second operating state and detecting a temperature of the lubricant in the reservoir;
• and
• setting a second lubricant level in the reservoir as a function of the detected lubricant temperature by wetting an actuator in the reservoir with lubricant, causing a temperature-dependent movement of a displacement body by the actuator.

An industrial application, comprising:

• a drive unit;
• an output unit;
• and
• a gear unit configured to connect the drive unit to the output unit in a torque transmitting manner, said gear unit comprising a toothed wheel, a reservoir receiving lubricant for lubricating the toothed wheel, a displacement body configured to set a lubricant level in the reservoir, and an actuator configured to move the displacement body as a function of a temperature as the displacement body is wetted with the lubricant.

A wind turbine, comprising:

• a generator;
• a rotor;
• and
• a gear unit configured to connect the generator to the rotor in a torque transmitting manner, said gear unit comprising a toothed wheel, a reservoir receiving lubricant for lubricating the toothed wheel, a displacement body configured to set a lubricant level in the reservoir, and an actuator configured to move the displacement body as a function of a temperature as the displacement body is wetted with the lubricant.