Wind turbine gearbox with multiple generators and specific gear ratios
AssigneeVindg A/S
InventorTroels Pedersen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wind turbine gearbox is disclosed for transmitting a wind generated rotary input to multiple electrical generators. The gearbox includes a first gearbox stage with a first bull gear and at least five first pinion gears. The first bull gear receives the wind generated rotary input and the pinion gears mesh with the first bull gear to generate at least five first rotary outputs. The first output shafts, fixed relative to the pinion gears and suspended in plain bearings, transmit the first rotary outputs to the electrical generators via a second gearbox stage. The first gearbox stage has a gear ratio of 5:1 or more, and the second gearbox stage has a gear ratio equal to or less than that of the first gearbox stage gear ratio.
Claims30
A wind turbine gearbox for transmitting a wind generated rotary input to five or more electrical generators for generating electrical energy in a wind turbine, the wind turbine gearbox comprising:
- at least a first gearbox stage comprising:
- a first bull gear for receiving the wind generated rotary input;
- at least five first pinion gears that mesh with the first bull gear for receiving the wind generated rotary input and generating at least five first rotary outputs;
- and respective first output shafts fixed relative to the first pinion gears and suspended in plain bearings for rotation and transmitting to the five or more electrical generators the first rotary outputs via a second gearbox stage,
- wherein the first gearbox stage has a gear ratio of 5:1 or more, and the second gearbox stage has a gear ratio equal to or less than that of the first gearbox stage gear ratio, and
- wherein the pinion shafts of any of the gearbox stages are connected to an oil pump.
(canceled)
A wind turbine nacelle comprising a wind turbine gearbox for transmitting a wind generated rotary input to five or more electrical generators for generating electrical energy in a wind turbine, the wind turbine gearbox comprising:
- at least a first gearbox stage comprising:
- a first bull gear for receiving the wind generated rotary input;
- at least five first pinion gears that mesh with the first bull gear for receiving the wind generated rotary input and generating at least five first rotary outputs;
- and respective first output shafts fixed relative to the first pinion gears and suspended in plain bearings for rotation and transmitting to the five or more electrical generators the first rotary outputs via a second gearbox stage,
- wherein the first gearbox stage has a gear ratio of 5:1 or more, and the second gearbox stage has a gear ratio equal to or less than that of the first gearbox stage gear ratio, and
- wherein the pinion shafts of any of the gearbox stages are connected to an oil pump.
(canceled)
A wind turbine comprising:
- a nacelle, the nacelle comprising a wind turbine gearbox for transmitting a wind generated rotary input to five or more electrical generators for generating electrical energy in a wind turbine, the wind turbine gearbox comprising:
- at least a first gearbox stage comprising:
- a first bull gear for receiving the wind generated rotary input;
- at least five first pinion gears that mesh with the first bull gear for receiving the wind generated rotary input and generating at least five first rotary outputs;
- and respective first output shafts fixed relative to the first pinion gears and suspended in plain bearings for rotation and transmitting to the five or more electrical generators the first rotary outputs via a second gearbox stage,
- wherein the first gearbox stage has a gear ratio of 5:1 or more, and the second gearbox stage has a gear ratio equal to or less than that of the first gearbox stage gear ratio, and
- wherein the pinion shafts of any of the gearbox stages are connected to an oil pump.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.