EP1173919A1 - Powertrain for power generator - Google Patents
Powertrain for power generatorInfo
- Publication number
- EP1173919A1 EP1173919A1 EP00926412A EP00926412A EP1173919A1 EP 1173919 A1 EP1173919 A1 EP 1173919A1 EP 00926412 A EP00926412 A EP 00926412A EP 00926412 A EP00926412 A EP 00926412A EP 1173919 A1 EP1173919 A1 EP 1173919A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- torque
- input shaft
- main power
- power input
- gearbox
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K7/00—Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
- H02K7/18—Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g. with turbines
- H02K7/1807—Rotary generators
- H02K7/1823—Rotary generators structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
- H02K7/183—Rotary generators structurally associated with turbines or similar engines wherein the turbine is a wind turbine
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D15/00—Transmission of mechanical power
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D15/00—Transmission of mechanical power
- F03D15/10—Transmission of mechanical power using gearing not limited to rotary motion, e.g. with oscillating or reciprocating members
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
- F03D9/20—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus
- F03D9/25—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being an electrical generator
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C29/00—Component parts, details or accessories of pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C18/00 - F04C28/00
- F04C29/0042—Driving elements, brakes, couplings, transmissions specially adapted for pumps
- F04C29/005—Means for transmitting movement from the prime mover to driven parts of the pump, e.g. clutches, couplings, transmissions
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K16/00—Machines with more than one rotor or stator
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K7/00—Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
- H02K7/10—Structural association with clutches, brakes, gears, pulleys or mechanical starters
- H02K7/116—Structural association with clutches, brakes, gears, pulleys or mechanical starters with gears
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2270/00—Control
- F05B2270/10—Purpose of the control system
- F05B2270/1016—Purpose of the control system in variable speed operation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2270/00—Control
- F05B2270/10—Purpose of the control system
- F05B2270/20—Purpose of the control system to optimise the performance of a machine
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
Definitions
- This invention relates to electric power-generating devices such as wind turbines and ocean current turbines, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for distributing to various gearboxes the input torque characteristic of low rotational velocity high-torque operation of wind or water turbine blades.
- generating systems receive an element of redundancy. For example, when ten small gearboxes and generators split the system's load, if one gearbox or generator experiences a fault, the system's capacity may only be reduced by 10%, allowing the system to remain active. A single set of components loses all of its capacity when a single component experiences a fault. It is desirable to provide a way of establishing reliability through redundancy in generating systems.
- an electric power-generating device comprises a rotor which revolves in response to an external source of mechanical energy to which is coupled a main power input shaft.
- a torque-dividing gearbox is coupled to the main power input shaft and a plurality of torque-reducing gearboxes, each driving a generator and each having an input shaft, are connected to the torque-dividing gearbox.
- the plurality of torque-reducing gearboxes are located around a perimeter of the main power input drive shaft.
- a powertrain for wind turbines and ocean current turbines consists of a large, input power shaft-mounted, rotating sun-gear with stationary smaller powertrains mounted around its periphery.
- the gear teeth on the sun gear rotate past the teeth on the pinions, causing the pinions to turn and deliver power to each smaller powertrain.
- powertrains are attached in a spindle around the perimeter of a main power input drive shaft, and rotate as the shaft rotates.
- the input drive shaft to each of the smaller powertrain gearboxes is fitted with a pinion.
- the generators, gearboxes and pinions rotate, moving the pinions around the interior of a stationary ring gear. Reduction and distribution of torque is similar to the rotating sun-gear powertrain. In the sun-gear configuration, each smaller powertrain is stationary, reducing stress caused by rotation.
- FIGURE 1 illustrates a cut-away side view of the preferred embodiment of the distributed powertrain.
- FIGURE 2 shows an enlarged view of the components of the present invention
- FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention showing a distributed powertrain having five units mounted inside of a nacelle
- FIGURE 4 is a cutaway view of a second embodiment of the invention showing a distributed powertrain having units mounted inside of a nacelle.
- FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating prior art.
- FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of the present invention.
- FIGURE 1 is a cut-away view of the preferred embodiment of the distributed powertrain. Power, supplied by the flow-driven rotation of the rotors, is transmitted into the nacelle by the rotating main shaft 10.
- a torque-dividing gearbox comprising a sun gear 20, pressure-mounted on the perimeter of the main shaft and rotating with the shaft, interacts with five pinions 30 mounted around its perimeter, causing them to turn at a rotational rate greater than that of the sun-gear.
- the chamber 40 in which the sun-gear and pinions rotate is flooded with oil or contains an oil distribution system for lubrication.
- Each pinion is coupled to the input end of a small torque- reducing gearbox, which increases the rotational speed of the output shaft relative to the pinion.
- the output shaft of each gearbox is connected by a coupling 60 to a generator 70.
- Each sub- powertrain consisting of a gearbox 50 and generator 70 is mounted to a circular plate 100 comprising one wall of the oil-filled pinion chamber 40.
- Each gearbox 50 is held within a plate-mounted gearbox flange 110, to which is mounted a generator flange 120.
- the generator 70 is then mounted to the generator flange 120.
- the smaller size of the sub- powertrains relative to conventional larger powertrains allows for easy component handling through a nacelle hatch 130.
- FIGURE 2 is a close-up view of the components of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1.
- a seal 200 prevents water leakage, in the case of a current turbine, or fouling, in the case of a wind turbine, of the roller bearings 210 supporting and allowing rotation of the main shaft.
- the pinions are held in place by bearings 230, 240.
- Gussets 220, 250 in the nacelle structure support the loads transferred from the main shaft to the bearings.
- FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1. This view more clearly illustrates the interaction between the sun-gear 20 and the pinions 30 within the oil-filled chamber 40.
- the generator, generator flange 110, and gearbox flange 120 are seen to be mounted to the circular plate 100.
- the pinion bearings 230 are mounted to the walls of the oil-filled chamber 40, which is fortified by structural gussets 250.
- FIGURE 4 shows the side view of a single sub-powertrain in an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which each of the sub-powertrains is mounted on a cylinder 300 that is mounted on the main shaft 310.
- a torque-dividing gearbox, ring gear 320 is fixed around the inner perimeter of the nacelle.
- Each of the sub-powertrains is joined via a coupling 370 to a pinion 330. Fluid motion causes the rotors to turn, turning the main shaft and the sub-powertrains mounted to the main shaft.
- the pinions move past the ring gear within an oil-filled chamber 340, causing the pinions to rotate faster than the main shaft and supplying input power to the sub-powertrains' gearboxes 350.
- Each gearbox serves to increase the rotational speed of its output shaft relative to its input shaft.
- the gearbox output shaft is then joined by a coupling 380 to a generator 360.
- Conduits carrying electricity generated by the sub- powertrains' generators are gathered within the main shaft and transferred to a non- rotating conductor via a slip-ring 390.
- the present invention via a torque-dividing gearbox distributes a high input torque of the rotor 116 between multiple powertrains, each consisting of a smaller conventional torque-reducing gearbox 200 and generator 202.
- the sum of the power producing capacities of the generators is equal to the maximum power delivered by the power input shaft, and is equivalent to the power produced by a single generator in a conventional system.
- FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating prior art (US Patent 4,691 , 119).
- This invention couples multiple generators 430 coupled 428 to shafts 426 having pinions 425 around a high-speed (low torque) sun gear 420 within the gearbox's second stage.
- the principal function of this invention is to "create an efficient power supply with a controllable output frequency" to improve the quality of generated electricity for use in avionics.
- the power input is at high RPM, greatly reducing the need for first stage 410 step-up and torque reduction, and therefore reducing the loads applied to the gearbox.
- a somewhat similar design is used in the invention shown in US Patent 4,585,950, wherein multiple generators are coupled to the high-speed shaft 415 of a wind turbine gearbox for power quality reasons.
- FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of the present invention, which first divides the input torque at the low speed shaft 500 by turning pinions 502 around an input shaft-mounted sun gear 501 before translating it through shafts 504 and couplings 506 into multiple independent smaller gearboxes 510, which are then coupled 516 via a shaft 514 to small generators 520.
- the sun gear 510 and pinions 502 form an effective first stage to the gearbox, while each of the sub-powertrains' gearboxes 510 are self- contained second stages.
- the first stage need not be a torque-reducing stage. Instead, it may serve as only a torque-splitter, dividing the load between the separate pinions and distributing the contact load between the teeth on the pinions.
- the diameter of the sun gear could be the same as the diameter of each pinion, resulting in more of the torque reduction occurring in the individual second stages.
- the ability to limit the step-up required in the first stage while still resulting in dramatically reduced torque delivered to the second stage results in significant material and associated cost savings.
- the high torque is split between multiple gearboxes, with the input speed to each benefiting from the 5 to 20: 1 step up between the ring gear and the pinions.
- This higher input speed and lower power per powertrain results in greatly reduced input torque.
- the summed cost of these higher speed, lower torque gearboxes is significantly less than the cost of a single low speed, high torque gearbox.
- the summed weight of these smaller gearboxes is significantly less than the weight of a single low speed, high torque gearbox. 2.
- the parallel powertrains in each nacelle offer an aspect of redundancy that would not be present with a single powertrain, eliminating the single point failure of an individual gearbox and generator. Should one powertrain suffer a fault, it may be taken offline, and the device may continue to generate electricity at a reduced capacity until maintenance is possible. 3. Efficiency may be boosted by taking powertrains off line when they are not required in lower input power periods. Because generators typically suffer greater efficiency reductions when operating below nominal power input, taking several powertrains off line may allow the remaining powertrains to operate nearer to their optimal efficiency.
- a significant portion of O&M costs for wind and current turbines come from rental of heavy lifting equipment such as cranes. Because the size of individual components is reduced, the size of the required equipment and the associated costs may be reduced. 7. Access for maintenance, removal, or replacement is facilitated by the revolving spindle of powertrains. The spindle may be rotated a fraction of a revolution, exposing each powertrain to a single access hatch in the device casing. 8. The main sun or ring gear and the pinions may be installed to rotate in either direction. This allows for manufacturing and grinding of one set of gearing regardless of the direction of rotation of the main shaft. For some applications it may be advantageous for turbines to rotate in one direction or the other.
- the present invention may be used in conjunction with a fixed pitch, variable speed wind turbine concept. Torque control on the generator may be combined with power electronics to modulate speed. To apply this successfully, a low contact stress gearbox design, such as the present invention, is required in order to handle the associated load excursions. 10.
- the present invention may allow maximizing of aerodynamic efficiency in wind turbines. Given the high gear ratios achievable with the present invention in a relatively light and compact configuration, the wind turbine rotor can be operated at lower rotational speeds, which allows for reduction in the blades' tip speed ratio.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13129699P | 1999-04-27 | 1999-04-27 | |
US131296P | 1999-04-27 | ||
US09/552,577 US6304002B1 (en) | 2000-04-19 | 2000-04-19 | Distributed powertrain for high torque, low electric power generator |
US552577 | 2000-04-19 | ||
PCT/US2000/011303 WO2000065708A1 (en) | 1999-04-27 | 2000-04-27 | Powertrain for power generator |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1173919A1 true EP1173919A1 (en) | 2002-01-23 |
Family
ID=26829327
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00926412A Ceased EP1173919A1 (en) | 1999-04-27 | 2000-04-27 | Powertrain for power generator |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1173919A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU4494300A (en) |
BR (1) | BR0010071A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2371694C (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA01010914A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000065708A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0218401D0 (en) * | 2002-08-08 | 2002-09-18 | Hansen Transmissions Int | Wind turbine gear unit |
FI20040041A0 (en) * | 2004-01-14 | 2004-01-14 | Rotatek Finland Oy | Electrical Machine System |
DE102008064245A1 (en) | 2008-12-22 | 2010-06-24 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Energy converter for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy in wind energy plant, has generators that are in effective connection with each of shafts due to transmission-mechanical coupling and/or interconnection of shafts |
FR2940775A1 (en) * | 2009-01-08 | 2010-07-09 | Jean Pierre Christian Gaston Choplet | Energetic electromechanical case for electric motor vehicle, has alternators recharging storage batteries to supply transverse electric motor for reducing recharge of batteries on sector and increasing distance to be traversed by vehicle |
DE102011019002A1 (en) * | 2011-04-28 | 2012-10-31 | Imo Holding Gmbh | Cylindrical or annular energy transmission component for use as part of e.g. wind energy plant for transmission of energy from e.g. mechanical forces, has bearing rings coupled or linked with drive side or with hub of wind energy plant |
US20120308387A1 (en) * | 2011-05-31 | 2012-12-06 | Clipper Windpower, Llc | Hybrid Drive Train for a Wind Turbine |
DE102011114464A1 (en) | 2011-09-28 | 2013-03-28 | Manfred Böttcher | transmission |
DE102016221231A1 (en) | 2016-10-27 | 2018-05-03 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Wind turbine with horizontal axis and crown wheel |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4585950A (en) | 1984-12-06 | 1986-04-29 | Lund Arnold M | Wind turbine with multiple generators |
US4691119A (en) * | 1985-06-20 | 1987-09-01 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Permanent magnet alternator power generation system |
US4848188A (en) * | 1987-03-30 | 1989-07-18 | Schumacher Larry L | Momentum compensated actuator with redundant drive motors |
US5387818A (en) * | 1993-11-05 | 1995-02-07 | Leibowitz; Martin N. | Downhill effect rotational apparatus and methods |
JPH10248206A (en) * | 1997-03-03 | 1998-09-14 | Isuzu Ceramics Kenkyusho:Kk | Cogeneration device with plural generators |
-
2000
- 2000-04-27 AU AU44943/00A patent/AU4494300A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-04-27 CA CA2371694A patent/CA2371694C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-04-27 MX MXPA01010914A patent/MXPA01010914A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-04-27 WO PCT/US2000/011303 patent/WO2000065708A1/en active Application Filing
- 2000-04-27 EP EP00926412A patent/EP1173919A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-04-27 BR BR0010071-4A patent/BR0010071A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO0065708A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2371694C (en) | 2012-01-03 |
WO2000065708A9 (en) | 2001-10-25 |
CA2371694A1 (en) | 2000-11-02 |
WO2000065708A1 (en) | 2000-11-02 |
BR0010071A (en) | 2002-01-15 |
AU4494300A (en) | 2000-11-10 |
MXPA01010914A (en) | 2003-06-24 |
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Legal Events
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