Gearbox for Wind Turbines

Planetary Gearbox for Wind Turbines

Gear box (reducer) is an important part of wind turbine. It provides essential system movement for wind power generation.
The planetary gear reducer system with strong impact resistance is adopted for the Yaw and Pitch reducers we have developed. The output gear of the reducer is meshed with the control gear of the wind turbine to regulate the direction and angle of the blades of the wind turbine, so as to ensure that the wind turbine can still operate stably and generate electricity under the conditions of complex wind size and direction.

Function of Reducer in Wind Turbine

The main function of the gearbox in the wind power system is to adjust the speed and improve the efficiency. In order for the compact generator to work properly, certain components must move very quickly because the voltage generated depends on the power generated by the wind turbine. However, due to the centrifugal force, the turbine blade itself cannot move very fast, so a gearbox is required to increase the rotation speed of a slow turbine to a faster generator speed. One of the alternatives to gearboxes is large generators with permanent magnets, but they are much more expensive than wind turbine gearboxes.
There are many types of gearboxes or reducers, but there are only a few types of gearboxes dedicated to wind turbines (generators). Although their design and operating principles are different, their functions are mostly the same. Among them, one of the most commonly used wind power scenarios is the yaw pitch gearbox, which uses a multi-stage planetary structure.

YAW Drive & Pitch Drive Gearbox

The  yaw drive gearbox and pitch drive gearbox are used for different parts of the wind power plant. The gear reducer of wind turbine is mainly responsible for the transmission of rotor and engine room. The slewing planetary gear units within our yaw and pitch ranges are typically used to control the blade pitch of the turbine. The nacelle on the top of the tower is connected to the rotor and houses the gearbox, generator, yaw system and control system. To ensure that the rotor axis is always aligned with the wind direction for maximum energy output, large wind turbines are equipped with a yaw system that allows the nacelle to adjust its position according to the wind direction and wind force. The engine room rotation is controlled by the yaw system and the planetary gear unit with electric brake motor.
Each wind turbine must have two to six gear units, depending on the size, and the motor can be electric or hydraulic. Two or three stage gear units are usually used, combined with the worm gear box on the input side, or four or five stage gear units of the yaw and pitch drive series. The output pinion can be integrated or inserted.

Features of Wind Turbines

1. Output torque range: 1000-80000 N.m
2. Gear Ratios: i=300-2000
3. Support: slew support (with flange mounted)
4. Electric Brake: DC and AC type
5. Output shaft: splined or with integral pinion; output shafts supported by heavy duty capacity bearings
6. Applicable motors: IEC electric motors

Product Identification Scheme

Application