FEM Analysis and Development of Eclipse Gearbox for Wind Turbine

Abstract

A wind energy translation system consists of a number of components to transform the wind energy to electrical energy. The rotor is one of the components of wind turbine that excerpts energy from the wind. One of the major components, Gearbox is used for transmission high torque generated by rotor to low torque required for generator. Gearbox Un-reliability and high repair costs pool to result in critical negative effects on the cost of wind energy production. The Eclipse Gearbox is suggested in this paper that can significantly decrease reliability problems occurred in traditional gearbox. The features of Eclipse gearbox is a shortened load path through a single pair of gears combined with linkages and a crankshaft. Multi-stage planetary system of traditional gearbox is reduced to single stage eclipse gearbox, helps to increase speed ratio, long endurance life, small size and light weight. Its size is like to a traditional gearbox weight reduced to half. Contact stress of gear tooth is considerably lower due the increase in the number of gear teeth that are simultaneously engaged. The minimum tooth contact stress finally increases the endurance life and torque capacity of the gears.