Electric actuators ready for windpower work

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Excerpt: A line of linear actuators are electromechanical devices that install quickly and easily, and provide good accuracy, repeatability, reliability, and advanced control over critical machine operations. Unlike hydraulic and pneumatic alternatives, the ElecTrak Pro Series, from Thomson, Wood Dale, I …

Clever Bearing and Planetary Drive Carries Greater Load

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Excerpt: Uncontrollable and highly variable wind forces adversely affect the performance and reliability of planetary gears inside wind-turbine power transmissions. A couple developments from The Timken Co., Canton, Ohio, can lower maintenance on rolling elements and carry greater load in a planetary gearset …

Yaw and pitch drives for wind turbines

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Excerpt: Series 700T slew drives from Bonfiglioli USA, Hebron, Kentucky, come in 13 sizes with output as high as 70,000 Nm thanks to planetary gearing with up to three stages. Output shaft with integral pinion rides on wide-span, high-load bearings. A robust housing features low or raised mounting flange. In …

Hydraulic yaw and pitch drives

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Excerpt: For years, Nabtesco says it has been developing hydraulic equipment, engine accessory and fuel systems, and flight control systems for several Japanese Defense Agency programs. Now the company, a manufacturer of hydraulic drives and controls, is expanding into energy-efficiency and environment-f …

Pitch and yaw drives

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Excerpt: Yaw drives from Germany-based ABM Greiffenberger, Milford, Ohio,  maintain nacelle positions into the wind to maximize energy generation. The drive uses a combination of induction motors and multi-stage planetary gearboxes. High grade components, most manufactured in-house, and durable roller b …

Hydraulic pitch control for wind-turbine blades

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Excerpt: Generating steady shaft speed on a wind turbine means constantly adjusting the pitch of each blade to accommodate wind variations. The blades connect to a huge hub mounted to a shaft that turns a gearbox and a generator. Best turbine efficiency calls for a continuous pitch control on the b …

Composite coupling handles high-power misalignments

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Excerpt: The Ixilflex link coupling absorbs misalignment of power transmission shafts through bushes linked to alternate flanges. The bushes are made by vulcanizing rubber to metal parts under high compression. The coupling can be run in either direction without reversing the coupling. Other features incl …