Developing a new generation of wind-turbine gearboxes

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Excerpt: The next generation wind gearbox must show great improvements over the last and then be manufacturable around the globe. This article introduces one such design. The next generation of drivetrains will be large and operate in harsher environments (offshore) than those previous. They will ha …

First gearbox-generator combo goes to German OEM

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Excerpt: Wind gear manufacturer Moventas and generator manufacturer The Switch, have announced the delivery of the first commercial order for FusionDrive, a gearbox and generator combination. The first delivery is going to Germany-based DeWind. “We think FusionDrive is the next big thing for the wind …

Start-up sees future in wind-turbine gearbox repairs

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Excerpt: A new company, Gearbox Express (GBX), along with state and local public officials, recently celebrated the official grand opening of its new 43,000 ft2 facility in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. The company says it is the only one in North America focused on providing independent, down-tower, wind-gearbo …

Dallas O&M Conference Recap

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Excerpt: I don't always get a chance to do much site seeing at these shows, but I did get to see a fair share of Dallas while here for Wind Energy Update's O&M Summit. On the way to my hotel, the taxi driver informed me that this was where Kennedy was shot (I know, but give me a break. It was before my t …

Illinois based wind-gear service receives $1.6 million from state to support expansion

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Excerpt: ZF Friedrichshafen AG has expanded its wind power services by becoming an authorized repair center for all legacy models of Hansen Transmissions in wind turbines. To support OEM and owner-operator turbine service across North America, the repair facility, in Vernon Hills, Ill., has received appr …

Gearbox manufacturer to quick-change artist

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Excerpt: A wind-turbine gearbox manufacturer has expanded its field-service portfolio to include the inspection and repair of the entire helical side of the gearbox up-tower. Moventas General Manager Steve Casey says its entire process can be performed in just three days, and the company (www.moventas.co …

April presentation: A few thoughts on why good gears go bad

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Excerpt: The 4th Annual Wind Energy Operations and Maintenance Summit will address the global wind-turbine-gear industry and examine themes, such as how main-transmission failures in wind turbines compare with similar planetary drives in non-wind applications. The Summit takes place from April 25 to 27, 2012 …

U.K. firm acquire Montreal gear manufacturer

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Excerpt: David Brown, a manufacturer of industrial gearing and support services, says it has acquired Montreal based industrial gear manufacturer Unigear Industries Inc. Unigear is a privately held business known for its high quality gears. With its flexibility, innovation, quality, and performance it ha …

Why gears fail and a few ideas for building better replacements

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Excerpt: Loads on wind turbine gearboxes are difficult to imagine and more so to quantify. Experience and software can provide some insight and solutions to designing better replacement gears. By: N.K. Chinnusamy, President of Excel Gear Inc. Gearboxes designed to acceptable and proven industrial st …

Gears & Gearboxes 101

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Excerpt: A gearbox is typically used in a wind turbine to increase rotational speed from a low-speed rotor to a higher speed electrical generator. A common ratio is about 90:1, with a rate 16.7 rpm input from the rotor to 1,500 rpm output for the generator. Some multimegawatt wind turbines have dispensed wit …