GEARBOX SUPPORT SYSTEM

• US 20110140441A1
• Filed: 08/11/2010
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Longtin, Randy Scott
• Application Number:
  US12/854,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20110140441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/00 Transmission of mechanical power
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/10 using gearing not limited to rotary motion, e.g. with oscillating or reciprocating members
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/70 Bearing or lubricating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/30 Retaining components in desired mutual position
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/40311 of the epicyclic, planetary or differential type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/96 Preventing, counteracting or reducing vibration or noise
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 1/48 Special means compensating for misalignment of axes , e.g. for equalising distribution of load on the face width of the teeth in combination with distribution of load on the planet-wheels F16H1/2809
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

A rotary machine including a constant force support mechanism is provided. The rotary machine includes a rotor, an input shaft coupled to the rotor, a gearbox coupled to the input shaft, and at least one cantilevered component coupled to the gearbox. The rotary machine further comprises a constant force support mechanism coupled to at least one of the gearbox, the at least one cantilevered component.

Claims

1. A rotary machine comprising:

a rotor;

a input shaft coupled to the rotor;

a gearbox comprising a gear train coupled to the input shaft;

at least one cantilevered component coupled to the gearbox and disposed downwind of the gearbox; and

a constant force support mechanism coupled to at least one of the gearbox, the at least one cantilevered component.

2. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the constant force support mechanism is configured to prevent misalignment of gears in the geartrain.

3. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the rotary machine is a wind turbine.

4. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the gearbox comprises an outer casing;

wherein the constant force support mechanism is coupled to the outer casing of the gearbox.

5. The rotary machine of claim 4, wherein the constant force support mechanism is coupled to a lower portion of an outer surface of the outer casing of the gearbox.

6. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the gearbox further comprises a pair of downwind gearbox bearings and a pair of upwind gear bearings to support the gearbox, wherein the constant force support mechanism is coupled to a location proximate to the downwind gearbox bearing.

7. The rotary machine of claim 6, wherein the gearbox further comprises a pair of downwind gearbox bearings and a pair of upwind gear bearings to support the gearbox, wherein the constant force support mechanism is configured to maintain the load on the downwind gearbox bearings within a prespecified limit.

8. The rotary machine of claim 7, wherein gearbox comprises a primary gearbox.

9. The rotary machine of claim 8, wherein the at least one cantilevered component comprises a secondary gearbox.

10. The rotary machine of claim 9, wherein the secondary gearbox is coupled to a bedplate through the constant force support mechanism.

11. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one cantilevered component comprises a generator, wherein the gearbox is configured to transmit the rotary motion of the rotor to the generator to generate power.

12. The rotary machine of claim 11, wherein the generator is coupled to a bedplate through the constant force support mechanism.

13. The rotary machine of claim 12, wherein the constant force support mechanism comprises a pretensioned metal coiled spring, wherein pretensioned coiled metal coil comprises a first portion wound around a shaft coupled to a bedplate.

14. The rotary machine of claim 13, wherein pretensioned metal coil spring comprises a second portion.

15. The rotary machine of claim 14, wherein the second portion comprises an end coupled to the at least one cantilevered component.