COMPACT AND ROBUST HIGH EFFICIENCY SHOCK-AND-ERROR-TOLERANT MECHANICAL POWERTRAINS FOR WIND TURBINES APPLICATION

Abstract

Large forces and torques experienced by both small and large wind turbines influence the deflection, loading and overall dynamical response of the gearbox and other powertrain elements, often leading to failure in the drivetrain components. Gearbox-related failures, caused by shocks and misalignments due to gearbox component deflections, generator/grid engagements, etc, are accountable for more than 20% of the wind turbine downtime, resulting in high operational expenditure (OPEX). To address this problem, this thesis presents three main axes of innovation that we propose to be essential for further development of wind turbine technology. The first two parts will introduce novel technologies that are meant to provide an improved wind turbine powertrain system that is robust, compact and efficient. Finally, a material hysteresis model is introduced for system dynamics. This thesis envisions an architecture that will resolve existing limitations constraining the evolution of wind turbine technology and act as an enabler for the vision of possible future wind turbine technologies.