Quote:
Originally Posted by almightybmw
I'm not terribly familiar with wind power generation, but if car manufactures can make a CV clutch transmission capable of handling 250ft lbs, would it not be possible to do the same for a wind tower? Let the blades vary speed with wind, but keep the alternator/generator at a relatively efficient range. Seems simple enough. It might work well with smaller scale wind turbine, relatively small forces acting on them. Not sure if the mechanics and failure rates could keep up with the super-scale turbines.
If it works for snowmachines (mobiles..sigh) and cars, why can't regular maintenance work for wind turbines?
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Excellent question. The big commercial turbines do use gearboxes, although that's to get alternator speeds high; rotor speed is held steady via blade pitching. Some smallish turbines have successfully used gearboxes -- the finest residential machines ever built, the
Jacobs turbines. Dude was WAY ahead of his time. Fifty year-old Jakes are lovingly remanned and put back in action; of course, it's mostly the gearboxes that need rebuilding.
Any gearing or belt becomes problematic below 25 ft diameter, however -- it's a fractional horsepower issue. You don't care if a belt or chain robs 2 hp from your car -- you have 180 to burn, right? But a 1500 watt home wind turbine only makes 2 hp max. Belts will kill your output. Tall gearing will prevent the blades from starting in medium winds, when a direct-drive turbine would.
Cost is an issue; tower top weight is an issue; above all, complexity is an issue. Anything that can break on a wind turbine will break. Often. Monthly.
For turbines over 25ft, a CVT is not a bad solution, although variable blade pitch is better for maintaining both attack angle and alternator speeds within optimal ranges.