Patent ID: 8529397
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: F03D,F05B,F16H,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A gear system for a wind turbine, comprising: a rotating component configured to input torque into the gear system for causing rotation about a rotational axis; a main bearing having a radial outer surface facing away from the rotational axis and engaging the rotating component for directly supporting the rotating component and a radial inner surface facing towards the rotational axis and engaging a non-rotating portion of the gear system; a main gear positioned within the main bearing, the main gear being rotationally decoupled from the rotating component; at least two pinion shafts each including a first pinion gear wheel meshed with the main gear, each pinion shaft having a second pinion gear wheel mounted thereon; at least one pinion supporting structure for supporting the at least two pinion shafts, the at least one pinion supporting structure being fixedly coupled to and/or integral with the rotating component such that the at least one pinion supporting structure rotates with the rotating component; and a sun wheel meshed with the second pinion gear wheels, wherein the second pinion gear wheels cause the sun wheel to rotate about the rotational axis, wherein the main gear and the meshes between the main gear and the first pinion gear wheels of the pinion shafts are positioned completely within a perimeter defined by the main bearing.