Virtual Prototype Modeling and Dynamics Analyses of a Wind Turbine's Epicyclic Gearbox

A virtual prototype model that can be used to examine the complex, dynamic behaviors of a wind turbine's epicyclic gearbox is proposed in this study. Some shafts, bearings and gears are regarded as rigid bodies and flexible bodies, such as the gearbox, torque arm and ring gears, are introduced by finite elements. Mesh stiffness variation excitation, corner contact, and gear tooth contact loss are intrinsically considered in the finite element analysis. The hybrid virtual prototype which is made up of rigid and flexible bodies is used to simulate and analyze dynamics behaviors of the epicyclic gearbox. The results show that the static strength of each part of the gearbox is strong enough and the main vibration and noises are excited by the first modal of the planetary gear train.