Dynamic analysis of wind turbine gearbox planet gear carrier using finite elements approach

Planetary gears are effective power transmission elements in wind turbine where high torque to weight ratios, large speed increase in compact volumes, co-axial shaft arrangements, high reliability and superior efficiency are required. The present work examines the complex dynamic behavior of planetary gearbox gear carrier using finite element models. The finite element model (FEM) is developed from a unique finite element-contact analysis solver specialized for gear dynamics. The natural frequencies are the most important parameter in the design of planet gears carrier for dynamic loading conditions, so that the modal analysis had been utilized to determine the natural frequencies of the planet gears carrier system. The simulated results show that the planet gears are taking responsibility of the instability depending on the mode thus unfitting the different approaches to planet gears carrier dynamic and enabling the most appropriate component to be targeted dynamic behavior control. The natural frequencies and of the wind turbine gearbox planetary gear carrier are classified as rotational and translational or out-of-phase modes. A confirmation was made with the experimental results taken from a lab-scale wind turbine gearbox and found to be good. The gained information can be used for diagnosis and prognosis planet gears carrier.