Direct drive wind turbine generator main shaft

What is a direct drive wind turbine?

Because the direct-drive wind turbines do not have a gearbox, mechanical noise is reduced as well as fewer rotating components. Moreover, this type of wind turbine has a single main bearing for the rotor assembly and generator, which additionally reduces the number of moving parts, as well as the maintenance and repair costs.

What is a variable speed direct drive wind turbine?

This type of wind turbine is known as the variable speed direct drive wind turbine and was introduced to eliminate gearbox failure and transmission losses. The rotor is directly connected to the generator, implying that the generator speed is equivalent to the rotor speed.

Does a direct drive wind turbine rotate at low speed?

It should be noted that the generator of the direct-drive wind turbine investigated in this paper rotates at low speed since it is directly connected to the turbine rotor hub. Therefore, the outer raceway of the TRB is the rotating raceway. The bearing on the main shaft experiences a time-varying load, generally compiled to fatigue duty cycle .

How does a turbine drive a generator?

Part of the turbine's drivetrain, the main bearing supports the rotating low-speed shaft and reduces friction between moving parts so that the forces from the rotor don't damage the shaft. Part of the turbine's drivetrain, the high-speed shaft connects to the gearbox and drives the generator.

What is a bearing system in a direct drive generator?

Bearings or bearing systems are the critical mechanical component11 in direct-drive generator designs since all wind tur-bine rotor loads are transferred to the tower via bearings to axle/spindle/shaft or generator stator structure.

Are direct-drive permanent magnet generators suitable for high-power wind turbines?

Direct-drive permanent magnet generators for high-power wind turbines: Benefits and limiting determinantes. IET Renewable Power Generations, 6 (1), 1–8 Two experts were interviewed and the literature reporting on the wind turbine drive trains was reviewed. A determinant is considered relevant if it is mentioned by an expert or in one of the papers.