Pt Tech, LLC

Ebo Group, Inc.

Erik L Olson

David A Peterman

David C Heidenreich

Timothy A Clapp

Robert E Herchick

Joseph W Guinter

Gregg W Cullings

Arthur F Gouker

David C Heidenrcich

A wind turbine power generating system includes a wind turbine connected to a speed increasing gearbox having an output shaft. An electrical generator having an input shaft is also provided. An asymmetrical coupling interconnects the input and output shafts. The coupling includes a first torque limiting clutch in series connection with a one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. A second torque limiting clutch is provided in parallel connection with the one-way clutch between the input and output shafts. The first and second torque limiting clutches have different characteristic slip torques. The interconnection of the clutches, and the implementation of the one-way clutch, provides for effective operation of the first and second torque limiting clutches in opposite rotational directions of the input and output shafts. The second torque limiting clutch has a characteristic slip torque that is a fraction of the first torque limiting clutch, the second torque limiting clutch providing protection against reverse impulse loads.

Wind turbine torque limiting clutch system

A clutch control system is interposed between an engine and a piece of driven equipment. The clutch control system includes a clutch assembly with input and output speed sensors for providing signals corresponding to the shaft rotational speeds of the engine and the driven equipment, respectively. A pressure sensor is connected to the clutch assembly and provides an output signal corresponding to clutch pressure. A temperature sensor is also associated with the clutch assembly and provides a temperature signal corresponding to the operating temperature of the clutch assembly. Transducers of various types are also employed to sense operating conditions such as shock loads or the like. Also included is a machine control system connected to the driven equipment and an engine control module connected to the engine, both of which are interconnected through an SAE J1939 CAN to the clutch control unit. These signals are passed to a clutch control unit that employs the signals to assess the operating conditions of the system and accordingly adjust the clutch pressure through a pressure control valve. A vast array of operating data is available from the system and is employed by the clutch control unit to ensure optimum operation, by tailoring the clutch pressure to the engine and driven equipment, thus minimizing clutch slippage and avoiding or instantaneously correcting shock load situations.

Clutch control system

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Akron, OH, United States of America

Erik L Olson