In 2009, British YouTuber Robert Murray-Smith published a 3D model for an epicyclic gearbox. He has now presented a further development that could be of particular interest for use in wind turbines.
As with the original, the concept is based on a combination of a central gear, planetary gears and an external ring gear. What is new is that the latter is also toothed on the outside and can therefore be driven separately.
According to Murray-Smith, this enables both acceleration and deceleration of the planet carrier output by selecting the appropriate directions of rotation and speeds. However, as the input speed increases, the output speed remains limited.
It is precisely this effect that can reduce the generator load in wind turbines at high wind speeds, explains the YouTuber. A separate control system would not be necessary, as the gearbox itself acts as a centrifugal governor.
As always, Murray-Smith provides the necessary STL files for 3D printing the model free of charge on Thingiverse. Anyone who builds the planetary gearbox can try out the self-regulating concept immediately.
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