Approaches to enhance power density of gearboxes for wind turbines

Based on pitting strength, some approaches to enhance power density of gearboxes for wind turbines are discussed. The calculation load is greatly reduced by power division. Allowable stress numbers are effectively increased by improving property of quality materials, precision heat treatment or shot peening. Load capacities can be also obviously enhanced by improving the tooth shape of morphology optimization of tooth root, tooth correction or superfinishing of tooth surface. The center distance is effectively decreased by minishing minimum allowable safety factor or enlarging face width. The power density of gearbox can be further improved by means of structure optimization of planet carrier or uniform load of planetary gear transmission.