Lubrication system for a gear system providing emergency lubrication

摘要

A lubrication system for a gear system for a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system comprises a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant, first pump means arranged to supply lubricant from the reservoir to the gear system via a first fluid connection, and vacuum generating means arranged in fluid connection with the reservoir, thereby maintaining a total air pressure in the reservoir which is lower than an ambient pressure during normal operation. The lowered total air pressure in the reservoir draws lubricant from the gear system into the reservoir, thereby increasing the lubricant level in the reservoir and decreasing the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘dry sump mode’. In the case of an emergency or during start-up the vacuum generating means is stopped, thereby increasing the total air pressure in the reservoir. This causes a decrease in the lubricant level in the reservoir and an increase in the lubricant level in the gear system, allowing the lubrication system to be operated in a ‘wet sump mode’.

主权项

1. A lubrication system for a gear system for a wind turbine, the lubrication system comprising:
a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant so as to define a gas space within the reservoir above the lubricant, a first pump arranged to supply lubricant from the reservoir to the gear system via a first fluid connection, a venting connection arranged between the reservoir and the gear system, the venting connection configured to transfer gas between the gas space of the reservoir and the gear system, and a vacuum generator arranged in fluid connection with the gas space of the reservoir and operable in a first operation state of the lubrication system to transfer gas from the gas space to the gear system through the venting connection, thereby maintaining a total gas pressure in the reservoir which is lower than an ambient pressure, wherein the vacuum generator is arranged to stop during a second operation state of the lubrication system.