Patents Assigned to ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
  • Patent number: 11933269
    Abstract: A torsion absorber is provided for attachment to a cylindrical section of a shaft. The torsion absorber includes a flywheel and at least one tensioner. The at least one tensioner is configured to brace a first segment and a second segment of the flywheel against the cylindrical section of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventor: Bart Caers
  • Patent number: 11913538
    Abstract: A wind turbine transmission including a first planetary stage and a second planetary stage, wherein a sun gear of the first planetary stage and a planet carrier of the second planetary stage are interconnected for conjoint rotation by means of a spline joint, the sun gear integrally forms an internal toothing, and a first web of the planet carrier or a sun shaft integrally connected to the first web integrally forms an external toothing of the spline joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventor: Warren Smook
  • Patent number: 11767908
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a first component having a first groove and a second groove. The arrangement further includes a second component and a fluid transfer ring fixed to the second component. The fluid transfer ring engages with a first wall and a second wall in the first groove such that the fluid transfer ring and the first groove form a first cavity. The first component and the second component are rotatable relative to each other. The fluid transfer ring further engages with a third wall in the second groove such that the fluid transfer ring and the second groove form a second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventors: Stijn Rottiers, Wim De Laet
  • Patent number: 11754168
    Abstract: An arrangement including a transmission housing forming a lubricant sump and a pipeline including a first piece and a second piece. The first piece and the second piece of the pipeline respectively open into the lubricant sump. The first piece and the second piece of the pipeline are inserted into one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventors: Wim De Laet, Stijn Rottiers, Kris Adriaensen, Richard Cordes
  • Patent number: 11635104
    Abstract: A fastener for a transmission part includes a main body. The main body has at least one external screw thread and at least one through-hole. The fastener further includes a first pin displaceable in a first region of the through-hole and a second pin having an external screw thread. A second region of the through-hole has at least one internal screw thread configured to be screwed to the external screw thread of the second pin. The second pin has a through-hole. The first pin has an internal screw thread aligned with the through-hole of the second pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventors: Wim De Laet, Jan Aerts, Dominiek Ceyssens
  • Patent number: 11608885
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a planet carrier. The planet carrier includes a web, a journal and a bushing. A first end of the journal is fixed in the web, at least a part of the journal projects into the bushing, and a second end of the journal is fixed in the bushing. The planet carrier further includes a stiffening element, an annular support ring, and a cap placed onto a first axial end of the bushing. An axis of symmetry of the annular support ring coincides with a center axis or axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The stiffening element is fixed in the bushing and in the support ring. The bushing and the stiffening element are connected to each other as two pieces. The stiffening element is joined to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventor: Sven Moers
  • Patent number: 11519458
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a condition of a sliding bearing operated with lubricating oil for a rotating component includes calculating, by a control unit as an output variable of a sliding bearing model, a calculated value of a minimum gap thickness of the sliding bearing. The calculated value is calculated by orbit analysis from at least one physical sliding bearing model to which at least a rotational speed of the rotating component, a bearing load, and a temperature of the sliding bearing are supplied as input variables. The method further includes measuring, with at least one sensor, a minimum gap thickness to provide a measured value of the minimum gap thickness, and comparing the measured value of the minimum gap thickness with the calculated value of the minimum gap thickness for the purpose of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Wolf, Umit Kutluay, Luk Geens, Johannes Schaefer, Georg Tenckhoff
  • Patent number: 11493124
    Abstract: A transmission includes at least one planetary gear stage with a planet carrier having a first toothing. The transmission further includes at least one lubricant line having a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. The first toothing, together with a second toothing, forms a spline. The first outlet opening is configured to lubricate the spline, and the second outlet opening is configured to lubricate a sun gear of the planetary gear stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventors: Wim De Laet, Pieter Uytterhoeven, Maarten Gernaey
  • Patent number: 11441643
    Abstract: A gear assembly includes a planetary gear set having a sun gear, planet gears, and a ring gear. The planet gears are respectively rotatably mounted by a bearing on a respective planetary pin. The respective planetary pin is connected to a planetary carrier. Tilting pads arranged radially circumferentially with respect to the planetary pin are provided on sides of the planetary carrier facing the planet gears. The planetary carrier has, on sides facing the planet gears, recesses arranged radially circumferentially with respect to the planetary pin and corresponding to the tilting pads. The recesses are configured to receive at least part of the tilting pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventors: Umit Kutluay, Koen Krieckemans, Yvan Berkmans, Michel Goovaerts, Roger Bogaert, Maarten Ooms
  • Patent number: 11384742
    Abstract: A torque bracket arrangement for a wind power gearbox for transmitting a supporting force to a support structure of a wind power plant includes at least one radial support arm having an associated opening configured to receive a horizontal support pin. The at least one radial support arm is provided on a gearbox side and is configured to establish a detachable connection to at least one corresponding opening of a support eyelet unit arranged on the support structure. The at least one corresponding opening of the support eyelet unit includes an elastomer bearing bush into which the horizontal support pin is configured to be inserted. The elastomer bearing bush has differing rigidities depending on the load. The elastomer bearing bush consists of at least one soft region of low rigidity and at least one comparatively harder region of greater rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventor: Frederik Vanhollebeke
  • Patent number: 11293542
    Abstract: A transmission housing includes a first housing half forming a first sealing surface and a first lubricant line, and a second housing half forming a second sealing surface and a second lubricant line. The first sealing surface and the second sealing surface seal an internal space in relation to an environment. An opening of the first lubricant line and an opening of the second lubricant line are fluidically connected to one another. The first sealing surface has a first groove and the second sealing surface has a second groove. The first groove and the second groove together form a third lubricant line. The third lubricant line runs between the opening of the first lubricant line into the first sealing surface and the environment of the transmission housing and between the opening of the second lubricant line into the second sealing surface and the environment of the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Sperlich, Dirk Strasser, Joerg Muench
  • Patent number: 11280399
    Abstract: A planet pin includes a center axis and an outer contour that runs at a distance r(x) from the center axis. The distance r(x) is dependent on an axial position x in at least one longitudinal portion. For at least one axial position interval [x1, x2], the distance r(x), for all x?[x1, x2], of the outer contour from the center axis is r(x)=l(x)+g(x)+o(x), where l(x) is a linear function, g is constantly zero or convex on the interval [x1, x2], and o(x0)=0 applies for at least one x0?]x1, x2[. The function o is concave on the interval [x1, x0], convex on the interval [x0, x2], and decreasing in x0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Leimann
  • Patent number: 11092230
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a first oil line, a second oil line, a third oil line, a cavity, and a plate having a continuous first hole and a continuous second hole. The first oil line, the second oil line and the third oil line each have a mouth in the cavity. The plate is arranged in the cavity in such a way that it covers the mouths of the second oil line and the third oil line. The first hole connects the second oil line and the cavity to each other in a fluid-conducting manner. The second hole connects the third oil line and the cavity to each other in a fluid-conducting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
    Inventors: Wim De Laet, Bart Geudens, Pieter-Jan Francis
  • Patent number: 11073193
    Abstract: A planetary carrier includes a first cheek, a second cheek, at least one pin, and at least one bushing. A first axial end of the pin is fixed in the first cheek, and a first axial end of the bushing is fixed in the second cheek. At least a portion of the pin protrudes into the bushing, and a second axial end of the pin is fixed in the bushing. A second axial end of the bushing is free-floating, and the bushing forms at least a first cavity and a second cavity. The portion of the pin that protrudes into the bushing protrudes into the first cavity. The bushing forms a wall that separates the first cavity and the second cavity from each other and at least one stiffening rib extends through the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
    Inventor: Warren Smook
  • Patent number: 10995822
    Abstract: A series of transmissions includes a first transmission, a second transmission, a third transmission, and a fourth transmission. Each of the first, second, third and fourth transmissions has a first planetary stage and a second planetary stage. The first planetary stage and the second planetary stage in each case have an internal gear, a sun gear, a planetary carrier, and one or more planetary gears. The planetary carriers of the first planetary stages of the first transmission and of the second transmission are structurally identical. The planetary carriers of the first planetary stages of the third transmission and of the fourth transmission are structurally identical. A width of teeth of the planetary gears of the first planetary stage of the first transmission is smaller than a width of teeth of the planetary gears of the first planetary stage of the second transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
    Inventor: Warren Smook
  • Patent number: 10969002
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first planetary stage, a second planetary stage, and at least one retainer plate. The first planetary stage has a planet carrier and the second planetary stage has a ring gear. The planet carrier and the ring gear are configured to be rotated about a common axis of rotation. The retainer plate is attached to the ring gear and engages in a groove in the planet carrier. The groove and the axis of rotation are at least partially skewed to each other. The retainer plate is arranged at least partially on a first side of a first plane and on a first side of a second plane. The first plane and the second plane intersect along the axis of rotation. All planet bolts fixed in the planet carrier each lie on a second side of the first plane and/or the second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Sperlich, Joerg Muench, Dirk Strasser
  • Patent number: 10935004
    Abstract: A pitch tube includes a first tube part and a second tube part. The first tube part and the second tube part are detachably connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
    Inventors: Steffen Fischer, Dirk Strasser
  • Patent number: 10927941
    Abstract: A transmission shaft (1), designed particularly for a wind turbine, which is mounted by way of a fixed bearing (2, 3) and at least one floating bearing (4). At least one gearwheel (5) is fixed onto the transmission shaft (1) and positioned in the axial direction between the fixed bearing (2, 3) and the floating bearing (4). The fixed bearing (2, 3) is formed by at least one roller bearing and the floating bearing (4) is in the form of at least one slide bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Leimann, Michiel Van den Donker, Tino Kirschner
  • Patent number: 10920873
    Abstract: A planetary stage includes a planetary carrier, at least one pitch tube, and at least one fixing element. The pitch tube is arranged coaxially to a rotation axis of the planetary stage. The pitch tube extends through a wall of the planetary carrier. The fixing element is fixed in the wall. The pitch tube has a groove. The fixing element engages in at least one part of the groove, wherein the at least one part of the groove extends orthogonally to the rotation axis. A plate is fixed in the wall, and the fixing element engages in a clearance between the wall and the plate and is fixed positively between the wall and the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
    Inventors: Wim De Laet, Bart Geudens
  • Patent number: 10626977
    Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor container configured to be screwed into a core hole of a gearbox housing via at least one external thread includes at least one chamber for holding a corrosion inhibitor, at least one gas-permeable wall separating the at least one chamber from an interior of the gearbox housing when the corrosion inhibitor container is screwed into the core hole, the at least one external thread, at least one internal thread, and a screw plug configured to be screwed into the internal thread. The screw plug is configured to be screwed into the core hole when the corrosion inhibitor container is not screwed into the core hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
    Inventors: Rik Beque, Stijin Rottiers, Andy Maes, Koen Krieckemans