Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing a bearing pin having an external bearing pin geometry includes generating a first pin model conforming to the external bearing pin geometry. One or more operational loads to be applied to the bearing pin are then simulated on the first pin model to identifying at least one first internal region of the first pin model in which at least one of stress, strain, and displacement are below a first predetermined limit. The method further includes generating a final pin model based on the first pin model by forming a first void by removing the at least one first internal region from the first pin model. The bearing pin is then manufactured in accordance with the final pin model.

Abstract: A gear includes a first gear rim, a second gear rim, and an axial groove. The first gear rim has a first gear rim rotational stiffness and includes a plurality of first gear teeth. The second gear rim has a second gear rim rotational stiffness. The second gear rim includes a plurality of second gear teeth complementing the plurality of first gear teeth defining a plurality of complementary first gear teeth and a plurality of complementary second gear teeth. The axial groove extends between the first gear rim and the second gear rim. The axial groove has an axial groove rotational stiffness that less than at least one of the first gear rim rotational stiffness and the second gear rim rotational stiffness.

Abstract: A planet gear includes a pin and an annular planet gear rim. The pin has a pin radius. The pin includes a pin outer surface. The annular planet gear rim has an inner radius and an outer radius. The annular planet gear rim includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface and the pin outer surface define a clearance therebetween. The clearance is greater than 0 when a radial force is applied to the planet gear.

Abstract: A bearing includes an inner ring having an outer surface and a cage having both an inner surface and an outer surface. The cage inner surface is positioned to be in opposition to the inner ring outer surface. The bearing further includes an outer ring having both an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer ring inner surface is positioned to be in opposition to the cage outer surface. One or more of the inner ring outer surface, the cage inner surface, the cage outer surface, and the outer ring inner surface defines a non-circular circumferential profile.

Abstract: A planet gear includes an annular planet gear ring including an annular planet gear rim. The annular planet gear rim has an inner radius and an outer radius. The inner radius and the outer radius define a rim thickness therebetween. The annular planet gear rim further has a bending stress neutral axis. The bending stress neutral axis radius and the rim thickness define a ratio including values in a range from and including about 3 to and including about 10.

Abstract: A gearbox support apparatus includes a gearbox carrier having a central axis, the carrier configured to mount one or more rotating gears therein, the carrier including spaced-apart forward and aft walls, and a pin disposed between the forward and aft walls. The gearbox support apparatus includes an inner race connected to the pin as a single integral component incorporating two pairs of raised guides defining a forward raceway and an aft raceway.

Abstract: A journal bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, a plurality of bearing pads, and a plurality of bearing pad support assemblies. The bearing housing includes a radial outer wall. The plurality of bearing pads are mounted within the bearing housing, and include at least one of a gas permeable porous media and an array of gas delivery holes. The plurality of bearing pad support assemblies are radially interposed between the bearing pads and the radial outer wall. Each of the bearing pad support assemblies includes a spring assembly and a damper assembly.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed damper assembly includes a sealed damper housing, a plunger, and a load transferring member coupled to the plunger. The sealed damper housing includes a body having a cavity and a resistive flow path defined therein. The cavity and resistive flow path are filled with a viscous fluid. The body includes a plurality of springs integrally formed therein. The plunger is disposed within the cavity, and separates the cavity into a first control volume and a second control volume. The resistive flow path provides fluid communication between the first and second control volumes. The plunger is coupled to the damper housing by the plurality of springs such that the springs provide a restorative force to the plunger. The load transferring member is configured to transmit mechanical loads to the plunger.

Abstract: A journal bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, a plurality of bearing pads, and a plurality of bearing pad support assemblies. The bearing housing includes a radial outer wall. The plurality of bearing pads are mounted within the bearing housing, and include at least one of a gas permeable porous media and an array of gas delivery holes. The plurality of bearing pad support assemblies are radially interposed between the bearing pads and the radial outer wall. Each of the bearing pad support assemblies includes a spring assembly and a damper assembly.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed damper assembly includes a sealed damper housing, a plunger, and a load transferring member coupled to the plunger. The sealed damper housing includes a body having a cavity and a resistive flow path defined therein. The cavity and resistive flow path are filled with a viscous fluid. The body includes a plurality of springs integrally formed therein. The plunger is disposed within the cavity, and separates the cavity into a first control volume and a second control volume. The resistive flow path provides fluid communication between the first and second control volumes. The plunger is coupled to the damper housing by the plurality of springs such that the springs provide a restorative force to the plunger. The load transferring member is configured to transmit mechanical loads to the plunger.

Abstract: A journal bearing for use in an epicyclical gearbox including a journal pin, a journal bearing body into which the journal pin is disposed and at least one lubricating fluid inlet. The lubricating fluid inlet is configured to provide for an input of a lubricating fluid in a loaded arc portion proximate at least one high pressure point exerted upon the journal bearing body during a high pressure event, thereby permitting a free flow of a lubricating fluid there between the journal pin and the journal bearing body during the high pressure event. In an embodiment, the journal pin is configured to mimic the shape of the journal bearing body at least at a high pressure point exerted upon the journal bearing body during a high pressure event. An epicyclical gearbox including the journal bearing and method of facilitating a hydrodynamic oil flow in the planet gear journal bearing.

Abstract: A pin for coupling a planet gear to a carrier in a planetary gear system is disclosed. The pin includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. In some embodiments, the pin further includes means for modifying the compliance of the pin at an interface between the pin and the carrier. In other embodiments, the pin further include a compliance feature defined in the outer surface, the compliance feature allowing greater compliance of the pin in the tangential direction than in the radial direction.

Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method. The planetary gear system includes a carrier body configured to receive planet gears, at least one pin received by the carrier body, and flex means positioned between the carrier body and the at least one pin. The method includes preparing the carrier, upon which a plurality of planet gears is mounted through planet pins, and providing flex means between the planet pins and the carrier, the flex means configured to enable movement of the planet pins in response to a force directed thereon.

Abstract: A journal bearing for use in an epicyclical gearbox including a non-circular shaped journal pin and a journal bearing body into which the non-circular shaped journal pin is disposed. The non-circular shaped journal pin configured to mimic the shape of the non-cylindrical shaped journal bearing body at least at a high pressure point exerted upon the non-cylindrical shaped journal bearing body during a high pressure event, thereby permitting a free flow of a lubricating fluid there between the non-circular shaped journal pin and the journal bearing body during the high pressure event. An epicyclical gearbox including the journal bearing and method of facilitating a hydrodynamic oil flow in the planet gear journal bearing.

Abstract: A journal bearing for use in an epicyclical gearbox including a non-circular shaped journal pin and a journal bearing body into which the non-circular shaped journal pin is disposed. The non-circular shaped journal pin configured to mimic the shape of the non-cylindrical shaped journal bearing body at least at a high pressure point exerted upon the non-cylindrical shaped journal bearing body during a high pressure event, thereby permitting a free flow of a lubricating fluid there between the non-circular shaped journal pin and the journal bearing body during the high pressure event. An epicyclical gearbox including the journal bearing and method of facilitating a hydrodynamic oil flow in the planet gear journal bearing.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to monitor the health of a wind turbine gearbox. The system includes a plurality of sensors coupled to the wind turbine gearbox and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to acquire vibration information from a vibration sensor, acquire a tachometer signal, convert the tachometer signal and the vibration information into a cycle domain signal, and perform an order analysis on the cycle domain signal, the order analysis providing information that identifies potential and actual damage within the wind turbine gearbox.

Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method. The planetary gear system includes a carrier body configured to receive planet gears, at least one pin received by the carrier body, and flex means positioned between the carrier body and the at least one pin. The method includes preparing the carrier, upon which a plurality of planet gears is mounted through planet pins, and providing flex means between the planet pins and the carrier, the flex means configured to enable movement of the planet pins in response to a force directed thereon.

Abstract: A planetary gear system is disclosed. The planetary gear system includes a carrier, a planet gear defining a central planet axis, and a pin coupling the planet gear to the carrier. The planetary gear system additionally includes a bearing disposed between the planet gear and the pin. The bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements. Each of the rolling elements is in contact with an inner race and an outer race. The planetary gear system further includes a resilient member. The resilient member is disposed between one of the inner race and the pin or the outer race and the planet gear.

Abstract: A compound planetary gear transmission unit includes a second stage with axially staggered planets.

Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method of fabricating same. The planetary gear system includes at least one planet gear, at least one planet pin receiving the at least one planet gear, and a carrier. The carrier itself includes at least one carrier opening for accommodating the at least planet gear, at least one planet pin opening for receiving the at least one planet pin, and at least one flex portion within a wall of the carrier for providing enhanced compliance to the carrier in response to force directed on the at least one planet gear.