Abstract: A powertrain component (21, 22, 23) for a wind turbine (100) is provided, comprising a powertrain component housing (20) with at least one rotating part (49) and a dry sump 5 lubrication system for lubricating the rotating part (49). The lubrication system comprises a dry sump lubricant tank (51, 52, 53) and a pump (60) for pumping the lubricant from the tank (51, 52, 53) towards a lubricant release point, the lubricant release point being provided at a level above at least part of the rotating part (49) for receiving the lubricant from the tank (51, 52, 53) and allowing the lubricant to lubricate the rotating part (49). 10 The tank (51, 52, 53) is integrated in or directly attached to the powertrain component housing (20) at a level below the at least one rotating part (49).

Abstract: A method of starting a wind turbine in a cold climate environment includes providing a wind turbine in the cold climate environment in a stand-still or near stand-still condition; allowing the rotation speed of the rotor to increase during start up of the wind turbine; optimizing heat generation within the gear box; and generating power using the wind turbine, wherein heat generation within the gear box is optimized prior to providing the generated electrical power to an electrical grid. Optimizing heat generation within the gear box may include maximizing internal power losses in the gear box during start up. This may allow the start up to be achieved without using external heaters. Aspects of this method may be used during periods of low wind conditions in cold climate environments so that once sufficient wind conditions are reestablished, the wind turbine is ready for immediate power production.

Abstract: A method of starting a wind turbine in a cold climate environment includes providing a wind turbine in the cold climate environment in a stand-still or near stand-still condition; allowing the rotation speed of the rotor to increase during start up of the wind turbine; optimizing heat generation within the gear box; and generating power using the wind turbine, wherein heat generation within the gear box is optimized prior to providing the generated electrical power to an electrical grid. Optimizing heat generation within the gear box may include maximizing internal power losses in the gear box during start up. This may allow the start up to be achieved without using external heaters. Aspects of this method may be used during periods of low wind conditions in cold climate environments so that once sufficient wind conditions are reestablished, the wind turbine is ready for immediate power production.

Abstract: A wind turbine gear mechanism with a planetary gear stage arranged on the drive input side and with first and second spur gear stages arranged, in a gear mechanism housing, downstream of the planetary gear stage. The first spur gear stage rotationally and functionally connects a sun gear shaft of the planetary gear stage to an intermediate shaft, the second spur gear stage rotationally and functionally connects the intermediate shaft to a drive output shaft, and only one intermediate shaft is provided. In this case, the gear mechanism housing has a separation joint along which the gear mechanism housing can be divided into a main housing portion and a housing cover in such manner that a separation joint plane passes through the central axis of the intermediate shaft and the separation joint plane extends a distance away from the central axis of the sun gear shaft.

Abstract: A wind turbine gear mechanism with a planetary gear stage arranged on the drive input side and with first and second spur gear stages arranged, in a gear mechanism housing, downstream of the planetary gear stage. The first spur gear stage rotationally and functionally connects a sun gear shaft of the planetary gear stage to an intermediate shaft, the second spur gear stage rotationally and functionally connects the intermediate shaft to a drive output shaft, and only one intermediate shaft is provided. In this case, the gear mechanism housing has a separation joint along which the gear mechanism housing can be divided into a main housing portion and a housing cover in such manner that a separation joint plane passes through the central axis of the intermediate shaft and the separation joint plane extends a distance away from the central axis of the sun gear shaft.