Patents by Inventor Warren Smook
Warren Smook has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11913538Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Publication number: 20230250871Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventor: Warren SMOOK
-
Patent number: 11073193Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Publication number: 20210172509Abstract: A series of transmissions includes a first transmission and a second transmission. The transmissions each have a first planetary stage and a second planetary stage. The first planetary stage and the second planetary stage each have a ring gear, a planetary carrier with one or more planetary gears and a sun gear. A width of the planetary gears of the first planetary stage of the first transmission is smaller than a width of the planetary gears of the first planetary stage of the second transmission. A width of the planetary gears of the second planetary stage of the first transmission is smaller than a width of the planetary gears of the second planetary stage of the second transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Patent number: 10995822Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Publication number: 20200332859Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Patent number: 10519934Abstract: An assembly for use in a drive-train of a wind turbine having a transmission, a generator and a module. The module includes a shaft or hub, at least one bearing and a support structure. The shaft of the module or the hub is mounted by the bearing so as to rotate in the support structure. The shaft or the hub can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a shaft of the transmission. A rotor of the generator can be fixed to the shaft of the module or to the hub. The support structure can be fixed to a housing of the transmission or the generator. At least one assembly safety device is provided in order to be able to fix the rotor of the generator. When the rotor of the generator is fixed by way of the assembly safety device, the module can be fitted and removed.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Publication number: 20190390737Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Patent number: 10060416Abstract: A nacelle main frame structure and drive train assembly (10) for mounted on a tower (2) of a wind turbine (1). The nacelle main frame structure and drive train assembly (10) comprise a nacelle main frame structure (3) and at least part of a drive train (4). The at least part of the drive train (4) comprises a first connection interface (11) with the nacelle main frame structure (3) at a rotor side (R) of the nacelle main frame structure and drive train assembly (10) and a second connection interface (13) with the nacelle main frame structure (3). The second connection interface (13) is axially displaced with respect to the first connection interface (11) with respect to a direction away from the rotor side (R).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.Inventors: Warren Smook, Wouter Remmerie
-
Patent number: 9845865Abstract: A transmission (101) with at least one planetary carrier (102), at least one ring gear (103), at least one planetary gearwheel (105), at least one planetary bolt (107), one or more planetary bearings (109) and at least one sun gear (111). The planetary bolt (107) is fixed into the planetary carrier (102). The planetary gearwheel (105) is mounted to rotate on the planetary bolt (107) by way of the planetary bearing (109). The planetary gearwheel (105) meshes with the ring gear (103) and/or the sun gear (111). The transmission (101) includes at least one nut (123). The nut (123) screws onto an external thread (121) of the planetary bolt (107). The planetary bearings (109) are axially fixed by the nut (123) and a shoulder (125) of the planetary bolt (107).Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Publication number: 20170227115Abstract: An arrangement for use, in particular, in the transmission of a wind turbine, having a planet carrier, at least one planet gear, at least one planetary pin and at least one bearing. The planet gear is mounted on the planetary pin, in a rotatable manner, by way of the at least one bearing. The arrangement has at least one nut and at least one first locking ring. The planetary pin has at least one shoulder and a thread. The first locking ring is mounted in such a way that the first locking ring can be supported against the shoulder in the axial direction. The nut is screwed onto the thread in such a way that the nut and the locking ring limit the axial play of the bearing, or such that the bearing is tensioned between the nut and the locking ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2015Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.Inventors: Warren SMOOK, Jo DE SMET, Roger BOGAERT
-
Publication number: 20170074249Abstract: An assembly for use in a drive-train of a wind turbine having a transmission, a generator and a module. The module includes a shaft or hub, at least one bearing and a support structure. The shaft of the module or the hub is mounted by the bearing so as to rotate in the support structure. The shaft or the hub can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a shaft of the transmission. A rotor of the generator can be fixed to the shaft of the module or to the hub. The support structure can be fixed to a housing of the transmission or the generator. At least one assembly safety device is provided in order to be able to fix the rotor of the generator. When the rotor of the generator is fixed by way of the assembly safety device, the module can be fitted and removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventor: Warren SMOOK
-
Publication number: 20160363212Abstract: A transmission (101) with at least one planetary carrier (102), at least one ring gear (103), at least one planetary gearwheel (105), at least one planetary bolt (107), one or more planetary bearings (109) and at least one sun gear (111). The planetary bolt (107) is fixed into the planetary carrier (102). The planetary gearwheel (105) is mounted to rotate on the planetary bolt (107) by way of the planetary bearing (109). The planetary gearwheel (105) meshes with the ring gear (103) and/or the sun gear (111). The transmission (101) includes at least one nut (123). The nut (123) screws onto an external thread (121) of the planetary bolt (107). The planetary bearings (109) are axially fixed by the nut (123) and a shoulder (125) of the planetary bolt (107).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventor: Warren SMOOK
-
Publication number: 20160265651Abstract: A transmission, particularly for a wind power machine, with a transmission housing and with at least one planetary stage. The planetary stage includes at least one planetary carrier with at least one first duct for conveying lubricant. The planetary carrier is mounted to rotate in the transmission housing by way of at least one bearing, which can, in particular, be the rotor bearing. At least part of the transmission housing, at least part of the planetary carrier and at least part of the bearing together form a cavity. The first duct is designed such that lubricant can emerge from the first duct into the cavity so that at least some of the lubricant is directed toward the bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventor: Warren SMOOK
-
Patent number: 9163612Abstract: A wind turbine nacelle (50) which comprises a frame (54) and a drive train which comprises a gearbox (55). The nacelle (50) has a rotor attached thereto and comprises a rotor hub (52), with one or more blades (53), which supported by a rotor bearing(s) (56) located on a tubular part (57) at an end of the frame (54) furthest from the tower (51). The gearbox (55) comprises a gearbox housing (58), not constituting part of the frame (54), which is rigidly and axially connected to the frame (54) by a gearbox flange (66) such that a side of the gearbox flange (66), furthest from the gearbox input side (I), is connected to an end of the frame flange (67) furthest away from the tower (51). An input shaft (76) of the gearbox (55) is connected to the rotor hub (52) via a separate connection part (77).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Patent number: 9028215Abstract: A nacelle main frame structure and drive train assembly (1) for being mounted on a tower (2) of a wind turbine. The nacelle main frame structure and drive train assembly (1) comprises a nacelle main frame structure (4) with a central part (6) connecting a first part (7) to a second part (8). The first part (7), during wind turbine operation and/or servicing activities, takes up loads of a rotor (9). A drive train (5) is at least partially located between the first and second parts (7, 8). The central part (6) of the main frame structure (4) is located substantially above at least part of the drive train (5) and is such that at least part of the drive train (5) can only be removed from the main frame structure (4) by lowering at least part of the drive train (5) from the main frame structure (4).Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Patent number: 9018789Abstract: A wind turbine drive train (1) comprising a gearbox (2), a generator (3) and a coupling (4) located between an output shaft (5) and a rotor shaft (6). The gearbox and the generator are separate components which have their own housings (7, 8). The output and rotor shafts are respectively supported by a shaft bearing arrangement (15) and a generator rotor shaft bearing arrangement (18a, 18b). The generator housing is directly connected to the gearbox housing. The drive train further comprises a gearbox output module (14), which comprises the output shaft, the shaft bearing arrangement and an output shaft bearing housing (16). The gearbox output module at least partly extends into the generator and the gearbox output module at least partly extends beyond a plane (P) defined by the generator. The coupling extends through the rotor shaft and is coupled, on a generator side (G), to the generator rotor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.Inventors: Warren Smook, Gerhard Diekhans
-
Publication number: 20140212290Abstract: A nacelle main frame structure and drive train assembly (10) for mounted on a tower (2) of a wind turbine (1). The nacelle main frame structure and drive train assembly (10) comprise a nacelle main frame structure (3) and at least part of a drive train (4). The at least part of the drive train (4) comprises a first connection interface (11) with the nacelle main frame structure (3) at a rotor side (R) of the nacelle main frame structure and drive train assembly (10) and a second connection interface (13) with the nacelle main frame structure (3). The second connection interface (13) is axially displaced with respect to the first connection interface (11) with respect to a direction away from the rotor side (R).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.Inventors: Wouter Remmerie, Warren Smook
-
Patent number: 8702558Abstract: A planetary gear transmission unit (10) includes a ring gear (17), a sun gear (18) and a planet carrier (19) driving a plurality of planet shafts (12) onto which planet gears (11) are rotatably mounted by way of planet bearings (13). The planet shafts are flexpin shafts (12) and each flexpin shaft (12) includes a pair of planet gears (11), each planet gear (11) of the pair being of the single helical type having a helix angle opposite to that of the other planet gear (11) of the pair. A gearbox (20) including a planetary gear transmission unit (10) according to embodiments of the invention and a wind turbine including such a gearbox (20) are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Hansen Transmissions International N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
-
Patent number: 8425374Abstract: A planetary gear unit includes a planet carrier having a backplate and being provided with planet shafts distributed uniformly around the planet carrier's axis and extending through bores in the backplate, each planet shaft rotatably supporting a pair of planet gears by planet bearings, the planet gears being mounted between a ring gear and a sun gear for mutual interaction. The planetary gear unit further includes a key provided in a keyway of the planet shaft and extending to the backplate for preventing the at least one planet shaft from rotating around its own axis. The key and keyway are provided at a location positioned between 45° and 270° in a clockwise direction around the circumference of the planet shaft, with 0° being defined as a point at the planet shaft circumference corresponding with the largest distance from the centre of the back plate seen from the rotor side onwards.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Hansen Transmissions International N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook