Conceptual Synthesis of Speed Increasers for Renewable Energy Systems

Usually, the drive trains for most of the renewable energy systems include a gearbox to increase up to 30 times the speed of the turbine shaft to the generator. The speed increasers for this kind of applications must have an acceptable efficiency, reduced overall dimensions and complexity and, therefore, a reduced technological cost. The paper objective is to develop innovative solutions of speed increasers that fulfil these requirements, by applying a conceptual design algorithm based on the VDI model. The principle solution developed in this manner is an innovative concept of the speed increaser and represents the input data for the embodiment design phase.