IP Library Granted Patent US 12,601,397
Granted Patent B2
US 12,601,397 · App. 17/291,284 · Granted Apr 14, 2026

Asymmetric torque brackets

Inventors: Michael Wuerr (Hafenlohr-Windheim, DE); Frederik Vanhollebeke (Friedrichshafen, DE); Tom Van der Kamp (Friedrichshafen, DE)
Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG; ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
F16H57/025F03D15/00F16H57/0006F05B2260/964F16H2057/02078
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,601,397
App. No.
17/291,284
Granted
Apr 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transmission for a wind turbine includes a first torque bracket and a second torque bracket. The first torque bracket and the second torque bracket are asymmetrical to each other. The torque brackets may include a support arm and a fastening member. The fastening member can be fixed to a machine carrier.

Claims (27)

1 . A transmission for a wind turbine, comprising:

a housing forming a first torque bracket and a second torque bracket,

wherein the first torque bracket and the second torque bracket are asymmetrical in shape, stiffness distribution, and mass distribution relative to each other;

an input shaft; and

a vibration control weight fixed to a support arm of the first torque bracket,

wherein the second torque bracket does not have a vibration control weight fixed to it,

wherein the vibration control weight is configured to mitigate vibration of the first torque bracket induced by rotation of the input shaft,

wherein the input shaft is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation,

wherein the first torque bracket and the second torque bracket are integrally connected to the transmission housing,

wherein the transmission housing surrounds the input shaft about the axis of rotation, and

wherein the first torque bracket and the second torque bracket each include a fastening eye, the fastening eye of the first torque bracket being arranged at an end of the first torque bracket opposite the axis of rotation and the fastening eye of the second torque bracket being arranged at an end of the second torque bracket opposite the axis of rotation.

2 . The transmission according to claim 1 , wherein the first torque bracket and the second torque bracket are each made in one piece.

3 . The transmission according to claim 1 , wherein the first torque bracket and the second torque bracket are configured to have different resonant frequencies.

4 . The transmission according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening eyes of the first and second torque brackets are arranged at opposing lateral ends of the transmission and each receive a bolt for fastening the transmission in the wind turbine.

5 . The transmission according to claim 4 , wherein the fastening eyes are arranged such that the bolt received by each fastening eye extends parallel to the axis of rotation.

6 . The transmission according to claim 5 , wherein the vibration control weight is fixed to the support arm of the first torque bracket between the input shaft and the fastening eye of the first torque bracket.

7 . The transmission according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration control weight is configured to alter a resonance behavior of the transmission to have a broader and smaller peak in a frequency spectrum.

8 . The transmission according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration control weight is configured to mitigate vibration of the first torque bracket in an axial direction.

9 . A transmission for a wind turbine, comprising:

a housing forming a first torque bracket and a second torque bracket,

an input shaft configured to rotate about an axis of rotation; and

a vibration control weight fixed to a support arm of the first torque bracket,

wherein the second torque bracket does not have a vibration control weight fixed to it,

wherein the first torque bracket and the second torque bracket are integrally connected to the transmission housing,

wherein the transmission housing surrounds the input shaft about the axis of rotation, and

wherein a profile of the first torque bracket that extends orthogonal to the axis of rotation is symmetrical in shape to a profile of the second torque bracket that extends orthogonal to the axis of rotation.

10 . The transmission according to claim 9 , wherein the vibration control weight is configured to alter a resonance behavior of the transmission to have a broader and smaller peak in a frequency spectrum.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2021
From: WUERR, MICHAEL; VANHOLLEBEKE, FREDERIK; VAN DER KAMP, TOM
To: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG; ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
Reel/Frame 056150/0264 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2018 218 936.6 · Nov 7, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220003304A1 · Jan 6, 2022
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