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Wind Turbine Drive Shafts
The operators of a large wind farm in the Western US recently needed to update several of their older turbines. They contacted TB Wood’s for flexible couplings to be used in the turbine drive shafts. The customer needed the couplings fast in order to complete the modifications during the low wind season.
TB Wood’s provided (5) Form-Flex flexible shaft couplings that consist of two hubs, a spacer and two high strength carbon steel flexible discs, to meet the application requirements. The Form-Flex couplings featured a splicer type slip spine which allowed the coupling to be collapsed for easy installation. The couplings, installed between the gear drive and the generator, transmit torque with zero backlash while compensating for angular and parallel misalignment between two connected shafts. Units require no lubrication or maintenance.
The couplings were customized and delivered within 7 weeks to meet the customers’ rebuild schedule.
Highlights
- Torque rating up to 270 kNm; 2,400,000 in.lbs.
- Units featured a splicer type slip spine for easy installation
- Zero backlash
- Five couplings delivered in 7 weeks