Torque Limiter - overview
By focusing on robust design we have developed a torque limiter for current and also future demands in the wind turbine business.
We have developed the torque limiter as not just a safety device, but also to make an even more fulfilling system delivery for drive trains.
It is also a modular design for easy upgrade of existing turbines.
Developed for 300 / 600 / 1000 or more mechanical operations, depending of course on duration per slip and delta RPM.
- Protection of both Generator and Gearbox
- Fits in existing ZERO-MAXx coupling systems
- Dual direction - no limitation
- Operational ambient temperature - 40 to 80 °C
- Shaft mounted - internal slip function
- Self adjusting - no maintenance required
- Automatic re-engagement
The torque limiter has already been approved for slipping more than expected in the full scale tests performed.
The wear rate within the limits ofmaximum allowed torque, ensures a long and stable performance for years of use.
Designed for 750 kW, 900kW, 1.0 MW, 1.3 MW, 1.5 MW, 2.0 MW.
Standard sizes available, each with adjustable factory preset protection level to your requirement
Drivers for our development
Fault handling, stress release, turbine protection, grid connection, innovative solutions of technology. Next development will cover loads up to 2.5 MW - 3.0 MW.
Background for the function
Our target was to find a novel method and a cost-effective hardware - the torque limiter - to handle the stress in drive train in wind turbines and parks during grid faults. The drive-train is released from mechanical stress during faults.
Several grid connection requirements, grid-codes, for wind turbines exist today in DK, UK, DE, IE. They are under harmonization in EU. It is known that there is sincere lack of simple and reliable solutions to codes covering grid faults when connecting large wind turbines and parks to mains, i.e., transmission and distribution, T&D, power networks.
A fault can appear anywhere from the transformer’s medium-voltage terminals and out to the point of connection; even in the transmission grid. A wind turbine will stay connected for the most part if these faults occur.
An original fault in a C&T network or a T&D grid with a temporary low voltage will be cleared by protective circuit breakers within “some hundred milliseconds”. After that, the grid voltage will increase within "a few seconds" up to normal level. This is due to reactive power exchange with the C&T/T&D system connected to the generators. The time period and the shape depend on the type of generator, stiffness of the shaft in the turbine drive-train, etc.
Now the Zero-Max torque limiter can stress release the entire drive train. The multi operational Torque limiter is available for wind turbines up to 3 MW.
