Increasing intensity of competition, growing negotiating power, customers’ needs are constantly changing as well as the development cycle growing shorter all these make high demands on the innovation activities of gearbox’ manufacturer for wind-energy plants.

The explosive growth of power requirement for wind-energy plants connected with bigger rotor diameters and hub sizes as well as the Offshore technology demand-  beside gearbox reliability – easy servicing and a compact construction.

For these reasons the company Jahnel-Kestermann Getriebewerke GmbH, Bochum produced the prototype of a new 2.5 MW gearbox with Flex Pin technology and has proved and tested successful. The patent-registered design of this multiple-planetary system originated from the company GDC in Switzerland and has been passed exclusive on Jahnle-Kestermann.

The increase of planet’ numbers at the planetary step produces a significant progression of torque along with a reduction of bearing power on the specific planetary axle. The so-called Flex Pin take care for the necessary load balance. For this the planets are borne on bushings which are only connected with the planetary bolt at one end. The inclination of bolt and bushing in consequence of the toothing power are coordinated in such a way that they are neutralized geometrical. This allows a parallel movement of planet and consequently an optimal meshing. The linear load distribution over the tooth flank of spur-geared planets leads to an increase of load capacity along with reduction of overall size and avoids axial forces. Special lubrication practice at the planetary bearing  effectuates a trouble-free operation what is of high importance especially for Offshore use. Creative, innovative profile corrections have been designed for the low-noise operation .

This ideal drive concept allows the reduction of the total weight of a conventional gearbox by approximately 30 % - at the same time safety values and bearing life increase.