Torques and Moments of Inertia Models for Horizontal Axis Hydrokinetic Turbine Driveline

ABSTRACT

The quantification of torques and moments of inertia for horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbine driveline is important to precisely predict the dynamic behavior of the complete system. Initially, this paper presents different models used in the literature for describing torques and moments of inertia of turbine components. A dynamic model of a small hydrokinetic turbine using belt transmission is developed. The model uses the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) for determining the power coefficient of the turbine rotor. It considers the inertial effects and dissipative torques of the whole system. The results of the turbine dynamical behavior are compared with experimental data, showing good agreement. In order to numerically analyze a more efficient drivetrain, the belt transmission is replaced by a planetary gearbox in the model, and the new results are also assessed. It was found that with planetary gears, a more compact transmission can be used, reducing the inertial effects, bringing a better performance to the machine starting, shortening the transient regime time.

KEYWORDS:
hydrokinetic turbine; powertrain dynamics; dissipative torques; moment of inertia; belt transmission; planetary gear transmission