SOT: regarding drivetrain losses...

[robspeed]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=13472

50% improvement in efficiency by eliminating mechanical gearbox! not to shabbay! :-p

[TobyB]

They lie.

Or rather, misrepresent. They have improved efficiency '50%' (of what, btw?)

AND ditched the gearbox.

The two aren't all related.

The 'Gearbox' on a wind generator is usually 95- 97% efficient.

The generator is usually a lot LESS efficient, especially at high and low

windspeeds. High, because it simply can't handle the power, and low

because air friction losses are high.

So it's probably a neat step. It looks a lot like a multiplate

brake or clutch.

But the article's misleading.

'saving the environment one fart at a time.'

t

[robspeed]

They lie.

Or rather, misrepresent. They have improved efficiency '50%' (of what, btw?)

AND ditched the gearbox.

The two aren't all related.

The 'Gearbox' on a wind generator is usually 95- 97% efficient.

The generator is usually a lot LESS efficient, especially at high and low

windspeeds. High, because it simply can't handle the power, and low

because air friction losses are high.

So it's probably a neat step. It looks a lot like a multiplate

brake or clutch.

But the article's misleading.

'saving the environment one fart at a time.'

t

youre right, sort of. the deletion of heavy mechanical gearboxes have allowed them to use more innovative generator designs, which together are supposed to boost efficiency. i dont know where you got the 95-97% number, but it goes beyond "just" the gearbox.