Research Topic

Project Description

WTplus is an established expert program used in research and industry to calculate the efficiency and temperature distribution of gear systems. For efficient and successful early gearbox design, a more precise computational representation of the power loss and heat balance of the gearbox system is crucial. The continuous extension and updating of WTplus with additional performance scopes and functions is important in this context.

In practice, drive systems today are increasingly characterized by highly integrated electromechanical concepts, both stationary and for e-mobility. So far, these systems cannot be fully considered in WTplus. The research objective is therefore to extend the calculation and program scope and to increase the user-friendliness of WTplus. The aim is to extend the generic thermal network model of WTplus to include e-machines and the coupling of the housing of the e-machine and the gearbox. This will enable the increasingly integrated designs of electro-mechanical transmission systems to be considered in the calculation of power loss and heat balance. In addition to the text-based ASCII result output, an interactive and clear presentation of the result variables in HTML format is implemented based on the updated REXS output. Furthermore, a more precise calculation of the bearing power loss is carried out, considering relevant bearing and oil temperatures.

As a result of the research project, the further developed research software WTplus will be transferred into practice. The version made available will provide direct benefits in the design phase of electromechanical transmission systems through more reliable statements on energy efficiency and unacceptably high component temperatures.