The Enertech^® Cycloidal drive is unsurpassed by any other inline drive available in the wind industry today.  This unique, patented epicycloidal design has advantages superior to speed reducers using common tooth gears. These components operate in compression, not in shear. Unlike gear teeth with limited contact points, Cycloidal technology has two thirds of its reduction components in contact at all times.  This design withstands shock loads exceeding 500% of their ratings, and provides exceptional performance, reliability and long life in the most severe wind energy applications.

Enertech’s drive system is based on an ingeniously simple principle that offers many benefits. The drive has only three major moving parts:

As the input shaft and eccentric cam rotate, it rolls the cycloid discs around the internal circumference of the stationary ring gear. The resulting action is similar to that of a wheel rolling around the inside of a ring. As the cycloid disc travels in a clockwise path around the ring, the wheel itself turns slowly on its own axis in the opposite (counter-clockwise) direction. Because of the curved, cycloidal profile of the cycloid disc, it progressively engages with the rollers of the ring gear housing to produce a reverse rotation at reduced speed. For each complete revolution of the high speed shaft, the cycloid disc turns one cycloidal "tooth" in the opposite direction. The increased rotation of the cycloid disc is transmitted to the high speed shaft to provide power to the induction generator.

The smooth, progressive rolling action of the cycloidal disc mechanism eliminates the friction and the pressure points of conventional gears. All torque transmitting components roll, and are symmetrically placed around the shafts for perfectly balanced, smooth, vibration free and quiet operation. Because the components are in compression, they cannot shear off like traditional gear teeth.

Enertech is developing several new wind turbines, all employing this technology.