Vorecon

Variable Speed Planetary Gear

Vorecon
developed for reliability
Voith Turbo is the leading manufacturer of hydrodynamic variable speed drives in
the world. Continuous development keeps our products at the leading edge of
technology. Sustained research, the most modern test and inspection facilities and
our comprehensive quality assurance system formed the basis for the development
of the Vorecon, the variable planetary gear from Voith. Drives with Vorecon in
combination with a robust and simple electric motor have proven themselves in a
wide variety of applications. Powers from 1,000 to 50,000 kW and speeds from
100 to 20,000 rpm can be achieved.

Well equipped for the most diverse

applications
Oil, gas and petrochemical industries
Energy efficiency

Boiler feed pumps

Blowers
Coal mills

Title page photo:

Vorecon type RWE
Pipeline compressor, Thailand
Power 9,955 kW,
Speed 9,053 rpm

Pipeline compressors
Process compressors
Refrigerant compressors
Hydrogen recycling compressors
LNG fuel gas compressors
LNG flash gas compressors
Pumps

Other industries

Compressors
Blowers
Pumps

Highest security
for users and engineers
The operation of the Vorecon is based on the principle of power splitting.
This permits high efficiencies over a wide range of speed. In addition,
the Vorecon operates hydrodynamically largely free of wear with
unsurpassed reliability. Thus the Vorecon offers you as an engineer,
manufacturer or plant operator critical advantages in comparison to
alternative drive systems.

100 %

Efciency

80 %
60 %
40 %
0%
0%

20 %

40 %

60 %

80 %

100 %

Load
Vorecon
Geared variable speed coupling

Efficiency characteristics of Vorecon and

geared variable speed coupling

Vorecon on a test run in a high power test field

Vorecon a drive
with many applications

Reliability 99.97 %*
Availability including
overhaul intervals 99.8 %*
MTBF times of about 350,000 hours*
Very high efficiency
Excellent price/performance ratio.
Up to 8 years continuous operation between
overhauls
Suitable for use hazardous locations and dusty
environments at extreme temperatures

Compact and robust design

Simple maintenance
Precise speed control, highly dynamic
regulation
Vibration damping
Integral lube oil system for the entire drive train
Reliable availability of spare parts

*Determined on the basis of machines in service.

Hydrodynamics and mechanics

perfectly combined
The Vorecon combines hydrodynamic components and a superimposed
planetary gear within a single housing. Its modular design permits an
individual combination of hydrodynamic and mechanical components,
depending on the requirements of the application. The advantages of
hydrodynamics and mechanics are perfectly combined in the Vorecon.

Ps

Pi

Principle of power splitting,

schematic arrangement of Vorecon type RWE
A: Torque converter
B: Stationary planetary gear
C: Rotating planetary gear
D: Oil supply

Po

Splitting from the converter to the gear

Pi: Input power
Ps: Superimposition power
Po: Output power

Function

The operation of the Vorecon is based on the

principle of power splitting.
Most of the power is transmitted mechanically
directly via the main shaft and the rotating
planetary gear. Only the power necessary for
adjusting the speed of the driven machine is split
off from the main shaft through the hydrodynamic

torque converter and superimposed into the

planetary gear. Utilization of the majority of the
mechanically transmitted power yields an overall
unit efficiency of more than 95 %.

The output speed is controlled by varying the superimposing speed. The maximum superimposing speed yields the highest output speed. A reduction or reversal of the superimposing speed
yields a reduced output speed. The variation in
the superimposing speed is achieved using the
adjustable guide vanes of the torque converter.

Relative output torque

1.2
100 %

1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.2

The working oil and lube oil are supplied by the

integral oil system. Both the motor and the driven
machine can be supplied with lube oil in this way.

0%
0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

Relative output speed

Load torque
Torque converter guide vane setting

Operating range of the Vorecon type RWE

ni

ni

ns
no

Maximum output speed

Internal gear

Planet carrier

Planet gear

Sun gear

ns
no

Reduced output speed

ni: Input speed

ns: Superimposition speed
no: Output speed

The right solution for every application:

Various versions of Vorecon
RWE

RWC

Type RWE

Type RWC

Type RWE is the most compact version of the

Vorecon. It consists of a hydrodynamic torque
converter, stationary planetary gear and rotating
planetary gear. Its short coaxial design requires
very little space.

In addition to the torque converter, a hydrodynamic variable speed coupling with an integral
lock up clutch is fitted to the RWC. This allows
relieved starting where the power supply is limited, or the mass moment of inertia is high. The
coupling remains drained while the motor is
starting up, thereby reducing the motor start-up
torque to a minimum. After the motor has started
up, the coupling is filled, the driven machine is
accelerated to its minimum speed and the the
lock up clutch is engaged.

Speed control range 60 100 %

Areas of application:
compressors
pumps

Vorecon type RWE

Refrigerant compressor, Middle East
Power 6,966 kW,
Speed 8,879 rpm

Speed control range 60 100 %

Areas of application:
compressors
pumps

Vorecon type RWC

Compressor test field, China
Power 30,000 kW,
Speed 6,000 rpm

Vorecon type RWC

Pipeline compressor, USA
Power 11,931 kW,
Speed 9 450 rpm

RW

RWEAB

Type RW

Type RWE..AB

In addition to the torque converter, a hydrodynamic variable speed coupling with an integral
lock up clutch and a hydrodynamic brake is fitted
to the RW. This arrangement allows a large control range from 10 to 100 percent speed, together with completely relieved starting of the drive
motor. This gives the RW the largest control
range of the Vorecon versions.

In addition to the converter and planetary gear,

a bevel gear is connected to the output of the
Vorecon type RWE..AB. This makes it particularly
suitable for slow-running driven machines. In addition it is fitted with a hydrodynamic brake (retarder), to bring the large mass of the driven machine quickly to a stop when it is switched off.

Speed control range 10 100 %

Areas of application:
boiler feed pumps
blowers

Vorecon type RW
Boiler feed pump, Germany
Power 8,500 kW,
Speed 5,000 rpm

Speed control range 60 100 %

Areas of application:
coal mills

Vorecon type RWE..AB

Coal mill, Germany
Power 1,330 kW,
Speed 475 rpm

cr168en, SvG-SDL/SVG, 09.2007, 2000. Dimensions and illustrations without obligation. Subject to modifications.

Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG

Variable-Speed Drives
Voithstr. 1
74564 Crailsheim, Germany
Tel. +49 7951 32-261
Fax +49 7951 32-650
vs.drives@voith.com
www.voithturbo.com/variable-speed