This study proposes a novel design of a parallel-type Independently Controllable Transmission (ICT). The parallel-type ICT can produce a continuously variable transmission ratio and a required angular output velocity that can be independently manipulated by a controller yet not affected by the angular velocity of the input shaft. The proposed parallel-type ICT is composed of two planetary gear trains and two transmission-connecting members. A prototype was built to investigate its kinematic characteristics and verify application feasibility

An innovative transmission mechanism, referred to here as an independently controllable transmission (ICT), for application in variable speed wind turbines is described. This ICT mechanism can transmit rotational output speed that can be independently regulated by a controller and is not affected by the speed of the input shaft. Use of this ICT mechanism would make it possible for a variable speed wind turbine to be unaffected by rotor speed fluctuations and allow the generation of constant frequency electrical output of improved quality. The ICT mechanism is comprised of two planetary gear trains and two transmission-connecting members. The kinematic, static characteristics, and power flow of the ICT mechanism have been analyzed and derived as analytical equations. Demonstration examples and a prototype of the device have been built and tested to examine their kinematic and static characteristics and to verify the validity of the results.

This study proposes a design of transmission mechanism which is referred to as a series-type independently controllable transmission (ICT). The series-type ICT is an alternative form of the parallel-types proposed in the former researches. The series-type ICT can serve as a continuously or an infinitely variable transmission mechanism, and it can also produce a required angular output velocity that can be independently manipulated by a controller and not affected by the angular velocity of the input shaft. The series-type ICT mechanism is composed of two planetary gear trains and two transmission-connecting members. Kinematic and dynamic characteristics of the ICT mechanism are analyzed and their analytical equations are derived for application in this study.

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An innovative transmission mechanism, named as independently  controllable  transmission  (ICT),  is  proposed  inthis  study.    While  being  applied  to  the  variable  speed  windturbines,  the  proposed  ICT  mechanism  can  transmit  a  steady-speed   output,   which   is   independently   manipulated   by   acontroller and completely not affected by the fluctuant speed ofthe  rotor,  to  the  generator  to  generate  the  electric  power  withconstant  frequency.The  ICT  mechanism  is  fundamentallycomposed  of two  sets of planetary gear trains and  two  sets oftransmission-connecting members.   Two prototypes of the ICTmechanisms   are   assembled   to   examine   their   kinematicalcharacteristicsandtodemonstratetheirfeasibilityinengineering applications.