Voith Torque Converter

Starting System for Gas Turbines

Variable-Speed Drives
We are the experts in hydrodynamic variable-speed drives at Voith Turbo.
Voith Turbo, the specialist for hydrodynamic drive, coupling and braking systems for road,
rail and industrial applications, as well as for ship propulsion systems, is a Group Division
of VoithGmbH.
Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil&gas, paper, raw materials and transporta
tion&automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs almost 40000 people, generates Euro
5.2billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the
biggest family-owned companies in Europe.

Reliability & Availability:

Choosing the right system is important
Gas turbines are often started several times a day. Choosing the
right starting system will affect the start-up reliability of the gas
turbine. Voith supplies torque converters to all leading gas tur
bine manufacturers and their licensees, to start gas turbines
ranging in power from 20 to 270MW.

The combination of an induction

motor with a Voith torque converter
is synonymous with trouble free
start-ups, high reliability, and long
service life. More than 3500 gas
turbine starters worldwide is out
standing evidence of our experience
and know-how in this area.

We believe no other starting system

or method equals the reliability and
availability of the Voith torque con
verter starting system. Our excep
tionally high MTBF (mean time be
tween failure) leads to a statistical
reliability of 99.97%. We also know
of no other starting system that

matches the 35-year design life of

the Voith torque converter; and this
comes with a guaranteed availability
of parts and service matching the
life of our machines. The compact
and rigid design offers trouble free
operation while maintenance expen
ses are at a minimum.

TC

Starter System

Generator

Gas Turbine

Torque converter
benefits, function and design

Basic design hydrodynamic torque converter

The benefits
n Voith torque converters are designed and built to meet customer
requirements. No other torque converter manufacturer offers this

Guide vanes
(adjustable)

service.
n Torsional vibration dampening and shock free power transmission;
consequently, no stress applied to connected equipment thus de-

Pump
wheel
Turbine
wheel

livering long service life.

n No-load starting condition on the starting motor by decoupling
the motor from the load through the working oil shut-off valve
feature.
n Low maintenance expenses.
n The Voith torque converter decouples the starting motor from the
gas turbine train during gas turbine operation without the need for
a mechanical clutch through our exclusive working oil shut-off
valve feature.
n Smooth and stepless output speed and torque adjustment of the
torque converter.

The heart of Voiths hydrodynamic

torque converter is its hydraulic circuit; consisting of a pump, turbine,
and a guide wheel with adjustable
guide vanes (see picture above
right). This is combined in a common housing filled with hydraulic oil.
The mechanical energy of the motor
is converted into hydraulic energy
through the pump wheel. In the
turbine wheel the same hydraulic
energy is converted back into mechanical energy and transmitted to the
gas turbine / generator shaft. The
3

adjustable vanes of the guide wheel

regulate the mass flow in the circuit.
At closed guide vanes (small mass
flow) the power transmission is at
its minimum. With the guide vanes
completely open (large mass flow),
the power transmission is at its
maximum. Commonly, a constant
speed driver such as an induction
motor or a diesel engine drives the
pump wheel (input shaft of the
torque converter).

Because of the change in mass flow

(due to the adjustable guide vanes)
the turbine wheels speed is variable and can be adjusted to match
the various operating points of the
gas turbine.
At low speed, the turbine develops
its highest torque. With increasing
turbine speed, output torque decreases.

TT : Turbine torque
TP : Pump torque
h : Efficiency
1 : Turbine wheel
2 : Pump wheel
3 : Mass flow (oil)

TT
TP
h

Typical gas turbine start-up curve

Typical gas turbine start-up curve

Typical high speed setting
Typical low speed setting

TT
h

Using a multi-position guide

vane actuator, multiple hold
points and acceleration speeds
can easily be part of the
control logic.

TP

1
nT = 0

nT = nTmax

1 Breakaway
2 Unfired
resistance
3 Purge point
(air exchange)
4 Firing speed
5 Acceleration
resistance to
selfsustained
speed
6 Self-sustained
speed

4
3

=nT

ax

n T=

n opt

Depending on the design of the tur

bine wheel the output torque at the
break-away (nT = 0) point is two to
ten times that of the pump (input)
torque. The guide vanes absorb the
torque differential between the tur
bine (output) and the pump (input)
and transfer it to the foundation.

nT= 0

Torque

nT

6
0%
Speed

By placing the guide vanes up

stream of the pump wheel, the
torque requirement of the pump
(input) remains constant at a given
guide vane setting, independent of
the load on the turbine (output). That
means an overload of the driver
(motor or engine) is not possible

through the hydraulic circuit. When

the hydraulic fluid is removed from
the torque converter circuit, the
pump (input) is uncoupled from the
turbine (output) and consequently,
the starter motor or engine is dis
connected from the gas turbine.

Typical starter system P&I diagram

1
2
3
4

1
M

5
6
7
8
9
10
11

10

Torque converter
Torque converter housing
Fill and drain valve
Control valve
(Filling and draining)
Guide vane adjustment
Orifice plate
Working oil supply
Lube oil and cooling oil supply
Working oil return
Lube oil and cooling oil return
Lube oil tank of gas turbine

10

11

Through its characteristic of high

torque at low output speed, the
torque converter is the ideal gas
turbine starter. With the abundant
acceleration torque available, the
gas turbine can be quickly accele
rated to and above its self-sustained
speed, an important requirement of
the state-of-the-art, high tempe
rature gas turbines.

Start Up

Other Functions

n Break-away of the gas turbine

through the torque converter or
the integral turning gear
n Acceleration to purge speed
n Acceleration to firing speed
n Assisting the gas turbine to and
above self sustained speed
n Uncoupling the starting system
from the gas turbine

n Turning the gas turbine by means

of the integral turning gear for
slow-roll functions
n Indexing the gas turbine for
inspections
n Fast spin-cooling of the gas turbine for rapid maintenance availability
n Extended gas turbine water-wash
cycles

Torque converter
power chart

Power chart
600

Torque converter
for gas turbine
starting

400
200

Torque converter
in pump storage
power plants

100

40
20

Converter input power PP in MW

10

4
2
1
0.4
400

600

1000

2000

4000

Converter input speed nP in rpm

Power versus input speed chart of exiting torque converters

6000 8000

Torque converter Model EL..Y

the classic design

Torque / speed characteristics

nP = constant

4.0
3.5
3.0

1.0

100 %
75 %
50 %
25 %
0%

0.5
MP

Lx =
Lx =
Lx =
Lx =
Lx =

2.5

0
Lx :
TP :
TT :
nP :
nT :

2.0
1.5

Guide vanes open

Input torque
Output torque
Input speed
Output speed

1.0

TT / TP

0.5

The model EL..Y with its single

stage turbine offers a torque multiplication factor of 4. Its balance of
features and torque characteristics
in combination with an integral turning gear makes it the ideal starter
for a broad range of gas turbines.
With the powerful hydraulic guide
vane system, controlled by solenoid
valves or an electric actuator, the
various operating points of the gas
turbine are easily obtained. When
combining the actuator with a
4-20 mA feedback system, the

0
0.2
nT / nP

0.6

torque converter becomes a true

variable speed drive with peak precision. The hydraulic fluid for the
torque converter can be supplied by
the gas turbine lube-oil system or
through a complete packaged starter
version including an oil reservoir system as available from VoithTurbo.
Examples of other options for turning the gas turbine are: Installing a
pony motor at the ODE of the
starting motor or installing a separate turning gear.

1.0

Selection of EL..Y
Starter Model EL 7,5 YFG 2.2 EL 10 YFG 6.5 EL 10,5 YG 10
Max. Input
power (kW)

2 200 1 270 6 500 3 700 10 000 5 800

Input
speed (rpm)

3 600 3 000 3 600 3 000 3 600 3 000

2 12

11

13

14

Simplified longitudinal section

of torque converter
Type EL 10 YFG 6.5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

10

Input shaft
Pump wheel
Turbine wheel
Output shaft
Adjustable guide vanes
Adjusting mechanism
Filling and draining valve
Working oil supply
Working oil return
Lube oil return
Axial bearing
Radial bearing
Hydraulic cylinder
Guide vane actuator

10
9

Type EL 7,5 YFG 2.2

Type EL 10,5 YG 10

852

1880

475

650

119

80
650

100

160

1100

Type EL 10 YFG 6.5

180

110

880
323

360

690
1651

900

174

600
1164

720

540

357

1260

2150

Dimensions in mm

Torque converter Model EL..Z

the mighty one
We call it the mighty one because,
with its double stage turbine, it
offers a torque multiplication factor
of 10! It is used in applications with
high break-away torque. For vari
ous operation points of the gas tur
bine, the guide vane adjustment is
equipped, in this case, with an elec
tric actuator. The hydraulic fluid for

the torque converter can be sup

plied by the gas turbine lube-oil-sys
tem or through a complete packag
ed starter version including an oil
reservoir system as available from
Voith Turbo. By activating a simple
solenoid valve the torque converter
operating fluid is emptied from the
torque converter circuit and thus,

uncouples the starting system from

the gas turbine. Turning can be
done using an integral or separate
turning gear or a pony motor.

Torque/speed characteristics
nP = constant

10
1.0

Lx = 100%
Lx = 75%
Lx = 50%
Lx = 25%
Lx = 0%

7
6

0.5
TP

Lx : Guide vanes open

TP : Input torque
TT : Output torque
nP : Input speed
nT : Output speed

5
4
3
2
TT/TP

0
0
nT/nP

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Selection of EL..Z
Starter Model

Type EL 10 ZFG
1092

EL 10 ZFG
1800

Input speed (rpm)

3000

111.8

555

127

1485

82

Max. Input power (kW)

720

864

Dimensions in mm

Simplified longitudinal section

of torque converter
Type EL 10 ZFG
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Input shaft
Pump wheel
Turbine wheel
Output shaft
Adjustable guide vanes
Adjusting mechanism
Filling and draining valve
Working oil supply
Working oil return
Lube and cooling oil
return

10
7

10

Torque converter Model EL..

where power meets speed

Torque/speed characteristics

2.00
1.75
1.50
1.25

Lx = 100%
Lx = 75%
Lx = 50%
Lx = 25%
Lx = 0%

TT

TT/TP

0.25
0

TP

1.00
0.75
0.50

1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0

0
0.2
nT/nP

0.4

0.6

11

The hydraulic fluid for the torque

converter can be supplied by the gas
turbine lube-oil system or through a
complete packaged starter version
including an oil reservoir system as
available from VoithTurbo.
Turning can be done using an inte
gral or separate turning gear or a
pony motor.

1.0

1.2

1.4

TP

Lx: Guide vanes open

TP: Input torque
TT: Output torque

With its single stage turbine and its

torque multiplication factor of ap
proximately 2, the EL.. model offers
over-synchronous output speed.
With the powerful hydraulic guide
vane system, controlled by solenoid
valves or an electric actuator, the
various operating points of the gas
turbine are easily obtained. The ro
bust, modular housing is designed
for various torque converter sizes
as well as other torque converter
types.

0.8

nP: Input speed

nT: Output speed

Selection of EL..
Starter Model

EL 9 G 6.0

Max. Input power (kW)

6000

3400

Input speed (rpm)

3600

3000

Turning speed (rpm)

Breakaway torque (Nm)

6 5 3

10

Simplified longitudinal
section of torque converter
Type EL 9 G 6.0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

8
9
10
11
12

Input shaft
Pump wheel
Turbine wheel
Output shaft
Adjustable guide vanes
Adjusting mechanism
Hydraulic cylinder for
guide vane adjusting
Guide vane actuator
Housing
Fill and drain valve
Operating oil supply
Operating oil return

11

12

2.2

50000

86000

1945

3.0

650

3600

180

3600

119

7500

1895

6000

650

EL 10 GTM
7.5-86
100

EL 9 GTM
6.0-50

Type EL 10 GTM 7.5-86

119

Type EL 9 G 6.0

337

1006
1700

1260

357

880
1700

540

1260
1195

Dimensions in mm

12

Torque converter Model EL..YGTM

with integral continuous turning gear

Like many of Voiths torque converters, this powerful unit is equipped

with an integrated turning gear con
nected to the output shaft with an
over-running clutch. Among the ad
vantages of this design are space
savings and reduced cost through
the elimination of an additional coup
ling and subsequently, reduced as
sembly and alignment work. The
turning gear is designed for long-life
with emphasis on high break-away

torque and long periods of lowspeed turning over the design life of
35years. With this modular design,
a large number of system combin
ations are available (different turning
gear and torque converter sizes)
permitting a high degree of customiz
ation. A large number of this model
torque converter are in operation
worldwide with integrated turning
gears from 3600ft-lb (5000Nm) to
80000ft-lb (110000 Nm).

The turning gears are available with

either AC or DC drive motors. In
addition, an electro-pneumatic turn
ing device is available for connection
to the turning gear drive motor ac
cessory shaft for ultra-slow indexing
of the gas turbine. The same turning
gears are also available as stand
alone units.

Simplified longitudinal section

of torque converter with integral
turning gear
Type EL 9 YGTM 4.0-86
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

13

Input shaft
Output shaft
Pump wheel
Turbine wheel
Adjustable guide vanes
Housing
Filling and draining valve
Control valve for filling and
draining
Working oil supply
Working oil return
Overrunning clutch
Worm gear
Electric motor
Bevel gear

Selection of EL..YGTM
Max. Input power (kW)

4000

10000

Input speed (rpm)

3600

3600

2.4

6.0

86000

110000

540

Turning speed (rpm)

1150
1222

EL 10,5 YGTM 10-110

180

EL 9 YGTM 4.0-86

100

Starter Model

Type EL 9 YGTM 4.0-86

Breakaway
torque (Nm)

261.4

680

597.6

830

1891

Dimensions in mm

7 10

12 11

12 11

13

14

14

Torque converter EL..ZGTM

with integral hydraulic turning device

Simplified longitudinal section

of torque converter with integral
turning device
Type EL 7,5 ZGTM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

This Voith torque converter with integrated hydraulic turning device is a

well-proven design with hundreds of
installations worldwide. Hydraulic
cylinders produce the output torque,
which is transmitted to the output
shaft via an overrunning clutch. With
each forward piston stroke, the gas
turbine is turned 45degrees.

15

Input shaft
Output shaft
Pump wheel
Turbine wheel
Adjustable guide vanes
Housing
Filling and draining valve
Control valve for filling and
draining
Working oil supply
Working oil return
Overrunning clutch
Return stroke
piston/cylinder
Working stroke
piston/cylinder

With its double stage turbine the

torque converter offers a torque
multiplication factor of 10. For the
various operating points of the gas
turbine, the guide vane adjustment
system is equipped, in this case,
with an electric actuator with various limit and position switches.

11

13

11

10
7

12

EL 10 ZGTM-46

Max. Input power (kW)

1000

1800

Input speed (rpm)

3600

3000

45 intermittent

45 intermittent

35000

46000

Turning speed (rpm)

Breakaway Torque (Nm)

475

EL 7,5 ZGTM

1009

Type EL 7,5 ZGTM

Selection of EL..ZGTM
Starter Model

13

80

3 6

119

108

600

251.5

720

1340

Dimensions in mm

16

Torque converter Type E.. with fixed guide vanes

the compact one
For gas turbines with a power of up
to 45MW, torque converters with
fixed guide vanes are available and
in operation in a large international
fleet. The design is purposely built
for high reliability and has a proven
availability, superior to other types of
starters. The output speed of this unit
is controllable using a pressure re
duction valve. Optionally, a hydraulic
turning device can be integrated into
this torque converter. Economical
savings are achieved through the
compact and simple design. With its
integral gear step, this torque conver
ter can be easily matched to any gas
turbine speed requirements. For star
ters, where a diesel engine is used
instead of electric starting motor, the
torque converter is ideally suited to
the diesel motor characteristic and
offers a no-load engine start.

Selection of E..

5
4
3
2

1
0

TT
TP

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2

nT/nP
nP = constant

TP : Input torque
TT : Output torque

17

Starter Model

E 5 WAT

E 6 WAT

E 6 YAT

E 7 WAT

E7W

E7Y

E8W

Max. Input power (kW)

280/300

450

450

460/460

700

700

700

Input speed (rpm)

3000/3600

3000

3600

2300/2100

3000

3600

2100

Turning speed (rpm)

45
intermittent

45
intermittent

45
intermittent

45
intermittent

11000

11000

11000

11000

Breakaway
torque (Nm)

P&I diagram of Type E 7 WAT

4 2

5 6

5
nT

nP
R

Type E 7 WAT

1 Input shaft with

connecting
coupling
2 Pump wheel
3 Turbine wheel
4 Fixed guide vanes
5 Gear stage
6 Output shaft
7 Hydrostatic turning
device
8 Working oil supply
9 Working oil return

1
4
na

Simplified longitudinal section of

torque converter

1
2
3
4

Torque converter
Oil pump
Relief valve
Helical gear
stage
5 Hydrostatic
turning device
6 Overrunning
clutch

Type E 6 WAT

Type E 7 W without turning device

1092
50.8

111.8

720

78.3
620

447.7

352.48

447.7
352.48

82

127

74

870

Dimensions in mm

18

Packaged Starter
a complete-system solution

Schematic diagram for oil circuit

of El 9 G 6.0 Package
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Torque converter
Torque converter housing
Starting motor
Control valve for guide vane
position
Guide vane actuator
Transducer
Filter for control oil
Filling and draining valve
Thermocouples
Cooling oil
Indicator for guide vane
position
Working oil pump
Pressure gauge lube oil
pressure

Voith engineers configure gas turbine starting packages specifically

for your gas turbines. The table shows examples of starters in world
wide operation. The Voith engineers are eager to design and offer a
system for your requirements.

Gas Turbine Starters

GT Starter
Model

EL 6,8 YFG

EL 6,8 YFG

1076

1005

1200

2500

2146

2500

Power (kW)

800

750

896

1865

1600

Speed (rpm)

3600

3000

3600

3600

Turning
speed (rpm)

45
intermittent

2.4

Breakaway
Torque

35000 Nm 86000 Nm 36000 Nm 46000 Nm 110000 Nm

25800 ft-lbs 63400 ft-lbs 26500 ft-lbs 33900 ft-lbs 81100 ft-lbs

Cranking (HP)

19

EL 7,5 ZGTM EL 7,5 YGTM EL 7,5 YGTM EL 7,5 YGTM EL 10 YGTM

2.2-86
2.2-36
2.2-46
6.5-110

EL 9 G 6.0

EL 9 G 6.0

EL 9 GTM
6.0-50

5000

3755

4025

4025

1895

3700

2800

3000

3000

3600

3600

3000

3000

3600

3600

2.3

2.3

3.0

3.0

50000 Nm
36800 ft-lbs

Torque converter, motor, and all re

quired accessory equipment are fac
tory mounted on a common base.
For more demanding requirements
such as retro-fitting to older gas
turbines, the design can include an
integral oil tank for a self contained,
packaged starter. An optionally avail
able, onboard PLC system controls
the various phases of the starting se
quence. With this all-inclusive solu
tion, site assembly, alignment, and
commissioning time is greatly reduc
ed. The components of the packaged
starting system are selected to com
pliment each other, achieving an eco
nomical and space conscious design.
Due to the torque converter charac
teristic, the driver can be designed
as a true starting motor. This means
the driver (motor) can be used above
its continuous rating during the short
start-up of the gas turbine. This re
sults in a smaller, space saving, and
economical motor.

13

2
10

12

8
4
11

Type EL 9 G 6.0

12874

7500

9600

3600

3600

2.2

6.0

86000 Nm
63400 ft-lbs

110000 Nm
81100 ft-lbs

1700

1876

10060

2530

1651

EL 10,5 YGTM
10-110

2986

EL 10 GTM
7.5-86

366

3505
6180

Dimensions in mm

20

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

cr228en, S&F-aik/SVG, 1.2011, 2000. Dimensions and illustrations without obligation. Subject to modifications.

Voith Turbo Inc.

25 Winship Road
York, PA 17402, USA
Tel. +1 717 767-3200
Fax +1 717 767-3210
VTI-Information@voith.com
www.usa.voithturbo.com