Company patents
ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V. is surprisingly shifting its patent focus, with Wind Motors / Turbines emerging as a dominant area, showing a remarkable 128.6% year-over-year growth in 2026 (so far), now representing 50.8% of its portfolio, nearly matching its traditional strength in Gearing & Transmissions (61.0%). This indicates a strategic move towards core wind energy technology rather than solely component manufacturing, despite a 21.4% decline in Gearing & Transmissions patents so far in 2026.
Patent Trend by Technology Area
Yearly patent publications since 2023
Product themes
Product-level themes inferred from filings since 2023, with category chips showing where each theme appears. Select a theme to filter the patents below.
59 US filings (since 2023) · 5 categories · 13 themes
Methods and equipment for the efficient manufacturing, assembly, transport, installation, and maintenance of wind turbine components, particularly large structures like blades, towers, and generator modules.
Novel configurations and materials for gears and drivetrain components, including specialized profiles, self-aligning features, damping elements, and complex gear train arrangements like planetary, cycloidal, or strain wave gearing.
Integration of additional functionalities or equipment with wind turbines, such as energy storage systems, hydrogen production (electrolysers), or hybrid energy harvesting combining wind with other renewable sources like hydrokinetic or wave power.
Designs and components for efficiently supplying, collecting, and managing lubricants (oil, grease) within gearboxes and transmissions to reduce friction, dissipate heat, and extend component operational life.
Assemblies and components designed for reliable and efficient transfer of rotational or axial forces between mechanical parts, accommodating misalignment or specific motion profiles.
Focuses on novel wind turbine blade designs, including internal structural elements like shear webs and spar caps, external aerodynamic enhancements such as chord extensions or serrations, and advanced materials or integrated sensors for improved performance, durability, and load management.
Methods and components for converting power into mechanical motion to drive pump mechanisms, encompassing electric motors, hydraulic actuators, and specialized motion converters like ball screws or solenoids.
Systems and methods for real-time or periodic assessment of turbine engine health, including detection of wear, damage, unbalance, or deterioration, to enable predictive maintenance and extend operational life.
Design and integration of bearings within larger mechanical systems or devices, focusing on mounting structures, housing, endplay management, and overall assembly for specific applications.
Bearings that utilize a pressurized gas or liquid film to create a non-contact support surface, reducing friction and wear, often incorporating specific flow restriction or airfoil designs.
Improvements to the internal components and configurations of rolling element bearings, such as cage designs, separator materials, raceway geometry, or adjustable elements, to enhance performance or lifespan.
Development of novel materials or material compositions to enhance bearing performance, such as wear resistance, friction reduction, or load capacity, often involving composites, ceramics, or specialized coatings.
Integration of electric machines, energy storage, and power transfer systems with gas turbine engines to enable hybrid operation, electric starting, or auxiliary power generation, improving efficiency or operational flexibility.
Patents
Showing 1-10 of 87