scholarly journals Experimental and simulation-based analysis of asymmetrical spherical roller bearings as main bearings for wind turbines

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Loriemi ◽  
Georg Jacobs ◽  
Sebastian Reisch ◽  
Dennis Bosse ◽  
Tim Schröder
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Contact Angles ◽  
Suspension System ◽  
Roller Bearings ◽  
Axial Forces ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Bearing Life ◽  
The Individual

AbstractSymmetrical spherical roller bearings (SSRB) used as main bearings for wind turbines are known for their high load carrying capacity. Nevertheless, even designed after state-of-the-art guidelines premature failures of this bearing type occur. One promising solution to overcome this problem are asymmetrical spherical roller bearings (ASRB). Using ASRB the contact angles of the two bearing rows can be adjusted individually to the load situation occurring during operation. In this study the differences between symmetrical and asymmetrical spherical roller bearings are analyzed using the finite element method (FEM). Therefore, FEM models for a three point suspension system of a wind turbine including both bearings types are developed. These FEM models are validated with measurement data gained at a full-size wind turbine system test bench. Taking into account the design loads of the investigated wind turbine it is shown that the use of an ASRB leads to a more uniform load distribution on the individual bearing rows. Considering fatigue-induced damage an increase of the bearing life by 62% can be achieved. Regarding interactions with other components of the rotor suspension system it can be stated that the transfer of axial forces into the gearbox is decreased significantly.

scholarly journals Improving the Strategy of Maintaining Offshore Wind Turbines through Petri Net Modelling

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 574
Author(s):  
Rundong Yan ◽  
Sarah Dunnett
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Petri Net ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Major Repair ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Periodic Maintenance

In order to improve the operation and maintenance (O&M) of offshore wind turbines, a new Petri net (PN)-based offshore wind turbine maintenance model is developed in this paper to simulate the O&M activities in an offshore wind farm. With the aid of the PN model developed, three new potential wind turbine maintenance strategies are studied. They are (1) carrying out periodic maintenance of the wind turbine components at different frequencies according to their specific reliability features; (2) conducting a full inspection of the entire wind turbine system following a major repair; and (3) equipping the wind turbine with a condition monitoring system (CMS) that has powerful fault detection capability. From the research results, it is found that periodic maintenance is essential, but in order to ensure that the turbine is operated economically, this maintenance needs to be carried out at an optimal frequency. Conducting a full inspection of the entire wind turbine system following a major repair enables efficient utilisation of the maintenance resources. If periodic maintenance is performed infrequently, this measure leads to less unexpected shutdowns, lower downtime, and lower maintenance costs. It has been shown that to install the wind turbine with a CMS is helpful to relieve the burden of periodic maintenance. Moreover, the higher the quality of the CMS, the more the downtime and maintenance costs can be reduced. However, the cost of the CMS needs to be considered, as a high cost may make the operation of the offshore wind turbine uneconomical.

Study on a global control strategy for rotation speed with different work states in variable-speed constant-frequency wind turbines

2011 ◽  
Vol 225 (7) ◽  
pp. 968-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Zheng ◽  
H Xu ◽  
X Wang ◽  
J Zou
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Constant Frequency ◽  
Global Control ◽  
Control Rules ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Control

This paper studies the operation of wind turbines in terms of three phases: start-up phase, power-generation phase, and shutdown phase. Relationships between the operational phase and control rules for the speed of rotation are derived for each of these phases. Taking into account the characteristics of the control strategies in the different operational phases, a global control strategy is designed to ensure the stable operation of the wind turbine in all phases. The results of simulations are presented that indicate that the proposed algorithm can control the individual phases when considered in isolation and also when they are considered in combination. Thus, a global control strategy for a wind turbine that is based on a single algorithm is presented which could have significant implications on the control and use of wind turbines.

scholarly journals CFD for Helical Type Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2S4) ◽  
pp. 474-476
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Twisted Blade ◽  
Aided Design

Vertical axis wind turbines are most effective for home energy generation especially in urban environments. Wind energy creates a stand-alone energy source that is relied on any place. The main criteria for this work is the design of micro wind turbines for all kinds of applications. Design of Twisted Blade Micro-Wind Turbine system is accomplished using computer aided design with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The flow characteristics in the wind turbine blade were analyzed by varying its twist ratio. The wind turbines with vertical axis utilize the wind from any direction with no yaw mechanism. The risk of blade ejection besides catching wind from all the directions is avoided by using the helical tye vertical axis wind turbine.

scholarly journals Support condition monitoring of offshore wind turbines using model updating techniques

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 1017-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Xu ◽  
George Nikitas ◽  
Tong Zhang ◽  
Qinghua Han ◽  
Marios Chryssanthopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Model Updating ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Support Condition ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Turbine System

The offshore wind turbines are dynamically sensitive, whose fundamental frequency can be very close to the forcing frequencies activated by the environmental and turbine loads. Minor changes of support conditions may lead to the shift of natural frequencies, and this could be disastrous if resonance happens. To monitor the support conditions and thus to enhance the safety of offshore wind turbines, a model updating method is developed in this study. A hybrid sensing system was fabricated and set up in the laboratory to investigate the long-term dynamic behaviour of the offshore wind turbine system with monopile foundation in sandy deposits. A finite element model was constructed to simulate structural behaviours of the offshore wind turbine system. Distributed nonlinear springs and a roller boundary condition are used to model the soil–structure interaction properties. The finite element model and the test results were used to analyse the variation of the support condition of the monopile, through an finite element model updating process using estimation of distribution algorithms. The results show that the fundamental frequency of the test model increases after a period under cyclic loading, which is attributed to the compaction of the surrounding sand instead of local damage of the structure. The hybrid sensing system is reliable to detect both the acceleration and strain responses of the offshore wind turbine model and can be potentially applied to the remote monitoring of real offshore wind turbines. The estimation of distribution algorithm–based model updating technique is demonstrated to be successful for the support condition monitoring of the offshore wind turbine system, which is potentially useful for other model updating and condition monitoring applications.

Performance Characterization of a Wind Turbine Simulator for Grid Connected and Islanded Wind Turbine Operation

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Zimmerle ◽  
Oliver Pacific ◽  
Nathan Howard
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
State University ◽  
Electrical Networks ◽  
Transmission Grid ◽  
Colorado State University ◽  
Grid Simulation ◽  
Field Information ◽  
The Individual

To better understand the effect of significant wind power production on distributed electrical networks, a Wind Turbine Simulator (WTS) was incorporated into the Grid Simulation Laboratory (GSL) at Colorado State University. This paper discusses the development of the engine controls, gain tuning and response matching to field measurements of wind turbines. Response was characterized while connected to the transmission grid, similar to the field information, using a series of transient events gleaned from field information. Transients caused by breaker events, which emulate connecting or disconnecting the individual wind turbines, were also considered. While overall correlation between commanded and actual power output was strong, several limitations were identified and are described.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study on Primary Bearing Rating Life of a 5-MW Two-Blade Wind Turbine System Based on Two Different Control Domains

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 2607
Author(s):  
Koo ◽  
Jung
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Power Level ◽  
Aerodynamic Load ◽  
Power Performance ◽  
Pitch Control ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Bearing Life

Recently, the importance of individual pitch control (IPC) capability in wind turbine systems has been emphasized to achieve the desired power performance and mitigate the aerodynamic imbalance load for the mechanical integrity. Compared to collective pitch control(CPC), which assigns identical pitch angles for all employed blades, IPC is capable of generating other various sets of pitch angles to manipulate the aerodynamic load. Thus, the mechanical elements of wind turbine systems may take advantages from this variation, which allows wind turbines to have lighter designs and longer lifetimes. One of the essential mechanical components in the wind turbine is a primary bearing supporting the blades–rotor–shaft unit, which has not been fully investigated yet among the structural elements in the wind turbine system. In this regard, this research focuses on predicting the bearing life span of a NACA64-A17 two-blade 5-MW wind turbine system for the domains of allowable individual pitch angles by IPC. In particular, under the effect of various wind speeds, a bearing life span was determined based on the average value of load cases—satisfying both appropriate power level and the allowable domain of pitch control angles, which were possibly conveyed by IPC—and the result was compared with the bearing life predicted based on the domain of pitch angles, as generated by the CPC strategy. Consequently, in the ranges of high wind speeds, it was found that the average applied load to the bearing is reduced under the domain of the IPC-based pitch angle, resulting in possibly increasing the life span of the bearing. With the presented results, it is hoped that this work will provide important insights for those that majorly concern designing the primary bearing of the IPC-based wind turbine system.

Resonance Avoidance of Offshore Wind Turbines

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Pollack ◽  
Brian J. Petersen ◽  
Benjamin S. H. Connell ◽  
David S. Greeley ◽  
Dwight E. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Support Structure ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Dynamic Forces ◽  
Technical Basis

Coincidence of structural resonances with wind turbine dynamic forces can lead to large amplitude stresses and subsequent accelerated fatigue. For this reason, the wind turbine system is designed to avoid resonance coincidence. In particular, the current practice is to design the wind turbine support structure such that its fundamental resonance does not coincide with the fundamental rotational and blade passing frequencies of the rotor. For offshore wind turbines, resonance avoidance is achieved by ensuring that the support structure fundamental resonant frequency lies in the frequency band between the rotor and blade passing frequencies over the operating range of the turbine. This strategy is referred to as “soft-stiff” and has major implications for the structural design of the wind turbine. This paper details the technical basis for the “soft-stiff” resonance avoidance design methodology, investigates potential vulnerabilities in this approach, and explores the sensitivity of the wind turbine structural response to different aspects of the system’s design. The assessment addresses the wind turbine forcing functions, the coupled dynamic responses and resonance characteristics of the wind turbine’s structural components, and the system’s susceptibility to fatigue failure. It is demonstrated that the design practices for offshore wind turbines should reflect the importance of aerodynamic damping for the suppression of deleterious vibrations, consider the possibility of foundation degradation and its influence on the support structure’s fatigue life, and include proper treatment of important ambient sources such as wave and gust loading. These insights inform potential vibration mitigation and resonance avoidance strategies, which are briefly discussed.

scholarly journals A Feedback Control Loop Optimisation Methodology for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 3490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joannes Olondriz ◽  
Josu Jugo ◽  
Iker Elorza ◽  
Santiago Alonso-Quesada ◽  
Aron Pujana-Arrese
Keyword(s):  
Feedback Control ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Control Loop ◽  
Control Loops ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines ◽  
The Cost

Wind turbines usually present several feedback control loops to improve or counteract some specific performance or behaviour of the system. It is common to find these multiple feedback control loops in Floating Offshore Wind Turbines where the system perferformance is highly influenced by the platform dynamics. This is the case of the Aerodynamic Platform Stabiliser and Wave Rejection feedback control loops which are complementaries to the conventional generator speed PI control loop when it is working in an above rated wind speed region. The multiple feedback control loops sometimes can be tedious to manually improve the initial tuning. Therefore, this article presents a novel optimisation methodology based on the Monte Carlo method to automatically improve the manually tuned multiple feedback control loops. Damage Equivalent Loads are quantified for minimising the cost function and automatically update the control parameters. The preliminary results presented here show the potential of this novel optimisation methodology to improve the mechanical fatigue loads of the desired components whereas maintaining the overall performance of the wind turbine system. This methodology provides a good balance between the computational complexity and result effectiveness. The study is carried out with the fully coupled non-linear NREL 5-MW wind turbine model mounted on the ITI Energy’s barge and the FASTv8 code.

Influence of Wind Turbine Aero-Elastic Load on Dynamic Response of Floating Platform

2012 ◽  
Vol 608-609 ◽  
pp. 649-652
Author(s):  
Fa Suo Yan ◽  
Hong Wei Wang ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Da Gang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Numerical Code ◽  
Floating Body ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Floating Platform ◽  
Floating Base ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
The Difference

A numerical code, known as COUPLE, which has been developed to perform hydrodynamic analysis of floating body with a mooring system, is extended to collaborate with FAST to evaluate the interactions between wind turbine and its floating base. FAST is developed by National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) for aeroelastic simulation of wind turbines. A dynamic response analysis of a spar type floating wind turbine system is carried out by the method. Two types of simulation of wind load are used in the analysis. One type is a constant steady force and the other is a six-component dynamic load from a turbulent wind model. Numerical results of related platform motions under random sea conditions are presented in time and frequency domain. Comparison of results is performed to explain the difference of two analyses. The conclusions derived in this study may provide reference for the design of offshore floating wind turbines.

THE USE OF PLATE SPRINGS FOR PRELOADING OF A SYSTEM OF TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS OF A WIND TURBINE GEARBOX

Tribologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 281 (5) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Bartosz BASTIAN ◽  
Michał WASILCZUK
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Wind Turbine Gearbox ◽  
Roller Bearings ◽  
Axial Forces ◽  
Current Design ◽  
Tapered Roller ◽  
Tapered Roller Bearings ◽  
Drive Systems

The use of preloaded tapered roller bearings in wind turbine drive systems allows a transfer of load in the case of high variations of axial forces. The examined bearing system, a modification of a current design, consists of a pair of different sized bearings. Previous study showed the high sensitivity of tapered roller bearings on the existing radial interference. Dimensional tolerances used in the original design do not allow obtaining precise values of preload required for slippage-free operation of bearings with varying wind turbine load conditions. With the aim of achieving expected preload values, the use of plate springs (Belleville springs) is proposed. The springs will allow creating an axial force, independently of real dimensions in a modernised unit. Furthermore, it is very important in the case of gearbox retrofits to be executed up in the wind turbine nacelle without dismantling the gearbox.

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