ADVANCES IN REMOTE SENSING & MONITORING FEATURE SPONSOR
SENSORS MAXIMISE WIND TURBINE PRODUCTION
Gill Instruments and Gill Sensors & Controls design and manufacture a range of specialist measurement devices including ultrasonic anemometers and oil condition monitoring sensors. The products use ultrasonic, capacitive and inductive technologies to profile possible wind energy sites and increase the efficiency of installations.
The products are installed in wind energy applications world-wide to provide data used for wind profiling, turbine efficiency, gearbox condition and to ensure overall long-term reliability is achieved.
ADVANCES IN CONDITION MONITORING
Profitability of windfarms is based on a number of factors including; accurate wind power predictions, maximisation of wind resources and is largely dependent on efficient operation and maintenance of wind turbines, with drive trains being a major focal point for maintenance issues.
The most common causes of bearing and gear failure within wind turbines are mechanical wear, overloading, assembly/ manufacturing faults and lubrication degradation. These can cause a build-up of metallic debris in the lubricating oil which can lead to major catastrophic machine failure.
The company, have developed an oil condition monitoring sensor for wind turbines which significantly increases uptime, reduces operating costs and avoids catastrophic failures – which on an average megawatt class wind turbine could cost anywhere from $225,00 to $300,000 to remediate.
EARLY INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE Being able to detect the type and quantity of metallic debris enables early investigation and preventative maintenance to be undertaken. The company has the technology from their first generation of oil debris sensors to produce an advanced device that alerts machine operators of debris in the oil at the earliest possible stage to prevent mechanical failure. The oil condition monitoring sensor, which uses both induction and capacitive technology, provides a continuous, real-time indication of potential maintenance issues.
The sensor works by using powerful magnets to capture both fine debris (wear particles from bearing and gears) and coarse
REAL-TIME ANALYSIS
The sensor provides real-time analysis as it collects ferrous debris directly from the lubrication system. The sensor’s voltage output increases when debris is detected on the magnets indicating an event has occurred. Operators are alerted of this change via the sensors output data reading, prompting an inspection to check the condition of the bearings and gearbox.
Furthermore, the sensor also offers a third channel providing the additional functions of oil temperature measurement or a change in oil dielectric, which will indicate either water contamination in the oil or loss of oil, giving operators even more insight into the health of the gearbox and
the wind power is also a key factor to increasing profitability for owners and operators. Gill (Gill Instruments) has designed and manufactured ultrasonic anemometers used within the industry for over 20 years. The solid-state instruments are chosen as they are low maintenance, have long term reliability and because they are highly accurate and have an instantaneous response to small changes in wind speed and direction.
The company offers a range of options with many different features including networking, heating and some are tested to Measnet standards IEC 61400-12- 1:2005.
debris (failure parts of bearings, sheared teeth and parts typically 0.5 mm² upwards). An inductive coil within the sensor probe and Gill’s innovative electronics enables the sensor to differentiate between the debris types and report on two separate channels.
two additional causes of component failure. When the condition monitoring sensors are properly implemented they significantly increase uptime, avoid catastrophic failures and deliver a low cost of ownership by helping to maximise wind turbine efficiency and reduce maintenance overheads.
ULTRASONIC ANEMOMETERS In addition to wind turbine gearbox maintenance, efficient optimisation of
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