FEATURE SPONSOR
OILS & LUBRICATION
THE NEED TO REDUCE OVERALL OPERATING COSTS IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ANY PURCHASING DECISION
Additionally, the turbine has to withstand demanding environmental conditions, with extremes of temperature, high and gusting winds and, in coastal locations, the effects of salt corrosion. Pitch bearings require a constant
re-supply of lubricant. The lubrication unit is mounted in the rotor, with which it continually turns, adjusting to the resulting vibration and centrifugal force. Grease pumps, such as those supplied by SKF are fitted with a grease follower plate to ensure that grease is maintained in the area of the pump elements, enabling suction even with rotation. From there, the grease arrives at the metering devices through a progressive or single- line lubrication system.
Lubrication for the pitch open gear can also be supplied via SKF pumps for the rotary application. Lubrication pinions are used to apply grease precisely to the area of contact on the drive pinion or the pitch open gear and evenly lubricate the entire cog width.
PREVENTING EXCESSIVE WEAR
An electrical grease pump introduces lubricant into the yaw bearing via progressive or single-line metering devices. Automatic lubrication achieves a sufficiently thick lubricant film to prevent excessive wear and the ‘stick-slip’ effect upon turning the nacelle. The automatic
lubrication pinion meshes precisely with the gearing, distributing the lubricant uniformly in the area of contact across the entire cog width. Used grease is removed by a lubricant collector and delivered to a reservoir to prevent spillage on the nacelle floor, improving worker safety. The main bearings of a wind turbine
are subject to severe forces and usually require large quantities of lubricant. For stationary operation, a stirring and fixed paddle in the pump’s reservoir is sufficient. The automatic lubrication system continually supplies grease to the main bearings even while in motion. The gearbox is lubricated and cooled by oil, which is recycled via filters. The oil can be electrically heated to achieve an optimal start-up temperature for the lubrication cycle in conditions of low ambient temperatures. Flow limiters maintain the prescribed oil volume flow independent of pressure and temperature changes and these can provide feedback on the current flow rates to the condition monitoring system.
CONTROL AND MONITORING
Taking SKF’s condition based lubrication concept as an example, here we have the interface between a condition monitoring system (SKF WindCon, in this case) and the automated lubrication systems (SKF Windlub or Lincoln Quicklub, for
example). Combined, these elements are able to track and control lubrication system health, pump status and grease levels, as well as alerting operators to failures such as empty or blocked lubricant pumps or fractured feed lines. These monitoring data can also be uploaded via Internet connections to remotely located diagnostics centres, operating globally 24/7, for expert analysis and reporting.
By logging and tracking deteriorating component conditions in real time, condition based monitoring allows maintenance decisions to be based on actual machine conditions, rather than arbitrary maintenance schedules. Along with the possibility that maintenance intervals can be extended, the system provides a powerful tool for managing day-to-day maintenance routines and consolidating risky, costly maintenance activities.
Matt Preston
Lubrication Systems Application Engineer SKF Group
SCAN/CLICK SCAN/CLICK
WEBSITE
MORE INFO
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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