Engine & Turbine Technology
Tis issue takes time to develop and
recently installed WTGs are unlikely to give cause for concern. However, with a small number of WTGs, this problem can appear later.
Proving the solution To help independent service providers (ISPs) as well as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Svendborg Brakes has completed an in- depth analysis of the issue. Te outcome has been a patented innovation that delivers a long-lasting solution that can be employed by Svendborg Brakes engineers or those working for ISPs. By cutting a specially
shaped groove into the brake disc it is possible to remove existing glazing and prevent it from occurring in the future. Te groove does not increase brake pad wear significantly, but it does help to remove the build-up of powdered material in conjunction with a brush that is installed at the same time. Tests have shown that grooves cut into the brake disc removed the glazing on the brake pad and increased pad wear by only 3.5%, when operating at a pressure of 30 bar. Tese tests were conducted using brake pads from Svendborg Brakes that include a slot in the friction material that also helps to keep the braking surface clear of debris.
What became very apparent from the testing was the importance of the size and shape of the groove. Tis made it essential to create a system that could replicate the most efficient design of groove and enable engineers from ISPs to be able to carry out the work.
The solution developed by Svendborg Brakes can be applied to the majority of WTG installations
A kit has been created
that enables an engineer to install eight precision grooves in total
Delivering the solution Te testing resulted in a kit being created that would enable an engineer to install eight grooves in total, four on the upper surface and four on the lower surface of the brake disc. Te kit includes the fixturing template to correctly align the groove on the disc. Te process should take approximately three hours to complete one turbine. Having created the equipment
required to install the grooves and the most efficient process to complete the task, Svendborg Brakes applied for, and received, a patent for the solution. Tose wishing to use this system to reduce noise within the yaw control system can do so under the terms of a signed license agreement. However, it is important to correctly diagnose the source of noise during yawing as it is not always attributable to the brakes. Maintenance engineers should check for oil leaks from the hydraulic power units (HPUs) and yaw bearing seals as any oil or grease on the brake disc is a cause for concern.
Noise can also be generated by the main yaw bearing as well as incorrect mesh of the yaw drive gear or the yaw drive gear motor brake not releasing. Many of these issues should be resolved during routine maintenance without the need for specialist equipment or knowledge beyond normal procedures for WTGs. Over a period of 18 months,
Svendborg Brakes was involved with the modification of 25 WTGs where the groove solution was installed on units from various OEMs. Since this work was completed, none of the WTGs have so far produced any noise from the yaw brake system. In addition, other WTGs that were not fitted with these components have also been successfully modified by the patented process, which opens this solution up to the majority of generator installations. l
For more information visit
www.svendborg-brakes.com
www.engineerlive.com 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
