Wind Turbine Bearing Anomaly Detection via Ring Deformation Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine bearings are prone to damage from operating loads, leading to potential catastrophic failure and undesired events such as shutdown, due to the inability to timely detect anomalies like cracks or deformations.
Innovation Solution
A bearing system with a sensor element and reference element configured to detect geometrical changes, such as displacements or deformations, allowing for early detection of anomalies through a monitoring method and system, utilizing sensors like strain gauges or optical sensors to generate output signals for warning or shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a bearing operates under extreme loads and stresses, then it can fulfill its functional requirements for wind turbine operation, but it becomes susceptible to damage and catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system performs preliminary detection of anomalies such as cracks or deformations in the bearing rings before catastrophic failure occurs. By continuously measuring geometrical changes and comparing them against threshold values, the system enables preventive maintenance actions to be taken in advance, preventing the bearing from reaching a failure state despite operating under extreme loads.
2Device complexity
If no monitoring system is installed, then the bearing structure remains simple and cost-effective, but anomalies like cracks or deformations cannot be detected timely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with a streamlined sensor-based approach. Instead of using elaborate mechanical measurement devices, the invention employs sensors (such as strain gauges, capacitive sensors, or inductive sensors) to detect geometrical changes in the bearing rings, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable anomaly detection capability.
3Reliability
If a monitoring system with sensor element and reference element is installed, then timely detection of anomalies is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system merges the sensor element and reference element into an integrated measurement arrangement that is directly mounted on the bearing structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the capability to detect geometrical changes and anomalies in the bearing rings.
4Reliability
If continuous monitoring is performed to detect geometrical changes, then the risk of catastrophic failure is reduced, but the system requires more sophisticated detection and evaluation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system implements a feedback mechanism where measured geometrical changes are continuously compared against predetermined threshold values. When the measured changes exceed these thresholds, the system generates warning signals or shutdown commands. This automated feedback loop enables reliable catastrophic failure prevention through a relatively simple evaluation process, avoiding the need for sophisticated analytical mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables timely detection of imminent damage, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure by providing early warning signals or initiating emergency shutdown, thereby preventing significant damage and maintaining operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor element is configured to detect a geometrical change of the reference element. This geometrical change may be a displacement or a deformation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A bearing (10) for a wind turbine (100) comprises a first ring (1) and a second ring (2). The first ring and the second ring are rotatably arranged relative to each other around a rotational axis (A). A reference element (3) and a sensor element (4) are applied to the first ring. The sensor element is configured to detect a geometrical change of the reference element.