Wind Turbine Lubrication Unit Testing Without Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for checking lubrication units in wind turbines are inefficient and costly, requiring disassembly and specialized personnel for testing.

Innovation Solution

A mobile test device with actuating elements and connections for pumps and valves allows on-site testing of lubrication units, including pressure checks and component activation, enabling efficient and cost-effective fault diagnosis without disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional methods are used to check lubrication units, then comprehensive testing can be performed, but it requires disassembly of components and specialized personnel, increasing time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting completenessVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A test device is introduced as an intermediary tool that connects to the lubrication unit's pump and valve via standardized connections. This mediator enables comprehensive testing without requiring disassembly of the lubrication unit itself, thereby maintaining testing completeness while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lubrication unit is designed with built-in test capabilities including test connections for the pump and valve, allowing it to be tested by external equipment without requiring specialized personnel to disassemble or modify the unit. The system essentially tests itself through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional methods are used to check lubrication units, then comprehensive testing can be performed, but specialized personnel are required, increasing operational costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting completenessVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The test device serves as a user-friendly intermediary that simplifies the testing process. It provides standardized connections and control interfaces that can be operated by personnel without specialized knowledge of the lubrication unit's internal structure, reducing operational complexity while maintaining testing completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The test device is designed with universal connections that can interface with various lubrication units through standardized pump and valve connections. This multi-functional design allows the same test device to be used across different applications, reducing the need for specialized personnel and equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the lubrication unit is disassembled for testing, then all components can be inspected, but the unit cannot be tested on-site, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent inspection accuracyVSAvoidon-site testing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The test device acts as a portable intermediary that can be brought to the lubrication unit on-site. It provides the necessary connections and control mechanisms to inspect pump and valve components without requiring disassembly of the lubrication unit itself, thereby maintaining inspection accuracy while enabling on-site testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The testing function is segmented from the lubrication unit itself, allowing independent testing of the pump and valve through external connections. This segmentation enables on-site testing without requiring physical disassembly of the lubrication unit, maintaining both measurement precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If a test device is introduced to enable on-site testing, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidtest device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The test device is designed with universal connections and standardized interfaces that can work with various lubrication units without requiring complex custom configurations. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining high productivity and testing efficiency across different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4607025A1Method for checking a lubrication unit in a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2025.08.27 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH

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AI summary

A method is provided for testing a lubrication unit (200) in a wind turbine (100), wherein the wind turbine (100) has at least one component (150) to be lubricated and a lubrication unit (200) for lubricating the component (150) to be lubricated. The lubrication unit (200) has a pump (210) and a valve (220). A testing device (300) is provided with a pump connection (341) for the pump (210) and a valve connection (361) for the valve (220). The pump connection (341) is connected to the pump (210) for control of the pump (210) by the testing device (300). The valve connection (361) is connected to the valve (220) for control of the valve (220) by the testing device (300). The pump (210) and/or the valve (220) is controlled by the test device (300) to check the lubrication unit (200).