Understanding Oil Analysis: How It Can Improve Reliability of Wind Turbine Gearboxes
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Reliability has been defined as the ability to rely on equipment to produce what it is scheduled to produce, when it is scheduled to produce it, for as long as it is scheduled to produce it with no interruptions. In the wind power industry, achieving reliability is simple in theory yet difficult to achieve.
Historically, wind turbine gearbox failures have plagued the industry. In order to improve reliability three major challenges must be met. First, a thorough understanding of gearbox loads is needed. Second, gearbox components must be properly designed and specified. Finally, lubricating oil in the gearbox must be kept cool, clean and dry and routinely analyzed to provide valuable information on the condition of the oil and gearbox.
This article published by Gear Technology and co-authored by Michael Barrett, TestOil and Justin Stover, C.C. Jensen, focuses on this third aspect of reliability; understanding lubrication, oil analysis and the vital role it plays in the life of the wind turbine gearbox.
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