The UK arms of German outfit Schaeffler and Italian company Bonfiglioli have developed a condition and torque monitoring system for the wind industry.
Schaeffler said the solution combines two of its measurement systems – SmartCheck and TorqueSense – to create the new offering.
SmartCheck has a vibration diagnosis system that detects damage at an early stage, while peak loads and frequency can also be detected and limited using the torque signal.
Bonfiglioli converts the data using algorithms into information throughout the entire life of a wind turbine.
SmartCheck covers frequency-selective condition monitoring of bearings, gearboxes, electric motors, pumps, fans and machines based on solid-borne vibrations.
A temperature sensor is also integrated into the device.
TorqueSense sends the torque and speed signal pre-processed to the machine control system and/or maintenance department with the vibration signals that are also analysed via SmartCheck, Schaeffler said.
“The system allows the monitoring of torque peaks and their frequency and therefore an evaluation of the utilisation level and the derivation of load-based maintenance measures,” the company said.
The signals can also be integrated into the operating strategy for drives and initiate torque limitation or shutdown functions, it added.
Schaeffler is also working on a pilot project for Bonfiglioli geared motors of yaw drives for wind turbines.
Load data condensed using the Schaeffler SmartCheck will be compared with pre-defined limit values and the results transmitted wirelessly to Bonfiglioli via a gateway.
The system aims to monitor overloading of the yaw drives, increase the lead times for maintenance, and enable load-based instead of time-dependent maintenance procedures to be defined.