Friction torque of wind-turbine pitch bearings – comparison of experimental results with available models

authored by: Matthias Stammler, Fabian Schwack, Norbert Bader, Andreas Reuter, Gerhard Poll
Abstract: Pitch bearings of wind turbines are large, grease-lubricated rolling bearings that connect the rotor blades with the rotor hub. They are used to turn the rotor blades to control the power output and/or structural loads of the turbine. Common actuators turning the blades are hydraulic cylinders or electrical motor-gearbox combinations. In order to design pitch actuator systems that are able to turn the blades reliably without imposing an excessive power demand, it is necessary to predict the friction torque of pitch bearings for different operating conditions. In this paper, the results of torque measurements under load are presented and compared to results obtained using different calculation models. The results of this comparison indicate the various sources of friction that should be taken into account for a reliable calculation model.
Organisation(s): Institute of Machine Elements and Engineering Design
External Organisation(s): Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES)
Type: Article
Journal: Wind Energy Science
Volume: 3
Pages: 97-105
No. of pages: 9
ISSN: 2366-7443
Publication date: 14.03.2018
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Energy Engineering and Power Technology, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-3-97-2018 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/1812 (Access: Open)