Wind turbine main bearing rating lives as determined by IEC 61400‐1 and ISO 281: A critical review and exploratory case study
[1];
[1];
[3];
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering University of Strathclyde Glasgow UK
- Institute of Mechanical, Process &, Energy Engineering Heriot Watt University Edinburgh UK
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory Golden Colorado USA
- Department of Wind and Energy Systems Technical University of Denmark Kongens Lyngby Denmark
- Aerospace Mechanics Research Center University of Colorado Boulder Colorado USA
- Onyx Insight Nottingham UK
Abstract This paper studies the rating lives of wind turbine main bearings, as determined by the IEC 61400‐1 and ISO 281 standards. A critical review of relevant bearing life theory and turbine design requirements is provided, including discussion on possible shortcomings such as the existence (or not) of the bearing fatigue load limit and the validity of assuming linear damage accumulation. A detailed exploratory case study is then undertaken to determine rating lives for two models of main bearing in a 1.5 MW wind turbine. Rating life assessment is carried out under different conditions, including various combinations of main bearing temperature, wind field characteristics, lubricant viscosity, and contamination levels. Rating lives are found to be sufficiently above the desired 20‐year design life for both bearing models under expected operating conditions. For the larger bearing, operational loads are shown to be below or close to the bearing fatigue load limit a vast majority of the time. Key sensitivities for rating life values are temperature and contamination. Overall, the results of this study suggest that an ISO 281 rating life assessment does not account for reported rates of main bearing failures in 1 to 3 MW wind turbines. It is recommended that a similar analysis be undertaken for ISO/TS 16281 rating lives, along with further efforts to identify principal root causes of main bearing failures in future work, possibly leading to a new application standard specific to this component. It is also recommended that the impacts of partial wake impingement on main bearing rating lives are investigated.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Wind Energy Technologies Office; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308; EP/S023801/1
- OSTI ID:
- 2217373
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 2228661
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-5000-86901
- Journal Information:
- Wind Energy, Journal Name: Wind Energy Vol. 27 Journal Issue: 2; ISSN 1095-4244
- Publisher:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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