Full-scale wind turbine vibration signature analysis

A sample of healthy wind turbines from the same wind farm with identical sizes and designs was investigated to determine the average vibrational signatures of the drive train components during normal operation. The units were variable-speed machines with three blades. The rotor was supported by two...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Authors: Escaler Puigoriol, Francesc Xavier|||0000-0002-9374-7749; Mebarki, Toufik
Format: Article
Publication date:2018
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/125725
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/125725
https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/machines6040063
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Fluid mechanics
Wind turbine
Condition monitoring
Vibrations
Frequency content
Drive train
Tower
Mecànica de fluids
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria mecànica::Mecànica de fluids::Màquines hidràuliques i de fluids
Description
Summary:A sample of healthy wind turbines from the same wind farm with identical sizes and designs was investigated to determine the average vibrational signatures of the drive train components during normal operation. The units were variable-speed machines with three blades. The rotor was supported by two bearings, and the drive train connected to an intermediate three-stage planetary/helical gearbox. The nominal 2 MW output power was regulated using blade pitch adjustment. Vibrations were measured in exactly the same positions using the same type of sensors over a six-month period covering the entire range of operating conditions. The data set was preliminary validated to remove outliers based on the theoretical power curves. The most relevant frequency peaks in the rotor, gearbox, and generator vibrations were detected and identified based on averaged power spectra. The amplitudes of the peaks induced by a common source of excitation were compared in different measurement positions. A wind speed dependency of broadband vibration amplitudes was also observed. Finally, a fault detection case is presented showing the change of vibration signature induced by a damage in the gearbox