July 2009
ARTICLES
Ground improvement techniques for turbine sites
Performed properly, a mat foundation bearing on aggregate piers is an efficient and economical alternative to traditional deep foundation systems.
When the geotechnical exploration at a planned wind turbine tower location reveals that the subsurface conditions are weak and compressible, a deep foundation system consisting of a mono-pole or drilled/driven piles is often recommended by the geotechnical engineer. However, often the poor soils can be strengthened and stiffened economically to enable the tower to be […]
Maintaining gearbox oil properly
Lubrication quality is a key driver for gearbox reliability in wind turbines. This installment focuses on choosing the best type and how to maintain it.
Oil is a key life-cycle driver of a gearbox, and proper maintenance is important. The primary purpose of oil is to provide lubrication and protection to rotating mechanical parts such as gears and bearings, and it’s used as a coolant for the gearbox as well. Each of these components’ life-cycle design is based on certain […]
Making sure the gearbox stays realiable
Gearbox designers and manufacturers follow stringent standards for designing and building gearboxes, but failures persist. This group is seeking a solution.
Gearbox reliability is a crucial issue for the wind energy industry. The gearbox and its supporting components (i.e. shafts, generator, brakes, and lubrication system) account for roughly 30 percent of the turbine’s capital cost, excluding foundations and site infrastructure, and the gearbox is the most expensive component to repair or replace. Recurrent gearbox failures have […]
NEWS
New ACCURA 3D Coordinate Measuring Machine from Carl Zeiss
Carl Zeiss Industrial Measuring Technology (IMT) has introduced the new ACCURA®. By systematically implementing customer requests, it has developed a multi-sensor capable measuring system that permits fast, economical, precise, and flexible measurements. Measure dynamically, precisely and safely: Thanks to the steel and aluminum components, the new ACCURA measuring machine bridge is extremely rigid and thin. […]
August 31, 2009
WINDPOWER 2009 a Huge Success for AWEA, Wind Industry
The U.S. wind energy concluded the world’s largest wind conference held May 4-7 in Chicago, which hosted 1,280 exhibiting companies and more than 23,000 attendees. “The size and breadth of this show are a clear indicator that the wind energy industry is a hub of business activity even in this hesitant economy,” says AWEA CEO […]
August 31, 2009
Wanzek Makes Big Jump on List of Top U.S. Contractors
For the second year, Wanzek Construction, Inc., has held a position on Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s list of the Top 400 Contractors in the United States. The list ranks the 400 largest general contractors in the United States according to the previous year’s revenue. In 2008 Wanzek appeared on the list for the first time, […]
August 31, 2009
Wind Turbine Actuators from Trelleborg Sealing Solutions
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions supplies a specially engineered sealing configuration to AVN Energy A/S, a leading hydraulic actuator manufacturer for wind turbines. Meeting the dynamic criteria due to constant movement of the actuator, the sealing system offers maximized seal life, contributing to minimal turbine maintenance requirements. Stall machine turbines being replaced by continuous pitch systems has […]
August 31, 2009
Torque Certification Program for Wind Industry from Snap-on Industrial
Snap-on Industrial has announced the launch of a torque certification program designed specifically to meet the needs of the growing global wind industry. Snap-on Industrial, a division of Snap-on Inc., is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of hand and power tools, specialty tools, storage solutions, and training to meet the needs […]
August 31, 2009
Innovative Lubrication Solution for Wind Power Applications from Klüber
Klüber Lubrication, a worldwide manufacturer of specialty lubricants, showcased three innovative, specialty lubricants for the wind power industry at WINDPOWER 2009: Klüberplex® BEM 41-141, Klüberplex® AG 11-462, and Klübersynth® GEM 4-320 N. Klüberplex BEM 41-141 is high-performance grease with a special blend of base oil and additives to cover the different lubrication requirements of the […]
August 31, 2009
Siemens to Build U.S. Wind Turbine Production Facility
Siemens intends to build a new production facility for wind turbines in the United States. Initially, 400 new jobs are expected to be created in the new wind turbine production facility in Hutchinson, Kansas. When production begins at this facility, Siemens will be able to even more effectively meet the strong demand for wind turbine […]
August 31, 2009
Stanley Proto Introduces Extra-Large Combo Wrenches
Stanley Proto Industrial Tools has expanded its already-extensive line of combination wrenches with the addition of 23 new extra-large combination wrenches. The new wrenches are designed to meet the needs of users in heavy industries. These big wrenches are the epitome of heavy duty. They come in standard and metric sizes, with openings that range […]
August 31, 2009
Romax Technology Supports Samsungâs Entry Into Wind Energy Market
Samsung Heavy Industries is to enter the wind energy market with the support of technical solutions and product engineering company Romax Technology. Romax has been selected by Samsung to assist in the development of its first product, a large-scale onshore wind turbine. The Korean company is determined to bring Samsung’s brand of quality design, expert […]
August 31, 2009
GE Energyâs 2.5-MW Wind Turbine to be Launched in North America
Following its successful debut in Europe and Asia, GE Energy has announced that its 2.5-megawatt (MW) wind turbine is coming to America. The 2.5xl, which is the latest evolution of the company’s wind turbine technology, will be launched in North America in 2010. More than 100 of the 2.5-MW machines already have been installed in […]
August 31, 2009
EGC Presents Turbine Bolting Cost-Savings Study
Loss of clamp load and fatigue are common failure modes for bolted joints subject to dynamic loads. These conditions are the result of insufficient bolt tension during installation tightening, as well as the inaccuracy of typical torque/tension methods used to complete periodic in-service fastener checks. Critical bolted joints on wind turbines—such as tower, bearing, hub, […]
August 31, 2009
AMSC Signs Contract with ACCIONA Energy
American Superconductor Corporation, a leading energy technologies company, announces that it has received an order worth more than $10 million from ACCIONA Energy, a division of ACCIONA SA and a world leader in renewable power, for its new Dynamic VAR Ride Through (D-VAR RT) solution. Building on AMSC’s highly successful D-VAR platform, which provides critical […]
August 31, 2009
