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Experimental and structural load assessment in wind turbine drive trains

Dasselaar, R.J. van (2019) Experimental and structural load assessment in wind turbine drive trains.

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Abstract:Wind turbine components fail before their statistical based predicted lifetime. The statistic prediction is difficult because of varying parameters in side conditions, components and loads. Early component failures are mostly unexpected and thus costly maintenance. Improvement in lifetime prediction can be done by using the actual internal loads in a wind turbine. Lifetime prediction based on a failure model with internal loads as input can take into account the variations and adjust the lifetime prediction based on measurements. The internal loads can be determined with a structural model of the wind turbine using accelerometers as input. Therefore this research focuses on the feasibility of a structural model for the load prediction of wind turbines. Three different approaches as structural model are considered: based on analytic dynamics, using Finite Element Method (FEM) program Spacar and a manually defined FEM model. All three approaches are applied to a test bench; the manually defined FEM method appears to be the most suitable. The structural model is validated by comparing frequencies of the model and an hammer impact test (HIT) on the test bench. A force amplitude comparison between the prediction using acceleration measurements and the theoretical force due to the centrifugal acceleration showed predictions with about 50% error. Possible causes are discussed and recommendations are given to improve the accuracy. Also an outlook is given with a bearing force prediction based on acceleration measurements.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:ET: Engineering Technology
Subject:52 mechanical engineering
Programme:Mechanical Engineering MSc (60439)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/77349
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