22FTM21. Experimental Evaluation of Wind Turbine Gearbox Structural Models Using Fiber Optic Strain Sensors

ABSTRACT

The rated power and size of wind turbines have grown considerably to reduce the cost of energy from wind. This has pushed gearbox manufacturers to introduce multiple technological innovations to boost the torque density of current designs. One of the critical challenges of next-generation gearbox designs is to optimize structural components and gears. Complex models are needed to predict the gearbox components' load-carrying capacity and fatigue life. These tools need to be verified through experimental evaluation. This study evaluates the structural calculation models used for a modern 6MW wind turbine gearbox through physical testing. The measurement system is composed of fifty-four fiber Bragg gratings. A good correlation between the structural models and the test results in a full-scale back-to-back test bench has been achieved.

Authors: Unai Gutierrez Santiago, Xabier López Fuentes, Alfredo Fernández Sisón, Henk Polinder, Jan-Willem van Wingerden

ISBN: 978-1-64353-141-0