Brakes 101
January 10, 2012 by Kathleen Zipp
Filed under Wind Basics, Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: Slowing and halting an 80-m-turbine rotor involves converting its kinetic energy into heat. Of course, there are several design decisions here. Rotor brakes control overspeed, and provide parking and emergency braking. These brakes can mount on the rotor or low-speed shaft, on the generator (high-sp …
Cylinders for hydraulic pitch adjustment
June 28, 2011 by Kathleen Zipp
Filed under Hydraulics, Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: German company Liebherr is offering their hydrau-lic cylinder for hydraulic pitch adjustment in wind turbines to the American market. The company offerso both electromechanical pitch adjustment with gearboxes as well as hydraulic pitch adjustment with the corresponding blade bearings as a full s …
Yaw brake earns GL certification
April 17, 2011 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Mechanical Components, Wind Power News, Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: A yaw brake model, FHGE, comes in three models, -77, -90 and -120. Each features a small air gap and few moving parts for a short response times and fast braking. Additional features include a large brake-pad area and low brake-disc temperatures. For the wind-energy market, the company manufactu …
No friction pads on these pitch and yaw brakes
March 11, 2011 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Environmental Issues, Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: MagnaShear motor brakes use oil-shear technology for longer service life even in demanding applications such as pitch and yaw drives and generator-holding brakes in smaller wind turbines. The proven technology transmits torque between lubricated surfaces – thereby eliminating wear on friction …
Brakes for pitch and yaw
December 15, 2010 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Wind Power News, Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: The requirements for pitch and yaw brakes include high reliability, long maintenance cycles, resistance to environmental influences, and a tight braking-torque tolerance. For pitch drives, one brake manufacturer has developed spring loaded devices as holding brakes that have to perform in a part …
No wear surfaces on this brake
August 4, 2010 by Kathleen Zipp
Filed under Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: MagnaShear motor brakes work by shearing oil for longer service life even in demanding applications. Compressing a fluid shears its molecules– thus imparting torque to a stationary side. The brake eliminates the wear of friction surfaces. A fluid recirculator dissipates heat, a common problem in d …
Braking ideas for wind turbines
May 20, 2010 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Featured Wind Power Articles, Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: David Brooksbank/Altra Industrial Motion. South Beloit, Ill./altramotion.com Brakes for wind turbines call for higher cycles rates, higher loads, greater reliability and often in more compact packages than those on conventional factory equipment. Slowing and halting an 80-m wind-t …
Yaw brakes for wind turbines
January 13, 2010 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: A full array of caliper designs is available from Twiflex, Ltd. to meet the yaw braking-force requirements of any size wind turbine. All brake models are durable, hydraulically activated, and direct applied. Models T20 and T40 deliver up to 40 kN braking force, feature two-bolt side mounting, an …
Rotor brakes for wind turbines
January 13, 2010 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: Twiflex brakes are fully assembled, provide high levels of reliability, easy electronic monitoring and maintenance, and come with organic or metallic linings. Friction liners are sized to ensure adequate heat dissipation during an emergency stop and with an even pressure distribution across pad surf …
Soft brake for turbines
September 23, 2009 by Windpower Engineering
Filed under Mechanical Components, Yaw and Pitch Brakes
Excerpt: Before engineers access a nacelle and hub for maintenance, the rotor must be stopped and secured in a particular position. Today, an electrohydraulic brake control can provide a soft stop to the required position. Then hydraulic controls can engage a rotor lock. Stopping a turbine by the driv …
