Wind basics

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Excerpt: U.S. electricity production is expected to increase by nearly 30% by 2030 to meet growing demand. Power generated by wind will be a large part of that figure. To ensure it is a major contributor, the wind industry’s is updating its equipment fast in a constant drive for greater reliability, higher …

400-page hose catalog ready for users

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Excerpt: A recent version of Hose Products Division Catalog 4400 is now available from Parker Hannifin Corporation, the global leader in motion and control technologies. The up-to-date guide is the fluid power professional's single best resource for product information and installation assistance for Par …

OEM completes assembly of 1,000th nacelle at Penn plant

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Excerpt: Turbine OEM Gamesa Technology Corp. has announced the completion and shipment of its 1,000th nacelle manufactured at its Fairless Hills plant in southeastern Pennsylvania. The finished nacelle is among the 152 G90X-2.0 MW wind turbines comprising the 304-MW Blue Creek Wind Farm in Van Wert and P …

An ultracapacitor for alternative energy

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Excerpt: A manufacturer of ulcapacitors offers a model for the wind industry. The 16V/58 iMOD includes threaded, protected terminals that are easy to install, monitor, and maintain. The developer also says the ultracapacitor has a low ESR with better constant current, higher power density, and higher effi …

Encoders slash downtime for generators

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Excerpt: A line of encoders fit existing shafts and flanges while offering high durability. Avtron says its devices’ bearings are rated to over five times greater loads, and include magnetic sensors that shrug off dirt, grease, condensation, and oil. The encoders slash wind-turbine generator downtime while …

Panel wiring made simpler

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Excerpt: SmartWire-DT panel wiring reduces wiring complexity, improves system reliability, cuts installation time, and reduces panel space. Transforming the way OEMs build control panels, the solution replaces the myriad of wires found in the control circuit into a single cable, connecting motor-control comp …

Air breathers let gearboxes breath without contaminating nacelles

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Excerpt: Conventional air breathers vent the enclosed air in gearboxes but often let oil drip onto nacelle floors. The Oilmiser Vapor Guard prevents such hazards by using a diffuser post inside a sealed aluminum containment chamber. Migrating vapors are dispersed by the diffuser post and condense back into l …

Polyurethane adhesive speeds wind blade assemblies

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Excerpt: Henkel has introduced a new high-performance polyurethane adhesive that prevents crack propagation on wind blades and delivers excellent long-term structural integrity on turbine assemblies. The first ever Germanischer Lloyd (GL)-approved polyurethane adhesive, Macroplast UK 1340 cures rapidly a …

Manufacturer’s website offers help with carbon fibers

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Excerpt: A carbon-fiber manufacturer has launched a new website at www.zoltek.com. The redesigned is to highlight many applications for carbon fiber, Zoltek Corp. products, and its service appropriate to each. For instance, the Applications section of the website includes details on Zoltek’s carbon fib …

Software lets many programs share data, work together

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Excerpt: The latest release of Isight provides designers, engineers, and researchers with an open system for integrating design and simulation models—created with various CAD, CAE, and other software applications—to automate the execution of hundreds or thousands of simulations.  The software lets u …