Pitch system for 3-MW wind turbine

Guodian United Power Technology Co. Ltd. (GUP) has successfully completed the grid connection for its first 3MW wind turbine, which uses Moog’s AC servo motion-controlled pitch system. This expands the partnership between Moog Industrial Group, a division of Moog Inc. and GUP, and promotes the growth of China’s wind power industry.

This is the first time Moog has supplied its AC servo motion-control pitch to a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer for a project in China. The new anti-corrosion and moisture-proof design protects its components against harsh weather. GUP’s 3 MW turbine system also incorporates Moog’s latest pitch motor. This synchronous servo unit provides motion-control redundancy during an emergency and is highly reliable and precise. Moog’s pitch motor, when paired with its pitch servo drive for wind turbines, meets stringent technical specifications for all types of wind energy applications. And the adoption of ultra capacitors in place of widely-used lead-acid batteries as backup power offers enhanced system reliability and reduced maintenance costs.

“Harsh operating environments have raised the requirements demanded of pitch motors for wind turbines. Consequently, AC servo motor technology is the choice for future developments. Additionally, users will save on operation and maintenance costs,” added Rasmussen. The pitch control system is a motion controller that ensures effective use of wind energy and protection for large mainstream wind turbines. Company drives operate under extreme temperature conditions within the switch cabinets of wind turbine rotor hubs. This system withstands high mechanical loads, while improving the operating efficiency of wind turbines.

Improving grid connection capability is one of the technical challenges Chinese wind turbine OEMs must address while Low Voltage Ride Through capability is critical for minimizing turbine downtime during unstable grid power conditions. In June 2010, Moog and GUP completed China’s first LVRT wind turbine test. Moog’s new pitch system tailored for GUP’s first 3MW wind turbine also has this feature and maximizes safety performance.

Guodian United Power Technology Co., Ltd.
http://www.gdupc.com.cn/

Wind center to offer advanced maintenance and engineering training

A motion control company and developer of pitch systems for wind turbines, has opened a Wind Training Center in Unna, Germany. The 1,300 m² facility will provide technical training programs to Moog’s global wind energy customer base. A dedicated team of expert trainers will lead customer training programs ranging from a basic introduction to more advanced and focused engineering courses on products and systems. Hands-on technical training in Moog Pitch Systems, pitch motors, pitch servo drives, backup-systems and programmable logic controllers focuses on maintenance, performance analysis, repair and retrofits. To satisfy attendees with different backgrounds, basic, total immersion and expert levels will be available.

The training center will house interactive displays of complete pitch systems and a variety of products to facilitate hands-on practical instruction for participants. In addition to regularly offered courses, the company also offers specialized training courses tailored to specific customer needs, allowing trainees to effectively design their own training package. High quality and focused instruction is encouraged by limiting course sizes to small groups to provide more opportunity for participants to interact with the Moog trainers. Courses will be offered in both English and German as a standard, and are available in other languages on demand.

“Having qualified technicians especially in hard-to-reach areas and conditions that are difficult to work under are essential to saving customers time and ultimately cost,” added Jens Ograbek, Head of Services and Repair, Moog in Unna, Germany.
The opening ceremony included a number of Moog’s global senior executives as well as guest VIPs. Mr. Udo Paschedag, State Secretary, Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia delivered a speech on the importance of wind energy in North Rhine-Westphalia. Other guests include Mr. Werner Kolter, Mayor, City of Unna. In addition to the opening ceremony, Moog representatives and a number of leading industry experts sponsored a round-table discussion on “Safety, efficiency and skills in the wind energy market.”
Moog
www.moog.com

An American pitch system in a Chinese turbine

U.S. manufacturer Moog has supplied an AC servo motion-controlled pitch system for a 3-MW wind turbine in China. “In 2011, China’s emphasis on wind energy development will boost the wind energy sector. Chinese wind turbine manufacturers are ramping up their investment to seize a larger share of the world market,” says Lars Rasmussen, Moog’s general manager for the Asia Pacific region.

This is the first time Moog has supplied its AC servo motion-control pitch to a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer for a project in China. The new anti-corrosion and moisture-proof design protects its components against harsh weather. The 3-MW turbine system also incorporates Moog’s latest pitch motor. This synchronous servo motor provides motion-control redundancy during an emergency and is highly reliable and precise. Moog’s pitch motor, when paired with its pitch servo drive for wind turbines, meets stringent technical specifications for all types of wind energy applications. And the adoption of ultra capacitors in place of widely-used lead-acid batteries as backup power offers enhanced system reliability and reduced maintenance costs.

“Harsh operating environments have raised the requirements demanded of pitch motors for wind turbines. Consequently, AC servo motor technology is the choice for future developments. In these circumstances, we strive to help our key customers improve pitch control performance and energy efficiency of large turbines. Additionally, our customers will save on operation and maintenance costs.” adds Rasmussen. “We believe that our global experience and local capabilities can support our partners in leading the future wind energy industry, as well as encouraging the development of wind energy in China.”

The Moog Pitch Control System is a motion control system ensures effective use of wind energy and protection for large mainstream wind turbines. Moog’s Pitch Servo Drives are designed to operate under extreme temperature conditions within the switch cabinets of wind turbine rotor hubs. This system is also designed to withstand extremely high mechanical loads, while improving the operating efficiency of wind turbines.

Improving grid connection capability is one of the technical challenges that Chinese wind turbine OEMs must address urgently, and LVRT (Low Voltage Ride Through) capability is critical for minimizing turbine downtime under unstable grid power conditions. In June 2010, Moog and GUP completed China’s first LVRT wind turbine test. Moog’s new pitch system tailored for GUP’s first 3-MW wind turbine also has this feature and maximizes safety performance.

Moog www.moog.com/wind

A motor just for pitch

Pitch motors have a tough job. They spin around in a turbine hub and must work when it’s hot and cold. They are often on six-month maintenance intervals usually to check their brushes. It’s no wonder they konk-out after a few years.

Engineers at Moog have recognized the problem and so devised a line of ac synchronous electromagnetic servo motors for the job. When combined with the Wind Turbine Servo Drive in the Moog Pitch System, it offers higher performance and additional safety. The new Pitch Servo Motor offers max reliability and low maintenance because of an innovative design. When mounted properly, one spokesman for the company says the motors can last the life of the turbine.

Moog says it built the motor to meet the requirements of corrosion class C5M (to DIN 12944 Standards). With wind proof electrical connectors, this motor comes in hot and cold climate versions and one for offshore. This motor is said to work reliability under some of the most demanding environmental conditions including high vibration, extreme temperatures, and high humidity. The motor has no fan and a higher peak performance than a dc motor. For the series, torques range from 28 to 65 Nm.

 

 

The company points to these advantages:

• Long life and low maintenance – the ac synchronous motor is said to have a long life and low maintenance costs because it minimizes mechanical wear.
• Protection in the event of grid loss – The compact motor has a high-power density to reach required torques and speeds needed for safe feathering.
• ExtraSafety – Sensorless control means the Moog Pitch Servo Drive can control the motor in the event that position information is lost from the Servo motor’s resolver.

Moog
www.moog.com

China’s Sewind buys 400 pitch-control systems from Moog

Moog Industrial Group will provide 400 electric pitch-control systems for China-based Sewind Co. Ltd’s 2-MW wind turbines. The controls will go into on-shore and intertidal models. Sewind Co., one of the top five companies in China’s wind-energy industry, specializes in the design, manufacturing, and sale of large units.

Pitch systems control blade positions on wind-turbine rotors to ensure highest possible power capture and to protect the wind turbine. The pitch-control servodrives used in these systems operate under extreme temperature conditions within switch cabinets in the wind turbine rotor hubs, guaranteeing reliable operation. Moog says its pitch systems withstand extremely high mechanical loads in rotating turbines, while improving turbine operating efficiency.

“With worldwide emphasis on renewable energy sources and building a low-carbon economy, wind turbine operators will be searching for ways to increase wind turbine operation time,” says Moog’s general manager for the Asia Pacific Region Sean Gartland.

Sewind is a joint venture of the Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. and China Huadian Engineering Co. Ltd. Sewind headquarters are in Shanghai with production bases in Shanghai and Tianjin.

Moog Industrial Group

moog.com/wind

Electric blade pitch control

A state-of-the art servodrive for electric pitch systems was on display at WINDPOWER 2010 in the Moog booth. The PITCHmaster II was developed for the harsh conditions prevailing in rotor hubs. It operates reliably at constant internal switch gear cabinet temperatures ranging from -22°F to 158°F.

The design features several advantages, such as a capability to withstand high mechanical loads in the rotating hub. An external connection is facilitated by means of an integrated diode for EPU and dc link circuit decoupling. No need for shielded cables for the EPU because its connection is included in the EMC concept. Accurate EPU voltage measurements reduce the number of additional components in the switchgear cabinet, thus reducing installation time and increasing reliability. An integrated acceleration sensor supplies information on rotor speed, rotor position, and vibrations. This data can be used for condition monitoring equipment. An inherently earth-fault proof brake driver allows regulating holding brakes to EPU voltage level, thus reducing the number of relevant switching devices in the switchgear cabinet. The motor software also supports control of synchronous, asynchronous, or dc motors.

Lastly, the PITCHmaster II was optimized to increase its reliable operation in harsh environments. This reduces the number of maintenance intervals which leads to higher wind turbine availability.

Moog slip rings replace an existing design

A recent slip ring design, which is also a direct replacement for the pitch-control slip ring on GE 1.5 MW series wind turbine, comes from Moog, East Aurora, NY.

The AC7008 slip ring provides reliable transmission of power and data signals for the rotating blades from the control system. The advantage of the recent design over traditional models is its performance in harsh environments. For instance, fiber brushes and reliable mechanical components in the new unit eliminate costly downtime.

The AC7008 slip ring operates maintenance free for over 100 million revolutions. What’s more, it does so without lubrication and over a wide range of temperatures, humidity, and rotational speeds. The slip ring is protected from the environment and sealed to an IP54 rating.

Key pluses for the design include:

• Maintenance free for over 100 million revolution
• Minimal generation of wear debris
• No lubrication required
• Wide operating temperature range
• Lower life cycle cost
• High reliability

Moog
moog.com/wind

Slip rings for wind turbines

Moog Components Group has announced the introduction of a new slip ring that is a direct replacement for pitch control slip rings on the GE 1.5 MW series wind turbines.

The AC7008 slip ring provides reliable transmission of power and data signals from the nacelle to the control system for the rotary blades. The advantage of this slip ring over traditional models is its performance and quality in harsh environments. Costly downtime is eliminated by utilizing fiber brushes and robust mechanical components in the slip ring design.

The AC7008 slip ring operates maintenance free for over 100 million revolutions. A unique feature of the fiber brush technology is its ability to achieve long life without lubrication over a wide range of temperatures, humidity and rotational speeds. In addition, the fiber brush has the capability to handle high power while at the same time transferring data signals.

Moog has long recognized the value of fiber brushes for long life, space efficient slip rings. Moog’s patented approach has led to hundreds of different slip ring designs for a variety of challenging applications – from satellite solar array drive power transfer to industrial packaging equipment.

Key Advantages of the Slip Ring:

-Maintenance free for over 100 million revolutions
-Minimal wear debris generation
-No lubrication required
-Wide operating temperatures
-Lower life cycle cost
-High reliability

The Moog AC7008 slip ring provides direct connection to the gearbox with wire terminal connections in both the stator and rotor junction boxes. Each unit is shipped with a heater installed. The slip ring is protected from the environment and sealed to an IP54 rating.

Moog Inc.
www.moog.com/components