Hydraulic blade pitch positions the blade by an axis-control servovalve and hydraulic actuator with fail-safe functions

Pitch control systems from Moog Industrial Group, East Aurora, NY, monitor and adjust the inclination angle of a wind turbine’s blades to control rotor speed. Moog has both electric and electro-hydraulic, blade-pitch control along with power and data-transmission equipment for the wind-energy market.

“Wind-turbine OEMs want enhanced efficiency, increased reliability, and the highest safety,” says Sherif El-Henaoui, European marketing manager for Moog. A few of the company’s motion-control products for wind turbines are available for electric blade-pitch control.  It is done with Moog’s Pitchmaster Servocontroller and electric servoactuator.

Rotor monitoring, by a fiber-optic remote monitoring system, allows for higher uptime through proactive, preventative maintenance.

Power and data transmission, using long-lasting fiber-brush slip rings, ensures high performance. The slip ring transfers electric current and signals between equipment in the hub and nacelle.