Not too many years ago, working up-tower on a wind turbine was challenging if not impossible. Nacelles weren’t designed for easy access. If anything needed fixing inside, whether it was a high-speed shaft or an intermediate bearing, down came the gearbox. What Mark Eagle, General Manager of Moventas, remembers most about those early days in…
Composite manufacturer MARKOS has been EN 1090 certified
MARKOS, a composite manufacturer, has been EN 1090 certified by TÜV SÜD. The main production activity of MARKOS company is glass-reinforced plastic production of wind turbine nacelles, hub covers, as well as technical boats and other products. MARKOS also manufactures steel elements designed for wind turbine nacelles and steel or aluminum structures for other sectors.…
Variable speed hard-geared transmission may improve wind power efficiency 5 to 10%
A variable-ratio transmission that uses gears and chains, but no belts, has been introduced for licensing and production by inventor Gary Lee, CTO of VMT Technologies (www.theuniversaltransmission.com). The transmission works by expanding or reducing the diameter of a “moon gear” that drives the chain, thereby changing ratios. It does not rely on friction, which means…
Modular electrical connector ready for many jobs in the nacelle
The Han-Yellock, a completely new connector series, is aesthetically pleasing yet effective in harsh environments. The connector com-bines many new features, most noticeably an integral lock with a patented push button, a departure from the more common levers. The new connector allows for simple installation as well as a way to lock it simply by…
Considerations for Designing Turbine Hydraulics
An efficient, responsive, and reliable blade-pitch control on a wind turbine is made from many valves, pumps, hoses, reservoirs, and brakes. They must all work together to meet the demanding requirements placed on the pitch control in a turbine hub. An effective hydraulic blade-pitch control (BPC) requires knowing the performance characteristics of each component and…
Pitch and yaw drives
Yaw drives from Germany-based ABM Greiffenberger, Milford, Ohio, maintain nacelle positions into the wind to maximize energy generation. The drive uses a combination of induction motors and multi-stage planetary gearboxes. High grade components, most manufactured in-house, and durable roller bearings ensure maximum life with minimal maintenance. High torsion resistance maintains an exact position even in…