Ricardo rotates for a longer life

Ricardo claims that in tests the new bearing system has been demonstrated as having the potential to improve wind turbine reliability and extend turbine bearing life by more than 500 percent. The Ricardo MultiLife system rotates the race of standard bearings over time, which ensures that the fatigue damage or wear never reaches a critical localised condition during the turbine life.

Forensic investigation undertaken by Ricardo on behalf of wind energy clients has identified an important similarity in bearing failure mechanisms commonly arising in wind turbine drivetrains. Wear on the inner race of bearings in the inaccessible planetary stages of the gearbox tends to be concentrated over a small arc of some 40 degrees and can lead to premature failure, whilst the remainder of the race remains unworn.

By Jake Frith