Case Studies

Failure of bearings account for a significant proportion of current wind turbine down time that results in poor efficiency and increased operating costs. Whilst for onshore applications this is serious enough, for offshore turbines where access is difficult the costs are much more substantial.

This project addresses this issue by establishing a state-of-the-art bearing test rig to specifically support the offshore wind industry in the North of England. The test facility will enable accelerated life testing of full scale bearings under realistic conditions (e.g. duty loading, speed, lubrication and temperature) independent of the wind turbine, thus enabling quick and cost effective characterisation of bearing performance. This unique facility will be operated by the Design Unit of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, an established, independent laboratory specialising in transmission systems where all necessary ancillary support services are already in place. The output from this test rig will allow improved understanding of bearings for wind power applications and will provide competitive advantage to facility users by providing improved reliability to the turbines being developed for critical offshore applications. This will enable the development of improved bearings and bearing arrangements that David Brown will then incorporate into its new design of Wind Turbine Gearboxes that it is introducing into the Offshore Wind Turbine market.

Primarily the project will improve the reliability and performance of Wind Turbines and thus produce competitive advantage for the Northern Way region. Secondly this investment will result in a regional World Class expertise in this critical wind turbine component that will enhance the local supply chain and the Narec facilities. This will follow the successful model that the Design Unit has followed to become a World Leader in gearing that supports industry as a whole and produces data trusted worldwide for incorporation in international standards and in-house industry practice.

Graham Penning OBE Hon DSc FRSA
Group Technology Director

David Brown Gear Systems Limited
Park Gear Works, Lockwood
Huddersfield HD4 5DD UK

Tel: +44 (0)1484 465670
Email: gpenning@davidbrown.com
Website: www.davidbrown.com