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Wind turbine gearboxes are subjected to a wide variety of operating conditions, some of which may push the
bearings beyond their limits. Damage may be done to the bearings, resulting in a specific premature failure mode
known as white etching cracks (WEC), sometimes called brittle, short-life, early, abnormal or white structured flaking
(WSF). Measures to make the bearings more robust in these operating conditions are discussed in this article.
Electric motor-driven systems
are the single largest enduser
of electricity, accounting
for over 40% of global consumption
according to the International
Energy Agency.
The growth of worldwide energy consumption and emerging industrial markets demands an increase of renewable energy shares. The price pressure coming from coal, oil, nuclear and natural gas energy - combined with enormous worldwide production capacities for components of wind
turbines - make wind energy a highly competitive market. The testing and validation of gearboxes within the test rig and the turbine environment attract a strong focus to the needs of the industry. The following contribution sums up the typical process requirements and provides examples for successful system and component verifications based on field measurements.
Columnist Brian Langenberg provides a current outlook update, key findings
from a recent energy sector conference, and takes another look at education and employment.
The 8th International CTI Symposium on Automotive Transmissions, HEV and EV Drives took place in Rochester, Michigan from May 12-15. The event kicked off with its popular introductory seminar "Basics and Practice of Automotive Transmissions."
At the recently held annual meeting of the Bearing Specialists Association, there was a lot of talk about online sales channels and how Internet retailers are changing the way industrial products are researched, sourced and purchased.
For either brand-new motors or those already in service, "best practices" means that informed technicians can make use of the latest diagnostic techniques (vibration analysis, thermography, shaft-voltage testing, etc.) to prevent electrical bearing damage -- either at the very beginning or very quickly thereafter. If done correctly, the work need only be done once.
The following news items offer the latest on lubrication and seal technology in the power transmission market. From bearing greases to high-performance seals, these products will help extend the service life and manufacturing capabilities for a wide range of industrial sectors.