• Journal of Wind Energy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.90-97
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• 2022

In this paper, a study on the vibration characteristics of the pitch gearbox of 8 MW large capacity wind turbines was conducted. The vibration analysis method of the pitch gearbox was proposed by combining the planetary gear train vibration model with the housing and carrier finite element model using the substructural synthesis method. We modeled the vibration excitation source for mass unbalance, gear mesh frequency, and bearing defect error action on the pitch gearbox, and performed a critical speed analysis. As a result of analyzing the critical speed of the pitch gearbox, the critical speed for the excitation source did not occur within the operation speed (84.87 rpm). In addition, as a result of applying 10 %, 20 %, …, 100 % of the largest load duration distribution (LDD) load, it was found that the bearing stiffness and the primary natural frequency were larger as the LDD load was larger. The primary natural frequency was 81.47 Hz for the lowest load among LDD data, which exceeded an operating speed of 84.87 rpm (5.09 Hz), so it was found that vibration caused by the change of LDD load did not occur in the operating speed range.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.164-171
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• 2023

Vibration and noise must be considered to maximize the efficiency of a yaw system and reduce the fatigue load acting on a wind turbine. This study investigated a method for analyzing yaw-system vibration based on the change in the load-duration distribution (LDD). A substructure synthesis method was combined with a planetary gear train rotational vibration model and finite element models of the housing and carriers. For the vibration excitation sources, the mass imbalance, gear mesh frequency, and bearing defect frequency were considered, and a critical speed analysis was performed. The analysis results showed that the critical speed did not occur within the operating speed range, but a defect occurred in the bearing of the first-stage planetary gear system. It was found that the bearing stiffness and first natural frequency increased with the LDD load. In addition, no vibration occurred in the operating speed range under any of the LDD loads. Because the rolling bearing stiffness changed with the LDD, it was necessary to consider the LDD when analyzing the wind turbine vibration.

• Journal of Wind Energy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.80-89
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• 2022

In this paper, a study was conducted to evaluate the safety of pitch reducers for 8 MW class wind turbines. The housing and carrier of the pitch reducer were subjected to structural analysis for the ultimate load by load duration distribution (LDD). As a result of the finite element analysis of the housing parts, the part with the highest stress was the output housing, and the equivalent stress was 522.4 MPa and the safety factor was 1.14. As a result of finite analysis of the carrier, the highest stress occurred at 80.5 MPa in the first carrier, and the safety factor was 10.3. In addition, extreme strength and life analysis by LDD load were performed for gears and bearings included in each stage. The strength analysis of the planetary gear train was conducted based on ISO 6336, and the stability evaluation of the bearings through life analysis based on ISO 281 found all to be safe.