STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS OF A WIND TURBINE DRIVE TRAIN HIGH SPEED SUBSYSTEM: MATHEMATICAL MODELLING AND VALIDATION

Paper in proceeding, 2015

The paper studies the dynamics of a wind turbine drive train high speed subsystem, both by modelling and experiments with focus on system torsional vibration and transient events which can reduce fatigue life of functional components (gearbox, bearings, shafts, couplings, others). A scaled down drive train high speed shaft test rig has been developed. Main components of the test rig are six-pole motor with variable frequency drive controller (up to 1000rpm), shafts’ disk coupling and flexible mounting structure representing gearbox housing with output high speed bearing. The test rig is equipped with measurement system comprising a set of accelerometers and displacement sensors, strain gauges and telemeter system, data acquisition hardware and software (SKFWindCon3.0). Mathematical and computational models of the test rig have been developed and went through validation tests. The system dynamic response is studied for different operational scenarios and structural parameters (run-shut down case with and without eccentric mass). The ultimate goal of the test rig is to get insight into interaction between internal dynamics of drive train mechanical and electrical functional components and to develop novel methods to detect, predict and prevent faults and failures in wind turbine drive trains arising due to misalignments and transient external loads.