Study of Enhancement Test on Bearings of High Power Wind Turbine Gearboxes

Abstract

Bearings are critical components of the gearbox in wind turbine units, and their fatigue life and reliability directly influence the service life of wind turbines. Considering the large structural dimensions of wind turbine gearbox bearings, the complex loading conditions and harsh service environments, it is neither possible nor realistic to carry out not less than 20 years whole lifecycle test and reliability test under the actual service condition. The single-row tapered roller bearing in the gearbox of a specific 4.5 MW high-power wind turbine was focused and studied in current research. Based on the influence of the deformation state of the contact subsurface between the rolling element and the raceway on applied load, and the comprehensive effect of load and rotational speed on the oil film thickness, the load and rotational speed of the enhancement test were determined. The accelerated test duration was established according to the equivalent damage. The validity of this test method was verified by the 450 h enhancement test of single-row tapered roller bearing in the wind turbine gearboxes.

Keywords

• Wind turbine gearbox
• Tapered roller bearing
• Contact status
• Equivalent damage
• Enhancement test