Detecting Incipient Wind Turbine Gearbox Failure: A Signal Analysis Method for On-line Condition Monitoring

Abstract

Condition monitoring of wind turbines is gaining importance as turbines become larger and move to more inaccessible locations, such as offshore. Condition monitoring based on methods conventionally used in the power generation industry have been demonstrated to work successfully on large wind turbines when attention is paid to data collection. In view of the large number of wind turbines deployed this paper proposes a methodology for wind turbine condition monitoring that compares conventional condition monitoring signals with operational signals, such as load or energy, which could be applied automatically. A multi-parameter approach, based on comparison of independent signals, should increase confidence in fault signal interpretation and alarms generated, potentially reducing the risk of false alarms.