Moventas has launched a condition management system. The aim is to raise the reliability of the mechanical power transmission systems which are at the heart of wind turbine designs and to minimize maintenance costs.
The condition management system developed by the company focuses on the mechanical power transmission equipment, which is mainly the gearbox and associated components. The system monitors and senses a range of parameters that show how well the gearbox is operating and those changes which may indicate potential failure modes. Key measurement parameters include oil quality, vibration, load and temperature. Continuous monitoring of these parameters is handled by an electronic control system. The condition management system can be integrated into new turbine designs or fitted to machines already in operation. The system can also integrate existing sensors that may already be fitted to a wind turbine. In all cases, Moventas offers a turnkey service, providing all the mechanical engineering, installation and connections.