A laboratory apparatus for investigation of vibration performance of wind turbine planetary gearbox

Since the focus in the traditional design calculations for wind turbines apply mainly on the rotor loads and the dynamic behavior of the overall wind turbine, the drive train and in particular gearbox in the wind turbine gives a great concern. However, the aim of the present work is to establish a laboratory apparatus to be used for measuring the wind turbine gearbox dynamic performance using a lab-scaled wind turbine gearbox. The exact details of the drive-train to be tested and analyzed are presented. Instruments were chosen and installed to capture data about vibration responses, and changes to their conditions. The influence of changing speed and load on the gearbox dynamic performance is considered. Accelerometers to make continuous measurements are installed over the casing of the main shaft bearing. Loads are simulated by using hydraulic disc brake, while the output is simulated by an electric with inverter. The test data will be analyzed and correlated to look for any gearbox component dynamic performance, non-linear, or is suspect under a wide range of input conditions. The results indicate that the laboratory apparatus and experimental methodology capability established in this work could be utilized for evaluating the vibration performance of the wind turbine planetary gearbox. Moreover, the state of the gearbox either in healthy or faulty condition could be identified accurately.