How simulation-driven design is aiding the performance and durability of wind turbine gearboxes.
Matthew Jaster’s feature, in Gear Technology’s Newsletter, reviews how companies are achieving wind turbine and gearbox efficiencies through simulation.
In the past, ZF Wind Power had to use Excel spreadsheets to laboriously calculate appropriate flow rates and pressures that was both complex and time-consuming. That was until the adoption of Siemens Simcenter Solutions – a system level thermos-fluid simulator tool.
Simcenter Flomaster rapidly validates the models since each component comes with validation data and results. It allows the engineers the ability to determine flow rates and pressures anywhere on the model in real world simulation.
The system also includes built-in empirical data, comprehensive library of components and sample systems to enhance engineering efficiency and streamline the development process.
Gearbox manufacturers can also optimize reducing weight with advanced level simulation. Engineers can evaluate the gearbox’s performance easily under real-world operating conditions identifying potential issues or areas of improvement.
This is increasingly important as gearbox design rises to the challenges of increasing size, power output and torque requirements whilst enhancing durability.
The article incudes a case example from wind turbine manufacturer Moventas and their highly successful integration with the Simcenter SCADAS simulation to aid design and development.
See here for the article and full account of how simulation enables gearbox manufacturers to meet the increasing demands for performance, reduction of life-cycle costs as well as greater size and weight requirements.