Abstract
This study evaluates the influence of a high-fidelity generator model on the dynamic responses of the gears and bearings of a 1 MW wind turbine. Fully coupled aeroelastic-servo-control numerical models with simplified and high-fidelity generators of the wind turbine are established. The numerical models are then verified through comparisons with another software in terms of natural characteristics and dynamic responses in the time domain. Dynamic analyses of the numerical models of the wind turbine are conducted under several environmental conditions. The external dynamic load excitation and internal load effects of the gearbox of the wind turbine numerical models with the simplified and high-fidelity generators are compared. The long-term fatigue damage of the gears and bearings of the two numerical models is also calculated and compared. Results show that the high-fidelity generator model increases the gearbox’s external and internal load fluctuations due to power grid and generator control effects. The high-fidelity generator model results in higher fatigue damage of the gears and bearings in the gearbox in comparison with the fatigue damage in the simplified generator model. This study provides a crucial basis for the design and dynamic analysis of wind turbine gearboxes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
S. Faulstich, B. Hahn and P. J. Tavner, Wind turbine downtime and its importance for offshore deployment, Wind Energy, 14 (3) (2011) 327–337.
C. Zaigang, Z. Ziwei and Z. Wanming, Improved analytical calculation model of spur gear mesh excitations with tooth profile deviations, Mechanism and Machine Theory, 149 (2020) 103838.
W. LaCava, Y. Xing and C. Marks, Three-dimensional bearing load share behaviour in the planetary stage of a wind turbine gearbox, IET Renewable Power Generation, 7 (4) (2013) 359–369.
W. Dong, Y. Xing and T. Moan, Time domain-based gear contact fatigue analysis of a wind turbine drivetrain under dynamic conditions, International Journal of Fatigue, 48 (1) (2013) 133–146.
J. M. Jonkman, L. Marshall and J. Buhl, FAST User’s Guide, Technical Report NREL/TP-500-38230, National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Golden, United States (2005).
Y. Xing, M. Karimirad and T. Moan, Modelling and analysis of floating spar-type wind turbine drivetrain, Wind Energy, 17 (2014) 565–587.
C. Zhu, S. Chen and H. Liu, Dynamic analysis of the drive train of a wind turbine based upon the measured load spectrum, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 28 (6) (2014) 2033–2040.
S. Wang, C. Zhu and C. Song, Effects of gear modifications on the dynamic characteristics of wind turbine gearbox considering elastic support of the gearbox, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 31 (3) (2017) 1079–1088.
X. Jin, L. Li and W. Ju, Multibody modeling of varying complexity for dynamic analysis of large-scale wind turbines, Renewable Energy, 90 (2016) 336–351.
S. Wang, C. Zhu and C. Song, Effects of elastic support on the dynamic behaviors of the wind turbine drive train, Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering, 12 (3) (2017) 348–356.
S. Xie, X. Jin and J. He, Structural vibration control for the offshore floating wind turbine including drivetrain dynamics analysis, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 11 (2) (2019) 023304.
B. Barahona, N. A. Cutululis and A. D. Hansen, Unbalanced voltage faults: the impact on structural loads of doubly fed asynchronous generator wind turbines, Wind Energy, 17 (8) (2014) 1123–1135.
D. J. Laino and A. C. Hansen, Aerodyn User’s Guide, Version 12.5, Technical Report TCX-9-29209-01, National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Golden, United States (2002).
P. J. Moriarty and A. C. Hansen, Aerodyn Theory Manual, Technical Report NREL/TP-500-36881, National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Golden, United States (2005).
SIMPACK, Multibody System Software, http://www.simpack.com (2018) (accessed Nov. 16, 2020).
W. Liu, L. Weixing and Z. Liang, A numerical model for wind turbine wakes based on the vortex filament method, Energy, 157 (2018) 567–570.
P. Jamieson, Rotor Aerodynamic Theory, Hoboken, New Jersey, United States (2018).
H. Li, B. Zhao and C. Yang, Analysis and estimation of transient stability for a grid-connected wind turbine with induction generator, Renewable Energy, 36 (5) (2011) 1469–1476.
DNVGL-ST-0361, Machinery for Wind Turbines, DNV GL AS, Oslo, Norway (2016).
ISO6336-1, Calculation of Load Capacity of Spur and Helical Gears — Part 1: Basic Principles, Introduction and General Influence Factors, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland (2006).
H. Yulin, H. Wei and L. Chengwu, Flexible multibody dynamics modeling and simulation analysis of large-scale wind turbine drivetrain, Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 50 (1) (2014) 61–69.
S. Li, T. Haskew and K. Williams, Control of DFIG wind turbine with direct-current vector control configuration, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 3 (1) (2011) 1–11.
A. D. Hansen and G. Michalke, Fault ride-through capability of DFIG wind turbines, Renewable Energy, 32 (9) (2007) 1594–1610.
J. Jonkman, S. Butterfield and W. Musial, Definition of a 5-MW Reference Wind Turbine for Offshore System Development, Technical Report NREL/TP-500-38060, National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Golden, United States (2009).
IEC61400-1, Wind Turbines, Part 1: Design Requirements, International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva, Switzerland (2005).
W. Jianzhou, H. Xiaojia and L. Qiwei, Comparison of seven methods for determining the optimal statistical distribution parameters: a case study of wind energy assessment in the large-scale wind farms of China, Energy, 164 (2018) 432–448.
GB/T12326-2008, Power Quality-Voltage Fluctuation and Flickers Power Quality-Voltage Fluctuation and Flickers, Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, China (2008).
GB/T15945-2008, Power Quality-frequency Deviation for Power System, Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, China (2008).
H. Nguyen-Schafer, Computational Design of Rolling Bearings, Asperg, Germany (2016).
W. Shuaishuai, R. N. Amir and M. Torgeir, On design, modelling, and analysis of a 10-MW medium-speed drivetrain for offshore wind turbines, Wind Energy, 23 (2020) 1099–1117.
ISO6336-2, Calculation of Load Capacity of Spur and Helical Gears, Part 2: Calculation of Surface Durability (Pitting), International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland (2006).
ISO6336-3, Calculation of Load Capacity of Spur and Helical Gears, Part 3: Calculation of Tooth Bending Strength, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland (2006).
ISO6336-5, Calculation of Load Capacity of Spur and Helical Gears, Part 5: Strength and Quality Materials, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland (2003).
ISO281, Rolling Bearings-Dynamic Load Ratings and Rating Life, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland (2007).
H. Nguyen-Schafer, Computational Tapered and Cylinder Roller Bearings, Asperg, Germany (2019).
ISO16281, Rolling Bearings — Methods for Calculating the Modified Reference Rating Life for Universally Loaded Bearings, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland (2008).
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the financial support from the Department of Mechanical Engineering in Fire Service College and the technical support from the College of Mechanical Engineering in Chongqing University. In addition, the authors would like to thank Shuaishuai Wang from Norwegian University of Science and Technology for substantial discussions on wind turbine modeling and data processing.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Yunpeng Zhou is a Researcher in Fire Service College in the People’s Republic of China. He received his Master’s degree (2016) in Mechanical Engineering from Chongqing University. He has been studying wind turbine dynamics. He is currently conducting research on offshore wind turbine fire risk assessment.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhou, Y., Lee, C. Evaluating the influence of a high-fidelity generator model on the gearbox dynamic responses of wind turbines. J Mech Sci Technol 35, 5273–5285 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-021-0501-8
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-021-0501-8