Wind Turbines
and KELLER Pressure Sensors
Wind turbines
rely on a variety of sensors to monitor the status of components
and the ability of the turbine to operate efficiently and safely.
The basic function of a wind turbine is to produce electricity
from the wind. The power of the wind rotates the blades; this
force is transferred to a generator to produce an electrical
current.
In a typical construction the rotation of the blades has to be
limited to a low speed to reduce the amount of mechanical strength/torque
and noise they can produce. The low speed rotation of the blades
cannot produce enough force to generate any meaningful electricity.
A gearbox is used to increase the rotation speed of the shaft
running from the blades to the generator.
The necessary transmission ratio between the rotation torque
and the high speed rotation required for the generator determines
the overall size of the gearbox. The gearbox has to be extremely
efficient because the transferred power output is extremely high.
Energy loss can also be high, mainly due to heat, which is why
the gearbox has to be cooled.
This is achieved with sophisticated lubrication technology in
the gearbox. Oil pressure and oil temperature measurements are
required in this process. In some applications the oil pressure
is monitored by KELLER sensors. KELLER has provided multiple
pressure transmitters from the 21Y series to a client who supplies
these gearboxes for wind turbines.
The 21Y is the classic analogue industrial transmitter with a
very low temperature error. It is small, robust and a good compromise
between performance and price; making it the ideal solution for
similar applications.
June 2021
