Design and Analysis of Wind Turbine Bearing for a Green Energy Company

Renewables provide nearly a third of UK power in the UK and half of this is generated by from wind energy. Generation from onshore and offshore wind in the UK are central to the shift to an energy system fit for the future. One British Green Energy company is planning to construct a wind turbine system. You have been asked to design and analyse data for this renewable energy focused company.

This is an open assignment, so the result and viability of the bearings is not known.

Assignment Objectivee :

To design and select materials for a reliable shaft/bearing assembly that can be used for the above mechanical structure and minimises friction, wear and

To construct a reliability block diagram (RBD) analysis for the simplified wind turbine model and perform failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) for the same

To propose a monitoring system (sensory- actuation system) that can be used to monitor system operational condition and prevent system/ sub-systems

Assignment Brief:

As an engineer in the ‘Green Energy’ company you have been asked to design the bearing for the offshore wind turbine. In addition to the bearing design you are also requested to construct a reliability block diagram, perform FMEA analysis and propose a monitoring system for the above model. The design process should take into consideration the main dimensions of the mechanical structure and materials of the shaft and bearings.

Provide a detailed, professional report that contains the following items mentioned below:

1. Selection of dimensions of the offshore wind turbine. Define the design parameters and state any required

Hint1: The dimensions are not given, you decide. You can make it as small or big as you wish as long as it serves the intent purpose. Use the basic bending and torsion equation formulae for calculating the stresses and loads.

2. Selection of the rolling element bearing diameter. You will need to justify your Selection of bearing (diameter/width), calculation of forces and pressure on the bearing.

Hint2: The weight of the wind turbine is not given and need to be estimated or assumed by you.

3. Lookthrough different online resources to find the failure data for various components of the offshore wind turbine  Construct a reliability block diagram (RBD) analysis for the simplified model. List out all the assumptions you have made in the construction of the RBD (e.g. failure criteria, failure/repair interval, maintenance strategy, etc.)

Hint3: Websites mentioned below could be useful however you should also search for more specific data and put your findings in a table with references cited. http://reliabilityanalyticstoolkit.appspot.com/mechanical_reliability_data

4. Perform the failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) on the offshore wind turbine model. Discussand compare the salient features of similarities and differences of the quantitative method like RBD over qualitative method like 

Hint4: Review the FMEA method and perform the FMEA analysis on the motor.

5. Propose a monitoring system (sensory- actuation system) that can be usedto:

Monitor the operating condition of the wind turbine transmission

Predict the failure transmission

Describe in detail the main elements of the system. Use block diagrams to support your discussion.

Hint5: You have to think about an actuator to prevent failure.