ONYX Insight has launched ecoPITCH, a hardware solution that predicts where and when pitch bearing failures occur in wind turbines.
Pitch bearing faults are difficult to predict and expensive to fix when left undetected, especially in offshore turbines. This failure mode is a significant problem for wind farm owners. Pitch bearings connect the rotor hub to the blades, and the costs associated with fixing the faults are high, particularly if the turbine is offshore. A pitch bearing failure can even lead to the catastrophic loss of a blade.
“This is a really exciting and forward-thinking addition to ONYX Insight’s suite of tools and services, which are all geared towards improving turbine efficiency and reducing maintenance costs,” said John Coultate, ONYX Insight’s head of product development.
“Pitch bearings are particularly difficult to monitor in real time, and our customers want absolute confirmation as to which bearings to change and when,” he said. “We now have a revolutionary offering for assessing and comparing damage on any turbine or wind farm, which has the potential to save operators and owners significant capital in unscheduled maintenance.”
Pitch bearing failure is a significant problem in the wind industry. Pitch bearings connect the rotor hub to the blades and experience high loading during the life of a turbine. In the most extreme cases, a pitch bearing failure can lead to the catastrophic loss of a blade — obviously an event that must be avoided.
ONYX Insight provides software, services, advanced sensing, and data analytics for gearboxes, drivetrains, bearings, and rotating machinery within the wind sector.
More info onyxinsight.com
