In operation, wind turbine gearboxes (WTGs) are subjected to variable torsional and nontorsional loads. In addition, the manufacturing and assembly process of these devices results in uncertainty in the design parameters of the system. WTGs are reported to fail in their early life of operation within 3–7 years as opposed to the expected 20 years of operation. Their downtime and maintenance process is the most costly of the failures of any subassembly of wind turbines (WTs). The objective of this work is to perform a probabilistic multibody dynamic analysis (PMBDA) of the high-speed-parallel-helical-stage (HSPHS) of a WTG that considers the uncertainties of generator-side torque-loading and input-shaft speed as well as assembly and design parameter uncertainties. Component reliability (Rc) or probability of failure (Pf) and probabilistic sensitivities of all the input variables toward five performance functions have been measured and conclusions have been drawn. As opposed to the traditional deterministic approach, PMBDA has demonstrated a new aspect of design and installation of WTGs. In addition to revealing Rc or system reliability or underperformance through Pf, the method will also help designers to critically consider certain variables through the probabilistic sensitivity results.
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September 2014
Research-Article
Loading and Design Parameter Uncertainty in the Dynamics and Performance of High-Speed-Parallel-Helical-Stage of a Wind Turbine Gearbox1
Fisseha M. Alemayehu,
Fisseha M. Alemayehu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: fisseha.alemayehu@ttu.edu
Texas Tech University
,Lubbock, TX 79409
e-mail: fisseha.alemayehu@ttu.edu
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Stephen Ekwaro-Osire
Stephen Ekwaro-Osire
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: stephen.ekwaro-osire@ttu.edu
Texas Tech University
,Lubbock, TX 79409
e-mail: stephen.ekwaro-osire@ttu.edu
2Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
Fisseha M. Alemayehu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: fisseha.alemayehu@ttu.edu
Texas Tech University
,Lubbock, TX 79409
e-mail: fisseha.alemayehu@ttu.edu
Stephen Ekwaro-Osire
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: stephen.ekwaro-osire@ttu.edu
Texas Tech University
,Lubbock, TX 79409
e-mail: stephen.ekwaro-osire@ttu.edu
2Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Power Transmission and Gearing Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received October 4, 2013; final manuscript received April 5, 2014; published online June 11, 2014. Assoc. Editor: Qi Fan.
J. Mech. Des. Sep 2014, 136(9): 091002 (13 pages)
Published Online: June 11, 2014
Article history
Received:
October 4, 2013
Revision Received:
April 5, 2014
Citation
Alemayehu, F. M., and Ekwaro-Osire, S. (June 11, 2014). "Loading and Design Parameter Uncertainty in the Dynamics and Performance of High-Speed-Parallel-Helical-Stage of a Wind Turbine Gearbox." ASME. J. Mech. Des. September 2014; 136(9): 091002. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4027496
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