Determination of the Reliability for a Multi-Megawatt Wind Energy Gearbox: From a Safety Factor driven Concept to Reliability Rating

摘要

Reliability requirements gain more and more importance in the wind energy sector. This report describes the engineering design process of a Multi-Mega-Watt (MMW) Generator Gearbox (GeG) with a focus on reliability. In the first step, typical methods of reliability engineering processes are shown in an overview, e.g. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Lessons Learned as qualitative methods and Weibull statistic as a quantitative method. Then the application of those methods, for the differential gearbox in an integrated medium speed drive train is explained in detail. The definitions for the system analysis, for the failure modes (system elements) and the interaction with the FMEA are explained. Calculated reliability values are compared to safety factors and to field experience. Finally, an explanation for a corresponding validation concept and an outlook on potential improvements for the reliability engineering is given.