New ideas in wind turbine main bearing and gear seals

摘要

Efforts to maximize the potential of wind as a reliable power source have led to significant investments in onshore and offshore-wind turbine technology. One predominant industry trend to emerge is to increase the size of the wind turbines, thereby maximizing the output per unit. This trend puts pressure on engineers who are trying to cope with the challenges of harsh environmental conditions and structural requirements due to more weight, increased heights, stronger vibrations, ongoing maintenance, along with high expectations regarding function and the lifecycle of parts. To control costs, wind-turbine parts must meet a lifetime expectation of 20 years. Because of this expectation, reliable sealing technology is one key element for higher performance and longevity.