Bearing Resistance of Wind Turbine Generator System

Abstract

SUMMARY The vertical axis wind turbine generator is mainly used for small size wind turbine applications, and is independent of wind direction. Its rotating part (shaft unit) should be rotated by an extremely small torque so as to increase the generation efficiency. However, commercially available bearings are not necessarily suitable for the shaft unit because their static and dynamic load ratings are frequently larger than those required for the vertical axis wind turbine. As a result, the frictional force and the rotating torque of commercially available bearings are too large for the shaft unit to rotate lightly. In this study, through an experiment with an actual vertical axis wind turbine, the bearings used for the shaft unit are reviewed in accordance with IEC61400‐2. Design of a shaft unit with the bearings having the most suitable load rating and frictional force for the vertical axis wind turbine is attempted. The newly designed shaft unit will be applied to the vertical axis wind turbine and will be tested.