Performance of lubricating oils for wind turbine gear boxes and bearings

Abstract

In this study, the friction and wear properties of six different new and used wind turbine gear oils (ISO VG 320), with different base oil formulations and additives packages, were investigated. For that purpose, a four-ball tribometer and an Optimol SRV were used. Moreover, the lubricants extreme pressure properties were also evaluated, using the same four-ball tribometer. The study also includes a characterization of the lubricants. The main objective was to compare the new and used gear oils in order to identify performance differences and predict oil change intervals. The results indicate that a use of 3 to 4 years is within the lifetime of the lubricant.

Experimental and statistical analysis of wear on gear material

“…The coefficient of friction (COF) 16 between pairs is analysed by tribometer. It is found that the COF increases with an increase in running time 16,17 . viscosity of oil reduces with an increase in running hours.…”

“…In the present case, considering two control factors (load and speed) with three-level, such as 30, 40, 50 N for load and 300, 400 and 500 rpm for speed the L 9 orthogonal array, the Taguchi configuration of the experiment was chosen, as shown in Table 7. 13,14,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]26,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] The weight loss is recorded for pin and disc (both). Five tests are conducted under each condition and average value are taken.…”

“…The design of the experiment is a statistical method that regulates the input parameters to figure out the optimal parameters. In the present case, considering two control factors (load and speed) with three‐level, such as 30, 40, 50 N for load and 300, 400 and 500 rpm for speed the L 9 orthogonal array, the Taguchi configuration of the experiment was chosen, as shown in Table 7 13,14,16–23,26,40–48 . The weight loss is recorded for pin and disc (both).…”

“…It is found that the COF increases with an increase in running time. 16,17 viscosity of oil reduces with an increase in running hours. Viscosity is the major parameter to maintain oil film thickness that reduces the COF, but film thickness reduces with an increase in surface roughness as well as mixing of wear debris into lubrication oil due to wear.…”

Lubricating oil deterioration modeling and remaining useful life prediction based on hidden semi-Markov modeling

“…Lubricating oil, which reflects the system performance in the full life cycle through its properties, 1 should be monitored and replaced appropriately to maintain the service life of machines in a good condition. 2,3 Oil wear analysis and lubrication quality analysis have been widely accepted and performed to describe oil deterioration and machine failure in practical operations 4–7 . Wear particles in lubricated tribo-systems can cause wear increment and accelerate oil deterioration.…”