U.S. patent application number 14/419146 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for method and system of lubricating consumers to be monitored via their lubricant.
This patent application is currently assigned to VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S. The applicant listed for this patent is Vestas Wind Systems A/S. Invention is credited to Sascha Gutt, Daniel Henriksen, Thomas Korsgaard Nielsen, Jan Hove Pedersen, Simon Schjott.
Application Number | 20150292675 14/419146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46727065 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150292675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schjott; Simon ; et
al. |
October 15, 2015 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM OF LUBRICATING CONSUMERS TO BE MONITORED VIA
THEIR LUBRICANT
Abstract
A method involves directing lubricant to different consumers
which are to be monitored via their lubricant. The lubricant is
drained through drain lines connected to the consumers and directed
to a tank. At least some the lubricant in the drain lines or the
consumers is extracted into extraction lines. Flow from the
extraction lines is selectively directed to a measurement device,
which then measures a characteristic of the lubricant. A system for
carrying out such a method is also provided, wherein the system
includes a multiplexer for selectively directing flow from the
extraction lines.
Inventors: |
Schjott; Simon; (Abyhoj,
DK) ; Nielsen; Thomas Korsgaard; (Vejle, DK) ;
Pedersen; Jan Hove; (Brabrand, DK) ; Gutt;
Sascha; (Hojbjerg, DK) ; Henriksen; Daniel;
(Aarhus C., DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S |
Aarhus N. |
|
DK |
|
|
Assignee: |
VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
Aarhus N.
DK
|
Family ID: |
46727065 |
Appl. No.: |
14/419146 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
August 16, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DK2012/050300 |
371 Date: |
June 1, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61678111 |
Aug 1, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
184/6.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/72 20130101;
F16N 39/06 20130101; F03D 80/88 20160501; F03D 80/70 20160501; F16N
2210/025 20130101; F16N 29/00 20130101; F16N 2200/04 20130101; F02M
35/10222 20130101; G01N 33/2858 20130101; F16N 29/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16N 29/04 20060101
F16N029/04; F16N 39/06 20060101 F16N039/06; F03D 11/00 20060101
F03D011/00 |
Claims
1. A method of lubricating different consumers whose lubricant is
to be analyzed, comprising: directing lubricant to the different
consumers; draining the lubricant through drain lines connected to
the consumers, the drain lines being connected to a tank so as to
direct the lubricant to the tank; extracting at least some
lubricant from the drain lines or the consumers into extraction
lines; selectively directing flow from the extraction lines to a
measurement device; and measuring a characteristic of the lubricant
directed to the measurement device.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement device
is a particle counter such that measuring a characteristic of the
lubricant comprises counting particles in the lubricant with the
particle counter.
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: collecting
particles greater than a predetermined minimum size in a particle
collector downstream from the particle counter.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the particle counter is
configured to count particles greater than 70 .mu.m.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein selectively directing
flow from the extraction lines to the measurement device comprises
operating a multiplexer to which the extraction lines are
connected, the multiplexer comprising a valve arrangement in which
respective valves are associated with the extraction lines and a
controller for selectively opening the valves.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein selectively directing
flow from the extraction lines to the measurement device comprises
switching between directing: a) a combined flow from the consumers
into an output line, and b) from individual and/or subsets of
consumers into the output line.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the drain lines
converge before connecting to the tank, and further wherein the
combined flow is from a common extraction line downstream from
where the drain lines converge.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the combined flow is
the result of all extraction lines being open to the output
line.
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the measurement device
is a particle counter and selectively directing flow from the
extraction lines comprises: directing flow from all consumers into
the output line until the particle counter detects a predetermined
minimum particle size; and searching for which consumer is the
source of the detected particles by: switching to direct flow from
a first extraction line into the output line; and switching to
direct flow from a different extraction line into the output line
if the particle counter does not detect the predetermined minimum
particle size after a set period of time.
10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: drawing
lubricant from the extraction lines to the measurement device with
a pump or by gravity.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein measuring a
characteristic of the lubricant comprises measuring pressure,
temperature, viscosity, oxidation, water content, or flow rate.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the consumers are
components of a wind turbine power transmission system.
13. A lubrication system having different consumers to be monitored
via their lubricant, the lubrication system comprising: a tank;
drain lines configured to receive lubricant from the different
consumers, the drain lines being connected to the tank; extraction
lines connected to the drain lines or the consumers; a multiplexer
connected to the extraction lines, the multiplexer having an output
line and being configured to selectively direct flow from the
extraction lines to the output line; and a measurement device
connected to the output line, the measurement device being
configured to measure a characteristic of the lubricant in the
output line.
14. The lubrication system according to claim 13, further
comprising a pump connected to the output line, the pump being
configured to draw lubricant through the multiplexer.
15. The lubrication system according to claim 13, wherein the
measurement device comprises a particle counter configured to
detect particles in the lubricant received from the
multiplexer.
16. The lubrication system according to claim 15, further
comprising: a particle collector connected to the particle counter
and configured to gather particles greater than a predetermined
minimum size detected by the particle collector.
17. The lubrication system according to claims 13, wherein the
multiplexer comprises a valve arrangement in which respective
valves are associated with the extraction lines and controller for
selectively opening the valves.
18. The lubrication system according to claim 17, wherein the drain
lines converge before the tank and at least one of the extraction
lines is connected downstream from where the drain lines converge
so as to be associated with a combined flow from the consumers.
19. A power transmission system having different consumers of
lubrication, the power transmission system including a lubrication
system according to claim 13.
20. The power transmission system according to claim 19, wherein
the different consumers of lubrication system comprise one or more
main bearings supporting a main shaft, a gearbox driven by the main
shaft, and a generator driven by an output of the gearbox.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to lubrication systems and
methods where consumers are monitored via their lubricant. The
systems and methods are especially relevant to wind turbines.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A wind turbine (also referred to as a "wind turbine
generator" or WTG) includes many moving parts that facilitate
converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy.
This is particularly evident in the power transmission system of a
wind turbine, which often includes one or more main bearings, a
gearbox, and a generator for processing rotational mechanical
energy from a rotor of the wind turbine. The components of the
power transmission system typically require some form of
lubrication to help reduce friction and wear. Thus, wind turbines
typically include one or more lubrication systems for these and
other components.
[0003] It is advantageous to monitor the condition of lubricant in
a lubrication system for a variety of reasons. For example, the
presence of large particles (greater than approximately 70 .mu.m)
in lubricant drained from a component often means the component has
become worn or damaged beyond acceptable levels. Lubrication
systems sometimes include particle counters to detect the presence
and quantity of such particles so that appropriate action can be
taken to minimize further wear or damage.
[0004] Typically a particle counter or other measurement device is
placed in the drain lines of each component whose condition is
being monitored via the lubricant. This increases the cost and
complexity of the lubrication system.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention provides a method of lubrication that
allows the health or other aspects of multiple consumers to be
monitored via their lubricant. The term "consumer" refers to a
component having one or more rotating parts to be lubricated.
According to the method, lubricant is directed to different
consumers whose lubricant is to be analyzed. The lubricant is later
drained through drain lines connected to the consumers and directed
to a tank. At least some the lubricant in the drain lines or the
consumers is extracted into extraction lines. The method further
involves selectively directing flow from the extraction lines to a
measurement device. As used herein, the term "selectively
directing" refers to selecting an output from multiple inputs and
changing the selection based on observed activity and/or
predetermined time periods; the output may correspond to one of the
inputs or a subset of the inputs.
[0006] The measurement device to which lubricant is directed
measures a property of the lubricant. The property may be any
characteristic of the lubricant, such as pressure, temperature,
viscosity, oxidation, water content, flow rate, etc. In one
particular embodiment, the measurement device is a particle counter
such that measuring a characteristic of the lubricant comprises
counting particles in the lubricant. This may be for monitoring oil
cleanliness or for detecting wear in one or more of the consumers
beyond an acceptable level (health monitoring). Either way, the
method may further involve collecting particles greater than a
predetermined minimum size in a particle collector downstream from
the particle counter.
[0007] A lubrication system for carrying out the above-mentioned
method is also provided. The lubrication system includes the tank,
the drain lines configured to receive lubricant from the different
consumers, the extraction lines connected to the drain lines or the
consumers, and the measurement device. A multiplexer connected to
the extraction lines selectively directs flow to the output line.
Thus, as used herein, the term "multiplexer" refers to the device
or arrangement of components that selectively directs flow from the
extraction lines to the output line. The measurement device
connected to the output line is configured to measure a
characteristic of the lubricant, as mentioned above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a wind
turbine.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a power transmission system
for the wind turbine of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the power transmission
system of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a lubrication system for the
power transmission system of FIGS. 2 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 shows one example of a wind turbine 2. Although an
offshore wind turbine is shown, it should be noted that the
description below may be applicable to other types of wind
turbines. Indeed, the description below relates to a system and
method of lubrication that may be applicable to a wide range of
industrial products or systems, including those in other
industries. A wind turbine is shown and described simply to
facilitate discussion.
[0013] With this in mind, the wind turbine 2 includes rotor blades
4 mounted to a hub 6, which is supported by a nacelle 8 on a tower
12. Wind causes the rotor blades 4 and hub 6 to rotate about a main
axis 14 (FIG. 2). This rotational energy is delivered to a power
transmission system (or "power train") 10 housed within the nacelle
8. In the representative embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
power transmission system 10 includes a main shaft 16 coupled to
the hub 6 (FIG. 1). The power transmission system 10 also includes
first and second main bearings 18, 20 supporting the main shaft 16,
a bearing housing 22 surrounding the first and second main bearings
18, 20, and a gearbox 24 having a gearbox input member connected to
the main shaft 16 by a coupling 30. The gearbox 24 increases the
rotational speed of the main shaft 16 to drive a generator 28.
[0014] Other arrangements for the power transmission system 10 are
possible. Accordingly, the components of the power transmission
system 10 and their operation need not be described in further
detail. Only aspects pertaining to their lubrication are described
below. Indeed, as schematically shown in FIG. 3, the first and
second main bearings 18, 20, gearbox 24, and generator 28 are
"consumers" of lubricant in a lubrication system 40. Each contains
moving parts to be lubricated and are supplied with lubricant from
a tank (i.e., reservoir) via one or more feed lines 42. Drain lines
44 allow lubricant to return to the tank after passing through the
consumers. There may be a single or multiple drain lines per
consumer depending on the design of the lubrication system. The
gearbox in the figures is an example of the latter (e.g., the drain
lines 44 of the gearbox 24 may be associated with different gear
stages). The coupling 30 is not shown as having a feed line or
drain line, but could have such lines in alternative
embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates one possible embodiment of the
lubrication system 40 in further detail. The lubrication system 40
includes a fluid circuit between tank 46 and feed lines 42. Because
the fluid circuit may be arranged in ways other than what is shown,
it will not be described in detail. Standard features/components,
such as a pump 50 for delivering lubricant from the tank 46, an
inline filtration system 52, an offline filtration system 54, and a
heat exchanging system 56, may be provided.
[0016] The drain lines 44 connected to the consumers are eventually
combined and run to the tank 46. Extraction lines 58 ("probe
lines") are connected to the drain lines 44 before they converge.
The extraction lines 58 direct at least some lubricant from the
drain lines 44 to a multiplexer 60. Probe points 62 for the
extraction lines 58 are located in the drain lines 44 so that
extraction lines 58a are each associated with a respective consumer
(note: an exception in the embodiment shown is a common extraction
line 58a for the first and second main bearings 18, 20). A common
extraction line 58b may also be provided downstream from where the
drain lines 44 converge so as to be associated with a combined flow
from the consumers.
[0017] The multiplexer 60 in FIG. 4 is an arrangement of valves 62
that are controlled to selectively direct flow from the extraction
lines 58 to an output line 64. In other words, the multiplexer 60
selects which of the extraction lines 58 communicate with the
output line 64. This selection is alternated between the extraction
lines 58, as will be described below.
[0018] The lubrication system 40 further includes a measurement
device 66 connected to the output line 64 downstream of the
multiplexer 60. The measurement device 66 is configured to measure
at least one characteristic of the lubricant in the output line 64.
In the embodiment shown, the measurement device 66 is a particle
counter configured to detect particles in the lubricant received
from the multiplexer 60. The particle counter normally allows the
lubricant to return to the tank 46, but directs particles greater
than a predetermined minimum size to a particle collector 68. The
predetermined minimum size may be 70 .mu.m, for example. Particles
of such size in wind turbine lubrication systems are often
indicators of wear or damage in the consumer beyond an acceptable
level. A pump 70 may be connected to the output line 64 of the
multiplexer 60 to ensure lubricant is drawn from the extraction
lines 58 to the measurement device 66. The multiplexer 60 may
alternatively or additionally be arranged so that gravity ensures
flow from the extraction lines 58.
[0019] In use, lubricant is directed to the different consumers 18,
20, 24, 28 via the feed lines 42. After passing through the
consumers, the lubricant enters the drain lines 44 so as to be
directed toward the tank 46. At least some the lubricant is
extracted into the extraction lines 58. Under normal operating
conditions the multiplexer 60 directs a combined flow from the
consumers to the output line 64. This may be achieved by closing
the valves 62 of the extraction lines 58a and opening the valve of
the common extraction line 58b. In other embodiments not shown, the
combine flow may be the result of all extraction lines 58a being
open to the output line 64 such that the common extraction line 58b
is not necessary. If the measurement device 66 detects particles
greater than 70 .mu.m, the multiplexer 60 selects one of the
extraction lines 58a to direct to the output line 64 while blocking
the remaining extraction lines 58. This selection is alternated if
particles greater than 70 .mu.m are not detected after a
predetermined time interval. Thus, the multiplexer 60 switches
between the individual extraction lines 58a to identify the source
of the large particles so that appropriate action may be taken. The
particles registered and counted by the particle counter (i.e.,
those exceeding 70 .mu.m) are gathered by the particle collector
68. This may be achieved by physical entrapment, magnetic
attraction, or other known methods.
[0020] As can be appreciated, on a broad level the lubrication
system 40 provides the following functionalities: 1) measuring a
characteristic (e.g., counting particles) of a combined flow of
lubricant from all consumers, and 2) measuring a characteristic of
the flow of lubricant from individual consumers. The first
functionality may be achieved as described above, namely by
connecting a common extraction line 58b to a point in the
lubrication system 40 downstream from where the drain lines 44
converge, or by combining flow from various extraction lines 58a.
The second functionality includes switching between the extraction
lines to search for which consumer is the source of an observed
characteristic, which is particularly advantageous when the
lubrication system 40 is used to monitor health. The additional
functionality of particle collection may be provided when the
characteristic of the lubricant being measured is particle
size.
[0021] It should be noted that the lubrication system 40 also
offers advantages in terms of oil sampling capabilities. The
ability to switch between the extraction lines 58 means that oil
samples can be taken from the different consumers during different
stages of the wind turbine's operation. For example, at a first
time period after startup, the multiplexer 60 may switch between
the extraction lines 58 so that lubricant from the different
consumers can be analyzed by the measuring device 60 or otherwise.
The sampling can then be repeated at a different time after startup
to observe characteristics during a different stage of
operation.
[0022] It should also be kept in mind that the embodiments
described above are merely examples of the invention defined by the
claims that appear below. Additional advantages, examples, and
modifications will be appreciated. For example, the extraction
lines 58 may be connected to the consumers themselves rather than
to the drain lines 44. Moreover, the multiplexer 60 may be a
different arrangement of valves or other mechanical components
(e.g., actuators) capable of switching between different flow
lines. Finally, although there are advantages to switching between
combined and individual flows, lubrication systems and methods
where there is only measurement of individual flows are
possible.
[0023] With this in mind, the details of any particular embodiment
should not be seen to necessarily limit the scope of the claims
below. In addition to appreciating other modifications and
variations, skilled persons will understand how features of various
embodiments may be combined in different ways.
* * * * *