Failure analysis of wind turbine planetary gear

Abstract

The article presents selected problems related to an analysis of damage to wind turbine planetary gear. It is the most vital element installed in wind turbines, affecting the operational costs (prolonged downtime), and costs of repairs and servicing including delivery of required compo-nents. The authors have analyzed the wear/failure of planetary gear. The process initiating fatigue wear, different from similar devices in other industries, can be easily observed in wind turbine gear. This establishes a specific direction of research into the causes, and early detection of ‘gas spots’ on gear teeth as they seem to trigger fatigue wear.