Posts Tagged ‘refurbish’

Remanufacturing Process

The Process

 

 

 

Chassis

The chassis is cleaned with high pressure hot water and a biodegradable solvent.After a thorough cleaning, the chassis is inspected for any cracks or other anomalies.The chassis is made of welded, galvanized steel.In over 20 years of operation, we have never observed any stress related cracks or other failures attributable to normal operations.

Drive Train

The gearboxes are cleaned and dismantled.Gears are inspected for wear and turned or replaced as deemed necessary.All seals and bearings are replaced.The main shaft is checked for wear and repaired as necessary.Disc brake calipers are dismantled, cleaned and rebuilt.New brake pads are installed.The main shaft brake disc is turned if necessary.Main shaft bearings are disassembled and inspected for wear.As necessary, bearings are repaired or replaced.Old grease is removed and replaced with new grease.Sensors for high and low speed drive shafts are replaced.

Generators

Both the small and large generators are rewound, bearings replaced, new thermistors installed, and the rotor dynamically balanced.

Brake System, Hydraulics Lines and Wiring

All internal nacelle hydraulic lines are replaced, as are wiring harnesses.The braking system is rebuilt and calipers rebuilt or replaced if necessary.New brake pads and wear sensors are installed

Yaw System

The yaw motor and pinion gear are inspected and rebuilt or replaced as necessary.The bull gear is inspected for wear and repaired if necessary to insure a good mesh with the yaw pinion gear, or replaced.

Controller

The original controller will be replaced with a new controller.The new controller is based upon a commercially available industrial controller, which provides all functionality of the original controller, plus remote monitoring and control with two-way communication capability.The software is open source, easily programmed for adjustment to varying wind regimes characteristics.  For micro-grid applications or where the grid is weak or relatively unstable, a more sophisticated controller is recommended utilizing a variable speed electronics.

Blades

All blades are visually inspected for nicks, pitting, cracks, and de-lamination. They are then attached to a static jig and a deflection test is performed. This deflection test measures any movement between the steel root hub where it terminates and marries the blade spar.An endoscope is used to inspect the interior.The air brakes, which have previously been removed, are inspected to ensure that all hold tabs are within specifications, the shock absorbers for the spoilers are rebuilt or replaced, and deployment tested. Once the blades pass the structural integrity test, nicks and gouges are repaired, the blade is then buffed with rubbing compound to remove surface oxidation, re-gelcoated and polished.  New blades are available.

Tower

The turbine is normally sold with its original 80 foot lattice tower.The towers are inspected for any cracks or bends which might affect its integrity.No problems have been observed in the over 20 years of operation for towers that have experienced normal operation conditions.  Alternative towers are available, as is a 120′ tilt up tower.

Posted by on March 8th, 2009 No Comments