Asset Protection - Wind Turbines

Preventive maintenance is a good idea but how do you know when to carry it out? Genuine asset protection only occurs when maintenance can be predicted in advance of damage or deterioration of the system. WearSens® from cmc Instruments GmbH is a unique, new oil condition monitor, online and continuous.

Many oils have additives that will bind to the broken oil molecules that are the precursors to damage so that the problems are not identifiable until the additives have been consumed. However WearSens® is not only highly sensitive but also fast. Faster than the rate at which the additives work. Academic trials confirm this.

During the past two years papers have been presented at many conferences on tribology, wind power and gears, including the International Conference on Gears in 2013. The reason for the interest? Asset protection and low downtimes are key to profitability. Predictive maintenance clearly has benefits over rigid inspection and maintenance intervals. 

Highly sensitive, WearSens® can detect changes in oil before damage results in the form of vibrations and particle shearing. Both vibrations and particles can be measured by older technologies but they are only measuring after damage has occurred. For asset protection to be effective the damage states need to be detected earlier - WearSens® is the solution.

Applications for this new technology include all large oil lubricated and oil insulated systems. For instance, turbines including offshore wind turbines, compressor systems, cogen electricity plants and high voltage transformers.

WearSens®is easy to install or retro-fit. The decentralised, web based monitoring system makes results available anywhere in the world. It can be employed as a stand-alone unit or as part of a more comprehensive condition monitoring system.