[Whitepaper] Introducing Compression-Based Load Monitoring To Wind Turbines

“This cycle continues and worsens until it is addressed during maintenance by retorquing the bolts to reapply enough compression to the yaw bearing. Eventually, the components wear and fatigue to the point of requiring replacement.”

Catastrophic joint failure has been at the epicenter of some of the wind industries’ most costly and hazardous breakdowns. Thus, the need for accurate, constant, and repeatable controlled bolting has been on the rise in both traditional and alternative energy sectors.

An important aspect of wind turbines is the yaw system. The yaw system, located between the nacelle and the tower, is responsible for orienting the turbine in the direction of the wind.

As the turbine rotates, the system needs to slow and eventually stop when oriented correctly. This is done by using a yaw brake to apply a compressive load and impart friction onto the yaw bearing. Both active and passive yaw systems use this technique to prevent unwanted rotation and oscillation of the wind turbine.

Learn more at https://www.vfbolts.com/products/spc4compression-bolt/