Published: 30 September 2015

Dynamic coupled vibration analysis of a large wind turbine gearbox transmission system

Zhaohui Ren1
Shihua Zhou2
Bangchun Wen3
1, 2, 3School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
Corresponding Author:
Shihua Zhou
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Abstract

A lumped-parameter coupled nonlinear dynamic model for one large multi-stage wind turbine gearbox transmission system is established comprehensively including wind varying load, mesh stiffness, dynamic transmission error, gravity, and bearing nonlinear characteristics to obtain the gearbox dynamic response. The vibration differential equations of the drive-train are deduced through the Lagrange’s equation. On the basis of that, the dynamics of wind turbine gearbox is investigated by a Runge-Kutta numerical method that includes simultaneous internal and external excitations. The results show that the dynamic response of the partial component is mainly superposed by high-frequency component caused by the internal excitation and low-frequency component caused by the external excitation. In medium-speed stage and high-speed stage, the vibration amplitude has obvious fluctuation, and the multiple frequency and random frequency components become increasingly obvious with increasing rotational speed and eccentricity at gear and bearing positions. Axial vibrations of the system also have some fluctuation. The bearing has self-variable stiffness frequency, which should be avoided in engineering design stage. The study results provide a theoretical foundation for dynamical characteristics evaluation and dynamic optimization of a large wind turbine gearbox transmission system.

1. Introduction

The gearbox transmission plays an important role in wind power industry. A failure of the transmission may cause breakdown of the whole machinery and major economic loss. Wind turbine is being increasingly deployed in remote onshore and offshore areas due to the richer wind resource and the advantages of mitigating the land use and visual impact issues. In addition, it is complex aerodynamic, mechanical and electrical machines incorporating sophisticated control systems. Therefore, dynamic coupled vibration analysis of a large wind turbine gearbox is a key research topic in the operation and maintenance of the gearbox system, which is consist of housing, shaft, gear, support bearing and so on. The study of the vibration characteristics of individual component has been established an important part of the design. However the vibration characteristics of an individual component can change considerably when these components are assembled together to form one system, due to the coupled vibration effects among these constituent components. The gearbox is the key equipment of the synthetically mechanized wind turbine equipment, the dynamic performance impacts on the reliability and safety of the whole wind turbine. The accuracy dynamic response analysis of the wind turbine gearbox transmission is also gradually increased due to the development of power for the wind turbine train system towards the MW. Hence, the research of the coupled nonlinear dynamics an important theoretical significance and engineering application value for the large wind turbine gearbox provides. A number of models were proposed in past to describe the dynamic behavior of the wind turbine gearbox transmission system, and also achieved some remarkable achievements [1-19]. Riziotis V. A. [4] and Thomsen K. [5] established the coupled nonlinear dynamic model of a multi-stage gear-rotor-bearing transmission system by considering the internal and external excitation, and the dynamic response of the typical system is calculated and analyzed with modal superposition method. Peeters J. [6] presented three types of multi-body models for the investigation of a drive train in a wind turbine, and a comparison of the different modeling techniques is discussed for a wind turbine’s drive train with a helical parallel high speed stage, two planetary stages and a flexible rotor. Yang [7] developed an effective method for processing raw SCADA data from wind turbine, proposed an alternative condition monitoring technique based on investigating the correlations among relevant SCADA data, and realized the quantitative assessment of the health condition of a turbine under varying operational conditions. Pérez J. [8] categorized the main designs, focusing on their reliability by bringing together and comparing data from a selection of major studies due to wind turbine manufacturers are continuing to develop a range of configurations with different combinations of pitch control, rotor speeds, gearboxes, generators and converters. Tavner P. J. [9] and Zhou [10] discussed the practical methods of predicting large-wind-turbine reliability using grouped survey data from wind stats and show the turbine design, turbine configuration, time, weather and possibly maintenance can affect the extracted results. Zhu [11] and Bartelmus [12] analyzed the transmission system of gearbox used in a large-scaled wind-driven generator with application of the theory of engagement, gear system dynamics and nonlinear dynamics, and the nonlinear coupling dynamic system with multi-speed gear-driven, which includes the gears, shafts and housing, was established including time-varying stiffness, running clearance and manufacturing errors. Besides, the dynamic behaviors of the coupled system were analyzed when the internal excitation to the system was considered. Qin [13, 14] developed a mathematical model of a horizontal wind turbine drive-train by applying the flexible multi-body dynamics theory based on the Lagrange’s equation. The natural frequencies and modes were calculated, and the effects of bearing stiffness on those modes were examined. The rotational vibrations of the sun gears as well as the tooth contact forces between the sun and planet and the ring and planet were analyzed in detail. Xu [15] established the dynamic model of overall gearbox train system by lumped parameter method including the time-varying, comprehensive mesh stiffness, meshing error, and coupled vibration. But this article did not give the corresponding numerical simulation. Helsen [16-17] and John [18] focused on the gearbox model behavior assessment by means of three more complex modeling techniques of varying complexity. Both simulation and experimental results were discussed. Typical mode categories for traditional wind turbine gearboxes were defined. Moreover the challenge of the definition of an accurate approach to condense finite element models for representing the flexible components in the flexible multi-body models was overcome. Shi [19] established a mathematical model for a horizontal axial wind turbine drive-train using the torsional multi-body dynamic model. The differential equation was solved numerically by direct numerical integration, and dynamic analysis was carried out to investigate the transient response of the drive-train system. It can be seen that the references made summaries, comparison, and researches on the dynamical characteristics of the gearbox transmission system in the past, the coupled dynamic model of the gearbox system for wind turbine which considers the external load excitation, meshing stiffness, input and output torques, meshing error, nonlinear characteristics of the support bearing and gravity is rare. In order to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the gearbox transmission system more accurately, it is necessary to establish precise dynamic model of the gearbox transmission system. A requirement for reliable gearbox design calculations is sufficient insight in the dynamics of the entire wind turbine drive train.

Accurate analytical modeling, including mesh relationships and detailed characterization of the nonlinear dynamics of wind turbine gearbox, is needed to estimate gearbox vibration and predict dynamic forces in industrial applications. Little work has been done to characterize for the nonlinear effects of the support bearing and gravity on gearbox dynamics. The lack of experiment studies to understand the complex dynamics of gearbox. In this paper, characterize the complex, nonlinear dynamics of gearbox transmission system by lumped-parameter method propose an analytical model, which is systematically studied the vibration characteristics of wind turbine gearbox transmission system.

2. Dynamic model and equations of gearbox

The theoretical system structure and the physical model are shown in the Fig. 1(a) and (b) respectively. The MW wind turbine gearbox transmission system that will be studied in this paper, as shown in Fig. 2, is a structural diagram that is a multi-mesh gear train. The drive-train in this study consisted of a low-speed planetary gear stage (three identical planets with spur teeth, sun and fixed ring gears) and two high-speed helical gear stages. This typical arrangement has been commonly used in the wind turbine industry.

Fig. 1The theoretical model of wind turbine gearbox

The theoretical model of wind turbine gearbox

a) The basic theory of wind turbine gearbox

The theoretical model of wind turbine gearbox

b) Physics model of the gear transmission system

In Fig. 2, Tin is the input torque, Tout represents the output torque, Pi indicates the planet gear, c is the carrier, r indicates the ring gear, s is the sun gear, 1 and 2 represent the driving and driven gears of intermediate-speed stage, 3 and 4 are the driving and driven gears of high-speed stage.

Fig. 2Structure diagram of wind turbine gearbox transmission

Structure diagram of wind turbine gearbox transmission

2.1. Lumped-parameter analytical model of helical gear

Considering the influence of input/output and support bearing, et al., the static model of helical gear-shaft-bearing system is shown in Fig. 3. The dynamic model of the transmission system, as shown in Fig. 4, is established. m1 and m2 are the equivalent mass of helical gears respectively. J1 and J2 represent moment of inertia; mbi (i= 1-4) is equivalent mass at bearing position. Jd and Jl indicate moment of inertia in input/output terminal. ρ1 and ρ2 represent the eccentricity. Fxi, Fyi and Fzi (i= 1-4) are nonlinear bearing forces in x, y and z directions.

Fig. 3Static model of helical gear-rotor-bearing system

Static model of helical gear-rotor-bearing system

Fig. 4Dynamic mode of helical gear-rotor-bearing system

Dynamic mode of helical gear-rotor-bearing system

In Fig. 3, the fixed coordinate system Ai-xiyizi (i= 1, 2) is set up at Ai, which is the ideal center of the helical gears. Bi (i= 1-4) represents the ideal center of bearing. O1(x1,y1,z1) and O2(x2,y2,z2) are the geometric rotational centers of the driving and driven gears; G1(xg1,yg1,zg1) and G2(xg2,yg2,zg2) represent centroid respectively. To deduce kinetic equations of the helical gear-shaft-bearing system, the stress of the cylindrical gear with helical teeth should be analyzed primarily. Therefore, the dynamic model of gear meshing is shown in Fig. 4. Φ1 and θ1 (j= 1, 2, d, l) are the rotation angle and angular vibration displacement of driving gear, driven gear, input terminal and output terminal. rb1 and rb2 are the base radius of driving and driven gears respectively; Ft, Fr and Fa represent the tangential force; radial force and axial force. αt and αn are the pressure angles of the pitch circle in the end face and normal direction. β and βt are helix angles of pitch circle and base circle. α1 indicates the angle between center line and vertical direction.

According to the previous geometrical relationship, the angle displacements of the input/output, driving and driven gears can be expressed by the following equations:

1
ϕd=ω1t+θd, ϕl=ω2t+θl, ϕ1=ω1t+θ1, ϕ2=ω2t+θ2.

The relationships between G1xg1,yg1,zg1,G2(xg2,yg2,zg2) and the O1x1,y1,z1,O2(x2,y2,z2) are expressed as follows:

2
xg1=x1+ρ1cos-ϕ1, xg2=x2+ρ2cosϕ2,
yg1=y1+ρ1sinϕ1, yg2=y2+ρ2sin-ϕ2,
zg1=z1, zg2=z2.

In order to ensure the contact of teeth surface on meshing performance, it is assumed that the relative deformation of gear pair is completely changed into elastic deformation on teeth surface along with the meshing direction. The meshing gear pair is connected through the spring and damper [20]. Therefore, the comprehensive deformation of two helical gears in the meshing direction is expressed as:

3
δ=rb1θ1-rb2θ2+x1+ρ1cosϕ1-x2+ρ2cosϕ2cosα1-αt
+y1-ρ1sinϕ1-y2+ρ2sinϕ2sinα1-αt+z1-z2tanβ-et.

Based on the viscoelasticity theory, the meshing force of gear can be described as:

4
F=cmδ˙+kmδ,

where km and cm represent the average meshing stiffness and damping; rb1 and rb2 indicate the base radius of helical gears; e(t) is the meshing error.

It is assumed that the dynamic meshing force which is from the driving gear to the driven gear is positive. So the meshing forces in x, y and z directions can be described respectively as:

5
Fx=Fcosα1-αt, Fy=Fsinα1-αt, Fz=Ftanβ.

2.2. Lumped-parameter analytical model of planetary gear

The planet carrier is regarded as the input terminal, and the sun gear is the output terminal. The gear mesh is modeled as linear spring acting along the pressure line direction. The other supports/bearings are modeled as nonlinear springs. The friction forces due to gear teeth contact and other dissipative effects are captured using modal damping. Therefore the translational-rotational model of the planetary gear system is shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5The dynamic model of planetary transmission system

The dynamic model of planetary transmission system

In Fig. 5, the OXY is the fixed-coordinate system. Oxy represents the motional-coordinate system of the planet carrier. The Oxi points to the theory center of the planet gear, and the ideal angular velocity of the carrier is ωc. s, r, c, pi are the subscripts of the sun, ring, carrier and planet respectively, and the subscripts from 1-i (i= 1, 2, 3) designate the planets. xj, yj (j=s, r, c) represent the lateral displacements (the projections in the fixed coordinate system OXY). xpi, ypi(i= 1, 2, 3) indicate the vibration displacements projections of the ith planet gear in opixpiypi coordinate system. rbj (j=s, r, c, pi) is the base radius of gears or radius of the carries. θj (j=s, r, c, pi) represents the rotational displacement of the sun, ring, carrier and planet respectively. Besides, it is assumed that the counterclockwise is the positive direction. φi is the circumferential position of the ith planet around the sun gear and φi=2π(i-1)/n, α is the sun-planet and ring-planet operating pressure angles. ksj, csj (j=s, t, b) are the bending, torsional of sun gear and the bearing stiffness and damping in x-direction and y-direction respectively, krj, crj (j=s, t) represent the bending of ring and the bearing stiffness and damping in x-direction and y-direction, kcj, ccj (j=s, t, b) indicate the bending, torsional of the carrier and the bearing stiffness and damping in x-direction and y-direction respectively, kbpi, cbpi are the ith bearing stiffness and damping of planet gear in lateral-direction, kpis, cpis, kpircpir are the mesh stiffness and damping of sun-planet and ring-planet in the pressure line direction.

2.2.1. The elastic deformation of sun-planet in the pressure line direction

In the paper xs, ys are the linear displacements of the sun gear in x-direction and y-direction, and the θsrbs is the circumferential angular displacement. xssinφsi, –yscosφsi and –θsrbs are the projections of sun-planet along the pressure line direction. xpi, ypi are the linear displacement of the planet gear in x-direction and y-direction, and the θpirbpi is the circumferential angular displacement. xpisinα, –ypicosα and –θpirbpi are the projections of sun-planet along the pressure line direction. So the compressive deflections in the sun-planet mesh spring can be expressed as follows:

6
δpis=xssinφsi-yscosφsi-rbsθs+xpisinα+ypicosα-rbpiθpi,
φsi=φi-α.

2.2.2. The elastic deformation of ring-planet in the pressure line direction

xr, yr are the linear displacement of the ring in x-direction and y-direction, and the θrrbr is the circumferential angular displacement. xrsinφri, –yrcosφri and –θrrbr are the projections of ring-planet along the pressure line direction. xpi, ypi are the linear displacement of the planet gear in x-direction and y-direction, and the θpirbpi is the circumferential angular displacement. –xpisinα, ypicosα and θpirbpi are the projections of ring-planet along the pressure line direction. So the compressive deflections in the ring-planet mesh spring can be expressed as follows:

7
δpir=xrsinφri-yrcosφri-rbrθr-xpisinα+ypicosα+rbpiθpi,
φri=φi+α.

2.2.3. The relative elastic deformation between planet gear and carrier

δpix and δpiy are the relative displacement between planet gear and carrier in the oxiyi coordinate system, the elastic deformations are:

8
δpix=xpi-xccosφi-ycsinφi, δpiy=ypi+xcsinφi-yccosφi-rbcθc.

2.3. Vibration differential equations of the wind turbine gearbox transmission system

Based on the dynamic models of the helical gear and the planetary gear transmission, a generalized displacement vector of the whole gearbox transmission system can be defined with respect to the global co-ordinate system by:

9
A=ri+ro+γ0-db,

where θi (i=c, r, pi, s, 1, 2, 3, 4) represent the angular vibration displacement respectively, xi, yi, zi (i=c, r, pi, s, 1, 2, 3, 4) are the linear vibration displacements in x, y, z directions.

According to the dynamic analysis of the wind turbine gearbox, taking into the mesh stiffness, input/output torque, the kinetic energy T, the potential energy U and the dissipation function R, are established of the gearbox system. Utilizing the Lagrange equation, the differential equations of the train system can be expressed as follows:

The vibration differential equation of the carrier:

10
mcx¨c+2ccs(x˙c-x˙bc)-i=13cpi(δ˙pixcosφi-δ˙pixcosφi)+2kcs(xc-xbc)
-i=13kpiδpixcosφi-δpixcosφi=Fbcx,
mcy¨c+2ccsy˙c-y˙bc-i=13cpiδ˙pixsinφi+δ˙pixcosφi+2kcsyc-ybc
-i=13kpiδpixsinφi+kpiδpixcosφi=Fbcy-mcg,
Jcθ¨c+cctrbc2θ˙c-i=13cpiyrbcδ˙piy+kctrbc2θc-i=13kpiyrbcδpiy=-Td.

The vibration differential equation of the ring gear:

11
mrx¨r+crx˙r-i=13cpirδ˙pirsinφi+α+krxr-i=13kpirδpirsinφi+α=0,
mry¨r+cry˙r+i=13cpirδ˙pircos(φi+α)+kryr+i=13kpirδpircos(φi+α)=-mrg,
Jrθ¨r+crtrbr2θ˙r-i=13cpirrbrδ˙pir+krtrbr2θr-i=13kpirrbrδpir=0.

The vibration differential equation of the ith planet gear:

12
mpix¨pi-2ωcy˙pi-ωc2xpi+cpiδ˙pix+cpisδ˙pis-cpirδ˙pirsinα+kpiδpix
+(kpisδpis-kpirδpir)sinα=0,
msy¨pi+2ωcx˙pi-ωc2ypi+cpiδ˙piy+cpisδ˙pis+cpirδ˙pircosα+kpiδpiy
+kpisδpis+kpirδpircosα=-msg,
Jpiθ¨pi-cpisrbpiδ˙pis+cpirrbpiδ˙pir-kpisrbpiδpis+kpirrbpiδpir=0.

The vibration differential equation of the sun gear:

13
msx¨s-i=13cpisδ˙pissinφi-α-i=13kpisδpissinφi-α=Fbsx,
msy¨s+i=13cpisδ˙piscos(φi-α)+i=13kpisδpiscos(φi-α)=Fbsy-msg,
Jsθ¨s+cstrbs2θ˙s-i=13cpisrbsδ˙pis+kstrbs2θs-i=13kpisrbsδpis=0.

The vibration differential equation of the intermediate-speed driving gear:

14
m1x¨1+cx1x˙1+kx1x1=-Fx1+m1ρ1θ¨1sinφ1+m1ρ1(ω1+θ˙1)2cosφ1,
m1y¨1+cy1y˙1+ky1y1=-Fy1-m1g-m1ρ1θ¨1cosφ1+m1ρ1(ω1+θ˙1)2sinφ1,
m1z¨1+cz1z˙1+kz1z1=-Fz1,
J1+m1ρ12θ¨1+ct1θ˙1+kt1θ1=m1ρ1x¨1sinφ1-m1ρ1y¨1cosφ1 -F1rb1.

The vibration differential equation of the intermediate-speed driven gear:

15
m2x¨2+cx2x˙2+kx2x2=Fx2+m2ρ2θ¨2sinφ2+m2ρ2(ω2+θ˙2)2cosφ2,
m2y¨2+cy2y˙2+ky2y2=Fy2-m2g-m2ρ2θ¨2cosφ2+m2ρ2(ω2+θ˙2)2sinφ2,
m2z¨2+cz2z˙2+kz2z2=Fz2,
J2+m2ρ22θ¨2+ct2θ˙2+kt2θ2=m2ρ2x¨2sinφ2-m2ρ2y¨2cosφ2 -F2rb2.

The vibration differential equation of the high-speed driving gear:

16
m3x¨3+cx3x˙3+kx3x3=-Fx3+m3ρ3θ¨3sinφ3+m3ρ3(ω3+θ˙3)2cosφ3,
m3y¨3+cy3y˙3+ky3y3=-Fy3-m3g-m3ρ3θ¨3cosφ3+m3ρ3(ω3+θ˙3)2sinφ3,
m31z¨3+cz3z˙3+kz3z3=-Fz3,
J3+m3ρ32θ¨3+ct3θ˙3+kt3θ3=m3ρ3x¨3sinφ3-m3ρ3y¨3cosφ3 -F3rb3.

The vibration differential equation of the high-speed driven gear:

17
m4x¨4+cx4x˙4+kx4x4=Fx4+m4ρ4θ¨4sinφ4+m4ρ4(ω4+θ˙4)2cosφ4,
m4y¨4+cy4y˙4+ky4y4=Fy4-m4g-m4ρ4θ¨4cosφ4+m4ρ4(ω4+θ˙4)2sinφ4,
m4z¨4+cz4z˙4+kz4z4=Fz4,
J4+m4ρ42θ¨4+ct4θ˙4+kt4θ4=Tl+m4ρ4x¨4sinφ4-m4ρ4y¨4cosφ4 -F4rb4.

3. Dynamic excitation of wind turbine turbine gearbox

The gearbox transmission system withstands internal and external excitations. The external excitation mainly refers to the external influence factors, which cause the gearbox vibration. For example, the rotating blade vibration causes the gearbox vibration. The internal excitation mainly refers to gear meshing stiffness, meshing error and so on.

3.1. External excitation

According to the aerodynamic theory [21-22], taking the AR wind speed model as an external excitation, the excitation can be expressed as follows:

18
pin=12ρπR3v(t)2Cp,

where Pin is the input power of the wind turbine, ρ represents the air density, R indicates the radius of the wind turbine, v(t) is the stochastic wind speed, Cp is power coefficient.

The input torque and output torque of the wind turbine can be expressed by the following equations:

19
Tin=Pinω, Tout=Tini,

where ω is the angular velocity of the wind turbine, i represents the transmission ratio of the gearbox.

According to the foregoing formulas, the simulation results of the wind speed and the wind turbine input torque are shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6Random wind speed and driving torque

Random wind speed and driving torque

a) Waveform of wind speed

Random wind speed and driving torque

b) Waveform of input torque

3.2. Internal excitation

3.2.1. Dynamic model of the angular contact rolling bearing

Angular contact ball bearing model is shown in Fig. 7. Bearing outer ring is fixed in bearing chock, and inner ring is fixed in shaft. The balls are uniformly distributed between outer ring and inner ring. The velocities vi and v0 at the contact point between the rolling ball and outer/inner ring was analyzed, which can be expressed as:

20
vi=ωir, vo=ωoR,

where R and r represent the radius of the bearing outer and inner rings; ωi and ω0 are the angular velocities.

Assuming that it is the pure rolling between ball and outer/inner ring, and the velocity of cage can be expressed:

21
vb=vo+vi2=ωoR+ωir2.

Generally, the bearing inner ring rotates together with shaft, and the bearing outer ring is fixed. Utilizing the relationships ω0= 0, ωi=ω. So the angular velocity of the cage is as follows:

22
ωb=2vb(R+r)=ωirR+r.

The rotation angle φi of the ith rolling ball at t moment can be expressed:

23
φi=ωbt+2πi-1Nb, i=1, 2, 3,, Nb,

where Nb represents the number of rolling ball.

In Fig. 7, db is the diameter of rolling ball, d indicates the diameter of shaft, di and do represent the diameters of the bearing outer and inner orbits, dm is the diameter of pitch circle, and dm=(di+do)/2.

Fig. 7Schematic diagram of angular contact rolling bearing

Schematic diagram of angular contact rolling bearing

When the angular contact ball bearing is at a low speed, the centrifugal force and gyroscopic moment can be neglected. Fr and Fa represent the radial force and axial force of bearing respectively. The ball bearing and geometric deformation of different position are shown in Fig. 8. α0 is the initial contacting angular of before being loaded, α0' indicates the angular after being loaded; P0 represents the center of the bearing outer ring before being loaded; P0' is the one after being loaded. Because the outer ring is fixed, the P0 and P0' are the same position; Pi is the center of inner ring before being loaded; Pi' represents the after being loaded; δai, δri and θi are the axial deformation, radial deformation and angular deformation respectively; Ri is the curvature radius of inner orbit; φi is the position angular; δi, δ0 and δbi represent the contacting deformation and total deformation between rolling ball and outer and inner orbits.

Fig. 8Ball bearing and deformation of different positions

Ball bearing and deformation of different positions

a) Before being loaded

Ball bearing and deformation of different positions

b) After being loaded

Ball bearing and deformation of different positions

c) Geometric deformation relation

Because the centrifugal force and gyroscopic moment are ignored, the contacting angular between rolling ball and bearing orbit and the contacting force are the same. In Fig. 8(b), the deformation of rolling ball at position angular φi can be expressed as:

24
δbi=δi+δo=S-A.

According to geometric relationship in Fig. 8(c), the distance S between the curvature center of inner orbit and outer orbit can be expressed by the following equation:

25
S=Asinαo+z+Riθicosφi2+Acosαo+xcosφi+ysinφi2 1/2.

The normal contacting deformation between the ith rolling ball and the bearing orbit is as follow:

26
δbi=S-A=Asinαo+δa+Riθicosφi2+Acosαo+δr21/2-A.

Utilizing the relationships δa=z, δr=xcosφi+ysinφi, the Eq. (26) can be expressed by:

27
δbi=S-A=[Asinαo+z+Riθicosφi2+Acosαo+xcosφi+ysinφi2]1/2-A,

where x,y and z represent the linear vibration displacement respectively; Ri=dm/2+ri-db/2cosα0; A is the initial distance between curvature center of inner orbit and outer orbit, and A=ri+r0+γ0-db.

At the positon angular φi, the actually contacting angular α0' can be expressed as:

28
tanαo'=Asinαo+z+RiθicosφiAcosαo+xcosφi+ysinφi.

According to nonlinear Hertz contact theory, the contact force between the ith rolling ball and the bearing orbits is fbi, at the same time, the normal stress can be only generated between the rolling ball and the bearing orbits when the δbi is more than zero. So the force can be expressed by:

29
fbi=Kc(δbi)3/2Hδbi
=Kc[(Asinαo+z+Riθicosφi)2+Acosαo+xcosφi+ysinφi)21/2-A3/2
H[(Asinαo+z+Riθicosφi)2+Acosαo+xcosφi+ysinφi2]1/2-A.

The normal load can be known by the Eq. (29), and the axial and radial forces can be expressed as below:

30
fri=fbicosα0'=Kc(δbi)3/2cosα0', fai=fbisinα0'=Kc(δbi)3/2sinα0'.

So the bearing forces (Fbx, Fby and Fbz) in x, y and z directions can be expressed by:

31
Fbx=i=1Nbfricosφi=i=1NbKc(δbi)3/2cosα0' Hδbicosφi,
Fby=i=1Nbfrisinφi=i=1NbKc(δbi)3/2cosα0'Hδbisinφi,
Fbz=i=1Nbfai=i=1NbKc(δbi)3/2sinα0'Hδbi.

3.2.2. Error excitation

Using the harmonic function [23], the error excitation can be described as follows:

32
et=e0+ersinωet+ϕe,

where e0 and er represent the mean and amplitude of meshing error; φe is initial position angle. ωe=2πn1z1/60. z1 indicates the tooth number of driving gear.

4. Nonlinear dynamic response of gearbox system

From the previous conclusions and results, it can be seen that the wind turbine gearbox is a complicated system with the strong nonlinearity, multi-speed gear-driven, time variance and the support bearing. Therefore it is necessary to give a detailed analysis of the wind turbine gearbox. The dynamic behaviors of system are investigated by Runge-Kutta numerical simulation method. On this basis, the gearbox geometry parameters of the transmission system analyzed in this paper are given in Table 1.

Table 1Geometric parameters of the wind gearbox transmission system

Low-speed planetary gear stage
Ring gear
Sun gear
Planet gear
Modulus
Pressure angle
123
27
48
12
22.5
Medium-speed helical gear stage
Driving gear 1
Driven gear 2
Normal modules
Helix angle
Pressure angle
104
23
10
13.5
22.5
High-speed helical gear stage
Driving gear 3
Driven gear 4
Normal modules
Helix angle
Pressure angle
98
25
6.5
15
20

4.1. Dynamic response of the wind turbine gearbox

By applying the coupled vibration model of a wind turbine gearbox transmission system, the vibration analysis and calculations are carried out. In this paper, the dynamic response of the MW wind turbine gearbox with the external load excitation, meshing stiffness, input and output torques, meshing error, nonlinear characteristics of the support bearing and gravity effects are investigated using the Runge-Kutta numerical simulation method that includes simultaneous internal and external excitations. This method using the elastic mechanics theory is applied to a lumped-parameter wind turbine gearbox model. The coupled dynamic mechanical analysis of the system is performed so as to include all the components of influence factors.

Fig. 9Vibration waveform of the planet and sun

Vibration waveform of the planet and sun

a1)

Vibration waveform of the planet and sun

b1)

Vibration waveform of the planet and sun

a2)

Vibration waveform of the planet and sun

b2)

Fig. 9-Fig. 11 and Fig. 12-Fig. 14 show the vibration response of the partial component in x, y, θ directions, in which the carrier driver, having a rated speed of 17 r.p.m., drives the wind turbine gearbox to rotate. The response curves (vibration waveform and spectrum) of components are made appropriate interception in order to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the wind turbine gearbox train system more accurately. The lateral vibration displacement response of planet gear and sun gear in the low-speed stage is shown in Fig. 9. The negative value in figure indicates the opposite direction with respect to the predetermined positive direction in the model. In this paper, it can be found from comparison with Fig. 9-Fig. 11 that the planet gear has the minimum vibration amplitude, the vibration amplitude of medium-speed helical gear stage takes second place, and the vibration amplitude of high-speed helical gear stage has the maximum. In addition, the vibration waveform of each component in the train system presents a different changing trend due to the influences of the internal and external excitations.

Fig. 10Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

a1)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

b1)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

c1)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

a2)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

b2)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

c2)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

a3)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

b3)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

c3)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

a4)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

b4)

Vibration waveform of the gear in medium-speed stage and high-speed stage

c4)

It can be seen from Fig. 9 that the dynamic characteristics of the planet gear and sun gear in low-speed stage become more complex due to the time-varying load and nonlinear characteristics of the support bearing. The vibration responses of the planet and sun are significant higher than others in low-speed planetary gear stage. (Because of the limited space, this paper only gives the vibration response of planet and sun). Moreover, high-harmonic components are significant shown in time-domain response. It can be found from comparison Fig. 9 with Fig. 6 that the vibration responses of the planet and sun are similar change with the external excitation.

Fig. 10 shows the lateral and axial vibration displacement responses of the medium-speed helical gear stage and high-speed helical gear stage. It can be seen from Fig. 10 that the vibration responses of driving gear in x, y, z directions are slight higher than one of the driven gear. Comparing Fig. 10 with Fig. 9, it can be seen that the vibration response of the medium-speed helical gear stage become more complex due to the effects on the low-speed planetary gear stage and high-speed helical gear. In addition, it can be also found the low-speed stage is mainly affected by the external load, and the vibration of the high-speed stage mainly causes by load. The vibration amplitudes are also obviously increasing and the magnitude of amplitude reach the 0.1 mm due to the effects of the internal and external excitation. The support bearings in the low-speed stage and high-speed stage inevitability stand heavy dynamic load due to the effect of the gear eccentricity, mesh error and gravity. Hence, the bearing appears earlier failure. The dynamic response analysis for the wind turbine gearbox should fully be considered the influences of the bending vibration, torsional vibration, axial vibration and coupled vibration.

Fig. 11 shows angular vibration displacement response of the partial component. This comparison proves that the torsional vibration displacement of each component is obviously higher than those of lateral and axial vibration displacement response. So the torsional vibration is the main vibration and torsional amplitude obviously appears different vibration features due to the effects of the external excitation. In addition, the torsional vibration responses of the components appear complex vibration characteristics, which are caused by the nonlinear features of the support bearing and other excitations. In fact, bearing is one of main factor controlling vibration in a power transmission system because they play a key role in determining the system’s natural frequencies, and they can also be responsible for vibration amplification and transmission to other parts.

Fig. 11Torsional vibration of the partial component in gearbox

Torsional vibration of the partial component in gearbox

a)

Torsional vibration of the partial component in gearbox

b)

Torsional vibration of the partial component in gearbox

c)

Torsional vibration of the partial component in gearbox

d)

4.2. Frequency response of the gearbox

In order to accurately analyze the dynamic of the wind turbine gearbox transmission system, Figs. 12-14 show the frequency domain response of the partial component in lateral-direction, axial-direction and torsional-direction. It can be seen that the frequency domain response appear a lot of frequency multiplication and frequency combination components. The meshing frequency component of the low-speed stage is fm (fm=fczr= 29.45 Hz), medium-meshing frequency component is fm1 (fm1=z1n1/60= 163.6Hz), and the meshing frequency component of the high-speed stage fm2 (fm2=z3n3/60= 707 Hz) in the wind turbine gearbox transmission system. Fig. 12 show the lateral frequency domain response of planet gear and sun gear in the low-speed stage. Analysis of the Fig. 12(a), (b) shows that there is a certain degree of continuous spectrum at low-frequency stage due to the effects of the support bearing and the meshing between the gears, which mainly includes frequency combination (2fm+fbc,4fm+fbp,5fm+3fbp+fbc,…) and frequency multiplication. Besides, it also appears a high-harmonic component 536.5 Hz (18fm+3fs+fp). For the sun gear spectrum Fig. 12(c), (d), the frequency components are relatively simple, but it also appears complex frequency combination (2fm+fs, 4fm+10fp, 5fm+3fbs-fs,…) and frequency multiplication. In addition to the high-harmonic component 536.5 Hz, there is also another obvious high-harmonic component 571.5 Hz (19fm+fbs). The result indicate that the vibration frequency low-speed stage has a very obvious probability distribution, which is mainly concentrated in the frequency range below 200 Hz. This phenomenon is caused by the nonlinear characteristics of the support bearing and external excitation.

Fig. 12Lateral spectrogram of the planet and sun in gearbox

Lateral spectrogram of the planet and sun in gearbox

a)

Lateral spectrogram of the planet and sun in gearbox

b)

Lateral spectrogram of the planet and sun in gearbox

c)

Lateral spectrogram of the planet and sun in gearbox

d)

Fig. 13 shows the lateral and axial frequency domain response of the medium-speed helical gear stage and high-speed helical gear stage. It can be seen from Fig. 13 that the own rotating frequency and the rotating frequency with meshing gear are the main frequencies in x, y, z directions. For example, the driving rotating frequency f1 (f1=n1/60= 1.57 Hz) and the driven rotating frequency f2 (f2=n2/60= 7.13 Hz) in medium-speed helical gear stage. The driving rotating frequency f3(f3=n3/60=7.13 Hz) and the driven rotating frequency f4(f4=n4/60= 28.71 Hz) in high-speed helical gear stage. The meshing frequencies fm1 (fm1=z1n1/60= 163.6 Hz) and (fm2=z3n3/60= 707 Hz) are not immediately obvious, which aren’t mark in the spectrogram.

It can be seen from the medium-speed helical gear stage that the driving shaft rotating frequency f1 is the main frequency component in x-direction and y-direction, and the driven shaft rotating frequency f2 is the main frequency component in y-direction. The bearing variable stiffness frequencies fb1 (17.17 Hz) and fb2 (58.59 Hz) also appear in three directions. In addition, the frequency combination (f2-f1, f2+f1, fb1+f1, fb2+f1,…) and frequency multiplication (2f1, 2f2, 2fb1, 2fb2,…) make the spectrogram become more complex in x and y directions. What’s more, the frequency components are relatively simple in z direction. The rotating frequency and frequency combination are the main components and the bearing variable stiffness frequencies do not obviously appear. So the bearing has a larger effect on the lateral vibration. (High-speed train stage also has the same properties, be limited by the space restrict can’t write all go into detail).

Fig. 13Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

a1)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

b1)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

c1)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

a2)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

b2)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

c2)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

a3)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

b3)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

c3)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

a4)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

b4)

Lateral and axial spectrogram of medium-speed stage and high-speed stage in gearbox

c4)

Fig. 14 shows torsional frequency domain response of the partial component in gearbox. Through the contrastive analysis, it may discover that with the increase of the speed, the amplitude distribution becomes complex gradually, where the frequency combination and frequency multiplication also appear (it is similar with the forgoing waveform). The further analysis shows that these phenomena are caused by the influences of the external excitation, the characteristics of assembly, the gear geometry parameters and the non-linear characteristics of the support bearing.

5. Conclusion

The drive-train in this study is consisted of a low-speed planetary gear stage and two high-speed helical gear stages. Based on the theory of elasticity mechanics, a lumped-parameter mathematical model is used to more precisely analyze the nonlinear dynamic model of coupled vibration for the wind turbine gearbox transmission system. The main conclusions are as follows:

1) The dynamic response of the each component in the gearbox transmission system is mainly superposed by high-frequency component caused by the internal excitation and low-frequency component caused by the external excitation. The vibration frequency of the wind power planetary gear transmission system has a very obvious probability distribution, which is mainly concentrated in the frequency range below 200 Hz.

Fig. 14Torsional spectrogram of the partial component in gearbox

Torsional spectrogram of the partial component in gearbox

a)

Torsional spectrogram of the partial component in gearbox

b)

Torsional spectrogram of the partial component in gearbox

c)

Torsional spectrogram of the partial component in gearbox

d)

2) This comparison proves that the angular vibration displacement of each component is obviously higher than those of lateral and axial vibration displacement response. So the torsional vibration is the main vibration, which is similar change with the external excitation. The planet gear has the minimum vibration amplitude, the vibration amplitude of medium-speed helical gear stage takes second place, and the vibration amplitude of high-speed helical gear stage has the maximum.

3) In medium-level and high-level transmissions, an obvious component of rotational frequency of driven shaft exists in the driving shaft due to the coupled lateral-torsional-axial vibration, and the rotating frequency and the frequency combination components are more obvious showed in torsional direction. Bearing is one of main factor controlling vibration in a power transmission system because they play a key role in determining the system’s natural frequencies, and they can also be responsible for vibration amplification and transmission to other parts. In addition, the bearing has its own variable stiffness frequency, which should be avoided in engineering system design stage.

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About this article

Received
11 April 2015
Accepted
18 June 2015
Published
30 September 2015
SUBJECTS
Mechanical vibrations and applications
Keywords
wind turbine gearbox
dynamical model
coupled vibration
dynamic response
Acknowledgements

The project was supported by China Natural Science Funds (No. 51475084).