Abstract:
A fluid system for a wind turbine, which is particularly beneficial when the wind turbine is operating at low power, such as during idling operational mode. Fluid accumulates in a fluid storage device before being released intermittently, for example by fluid bursts or pulses, to one or more consumer units, including but not limited to bearings. The fluid system advantageously enables fluid, such as lubricant, to be sufficiently distributed to the one or more consuming units even if the pump used to supply fluid to the consuming units is operating at low power.
Abstract:
A contaminant sensor (1) for detecting magnetizable contaminants (7) present in a lubricant flow is disclosed. A permanent magnet (3) is arranged movably inside a sensor housing (2). A sensor element (6, 11, 13), e.g. in the form of a distance sensor (6) or a pressure sensor (11), is arranged to detect a displacement of the permanent magnet (3) inside the sensor housing (2), and an indicator is arranged to generate an alert signal when a displacement and/or a rate of change of displacement of the permanent magnet (3) inside the sensor housing (2) exceeds a pre-defined threshold value. The permanent magnet (3) is arranged to move inside the sensor housing (2) in response to magnetizable contaminants (7) collected on an outer surface of the sensor housing (2).
Abstract:
A method involves directing lubricant to different consumers which are to be monitored via their lubricant. The lubricant is drained through drain lines connected to the consumers and directed to a tank. At least some the lubricant in the drain lines or the consumers is extracted into extraction lines. Flow from the extraction lines is selectively directed to a measurement device, which then measures a characteristic of the lubricant. A system for carrying out such a method is also provided, wherein the system includes a multiplexer for selectively directing flow from the extraction lines.