Refurbishment of a Leading 2.3 Yaw Drive BackgroundWith a total installed capacity of more than 7,500 MW across the US, this 2.3 platform has been the flagship design of the European OEM’s wind turbine portfolio. Despite an exceptional track record for performance and reliability, this platform has experienced several recurring issues with the yaw drives according  to  many  owners. As  an  experienced  wind  turbine  repair  and  engineering  service  provider,  Broadwind Services has identified a common source of failure with the internal planet carrier of the 2.3  yaw  drives. In  turn,  Broadwind  has  developed  a  number  of  service  techniques  to  refurbish and improve the reliability of these components.

Engineering Approach

Secondly,  Broadwind  Services  moved  to  machined  parts  instead  of  castings,  primarily  due  to  the  cost  advantages in low volume production. In addition, castings can be quite porous and contain voids – which tend to form in the spaces between crystals – are where cracks generally begin. A machined part therefore eliminates  minor  imperfections  that  routinely  occur  in  castings  and  can  cause  premature  failure  at  a  lower load than the original design intent of the drive components.

Let Us Boost Gearbox Productivity for LessSee for yourself! Get more WTG energy production and profits, while reducing O&M costs and major repairs with a remanufactured gearbox from Broadwind Services. You’ll get more productivity for less costs, so be sure to contact us today to request a quote!

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Broadwind Develops Service Techniques to Improve Reliability of 2.3 MW Yaw Drive

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About Broadwind Energy

Visit http://www.bwen.com/wind-turbine-services today to learn how we can help you prevent major failures before they happen.

Refurbishment Process As part of the refurbishment process for the 2.3 yaw drive, Manufacturing Engineer Ron Gilmer helped develop the following steps performed by Broadwind technicians:

• Disassembly of yaw drive and preparation of inspection report

• Feasibility and cost—benefit analysis of the potential rebuild

• Cleaning of all parts to remove residual metal debris• Assessment of salvageable parts and housings• Replacement of all bearings with new

high—quality bearings• Replacement of all damaged parts• Reassembly of yaw drive• Painting of components• Operational testing and validation prior to

return to service

Conclusions Broadwind’s approach to refurbishing the 2.3 yaw drive improves part quality without any significant change to the original component design. With a small increase in the material strength of the  planet  carrier,  Broadwind’s  enhancement  features  a  replacement  part  machined  in  low  volume  rather than a new planet carrier casting. This solution results in a higher quality, more durable, and more cost—effective yaw drive alternative for owners of this wind turbine platform.

Broadwind Energy (NASDAQ: BWEN) applies decades of deep industrial expertise to innovate integrated solutions for customers in the energy and infrastructure markets. From gears and gearing systems for wind, oil and gas, and mining applications, to wind towers, to comprehensive remanufacturing of gearboxes and blades, to operations and maintenance services, and industrial weldments, we have solutions for the energy needs of the future. With facilities throughout the U.S., Broadwind Energy’s talented team of more than 800 employees is committed to helping customers maximize performance of their investments – quicker, easier and smarter. a higher quality, more durable, and more cost effective yaw drive alternative for owners of this wind turbine platform.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT:http://www.bwen.com/video-drivemax-solutions

Before

Damaged Part

As—Received

Replacement Part

Post—Refurbishment

After