Wind turbine main-bearing lubrication - part 1: an introductory review of elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory

Edward Hart, Elisha de Mello, Rob Dwyer-Joyce

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
24 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper is the first in a two-part study on lubrication in wind turbine main bearings. Elastohydrodynamic lubrication is a complex field, the formulas and results from which should not be applied blindly, but with proper awareness and consideration of their context, validity and limitations in any given case. The current paper, "Part 1", therefore presents an introductory review of elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory in order to provide this necessary background and context in an accessible form, promoting cross-disciplinary understanding. Fundamental concepts, derivations and formulas are presented, followed by the more advanced topics of starvation, non-steady effects, surface roughness interactions and grease lubrication. "Part 2"applies the presented material in order to analyse wind turbine main-bearing lubrication in the context of available film thickness formulas and related results from lubrication theory. Aside from the main-bearing, the material presented here is also applicable to other lubricated non-conformal contacts in wind turbines, including pitch and yaw bearings and gear teeth.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1021–1042
Number of pages22
JournalWind Energy Science
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 May 2022

Keywords

  • lubrication
  • wind turbine
  • bearings
  • elastohydrodynamic lubrication

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