Page 56 - North American Clean Energy July/August 2019 Issue

wind power
Coupling technology
Timken imagined a way to transmit torque between the gearbox and generator while protecting attached components from overload and stray currents. Next-generation Lovejoy couplings, bolted to an AeroTorque WindTC torque control, are now available for 2MW+ turbines. These couplings integrate directly with the generator hub, include an anti-flail feature, and use a composite fiberglass spacer for weight and cost efficiencies. An AeroTorque-enabled coupling provides advantages such as reducing peak torque by up to 40% and reducing torque oscillations up to 70% to
extend gearbox life. Together, Lovejoy and AeroTorque are part of a strong, technical solution for making reliable gearbox-to-generator connections.
The Timken Corporation
/// www.timken.com
Alternative lifting solution
LiftWerx, in close co-operation
with the Kenz Figee Group, has developed a cost effective, versatile,
and environmentally-friendly up-
tower crane for the wind energy O&M industry. LiftWerx’s GenHook cranes are designed to perform major corrective repairs in wind turbine nacelles. The cranes are equipped with fully-electric winches which can lift and exchange gearboxes, blades, and generators with extreme accuracy, while working in wind speeds up to 18m per second.
LiftWerx Solutions, Inc.
/// www.liftwerx.com
Rede ning the use of lidar
Vaisala introduced Leosphere’s
lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology into its portfolio of o erings in North American markets, providing end-to-end sales and support services for the Windcube portfolio of lidar systems to customers in the U.S. and the rest of the world. Leosphere lidars o er
a wide range of solutions to track wind speed and direction required for new wind farm planning and construction. e Leosphere Windcube suite of systems is discreet, mobile, and capable of remotely reaching greater heights
to aggregate superior data for wind prospecting. e Windcube systems empower owners to increase e ciency
in long-term wind energy production by enabling the potential for full rotor sweep measurement. Vaisala o ers four distinct Leosphere Windcube lidar systems: Windcube Vertical Pro ler, Windcube Scanning Wind Doppler Lidar, Wind Iris, and Wind Iris TC (Turbine Control).
Vaisala /// www.vaisala.com
Bat deterrent system
NRG Systems’ Bat Deterrent System was developed to help the wind industry mitigate its impact on bat populations. e nacelle-mounted system creates an ultrasonic acoustic eld around the rotor- swept area of a turbine which “jams” bat’s echolocation capabilities. e animals then leave the treated area in favor of easier to navigate airspace, e ectively moving them out of harm’s way. Successful trials of the technology have been held in Texas and Illinois, proving it is an e ective tool for reducing mortality of certain species of bats caused by wind turbines. NRG’s Bat Deterrent System is commercially available in North America.
NRG Systems, Inc.
/// www.nrgsystems.com
Wireless multimeter with bluetooth technology
Extech has launched the MM750W, a CAT- IV True RMS digital multimeter (DMM)
that can be used to view real-time readings and datalog remotely using the ExView W-Series app on smartphones and tablets. e datalogging sample rate can be adjusted according to a job’s requirements and up to 15,000 datalogged readings can be stored. e new meter includes a Bluetooth module for wireless connectivity to iOS and Android devices, allowing safe testing at a distance of 33ft/10m. e MM750W transmits real-time data for monitoring, trending, reporting, and analysis and allows for remote tasks such as powering up circuits, motors, pumps, or other plant equipment from
a distant control panel. e ruggedized Extech is a 14-function True RMS DMM that reads AC/DC voltage and current (both A and μA), resistance, capacitance, frequency, duty cycle (dwell), continuity, diode testing (3.0V), and temperature (using its Type K thermocouple bead probe). e new meter ensures precise readings with 0.6% accuracy and it is rated to Category IV overvoltage (CAT IV-600V, CAT III-1000V). Several statistical data functions include minimum/ maximum, di erence (MAX-MIN), relative mode to zero the meter, and data hold to freeze the display reading. Auto-power-o protects battery life but can be disabled when extended testing is needed, such as datalogging. e Extech MM750W includes test leads, Bluetooth wireless datalogging module, Type-K temperature probe, 9V battery, and carrying case.
Extech Instruments
/// www.extech.com
iOS and Android apps for PLC access
IDEC Corporation’s WindEDIT Lite app
for iOS and Android devices provides two-way access to its family of MicroSmart FC6A PLCs. With the WindEDIT Lite app, users can monitor any PLC parameter, and change set points and other values. Data register, input, output, timer, and counter values can be monitored and controlled using the standard Dialog Interface. e WindEDIT Lite app has a custom Dialog Interface which the user can con gure to allow only certain PLC parameters to be monitored and controlled. Trending is supported within the app, with users able to plot multiple register points for graphical views. e WindEDIT Lite app runs on any iOS or Android mobile device, typically
a smartphone or tablet. Once the app is downloaded to the device, it interfaces
to the MicroSmart FC6A PLC via wireless Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Ethernet for two-way local or remote access. e WindEDIT Lite app provides access to an SD memory card installed in the PLC, so logged information stored in the SD memory card can be easily accessed.
e logged data can be viewed, and then attached to a text message or an email, either of which can be sent to recipients. Logged data can also be pushed to a local or cloud-based database, or to a data storage platform such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Apple iCloud, etc. In addition to logged data, other data such as user programs, rmware, recipes, etc., can be sent and retrieved from databases and storage platforms.
IDEC /// www.idec.com/usa
Robust, affordable cable cutters
Working even smarter is utilizing Greenlee Ratchet Cable Cutters which convert automatically to ratchet mode during heavy duty cutting, making those tough cuts a breeze. Greenlee cutters also feature a unique anti-slip mechanism for positive ratchet action. ere are four styles of cable cutters to choose from; the 28" Ratchet Aluminum and Copper Cable Cutter, the 29" Ratcheting ACSR and Soft Steel Rod Cable Cutter have extra thick blades, ground at to reduce the potential for breakage and a rubber boot to protect the ratchet mechanism, the 32" Heavy-Duty Cable Cutter with pivot bolt for blade adjustment, and the 26" Standard-Duty each with strong, lightweight berglass handles and replaceable, forged, heat treated, and precision ground blades.
Hi-Line Utility Supply Co. /// www.hilineco.com
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JULY•AUGUST2019 /// www.nacleanenergy.com