Piezo Sensor Prevents Wind Turbine Downtime

Aug-21-15 A piezoelectric sensor able to detect imminent wind turbine failure could help prevent the need for costly, downtime repairs—making wind energy cheaper.

Developed by mechanical engineering student Wenqu Chen at Sheffield University, the sensor uses ultrasonic waves to measure the load on the turbine’s ball bearings. This in turn enables technicians to monitor the stress that has been put on the turbine, and estimate when the lifespan is up.

The key to the sensor is the use of ultrasonic waves to detect the effects of stress, a new and innovative technique. As stated in the university’s press release, “When a bearing is subject to a load, its thickness is reduced by a very small amount due to elastic deformation, and the speed of sound is affected by the stress level in the material. Both these effects change the time of flight of an ultrasound wave through a bearing.”

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