Windpower Industry

Drivetrain test rigs

01Modular test rig concept
02Simulation of real installation situation
03Detailed measurement of specimen efficiency

Our technologies for your demands

The drive train of modern wind turbines in the multi-megawatt range is often designed in an integrated way. For example, the main bearing can be integrated in the gearbox or the gearbox can be directly connected to the generator, maybe even in a common housing. In this case, the components can no longer be tested individually before installation in the turbine and require a system test bench testing of the entire drive train.

Similar to a conventional gearbox test, a back-to-back setup is suitable for this purpose. A whole range of components are available for this setup, which can be selected and combined with each other depending on the test item, special test requirements and required test rig modularity:

Drive and load systems (motors, drives, transformers, adaption gearboxes)
XYZ adjustment devices for motors
HSS couplings
Adjustable specimen supports
LSS couplings (main shaft)
Main shaft adjustments
Lubrication units
Cooling units
Wind load application units (LAU)
Test rig foundation
Sound isolation
Safety equipment
Measuring equipment
Test rig control and automation system

This flexibility allows us to support our customers completely individually. From the upgrade of an existing system by a new component up to the complete realization of a new test facility.

01 testing different drivetrain designs

Modular test rig concept for testing different drivetrain designs

Test rigs for wind turbine drivetrains are usually required to test a range of different drivetrains. Not only do different sizes of a drivetrain type have to be taken into account, but also different drivetrain designs for different turbine configurations. Right from the start, RENK test rigs are designed in a modular way so that the various requirements can be met with minor modifications.

02 Simulation

Simulation of real installation situation

In most cases, wind turbine drivetrains are not only loaded with torque during operation. These additional loads from the rotor dynamics, main shaft bearing or gearbox weight are simulated in the test rig in order to represent an installation situation that is as realistic as possible. This is also done with the highest possible modularity.

03 Detailed measurement of specimen efficiency

Spot-on individual measurements

Due to our own use of large gear test rigs, we know very well that disturbing influences of the test rig such as vibrations or friction losses can strongly influence the measurement on the drive train to be tested. Due to the consistent use of plain bearings in the drive train of the test rig, sophisticated designs and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, we can offer our customers with RENK test rigs optimum test conditions, such as those required for measuring power loss on the test specimen. In this way, even many simultaneously recorded measured values can be optimally separated from each other and therefore test item values can be precisely analyzed without interfering effects.