JP6919986B2 - Lubricating oil monitoring systems and methods for wind power generators - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wind power generator, and more particularly to a technique capable of maintaining and managing a lubricating oil used in a nacelle or the like.

In recent years, power generation systems that use natural energy have been attracting attention to prevent global warming, and wind power generators have become widespread.

Wind power generators use lubricating oil or the like to reduce the mechanical friction coefficient between the components. Various techniques have been proposed to maintain sufficient properties for the lubricating oil to provide lubrication.

For example, in Patent Document 1, the initial ideal remaining life of the lubricating oil from the wind turbine is determined, the temperature-based remaining life of the lubricating oil is determined based on the temperature measurement value of the lubricating oil from the wind turbine, and the lubricating oil is determined. Calculate the contamination coefficient of the lubricating oil based on the contamination sample of, determine the updated ideal remaining life for the lubricating oil based on the contamination coefficient, initial ideal remaining life and temperature-based remaining life, and the updated ideal remaining life and It is disclosed to monitor the lubricating oil from a wind turbine by determining the actual remaining life for the lubricating oil based on the life loss coefficient.

Further, as a method for evaluating the characteristics of an object such as oil using a sensor, Patent Document 2 measures the resonance impedance spectral response of the LCR resonator, and Patent Document 3 detects a color component. It is disclosed to measure.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-044681 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-126007 WO2010 / 150526 Gazette

FIG. 1 shows a schematic overall configuration diagram of a wind power generator, which is an example of the apparatus targeted by the present invention. In FIG. 1, each device arranged in the nacelle 3 is shown by a dotted line. As shown in FIG. 1, the wind power generator 1 includes a blade 5 that rotates in response to wind, a hub 4 that supports the blade 5, a nacelle 3, and a tower 2 that rotatably supports the nacelle 3 in a horizontal plane. ..

In the nacelle 3, a spindle 31 connected to the hub 4 and rotating together with the hub 4, a shrink disk 32 connected to the spindle 31, and a speed increaser 33 connected to the spindle 31 via the shrink disk 32 to increase the rotation speed. Further, the generator 34 is provided by rotating the rotor at a rotation speed increased by the speed increaser 33 via the coupling 38 to generate power.

The portion that transmits the rotational energy of the blade 5 to the generator 34 is called a power transmission unit, and in this embodiment, the main shaft 31, the shrink disc 32, the speed increaser 33, and the coupling 38 are included in the power transmission unit. The speed increaser 33 and the generator 34 are held on the main frame 35. Further, one or a plurality of oil tanks 37 for storing lubricating oil for lubricating the power transmission unit are installed on the main frame 35. Further, in the nacelle 3, the radiator 36 is arranged on the windward side of the nacelle partition wall 30.

Lubricating oil is used in many rotating parts of wind power generators. For example, in FIG. 1, lubricating oil is supplied to bearings such as a spindle 31, a speed increaser 33, a generator 34, yaws, and pitches (not shown). The pitch control of the wing controls the output by changing the angle of the wing according to the wind speed, and the yaw control controls the head according to the wind direction.

Lubricating oil needs to be supplied to such moving parts. Lubricating oil reduces friction in rotating parts and prevents wear and tear of parts or energy loss. However, when the lubrication performance deteriorates due to deterioration of the lubricating oil over time, the friction coefficient increases and the risk of failure of the wind power generator increases.

If a wind power generator breaks down, a large amount of loss costs will be incurred, such as the cost of replacing failed parts and the reduction of power generation income during a power outage. There is. In particular, since the risk of failure increases when the performance of the lubricating oil deteriorates in the speed increaser, which is an important component, a technique for estimating the remaining life of the lubricating oil and the replacement time as soon as possible is important.

Assuming that the lubricating oil of the wind power generator is to be monitored, for example, in the evaluation of the characteristics by viscosity, the lubricating oil of the wind turbine accelerator is a synthetic oil that is chemically very stable, and the viscosity changes almost. Therefore, it is not suitable as an index for estimating the remaining life. In addition, in the measurement of the total acid value, which indicates deterioration due to oxidation, the lubricating oil of the wind turbine accelerator uses a synthetic oil that is extremely stable against oxidation, and the total acid value hardly changes, so the remaining life Not suitable as an index of estimation. Therefore, the inventors recognized that there is a problem in the performance evaluation method in the periodic analysis of the lubricating oil of the wind power generator in order to estimate the remaining life of the lubricating oil at an early stage.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to optimize the lubricating oil replacement cycle by appropriate lubricating oil diagnosis.

One aspect of the present invention is a monitoring system for lubricating oil supplied to the mechanical drive of a wind power generator. The system includes an input device, a processing device, a storage device, and an output device. The storage device stores the additive concentration data in which the concentration of the additive of the lubricating oil is stored in chronological order, and the processing device estimates the time when the additive concentration reaches a predetermined threshold value based on the additive concentration data. do.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of monitoring a lubricating oil of a wind power generator using a server including a processing device, a storage device, an input device, and an output device. In this method, the first step of taking a sample of lubricating oil from a wind generator, the second step of measuring the concentration of the additive contained in the sample, and the measured concentration of the additive are stored in a storage device in chronological order. The third step of storing and using the additive concentration data, and the fourth step of estimating the time when the additive concentration reaches a predetermined threshold value by processing the additive concentration data by the processing apparatus are executed.

Specific examples of additives are, for example, antioxidants and extreme pressure additives. A specific example of the concentration analysis of an additive is an analysis using, for example, liquid chromatography.

With proper lubricating oil diagnosis, the lubricating oil replacement cycle can be optimized.

Schematic overall configuration of the wind power generator. The graph which shows the phosphorus concentration measurement result in the lubricating oil by ICP elemental analysis. The graph which shows the phosphorus-based extreme pressure additive concentration measurement result in the lubricating oil obtained by LC measurement. Schematic of a wind power generator system with a lubricating oil supply system. Conceptual diagram of a bearing component equipped with a sensor for lubricating oil. Lubricating oil diagnostic flow chart. The graph which shows the concept of the lubricating oil remaining life estimation. The graph which shows the concept of other lubricating oil remaining life estimation. The block diagram which shows an example of the central server of an Example. The graph which shows the concept of the lubricating oil remaining life estimation. The graph which shows the concept of the lubricating oil remaining life estimation.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments shown below. It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that a specific configuration thereof can be changed without departing from the idea or gist of the present invention.

In the configuration of the invention described below, the same reference numerals may be used in common among different drawings for the same parts or parts having similar functions, and duplicate description may be omitted.

When there are a plurality of elements having the same or similar functions, they may be described by adding different subscripts to the same code. However, if it is not necessary to distinguish between a plurality of elements, the subscript may be omitted for explanation.

The notations such as "first", "second", and "third" in the present specification and the like are attached to identify the components, and do not necessarily limit the number, order, or contents thereof. is not it. Further, the numbers for identifying the components are used for each context, and the numbers used in one context do not always indicate the same composition in the other contexts. Further, it does not prevent the component identified by a certain number from having the function of the component identified by another number.

The position, size, shape, range, etc. of each configuration shown in the drawings and the like may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc. in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings and the like.

First, the lubricating oil to be monitored in the examples will be described. Various parameters to be monitored for evaluating the characteristics of the lubricating oil, such as viscosity, total acid value measurement, and component element analysis, can be considered. However, as described above, since the viscosity and total oxidation of the lubricating oil of the wind power generator hardly change, this alone is not suitable as an index for estimating the remaining life. In addition, a method of measuring fine particle powder and moisture contained in the lubricating oil can be considered, but when these contents are detected in the lubricating oil, there is a possibility that wear or leakage has already occurred. It is desirable to detect the sign at an earlier stage.

By the way, the lubricating oil contains various additives in order to maintain the lubricating performance. For example, if the lubrication conditions are harsh and the pressure at the contact part is high, the sliding speed is low, or the viscosity of the oil is too low, the lubricating oil film between the friction surfaces becomes thin and the frictional resistance becomes high. It grows and wears. This state is called boundary lubrication, and in extreme cases seizure occurs. To act to reduce friction and wear in a state of such a boundary lubrication, oil agents, antiwear agents, a extreme pressure additives (extreme pressure), referred to as load-bearing additives collectively referred to Sometimes. Other additives include, for example, antioxidants and antifoaming agents.

The oil-based agent adsorbs to the metal surface to form an adsorption film, and this adsorption film prevents direct contact between the metals in the boundary lubrication state, and works to reduce friction and wear. As the oil-based agent, higher fatty acids, higher alcohols and amines, esters, metal soaps, etc., which have a large adsorptive power to the metal surface, are used.

Anti-wear agents are more effective in preventing wear under conditions of stricter loads than oil-based agents, and phosphate esters, phosphite esters, and thiophosphates are commonly used. Anti-wear agents are used in turbine oils, abrasion-resistant hydraulic oils, etc. In particular, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZnDTP: also called Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate, ZDDP) also has antioxidant performance.

On the contact surface under high load conditions, which is the most severe condition of boundary lubrication, the temperature of the friction surface becomes very high, and the adsorption film by the oily agent desorbs and becomes ineffective, but the extreme pressure additives are sulfur, chlorine, etc. Since it is a chemically active substance containing phosphorus, etc., it reacts with the metal surface to form a compound containing sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus, etc., and forms a film with a small shearing force to prevent wear, seizure, and fusion.

Extreme pressure additives are substances that generally contain sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus, etc., such as sulfide oils and fats, sulfide esters, sulfates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, lead naphthenate, and sulfur, phosphorus, etc. in the same molecule. Compounds containing two or more elements in chlorine are also used. Specific extreme pressure additives include sulphide palm oil, sulfide fatty ester, dibenzyl disulfide, alkyl polysulfide, olefin polysulfide, zantic sulfide, chlorinated paraffin, methyl trichlorostearate, lead naphthenate, and amine alkylthiophosphate. , Chlorinated alkyl zantate, Triphenyl Phosphorothionate (TPPT) and the like.

Antioxidants are used to prevent deterioration of the base oil due to oxidation. There are three types of antioxidants. Free Radical Inhibitor, which suppresses the formation of free radicals in the early stage of oxidation and stops the chain of oxidation reaction of hydrocarbons, decomposes the produced peroxide, and is a stable non-free radical compound. It is a peroxide decomposer (Peroxide Decomposer) that plays a role of changing to a radical, and a metal deactivator (Metal Deactivator) that forms a tough adsorption film (inactive anticorrosion film). The role of the metal inactivating agent is to prevent iron and copper from being dissolved by the metal corrosiveness of the peroxide produced by the oxidation of the lubricating oil.

Specific antioxidants include phenol derivatives (2,6-di-tert-butyl p-cresol (BHT), 2,6-di-tert-butyl p-phenol (DBP), 4,4'-methylenebis). (2,6-dialkylphenol), etc.), amine derivatives (2,6-dialkyl-α-dimethylaminoparacresol, 4,4'-tetramethyldiaminodiphenylmethane, octylated phenylnaphthylamine, di-octyl-diphenylamine, dinonyl- Diphenylamine, phenothiazine, 2,2,4-trimethyldihydroxyquinylin, etc.), metal dithiophosphate, alkyl sulfide, etc., 1,4-dioxydianthraquinone (also known as quinizarin), 1,2-dioxydi There are anthraquinone (also known as alizarin), benzotriazole, alkylbenzotriazole, etc.

It is necessary that the above additives are contained in a predetermined ratio (concentration) with respect to the lubricating oil in order to maintain the desired lubricating performance.

In Patent Document 1, at least one of the number of iron particles, the water content, the dielectric constant, and / or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) particle level in the lubricating oil is acquired and analyzed to calculate the contamination coefficient. However, it is for measuring impurities such as particles and water and physical characteristics, and is not for directly measuring changes in the components of the lubricating oil itself, particularly the additive concentration of the lubricating oil. Therefore, the inventors have compared and examined a method for making a predictive diagnosis by monitoring the state of the additive contained in the lubricating oil, particularly the transition of the concentration.

FIG. 2 shows the results of measuring the phosphorus concentration, which is a component of an extreme pressure additive in a lubricating oil, by ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) elemental analysis, which is known as one of the component analysis methods. show. The horizontal axis is the elapsed time (months), and the vertical axis is the phosphorus concentration (ppm). In this result, there is no significant relationship between elapsed time and phosphorus concentration. This suggests that the accuracy of elemental analysis may be insufficient for predictive diagnosis.

According to the measurement results shown in FIG. 2, the phosphorus concentration once decreased will increase again, but it is unlikely that the concentration of the extreme pressure additive will increase naturally. As a cause of such a measurement result, it is conceivable that phosphoric acid, which is a decomposition product of an extreme pressure additive, is also measured in ICP elemental analysis. Further, in the ICP element analysis, since the sample is turned into plasma, the liquid component (lubricating oil, additives, decomposition products of additives, etc.) and the solid component (wear powder, etc.) are analyzed together, and the liquid component (wear powder, etc.) is analyzed together in the lubricating oil. It is considered that it is not suitable for quantifying the components of additives.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of the consumption behavior of the phosphorus-based extreme pressure additive in the lubricating oil during wind turbine operation, which was obtained by LC (Liquid Chromatography) measurement (detector is UV detector). be. In this example, the phosphorus-based extreme pressure additive is specifically TPPT. The horizontal axis is the elapsed time (number of months), and the vertical axis is the TPPT concentration (relative value to new oil). In this result, a significant relationship was found between the elapsed time and the concentration, and the concentration decreased linearly with the number of months elapsed.

In LC measurement, the components of a liquid sample are separated by the principle of chromatography. Next, the components separated here are detected by a UV detector, a refractive index detector, and a mass spectrometer. LC measurement is suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic compounds. In particular, when a mass spectrometer is used as the detector, only the additives in the lubricating oil can be quantified with high accuracy and high sensitivity.

Based on the above examination, in order to monitor the change in the concentration of the additive in the lubricating oil over time and maintain and manage the function of the additive, the concentration of the additive in the lubricating oil is directly adjusted as in LC measurement. It was found that a measurement method that can be measured is suitable. Further, it was found that if the concentration of the additive in the lubricating oil falls below a predetermined threshold value at this time, the performance of the lubricating oil becomes insufficient, leading to a failure of the apparatus. In addition to LC measurement, methods that can accurately and directly measure the concentration of an additive in a lubricating oil include Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
Hereinafter, a specific configuration of this embodiment will be described.

(1. Overall system configuration)
A system for diagnosing the concentration of the additive in the lubricating oil will be described with reference to FIG. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 4 shows the nacelle 3 portion of the wind power generator 1 of FIG. 1 extracted. Inside the nacelle 3, there are bearings such as a spindle 31, a speed increaser 33, a generator 34, yaws and pitches (not shown), and lubricating oil is supplied to these from an oil tank 37.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of wind power generators 1 are usually installed on the same site, and these are collectively called a farm 200a or the like. In each wind power generator 1, various sensors (not shown) are installed in the lubricating oil supply system, and sensor signals reflecting the state of the lubricating oil are collected in the server 210 in the nacelle 3. Further, the sensor signal obtained from the server 210 of each wind power generator 1 is sent to the aggregation server 220 arranged for each farm 200. The data from the aggregation server 220 is sent to the central server 240 via the network 230. Data from other farms 200b and 200c are also sent to the central server 240. Further, the central server 240 can send an instruction to each wind power generator 1 via the aggregation server 220 and the server 210.

(2. Sensor placement)
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a sensor arranged in the lubricating oil supply system. The lubricating oil is supplied from the lubricating oil supply device 301 to the bearing component 302. The lubricating oil supply device 301 is connected to the oil tank 37 to receive the supply of lubricating oil. The bearing component 302 is, for example, a speed increaser 33 or other general parts where mechanical contact occurs, and is not particularly limited.

The sensor 304 is arranged in a flow path of the lubricating oil or the like in order to detect the state of the lubricating oil. The sensor measures various parameters of the lubricating oil. For example, physical quantities include temperature, oil pressure, and the like. These can be measured using a known sensor, for example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3. The state of the lubricating oil can be evaluated based on the temporal changes of these parameters.

For example, the sensor can also measure information about contaminated particles contained in the lubricating oil, such as particle concentration. The particles are likely to be derived from wear of the component and can detect deterioration of the lubricating oil or abnormality of the device. As already mentioned, the anomalies detected by these sensors may be anomalies that have already begun, but it is useful to monitor because the sensor information can be obtained in real time. In the diagnosis based on the sensor data, the diagnosis is performed based on one or a plurality of types of sensor data.

In the example of FIG. 5, a part of the lubricating oil supplied to the bearing component 302 is introduced into the measuring unit 303. A sensor 304 is arranged in the measuring unit 303 to detect various characteristics of the lubricating oil. The measuring unit 303 is arranged near the end of the lubricating oil path, for example.

Lubricating oils deteriorate in quality due to use and do not perform their initial functions. Therefore, it is necessary to perform maintenance such as replacement according to the deterioration of quality. In order to know the timing of such maintenance, it is useful for the efficiency of maintenance management to be able to monitor the data that can be collected by the sensor 304 installed in the field at a remote location. The data collected by the sensor 304 is collected, for example, on the server 210 in the nacelle 3, and then sent to the central server 240 that aggregates the data of a plurality of farms via the aggregation server 220 that aggregates the data in the farm 200.

However, for analyzes that require equipment for measurement, such as LC measurement, FT-IR measurement, and NMR measurement, it is necessary to collect lubricating oil samples as appropriate and perform the analysis with equipment provided separately. The results measured by LC measurement, FT-IR measurement, and NMR measurement are also separately stored as data in the central server 240, and the data is aggregated.

Further, as the aggregated data, not only the data related to the lubricating oil but also the data indicating the operating status of the wind power generator may be included. For example, wind turbine output value (larger, higher lubricating oil deterioration rate), actual operating time (longer, higher lubricating oil deterioration rate), machine temperature (higher, higher lubricating oil deterioration rate), shaft rotation speed (faster, higher) Lubricating oil deterioration rate is high). These can be collected from sensors of known configurations installed in various parts of the wind power generator and control signals of the device.

(3. Lubricating oil diagnosis flow)
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a lubricating oil diagnostic process according to this embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 6, the server 210 of FIG. 4, the aggregation server 220 is carried out under either control the central server 240. In the following example, it is assumed that the central server 240 performs the operation. However, as will be described later, processing such as lubricating oil sample collection (S607), additive concentration measurement (S608), and lubricating oil replacement (S603) is performed separately by a dedicated measuring device (liquid chromatograph, etc.) or a worker. It is done and the server is used to output instructions for that and to enter the necessary information. Other functions such as calculation and control are realized by executing the specified processing in cooperation with other hardware by executing the software stored in the storage device of the server by the processor. The functions equivalent to the functions configured by software can also be realized by hardware such as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

When the central server 240 controls, since there are a plurality of wind power generators 1 under the control, the following processing shall be performed for each wind power generator. This process is basically a repetitive process, and the start timing is set by a timer or the like. For example, the process is started at 0 o'clock every day (S601). Further, the central server 240 can perform the operation at an arbitrary timing according to the instruction of the operator.

In process S602, the central server 240 checks when the lubricating oil is replaced. The initial value of the replacement time can be calculated physically by using the Arrhenius reaction rate on the premise that the lubricating oil is operating at the design temperature, and the remaining life can be initially set. Such a calculation method is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. This replacement time can be later updated in process S610 based on the measured data.

When it is time to replace the lubricating oil, the lubricating oil is replaced in the process S603. Since the lubricating oil change is usually performed by the worker, the central server 240 displays and notifies the worker when and the target should be changed.

When it is not the time to replace the lubricating oil, the central server 240 makes a diagnosis based on the sensor data in the process S604. As the sensor data, temperature, oil pressure, concentration of contained particles, and the like can be used. These measurement techniques and diagnostic techniques are described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 and are basically known, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. The data collected by the sensor 304 is sent to the central server 240, for example, the central server evaluates the characteristics of the lubricating oil by comparing the parameters obtained from the sensor with a predetermined threshold.

If the diagnosis result is abnormal in the process S605, the lubricating oil is replaced in the process S603. If there is no abnormality, the central server 240 checks in the process S606 whether or not it is the timing for collecting the lubricating oil sample. Frequent sampling of lubricating oil is uneconomical, as it usually involves work by workers. However, in the case where the treatment requires a predetermined facility such as the additive concentration measurement by LC, FT-IR, NMR or the like, it is necessary to collect a sample. The timing of sample collection is set, for example, once a month or once a year.

When it is the sample collection timing, the central server 240 displays or notifies the worker when and the target for collecting the sample. In process S607, the worker collects a sample and sends it to an equipment equipped with a liquid chromatograph device, an FT-IR device, an NMR device, and the like in order to measure the additive concentration.

As is well known, the liquid chromatograph method is a device that separates compounds by a liquid chromatograph and quantitatively analyzes the separated substances by a UV absorption detector, a refractometer, a mass spectrometer, or the like. It was made possible by. Since the apparatus and the analysis method itself are known techniques, the description is omitted. The important point is that the concentration of the additive added to the lubricating oil can be accurately grasped by the measurement by LC. Since FT-IR and NMR are also well-known methods, the description thereof will be omitted. The important point is that the additive concentration in the lubricating oil can be accurately grasped by the measurement by FT-IR and NMR.

In the process S609, the additive concentration measurement data is input to the central server 240, and the data is stored in time series. The measurement data may be input directly from an additive measuring device such as a liquid chromatograph, an FT-IR, or NMR device, or a server connected to the device, or may be input by a separate operator. The important point is that the data includes information on sampling time.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the concept of additive concentration measurement results stored in time series. The horizontal axis is time (month), and the vertical axis shows the relative concentration when the additive concentration at the time of new product is 100. For example, assuming that the concentration of the additive is observed at a fixed point every month, the concentration data 700 up to the lapse of 3 months is plotted. As also explained in FIG. 3, a significant relationship is observed between the elapsed time and the additive concentration, for example, the concentration decreases linearly with time. Therefore, the consumption rate of the additive can be calculated from the additive concentration measurement result stored in time series. Here, it is assumed that the performance of the lubricating oil falls below the permissible range when the additive concentration becomes about half that of the new product. Such a threshold can be determined experimentally.

In this example, in the process S610, the threshold value is set to 50, and the time point at which the concentration estimated from the additive concentration measurement results stored in time series reaches 50 is estimated as the replacement time. As the estimation method, various known methods may be adopted. If the measured value as shown in FIG. 3 is obtained, a known method of extrapolating the data can be used on the premise that the concentration decreases monotonically. Further, when the concentration changes more complicatedly, a known method such as function fitting (curve fitting) can be used.

The replacement time estimation result by the process S610 can be displayed as a lubricating oil diagnosis result (process S611). FIGS. 7, 10 and 11 show an example of displaying the result by the process S610.

In the example of FIG. 7, the additive is TPPT, and the concentration reaches 50 after about 5 months. Therefore, a new replacement time may be set before that (for example, half a month before). The process of one cycle is completed in the process S612, and the determination process is performed in the process S602 of the next cycle according to a new replacement time. In the example of FIG. 10, the additive is ZnDTP, and the concentration reaches 50 after about 10 months. Therefore, a new replacement time may be set before that (for example, one month before). The process of one cycle is completed in the process S612, and the determination process is performed in the process S602 of the next cycle according to a new replacement time.

In the example of FIG. 11, the additive is BHT, and the threshold value of BHT is 30. Since the concentration reaches 30 after about 20 months, it is sufficient to set a new replacement time before that (for example, one month before). The process of one cycle is completed in the process S612, and the determination process is performed in the process S602 of the next cycle according to a new replacement time.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the life of the lubricating oil can be detected early by knowing the consumption rate of the additive in the lubricating oil using the additive concentration measurement result. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an abnormality in the wind power generator by performing maintenance such as appropriate replacement of lubricating oil.

In the second embodiment, an example in which the life estimation of the lubricating oil is corrected by using the data obtained from the sensor is shown. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the operating condition of the wind power generator 1 is constant. However, in reality, the operating condition of the wind power generator 1 is not constant, and the situation changes due to various factors.

For example, artificial fluctuations in the operating condition include a stop period of the device for inspection and an operation adjustment for adjusting the amount of power generation. These fluctuation parameters can be acquired as operating parameters of the wind power generator 1.

In addition, factors that cause fluctuations in operating conditions due to the natural world include factors inside and outside the wind power generator, such as wind speed and other weather, temperature, and humidity. These fluctuation factors of the operating condition can be measured by various sensors. Therefore, by reflecting these as sensor data, it is possible to more accurately determine and predict the state of the lubricating oil.

As described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, various sensors can be installed in the wind power generator. The sensor data from the sensor 304 is transmitted to the aggregation server 220 and the central server 240 via the server 210. Further, the operating parameters of the wind power generator 1 can be obtained from the server 210, the aggregation server 220, or the central server 240 that performs the control.

FIG. 6 will be used again to explain a method of monitoring the lubricating oil that reflects the operating conditions. The basic processing is the same as in FIG. 6, but in the diagnostic processing using sensor data (S604), the sensor data or operation parameters are stored in time series and used in the replacement time estimation and update processing (S610). ..

In order to simplify the explanation, in this example, the mechanism for supplying lubricating oil to the bearing is targeted, and the control parameter of the shaft rotation speed R (rpm) is used as the operation parameter indicating the operation status. .. Sensor data and operating parameters are not limited to this, and various other ones can be used. In this embodiment, the data of various sensors are aggregated in the central server 240 and collectively processed here, but the present invention is not limited to this.

In the replacement time estimation and update process (S610), the central server 240 acquires the additive concentration measurement result input in the process S609 and the control parameter of the rotation speed R of the shaft stored in the process S604. These data are stored in a storage device in chronological order together with time data.

Now, as a simple example, it is assumed that the rotation speed R (rpm) of the shaft is related to the decrease in the concentration of the extreme pressure agent, that is, the consumption. Under this premise, the concentration C (t) of the extreme pressure agent can be grasped as a function of the time t and the rotation speed R of the shaft.
f (t, R) = C (t)
Will be. It is possible to model the function f (t, R) by experiment or simulation, or based on past t, R, extreme pressure agent concentration data. Therefore, in the replacement time estimation and update processing (S610), when the future prediction of C (t) is performed, the change in the rotation speed R of the shaft is reflected. The result is displayed on a display device, for example.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of predicting and displaying a future value 1002 based on the data 1001 of the wind power generator 1 for the past year. The past data 1003 for one year is an actual measurement value. Future data 1004A and 1004B are predicted values.

In FIG. 8A, the future operating condition did not change, and the rotation speed R was always constant. In this case, the prediction data 1002 of the extreme pressure agent concentration changes in the same manner as the data 1001 of the past year. In this case, the concentration limit of the extreme pressure agent is expected to reach the time point of t1.

In FIG. 8 (b), the future operating conditions have changed, and the number of revolutions R after one year has been doubled in the past year. Here, assuming that the consumption rate of the extreme pressure agent is proportional to the rotation speed R, the prediction data of the extreme pressure agent concentration does not change as in the past year, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the rate of decrease. Becomes larger. In this case, the concentration limit of the extreme pressure agent is expected to reach the time point of t2, which is shorter than t1.

In the above, the estimated consumption rate of the additive is corrected by using the rotation speed R of the shaft as the operation parameter, but sensor data can also be used. For example, it is considered that the temperature T (° C.) of the lubricating oil is related to the decrease in the concentration of the extreme pressure agent. Under this premise, the concentration C (t) of the extreme pressure agent can be grasped as a function of the time t and the temperature T, and the estimated consumption rate of the extreme pressure agent can be corrected as in the case of the rotation speed R of the shaft.

By reflecting the operation parameters and sensor data indicating the operating status of the wind power generator in the prediction data as in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the timing at which the parameters indicating the lubricating oil quality such as the extreme pressure agent concentration exceed the threshold can be determined. It is possible to make an accurate judgment. That is, the future extreme pressure agent concentration can be determined more accurately based on the past extreme pressure agent concentration, the past operating parameters (or sensor data), and the future operating parameters (or predicted sensor data).

Among the parameters representing the operating status, for those that can be artificially controlled, such as the operating time and the power generation target value, future data can be prepared according to the operating schedule and the like. Therefore, the prediction system can be enhanced by using the parameter representing the operating condition for predicting the additive concentration indicating the quality of the lubricating oil.

In addition, for things that cannot be artificially controlled, such as weather and temperature, future data can be predicted from past actual data. Therefore, the prediction system can be enhanced by similarly using the parameter indicating the operating condition for the prediction of the additive concentration indicating the lubricating oil quality.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the central server 240 of this embodiment. It includes a processing device 2401 which is a basic server configuration, a storage device 2402 (magnetic disk device, semiconductor memory, etc.), and an input / output device 2403. The input / output device 2403 includes an input device such as a general keyboard and mouse, and an output device such as an image display device and a printer. The input / output device also includes a network interface for exchanging data with the wind power generator 1, its server 210, the aggregation server 220, or the additive quantitative analysis system 900 such as a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer via the network 230.

Various operating parameters and sensor data are directly input from the wind power generator 1 and its sensor 304 to the central server 240 via the server 210 or the aggregation server 220. Alternatively, the input may be made to the central server 240 via a portable recording medium instead of via the network. These data are stored in the storage device 2402 as time-series operation parameter data 901 or time-series sensor data 902.

In the additive quantitative analysis system 900, the concentration of the additive is measured from the sample of the lubricating oil obtained at the wind power plant 1 by using a liquid chromatograph, a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, NMR or the like. Similar to the operation parameter data 901 and the sensor data 902, the measured additive concentration is stored in the storage device 2402 as time-series additive concentration data 903.

Specific quantifying additives include higher fatty acids, higher alcohols and amines, esters, oily agents such as metal soaps, and anti-wear agents such as zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZnDTP: Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate, also called ZDDP). Lead naphthenate, palm oil sulfide, fatty ester sulfide, dibenzyl disulfide, alkyl polysulfide, olefin polysulfide, zantic sulfide, chlorinated paraffin, methyltrichlorostearate, lead naphthenate, amine alkylthiophosphate, chloroalkylzantate, Extreme pressure agents such as Triphenyl Phosphorothionate (TPPT), phenol derivatives (2,6-di-tert-butyl p-cresol (BHT), 2,6-di-tert-butyl p-phenol (2,6-di-tert-butyl p-phenol) ( DBP), 4,4'-methylenebis (2,6-dialkylphenol), etc.), amine derivatives (2,6-dialkyl-α-dimethylaminoparacresol, 4,4'-tetramethyldiaminodiphenylmethane, octylated phenylnaphthylamine) , Di-octyl-diphenylamine, dinonyl-diphenylamine, phenothiazine 2,2,4-trimethyldihydroxyquinylin, etc.), metal dithiophosphate, alkyl sulfide, etc., 1,4-dioxydianthraquinone (also known as quinizarin) , 1,2-Dioxydianthraquinone (also known as alizarin), benzotriazole, alkylbenzotriazole, and other antioxidants, which are one or more additives selected from the following.

For example, if additives having different functions such as ZnDTP and BHT are quantified and the results are used for diagnosis, a more accurate diagnosis can be made.

The processing device 2401 predicts the consumption rate of the additive concentration by using the additive concentration data 903 stored in the storage device 2402 and, if necessary, the operation parameter data 901 and the sensor data 902, and outputs the data to the output device. ..

As described above, in this embodiment, the concentration of the additive is measured in order to appropriately monitor the lubricating oil used in important rotating parts (bearings) such as the spindle of the wind power generator, the generator, yaw, and pitch. do. In addition, by installing a sensor in the part of the automatic lubricating oil supply mechanism, regular monitoring is performed. In addition, by monitoring the parameters of the operating status of the wind power generator, accurate predictive diagnosis becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to predict the replacement time of the lubricating oil at an early stage, and the down time of the wind power generator is shortened, so that the maintenance cost is reduced and the amount of power generation is improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications. For example, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add / delete / replace the configurations of other examples with respect to a part of the configurations of each embodiment.

Wind power generator 1, tower 2, nacelle 3, hub 4, blade 5, additive quantitative analysis system 900, operation parameter data 901, sensor data 902, additive concentration data 903

Claims (8)

A monitoring system for lubricating oil supplied to the mechanical drive of a wind power generator.
Equipped with input device, processing device, storage device, and output device
The storage device is
Additive concentration data in which the concentration of the extreme pressure additive of the lubricating oil collected as a sample from the wind power generator is stored in chronological order is stored.
The processing device is
A monitoring system for lubricating oil of a wind power generator that estimates the time when the concentration of the extreme pressure additive reaches a predetermined threshold value based on the additive concentration data. The storage device is
Stores sensor data that stores data from sensors in chronological order,
The sensor data is data on the temperature of the lubricating oil, and is
The processing apparatus estimates the time when the concentration of the extreme pressure additive becomes a predetermined threshold value by using the sensor data in addition to the additive concentration data.
The lubricating oil monitoring system for a wind power generator according to claim 1. The storage device is
The operation parameter data in which the operation parameters of the wind power generator are stored in chronological order is stored, and the operation parameters are stored.
The operation parameter data is data on the rotation speed of the shaft of the wind power generator.
The processing apparatus uses the operation parameter data in addition to the additive concentration data.
Estimate the time when the concentration of the extreme pressure additive reaches a predetermined threshold value.
The lubricating oil monitoring system for a wind power generator according to any one of claims 1 and 2. The output device is
Notifies or outputs the time when the concentration of the extreme pressure additive reaches a predetermined threshold value.
The lubricating oil monitoring system for a wind power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The output device is
In a graph format in which the concentration of the extreme pressure additive is displayed on the first axis and the time is displayed on the second axis, the time when the concentration of the extreme pressure additive reaches a predetermined threshold value is displayed as an image.
The lubricating oil monitoring system for a wind power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A method of monitoring the lubricating oil of a wind power generator using a server equipped with a processing device, a storage device, an input device, and an output device.
The first step to collect a sample of the lubricating oil from the previous Symbol wind power generator,
The second step of measuring the concentration of the extreme pressure additive contained in the sample,
The third step, in which the measured concentration of the extreme pressure additive is stored in the storage device in chronological order and used as additive concentration data.
The fourth step, in which the processing apparatus processes the additive concentration data to estimate the time when the concentration of the extreme pressure additive becomes a predetermined threshold value.
How to monitor wind turbine lubricants to perform. Further, the fifth step of receiving the data indicating the temperature of the lubricating oil from the sensor from the input device, storing the data in the storage device in time series, and using the sensor data as the sensor data is executed.
In the fourth step,
The future data of the additive concentration data is predicted based on the past data of the additive concentration data and the past data and the future prediction data of the sensor data.
The method for monitoring a lubricating oil for a wind power generator according to claim 6. Further, the fifth step of receiving the operation parameter indicating the rotation speed of the shaft of the wind power generator from the input device, storing it in the storage device in time series, and using it as the operation parameter data is executed.
In the fourth step,
The future data of the additive concentration data is predicted based on the past data of the additive concentration data and the past data and the future prediction data of the operation parameter data.
The method for monitoring a lubricating oil for a wind power generator according to any one of claims 6 to 7.

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