Drivetrain & Bearing Test Solutions

Improving wind turbine reliability is critical to realizing the promise of a clean, sustainable and economically viable global wind power infrastructure. Pivotal to this effort is the optimization of drivetrain and main bearing designs, which are subject to tremendous rotational and off-axis loading in the course of typical operation and have proven to be the wind turbine subsystems most vulnerable to catastrophic failure.

High-performance MTS drivetrain and bearing test solutions apply real-world rotational and off-axis loading for optimizing the reliability of complete nacelle assemblies, complete drivetrain systems, and drivetrain components such as gear boxes and bearing systems. Typical applications for these systems include system simulation and verification, and performance and durability testing. Central to these solutions is the innovative MTS Non-Torque Loading (NTL) System, which is capable of applying extreme loads in up to six degrees of freedom. The NTL system provides off-axis, or non-torque, loads (3 forces, 2 moments), while rotation/moment inputs are provided via customer-supplied prime mover. The system features a highly robust and efficient design that delivers low cost of operation, high uptime and long life. Other features of the NTS system include:

• Integral, low-friction hydrostatic bearing technology, which delivers superior
   dynamic performance
• State-of-the-art FlexTest® digital controls that ensure high-fidelity simulation and
   optimum test accuracy
• Clean, quiet and highly reliable hydraulic power units
• Facilities planning