Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 183-196 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Smart structures and systems |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 25 Apr 2010 |
Abstract
Monitoring and economical design of alternative energy generators such as wind turbines is becoming increasingly critical; however acquisition of the dynamic output data can be a time-consuming and costly process. In recent years, low-cost wireless sensors have emerged as an enabling technology for structural monitoring applications. In this study, wireless sensor networks are installed in three operational turbines in order to demonstrate their efficacy in this unique operational environment. The objectives of the first installation are to verify that vibrational (acceleration) data can be collected and transmitted within a turbine tower and that it is comparable to data collected using a traditional tethered system. In the second instrumentation, the wireless network includes strain gauges at the base of the structure. Also, data is collected regarding the performance of the wireless communication channels within the tower. In both turbines, collected wireless sensor data is used for off-line, output-only modal analysis of the ambiently (wind) excited turbine towers. The final installation is on a turbine with embedded braking capabilities within the nacelle to generate an "impulse-like" load at the top of the tower. This ability to apply such a load improves the modal analysis results obtained in cases where ambient excitation fails to be sufficiently broad-band or white. The improved loading allows for computation of true mode shapes, a necessary precursor to many conditional monitoring techniques.
Keywords
- Modal analysis, Structural health monitoring, Wind energy, Wireless sensors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)
- Control and Systems Engineering
- Computer Science(all)
- Computer Science Applications
- Engineering(all)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
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In: Smart structures and systems, Vol. 6, No. 3, 25.04.2010, p. 183-196.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Structural monitoring of wind turbines using wireless sensor networks
AU - Andrew Swartz, R.
AU - Lynch, Jerome P.
AU - Zerbst, Stephan
AU - Sweetman, Bert
AU - Rolfes, Raimund
PY - 2010/4/25
Y1 - 2010/4/25
N2 - Monitoring and economical design of alternative energy generators such as wind turbines is becoming increasingly critical; however acquisition of the dynamic output data can be a time-consuming and costly process. In recent years, low-cost wireless sensors have emerged as an enabling technology for structural monitoring applications. In this study, wireless sensor networks are installed in three operational turbines in order to demonstrate their efficacy in this unique operational environment. The objectives of the first installation are to verify that vibrational (acceleration) data can be collected and transmitted within a turbine tower and that it is comparable to data collected using a traditional tethered system. In the second instrumentation, the wireless network includes strain gauges at the base of the structure. Also, data is collected regarding the performance of the wireless communication channels within the tower. In both turbines, collected wireless sensor data is used for off-line, output-only modal analysis of the ambiently (wind) excited turbine towers. The final installation is on a turbine with embedded braking capabilities within the nacelle to generate an "impulse-like" load at the top of the tower. This ability to apply such a load improves the modal analysis results obtained in cases where ambient excitation fails to be sufficiently broad-band or white. The improved loading allows for computation of true mode shapes, a necessary precursor to many conditional monitoring techniques.
AB - Monitoring and economical design of alternative energy generators such as wind turbines is becoming increasingly critical; however acquisition of the dynamic output data can be a time-consuming and costly process. In recent years, low-cost wireless sensors have emerged as an enabling technology for structural monitoring applications. In this study, wireless sensor networks are installed in three operational turbines in order to demonstrate their efficacy in this unique operational environment. The objectives of the first installation are to verify that vibrational (acceleration) data can be collected and transmitted within a turbine tower and that it is comparable to data collected using a traditional tethered system. In the second instrumentation, the wireless network includes strain gauges at the base of the structure. Also, data is collected regarding the performance of the wireless communication channels within the tower. In both turbines, collected wireless sensor data is used for off-line, output-only modal analysis of the ambiently (wind) excited turbine towers. The final installation is on a turbine with embedded braking capabilities within the nacelle to generate an "impulse-like" load at the top of the tower. This ability to apply such a load improves the modal analysis results obtained in cases where ambient excitation fails to be sufficiently broad-band or white. The improved loading allows for computation of true mode shapes, a necessary precursor to many conditional monitoring techniques.
KW - Modal analysis
KW - Structural health monitoring
KW - Wind energy
KW - Wireless sensors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77951919862&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.12989/sss.2010.6.3.183
DO - 10.12989/sss.2010.6.3.183
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77951919862
VL - 6
SP - 183
EP - 196
JO - Smart structures and systems
JF - Smart structures and systems
SN - 1738-1584
IS - 3
ER -