Static Blade Vs.

Dynamic Rotor Balance

June 2011

Presentation Objectives

Create awareness of a potential issue facing

wind farm operators.
Illustrate the limitations of static blade
balancing in achieving a balanced rotor.
Discuss dynamic rotor balancing

Origins of Unbalanced Rotor

At birth

Quality control, improper procedures, inherent limitations of measuring equipment at the

manufacturer

During operation

Blades absorb water, oil, etc through the compromise of some other system
Hydraulics
Gel coat of blade skin.

During shop blade repair service

Blades are repaired BUT

Blades are not balanced
Blades are balanced within limitations of measuring equipment and process but the
rotor has excessive residual unbalance
Blade balancing quality control issues

During blade repair on a turbine

Blade mass is changed

No attempt to balance rotor after repair

Unbalanced Turbine Rotor

The condition of balance Center of Rotating Mass coincides with

the centerline of rotation.
The degree to which these do NOT coincide is the amount that the
rotor is out of balance (residual unbalance)expressed in units of
torque i.e. lbf-in, lbf-ft, kgf-m, N-m

Center of rotating mass is not on the center of rotation

Units of Torque -> (applied force) X (Distance to center of rotation)
1000 lbf-in = 10lb@100in, 1lb@1000in, 0.1lb@10,000in, etc

Causes extra forces resulting in vibration and fatigue

Causes loss of expected life for anything which reacts to the forces

Gear boxes

Shafts

Yaw systems

Tower structures

Causes loss of productivity

Delayed startup

Motoring operation in low wind (small turbine controls)

Reduction in output power along entire wind speed profile of power curve.

Consequences of rotor unbalance

Main Bearings

In all but extreme cases, excessive rotor unbalance will not be

noticed due to the low rotor rpm and the observation distance.

Rotor Unbalance
Center of Mass does NOT coincide with center of rotation

Balanced Wind Turbine Rotor

Balanced Rotor = Identical Hub moments for all three blades (M X L)

Static Balance: Root & Tip Method

Making the Center of Mass Location and Total Mass equal on all
three blades is as simple as making all of the root and tip weights
match!

Or so it appears

Static Balance: Root & Tip Method

if you dont consider the sources of error in the measurement for each blade!

Dynamic Rotor Balancing -Traditional

Traditional methods of Dynamic Rotor Balancing measure the effects

of the residual unbalance indirectly on the structure supporting the
rotor.

Since residual unbalance will displace the rotating mass from its
centerline of rotation, the displacement is the effect measured.

It could be measured in displacement, velocity, or acceleration since all are related to

motion.
The ability to measure the amount of unbalance will be a function of total rotating mass,
rotating speed, and limitations inherent in selected transducer.
The massive weight and slow speed of a wind turbine rotor limit the amount of residual
rotor unbalance that can be measured.
If it cant be measured, it cant be corrected.
The drive train and wind turbine structure still bear the effects of these forces even if they
cant be measured traditionally.

ISO-1940-1 Balance Quality

The lower the G

number, the
better the balance

Select the balance

quality target line

Find the
intersection of
speed of the rotor
and the target
balance quality
line

Multiply the
corresponding e
value by the rotor
weight in pounds

The result is the

maximum residual
unbalance allowed
in order to achieve
that balance
quality

Dynamic ProBalanceTM

FPS utilizes a patented technology that

measures residual unbalance directly.

The measurement is not limited by the speed or weight of the rotor or the structure
supporting the rotor.
The technology is used both in assessment and correction of rotor unbalance.
Can cost effectively survey a wind farm and prioritize corrective action.
Can assess correction requirements following any blade repair performed on the turbine.
Can audit the static blade balancing results.
Corrections can be made without removing blades or rotor.

FPS - Dynamic Rotor Balance Assessment

Survey an entire wind farm using patented

technology

Provide a priority list of turbines ranked by the degree of rotor unbalance based
upon ISO Balance Quality 1940/1

FPS - Dynamic Rotor Corrective Balancing

Use the unbalance survey to establish the

number of turbines to designate for corrective
action
FPS will dynamically balance the wind turbine
using patent-pending technology

G16 or better balance quality

Correction performed without removal of rotor or blades (in situ)
Corrective solution will add minimum mass to the rotor
Weight will be installed inside of the blade near the tip.
Provide a before and after differential of:
ISO 1940-1 balance quality

Correction cost is a function of turbine size,

degree of unbalance, method of access, and
weather conditions.

Next Steps

Frontier Pro Services will utilize patented method to assess wind

turbine Rotor Balance Quality.
Each turbine assessment will take approximately 30-60 minutes
depending upon time for electrical access.
Turbine assessment report will be delivered within 1 week of
completion of assessment. Report to include Balance Quality
ranking of assessed turbines

Follow up meeting to present findings and discuss potential

corrective action plan.
Where and when?