As global warming continues and the need for renewable energy sources increases throughout the 21st Century, wind turbine technology is certain to become more common and relied upon for everyday energy needs. This means that wind turbines are going to have to become more sophisticated in order to meet increasing demand for production and energy output.
How Wind Turbines Use Sensors
One way modern wind turbines have been adapting to these challenges is by replacing old-fashioned mechanical drivetrains with more practical hydraulic systems. Hydraulic systems are lighter, more efficient, and require less maintenance than more traditional mechanical drives.
Accurate, reliable sensors like hydraulic fluid level sensors and pressure sensors are crucial for these hydraulic systems. Modern wind turbine controls rely on computer systems to monitor the turbine’s safe and effective function, which is impossible without these sensors in place.
For instance, pitch control is one of the most important aspects of any wind turbine system. As the direction and speed of the wind changes, the pitch of the blades changes to maximize energy output without overloading or damaging the system. With hydraulic turbines, pressure and/or level sensors are used to measure hydraulic pressure in order to prevent overpressure and damage in addition to providing the most precise and accurate movements possible.
Other applications for sensor technology in hydraulic wind turbines include:
- Hydraulic power breaking pressure measurements.
- Hydraulic fluid temperature measurements.
- Hydrostatic transmission pump pressure.
- Temperature and pressure measurements for turbine cooling systems.
- Temperature measurements for bearings, motors, and shafts.
Strain Measurement Devices Fluid Controls offers a wide variety of digital liquid level sensors, temperature sensors, and pressure sensors perfect for any hydraulic wind turbine system.
For instance, FT20 custom temperature switches are perfect for pumps and cooling systems in any turbine hydraulic system. The FM22 combination temperature and level switch capable of multiple measurements at once.
SMD’s optical liquid level sensors are also useful in hydraulics applications, due to their durability, continuous level processing capabilities, and lack of moving parts.