New coating for cylindrical roller bearings reduces gearbox failures in wind turbine applications

Investment in renewable energy systems, whether wind, wave or tidal, requires significant financial commitment. Protecting this investment by ensuring maximum availability of the energy system is therefore critical.

FAG rolling bearings from the Schaeffler Group are found at the heart of many wind turbine installations around the world, and more recently, in wave and tidal stream systems. Used predominantly to support the rotor in wind turbines, these bearings are typically designed to have at least a 20-year operational service life.

Suitably designed bearings are critical in reducing wind turbine operator costs. For example, the design of low friction bearings for the wind turbine rotor shaft and gearbox is a key consideration, as are the associated lubrication methods for the bearings, mounting and maintenance, to ensure maintenance costs are minimised and service life is increased.

Schaeffler has worked closely with designers, manufacturers and operators of wind turbines for more than 25 years and more recently with manufacturers of wave and tidal stream systems.