Contrinex sensors’ high performance and reliability are trusted in many applications. Still, perhaps one that best illustrates the value of precision with accuracy down to a few µm (microns) and the need for reliability is the use of their analogue inductive sensors in monitoring wind turbines.

Along with the trend for wind turbines to increase in size and be positioned in hostile environments on hills or offshore is the use of increasingly complex automation systems to optimise their performance, of which Contrinex inductive sensors play a key part.

CUSTOMER APPLICATION

The high costs of wind turbines make their optimisation increasingly essential to maximise their economic value. The pitch of the turbine blades catching the wind is the primary means of adjusting the speed and generation output of the turbine. Blade pitch also enables the system to obtain a rotational speed best suited for conversion to the electricity frequency required for export to the electrical distribution grid. The turbine may, for example, have its blades pitched to only catch some of the wind and so operate at a lower rotational speed, reducing wear and tear on the wind turbine when the wholesale electricity price is low, for example, on a sunny afternoon when there is less demand.

The use and complexity of preventative maintenance systems is increasing, for example monitoring the vibration of rotating shafts and the wear of shaft couplings.

CUSTOMER SOLUTION

Contrinex analogue inductive sensors are industry-leading in their precision with long sensing ranges of up to 40mm, combined with precision measurement accurate to a few µm (microns). Analogue inductive sensors located in the rotor measure the distance to an eccentric lobe attached to the end of each blade to monitor the angle or pitch of the turbine blades. They provide a robust and precise system to replace more costly and fragile mechanical encoder solutions. The increasing placement of wind turbines in challenging environments with prolonged exposure to outdoor, often salt-laden air further enhances the advantages over encoder systems.

The fine resolution of the sensor’s measurement also enables their use in monitoring rotating shafts to look for vibration or track trends in movement as bearings wear, replacing the use of maintenance based on time or rotational count. Another application measures the distance to a shaft coupling, providing a simple analogue voltage or current to the PLC. The precision of Contrinex’s analogue inductive sensor enables the movement as the seal wears over months and years to be measured and used as part of a preventative maintenance system to schedule the best time for coupling replacement.

Contrinex analogue inductive sensors provide industry-leading precision, performance and reliability because their patented Condist® oscillator technology ensures exceptional environmental stability, especially when changing temperature. Therefore their analogue inductive sensors offer sensing distances up to 3 times the standard. In this application, the sensor provides a dynamic resolution of ±5.5 µm (microns) on a sensing distance of up to 6 mm. Once again, the simplicity of interfacing with the 0 to 10V or 4 to 20mA output from the analogue inductive sensor to the PLC is appreciated by customers.

PRODUCT ADVANTAGES

• Analogue resolution in microns µm
• Near Linear Analogue Current and Voltage Output
• Reliable, precise & fast detection
• Long sensing ranges
• Robust & reliable in demanding conditions
• EMC resilience
• Highly Reliable with Long Service Life
• Exceptional Temperature Stability
• Low-cost solution

Click to download Contrinex’s Product Overview brochure to find out more.

Call 0121 58 222 58 or email Sales@PLUSAutomation.co.uk to discuss how PLUS Automation can help you #MakeSenseofSensors using Inductive, Machine Safety, Photoelectric, Pressure, Process, RFID and Ultrasonic sensors from CONTRINEX, ReeR & SATRON.

With over 2,000 sensors in stock in the UK, supported by stock held in Europe and short manufacturing lead times, PLUS Automation welcomes the opportunity to discuss improving automation and machine performance or reducing costs.