Linear variable filter based oil condition monitoring systems for offshore windturbines

A major part of future renewable energy will be generated in offshore wind farms. The used turbines of the 5 MW class and beyond, often feature a planetary gear with 1000 liters lubricating oil or even more. Monitoring the oil aging process provides early indication of necessary maintenance and oil change. Thus maintenance is no longer time-scheduled but becomes wear dependent providing ecological and economical benefits. This paper describes two approaches based on a linear variable filter (LVF) as dispersive element in a setup of a cost effective infrared miniature spectrometer for oil condition monitoring purposes. Spectra and design criteria of a static multi-element detector and a scanning single element detector system are compared and rated. Both LVF miniature spectrometers are appropriately designed for the suggested measurements but have certain restrictions. LVF multi-channel sensors combined with sophisticated multivariate data processing offer the possibility to use the sensor for a broad range of lubricants just by a software update of the calibration set. An all-purpose oil sensor may be obtained.