Measurement of rotational vibrations and angular accelerations

Wind turbines rarely operate under perfectly steady conditions. Wind gusts, wind shear and ice accumulation on rotor blades create changing dynamic loads – affecting the rotor, drivetrain and ultimately the turbine’s performance and service life.

A powerful indicator of these changes is rotational vibration.

By continuously monitoring angular velocity with high-precision MEMS gyroscopes, angular acceleration can be calculated and even small deviations from normal operating behavior identified. This can provide early indications of rotor imbalance, material fatigue or changing drivetrain dynamics – before they develop into critical problems.

ASC offers two high-performance solutions for this demanding measurement task: the ASC 271 Industrial Grade gyroscope for precise angular-rate measurement in harsh operating environments; and the ASC 281 Tactical Grade gyroscope for applications requiring exceptionally high stability and accuracy.

The result is better data for condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, optimized turbine control and better protection systems – helping operators reduce unplanned downtime and maximize efficiency over the turbine lifecycle.

Because every degree of motion can reveal what’s happening inside the system.

Want to turn rotational data into actionable insights? Let’s explore the possibilities together.