# Use Cases

Wind Turbines

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Problem We Solve

Wind power is a sustainable power source that exploded a few decades ago. Permanent monitoring helps to avoid any unscheduled malfunction, as a lack of maintenance could cause a turbine shut down, destruction or an interruption in power production.

Two types of measurements are applied on wind turbine systems:

  • In case of turbine monitoring, critical components’ vibration is measured
  • For turbine tower tilt inclination control, the angle measurements of tower positioning will be effected.

Why it is Important

A wind turbine has a simple mechanism: three blades rotate about an axis at low frequencies (typically from 0 to 20 rpm). After speed amplification, the shaft is connected to a generator that converts inertial energy to an electrical one. The sensors are embedded in a bi-axial or tri-axial container and fixed to a structure to measure its acceleration. Vibration measurements are realized by detecting a frequency difference.

The sensors will be exposed to a temperature between -40 and 55°C and an atmospheric pressure. Humidity level may vary from 3% to 100%, whether the wind turbine is working under dry or humid conditions.

How We Solve it

Good vibration analysis requires a vibration sensor with both a broad bandwidth and an excellent precision of measurements. The range of sensor’s bandwidth will define the type of frequencies measured – low or high.  And the sensor’s precision will define how quickly a defect will be detected.

Safran Sensing Technologies vibration sensor VS1000 is perfectly adapted for the wind turbine vibration analysis requirements. The better adapted range for the blade and structural diagnosis will be ±2g. For the internal components’ monitoring ±10g range will perfectly fit.

Why Choose Us

VS1000 is a high end capacitive MEMS accelerometer, specially designed for vibration measurements from DC to medium frequencies. Thanks to its low noise, resistance to repetitive high shocks and insensitivity to temperature environments, VS1000 guarantees confident and accurate vibration measurements in rugged environments.

Innovative MEMS architecture and stable IC ensure analogue outputs with an optimal signal-to-noise ratio and non-linearity in a whole bandwidth.

Safran MEMS are designed and manufactured in Switzerland following state-of-the-art proprietary industrial processes improved over 25 years. Each sensor is fully tested and qualified to company standards.

  • Field proven in critical applications
  • Built-in self test functionality
  • Ensures safety and reliability

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