A backlash measuring method is provided for measuring backlash at a plurality of different times. The backlash measuring method includes: a rotation amount calculating step of braking a ring gear relative to a second portion while contact between a target tooth and the ring gear achieved in a contacting step is maintained, causing a target pinion to rotate toward a second side in a rotation direction opposite to the first side with a driving force less than a braking force applied to brake the ring gear relative to the second portion until the target tooth touches the ring gear at a tooth surface facing the second side, and calculating an amount of rotation of the target pinion; and a measuring step of measuring backlash between the ring gear and the target pinion based on the amount of rotation of the target pinion calculated in the rotation amount calculating step.

A method for determining radial play of a bearing arrangement in a wind turbine component, the bearing arrangement comprising a first component and a second component, which are movable relative to one another in a radial direction. The method comprises: capturing a first image of the bearing arrangement, the first image including the first and second components in a first relative position; applying a radially-directed load to the bearing arrangement to move the first component radially with respect to the second component by a distance that defines the radial play of the bearing arrangement so that the first and second components are in a second relative position; capturing a second image of the bearing arrangement, the second image including the first and second components in the second relative position; and comparing the first and second images to quantify the difference between the first relative position of the first and second components and the second relative position of the first and second components, thereby to determine the radial play in the bearing arrangement.

A method of determining a distance between a rotor blade tip and a tower of a wind turbine includes: estimating the distance based on a strain measurement; measuring the distance; correcting an estimation procedure based on the estimated distance and the measured distance; and deriving a corrected distance based on the corrected estimation procedure.

The disclosure relates to condition monitoring of wind turbine pitch bearings by measuring variations in distance between inner and outer rings of a pitch bearing during an angular rotation. Example embodiments include a method of monitoring a condition of a pitch bearing (100) of a wind turbine, the pitch bearing comprising a first ring (102) attached to a blade of the wind turbine and a second ring (103) attached to a hub of the wind turbine, the method comprising: mounting a displacement sensor (105) to the pitch bearing (100) to measure a distance between the first ring (102) and the second ring (103); rotating the first ring (102) relative to the second ring (103) over an angular range; and recording an angular position (204) of the first ring (102) relative to the second ring (103) and a distance (205a, 205b) measured by the displacement sensor (105) while rotating the first ring (103) relative to the second ring (103) over the angular range.

A system and method are configured to monitor changes associated with an air gap in a brake assembly of a wind turbine yaw drive by: (1) receiving one or more sensor signals from one or more sensors that are indicative of changes associated with the air gap; and (2) comparing the changes associated with the air gap to certain thresholds to determine if the air gap is in need of attention. The system includes at least one proximity sensor arranged adjacent to the air gap, to monitor the air gap, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the sensor signal(s) indicative of the changes associated with the air gap. The controller also is configured to compare the changes associated with the air gap to one or more air gap thresholds, and to implement a control action based on this comparison.

The application provides a method, apparatus and electronic device for monitoring tower clearance. The method for monitoring tower clearance includes: obtaining a distance to an obstacle measured by a laser ranging device; calculating a measured clearance value of each laser based on a first distance of the laser; compensating the measured clearance value of each laser by a preset compensation formula to obtain a compensated clearance value of the laser; comparing a minimum compensated clearance value among N lasers with a preset clearance threshold; and performing safety protection for the wind turbine based on a comparison result.

An apparatus for measuring a wind power generator air gap is disclosed. The apparatus is capable of measuring a measure (air gap) of a large structure with a diameter exceeding several meters which constitutes a wind power generator and verifying reliability of the air gap before assembly. The apparatus includes a support with a rotating driver therein, a first frame having an inner end fixed on the support, a second frame provided above the first frame at an interval, a spacer provided below the second frame, a turning bearing fixing the first frame and rotating the second frame, n (n is a natural number) dummy magnets provided on an outer end of the first frame, n (n is a natural number) dummy coils provided on an outer end of the second frame, and an air gap measuring means measuring an air gap between the dummy magnets and the dummy coils.

The invention provides for controlling a wind turbine comprising pitch-adjustable rotor blades. The invention involves determining, based on detected wind conditions, wind turbine control parameters for controlling the wind turbine in accordance with a defined wind turbine control strategy, where the control parameters include a reference pitch angle for the rotor blades. The invention involves obtaining bearing control parameters each indicative of a parameter for controlling pitch bearings of the wind turbine that is for adjusting pitch of the rotor blades. The invention involves determining whether a defined set of operational parameters of the wind turbine, including the bearing control parameters, in combination correspond to a combination of operational parameters defined to be indicative of a level of wear above a threshold wear level. The pitch bearings are then controlled based on the reference pitch angle and on the threshold determination.

The application provides a method, apparatus and electronic device for monitoring tower clearance. The method for monitoring tower clearance includes: obtaining a distance to an obstacle measured by a laser ranging device; calculating a measured clearance value of each laser based on a first distance of the laser; compensating the measured clearance value of each laser by a preset compensation formula to obtain a compensated clearance value of the laser; comparing a minimum compensated clearance value among N lasers with a preset clearance threshold; and performing safety protection for the wind turbine based on a comparison result.

A method for determining radial play of a bearing arrangement in a wind turbine component, the bearing arrangement comprising a first component and a second component, which are movable relative to one another in a radial direction. The method comprises: capturing a first image of the bearing arrangement, the first image including the first and second components in a first relative position; applying a radially-directed load to the bearing arrangement to move the first component radially with respect to the second component by a distance that defines the radial play of the bearing arrangement so that the first and second components are in a second relative position; capturing a second image of the bearing arrangement, the second image including the first and second components in the second relative position; and comparing the first and second images to quantify the difference between the first relative position of the first and second components and the second relative position of the first and second components, thereby to determine the radial play in the bearing arrangement.