The importance of accumulators in wind turbines and general hydraulic systems

26 September, 2017

More importantly, in the case of an electrical power failure, accumulators are used as the energy source to activate the brake calipers of both the high-speed shaft and yaw-brake systems. The brake force holding time required can be as long as several days, which means the accumulators must have enough pre-charged gas pressure beforehand to ensure the turbine is held under control. It is therefore a critical maintenance issue that all accumulators have the correct nitrogen gas pre-charge pressure at all times.

Wind turbines commonly use piston type accumulators because of their smaller footprint and high-pressure performance. Piston accumulators are commonly fitted with Minimess charging valves due to their high-pressure capability, leak free design and safe ease of use.

Hydrotechnik has developed a range of nitrogen gas charging and testing kits specifically for the wind generation markets as well as for general hydraulic applications. The kits all utilise leak-free Minimess gas charging valves, and have adaptors to suit almost all modern accumulator designs even when Minimess is not fitted as standard to the accumulator

www.hydrotechnik.co.uk