A proposed criteria to identify wind turbine drivetrain bearing loads that induce roller slip based white-Etching cracks

In this article, the type of roller slip behavior that may result in formation white-etching cracks (WECs) wind turbine gearbox bearings is identified. A new hypothesis based on inner raceway normal contact load magnitude at time proposed as probable cause WECs. For purpose, maximum loads are identified when occurs high-speed shaft different mean speeds. Subsequently, annual probability occurrence obtained. The under exceeding a limit hypothesized for WEC. order to apply hypothesis, two turbines used: cylindrical bearing General Electric 1.5 SLE and tapered Vestas V52 turbine. Both chosen generator side shaft. both turbines, measurement data together with analytical models used identifying loads. We propose forecasting exceedance threshold level during identify possibility inducing