As wind turbines move towards higher capacities and offshore applications become more widespread, operational continuity and maintenance planning are gaining importance. Reliable operating data can help identify potential issues earlier and support maintenance decisions based on actual working conditions.
Predictive maintenance focuses on monitoring and evaluating data collected during operation, rather than inspecting equipment only after a failure occurs. This approach can enable maintenance requirements to be identified earlier and interventions to be scheduled according to the condition of the system.
Reliable data is therefore central to understanding equipment behaviour. In wind turbine drivetrains, the precise measurement of parameters such as torque and speed provides valuable information about actual operating conditions.
KTR’s DATAFLEX® torque measuring shaft has been developed for the accurate measurement of torque and speed in variable and dynamic drive systems. The system can simultaneously measure four parameters: torque, speed, angle of rotation and direction of rotation. The DATAFLEX product range comprises 11 sizes covering measuring ranges from 10 Nm to 20 kNm.
Its applications include machine monitoring, process control and test bench technology. Combining torque and speed measurement enables the operating behaviour of rotating systems to be assessed more comprehensively.
Measurement technology, however, represents only one part of a predictive maintenance strategy. Its value depends on how the resulting data is interpreted and used to support maintenance decisions.
The importance of data in offshore applications
The role of predictive maintenance becomes particularly relevant in offshore wind turbines, where access and maintenance operations are more complex. Interventions must be coordinated with equipment accessibility and suitable operating conditions.
Making drivetrain behaviour more visible can therefore support better-informed maintenance planning. Continuous and accurate measurement of torque and speed can provide useful insight into how the drivetrain performs under actual operating conditions.
The objective is not simply to measure individual values. It is to understand the behaviour of the drivetrain and transform operational data into information that can be used within maintenance processes.
Reliability beyond measurement
Predictive maintenance is also closely linked to the maintenance requirements of the mechanical components used in the system. In offshore applications, where access is more difficult and maintenance operations are more demanding, components with low maintenance requirements and long service lives become increasingly important.
KTR’s maintenance-free and low-maintenance coupling solutions are designed to support drivetrain reliability and contribute to reducing the risk of unplanned downtime. When measurement and monitoring technologies are considered together with the reliability of mechanical components, predictive maintenance can become part of a more integrated maintenance strategy.
