Contact load measurement method of wind turbine tapered roller bearings based on intelligent roller
WANG Zihao
ZHONG Zhidan
LIU Minghui
HAO Wenlu
GUO Zihao
Abstract：[Objective]To address the challenge of directly measuring the contact load of large wind turbine tapered roller bearings,the main shaft bearing of a specific model wind turbine is taken as an example to implement intelligent modifications on the bearing rollers.[Methods]Firstly,a load sensor and its associated circuitry were installed within a hollow roller to develop an intelligent roller designed for measuring contact load,along with corresponding load sensors.Secondly,finite element simulations were conducted to derive the radial strain distribution pattern of the metallic disc within the load sensor,followed by virtual bridge assembly simulations.Finally,experimental validation was performed to confirm the radial strain distribution pattern of the metallic disc and sensor calibration tests were conducted.[Results]The results indicate that when subjected to fixed loads,the proposed bridge assembly method effectively mitigates the influence of roller rotation angle on load measurement,allowing for stable voltage output during roller rotation.The proposed measurement methodology provides a novel approach for obtaining contact loads in large tapered roller bearings.
Keywords：Tapered roller bearingIntelligent rollerContact load measurementSensor design
Publication Date：2026-01-31
Online Publishing Date：2026-09-12(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 143-149 )