Wind Turbine Technology Services

For more than 50 years, the Mechanical Engineering Division of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been involved in the design, analysis, and problem resolution of energy industry machinery. With this background, SwRI staff have developed expertise in:

• Machinery dynamics
• Thermal and fluid systems
• Aerodynamic performance

SwRI engineers regularly apply this expertise using both commercially available and custom-engineered tools such as:

• Finite element analysis (FEA)
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes
• Field and laboratory-based data acquisition tools and instrumentation

As an independent organization, SwRI is uniquely positioned to provide:

• Third-party design audits
• Due diligence studies
• Prototype development and testing
• Failure analysis

Our technical depth and breadth can be a valuable asset to smaller organizations that cannot afford the technical staff required for prototype development, and to larger organizations that cannot meet their engineering requirements with existing staff. SwRI is particularly suited to contribute to the wind power industry, providing a variety of services for manufacturers, industry clients, and entrepreneurs.

Prototype Design and Testing

• Prototype development from concept to actual hardware
• Instrumentation development and integration
• Design analysis (FEA, CFD, etc.)
• Test planning, operation and reporting
• Wind tunnel testing of prototype (up to 4 m diameter)

Torsional Vibration Analysis

• Drivetrain modal analysis
• Forced response analysis
• Transient shock event analysis
• Wind spectrum analysis

Field Vibration Troubleshooting

• Drivetrain vibration
• Bearing failures
• Gearbox failures
• Strain measurement telemetry

Bearing and Gearbox Failure Analysis

• Metallurgical examination for failure mode
• Root cause failure analysis (RCFA)

SwRI can offer you a full range of capabilities and experience in wind power technology services including becoming an extension of your engineering department. To contract with SwRI, please contact the Machinery Services Hotline at +1 210 522 3000.

For more information, contact Tim Allison or call +1 210 522 3561.