The Power of Wind Turbine Inspection
Wind power generates economical, low-emission energy, helping to achieve a net-zero future. After construction the main cost of wind power is maintaining turbines. Wind conditions and debris stress the turbine's mechanical parts, increasing maintenance costs and lowering performance. Regular inspections and repairs are needed for turbines to last their typical 20-year lifespan.
Waygate Technologies provides reliable remote visual inspection (RVI) solutions to evaluate and address machine wear. Software standardizes inspections and data collection while hardware provides best-in-class image quality through an easy to use interface.
Drivetrain Inspection Challenges Solved
Around 60% of maintenance costs are attributed to the wind turbine's drivetrain. The gearbox converts the slow speed, high torque wind turbine rotation into the higher speeds needed by the generator. This generator them transforms the mechanical power into electricity. Accurate and efficient inspections are critical to ensure reliable operation and predictable maintenance requirements.
Intermediate and High-speed Stage Bearings
The Problem: Bearing failure in high, or intermediate, speed applications can damage other gearbox parts, sometimes resulting a full gearbox replacement. Causes include misalignment between the high-speed shaft and generator, foreign objects, and issues with lubricant oil viscosity and cleanliness.
Our Solution: Waygate Technologies' video borescopes provide excellent image quality, advanced image processing tolls, and easy-to-use interface. This makes it simpler to inspect and monitor flaws on the intermediate and high-speed shaft, bearings' roller surface, and inner and outer race. The ability to upload standadrized data to the InspectionWorks platform aids in predicting potential damage.
Planetary Stage Bearings
The Problem: The planetary gear and planetary stage bearings service to absorb varying wind stress. However, limited planetary stage space due to gear dimensions means that bearings used here generally have shortened component life.
Our Solution: Waygate Technologies' video borescopes offer powerful, long-lasting articulation and a wide selection of semi-flexible guide tubes, giving the user more control and stability to navigate the challenging planetary gears.
Gear Teeth
The Problem: A common post of failure for the wind turbine gearbox is a broken gear tooth, which can be caused by material quality, surface grinding, or hardening issues.
Our Solution: Our video borescopes are equipped with advanced optics to provide the user with the appropriate field of view and focal distance. Our near-focus optical tips greatly aid in the inspection of gear teeth, allowing very small flaws to be detected.
Reporting and Data Management
The Problem: Providing a timely, accurate, and thorough report after an inspection is critical to customer success. With many inspectors performing similar inspections, data consistency and its availability to an organization to monitor fleet issues is becoming more and more important.
Our Solution: The Menu Directed Inspection (MDI) and InspectionWorks cloud solution offer a systematic approach for inspectors to follow consistent inspection plans and collect data. Data is automatically tagged, continuously backed up to the InspectionWorks cloud, and the report can be auto generated, allowing the completion of an inspection report before leaving the site.
Discover our Borescope Inspection Cameras for Wind
All our video borescopes are available in convenient Wind Kits to consolidate system and recommended tips, guide tubes, battery options and other accessories. Learn more about what is included in our Wind Inspection kits.
Everest Mentor Visual iQ+ (MViQ+) Video Borescope
The most powerful and comprehensive video borescope on the market, this inspection camera offers high-definition imaging and advanced Real3D Phased Measurement with interchangeable probes.
- Daylight readable 6.5” LCD display
- Compatible with 4.0, 6.1, 6.2 and 8.4 mm diameter interchangeable probes
- Real3D Measurement combines fully surfaced point cloud visualization and advanced measurement algorithms to enable more accurate and repeatable measurement decisions. Choose from three measurement technologies (3D Phase, 3D Stereo and traditional stereo).
- TrueSight imaging provides a blend of high-resolution image capturing and processing functions, precision optics and a powerful suite of proprietary image transforms for high Probability of Detection
Everest Mentor Flex Video Borescope
Combining portability with military-grade durability, TrueSight imaging and optional measurement, this video borescope brings high-end features at an affordable price.
- Wide XGA, daylight readable 5.8” LCD display
- Enhanced mechanical design enables increased articulation range and extended life to ensure thorough inspections of the entire asset in less time
- Precision Measurement: Real3D Stereo, traditional stereo, and comparison measurement interfaces provide accurate defect assessments, ensuring precise results every time.
XL Detect and XL Detect+ Video Borescope
Utlilarian in design, the XL Detect is lightweight and durable with a powerful light engine.
- VGA color 3.7” LCD display
- Ultra-portable and light weight
- Rugged durability built to meet military-grade reliability standards.
Want to learn more about borescopes for Wind Turbine inspection?
Talk to one of our visual inspection experts.
Why choose Waygate Technologies?
Waygate Technologies excels in remote visual inspection with advanced Video Borescopes for demanding industries. Our tools provide superior image quality, portability, and features for precise inspections. Waygate Technologies' products are built to withstand tough environments.
Beyond advanced tools, we provide comprehensive service plans that include preventive maintenance, expert training, and global support. With flexible service agreements, Waygate Technologies ensures your inspection equipment remains in peak condition, minimizing downtime and maximizing operational efficiency.
The wind kits vary slightly depending on video borescope model, but generally includes: system and probe, optical tips and cleaning kit, battery pack, guide tube and gripper.
Generally, if a probe is immersed in oil, it must be promptly removed from the asset and thoroughly cleaned to ensure optimal performance. Our team has consistently found that the most effective way to minimize oil impact on image quality is to utilize the 3.9 mm probe. This tip offers a depth of field that is sufficient for inspecting numerous areas, and its shorter probe head design enhances accessibility to various challenging bearing locations. By employing this method, inspectors can achieve more reliable and clearer images during the inspection process, thereby improving the overall efficiency and accuracy of their work.
Waygate Technologies video borescopes are meticulously engineered to withstand temperatures up to 100°C (212°F) at the probe tip. This capability enables inspectors to access and inspect assets much faster compared to competitive equipment, which typically has a general limit of 30°C. The enhanced temperature resistance ensures that inspections can be conducted efficiently without the need for extended waiting periods for cooling. It is important to adhere to operating guidelines, as exposure to temperatures beyond these limits can result in oil ingress into the probe tip, necessitating replacement or factory repair. This robustness is an essential feature for maintaining the reliability and performance of the inspection equipment in demanding environments.
Our decades of expertise along with our global reach allow us to offer you service that is both quick and reliable.
We offer you technical support free of charge for the life of your product. Contact us via email at RemoteService@bhge.com or phone by calling +1 866 243-2638.
Other service offerings include rentals, repairs, advanced inspection solutions, and training. We'll be there to walk you through it every step of the way.
Learn more about how we can help you work smarter, faster, and safer to achieve the efficiency and accuracy you expect.
TrueSight™ imaging provides a blend of high resolution image capturing and processing functions with precision optics and a powerful suite of proprietary image transforms.
With TrueSight™ imaging, Mentor Visual iQ+ video borescope delivers HD visuals, a high-intensity light source, and superior visual processing. Users enjoy clearer, sharper videos and still images right on their device.
Users can also measure from increased distances, which increases the potential measurable surface area and probability of detection (POD).
The suite of image transforms is included in the Analyze model and available on Touch and inspect models when ordering our Probability of Detection software package. This POD software includes: Adaptive Noise Reduction, Dark Boost, Distortion Correction, Inverse+, Variable High Dynamic Range, and Color Saturation. Now inspectors can improve the image quality directly on their borescope during inspections, letting them see more in less time.
Real3D™ measurement combines an interactive fully-surfaced point cloud visualization, advanced measurement algorithms, an insightful 3D Surface Mask, and Dynamic Advisory Messages to enable more accurate and repeatable measurement decisions. Choose from three measurement technologies (3D Phase, 3D Stereo, and traditional stereo).
With HD-enabled digital zoom, you can hone in on even the tiniest indications mid-inspection. On-demand 3D Phase and 3D Stereo Measurement, powered by Real3D™ measurement, provides a fully surfaced point cloud for ultimate measurement confidence — helping you increase productivity and make the best possible asset decisions, faster.
Each of these technologies is compatible with some or all of our measurement types to help get the measurement needed in multiple applications. They include basics like length, depth point to line, and area, but also specialty types including depth profile, area depth profile, and measurement plane. Real3D measurement also utilizes a dynamic warning system that helps guide inspectors and avoid unintended errors.
Watch the Real3D™ Stereo and 3D Phased Overview Webinar
