Articles | Volume 3, issue 1 
            
                
                    
            
            
            https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-3-97-2018
                    © Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under 
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
                the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-3-97-2018
                    © Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under 
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
                the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Friction torque of wind-turbine pitch bearings – comparison of experimental results with available models
Matthias Stammler
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
                                            
                                    
                                            Fraunhofer IWES, Appelstraße 9A, 30167 Hanover, Germany
                                        
                                    Fabian Schwack
                                            IMKT, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1a, 30167
Hanover, Germany
                                        
                                    Norbert Bader
                                            IMKT, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1a, 30167
Hanover, Germany
                                        
                                    Andreas Reuter
                                            Fraunhofer IWES, Appelstraße 9A, 30167 Hanover, Germany
                                        
                                    Gerhard Poll
                                            IMKT, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1a, 30167
Hanover, Germany
                                        
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                            Cited
20 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Model-based compensation and uncertainty analysis of support bearing losses in a chain drive dynamometer R. Wragge-Morley et al. 10.1088/1361-6501/ad96d6
 - Operational Pitch Actuation Dynamics for Offshore Wind Turbines Ranging from 5 to 50 MW M. Jeong et al. 10.1002/we.2975
 - A study of grease lubricants under wind turbine pitch bearing conditions F. Schwack et al. 10.1016/j.wear.2020.203335
 - Tribological challenges and advancements in wind turbine bearings: A review A. Dhanola & H. Garg 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2020.104885
 - The generalized Maxwell-slip friction model applied to starting of small wind turbines R. Ribeiro et al. 10.1007/s40430-021-03088-0
 - Evaluation of lidar-assisted wind turbine control under various turbulence characteristics F. Guo et al. 10.5194/wes-8-149-2023
 - Prediction of the friction torque of scaled blade bearings in a test rig using machine learning M. Hohmann et al. 10.1088/1742-6596/2767/5/052010
 - Assessment of the renewable energy generation towards net-zero energy buildings: A review A. Ahmed et al. 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111755
 - Results of wear endurance runs of wind turbine pitch bearings M. Stammler & M. Geibel 10.1088/1742-6596/2767/4/042001
 - Wear in wind turbine pitch bearings—A comparative design study F. Schwack et al. 10.1002/we.2693
 - Improved Formulation for Sliding Friction Torque of Deep Groove Ball Bearings G. Rivera et al. 10.7736/JKSPE.022.045
 - A Systematic Approach for Energy-Efficient Design of Rolling Bearing Cages A. Gaydamaka et al. 10.3390/app13021144
 - Load distribution in a roller-type rotor blade bearing M. Stammler et al. 10.1088/1742-6596/1037/4/042016
 - An estimation method of bearing frictional power losses in a propulsion shaft through a tribo-dynamic model Y. Xu et al. 10.1177/13506501241262663
 - Effect of load reduction mechanisms on loads and blade bearing movements of wind turbines M. Stammler et al. 10.1002/we.2428
 - Measurements and modeling of friction torque of wind turbine blade bearings O. Menck et al. 10.1088/1742-6596/2265/2/022087
 - An engineering approach for the estimation of slewing bearing stiffness in wind turbine generators I. Heras et al. 10.1002/we.2292
 - Towards a Model-Based Methodology for Rating and Monitoring Wear Risk in Oscillating Grease-Lubricated Rolling Bearings A. Bartschat et al. 10.3390/lubricants12120415
 - Virtual Commissioning and Digital Twins for Energy-Aware Industrial Electric Drive Systems S. Bysko et al. 10.3390/en18205375
 - Load distribution and friction torque in four-point contact slewing bearings considering manufacturing errors and ring flexibility I. Heras et al. 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2019.03.008
 
19 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Model-based compensation and uncertainty analysis of support bearing losses in a chain drive dynamometer R. Wragge-Morley et al. 10.1088/1361-6501/ad96d6
 - Operational Pitch Actuation Dynamics for Offshore Wind Turbines Ranging from 5 to 50 MW M. Jeong et al. 10.1002/we.2975
 - A study of grease lubricants under wind turbine pitch bearing conditions F. Schwack et al. 10.1016/j.wear.2020.203335
 - Tribological challenges and advancements in wind turbine bearings: A review A. Dhanola & H. Garg 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2020.104885
 - The generalized Maxwell-slip friction model applied to starting of small wind turbines R. Ribeiro et al. 10.1007/s40430-021-03088-0
 - Evaluation of lidar-assisted wind turbine control under various turbulence characteristics F. Guo et al. 10.5194/wes-8-149-2023
 - Prediction of the friction torque of scaled blade bearings in a test rig using machine learning M. Hohmann et al. 10.1088/1742-6596/2767/5/052010
 - Assessment of the renewable energy generation towards net-zero energy buildings: A review A. Ahmed et al. 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111755
 - Results of wear endurance runs of wind turbine pitch bearings M. Stammler & M. Geibel 10.1088/1742-6596/2767/4/042001
 - Wear in wind turbine pitch bearings—A comparative design study F. Schwack et al. 10.1002/we.2693
 - Improved Formulation for Sliding Friction Torque of Deep Groove Ball Bearings G. Rivera et al. 10.7736/JKSPE.022.045
 - A Systematic Approach for Energy-Efficient Design of Rolling Bearing Cages A. Gaydamaka et al. 10.3390/app13021144
 - Load distribution in a roller-type rotor blade bearing M. Stammler et al. 10.1088/1742-6596/1037/4/042016
 - An estimation method of bearing frictional power losses in a propulsion shaft through a tribo-dynamic model Y. Xu et al. 10.1177/13506501241262663
 - Effect of load reduction mechanisms on loads and blade bearing movements of wind turbines M. Stammler et al. 10.1002/we.2428
 - Measurements and modeling of friction torque of wind turbine blade bearings O. Menck et al. 10.1088/1742-6596/2265/2/022087
 - An engineering approach for the estimation of slewing bearing stiffness in wind turbine generators I. Heras et al. 10.1002/we.2292
 - Towards a Model-Based Methodology for Rating and Monitoring Wear Risk in Oscillating Grease-Lubricated Rolling Bearings A. Bartschat et al. 10.3390/lubricants12120415
 - Virtual Commissioning and Digital Twins for Energy-Aware Industrial Electric Drive Systems S. Bysko et al. 10.3390/en18205375
 
Discussed (preprint)
Latest update: 04 Nov 2025
Short summary
                    Modern wind turbines all share the ability to turn (pitch) the blades around their main axis. By pitching the blades, the aerodynamic forces created by the blades are controlled. Rolling bearings, consisting of two steel rings and balls that roll on raceways between them, are used to allow pitching. To design pitch drives, it is necessary to know the losses within the bearings. This article describes how such losses have been measured and compares them with calculation models.
                    Modern wind turbines all share the ability to turn (pitch) the blades around their main axis. By...
                    
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