Patent Description:
Generally, a wind turbine includes a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower, and a rotor coupled to the nacelle. The rotor generally includes a rotatable hub and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to and extending outwardly from the hub. Each rotor blade may be spaced about the hub so as to facilitate rotating the rotor to enable kinetic energy to be converted into usable mechanical energy, which may then be transmitted to an electric generator disposed within the nacelle for the production of electrical energy. Typically, a gearbox is used to drive the electric generator in response to rotation of the rotor. For instance, the gearbox may be configured to convert a low speed, high torque input provided by the rotor to a high speed, low torque output that may drive the electric generator.

The gearbox generally includes a gearbox housing containing a plurality of gears (e.g., planetary, ring and/or sun gears as well as non-planetary gears) connected via one or more planetary carriers and bearings for converting the low speed, high torque input of the rotor shaft to a high speed, low torque output for the generator. In addition, each of the gears rotates about a pin shaft arranged within the one or more planetary carriers. Further, a journal bearing is generally positioned around each of the pin shafts between a respective pin shaft and a rotating gear. In addition, lubrication via oil is generally provided between the various bearings and/or the rotating gears.

During operation, in onshore and offshore wind turbines alike, the oil in the gearbox can become contamination with water. Such water compromises the integrity of the oil, thereby decreasing component life. As such, oil sampling is generally required at certain intervals over the lifetime of the wind turbine to monitor the health of the oil as well as the gearbox. Typical oil sampling requires collection from a remote site and shipping of the collection to a laboratory for testing, which can be expensive. In addition, even though the amount requirement for replacement is minimal, the overall replacement process can be time-consuming and/or costly depending on the location of the wind turbine. However, the consequence of continuing to operate the gearbox with contaminated oil is even more costly. Reference <CIT> describes, for example, a system for a wind turbine which includes a resonant sensor being arranged in contact with oil within a gearbox for calculating a degradation value for the gearbox.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for predicting water contamination in oil of a wind turbine gearbox so as to address the aforementioned issues.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox of a wind turbine. It should be understood that the method may be applied to both off-shore and on-shore wind turbines. The method includes receiving, via a controller, one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine. The method also include receiving, via the controller, one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes calculating, via the controller, the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine and of the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine In addition, the method includes implementing a corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox.

In one embodiment, the step of calculating the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine and the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine may include inputting the one or more operational parameters and the one or more weather conditions into at least one physics-based model. For example, in such embodiments, the physics-based model(s) may include an adsorption isotherm model for desiccant, an evaporation model for water from oil, a water vapor pressure model, a water solubility model in oil, a relative humidity to water vapor fraction model, a water mass balance model for air and oil, a leakage flow model for one or more labyrinth seals, an air flow model for air breather, or any other suitable model.

According to the embodiment, the operational parameter(s) includes generator speed, a temperature within a nacelle of the wind turbine, a temperature of the oil, differential pressure across the gearbox, oil type, gearbox volume, desiccant specifications, labyrinth leakage flow, water balance in the oil, an evaporation rate from the water in the oil, absorption, adsorption in desiccant, condensation of the water, and/or water dissolution, or similar or combinations thereof.

According to the embodiment, the weather condition(s) at the wind turbine include air pressure, air temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, wind turbulence, or any other weather parameter or combinations thereof.

In additional embodiments, the step of implementing the corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox may include scheduling a maintenance procedure. In such embodiments, the step of scheduling the maintenance procedure may include notifying a user, triggering an automated notification or alarm, scheduling an oil sampling procedure, scheduling an oil filtration procedure, replacing a desiccant of the gearbox, replacing the oil in the gearbox, replacing the gearbox, and/or any other suitable maintenance procedures.

In several embodiments, the method may include calculating a remaining desiccant life, a remaining oil life, and/or a remaining bearing life based on the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox of a wind turbine. The system includes at least one sensor for monitoring one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine and one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine. In addition, the system includes at least one controller communicatively coupled to the sensor(s). As such, the controller includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices. Thus, the memory device(s) are configured to store computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the processor(s) to perform one or more operations, including but not limited to receiving the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine, receiving the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine, calculating an amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine and the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine, and implementing a corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox. It should also be understood that the system may further include any of the additional features described herein.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox of a wind turbine. The method includes receiving, via a controller, one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine. The weather condition(s) include air pressure, air temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, and/or wind turbulence. The method also includes calculating, via the controller, the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine. Further, the method includes implementing a corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox. It should also be understood that the method may further include any of the additional features and/or steps described herein.

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for predicting water in oil contamination for onshore and/or off-shore wind turbines alike. In one embodiment, the system uses a combination of sensor data from the wind turbine, including but not limited to air pressure, air temperature, wind speed, generator speed, nacelle temperature, gearbox oil temperature, desiccant specifications, and/or local weather information as inputs to one or more physics-based models for predicting the rate of contamination of water in the gearbox oil. In addition, additional parameters, such as labyrinth leakage flow, water balance in the oil and/or the atmosphere, evaporation of water from the water in the oil emulsion, absorption, adsorption in desiccant, condensation of the water, and/or water dissolution, may also be included in the physics-based model(s). Thus, the system and method of the present disclosure uses local weather data (e.g. primarily relative humidity) to predict the water contamination in the gearbox oil. Further, the system and method of the present disclosure can eliminate and/or optimize the conventional oil sampling and also improves condition-based maintenance (i.e. replacing the oil only when needed).

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine <NUM> according to the present disclosure. As shown, the wind turbine <NUM> includes a tower <NUM> extending from a support surface <NUM>, a nacelle <NUM> mounted on the tower <NUM>, and a rotor <NUM> coupled to the nacelle <NUM>. It should be understood that the wind turbine <NUM> described herein may include both off-shore and on-shore wind turbines. The rotor <NUM> includes a rotatable hub <NUM> and at least one rotor blade <NUM> coupled to and extending outwardly from the hub <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor <NUM> includes three rotor blades <NUM>. However, in an alternative embodiment, the rotor <NUM> may include more or less than three rotor blades <NUM>. Each rotor blade <NUM> may be spaced about the hub <NUM> to facilitate rotating the rotor <NUM> to enable kinetic energy to be transferred from the wind into usable mechanical energy, and subsequently, electrical energy. For instance, the hub <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to an electric generator <NUM> (<FIG>) positioned within the nacelle <NUM> to permit electrical energy to be produced.

As shown, the wind turbine <NUM> may also include a turbine control system or a turbine controller <NUM> centralized within the nacelle <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the turbine controller <NUM> is disposed within a control cabinet mounted to a portion of the nacelle <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the turbine controller <NUM> may be disposed at any location on or in the wind turbine <NUM>, at any location on the support surface <NUM> or generally at any other location. In general, the turbine controller <NUM> may be configured to transmit and execute wind turbine control signals and/or commands in order to control the various operating modes (e.g., start-up or shut-down sequences) and/or components of the wind turbine <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a simplified, internal view of a nacelle <NUM> of the wind turbine <NUM> according to conventional construction is illustrated. As shown, the generator <NUM> may be disposed within the nacelle <NUM>. In general, the generator <NUM> may be coupled to the rotor <NUM> of the wind turbine <NUM> for producing electrical power from the rotational energy generated by the rotor <NUM>. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor <NUM> may include a rotor shaft <NUM> coupled to the hub <NUM> for rotation therewith. The rotor shaft <NUM> may, in turn, be rotatably coupled to a generator shaft <NUM> of the generator <NUM> through a gearbox assembly <NUM>. As is generally understood, the rotor shaft <NUM> may provide a low speed, high torque input to the gearbox assembly <NUM> in response to rotation of the rotor blades <NUM> and the hub <NUM>. The gearbox assembly <NUM> may then be configured to convert the low speed, high torque input to a high speed, low torque output to drive the generator shaft <NUM> and, thus, the generator <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the rotor shaft <NUM> may be eliminated and the rotatable hub <NUM> may be configured to turn the gears of the gearbox assembly <NUM>, rather than requiring a separate rotor shaft <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, one or more sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided on the wind turbine <NUM>. More specifically, as shown, a sensor <NUM> may be provided at any suitable location on or within the wind turbine <NUM> to measure various operational parameters thereof. For example, as shown, the sensor <NUM> is associated with the generator so as to measure generator speed. Still further sensors may be provided to monitor additional operational parameter(s) including but not limited to a temperature within the nacelle <NUM>, a temperature of the oil, differential pressure across the gearbox, oil type, gearbox volume, desiccant specifications, labyrinth leakage flow, water balance in the oil and/or an atmosphere surrounding the wind turbine <NUM>, an evaporation rate from the water in the oil, absorption, adsorption in desiccant, condensation of the water, and/or water dissolution, or similar or combinations thereof.

In addition, as shown, a wind sensor <NUM> may be provided on the wind turbine <NUM>. The wind sensor <NUM>, which may for example be a wind vane, and anemometer, and LIDAR sensor, or another suitable sensor, may measure various weather conditions including but not limited to air pressure, air temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, wind turbulence, or any other weather parameter or combinations thereof.

The sensors <NUM>, <NUM> described herein may further be in communication with the controller <NUM>, and may provide related information to the controller <NUM>. It should also be appreciated that, as used herein, the term "monitor" and variations thereof indicates that the various sensors of the wind turbine <NUM> may be configured to provide a direct measurement of the parameters being monitored or an indirect measurement of such parameters. Thus, the sensors described herein may, for example, be used to generate signals relating to the parameter being monitored, which can then be utilized by the controller <NUM> to determine the condition.

Referring now to <FIG>, the turbine controller <NUM> may include one or more processor(s) <NUM> and associated memory device(s) <NUM> configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, calculations and the like and storing relevant data as disclosed herein) for controlling the wind turbine <NUM>. Additionally, the controller <NUM> may also include a communications module <NUM> to facilitate communications between the module <NUM> and the various components of the wind turbine. Further, the communications module <NUM> may include a sensor interface <NUM> (e.g., one or more analog-to-digital converters) to permit signals transmitted from one or more sensors <NUM>, <NUM> to be converted into signals that can be understood and processed by the processor(s) <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the communications module <NUM> using any suitable means. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be coupled to the sensor interface <NUM> via a wired connection. However, in other embodiments, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> may be coupled to the sensor interface <NUM> via a wireless connection, such as by using any suitable wireless communications protocol known in the art. As such, the processor <NUM> may be configured to receive one or more signals from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>.

As used herein, the term "processor" refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. The processor <NUM> is also configured to compute advanced control algorithms and communicate to a variety of Ethernet or serial-based protocols (Modbus, OPC, CAN, etc.). Additionally, the memory device(s) <NUM> may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magnetooptical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device(s) <NUM> may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor(s) <NUM>, configure the controller <NUM> to perform the various functions as described herein.

Referring now to <FIG>, a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the gearbox assembly <NUM> according to the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, the gearbox assembly <NUM> includes a gear assembly <NUM>, such as a gear assembly, housed within a gearbox housing <NUM>. More specifically, the gear assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of gears (e.g., planetary, ring, sun, helical, and/or spur gears) and bearings <NUM> for converting the low speed, high torque input of the rotor shaft <NUM> to a high speed, low torque output for the generator <NUM>. For example, as shown, the input shaft <NUM> may provide an input load to the gear assembly <NUM> and the system <NUM> may provide an output load to the generator <NUM> (<FIG>) as is generally known in the art. Thus, during operation, input load at an input rotational speed is transmitted through the gear assembly <NUM> and provided as output load at output rotational speed to the generator <NUM>.

Further, the gear assembly <NUM> includes a first planetary carrier <NUM> and a second planetary carrier <NUM> operatively coupling a plurality of gears. Further, as shown, the gear assembly <NUM> includes, at least, a ring gear <NUM>, one or more planet gears <NUM>, a sun gear <NUM>, one or more first pin shafts <NUM>, and one or more second pin shafts <NUM>. For example, in several embodiments, the gear assembly <NUM> may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more planet gears <NUM>. Further, each of the gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> includes a plurality of teeth. The teeth are sized and shaped to mesh together such that the various gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> engage each other. For example, the ring gear <NUM> and the sun gear <NUM> may each engage the planet gears <NUM>. In addition, it should be understood that the gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described herein may include any suitable type of gears, including but not limited to spur gears, face gears, helical gears, double helical gears, or similar.

In some embodiments, one or both of the planetary carriers <NUM>, <NUM> may be stationary. In these embodiments, the input shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the ring gear <NUM>, and input loads on the input shaft <NUM> may be transmitted through the ring gear <NUM> to the planet gears <NUM>. Thus, the ring gear <NUM> may drive the gear assembly <NUM>. In other embodiments, the ring gear <NUM> may be stationary. In these embodiments, the input shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the planetary carriers <NUM>, <NUM>, and input loads on the input shaft <NUM> may be transmitted through the planetary carriers <NUM>, <NUM> to the planet gears <NUM>. Thus, the planetary carriers <NUM>, <NUM> may drive the gear assembly <NUM>. In still further embodiments, any other suitable component, such as the planet gear <NUM> or the sun gear <NUM>, may drive the gear assembly <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the sun gear <NUM> defines a central axis <NUM>, and thus rotates about this central axis <NUM>. The ring gear <NUM> may at least partially surround the sun gear <NUM>, and be positioned along the central axis <NUM>. Further, the ring gear <NUM> may (if rotatable) thus rotate about the central axis <NUM>. Each of the planet gears <NUM> may be disposed between the sun gear <NUM> and the ring gear <NUM>, and may engage both the sun gear <NUM> and the ring gear <NUM>. For example, the teeth of the gears may mesh together, as discussed above. Further, each of the planet gears <NUM> may define a central planet axis <NUM>, as shown. Thus, each planet gear <NUM> may rotate about its central planet axis <NUM>. Additionally, the planet gears <NUM> and central planet axes <NUM> thereof may rotate about the central axis <NUM>.

The gearbox assembly <NUM> may also include a lubrication system or other means for circulating oil throughout the gearbox components. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the gearbox assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of oil passages <NUM> that are configured to transfer oil therethrough. As is generally understood, the oil may be used to reduce friction between the moving components of the gearbox assembly <NUM> and may also be utilized to provide cooling for such components, thereby decreasing component wear and other losses within the gearbox assembly <NUM> and increasing the lifespan thereof. In addition, the oil may contain properties that prevent corrosion of the internal gearbox components.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram of a specific embodiment of a control algorithm <NUM> that may be executed for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox of a wind turbine is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the control algorithm <NUM> will be described herein with reference to the gearbox assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. However, in other embodiments, the algorithm <NUM> may be used in connection with any other suitable implement having any other suitable implement configuration and/or with any other suitable system having any other suitable system configuration.

It should be appreciated that, although <FIG> depicts control steps or functions performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the control algorithms discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps or functions of the algorithms disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown at <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes receiving one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine <NUM>, e.g. via the controller <NUM>. For example, as mentioned, the operational parameter(s) may include generator speed, a temperature within the nacelle <NUM>, a temperature of the oil, differential pressure across the gearbox, oil type, gearbox volume, desiccant specifications, labyrinth leakage flow, water balance in the oil and/or an atmosphere surrounding the wind turbine, an evaporation rate from the water in the oil, absorption, adsorption in desiccant, condensation of the water, and/or water dissolution, or similar or combinations thereof.

As shown at <NUM>, the method <NUM> also includes receiving one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine <NUM>, e.g. the controller <NUM>. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the weather condition(s) at the wind turbine <NUM> may include air pressure, air temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, wind turbulence, or any other weather parameter or combinations thereof.

Thus, as shown at <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to calculate the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox <NUM> as a function of the operational parameter(s) of the wind turbine <NUM> and the weather condition(s) at the wind turbine <NUM>. In such embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive the operational parameter(s) and the weather condition(s) as inputs for at least one physics-based model. As used herein, a physics-based model broadly refers to any model used to generate and visualize constrained shapes, motions of rigid and/or non-rigid objects, and/or object interactions with an environment. As such, in particular embodiments, the physics-based model(s) of the present disclosure may include an adsorption isotherm model for a desiccant, an evaporation model for the water from the oil, a water vapor pressure model, a water solubility model in the oil, a relative humidity to water vapor fraction model, a water mass balance model for the air and the oil, a leakage flow model for one or more labyrinth seals of the gearbox <NUM>, an air flow model for air breather, and/or any other suitable model that correlates weather data to the gearbox oil.

Accordingly, still referring to <FIG>, as shown at <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to implement a corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox <NUM>. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to schedule a maintenance procedure. For example, in such embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to notify a user, trigger an automated notification or alarm, schedule an oil sampling procedure, schedule an oil filtration procedure, replace a desiccant of the gearbox, replace the oil in the gearbox, replace the gearbox, and/or schedule any other suitable maintenance procedures. In addition, the method <NUM> may also include calculating a remaining desiccant life, a remaining oil life, and/or a remaining bearing life based on the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox <NUM>.

Further described are embodiments which do not show all features of the claimed invention.

A method for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox of a wind turbine, the method comprising:.

An exemplary embodiment according to the method, wherein calculating the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine and the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine further comprises inputting the one or more operational parameters and the one or more weather conditions into at least one physics-based model.

An exemplary embodiment according to the method, wherein the at least one physics-based model comprises at least one of an adsorption isotherm model for desiccant, an evaporation model for water from oil, a water vapor pressure model, a water solubility model in oil, a relative humidity to water vapor fraction model, a water mass balance model for air and oil, a leakage flow model for one or more labyrinth seals, or an air flow model for air breather.

An exemplary embodiment according to the method, wherein the one or more operational parameters comprise at least one of generator speed, a temperature within a nacelle of the wind turbine, a temperature of the oil, differential pressure across the gearbox, oil type, gearbox volume, desiccant specifications, labyrinth leakage flow, water balance in the oil and/or an atmosphere surrounding the wind turbine, an evaporation rate from the water in the oil, absorption, adsorption in desiccant, condensation of the water, and/or water dissolution.

An exemplary embodiment according to the method, wherein the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine comprise at least one of air pressure, air temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, or wind turbulence.

An exemplary embodiment according to the method, wherein implementing the corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox further comprises scheduling a maintenance procedure.

An exemplary embodiment according to the method, wherein scheduling the maintenance procedure further comprises at least one of notifying a user, triggering an automated notification or alarm, scheduling an oil sampling procedure, scheduling an oil filtration procedure, replacing a desiccant of the gearbox, replacing the oil in the gearbox, or replacing the gearbox.

An exemplary embodiment according to the method, further comprising calculating, via the controller, at least one of a remaining desiccant life, a remaining oil life, or a remaining bearing life based on the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox.

An exemplary embodiment according to the method, wherein the wind turbine comprises an off-shore wind turbine.

A system for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox of a wind turbine, the system comprising:.

An exemplary embodiment of the system, wherein calculating the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine and the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine further comprises inputting the one or more operational parameters and the one or more weather conditions into at least one physics-based model.

An exemplary embodiment of the system, wherein the at least one physics-based model comprises at least one of an adsorption isotherm model for desiccant, an evaporation model for water from oil, a water vapor pressure model, a water solubility model in oil, a relative humidity to water vapor fraction model, a water mass balance model for air and oil, a leakage flow model for one or more labyrinth seals, or an air flow model for air breather.

An exemplary embodiment of the system, wherein the one or more operational parameters comprise at least one of generator speed, a temperature within a nacelle of the wind turbine, a temperature of the oil, differential pressure across the gearbox, oil type, gearbox volume, desiccant specifications, labyrinth leakage flow, water balance in the oil and/or an atmosphere surrounding the wind turbine, an evaporation rate from the water in the oil, absorption, adsorption in desiccant, condensation of the water, and/or water dissolution.

An exemplary embodiment of the system, wherein the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine comprise at least one of air pressure, air temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, wind turbulence.

An exemplary embodiment of the system, wherein implementing the corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox further comprises scheduling a maintenance procedure.

An exemplary embodiment of the system, wherein the maintenance procedure comprises at least one of notifying a user, triggering an automated notification or alarm, scheduling an oil sampling procedure, scheduling an oil filtration procedure, replacing a desiccant of the gearbox, replacing the oil in the gearbox, or replacing the gearbox.

An exemplary embodiment of the system, wherein the one or more operations further comprise calculating, via the controller, at least one of a remaining desiccant life, a remaining oil life, or a remaining bearing life based on the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox.

An exemplary embodiment of the system, wherein the wind turbine comprises an off-shore wind turbine.

A exemplary embodiment of a further method for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox of a wind turbine, the method comprising: receiving, via a controller, one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine, the one or more weather conditions comprising at least one of air pressure, air temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed, wind direction, wind turbulence; calculating, via the controller, the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine; and, implementing, via the controller, a corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox.

An exemplary embodiment of the further method, further comprising receiving one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine and calculating the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox as a function of the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine and the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine, the one or more operational parameters comprising at least one of generator speed, a temperature within a nacelle of the wind turbine, a temperature of the oil, differential pressure across the gearbox, oil type, gearbox volume, desiccant specifications, labyrinth leakage flow, water balance in the oil and/or an atmosphere surrounding the wind turbine, an evaporation rate from the water in the oil, absorption, adsorption in desiccant, condensation of the water, and/or water dissolution.

Claim 1:
A method for determining an amount of water contamination in oil of a gearbox (<NUM>) of a wind turbine (<NUM>), the method comprising:
Receiving (<NUM>), via a controller (<NUM>), one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine (<NUM>);
Receiving, via the controller (<NUM>), one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine (<NUM>);
Calculating (<NUM>), via the controller (<NUM>), the amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox (<NUM>) as a function of the one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine (<NUM>) and the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine (<NUM>),
and,
Implementing (<NUM>), via the controller (<NUM>), a corrective action based on the calculated amount of water contamination in the oil of the gearbox (<NUM>);
wherein the one or more operational parameters are at least one of generator speed, oil type, gearbox volume, and desiccant specifications, and
wherein the one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine (<NUM>) are at least one of humidity, dew point, and wind speed.