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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines

Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines
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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines

Product catalog summary
Company Overview
B-COMMAND, based in Hamburg, Germany, focuses on rotary limit switches for wind turbines, emphasizing quality and innovation with a global network of engineers and sales teams.
Performance for Wind Power
Originally designed for cranes, B-COMMAND's rotary limit switches have been adapted for wind power. The FRM series is tailored for wind turbines, offering high accuracy and durability, especially in cold climates. These switches integrate with industrial networks for precise positioning.
Pitch Control
The pitch control system optimizes turbine efficiency by adjusting blade angles. B-COMMAND's rotary limit switches provide real-time position signals, enhancing power output and reducing the need for multiple monitoring devices.
Yaw Control
Yaw control ensures turbines face the wind for maximum efficiency. B-COMMAND offers rotary limit switches with cable twist sensors and yaw position control, achieving high accuracy and reliability.
Rotary Limit Switches
Series FRS: Features 1-4 contact elements, snap action switches, and IP65 protection, with options for customized pinion gears and encoder mounting.
Series FCN: Offers multiple gear outtakes and high accuracy, with options for potentiometers and encoders.
Series FRM: Designed for sensor integration, offering high precision and flexibility.
Special Solutions
FRM solutions include in-house mounted encoders and potentiometers, providing pre-wired, high-accuracy systems for yaw and pitch applications.
Pinion Gears
Designed for heavy-duty applications, B-COMMAND's pinion gears are made from thermoplastic materials suitable for extreme temperatures, with customization and rapid prototyping available.
Shafts and Mounting Plates
Customizable shafts and mounting plates ensure efficient integration of rotary limit switches into turbines, offering plug-and-play solutions.
Electronic Accessories
Includes high precision potentiometers, contactless angle sensors, incremental encoders, and magnetic absolute encoders, all designed for in-house mounting and high performance.
Specifications
The document describes various types of optical absolute encoders and slip rings offered by B-COMMAND. The encoders are available in single-turn and multi-turn configurations with resolutions of 14-bit and 12-bit respectively, supporting interfaces such as SSI, CANopen, Profibus, and DeviceNet.
Slip Rings
Multiple slip ring models are detailed, each with specific features:
  • PRS: Aluminium enclosure, IP 55, available with 20A/30A/50A rings, and 6-15 rings with mixed executions.
  • PMS: Aluminium enclosure, IP 55, 20A/50A rings, 6-30 rings, optional absolute encoder.
  • PMT: Aluminium enclosure, IP 55, 10A rings, 6-30 rings, includes cable.
  • EXD: Aluminium enclosure, IP 65, 0.5A/7A/27A rings, 4-6 rings, ATEX 6032 certified.
  • PSG: Without enclosure, IP 00, 20A/60A rings, 4-36 rings.
  • PME: Aluminium enclosure, IP 65, 20A, 50A, 100A, 20-60 rings.
Contact Information
B-COMMAND has a dedicated team for wind power projects. Key contacts include Horst Lau (CEO) and Jan Schwonbeck (Key Account Manager). Contact details and company address are provided for further inquiries.
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Catalog excerpts

Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-1

THE NEXT GENERATIONYAW AND PITCH POSITION MONITORING

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-2

company info The team of B-COMMAND has a long tradition and many years of experience in the Wind Power branch. The company with its headquarter in Hamburg, Germany, has a major focus on the production of rotary limit switches for wind turbines. In addition to our engineers, responsible for 100% quality of our products, our international sales team is able to assist you immediately for all your commercial or technical issues. B-COMMAND is the centre of a global network of specialists. Product and design engineers in different countries are searching for new options and new technologies to be implemented...

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-3

3 performance for wind power Since many years rotary limit switches have been used for wind power applications. Originally developed for limiting the end position of bridge cranes or winches the switches were newly processed for wind power applications. By modifying the rotary limit switches some manufacturers were able to enter the wind power market, but still based on a product originally designed for crane and hoist industry. B-COMMAND now starts the next generation of rotary limit switches. Our switches, especially our rotary limit switch series FRM, are designed, tested and certified especially...

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-4

The pitch control system is used to vary the angle of the blades into or out of the wind. By changing the blade pitch, the rotation speed and the generated power can be adjusted. When power output reaches a critical level the blade pitch mechanism turns the rotor blades slightly out of the wind. Whenever the wind drops again the blades will be turned back. The adjustment of the blade pitch has a major effect on the efficiency of the wind turbine. The rotary limit switches are used for limiting the end positions of the blade pitch, setting prewarning points and affording precise position signals....

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-5

In order to gain the maximum efficiency out of wind turbine generators, it is necessary to keep the rotor perpendicular to the wind. Yawing the turbine against the wind reduces fatigue loads and ensures a higher durability of all components. Therefore B-COMMAND offers a wide range of rotary limit switches. The switches provide a maximum of customization possibilities by offering high liability at the same time. The rotary limit switch is connected by a pinion gear either with the yaw bearing around the outer edge or with the gear wheel of one of the yaw control engines. The switch offers two...

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-6

limit switches series frs 1 to 4 contact elements (1NO/1NC changeover contact each) Snap action switches 7 different cam types available Revolution ratio 1:15 up to 1:175 Protection degree IP65 Operational temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-40°C optional) Shaft: 12mm stainless steel - 1 to 5 contact elements (1NO/1NC changeover contact each) - Snap or slow action switches - 7 different cam types available - Revolution ratio 1:7,5 up to 1:550 - Protection degree IP55 - Operational temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-40°C optional) - Shaft: 12mm stainless steel Options: - Pinion gears customized - Extended...

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-7

7 rotary limit switches SERIES FRM Gear Outtakes FRM is equipped with 4 separate gear outtakes named OUT 1, OUT 2, OUT 3 and OUT L. It is possible to use 3 of the gear outtakes simultaneously. OUT 1 is carrying the cam unit, OUT 2 can also carry a cam unit to reach 10 contacts. Otherwise OUT 2 can be equipped with a potentiometer or encoder using the same or a different ratio than OUT 1. OUT 3 is a high accuracy 1:1 outtake using a minimum of gear wheels in order to avoid any hysteresis. It can be used with incremental or absolute encoders. OUT L can be used together with our speed reader analyzing...

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-8

frm including in-house mounted absolute encoder and switchboard During design and construction process of FRM we focussed on a high-accuracy 1:1 gear outtake inside the housing. With a minimum of perfect fitting gear wheels we reached this aim and are now able to use also high-resolution absolute encoders inside the housing for precise positioning. The switch is delivered pre-adjusted and pre-wired. The accuracy of this system can cover yaw and pitch applications. Remarks: - Position signal also available and revolving during loss of power - High-resolution magnetic absolute encoder - Interface:...

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-9

fcn with extended shaft and absolute encoder The main focus for this special solution is the accuracy of the absolute encoder. The customers demand is an accuracy of <0,1° for the yaw position combined with the cable twist protection function via mechanical contacts. Therefore we elongated the drive shaft for direct mounting of the absolute encoder. The result is high-resolution system with maximum of accuracy for the position signal. This system can be used for both yaw and pitch applications. Remarks: - Position signal also available and revolving during loss of power - Interface: SSI - Accuracy:...

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-10

Our range of pinion gears with its special module sizes and numbers of teeth is designed for wind power usage. The pinion gears are supplied already assembled on our rotary limit switches or on encoders. All pinion gears are designed and tested for heavy duty applications where choice of the right materials plays an important role. Our full range is produced of special thermoplastic materials certified for operational temperature of -40°C, which is unique on the market. On this page you can see some of our standard pinion gears which are constantly available in our main warehouse in Hamburg. Beside...

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Geared Limit Switches for Wind Turbines-11

accessory 11 shafts / mounting plates mounting plates The position of the rotary limit switch inside the turbine differs. Often it is required to use a defined position inside the nacelle or hub. To simplify the assembling B-COMMAND is able to customize also the shaft length of the rotary limit switch. Also following special works on the shaft are possible: The aim of B-COMMAND is a perfect implementation of the rotary limit switch in the machine in order to maximize the efficiency. Beside special solutions for the shaft we are also able to manufacture the complete mounting for the switch. Extended...

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