Projekt- / Bachelor- / Masterthesis: High-performance wind turbines: Evaluation of laser-cladded plain bearings

The Institute of Machine Elements and System Development researches the fundamental structural and tribological behaviour of machine elements and depicts this in experimentally validated model descriptions. These model descriptions are used to analyse and design the functional, loss and noise behaviour of entire technical systems with a focus on drive technology. The models developed are also used to research and develop methods of model-based systems engineering as a central element of future, inductive product development processes.

The use of plain bearings in wind turbine gearboxes is becoming increasingly important, as they enable high power densities to be achieved. An innovative approach to further increasing the transmitted torques and reducing manufacturing costs involves bearing pins that are coated using laser cladding. However, the behavior of the coated bearings in terms of friction, wear, and failure is not or only insufficiently known, so that test rig trials must be carried out to determine these key parameters.

Tasks:

• Familiarization with the fundamentals of plain bearings in wind turbines
• Development of a test plan for evaluating the friction behavior of laser-cladded plain bearings
• Conducting tests on a plain bearing test rig
• Evaluation of the tests in terms of efficiency and damage

Requirements:

• Motivation to work independently and reliably
• Interest in topics related to wind energy, plain bearing technology, and test rig work
• Desire to contribute to a sustainable future
• Good knowledge of German or English

What we offer:

• Opportunity to contribute to strengthening the national industrial and research landscape by working on an innovative topic
• Work with modern test benches
• Work in German or English
• Intensive supervision
• Immediate start or start date by agreement, as well as the opportunity to work on the project quickly
• Excellent working atmosphere

We look forward to your application by email:

Hendrik Krampe, M. Sc. RWTH
Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering

Schinkelstraße 10, 52062 Aachen
Hendrik.Krampe@imse.rwth-aachen.de