GMP Friction Products has designed new friction brake materials that have been specifically developed to stop the wind turbine blades or to decrease the rotational speed of the blade to a minimum.
The company has conducted over 1,000 braking sequence tests and built efficient friction brake parts that stop the rotating wind turbine blades during maintenance or in the event of emergencies.
According to GMP’s COO and President, Jerry Lynch, it is significant for the brakes to meet the exact requirements of the wind energy market as they are very small in size in the whole wind turbine system. These new brake friction materials function for a long period of time and are more efficient.
The company has performed a high energy wind test by means of third party dynamometers and the GMP Friction’s in-house dynamometers for coefficient of friction, equivalent energy, torque output and wear rate. The new brake material was used in the field test. GMP Friction Products, together with brake and wind turbine producers, developed and performed the tests.
The new friction materials are specifically designed to slow down the speed of the wind turbine blades during heavy winds and in turn minimize the damage during storms. The sintered metallic friction materials of the company have the potential to resist peak temperatures and high-energy or high-speed absorption.
GMP Friction Products will be participating in the WindPower 2012, which will be held during June 3 to 6 in Georgia. The American Wind Energy Association will conduct this program.
Source: http://www.gmpfriction.com/