Slip rings for wind turbines

A slip ring transmits electrical power and signals via the hub to the rotating rotor blades of a wind turbine. It enables continuous blade adjustment (pitch) and thus optimal alignment of the rotor blades to the wind – during continuous rotation.

A pitch slip ring is a slip ring for the rotor blade pitch control in wind turbines. It supplies power to the pitch drives in the hub and transmits control and sensor signals at the same time. SCHLEIFRING manufactures pitch slip rings individually on the basis of a modular system.

The wind turbine slip ring is based on a new, patented design with its own specially designed modular system. Working with local supply chains, SCHLEIFRING produces bespoke slip rings for on- and offshore applications within just a few weeks. The increased competitiveness results from consistent design-to-cost; manufacturing takes place in Germany or China. Technical basis: contact combination made of silver multi-fiber on silver- or gold-plated rings; interfaces for connector and rotor, whereby the flange can be freely adapted.

The pitch slip ring transmits power up to 480 V / 115 A as well as signals via CAN bus, PROFIBUS and Ethernet – with a long service life and a high degree of transmission reliability with regard to power and signals. It is also possible to integrate encoder modules or transmit data contactlessly via GigaCAP; incremental encoders are also possible. The slip ring is maintenance-free during its entire service life.

The wind turbine slip ring is designed for rotational speeds up to 30 rpm and ambient temperatures from −40 °C to +55 °C. It is certified to protection class IP65 and shock/vibration according to DIN EN 60068-2-64. It thus combines – in the spirit of “innovation to cost” – tried-and-true transmission technology and quality in conjunction with smart modularity.

A slip ring transmits electrical power and signals between rotating and stationary components whereas a rotary joint transfers media such as fluids, gases or oil. In wind turbines, slip rings are used to transmit power, signals and data; rotary joints are used wherever media need to be transferred.

The pitch slip ring transmits electrical power (current) over a rotating connection. In wind turbines, the slip ring combines current and signal transmission in one system – for power up to 480 V / 115 A and concurrent data communication (CAN bus, PROFIBUS, Ethernet).

SCHLEIFRING pitch slip rings are designed for a service life of 50 million revolutions and are maintenance-free over their entire operating life. This prevents downtime – an important factor particularly in remote offshore installations.

Yes. SCHLEIFRING’s tried-and-true transmission technology is maintenance-free over the entire service life. The contact combination made of silver multi-fiber on silver- or gold-plated rings provides for a high degree of transmission reliability without maintenance.

Yes. The wind slip rings are designed for on- and offshore applications subject to extreme weather conditions (certified to IP65 and according to DIN EN 60068-2-64, see “Operating conditions”). The modular system enables the slip rings to be adapted to suit the local requirements at each place of use – from the flange to the housing size.

Thanks to a specially designed modular system and local supply chains in Germany and China, SCHLEIFRING produces and delivers customized wind turbine slip rings within just a few weeks – without compromising on quality and transmission reliability.

Yes. By means of the freely combinable modular system (flange, interfaces, housing sizes S/M/L), slip rings can be precisely configured for replacement or retrofitting purposes in existing wind turbines. Provide us with details of the installation type and requirements.