Wind turbine foundation monitoring system
A load measuring system for measuring the loads on a foundation for wind turbines is disclosed. A load measuring device is mounted on a rock anchor pad for a turbine and measures the loads on the anchor. Signals from the load measuring device are transmitted to a remote location. The load measuring device is installed on selected rock anchor pads, distributed evenly about the foundation pad. The signals from the load measuring are transmitted to a control station at a remote location, thereby enabling continuous monitoring of the loading conditions on the rock anchors. The signals from a plurality of load measuring systems may be transmitted to the control station, so as to allow monitoring of a group of wind turbine foundation pads at a single location.
1. A foundation monitoring system for measuring loads on a rock anchor system that supports a wind turbine, the foundation monitoring system comprising:
a rock anchor system comprising a foundation cap, a rock anchor that extends through the foundation cap, with an upper portion that extends above the foundation cap and a lower portion that extends below the foundation cap and is anchorable to bedrock, an anchor base plate that is fitted over the upper portion of the rock anchor, atop the foundation cap, a washer and an anchor lock nut that are fastened to the upper portion of the rock anchor, so as to apply a tensile load to the rock anchor;
a load measuring device for measuring tensile load on the rock anchor, the load measuring device including a load sensor for sensing forces exerted on the rock anchor, wherein the load measuring device is mounted between the anchor base plate and the washer;
signal emitter means for emitting a signal that indicates a condition of loading as sensed by the load measuring device;
a signal transmission means for transmitting the signal; and
a control system for receiving and displaying said signals on a computer;
wherein signals indicating the condition of loading are transmitted via the signal transmission means from the load measuring device to the control system at a remote location.
2. The foundation monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the rock anchor system includes a plurality of rock anchors, each one fitted with the anchor base plate, the washer and the lock nut, and wherein the load measuring system is mounted on selected ones of the plurality of rock anchors.
3. The foundation monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the load measuring system includes a load cell that records tensile load on the rock anchor.