As a result, wind turbine OEMs continue to search for innovative wind turbine designs with improved performance and lower COE. And, wind turbine project operators are interested in more cost-effective alternatives to aging turbines that are increasingly expensive to maintain.

We met with North American Clean Energy magazine at the Dallas WindPower 2010 show in May who published this brief on our Proxi-Ring solution.

At the show we talked with wind turbine manufacturers and operators about the role of pitch control in operational efficiencies.  Modern wind turbines adjust rotor blade pitch angle for safety and control.Pitch control optimizes blade performance and therefore, overall turbine performance. However, to be cost-effective, pitch control systems require high levels of uptime.

Correcting pitch control system failures or false resets require substantial maintenance costs. And, optimal turbine performance can be limited by factors such as turbine design, turbine location and the need of high levels of data and power availability.

Contactless slip rings are an innovative method for transmitting power or data between stationary and rotating frames without the use of conventional slip rings or brushes. In these solutions, there is no physical contact between the rotating and fixed parts of the apparatus. Inductive components are used to provide a reliable and efficient transfer of electrical power across the rotational boundary, reducing maintenance costs and improving overall uptime for the operator.

The first wireless power solution for wind turbines was unveiled today at the WindPower 2010 conference and exhibition in Dallas, Texas.  PowerbyProxi Proxi-Ring contactless slip ring provides wireless power and data to pitch control systems in wind turbines. Proxi-Ring solutions make wind turbines more cost-effective by reducing the cost of maintaining and replacing existing mechanical slip rings and their carbon brushes. PowerbyProxi wireless power solutions also deliver 90-percent efficiency, which is on par with most hard-wired power transfer solutions.

Fady Mishriki, vice president of applications for PowerbyProxi, says, “Operation and maintenance costs are a sizable portion of annual wind turbine expenditures. By replacing traditional slip rings with the Proxi-Ring, PowerbyProxi solutions help to eliminate a major source of turbine downtime due to mechanical slip ring failure.”

Proxi-Ring wireless power solutions eliminate friction or heating between rotating and stationary circuit contacts that can occur with traditional slip rings. Unlike conventional slip-ring applications, typical contaminants such as oil or brake dust do not affect Proxi-Ring operation.  The wireless power solutions are highly corrosion-resistant, waterproof and compatible with existing power supplies and common communication protocols.

Two solutions exist to provide wireless electricity to wind turbines across rotary joints. The Proxi-Ring 240 and 750 products are completely wireless alternatives to mechanical slip rings for hydraulically controlled systems. Both of these solutions have been designed to make it easy for wind turbine vendors to incorporate in new turbines or for wind farm operators and maintenance service providers to retrofit to existing wind turbines.

The Proxi-Ring 750 is also available as a hybrid solution developed with UEA Incorporated to deliver a new high-performance solution for electric pitch control systems. In this solution, the Proxi-Ring provides wireless electricity to critical low-power and data channels.

Proxi-Ring is a frictionless, contactless slip ring, which supplies wireless power to rotating, highly mobile industrial equipment. This solution is a totally electrical device with no moving parts or friction-based components. Proxi-Ring enables complete freedom of movement (360° continuous rotation) across rotary joints, unlimited rotation speeds and no need for lubrication or cooling.  Other typical applications of Proxi-Ring solutions include replacements for through-hole slip rings, hydraulic control valves and actuators, heavy machinery, process automation equipment and robotics.

PowerbyProxi’s Proxi-Wave technology is unique in its ability to cater for the demands of variable load operating environments and overcomes the limitations of earlier generations of inductive power solutions that suffered from excessive heat generation.

PowerbyProxi is exhibiting at WindPower2010, booth number 11650.

About PowerbyProxi

PowerbyProxi is the global leader in high-efficiency, industrial wireless power solutions for wet, dirty and moving applications. PowerbyProxi technology overcomes the constraints of power cables and mechanical components, which can stifle design innovation and increase maintenance costs. For more information please see http://www.powerbyproxi.com.

Operation and maintenance costs are a sizable portion of wind turbine annual expenditures. By replacing traditional slip rings with the Proxi-Ring, PowerbyProxi aims to eliminate a major source of turbine downtime due to mechanical slip ring failure.

PowerbyProxi’s Proxi-Wave technology is unique in its ability to cater to the demands of variable load operating environments and overcomes the limitations of earlier generations of Inductive Power solutions that suffered from excessive heat generation.

Two solutions exist to provide wireless electricity to wind turbines across rotary joints.

The Proxi-Ring 240 and 750 products are completely wireless alternatives to mechanical slip rings for hydraulically controlled systems. Both of these solutions have been designed to make it easy for Wind Turbine vendors to incorporate in new turbines or for wind farm operators and maintenance service providers to retrofit to existing wind turbines.

The Proxi-Ring 750 is also available as a hybrid solution developed in conjunction with UEA Inc. to deliver a new high performance solution for electric pitch control systems. In the hybrid solution the Proxi-Ring is used to provide wireless electricity to the critical low power and data channels.

By taking advantage of PowerbyProxi’s range of configurations, designers can leverage the benefits of wireless power in their products and equipment. This will enable them to lower costs, simplify deployment, and reduce ongoing maintenance and operations overhead. Ultimately, it will speed time to market while resulting in better products.

Read the full article on the Sensors website.

PowerbyProxi delivers ‘unplugged power’ – eliminating the need for a physical power cable. The technology was developed to change the way electricity is delivered in hostile industrial environments where traditional power cables and physical connectors are problematic due to moving parts and/or wet and dirty environments. The technology can also be used for consumer device applications where convenience or design demands a wireless power solution.

PowerbyProxi Executive Chairman Greg Cross says, “PowerbyProxi are pioneers in the design and development of turnkey wireless power solutions. We’re delighted to have the backing of Movac and Evander Management as we go to market. Their investment and expertise will be used to accelerate technology development, grow the team and build on the 2008 launch of our first commercial products in the US.”

The current cap round as well as the follow-on round were fully taken up by angel investor Movac with a track record of early stage investment success including TradeMe, and Evander Management Limited a private investment company.

David Beard a partner at Movac said, “With all of our investments we look for high growth potential, and the PowerbyProxi technology, team and global potential impressed. We’re funding a company that has a fantastic market opportunity and a really compelling sales proposition. Movac is committed to investing in early stage companies. This investment shows that businesses can still get money in tough times if they are focused on meeting unmet needs.”

PowerbyProxi, based at the ICEHOUSE business growth centre, is founded based on leading edge research from the University of Auckland in 2007. The company has already come to the attention of industry due to a 12 month development effort with John Deere.

PowerbyProxi recently completed the commercial launch of the Proxi-RingTM, a completely contactless slip ring which is used to transfer power across 360 degree rotating joints. The new technology replaces mechanical slip rings which have a reputation for failure and high associated maintenance costs.

Greg Cross says, “Securing investment has allowed us to accelerate our plans for key international markets like the US and Japan. It will also enable us to build out our research and development team who really are doing some ground breaking work in this exciting space.”

The Proxi-Ring™ is a totally electrical device with no moving parts or frictional based components. Power is transferred from a transmitter to a receiver through an air gap allowing total and free rotation. It enables the transfer of power from a stationary device to a rotating device allowing 360 degree continuous motion in wide range of applications like robot arms and swivels where mechanical slip rings are traditionally used.