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Engineering guide / Yaw drive selection
Wind Turbine Yaw Drive Selection Guide
Select a wind turbine yaw drive by reviewing the mechanical duty, movement requirements and control interfaces together. This guide helps turbine buyers and integration teams prepare the information needed for a model-specific engineering review.
Define the duty before comparing the drive.
Turbine rated power identifies the electrical output class. Yaw-drive selection requires a separate description of the nacelle movement, the loads at the rotating interface and the conditions under which the drive operates.
01 / Supply scope
Start with the turbine and the supply scope.
A complete turbine enquiry and a replacement-component enquiry need different information.
For a new turbine, start with the model, site and intended electrical application. Ask the supplier to identify the yaw arrangement and the documents covering its installation and operation. This connects the drive specification to the equipment you will receive.
For an existing machine, provide the manufacturer, model, serial identification and relevant drawing revision. Include the reason for replacement and any available fault or inspection records. A component name alone is insufficient to establish interchangeability.
MARSTON’s current range comprises FD5-5KW, FD7.5-10KW, FD10-20KW, FD12-30KW and FD14-50KW, all using electric yaw. Separate supply of a yaw drive or yaw rim requires confirmation for the enquiry. See the electric yaw system overview for the roles of the drive, control and rotating interface.
New turbine
Identify the model, application and equipment package.
Existing equipment
Provide machine identification, drawings and the replacement requirement.
02 / Torque & speed
Review drive torque and movement speed.
Motor power, drive output torque and nacelle turning speed describe different aspects of the duty.
A drive proposal should distinguish the torque available during movement from the limits applicable to peak or stationary conditions. Identify the location at which each torque value is stated: motor shaft, gearbox output or nacelle interface. Compare values only when their operating conditions and measurement boundaries match.
Establish the required nacelle turning speed together with the motor speed and total mechanical reduction. Where a pinion engages a ring, include that stage in the transmission review. Request the duty assumptions and load information used to select the drive.
For a MARSTON turbine purchase, request the specification applicable to the selected model. Final motor ratings, transmission ratios and yaw speeds should be established in the technical proposal.
A defined torque rating
Compare the same output location and operating condition.
A defined movement duty
Review turning speed and the assumptions behind drive selection.
03 / Mechanical fit
Match the mounting and rotating interfaces.
The assembly drawing links the drive to the nacelle, rotating support and tower-top structure.
Check the mounting geometry, pilot or centring features, fastening arrangement and available space against the assembly drawing. For a geared interface, identify the pinion and ring tooth geometry and their required engagement. These checks are part of confirming that the proposed components can fit together.
The rotating support needs its own load review, including axial and radial loads and overturning moments. Installation and continued access to fasteners should be considered when reviewing the arrangement. Drive torque alone does not establish the load capacity of the complete tower-top assembly.
Use the drawing to identify the component described as a yaw rim. Confirm whether the enquiry concerns a geared ring, a bearing component or another ring-shaped interface. The overview explains yaw drive, yaw rim and yaw bearing terminology.
Interface fit
Drawings identify the mounting, tooth engagement and installation space.
Assembly load path
Review the rotating support and mounting arrangement as well as the drive.
04 / Control interface
Define the power supply and operating permissions.
A suitable mechanical drive also needs a compatible electrical and control interface.
Record the proposed control-power supply, motor connection and command interface. Identify which device issues movement commands and what feedback the supplied equipment provides. Ask for the electrical interface description and the responsibilities assigned to each controller.
For the operating review, specify which conditions permit yaw movement, how a correction is stopped and how a fault is reported. Confirm the intended response to loss of a required signal or control power. Where operator commands are required, establish their permissions and relationship to normal operation.
The current FD14-50KW uses electric-motor yaw with hydraulic disc braking. The rotor brake and yaw drive have separate functions; review their operating coordination using the applicable documentation. See the wind turbine control system page for the wider equipment responsibilities.
Electrical information
Supply requirements, motor connections and command or feedback interfaces.
Operating information
Movement permissions, stop conditions and fault responses.
05 / Site & service
Include site conditions and service access.
The technical enquiry should describe the environment in which the equipment will operate.
Provide the expected ambient conditions, exposure to moisture or salt, installation location and access constraints. Ask the supplier to identify the temperature, protection and corrosion requirements covered by the proposed equipment. Environmental suitability must be confirmed for the actual package.
Request the service instructions for the selected assembly. Establish access to the drive, rotating support, fasteners and electrical connections. Include cable routing and any rotation-management provisions in the installation review. Maintenance intervals, lubricant specifications and tightening values belong to the applicable equipment instructions.
Electric yaw is one part of the turbine configuration. Compare the complete installation using available wind information and the intended grid-tied or off-grid application. The electric yaw versus passive yaw guide discusses the two operating approaches.
Environment
Describe temperature conditions, moisture or salt exposure and access constraints.
Service planning
Request model-specific instructions and confirm access before installation.
06 / RFQ documents
Turn the checklist into a technical request.
A clear enquiry helps identify missing information before comparing quotations.
For a complete turbine, send the preferred model or required power class, site information, tower requirements and intended electrical connection. State the equipment you want supplied and the documents needed for the project review.
For integration or replacement work, add the assembly drawing, existing drive identification, available load information, supply requirements and control-interface description. Mark unavailable items explicitly so the review can establish what needs further investigation. Agree the supplied scope and document revisions in the technical quotation.
Further project guides: Wind Direction, Nacelle Heading & Yaw Angle Conventions.
General references include Liebherr drive rating and interface examples, Liebherr wind-drive selection guidance and the Kaydon slewing-bearing engineering guide hosted by SKF. They provide industry context; MARSTON specifications require the documents for the selected model.
Purchase review
Model, site, supply scope and required project documentation.
Integration review
Drawing revision, load information, mechanical interfaces and electrical requirements.
Yaw-drive selection checklist.
Use these eight items to compare technical proposals and identify information still needed for the selected turbine.
| Review item | Information to confirm | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment identity | Model, configuration and drawing revision | Connect each specification to the equipment being quoted. |
| Drive torque | Output location, operating rating and peak limits | Compare torque values with matching definitions and duty assumptions. |
| Movement speed | Required nacelle speed and total reduction | Establish the movement duty and the transmission arrangement. |
| Mounting & ring interface | Mounting dimensions, fastening and tooth geometry where applicable | Check the fit of the proposed assembly. |
| Rotating-support loads | Axial and radial loads, overturning moments and load cases | Review the support and mounting load path. |
| Power & commands | Control-power supply, motor connection and command/feedback interfaces | Define electrical compatibility and equipment responsibilities. |
| Operating conditions | Movement permissions, stopping and fault responses | Review the control behaviour for the intended application. |
| Site & documentation | Environment, access, service instructions and supplied documents | Confirm project suitability and the scope of the quotation. |
Questions before specifying a yaw drive.
Can a yaw drive be selected from turbine rated power alone?
Rated power identifies the turbine output class. Drive selection also needs the mechanical duty, movement requirements and interfaces of the selected configuration. Ask for the model-specific drive information.
Is motor power the same as yaw-drive output torque?
No. Motor power and output torque are different quantities. A proposal should identify the torque output location, speed and operating conditions so the drive can be evaluated for its intended duty.
Can a yaw drive be replaced with one that has a similar motor rating?
A similar motor rating does not establish compatibility. Review the mechanical arrangement, electrical interfaces, control operation and duty limits using the applicable drawings and specifications.
Which information is needed for a yaw rim enquiry?
Provide the component identification and drawing revision, mounting dimensions and relevant geared or sliding interfaces. Load and material requirements should be included when available. Separate component supply requires confirmation.
Does the FD14-50KW braking arrangement apply to all models?
The confirmed current FD14-50KW arrangement uses hydraulic disc braking with a compact pump actuated by an electric linear actuator. Other models need their own brake specification.
What should I send for a complete turbine quotation?
Send the preferred model or power class, site wind information, environmental conditions, tower needs and intended grid or off-grid connection. Identify the supplied equipment and documentation you need.
Technical quotation
Prepare a clear engineering enquiry.
Share the turbine model, site conditions and intended equipment scope. For integration work, include the assembly drawings and available load and interface information. We can then establish which specifications and documents need review.