Ping Services

Benefits
Ping Monitor is an innovative acoustic solution and a world-first application of aero-acoustic analysis for wind turbine maintenance and repair. The system works on the basis that blade damage makes a particular sound which the Ping Monitor detects.

The technology is a significant advancement on current methods of inspections which are carried out on an ad-hoc or infrequent basis.

Ping Monitor saves wind farm operators time and money on operation and maintenance.

Background
Up to 23 per cent of wind turbine failures can be caused by blade damage, with 25–30% of wind farm operation costs spent on operation and maintenance.

There are an estimated 3,800 blade failures globally per year and a total repair cost of up to $2 billion.

Maintenance following the detection of a blade defect, or in the worst case a blade failure, can entail high costs for repair and replacement activities as well as large revenue losses, particularly in the case of offshore wind farms.

Corrective maintenance is the most common approach, following infrequent survey of the rotor blades.

Any undetected damage can become more serious over time, increasing the cost of repair and maintenance and also increasing the risk of catastrophic failure.

Technology
The device uses patented technology and algorithms which can rate the health of a wind turbine based on its acoustic signature on a scale of one to five and monitors changes over time. Data collected is transferred from remote sites via satellite technology. The satellite communication is fundamental given the remote location of wind farms. As simple dashboard is provided via an App for ease of monitoring wind turbine blade health.

Potential markets
Ping Monitor’s key target market is wind farm operators worldwide. The startup has liaised with most of the major wind turbine operators in Australia, Europe and the US and is in advanced negotiations with one of these.

IP Status
The system has a PCT patented application submitted in April 2019. The intellectual property is imbedded in the housing, acquisition system, algorithms, communications and is being continually developed.

Other applications
The Ping Monitor technology can be applied to other technologies where acoustic condition monitoring and surveillance if required. Examples applications include drone monitoring, mining equipment condition monitoring and monitoring of bearings in rail infrastructure.