Systems and methods for identifying cracks in wind turbine components

A system for identifying damage in a component of a wind turbine, the system comprising:

• at least one conductive element on at least one surface of the component of the wind turbine, wherein the component comprises at least one of a pitch bearing or a yaw bearing of the wind turbine, wherein the at least one surface comprises an outer surface and an inner surface of the pitch bearing or a yaw bearing of the wind turbine;
• an electrical circuit electrically connected to the conductive element;
• and
• one or more indicator elements for indicating a status of the electrical circuit,
• wherein, when the one or more indicator elements indicates the status of the electrical circuit as being open, damage is likely present in the component, and wherein, when the one or more indicator elements indicates the status of the electrical circuit as being closed, damage is unlikely present in the component.

A method for identifying damage in a component of a wind turbine, the method comprising:

• encapsulating a conductive element within a substrate;
• placing the encapsulated conductive element onto at least one surface of the component of the wind turbine, wherein the component comprises at least one of a pitch bearing or a yaw bearing of the wind turbine, wherein the at least one surface comprises an outer surface and an inner surface of the pitch bearing or a yaw bearing of the wind turbine;
• connecting the conductive element to an electrical circuit;
• monitoring, via one or more sensors, the conductive element for continuity;
• determining a status of the conductive element based on the continuity, wherein, when there is continuity in the conductive element, damage is unlikely present in the component, and wherein, when there is no continuity in the conductive element, damage is likely present in the component;
• and
• transmitting the status of the electrical circuit to a user interface for display.