Systems and methods involving wind turbine towers for power applications

Abstract

A system (300) for determining wind turbine tower base torque loads including a controller (302) configured to determine a torque load of a base (102) of a tower (104) of a wind turbine (100) according to a computation of an effective height of the wind turbine (100) multiplied by a wind force upon a rotor (108) of the wind turbine (100), and generate a control signal representing the torque load. A method for determining wind turbine tower base torque loads including determining a torque load of a base (102) of a tower (104) of a wind turbine (100) according to the foregoing computation, and generating a control signal representing the torque load.

Description

technical field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to wind turbines, and more particularly to systems and methods for power applications involving wind turbine towers. Background technique

[0002] In this regard, a wind turbine includes a support structure or tower that is secured to the ground or other surface by a foundation and that supports various components of large size and weight, Examples include the turbine rotor, generator, and casing (or "nacelle"). During operation, the combination of wind forces and the weight and rocking motion (or oscillation) of the tower and supported components induce bending forces or torque loads on the tower base that are monitored for safe and proper operation of the wind turbine or torque loads to avoid overloading the base. For example, if a maximum torque load at the base of the tower is detected, the operation of the wind turbine can be modified or shut down by adjusting one or more operating characteri...

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