Energy conversion device, energy conversion system comprising same and method of operating same

Abstract

An energy conversion device, an energy conversion system including the same, and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The energy conversion device includes a vane, a measurement device that measures a reaction of the vane when an external force is applied to the vane by a fluid flow, a measurement value generator that generates a measurement value corresponding to the measurement result, a memory that stores a plurality of control values, a controller that reads a first control value from among the plurality of control values from the memory in response to the measurement value output from the measurement device, generates a control signal using the first control value, and a driver that deforms a three-dimensional shape of the vane in response to the control signal output from the controller.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application No. 201780085917.8, filed on December 4, 2017, entitled "Energy conversion device, energy conversion system including the same, and method of operating the same", the priority of which is hereby claimed. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments according to the concept of the present application relate to an energy conversion device, and particularly provide an energy conversion device in which, when a fluid flow exerts an external force on a turbine, a reaction of the turbine is measured, a measurement value corresponding to the measured result is generated, and a three-dimensional shape of the turbine is deformed based on a control signal related to the measurement value, a method of operating the same, and an energy conversion system including the same. BACKGROUND

[0003] Energy harvesting means a technology of converting energy generated from natural energy such as wind power, tidal power, or wave power into electric energy.

[0004] For example, a wind power generator, which is a device using a wind turbine or the like to convert wind energy into mechanical energy, uses a generator operated by the energy to generate electricity, and is used as a unit for generating electricity in many countries.

[0005] In order to generate a large amount of electricity, if the blades of a wind power generator are controlled, a load applied to the wind power generator is increased, and if the number of wind power generators is increased, the strength of wind power received by the wind power generators is reduced. SUMMARY

[0006] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0007] The technical problem to be achieved by the present application is to provide an energy conversion device in which, when a fluid flow exerts an external force on a turbine, a control signal corresponding to a reaction of the turbine with respect to the external force is generated, and a three-dimensional shape of the turbine is deformed using the control signal, and a method of operating the same.

[0008] The technical problem to be achieved by the present application relates to an energy conversion system, and provides a technology in which a three-dimensional shape of each blade included in an energy conversion device is changed using position information of the energy conversion device, topographical information of a region in which the energy conversion system including the energy conversion device is installed, and meteorological information of the region.

[0009] SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0010] An energy conversion device according to an embodiment of the present application that converts mechanical energy obtained from a fluid flow into electric energy includes a blade, a first measurement device that measures a reaction of the blade when the fluid flow applies an external force to the blade, generates a first measurement value corresponding to a measurement result, a memory that stores a plurality of control values, a controller that reads a first control value of the plurality of control values from the memory in response to the first measurement value output from the first measurement device, generates a control signal using the first control value, an actuator that deforms a three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal output from the controller.

[0011] An energy conversion device according to an embodiment of the present application that converts mechanical energy obtained from a fluid flow into electric energy includes a blade, a measurement device that measures a reaction of the blade when the fluid flow applies an external force to the blade, generates a first measurement value corresponding to a measurement result, a controller that generates a control signal using the first measurement value output from the first measurement device, an actuator that deforms a three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal output from the controller.

[0012] The energy conversion device further includes a memory that stores a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program, and the controller activates the CFD program stored in the memory to cause the CFD program to generate the control signal using the first measurement value.

[0013] An energy conversion device according to an embodiment of the present application that converts mechanical energy obtained from a fluid flow into electric energy includes a blade, a plurality of measurement devices that measure a reaction of the blade when the fluid flow applies an external force to the blade, generate a plurality of measurement values corresponding to measurement results, a memory that stores a plurality of control values corresponding to combinations of a plurality of first values indicating an internal environment of the energy conversion device and a plurality of second values indicating an external environment of the energy conversion device, a controller that reads one control value of the plurality of control values from the memory in response to the plurality of measurement values output from the plurality of measurement devices, generates a control signal in response to the read one control value, and an actuator that deforms a three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal output from the controller.

[0014] A wind power generation system according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator, a second wind power generator including a second blade, a measurer that measures wind power to generate a wind power value, a storage that stores a plurality of control values, and a controller that reads a first control value among the plurality of control values from the storage in response to the wind power value output from the measurer, generates a control signal in response to the read first control value, and deforms a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller.

[0015] A wind power generation system according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator, a second wind power generator including a second blade, a storage that stores a plurality of control values, a receiver that receives at least one of weather information around the first wind power generator, topographical information of a site where the first wind power generator is installed, and positional information about a position where the second wind power generator is installed, and a controller that selects a first control value among the plurality of control values from the storage in response to the at least one output from the receiver, generates a control signal in response to the first control value, and deforms a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller.

[0016] An operation method of an energy conversion device that converts mechanical energy obtained from fluid flow into electric energy according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a step of measuring a reaction of a blade by a measuring device when the fluid flow applies an external force to the blade, generating a measured value in response to a measurement result, a step of reading a first control value among a plurality of control values from a storage by a controller in response to the measured value output from the measuring device, generating a control signal using the first control value, and a step of deforming a three-dimensional shape of the blade by an actuator in response to the control signal output from the controller.

[0017] The plurality of control values stored in the storage each have a different value according to at least one of weather information around the energy conversion device, topographical information of a site where the energy conversion device is installed, and positional information about a position where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device is installed.

[0018] The operation method of a wind power generation system including a first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator and a second wind power generator including a second blade according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a step of a measurer measuring a wind power generation wind power value; a step of a controller reading a first control value from among a plurality of control values stored in a storage in response to the wind power value output from the measurer, generating a control signal using the read first control value; and a step of the first actuator deforming a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller.

[0019] In the step of deforming the three-dimensional shape of the first blade, the actuator deforms the three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal by controlling a pitch angle of the blade, opening and closing of a leading edge included in the first blade, or opening and closing of a trailing edge included in the first blade.

[0020] The operation method of a wind power generation system including a first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator and a second wind power generator including a second blade according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a step of a controller storing a plurality of control values in a storage; a step of a receiver receiving at least one of meteorological information around the first wind power generator, topographical information of a site where the first wind power generator is installed, and positional information about a position where the second wind power generator is installed; a step of the controller selecting a first control value from among the plurality of control values stored in the storage in response to the at least one output from the receiver, generating a control signal in response to the first control value; and a step of the first actuator deforming a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller.

[0021] The operation method of the wind power generation system further includes a step of the controller calculating a cumulative power generation amount of the first wind power generator, and a step of updating the plurality of control values, respectively, according to the cumulative power generation amount calculated by the controller.

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] The energy conversion device according to an embodiment of the present application has an effect that a three-dimensional shape of a turbine can be deformed based on a measured value when a fluid flow acts as an external force on the turbine, the measured value being generated based on a reaction of the turbine to the external force.

[0024] Therefore, the energy conversion device has an effect that a load applied to the energy conversion device is not greatly increased and energy conversion efficiency of the energy conversion device can be improved.

[0025] Since the above energy conversion device deforms the three-dimensional shape of the turbine included in the above energy conversion device using the position information indicating the position of another energy conversion device, the fluid flow used in the above energy conversion device is likely to be transmitted to the above another energy conversion device, and thus the energy conversion efficiency of the above another energy conversion device is improved, and the distance between the plurality of energy conversion devices can be reduced.

[0026] The energy conversion device according to the embodiment of the present application deforms the three-dimensional shape of each turbine included in the above energy conversion device using at least one of the topographical information about the region where the energy conversion system is installed, the meteorological information, and the position information of an energy conversion device different from the above energy conversion device, and thus the energy conversion efficiency of the above turbine can be improved according to the surrounding environment where the above energy conversion device is installed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A block diagram of the energy conversion device according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 2 A diagram illustrating Figure 1 an embodiment of the energy conversion device.

[0029] Figures 3 to 8 A diagram illustrating Figure 1 or Figure 2 an embodiment of the plurality of control objects and the plurality of control values stored in the memory.

[0030] Figure 9 A diagram illustrating Figure 1 another embodiment of the energy conversion device.

[0031] Figure 10 A conceptual diagram illustrating the energy conversion system according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 11 A diagram illustrating Figure 10 an embodiment of the plurality of control objects and the plurality of control values stored in the memory.

[0033] Figure 12 A conceptual diagram illustrating the energy conversion system according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 13 A diagram illustrating Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 or Figure 12 the structure of the turbine.

[0035] Figure 14 A diagram illustrating the turbine by controllingFigure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 10 or Figure 12 the leading edge included in the turbine shown in

[0036] Figure 15 indicates an embodiment of deforming the three-dimensional shape of the turbine shown in Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 10 or Figure 12 the trailing edge included in the turbine shown in

[0037] Figure 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the energy conversion device shown in Figure 1 、 Figure 2 or Figure 9 the energy conversion system shown in

[0038] Figure 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the energy conversion system shown in Figure 10 or Figure 12 the energy conversion system shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the energy conversion device of a plurality of embodiments of the present application. Referring to Figure 1 , the energy conversion device 100 can include a turbine 200, at least one measuring device 300, a memory 400, a controller 500, at least one actuator 600, and a receiver 700.

[0040] For example, the energy conversion device 100 can mean a device that can convert energy (e.g., mechanical energy) obtained from a fluid flow, a flow of a liquid, a flow of a fluid, or a flow of a substance (e.g., a gas, a particle, a liquid, or a solid body or solid) into electric power (e.g., electrical energy). In the present specification, the fluid flow can be broadly interpreted as a concept including a flow of a liquid, a flow of a fluid, or a flow of a substance.

[0041] The fluid flow can mean a dynamic of a fluid (e.g., containing a gas, a particle, a liquid, a plasma, and / or a solid body) in motion.

[0042] When the fluid flow is a flow of wind, tide, ocean current or sea current, deep water, river water, wave, or wind wave, the energy conversion device 100 of the embodiments of the present application can be a generator using wind energy or a generator using ocean energy, but is not limited thereto. For example, the energy conversion device 100 can be a wind power generator, a tide power generator, or a wave power generator, but is not limited thereto. Also, the energy conversion device 100 and the operating method thereof to be described in the present specification can be applied to a generator using geothermal energy. Also, the technical idea of the present application of controlling the three-dimensional shape of the turbine (or blade) can be applied to a generator using the turbine (or blade) to generate electric energy.

[0043] The wind power generator can include an onshore type wind power generator and an offshore type wind power generator. The wind power generator can include a floating offshore wind power generator, a semi-submersible floating wind power generator, but is not limited thereto.

[0044] Wind power refers to the use of a wind turbine to convert wind (or wind power) into electric power, tidal power refers to the use of the difference between the rising tide and the ebbing tide of the sea to generate electric power, and wave power refers to the use of the wind wave of the sea surface to transfer energy or the use of the above-mentioned energy to generate electric power.

[0045] The turbine 200 can mean a rotary mechanical device that extracts energy from a fluid flow. The turbine 200 can mean a structure (or device) that uses a fluid flow to react to an external force applied to the turbine 200, thereby converting energy obtained from the fluid flow into electric power.

[0046] According to various embodiments, a turbine can mean a blade, a turbine blade, a rotor blade, a wind turbine rotor blade, a tidal turbine blade, or a wind wave turbine blade. The energy conversion device 100 can include a plurality of turbines (or a plurality of blades). For example, a turbine (or a blade) can broadly mean a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) blade or a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) blade.

[0047] When a fluid flow is applied to the turbine 200 (or a blade) as an external force, the measurement device 300 measures (e.g., directly measures or indirectly measures) a response of the turbine 200 (or a blade), and can generate a measurement value (or a response value) corresponding to a result of the measurement.

[0048] The above-mentioned response or the above-mentioned measurement value can include at least one of a position (or a reference Figure 4 angle) of the turbine 200, a restoring force of the turbine 200, an elastic force of the turbine 200, aeroelasticity of the turbine 200, a fatigue load of the turbine 200, a vibration of the turbine 200, a stress of the turbine 200, a gravity of the turbine 200, a buoyancy of the turbine 200, a rotational speed of the turbine 200, revolutions per minute (RPM) of the turbine 200, a pitch angle of the turbine 200, a strain or a strain rate of the turbine 200, an acceleration of the turbine 200, an ultraviolet ray amount of the turbine 200, an insolation of the turbine 200, a speed (or a density) of a fluid flow, a temperature of the turbine 200, and a humidity of the turbine 200.

[0049] The measurement device 300 can mean a device (or sensor) that can measure a reaction of the turbine 200 to a fluid flow or an external force or a device (or sensor) that can generate the above-mentioned measurement value. The measurement device 300 can collectively represent a plurality of measurement devices or a plurality of sensors. For example, when the measurement device includes a 1st measurement device and a 2nd measurement device, the above-mentioned 1st measurement device can measure a restoring force of the turbine 200, and the above-mentioned 2nd measurement device can measure a position (or a rotation angle) of the turbine, but is not limited thereto.

[0050] The measurement device 300 can be implemented by an electricity meter, a voltage meter, a current meter, a direction sensor, an inertial sensor, a strain sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gravitational acceleration sensor, a lidar, a solarimeter, a UV radiometer, a barometer, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, an image sensor, an optical camera, a high-speed camera, an acoustic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a sound detector, a Raman-based distributed temperature sensor, a water flow sensor, a water pressure sensor, a wave meter, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] For example, the measurement device 300 can measure a pitch angle of the turbine 200 using a direction sensor or an inertial sensor, measure a strain using a strain sensor, measure an acceleration using an acceleration sensor, and measure time information and spatial information of the turbine 200 using a lidar and a sound detector.

[0052] For example, the strain sensor and the acceleration sensor can also be located at the center of a rotor connected to the turbine 200, and can be disposed at a predetermined interval inside or on the surface of the turbine 200. For example, the UV radiometer, the solarimeter, the temperature sensor, and the humidity sensor can be located at the center of a hub of the rotor.

[0053] At least one measuring device 300 measures the response of the turbine 200 to external forces and can generate at least one measured value based on the measurement results. As described above, the measured value may include a variety of values, such as wind direction, wind speed, stress, load, displacement, accumulated fatigue life, accumulated ultraviolet radiation, residual life time ratio, and / or power generation applied to the turbine 200 by fluid flow, but is not limited thereto.

[0054] For example, the aforementioned displacement could mean the degree to which the turbine 200 bands due to fluid flow, and the aforementioned load could mean the direction of... Figure 2 The force vertically transmitted by the tower 120 shown, the cumulative fatigue life means the number of times the load is repeated (or the time of the load) before the energy conversion device 100 is damaged, and the power production (or power generation) may mean the power generation of the energy conversion device 100.

[0055] The measuring device 300 can measure the revolutions per minute of the turbine 200 to determine the wind direction and speed applied to the turbine 200; it can measure the deformation rate and acceleration of the turbine 200 to determine the displacement of the turbine 200; it can measure the amount of ultraviolet radiation applied to the turbine 200 and the solar radiation meter to determine the cumulative ultraviolet radiation of the turbine 200; it can measure the temperature and humidity of the turbine 200 to determine the stress and load of the turbine 200; and it can use the aforementioned stress and load to determine the cumulative fatigue life of the turbine 200, but is not limited thereto. Here, "measuring" can also mean "calculation".

[0056] Wind direction and speed can be determined using the equipment located in the cabin. Figure 2 The wind vane / anemometer (140) is used for measurement, and the receiver 700 can receive meteorological information containing information related to wind direction and wind speed from artificial satellites or systems that provide meteorological information.

[0057] The turbine 200, formed of composite materials, is weaker than ultraviolet light. Therefore, when the accumulated ultraviolet light level is high, the lifespan of the turbine 200 decreases rapidly. As the accumulated fatigue of the turbine 200 increases, the turbine 200 weakens, thereby increasing the displacement of the turbine 200. Therefore, the controller 500 can use the aforementioned displacement, the aforementioned accumulated ultraviolet light level, and the aforementioned accumulated fatigue life to calculate the remaining lifespan of the turbine 200. According to several embodiments, the measuring device 300 can be installed in the nacelle (…). Figure 2 The wind direction and wind speed applied to the turbine 200 are determined by the wind vane and anemometer (140).

[0058] The memory 400 can store a plurality of control values that can deform the three-dimensional shape of the turbine 200. Although, in the Figure 1 embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the memory 400 is configured outside the controller 500, the memory 400 can be replaced by a cache memory or a data buffer located inside the controller 500. The controller 500 can access the memory 400 configured outside or inside to obtain at least one control value CTV corresponding to at least one measured value MSR measured from at least one measuring device 300. The above can be obtained by a read operation or a pre-fetch operation.

[0059] For example, assume that the measuring device 300 includes a first measuring device and a second measuring device. The above-mentioned first measuring device measures at least one of the resilience of the turbine 200, the elastic force of the turbine 200, the aeroelasticity of the turbine 200, the fatigue load of the turbine 200, the vibration of the turbine 200, the deformation force of the turbine 200, the gravity of the turbine 200, the buoyancy of the turbine 200, the rotational speed of the turbine 200, the pitch angle of the turbine 200, the deformation rate of the turbine 200, the acceleration of the turbine 200, the ultraviolet radiation of the turbine 200, the solar radiation of the turbine 200, the speed (or density) of the fluid flow applied to the turbine 200, the temperature of the turbine 200, and the humidity of the turbine 200, and can generate a first measured value based on the measurement result.

[0060] The above-mentioned second measuring device generates a second measured value BP1 or BP2 based on the measurement result of the position (or the rotation angle) of the turbine 200 rotating as shown in Figure 4 For example, the measured value BP1 measured in the first position can have less influence on the power generation of other energy conversion devices, and the measured value BP2 measured in the second position can have more influence on the power generation of other energy conversion devices.

[0061] The controller 500 reads (or selects) a certain control value (for example, a first control value) among a plurality of control values stored in the memory 400 in response to the above-mentioned first measured value output from the above-mentioned first measuring device, and can generate a control signal CTRL using the first control value CTV.

[0062] The actuator 600 can control the pitch angle of the turbine 200, the leading edge attached to the turbine 200, and / or the trailing edge attached to the turbine 200 in response to the control signal CTRL output from the controller 500. An embodiment of controlling the above-mentioned leading edge will be described with reference to Figure 14 FIG. 5, and an embodiment of controlling the above-mentioned trailing edge will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Figure 15The embodiment of controlling the trailing edge will be described. That is, the three-dimensional shape of the turbine 200 can be defined according to the pitch angle, the leading edge, and / or the trailing edge, but is not limited thereto.

[0063] The controller 500 reads (or selects) another control value (for example, a second control value) of the plurality of control values stored in the memory 400 in response to the first measured value output from the first measuring device and the second measured value output from the second measuring device, and generates a control signal CTRL using the second control value CTV. At this time, the actuator 600 controls the pitch angle of the turbine 200, the leading edge attached to the turbine 200, and / or the trailing edge attached to the turbine 200 in response to the control signal CTRL output from the controller 500.

[0064] The receiver 700 receives weather information of the periphery of the energy conversion device 100, topographical information of a place where the energy conversion device 100 is installed, and / or position information about a position where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device 100 is installed, and transmits the weather information, the topographical information, and / or the position information to the controller 500. The controller 500 generates a control value corresponding to the weather information, the topographical information, and / or the position information, and stores the control value in the memory 400.

[0065] That is, the plurality of control values stored in the memory 400 each have different values according to at least one of the weather information, the topographical information, and the position information by the controller 500. According to various embodiments, the controller 500 can mean a processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), or a computing device.

[0066] Figure 2 To illustrate Figure 1 an embodiment of the energy conversion device. As Figure 1 An embodiment of the wind power generator 100A of the energy conversion device 100 can include a foundation 110, a tower 120, a rotor 130, a nacelle 140, a plurality of blades 200A, at least one measuring device 300A, a memory 400A, a controller 500A, and at least one actuator 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3.

[0067] Each blade 200A corresponds to the turbine 200 of Figure 1 The at least one measuring device 300A corresponds to the at least one measuring device 300 of Figure 1 The memory 400A corresponds to the memory 400 of Figure 1 The controller 500A corresponds to the controllerFigure 1 The controller 500, the actuators 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3 correspond to Figure 1 The actuators 600.

[0068] In the present specification, an actuator refers to a component of a machine of a system (e.g., an energy conversion device, a wind power generator, a tidal power generator, or a wave power generator) or a mechanical device for moving or controlling a component included in the above system. For example, the actuator can include an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and a pneumatic actuator, but is not limited thereto.

[0069] The foundation 110 is installed in the sea, the seabed, or land. The tower 120 functions to support and elevate the rotor 130 and the nacelle 140 so as to obtain a large power in a strong wind speed.

[0070] The rotor 130 converts wind power into mechanical power, and a rotor hub attached to a front end of the rotor 130 functions to support a plurality of blades 200A. Each blade 200A (or rotor blade) functions to capture power possessed by wind to rotate the rotor 130. The nacelle 140 is configured of a device that converts mechanical power generated by the rotor 130 into electric power.

[0071] Each blade 200A can include at least one leading edge 210, at least one trailing edge, and at least one measurement device 300A. In Figure 2 In the present embodiment, the measurement device 300A is illustrated as being disposed on a surface of each blade 200A, but according to various embodiments, the measurement device 300A can exist inside each blade 200A.

[0072] When a fluid or a fluid flow is applied as an external force to the blade 200A, the measurement device 300A measures a reaction (e.g., a direct reaction or an indirect reaction) of the blade 200A with respect to the external force, and can generate a measurement value MSR according to the measurement result.

[0073] The memory 400A can store various control values corresponding to the measurement values MSR. The various control values can be stored in the form of a lookup table 410, and the lookup table 410 stored in the memory 400A can be referred to by the controller 500. Figures 3 to 8 The lookup table 410 stored in the memory 400A can be variously configured. For example, the lookup table 410 can be configured in the form of a table, a graph, or a function.

[0074] The controller 500A reads a certain (or at least one) control value CTV of the plurality of control values stored in the memory 400A in response to the measurement value MSR output from the measurement device 300A, and generates a control signal CTRL using the control value CTV.

[0075] The actuator 600-1, 600-2, or 600-3 deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade 200A in response to the control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, or CTRL3 output from the controller 500A. The first actuator 600-1 that deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade 200A adjusts the pitch angle of the blade 200A in response to the first control signal CTRL1, thereby deforming the three-dimensional shape of the blade 200A.

[0076] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 14 , the blade 200A includes at least one leading edge 210. The second actuator 600-2 adjusts at least one of the opening and closing of the leading edge 210, the gap GAP1 between the leading edge 210 and the blade 200A, and the angle ANG1 between the leading edge 210 and the blade 200A in response to the second control signal CTRL2. According to at least one of the gap GAP1 and the angle ANG1, the speed of the fluid flow applied to the blade 200A, the density of the fluid, and / or the direction of the above fluid can be changed.

[0077] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 15 , the blade 200A includes at least one trailing edge 230. The third actuator 600-3 adjusts at least one of the opening and closing of the trailing edge 230, the gap GAP2 between the trailing edge 230 and the blade 200A, and the angle ANG2 between the trailing edge 230 and the blade 200A in response to the third control signal CTRL3. According to at least one of the gap GAP2 and the angle ANG2, the speed of the fluid flow flowing in the blade 200A, the density of the fluid, and / or the direction of the above fluid can be changed.

[0078] The control of the leading edge 210 and / or the control of the trailing edge 230 can be determined according to a value (e.g., a measurement value) that quantifies the reaction of the blade 200A to an external force applied to the blade 200A.

[0079] Figures 3 to 8 indicates an embodiment of the plurality of control objects and the plurality of control values stored in the memory shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 . Referring to Figure 3The measurement object and the measurement value measured by the measurement device 300 or 300A can be a wind direction or a wind speed, a stress or a load, a displacement, a cumulative fatigue life, a cumulative UV amount, a remaining life, and / or a power production amount, but are not limited thereto. The control object and the control value corresponding to the measurement object and the measurement value can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A. According to various embodiments, the control object and the control value corresponding to the measurement object and the measurement value can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A in the form of a first lookup table LUT1.

[0080] For example, when the stress of the turbine 200 or the blade 200A is the response or measurement value MSR, the controller 500 or 500A can read or select the first pitch angle PA1, the first leading edge control value LE1, and / or the first trailing edge control value TE1 corresponding to the first measurement value (MSR = M1) from among the plurality of control values PA1, LE1, TE1, PA2, LE2, and TE2 stored in the memory 400 or 400A as the control value CTV. That is, the controller 500 or 500A can retrieve the control values PA1, LE1, and / or TE1 corresponding to the first measurement value (MSR = M1) from the memory 400 or 400A.

[0081] As an embodiment, when the cumulative power production amount PO2 of the wind turbine 200A is the measurement value MSR, the controller 500A can read or select the second pitch angle PA2, the second leading edge control value LE2, and / or the second trailing edge control value TE2 corresponding to the second measurement value (MSR = PO2) from among the plurality of control values PA1, LE1, TE1, PA2, LE2, and TE2 stored in the memory 400A as the control value CTV. That is, the controller 500A can retrieve the control values PA2, LE2, and / or TE2 corresponding to the second measurement value (MSR = PO2) from the memory 400A.

[0082] The controller 500 or 500A judges the type (or measurement object) of the measurement device 300 or 300A or the sensor, and can determine several control objects to be controlled among the plurality of control objects (e.g., a pitch angle, a leading edge, and a trailing edge) according to the judgment result.

[0083] The stronger the wind speed, the more the wind power generator 100A generates power, but the load applied to the wind power generator 100A increases, and thus the first lookup table LUT1 can include a plurality of control values for controlling the maximum power generation of the wind power generator 100A in consideration of the wind speed and the load. For example, when the wind direction and the wind speed are the first value M1, the stress and the load are the second value L1, the displacement is the third value D1, the cumulative fatigue life is the fourth value F1, the cumulative ultraviolet amount is the fifth value U1, the remaining life is the sixth value R1, and the power production amount is the seventh value PO1, the controller 500A can output the first pitch angle PA1, the first leading edge control value LE1, and / or the first trailing edge control value TE1 as the control values CTV.

[0084] That is, the controller 500 or 500A can read, select, or retrieve one control value or a plurality of control values from the memory 400 or 400A using a measured value output from one measurement device or measured values output from a plurality of measurement devices.

[0085] Referring to Figure 4 , it is assumed that the measurement object and the measured value measured using the first measurement device are the restoring force, the elastic force, the aeroelasticity, the fatigue load, the vibration, the deformation force, the gravity, the buoyancy, the rotation speed, the pitch angle, the deformation rate, the acceleration, the ultraviolet amount, the solar radiation amount, the wind speed, the temperature, and / or the humidity of the blade 200 or 200A, and the measurement object and the measured value measured using the second measurement device are the position of the blade 200 or 200A, but are not limited thereto. As described above, although one measurement device 300 or 300A is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , each measurement device 300 or 300A generally represents one or more than one measurement device (or more than one sensor). Thus, each measurement device 300 or 300A can be understood to include the first measurement device and the second measurement device.

[0086] The control object and the control value corresponding to the measurement object and the measured value can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A. According to various embodiments, the control object and the control value corresponding to the measurement object and the measured value can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A in the form of the second lookup table LUT2. For example, when the deformation force of the blade 200 or 200A is measured using the first measurement device and the position of the blade 200 or 200A is measured using the second measurement device, the controller 500 or 500A can read, select, or retrieve the first pitch angle PA1-1, the first leading edge control value LE1-1, and / or the first trailing edge control value TE1-1 corresponding to the plurality of measured values M1 and BP1 from among the plurality of control values PA1-1, PA1-2, LE1-1, LE1-2, TE1-1, and TE1-2 stored in the memory 400 or 400A as the plurality of control values CTV in response to the plurality of measured values M1 and BP1.

[0087] For example, when the deformation rate of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the first measuring device and the position of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the second measuring device, the controller 500 or 500A reads, selects, or retrieves the second pitch angle PA1-2, the second leading edge control value LE1-2, and / or the second trailing edge control value TE1-2, which correspond to the measured values M1 and BP2, from among the plurality of control values PA1-1, PA1-2, LE1-1, LE1-2, TE1-1, and TE1-2 stored in the memory 400 or 400A, as the plurality of control values CTV in response to the plurality of measured values M1 and BP2.

[0088] The controller 500 or 500A generates at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 in response to the retrieved plurality of control values CTV. Accordingly, at least one actuator 600-1, 600-2, and / or 600-3 can control at least one of the pitch angle, the leading edge 210, and the trailing edge 230 of the blade 200 or 200A. Thereby, the three-dimensional shape of the blade 200 or 200A is changed.

[0089] Referring to Figure 5 , it is assumed that the measured object and the measured value measured by the first measuring device are the restoring force, the elastic force, the aeroelasticity, the fatigue load, the vibration, the deformation force, the gravity, the buoyancy, the rotation speed, the pitch angle, the deformation rate, the acceleration, the ultraviolet light amount, the solar radiation amount, the wind speed, the temperature, and / or the humidity of the blade 200 or 200A, the measured object and the measured value measured by the second measuring device are the position of the blade 200 or 200A, and the cumulative power production amount of the energy conversion device 100 or 100A is the reference value, but is not limited thereto. It is assumed that the power production amount is measured by the third measuring device, and the cumulative power production amount is accumulated in the memory 400 or 400A by the controller 500 or 500A.

[0090] As described above, although one measuring device 300 or 300A is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , each measuring device 300 or 300A generally represents one or more measuring devices. Accordingly, each measuring device 300 or 300A can be understood to include the first measuring device, the second measuring device, and the third measuring device.

[0091] The measured object and the measured value and the control object and the control value corresponding to the reference value can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A. According to various embodiments, the measured object and the measured value and the control object and the control value corresponding to the reference value can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A in the form of a third lookup table LUT3.

[0092] For example, when the deformation force of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the first measuring device, the position of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the second measuring device, and the cumulative power production has the first value POl-1, the controller 500 or 500A can read, select, or retrieve the first pitch angle PA1-2, the first leading edge control value LE1-3, and / or the first trailing edge control value TE1-3 from among the plurality of control values PA1-3 ~ PA1-6, LE1-3 ~ LE1-6, and TE1-3 ~ TE1-6 stored in the memory 400 or 400A using the plurality of measured values M2 and BP1 and the reference value POl-1 as the plurality of control values CTV.

[0093] The controller 500 or 500A can generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 in response to the retrieved plurality of control values CTV. Accordingly, at least one actuator 600-1, 600-2, and / or 600-3 can control at least one of the pitch angle, the leading edge 210, and the trailing edge 230 of the blade 200 or 200A.

[0094] Referring to Figure 6 , it is assumed that the measured object and the measured value measured by the first measuring device are the restoring force, the elastic force, the aeroelasticity, the fatigue load, the vibration, the deformation force, the gravity, the buoyancy, the rotation speed, the pitch angle, the deformation rate, the acceleration, the ultraviolet light amount, the solar radiation amount, the wind speed, the temperature, and / or the humidity of the blade 200 or 200A, the measured object and the measured value measured by the second measuring device are the position of the blade 200 or 200A, and at least one of the topographical information, the weather information, and the positional information is the reference value, but is not limited thereto. The controller 500 or 500A can receive at least one of the above-described topographical information, the above-described weather information, and the above-described positional information through the receiver 700 and store the received information in the memory 400 or 400A.

[0095] The measured object and the measured value and the control object and the control value corresponding to the reference value can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A. According to various embodiments, the measured object and the measured value and the control object and the control value corresponding to the reference value can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A in the form of a fourth lookup table LUT4.

[0096] The above-described topographical information includes information about a topography or geographical features in which the energy conversion device 100 or 100A is installed, the above-described weather information includes weather information of a place in which the energy conversion device 100 or 100A is installed, and the above-described positional information includes information about a position in which the energy conversion device 100 or 100A is installed and / or information about a position in which another energy conversion device is installed.

[0097] For example, when the elastic force of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the first measuring device, the position of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the second measuring device, and at least one of the terrain information, the weather information, and the position information has the second value ECP2, the controller 500 or 500A can read, select, or retrieve the fourth pitch angle PA1-10, the fourth leading edge control value LE1-10, and / or the fourth trailing edge control value TE1-10 from among the plurality of control values PA1-7 ~ PA1-10, LE1-7 ~ LE1-10, and TE1-7 ~ TE1-10 stored in the memory 400 or 400A using the plurality of measured values M3 and BP2 and the reference value ECP2 as the plurality of control values CTV.

[0098] The controller 500 or 500A can generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 in response to the retrieved plurality of control values CTV. Accordingly, at least one actuator 600-1, 600-2, and / or 600-3 can control at least one of the pitch angle, the leading edge 210, and the trailing edge 230 of the blade 200 or 200A.

[0099] Reference Figure 7 The measured object and the measured value measured by the first measuring device and the measured object and the measured value measured by the second measuring device are the restoring force, the elastic force, the aeroelasticity, the fatigue load, the vibration, the deformation force, the gravity, the buoyancy, the rotation speed, the pitch angle, the deformation rate, the acceleration, the amount of ultraviolet rays, the amount of solar radiation, the wind speed, the temperature, and / or the humidity of the blade 200 or 200A, and at least one of the terrain information, the weather information, and the position information is a reference value, but are not limited thereto. The above-described part can mean the blade 200 or 200A, at least one component included in the rotor 130, at least one component included in the nacelle 140, and / or at least one component included in the tower 120, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] The measured object and the measured value, the control object and the control value corresponding to the position information, the terrain information, the weather information, and the part state can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A. According to various embodiments, the measured object and the measured value, the control object and the control value corresponding to the position information, the terrain information, the weather information, and the part state can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A in the form of a fifth lookup table LUT5.

[0101] For example, when the vibration of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the first measuring device and the state of the part is measured by the second measuring device, the controller 500 or 500A can read, select, or retrieve the first pitch angle PA3, the first leading edge control value LE3, and / or the first trailing edge control value TE3 from among the plurality of control values PA3, PA4, LE3, LE4, TE3, and TE4 stored in the memory 400 or 400A, using the plurality of measured values MV1 and S1 and the plurality of reference values P1, T1, and W1, as the plurality of control values CTV.

[0102] The controller 500 or 500A can generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 in response to the retrieved plurality of control values CTV. Accordingly, at least one actuator 600-1, 600-2, and / or 600-3 can control at least one of the pitch angle, the leading edge 210, and the trailing edge 230 of the blade 200 or 200A.

[0103] Referring to Figure 8 , the measurement objects and measured values, the control objects and control values corresponding to the position information, the terrain information, and the weather information can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A. According to various embodiments, the measurement objects and measured values, the control objects and control values corresponding to the position information, the terrain information, and the weather information can be stored in the memory 400 or 400A in the form of a 6th lookup table LUT6.

[0104] For example, when the number of revolutions per minute of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the first measuring device and the position of the blade 200 or 200A is measured by the second measuring device, the controller 500 or 500A can read, select, or retrieve the 14th pitch angle PA3-14, the 14th leading edge control value LE3-14, and / or the 14th trailing edge control value TE3-14 from among the plurality of control values PA3-1 to PA3-16, LE3-1 to LE3-16, and TE3-1 to TE3-16 stored in the memory 400 or 400A, using the plurality of measured values MV3 and BP2 and the plurality of reference values T1-4, W1-7, and P1-2, as the plurality of control values CTV.

[0105] The controller 500 or 500A can generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 in response to the retrieved plurality of control values CTV. Accordingly, at least one actuator 600-1, 600-2, and / or 600-3 can control at least one of the pitch angle, the leading edge 210, and the trailing edge 230 of the blade 200 or 200A.

[0106] Referring to Figures 3 to 8, it is explained that the measured object and measured value, reference value, and control object and control value stored in each lookup table (LUT1 to LUT6, collectively LUT), but in the controller 500 or 500A, the value not stored in each lookup table LUT1 to LUT6 can interpolate a plurality of control values adjacent to generate a control signal (CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3, collectively CTRL). For example, with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 When the measured value MSR exists between a plurality of measured values M1 and M2, the controller 500 or 500A retrieves a plurality of pitch angles PA1 and PA2 corresponding to the plurality of measured values M1 and M2, and interpolates the plurality of pitch angles PA1 and PA2 to generate the first control signal CTRL1.

[0107] Referring again to Figure 2 , the first actuator 600-1 can adjust the pitch angle of the blade 200A based on the first control signal CTRL1.

[0108] The pitch angle can increase or decrease the lift force generated in the blade 200A. For example, when the wind speed increases, the lift force generated in the blade 200A increases, although the power generation amount of the wind power generator 100A increases, the load applied to the wind power generator 100A also increases, and thus in order to reduce the load while maintaining the power generation amount as prescribed, the pitch angle can be adjusted in a direction to reduce the area of the blade 200A receiving the wind.

[0109] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 14 , the second actuator 600-2 adjusts the open and shut of the leading edge 210, the gap GAP1 between the leading edge 210 and the blade 200A, or the angle ANG1 between the leading edge 210 and the blade 200A in response to the second control signal CTRL2 to deform the three-dimensional shape of the blade 200A.

[0110] When the wind power generator 100A is located in a region where the wind is less, if the leading edge 210 is opened, the density of fluid flow between the leading edge 210 and the blade 200A increases through the venturi effect, the pressure received by the blade 200A increases, and thus the lift force increases. Therefore, since the rotational speed of the blade 200A increases, the leading edge 210 can perform a function of collecting much wind around the wind power generator 100A. Also, there is an effect that the load of the wind power generator 100A or the blade 200A decreases as the leading edge 210 is opened more. Therefore, unlike when the pitch angle is adjusted, if the lift force increases, the load of the wind power generator 100A or the blade 200A decreases.

[0111] Referring to Figure 2 andFigure 15 The third actuator 600-3 adjusts the opening and closing of the trailing edge 230, the gap GAP2 between the trailing edge 230 and the blade 200A, or the angle ANG2 between the trailing edge 230 and the blade 200A based on the third control signal CTRL3, which can deform the three-dimensional shape of the blade 200A.

[0112] The faster the fluid velocity, the more turbulence is generated in the blade 200A. The trailing edge 230 reduces the turbulence and directs the propeller wash, wake stream, or slip stream toward other wind turbines. Therefore, it has the effect of increasing the energy conversion efficiency of other wind turbines.

[0113] Figure 2 Four trailing edges 230 are shown, but the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the configuration and number of multiple trailing edges 230. Furthermore, Figure 2 One leading edge 210 is shown, but the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the configuration and number of leading edges 210.

[0114] Figure 13 express Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 or Figure 12 The turbine structure shown. Figure 13 As shown, the blade 200A includes several attachable and detachable parts (A, B, C, and D), each of which may include a closed space (a, b, c, and d) for storing a gas lighter than air or a substance with a density less than that of a fluid (air or water) acting as an external force on the blade 200A.

[0115] Therefore, as each of the sealed spaces a, b, c, and d is realized in the blade 200A, the weight of the blade 200A is reduced, thus reducing the load applied to the wind turbine 100A. Each sealed space a, b, c, and d may include injection ports 250-1, 250-3, 250-5, and 250-7 for injecting the aforementioned gas or substance.

[0116] Figure 9 To indicate Figure 1 A diagram of another embodiment of the energy conversion device shown. (Refer to...) Figure 9 , Figure 1The wind power generator 100B of another embodiment of the energy conversion device 100 can include the blade 200A, the measurement device 300A, the memory 400B, the controller 500B, and the plurality of actuators 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3.

[0117] Figure 9 The structure and function of the blade 200A are the same as or similar to those of the blade 200 of Figure 2 The structure and function of the blade 200A are the same as or similar to those of the blade 200 of Figure 9 The structure and function of the measurement device 300A are the same as or similar to those of the measurement device 300 of Figure 2 The structure and function of the measurement device 300A are the same as or similar to those of the measurement device 300 of Figure 9 The structure and function of each of the actuators 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3 are the same as or similar to those of the actuators 600 of Figure 2 The structure and function of each of the actuators 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3 are the same as or similar to those of the actuators 600 of Figure 9 The memory 400B corresponds to the memory 400A of Figure 2 The memory 400B corresponds to the memory 400A of Figure 9 The controller 500B corresponds to the controller 500A of Figure 2 The controller 500B corresponds to the controller 500A of

[0118] The memory 400B can store a fluid dynamics simulation program 430. The controller 500B reads the fluid dynamics simulation program 430 from the memory 400B, and can execute the read fluid dynamics simulation program 430. The controller 500B can use the fluid dynamics simulation program 430 to generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 corresponding to the measurement value MSR output from the measurement device 300A.

[0119] The energy conversion device 100B that converts mechanical energy obtained from fluid flow into electrical energy includes a blade 200A, a measurement device 300A that measures a reaction of the blade 200A when external force is applied to the blade 200A by the fluid flow, generates one or more measurement values corresponding to the measured result, a controller 500B that generates at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 using the one or more measurement values output from the measurement device 300A, and at least one actuator 600-1, 600-2, and / or 600-3 that deforms a three-dimensional shape of the blade 200A in response to the at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 output from the controller 500B. Here, the fluid dynamics simulation program can mean firmware, software, a program, or a simulation program.

[0120] The memory 400B can store a fluid dynamics simulation program, such as a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program or finite element method (FEM) software. The controller 500B activates the CFD program 430 stored in the memory 400B, and causes the CFD program 430 to generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 using one or more measurement values output from the measurement device 300A.

[0121] The memory 400B can store one of the plurality of lookup tables LUT1 to LUT6 described above in addition to the fluid dynamics simulation program 430. Figures 3 to 8

[0122] The controller 500B can receive at least one of weather information around the energy conversion device 100B, topographical information of a site where the energy conversion device 100B is installed, and positional information about a position where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device 100B is installed, through the receiver 700. The fluid dynamics simulation program 430 can generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 using the at least one and one or more measurement values output from the measurement device 300A. According to an embodiment, the fluid dynamics simulation program 430 can generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 using one of the plurality of lookup tables LUT1 to LUT6 stored in the memory 400B and one or more measurement values output from the measurement device 300A.

[0123] The plurality of measurement devices included in the measurement device 300A can measure one of the plurality of measurement targets described above and a position of the blade 200A, respectively, and generate a plurality of measurement values corresponding to the measurement results. The controller 500B or the fluid dynamics simulation program 430 can generate at least one control signal CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3 using the plurality of measurement values output from the plurality of measurement devices. Figure 4 Each of the actuators 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3 can deform a three-dimensional shape of the blade 200A in response to each of the control signals CTRL1, CTRL2, and CTRL3, by controlling a pitch angle of the blade 200A, a control of the leading edge 210, and a control of the trailing edge 230.

[0124]

[0125] A conceptual diagram of an energy conversion system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 Figure 10 ​​The energy conversion system 10 can be an energy harvesting system including a plurality of energy conversion devices (e.g., a plurality of wind power generators: 100-1 and 100-2). The energy conversion system 10 can be an embodiment of a wind farm, which can mean a group of a plurality of wind turbines (or a plurality of wind blades) used for power generation.

[0126] Referring to Figure 10 , the energy harvesting system or the energy conversion system 10 can include a first wind power generator 100-1, a second wind power generator 100-2, and a measurer 20. The measurer 20 refers to a device that can measure wind power and wind speed.

[0127] The measurer 20 generates a wind power value WIND by measuring wind power, and can transmit the generated wind power value WIND to a controller 50. According to an embodiment, weather information (or meteorological information) output from an artificial satellite or a lighthouse can be transmitted to a receiver 70.

[0128] Instead of the measuring device 300A, the measurer 20 is provided, and otherwise, the structure of each wind power generator 100-1 and 100-2 is the same as or similar to that of the wind power generator 100A or 100B shown in Figure 2 or Figure 9 That is, each wind power generator 100-1 and 100-2 includes a tower, a rotor, a nacelle, and a plurality of blades, which can each include at least one leading edge and / or at least one trailing edge.

[0129] Each actuator (600-1, 600-2, and 600-3, collectively 60) for controlling the pitch angle of each blade, each leading edge 210, and each trailing edge 230 of each wind power generator 100-1 and 100-2 can be included in each wind power generator 100-1 and 100-2.

[0130] A control center that controls the operation of each wind power generator 100-1 and 100-2 includes a memory 40, a controller 50, and a receiver 70.

[0131] The first wind power generator 100-1 includes a plurality of first blades 200-1 and a plurality of first actuators corresponding to each of the actuators 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3, each of which adjusts the pitch angle, the leading edge, and the trailing edge of each of the first blades 200-1 in response to each control signal (corresponding to CTRL1, CTRL2, and CTRL3, collectively CTRL) output from the controller 50, and deforms the three-dimensional shape of each of the first blades 200-1.

[0132] The second wind power generator 100-2 includes a plurality of second blades 200-2 and a plurality of second actuators, each of the second actuators corresponding to each of the actuators 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3, each of the second actuators 600-1, 600-2, and 600-3 deforming a three-dimensional shape of each of the second blades 200-2 in response to each of the control signals (corresponding to CTRL1, CTRL2, and CTRL3, and collectively CTRL) output from the controller 50, controlling a pitch angle, a leading edge, and a trailing edge of each of the second blades 200-2.

[0133] The memory 40 can store control objects and control values corresponding to input values to be referred to Figure 11 as will be described below.

[0134] The controller 50 reads a first control value from among the plurality of control values stored in the memory 40 in response to the wind value WIND output from the measurer 20, and generates the control signal CTRL in response to the read first control value. At least one of the plurality of first actuators deforms a three-dimensional shape of at least one of the plurality of first blades 200-1 in response to the control signal CTRL output from the controller 50.

[0135] The plurality of control values stored in the memory each have a different value according to at least one of meteorological information around each of the wind power generators 100-1 and 100-2, topographical information of a site where each of the wind power generators 100-1 and 100-2 is installed, and positional information about a position where each of the wind power generators 100-1 and 100-2 is installed.

[0136] The controller 50 can store the meteorological information, the topographical information, and / or the positional information received through the receiver 70 in the memory 40.

[0137] One of the plurality of first actuators adjusts a pitch angle of each of the first blades 200-1 in response to the control signal CTRL, deforming a three-dimensional shape of each of the first blades 200-1. Another of the plurality of first actuators deforms a three-dimensional shape of each of the first blades 200-1 in response to the control signal CTRL, adjusting at least one of opening and closing of a leading edge, a gap between the leading edge and each of the first blades 200-1, and an angle ANG1 between the leading edge and each of the first blades 200-1.

[0138] Another of the plurality of first actuators deforms a three-dimensional shape of each of the first blades 200-1 in response to the control signal CTRL, adjusting at least one of opening and closing of a trailing edge, a gap between the trailing edge and each of the first blades 200-1, and an angle between the trailing edge and each of the first blades 200-1.

[0139] Figure 11 indicates Figure 10An example of multiple controlled objects and multiple control values ​​stored in a memory is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 10 and Figure 11 Wind force values, input values, and control objects and control values ​​can be stored in memory 40. According to an embodiment, control objects and control values ​​corresponding to wind force values, location information, terrain information, and meteorological information can be stored in memory 40 in the form of lookup table 7 (LUT7).

[0140] For example, when the wind force value WIND output from the measuring device 20 is the first wind force value WIND1, the controller 50 can use the measured value WIND1 and multiple input values ​​T1-2, W1-4 and P1-2 to read, select or retrieve the eighth pitch angle PA3-8, the eighth leading edge control value LE3-8 and / or the eighth trailing edge control value TE3-8 from multiple control values ​​PA3-1 to PA3-16, LE3-1 to LE3-16 and TE3-1 to TE3-16 stored in the memory 40 as multiple control values ​​CTV.

[0141] In response to the retrieved plurality of control values ​​CTV, controller 50 can generate at least one control signal (CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3, collectively CTRL). Thus, at least one first actuator can control at least one of the pitch angle, leading edge, and trailing edge of the first blade 200-1.

[0142] Furthermore, when the wind force value WIND output from the measuring device 20 is the first wind force value WIND1, the controller 50 can use the measured value WIND1 and multiple input values ​​T1-1, W1-1 and P1-1 to read, select or retrieve the first pitch angle PA3-1, the first leading edge control value LE3-1 and / or the first trailing edge control value TE3-1 from multiple control values ​​PA3-1~PA3-16, LE3-1~LE3-16 and TE3-1~TE3-16 stored in the memory 40 as multiple control values ​​CTV.

[0143] In response to a plurality of retrieved control values ​​CTV, controller 50 can generate at least one control signal (CTRL1, CTRL2, and / or CTRL3, collectively CTRL). Thus, at least one first actuator can control at least one of the pitch angles, leading edges, and trailing edges of the first blade 200-1.

[0144] Figure 12 A conceptual diagram illustrating an energy conversion system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Besides the measuring device 20, Figure 12 The structure and operation of the energy conversion system 10-1 Figure 10 The structure and operation of the energy conversion system 10 are the same or similar.

[0145] Further, the plurality of control values stored in the memory 40-1 do not include the wind force value WIND measured by the measurer 20.

[0146] The controller 50 can store at least one INV in the memory 40-1 by receiving at least one INV from the meteorological information around each wind power generator 100-1 and 100-2, the topographical information of the site where each wind power generator 100-1 and 100-2 is installed, and the positional information about the position where each wind power generator 100-1 and 100-2 is installed through the receiver 70.

[0147] Referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12 , the controller 50 can read, select, or search for the 1st pitch angle PA3-1, the 1st leading edge control value LE3-1, and / or the 1st trailing edge control value TE3-1 as the plurality of control values CTV from among the plurality of control values PA3-1 to PA3-16, LE3-1 to LE3-16, and TE3-1 to TE3-16 stored in the memory 40 using the plurality of input values T1-1, W1-1, and P1-1.

[0148] Figure 16 To explain Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 9 the flowchart of the operation of the energy conversion device. Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 9 and Figure 16 , the operation method of the energy conversion device 100 that converts mechanical energy obtained from fluid flow into electrical energy, when the above fluid flow applies an external force to the blade 200, the measurer 300 measures the reaction of the blade 200, generates a measurement value corresponding to the measurement result (S110).

[0149] The controller 500 reads the 1st control value from among the plurality of control values stored in the memory 400 in response to the above measurement value output from the measurer 300, and generates a control signal CTRL using the above 1st control value (S130). The actuator 600 deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade 200 in response to the control signal CTRL output from the controller 500 (S150).

[0150] The above control values stored in the memory 400 each have a different value according to at least one of the meteorological information around the energy conversion device 100, the topographical information of the site where the energy conversion device 100 is installed, and the positional information about the position where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device 100 is installed.

[0151] Figure 17 To explain Figure 10 or Figure 12A flowchart of the operation of the energy conversion system shown. Referring to Figure 10 , Figure 12 and Figure 17 , the controller 50 receives at least one of weather information, terrain information and position information through the receiver 70, stores the received at least one in the memory 40 or 40-1 (S210).

[0152] The controller 50 reads the first control value among the plurality of control values stored in the memory 40 or 40-1 in response to the at least one, generates the control signal CTRL using the read first control value (S230). The actuator 60 deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal CTRL output from the controller 50 (S250).

[0153] As Figures 1 to 17 explained above, the energy conversion device 100 that converts mechanical energy obtained from fluid flow (or flow of fluid) into electric energy includes a blade 200 or 200A, a plurality of measuring devices 300, a memory 400, a controller 500 and an actuator 600. The plurality of measuring devices 300 measure the reaction of the blade 200 or 200A when the above fluid flow applies an external force to the blade 200 or 200A, and generate a plurality of measurement values corresponding to the measured results.

[0154] As explained with reference to Figures 3 to 8 and Figure 11 , the memory 400 stores a plurality of control values corresponding to the combination of a plurality of first values indicating the internal environment of the energy conversion device 100 and a plurality of second values indicating the external environment of the energy conversion device 100.

[0155] The controller 500 reads one of the plurality of control values from the memory 400 in response to the plurality of measurement values output from the measuring device 300, and generates the control signal CTRL in response to the read one of the control values.

[0156] The actuator 600 deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade 200 or 200A in response to the control signal CTRL output from the controller 500. The memory 400 can be a cache memory built in the controller 500.

[0157] The above internal environment includes at least one of position information of the blade 200 or 200A, cumulative power generation amount of the energy conversion device 100, cumulative fatigue life of the blade 200 or 200A, cumulative ultraviolet amount of the blade 200 or 200A, and remaining life of the blade 200 or 200A, but is not limited thereto, and the measurement object explained with reference to Figures 3 to 8 may also be included in the above internal environment.

[0158] The controller 500 or 500A can update the plurality of control values stored in each of the lookup tables LUT1 to LUT7, using an internal environment of the energy conversion device 100. For example, the controller 500 or 500A can update the plurality of control values stored in each of the lookup tables LUT1 to LUT7, using a result of prognosis, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) technique, a Context Awareness Computing technique, or a result of monitoring a cumulative power production of the energy conversion device 100 or a state of a part of the energy conversion device 100.

[0159] The external environment can include at least one of first location information about a first location where the energy conversion device 100 is installed, second location information about a second location where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device 100 is installed, weather information about at least one of the first location and the second location, and topographical information including the first location information and the second location information.

[0160] The controller 500 or 500A can update the plurality of control values stored in each of the lookup tables LUT1 to LUT7, reflecting the external environment. In the present specification, the structure and operation of the wind power generators 100A, 100B, 100-1, and 100-2 are described as an embodiment of the energy conversion device 100, but the technical idea of the present application can be applied to a tidal power generator and a wave power generator as well.

[0161] The present application is described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent embodiments can be implemented. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present application should be determined based on the technical idea of the appended claims.

[0162] Industrial applicability

[0163] The present application can be applied to an energy conversion device, a wind power generation system including the energy conversion device, and an operation method of the energy conversion device.

Claims

1. An energy conversion device for converting mechanical energy obtained from a fluid flow into electrical energy, characterized in that, including: a blade; a first measuring device that measures a reaction of the blade when a fluid flow applies an external force to the blade, and generates a first measurement value corresponding to the measurement result; a storage that stores a plurality of control values; a controller that reads a first control value from among the plurality of control values from the storage in response to the first measurement value output from the first measuring device, and generates a control signal using the first control value; and an actuator that deforms a three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal output from the controller, the blade includes a plurality of detachable parts, and the blade includes a sealable sealed space, a substance having a density smaller than that of a fluid acting as the external force on the blade is stored in the plurality of detachable parts.

2. The energy conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the blade includes a first blade and a second blade, the energy conversion device further includes a second measuring device that measures positions of the first blade and the second blade respectively, and generates a second measurement value corresponding to the measurement result, the controller reads a second control value from among the plurality of control values from the storage in response to the first measurement value output from the first measuring device and the second measurement value output from the second measuring device, and generates the control signal using the second control value. The fluid flow is generated from wind, tidal current, or wave.

3. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein, The blade includes a plurality of detachable parts.

4. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein, At least one of the plurality of parts includes the sealable sealed space.

5. The energy conversion device of claim 4, wherein, The first measurement value includes at least one of a restoring force of the blade, an elastic force of the blade, an aeroelasticity of the blade, a fatigue load of the blade, a vibration of the blade, a deformation force of the blade, a gravity of the blade, a buoyancy of the blade, a rotation speed of the blade, a pitch angle of the blade, a deformation rate of the blade, an acceleration of the blade, an ultraviolet amount of the blade, a solar radiation amount of the blade, a speed of the fluid flow, a temperature of the blade, and a humidity of the blade.

6. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein, The actuator adjusts the pitch angle of the blade in response to the control signal, and deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade.

7. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein, The actuator adjusts at least one of an opening and closing of a leading edge or a trailing edge, a gap between the leading edge or the trailing edge and the blade, and an angle between the leading edge or the trailing edge and the blade in response to the control signal, and deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade.

8. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein, The first control value includes different values, and the controller interpolates the different values and generates the control signal based on the interpolation result.

9. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of control values stored in the storage each have different values based on at least one of meteorological information around the energy conversion device, topographical information of a site where the energy conversion device is installed, and positional information about a position where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device is installed.

10. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein, including:

11. An energy conversion device for converting mechanical energy obtained from a fluid flow into electrical energy, characterized in that a blade; a measuring device that measures a reaction of the blade when a fluid flow applies an external force to the blade, and generates a first measurement value corresponding to the measurement result; ​ a controller generates a control signal using the first measurement value output from the first measurement device; and an actuator deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal output from the controller, the blade includes detachable portions, and the blade includes a sealable sealed space, in the detachable portions, a substance having a density less than that of a fluid acting as an external force on the blade is stored.

12. The energy conversion device according to claim 11, further comprising a memory storing a computational fluid dynamics program, the controller activates the fluid dynamics program stored in the memory to cause the fluid dynamics program to generate the control signal using the first measurement value. the controller generates the control signal using at least one of meteorological information around the energy conversion device, topographical information of a site where the energy conversion device is installed, and positional information about a position where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device is installed, and the first measurement value.

13. The energy conversion device of claim 11, wherein, 14. The energy conversion device according to claim 11, wherein the blade includes a first blade and a second blade, the energy conversion device further includes a second measurement device that measures positions of the first blade and the second blade respectively to generate a second measurement value corresponding to the measurement results, the controller generates the control signal using the first measurement value output from the first measurement device and the second measurement value output from the second measurement device. the actuator deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal by controlling a pitch angle, an opening and closing of a leading edge, or an opening and closing of a trailing edge of the blade.

15. The energy conversion device of claim 11, wherein, including:

16. An energy conversion device for converting mechanical energy obtained from a fluid flow into electrical energy, characterized in that a blade; a plurality of measurement devices that measure a reaction of the blade when a fluid flowing toward the blade applies an external force to the blade to generate a plurality of measurement values corresponding to the measurement results; a memory that stores a plurality of control values corresponding to a combination of a plurality of first values indicating an internal environment of the energy conversion device and a plurality of second values indicating an external environment of the energy conversion device; a controller that reads one of the plurality of control values from the memory in response to the plurality of measurement values output from the plurality of measurement devices to generate a control signal in response to the read one of the control values; an actuator that deforms the three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal output from the controller; and a memory that stores a computational fluid dynamics program, the controller activates the fluid dynamics program stored in the memory to cause the fluid dynamics program to generate the control signal using the first measurement value, the blade includes detachable portions, and at least one of the portions includes a sealable sealed space, in the detachable portions, a substance having a density less than that of a fluid acting as an external force on the blade is stored. the memory is a cache memory built in the controller.

17. The energy conversion device of claim 16, wherein, ​ 18. The energy conversion device of claim 16, wherein, The internal environment includes at least one of position information of the blade, cumulative power generation of the energy conversion device, cumulative fatigue life of the blade, cumulative ultraviolet radiation of the blade, and remaining life of the blade, and the external environment includes at least one of first position information about a first position where the energy conversion device is installed, second position information about a second position where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device is installed, weather information about at least one of the first position and the second position, and topographical information including the first position information and the second position information.

19. The energy conversion device of claim 16, wherein, The plurality of measurement devices includes: at least one first measurement device that measures at least one of a restoring force of the blade, an elastic force of the blade, an aeroelasticity of the blade, a fatigue load of the blade, a vibration of the blade, a deformation force of the blade, a gravity of the blade, a buoyancy of the blade, a rotational speed of the blade, a pitch angle of the blade, a deformation rate of the blade, an acceleration of the blade, an ultraviolet radiation of the blade, a solar radiation of the blade, a speed of the fluid flow, a temperature of the blade, and a humidity of the blade; and a second measurement device that measures a position of the blade.

20. The energy conversion device of claim 16, wherein, The blade includes a leading edge or a trailing edge, and the actuator deforms a three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal by controlling a pitch angle of the blade, opening and closing of the leading edge, or opening and closing of the trailing edge.

21. A wind power generation system, characterized by comprising: a first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator; a second wind power generator including a second blade; a measurer that measures wind power to output a wind power value; a storage that stores a plurality of control values; and a controller that reads a first control value of the plurality of control values from the storage in response to the wind power value output from the measurer, generates a control signal in response to the read first control value, the first actuator deforms a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller, the first blade and the second blade include detachable portions, and the first blade and the second blade include a sealed space that is sealed, a substance having a density smaller than that of a fluid acting as an external force on the first blade and the second blade is stored in the detachable portions. The plurality of control values stored in the storage each has a different value according to at least one of weather information around the first wind power generator, topographical information of a site where the first wind power generator is installed, and position information about a position where the second wind power generator is installed.

22. The wind power generation system according to claim 21, wherein The first actuator deforms a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal by adjusting a pitch angle of the first blade.

23. The wind power generation system according to claim 21, wherein The first actuator deforms a three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal by adjusting at least one of opening and closing of a leading edge or a trailing edge, a gap between the leading edge or the trailing edge and the blade, and an angle between the leading edge or the trailing edge and the first blade.

24. The wind power generation system according to claim 21, wherein, 25. A wind power generation system, characterized by comprising: a first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator; a second wind power generator including a second blade; a measurer that measures wind power to output a wind power value; a storage that stores a plurality of control values; and a controller that reads a first control value of the plurality of control values from the storage in response to the wind power value output from the measurer, generates a control signal in response to the read first control value, the first actuator deforms a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller, the first blade and the second blade include detachable portions, and the first blade and the second blade include a sealed space that is sealed, a substance having a density smaller than that of a fluid acting as an external force on the first blade and the second blade is stored in the detachable portions. A first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator; A second wind power generator including a second blade; A memory storing a plurality of control values; A receiver receiving at least one of weather information around the first wind power generator, topographical information of a site where the first wind power generator is installed, and position information about a position where the second wind power generator is installed; and A controller selecting a first control value among the plurality of control values from the memory in response to the at least one output from the receiver, and generating a control signal in response to the first control value, The first actuator deforming a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller, The first blade and the second blade include a plurality of detachable parts, at least one of the plurality of detachable parts including a sealable sealed space, A substance having a density less than that of a fluid acting as an external force on the first blade and the second blade is stored in the plurality of detachable parts.

26. The wind power generation system according to claim 25, wherein The first actuator adjusts a pitch angle of the first blade in response to the control signal, deforming a three-dimensional shape of the first blade.

27. The wind power generation system according to claim 25, wherein The first actuator adjusts at least one of opening and closing of a leading edge or a trailing edge, a gap between the leading edge or the trailing edge and the blade, and an angle between the leading edge or the trailing edge and the first blade in response to the control signal, deforming a three-dimensional shape of the blade.

28. A method of operating an energy conversion device that converts mechanical energy obtained from a fluid flow into electrical energy, characterized in that, including: a measuring device measuring a response of a blade when an external force is applied to the blade by a fluid flowing, and generating a measured value in response to a measurement result; a controller reading a first control value among a plurality of control values stored in a memory in response to the measured value output from the measuring device, and generating a control signal using the first control value; and an actuator deforming a three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal output from the controller, the blade including a plurality of detachable parts, the blade including a sealable sealed space, a substance having a density less than that of a fluid acting as an external force on the blade is stored in the plurality of detachable parts.

29. The method of operating an energy conversion device of claim 28, wherein, The plurality of control values stored in the memory each have a different value according to at least one of weather information around an energy conversion device, topographical information of a site where the energy conversion device is installed, and position information about a position where an energy conversion device different from the energy conversion device is installed.

30. A method of operating a wind power generation system, which is a method of operating a wind power generation system including a first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator and a second wind power generator including a second blade, characterized by, including: a measurer measuring a wind power generation wind value; a controller reading a first control value among a plurality of control values stored in a memory in response to the wind value output from the measurer, and generating a control signal using the read first control value; and the first actuator deforming a three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller, the first blade and the second blade include a plurality of detachable parts, the first blade and the second blade including a sealable sealed space, In the detachable parts, a substance having a density less than that of a fluid acting as an external force on the first and second blades is stored.

31. The method of operating a wind power system of claim 30, wherein, In the step of deforming the three-dimensional shape of the first blade, the actuator deforms the three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal by controlling the pitch angle, the opening and closing of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the blade.

32. A method of operating a wind power generation system, which is a method of operating a wind power generation system including a first wind power generator including a first blade and a first actuator and a second wind power generator including a second blade, characterized by, comprising: a step in which the controller stores a plurality of control values in a memory; a step in which the receiver receives at least one of meteorological information around the first wind power generator, topographical information of a site where the first wind power generator is installed, and positional information about a position where the second wind power generator is installed; a step in which the controller selects a first control value from among the plurality of control values stored in the memory in response to the at least one output from the receiver, and generates a control signal in response to the first control value; and a step in which the first actuator deforms the three-dimensional shape of the first blade in response to the control signal output from the controller, the first and second blades include detachable parts, at least one of the parts including a sealable sealed space, in the detachable parts, a substance having a density less than that of a fluid acting as an external force on the first and second blades is stored.

33. The method of operating a wind power system of claim 32, wherein, further comprising: a step in which the controller calculates the cumulative power generation amount of the first wind power generator; and a step in which the plurality of control values are updated respectively in accordance with the cumulative power generation amount calculated by the controller.

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