Damage detection device, damage detection system, damage detection method, and program
The damage detection device addresses the limitation of existing systems by using multiple photographic images and a machine learning model to thoroughly inspect wind turbine blades, effectively detecting both major and minor damage.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024084733
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing damage detection systems for wind turbine blades only capture the tower-side surface, failing to effectively check for damage on the entire blade, thereby increasing the risk of overlooking potential damage.
A damage detection device that utilizes multiple photographic images from different angles and distances to comprehensively assess wind turbine blades, incorporating a damage detection unit that analyzes images from both a specified wind turbine and nearby turbines using a machine learning model to identify both major and minor damage.
Reduces the risk of overlooking damage to wind turbine blades by providing a comprehensive damage detection system that identifies both visible and less apparent damage through multiple photographic perspectives.
Smart Images

Figure 2025177686000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a damage detection device, a damage detection system, a damage detection method, and a program. [Background technology]
[0002] In recent years, research and development into renewable energy has progressed, and wind power generation has been attracting attention as a power generation method that will be responsible for the next generation of energy supply.Wind power generation is carried out by wind turbines with multiple huge blades attached to huge towers 100 to 200 meters in height.Such huge wind turbines are more likely to be struck by lightning, which increases the possibility of blade damage.
[0003] For this reason, it has been proposed to install multiple imaging devices (cameras) on the wind turbine tower to photograph the blades and check for damage to the blades (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2014-504342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, in the past, even if multiple imaging devices were installed, only the tower-side surface of the blade could be photographed, which resulted in failure to check for damage to the blade.
[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to reduce the risk of overlooking damage to wind turbine blades. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The invention of claim 1 is a damage detection device that detects damage to the blades of a specified wind turbine that generates wind power, and has a damage detection unit that detects damage to the blades based on a specified photographic image obtained by a specified photographing device installed on the specified wind turbine photographing the blades, and another photographic image obtained by another photographing device installed within a specified distance of the specified wind turbine photographing the blades. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] As described above, the present disclosure has the effect of reducing the risk of overlooking damage to wind turbine blades. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a group of offshore wind turbines and a monitoring center. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power generation system. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wind turbine that generates wind power. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an electrical hardware configuration diagram of each device that constitutes the power generation system. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of each device constituting the power generation system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process for determining an imaging pattern for detecting serious damage to the blades of a lightning-struck wind turbine upon detection of a lightning strike. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the preparation process for photographing performed by the wind turbine that detected lightning and the nearest wind turbine. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a control process for timing of photographing a wind turbine when a lightning strike is detected. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting major or minor damage by the damage detection device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the process of controlling the rotation of the nacelle and blades of a lightning-struck wind turbine based on the photographic pattern for detecting damage to the details of the blades. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a predetermined wind turbine when the first shooting pattern is determined. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle of a predetermined wind turbine is stopped for each photograph in the first photographing pattern. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a predetermined wind turbine when the second shooting pattern is determined. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle of a predetermined wind turbine is stopped for each photograph in the second photographing pattern. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a predetermined wind turbine when the third shooting pattern is determined. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle of a predetermined wind turbine is stopped for each photograph in the third photographing pattern. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a predetermined wind turbine when the fourth shooting pattern is determined. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a predetermined wind turbine when the fifth shooting pattern is determined. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle of a predetermined wind turbine is stopped for each photograph in the fifth photographing pattern. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection result report. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of multiple wind turbines and transmission towers on land. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Since the drawings are intended to conceptually explain the present invention, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary to facilitate understanding.
[0011] [Outline of the wind turbines] An overview of a group of wind turbines will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a group of wind turbines and a monitoring center on the ocean.
[0012] As shown in Figure 1, a group of wind turbines G consisting of multiple wind turbines for wind power generation is installed offshore. The installation types of wind turbines include bottom-fixed types, which are installed on the seabed F when the seabed F is shallow, and floating types, which are installed floating when the seabed F is deep. Any damage to the group of wind turbines G is remotely monitored by a monitoring center C on land.
[0013] [Outline of the power generation system] An overview of the power generation system will be explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the power generation system. Note that Figure 2 shows two bottom-fixed wind turbines 2a and 2b as an example of the wind turbine group G shown in Figure 1. Wind turbines 2a and 2b are each installed on the seabed F and extend out from the sea surface L toward the sky. Wind turbines 2a and 2b are adjacent to each other in the wind turbine group G shown in Figure 1. Note that multiple wind turbines such as wind turbines 2a and 2b are collectively referred to as "wind turbine 2."
[0014] The wind turbines 2 supply the electricity generated by wind power generation to the land side via submarine power cables 28 installed on the seabed F. In this case, the electricity is supplied to the power grid via a substation installed offshore or on land.
[0015] Furthermore, a wind turbine monitoring device 7 and a damage detection device 9 are installed in the monitoring center C. The wind turbine monitoring device 7 and the damage detection device 9 are capable of communicating with each other, and also with the wind turbine 2 via a communication cable 29 laid on the seabed F. The communication cable 29 may be included in the submarine power cable 28. The wind turbine monitoring device 7 and the damage detection device 9 make up a wind turbine monitoring system 3.
[0016] The wind turbine monitoring device 7 has traditionally been installed in the monitoring center C, and monitors the amount of power generation and wind speed of the wind turbine 2, as well as remotely controlling the rotation of the blades and nacelle. Note that the wind turbine monitoring device 7 can also be referred to as a "wind turbine remote control device" because it remotely controls the rotation of the blades and nacelle. The wind turbine monitoring device 7 may also be configured as a wind turbine monitoring device with the function of monitoring the amount of power generation and wind speed of the wind turbine 2, and a wind turbine remote control device with the function of remotely controlling the rotation of the blades and nacelle. In this case, the wind turbine monitoring device and wind turbine remote control device are connected so that they can communicate with each other.
[0017] The damage detection device 9 is newly installed in the monitoring center C and remotely controls the shooting direction and timing of the start of shooting of the camera installed on the wind turbine 2, and detects damage to the blades of a specific wind turbine (e.g., wind turbine 2a) that has been struck by lightning based on the images captured by the camera.
[0018] [Outline of the windmill] An overview of the wind turbine 2 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a wind turbine that generates wind power. Note that the configuration of the wind turbine 2 shown in Figure 3 is one example, and the wind turbine 2 is not limited to this configuration.
[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, the wind turbine 2 is composed of, from the bottom up, a foundation 21 installed on the seabed F, a base (platform) 22 located on the sea surface L, a tower 23, and a nacelle 24. The height of the wind turbine 2 is usually 100 m to 200 m.
[0020] An anemometer 26 is provided on top of the nacelle 24. A hub 27 is rotatably attached to one end (front end) of the nacelle 24. A plurality of blades 31c, 31b, 31c (three in FIG. 3) are attached to the hub 27. The blades 31c, 31b, 31c are collectively referred to as "blades 31."
[0021] A yaw drive device 25 is provided at the upper end of the tower 23 to rotate the orientation (direction) of the hub 27, the blades 31, or the nacelle 24 in accordance with the wind direction.
[0022] The nacelle 24 is also provided with a main shaft (rotor shaft) 41 that transmits the rotation of the hub 27 based on the rotation of the blades 31. The nacelle 24 is further provided with a gearbox 42, a brake device 43, and a generator 44 via the main shaft 41.
[0023] The speed increaser 42 uses gears to increase the rotation speed of the main shaft 41 to a rotation speed at which the generator 44 can generate electricity. The speed increaser 42 is not necessarily required. The brake device 43 is a device that stops the main shaft 41 in the event of a sudden wind gust, inspection, a lightning strike, etc. The generator 44 converts the rotational energy generated by the rotation of the main shaft 41 into electrical energy.
[0024] Furthermore, a wind turbine control device 6 is installed in the nacelle 24. The wind turbine control device 6 controls the yaw drive device 25, the speed increaser 42, the brake device 43, and the like.
[0025] Lightning rods 32a, 32b, and 32c are provided at the tips of blades 31a, 31b, and 31c, respectively. Conductors 33a, 33b, and 33c are provided inside blades 31a, 31b, and 31c, respectively, for conducting electricity from lightning that strikes lightning rods 32a, 32b, and 32c. Conductors 33a, 33b, and 33c are connected to a conductor 33d that runs through tower 23 to foundation 21. This allows lightning electricity to flow from conductors 33a, 33b, and 33c through conductor 33d to foundation 21, allowing the electricity from lightning to escape from foundation 21 to the seabed F.
[0026] Furthermore, lightning detection devices 34a, 34b, and 34c are provided on blades 31a, 31b, and 31c, respectively. Furthermore, lightning detection device 34d is provided at a position close to base 22 of tower 23. Lightning detection devices 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d are collectively referred to as "lightning detection device 34." Lightning detection device 34 detects the lightning current flowing through wind turbine 2 by integrating the voltage induced in the coil, and sends the detection result (presence or absence of lightning) to wind turbine control device 6.
[0027] Furthermore, a power converter 46, which is an inverter, is provided in the base 22 portion of the tower 23, and receives the DC current output from the generator 44 via a power cable 45 provided in the tower 23. The power converter 46 converts the DC current into AC current and supplies it to the power grid via the submarine power cable 28.
[0028] Meanwhile, on the part of the base 22 outside the tower 23, there are provided an imaging device (camera) 51 for photographing the blades 31 of the own wind turbine or the blades 31 of other wind turbines, and a drive device 52 for changing the imaging direction (up, down, left, right) of the imaging device 51. The imaging direction of the imaging device 51 is changed by the control of the drive device 52 by the imaging control device 8. It should be noted that "up, down, left, right" refers to at least one of the above directions.
[0029] Similarly, provided on the base 22 outside the tower 23 are a lighting device (light) 53 for irradiating illumination light onto the blades 31 of the wind turbine itself or onto the blades 31 of other wind turbines, and a drive device 54 for changing the lighting direction (up, down, left, right) of the lighting device 53. The lighting direction of the lighting device 53 is changed by the control of the drive device 54 by the photography control device 8.
[0030] The wind turbine control device 6 can communicate with the wind turbine monitoring device 7 in the monitoring center C shown in Fig. 2 via a communication cable 29. Furthermore, the photography control device 8 can communicate with the damage detection device 9 in the monitoring center C shown in Fig. 2 via a communication cable 29. The wind turbine monitoring device 7 and photography control device 8 in the monitoring center C can communicate with each other.
[0031] [Electrical hardware configuration of each device constituting the power generation system] Next, the electrical hardware of each device (wind turbine control device 6, wind turbine monitoring device 7, photography control device 8, damage detection device 9) that constitutes the power generation system 1 will be described using Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the electrical hardware configuration of each device that constitutes the power generation system.
[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the wind turbine control device 6 includes a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a processor 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, an input device 1007, an output device 1008, etc., all of which are interconnected by a bus 1010.
[0033] A program for realizing processing on the computer is provided by a recording medium 1001 such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. When the recording medium 1001 storing the program is set in the drive device 1000, the program is installed from the recording medium 1001 to the auxiliary storage device 1002 via the drive device 1000. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 1001, but may be downloaded from another computer via the communication network 100. The auxiliary storage device 1002 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, etc.
[0034] When an instruction to start a program is received, the memory device 1003 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 1002 and stores it. The processor 1004 realizes functions related to the device in accordance with the program stored in the memory device 1003. The processor 1004 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but the processor 1004 may also include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).
[0035] The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting to a communication network, etc. The display device 1006 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) etc. according to a program. The input device 1007 is composed of a keyboard, mouse, buttons, a touch panel, etc., and is used to input various operation instructions. The output device 1008 outputs the calculation results to the outside.
[0036] The wind turbine monitoring device 7, the photography control device 8, and the damage detection device 9 have the same hardware configuration as the wind turbine control device 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0037] [Functional configuration of each device constituting the power generation system] Next, the functional configuration of each device (wind turbine control device 6, wind turbine monitoring device 7, photography control device 8, damage detection device 9) that makes up power generation system 1 will be described using Figure 5. Note that wind turbine control system 1a is made up of wind turbine control device 6 provided in wind turbine 2 and wind turbine monitoring device 7 provided in monitoring center C. Furthermore, damage detection system 1b is made up of photography control device 8 provided in wind turbine 2 and damage detection device 9 provided in monitoring center C. Furthermore, as explained in Figure 2, wind turbine monitoring system 3 is made up of wind turbine monitoring device 7 and damage detection device 9.
[0038] <Functional configuration of wind turbine control device> 5, the wind turbine control device 6 has a communication unit 61, a lightning detection unit 63, and a rotation control unit 65. Each of these units has a function realized by an operation commanded by a CPU 1004 in accordance with a program installed in the wind turbine control device 6. The wind turbine control device 6 also has a storage unit 60 realized by an auxiliary storage device 1002 or a memory device 1003.
[0039] (Each functional configuration) The communication unit 61 serves as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and communicates with the wind turbine monitoring device 7 from the interface device 1005 via the communication network 100. Note that the communication network 100 includes the communication cable 29, but may also include not only the communication cable 29 but also the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), etc.
[0040] The lightning strike detection unit 63 detects whether or not a lightning strike has occurred by acquiring a result of lightning strike detection from the lightning strike detection device 34 shown in FIG.
[0041] The rotation control unit 65 controls the yaw drive device 25 to rotate the orientation (direction) of the hub 27, the blades 31, or the nacelle 24.
[0042] <Functional configuration of the wind turbine monitoring device> 5, the wind turbine monitoring device 7 has a communication unit 71, a reception unit 72, and a display control unit 74. Each of these units has a function that is realized by an operation commanded by a CPU 1004 in accordance with a program installed in the wind turbine monitoring device 7. The wind turbine monitoring device 7 also has a storage unit 70 that is realized by an auxiliary storage device 1002 or a memory device 1003.
[0043] (Each functional configuration) The communication unit 71 serves as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and communicates with both the wind turbine control device 6 and the damage detection device 9 via the interface device 1005 and the communication network 100 .
[0044] The reception unit 72 receives operation input from a user (here, a monitor at the monitoring center C).
[0045] The display control unit 74 controls the display device 1006 to display various characters and images.
[0046] <Functional configuration of the imaging control device> 5, the imaging control device 8 has a communication unit 81, an imaging direction control unit 85, and an imaging start control unit 86. Each of these units has a function realized by an operation commanded by a CPU 1004 in accordance with a program installed in the imaging control device 8. The imaging control device 8 also has a storage unit 80 realized by an auxiliary storage device 1002 or a memory device 1003.
[0047] (Each functional configuration) The communication unit 81 serves as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and communicates with the damage detection device 9 from the interface device 1005 via the communication network 100.
[0048] The imaging direction control unit 85 controls the imaging direction of the imaging device 51 by controlling the drive device 52. The imaging direction control unit 85 also controls the driving device 54 in conjunction with the control of the drive device 52, thereby controlling the lighting direction of the lighting device 53.
[0049] The photography start control unit 86 controls the start of photography (release) by the photography device 51 based on a notification from the damage detection device 9 to start photography.
[0050] <Functional configuration of the damage detection device> 5, the damage detection device 9 has a communication unit 91, a reception unit 92, a display control unit 94, a determination unit 96, a damage detection unit 97, and a creation unit 98. Each of these units has a function realized by an operation commanded by a CPU 1004 in accordance with a program installed in the damage detection device 9. The damage detection device 9 also has a storage unit 90 realized by an auxiliary storage device 1002 or a memory device 1003.
[0051] (Shooting pattern DB) An imaging pattern DB (Data Base) 90a is stored in the storage unit 90. This imaging pattern DB 90a manages imaging patterns determined according to the positions and numbers of other wind turbines installed within a predetermined distance (for example, a radius of 250 m) from a specific wind turbine that has been struck by lightning. The imaging patterns will be explained in detail later.
[0052] (machine learning model) The memory unit 90 also stores a machine learning model 90b that the damage detection unit 97 uses to detect blade damage. This machine learning model 90b is a trained model that has been trained using input data, which are images showing various blade damage states, and ground truth data that indicates damage results. The damage results include major (first level) damage detection and detailed (second level) damage detection.
[0053] Serious damage is damage that is clearly visible to a person looking at the blades 31 of the offshore wind turbine 2 from land, such as when the blades 31 are broken or burned, or when cracks have appeared in the blades 31. The second level indicates damage that is less than the first level and greater than a predetermined standard. Minor damage is damage that is difficult to see when a person looks at the blades 31 of the offshore wind turbine 2 from land, such as when the blades 31 are scratched or scorched.
[0054] (Each functional configuration) The communication unit 91 serves as a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and communicates with both the wind turbine monitoring device 7 and the photography control device 8 from the interface device 1005 via the communication network 100.
[0055] The reception unit 92 receives operation input from a user (here, a monitor at the monitoring center C).
[0056] The display control unit 94 controls the display device 1006 to display various characters and images.
[0057] When lightning is detected at a specific wind turbine, the determination unit 96 identifies the specific wind turbine that has been struck by lightning based on the lightning strike notification sent by the wind turbine control device 6 of the specific wind turbine, and then refers to the imaging pattern DB 90a to identify other wind turbines that correspond to the specific wind turbine and to determine a specific imaging pattern for identifying the imaging direction of the specific imaging device 51 and the imaging direction of the other imaging devices 51. After determining the imaging pattern in the case of detecting serious damage to the blades 31 of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2 (see S15), the determination unit 96 may, in some cases, determine the imaging pattern in the case of detecting minor damage to the blades 31 of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2 (see S41).
[0058] The damage detection unit 97 uses the machine learning model 90b to detect serious damage to the blades 31 of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2 (see S112), and in some cases uses the machine learning model 90b to detect minor damage to the blades 31 of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2 (see S116).
[0059] The creation unit 98 creates a detection result report indicating that there is serious damage when serious damage (first level damage) is detected by the damage detection unit 97. Furthermore, the creation unit 98 creates a detection result report indicating that there is minor damage when minor damage (second level damage) is detected by the damage detection unit 97.
[0060] [Processing or Operation of This Embodiment] Next, the processing or operation of this embodiment will be described using Figures 6 to 20. Here, a case will be described in which the wind turbine 2a shown in Figure 2 is struck by lightning, and the camera device 51 of the wind turbine 2a and the camera device 51 of the wind turbine 2b installed within a predetermined distance from the wind turbine 2a photograph the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a. The wind turbine 2a is provided with a wind turbine control device 6a, which is an example of the wind turbine control device 6, and a camera control device 8a, which is an example of the camera control device 8. The wind turbine 2b is provided with a wind turbine control device 6b, which is an example of the wind turbine control device 6, and a camera control device 8b, which is an example of the camera control device 8.
[0061] The wind turbine 2a is an example of a predetermined wind turbine, and the wind turbine 2b is an example of another wind turbine. The imaging control device 8a is an example of a predetermined imaging control device, and the imaging control device 8b is an example of another imaging control device.
[0062] Furthermore, wind turbine control system 1a is formed by wind turbine monitoring device 7 and wind turbine control devices 6a and 6b. Damage detection system 1b is formed by damage detection device 9 and photography control devices 8a and 8b. Furthermore, photography system 1c is formed by photography control devices 8a and 8b. This photography system 1c includes the devices of wind turbine 2a controlled by photography control device 8a (photography device 51a, drive device 52a, lighting device 53a, and drive device 54a), and the devices of wind turbine 2b controlled by photography control device 8b (photography device 51b, drive device 52b, lighting device 53b, and drive device 54b).
[0063] The photographing devices 51a and 51b are examples of the photographing device 51, and the driving devices 52a and 52b are examples of the driving device 52. Furthermore, the lighting devices 53a and 53b are examples of the lighting device 53, and the driving devices 54a and 54b are examples of the driving device 54. The photographing device 51a is an example of a predetermined photographing device, and the photographing device 51b is an example of another photographing device. The driving device 52a is an example of a predetermined driving device, and the driving device 52b is an example of another driving device.
[0064] <Photography pattern for detecting serious damage> First, the process of determining the photography pattern for detecting serious damage to the blades of a lightning-struck wind turbine by detecting a lightning strike will be described using Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the process of determining the photography pattern for detecting serious damage to the blades of a lightning-struck wind turbine by detecting a lightning strike.
[0065] S11: First, when lightning strikes the wind turbine 2a, the lightning strike detection unit 63 of the wind turbine control device 6a acquires a detection result from the lightning strike detection device 34 indicating that lightning has struck, thereby detecting the lightning strike.
[0066] S12: When the lightning detection unit 63 detects a lightning strike, the rotation control unit 65 of the wind turbine control device 6a controls the brake device 43 to stop the rotation of the main shaft 41, thereby urgently stopping the rotation of the blades 31 (hub 27) of the wind turbine 2a.
[0067] Under normal circumstances, the devices provided on wind turbine 2a (wind turbine control device 6a, photography control device 8a, photography device 51, drive device 52, lighting device 53, drive device 54, etc.) operate using the power generated by the rotation of blades 31 of wind turbine 2a, but when the rotation of blades 31 stops, power generation also stops, and so the operation of these devices also stops. In this case, these devices are driven by power supplied from one of the different wind turbines in wind turbine group G, including other wind turbines 2a, or from the power grid.
[0068] S13: The communication unit 61 of the wind turbine control device 6a transmits a lightning strike notification to the wind turbine monitoring device 7, indicating that lightning has struck. This lightning strike notification includes a wind turbine ID (Identification) for identifying the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a. The wind turbine ID is an example of wind turbine identification information for identifying the wind turbine. As a result, the communication unit 71 of the wind turbine monitoring device 7 receives the lightning strike notification.
[0069] S14: The communication unit 71 of the wind turbine monitoring device 7 transmits a lightning strike notification, including the wind turbine ID of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a, to the damage detection device 9. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 receives the lightning strike notification.
[0070] S15: In the damage detection device 9, the determination unit 96 identifies the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a based on the wind turbine ID of the wind turbine 2a, and then refers to the shooting pattern DB 90a to identify the wind turbine 2b (an example of another wind turbine) that will supplement the shooting of the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a, and determines a shooting pattern (an example of a predetermined shooting pattern) for detecting serious damage to identify the shooting direction of the shooting device 51a of the wind turbine 2a and the shooting direction of the shooting device 51b of the wind turbine 2b.
[0071] <Preparation for shooting> Next, the preparation process for photographing performed by the wind turbine that detected a lightning strike and the nearest wind turbine will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the preparation process for photographing performed by the wind turbine that detected a lightning strike and the nearest wind turbine.
[0072] S21: The communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 transmits to the imaging control device 8a a notification of the predetermined imaging direction of the imaging device 51a determined in step S15. As a result, the communication unit 81 of the imaging control device 8a receives the notification of the imaging direction.
[0073] S22: In the imaging control device 8a, the imaging direction control unit 85 controls the drive unit 52a, which then controls the drive unit 52a to set the imaging direction of the imaging device 51a to a predetermined imaging direction. Depending on the time of day or at all times, the imaging direction control unit 85 controls the drive unit 54a, which then controls the drive unit 54a to set the lighting direction of the lighting device 53a. The lighting direction is the same as the imaging direction.
[0074] S23: The communication unit 81 of the imaging control device 8a transmits a completion notification indicating that the setting of the imaging direction has been completed in step S22, as a response to step S21, to the damage detection device 9. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 receives the completion notification.
[0075] S24: The communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 transmits a notification of the other shooting direction of the shooting device 51b determined in step S15 to the shooting control device 8b of the wind turbine 2b that will be taking the images. As a result, the communication unit 81 of the shooting control device 8b receives the notification of the shooting direction.
[0076] S25: In the imaging control device 8b, the imaging direction control unit 85 controls the drive unit 52b, which then controls the drive unit 52b to set the imaging direction of the imaging device 51b to another imaging direction. Depending on the time of day or at all times, the imaging direction control unit 85 controls the drive unit 54b, which then controls the drive unit 54b to set the lighting direction of the lighting device 53b. The lighting direction is the same as the imaging direction.
[0077] S26: As a response to step S24, the communication unit 81 of the imaging control device 8b transmits a completion notification indicating that the imaging direction has been set in step S25 to the damage detection device 9. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 receives the completion notification.
[0078] <Shooting start process> Next, the control process for the timing of photographing a wind turbine that has detected a lightning strike will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the control process for the timing of photographing a wind turbine that has detected a lightning strike.
[0079] S31-1: The communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 transmits a notification of the start of imaging to the imaging control device 8a. As a result, the communication unit 81 of the imaging control device 8a receives the notification of the start of imaging.
[0080] S31-2: At the same time as step S31-1, the communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 transmits a notification of the start of imaging to the imaging control device 8b. As a result, the communication unit 81 of the imaging control device 8b receives the notification of the start of imaging.
[0081] S32-1: The photography start control unit 86 of the photography control device 8a controls the photography device 51a to start photography, so that the photography device 51a photographs the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a from below.
[0082] S32-2: At the same time as processing S32-1, the photography start control unit 86 of the photography control device 8b controls the photography device 51b to start photography, so that the photography device 51b photographs the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a from the front side (opposite the nacelle 24 side), etc.
[0083] S33-1: The photography start control unit 86 of the photography control device 8a acquires a predetermined photographed image obtained by photography by the photography device 51a, and the communication unit 81 of the photography control device 8a transmits the predetermined photographed image to the damage detection device 9. The predetermined photographed image also includes the wind turbine ID of the wind turbine 2a on which the photography device 51a that took the photograph is installed. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 receives the predetermined photographed image.
[0084] S33-2: The photography start control unit 86 of the photography control device 8b acquires other photographed images obtained by photography by the photography device 51b, and the communication unit 81 of the photography control device 8b transmits the other photographed images to the damage detection device 9. The other photographed images also include the wind turbine ID of the wind turbine 2b where the photography device 51b that took the photograph is installed. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 receives the other photographed images.
[0085] S34: In the damage detection device 9, the damage detection unit 97 temporarily stores in the storage unit 90 the photographed images received in steps S33-1 and S33-2.
[0086] S35: In the damage detection device 9, the damage detection unit 97 uses the machine learning model 90b to perform a process of detecting serious or minor damage.
[0087] <Serious damage detection processing> Here, the process of detecting serious damage in step S35 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the process of detecting serious or minor damage by the damage detection device.
[0088] S111: The damage detection unit 97 determines whether the type of damage detected this time is serious or minor. If this is the first damage detection after the lightning strike detection in step S11, it is determined to be "serious."
[0089] S112: The damage detection unit 97 detects serious damage to the blade 31 by inputting the specified captured image received in process S33-1 and other captured images received in process S33-2 into the trained machine learning model 90b and inferring whether or not there is serious damage.
[0090] S113: In process S113, if there is no serious damage (NO), proceed to process S41 shown in Fig. 10. In this case, even if there is no serious damage, there is a possibility that there is damage in the details, so by proceeding to process S41, damage in the details is detected.
[0091] S114: On the other hand, if serious damage is found in process S113 (YES), the creation unit 98 creates a detection result report indicating that serious damage is found. Hereafter, assuming that no serious damage is found in process S113 (NO), the description continues from process S41 shown in FIG.
[0092] <Control process for nacelle and blade rotation> FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the process of controlling the rotation of the nacelle and blades of a lightning-struck wind turbine based on the photographic pattern for detecting damage to the details of the blades.
[0093] S41: In the damage detection device 9, the determiner 96 identifies the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a based on the wind turbine ID of the wind turbine 2a, and then references the imaging pattern DB 90a to determine an imaging pattern (an example of a new imaging pattern) for detailed damage detection to identify the rotation stop angle of the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a, the rotation stop direction (azimuth) of the nacelle 24 of the wind turbine 2a, and the imaging direction of the imaging device 51a and the imaging direction of the imaging device 51b. In this case, the rotation stop angle of the blades 31 is also the rotation stop angle of the hub 27 to which the blades 31 are attached. Note that in the case of detailed damage detection, the other wind turbines for which imaging is supplemented may not be wind turbine 2b, but may be multiple wind turbines. This will be described in more detail later using Figures 11 to 19.
[0094] S42: The communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 transmits a notification of the wind turbine ID of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a, the angle at which the rotation of the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a has stopped, and the direction (orientation) at which the rotation of the nacelle 24 of the wind turbine 2a has stopped, in accordance with the new imaging pattern determined in process S41. As a result, the communication unit 71 of the wind turbine monitoring device 7 receives the notification from the damage detection device 9.
[0095] S43: The communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 identifies the wind turbine control device 6a installed in the wind turbine 2a as the transmission destination based on the wind turbine ID of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a. The communication unit 91 then transmits to the wind turbine control device 6a the notification of the rotation stop angle of the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a and the rotation stop direction (direction) of the nacelle 24 of the wind turbine 2a received in step S42. As a result, the communication unit 61 of the wind turbine control device 6a receives the notification of the rotation stop angle of the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a and the rotation stop direction (direction) of the nacelle 24 of the wind turbine 2a.
[0096] S44: In the wind turbine control device 6a, the rotation control unit 65 controls the yaw drive device 25 in accordance with the notification content of step S43. As a result, the yaw drive device 25 controls the rotation of the blades 31 (hub 27) of the wind turbine 2a, causing the blades 31 to rotate to a predetermined rotation stop angle and then stop. In addition, the yaw drive device 25 controls the rotation of the nacelle 24 of the wind turbine 2a, causing the nacelle 24 to rotate to a predetermined rotation stop direction and then stop.
[0097] In the above-described process S12, the rotation of the blades 31 was stopped urgently due to lightning strike, but in process S44, the yaw drive device 25 rotates the blades 31 (hub 27) to a predetermined rotation stop angle and then stops them so that the camera device 51a of the wind turbine 2a and the camera device 51b of the wind turbine 2b can easily photograph the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a. In process S44, at least one of the rotation of the blades 31 and the rotation of the nacelle 24 does not have to be performed.
[0098] S45: When the control of rotation in process S44 ends, the communication unit 61 of the wind turbine control device 6a sends, as a response to process S43, a notification of completion of the control of rotation of the blades 31 and the nacelle 24 to the wind turbine monitoring device 7. As a result, the communication unit 71 of the wind turbine monitoring device 7 receives this completion notification.
[0099] S46: As a response to step S42, the communication unit 71 of the wind turbine monitoring device 7 transmits to the damage detection device 9 a notification of completion of control of the rotation of the blades 31 and the nacelle 24. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the damage detection device 9 receives this completion notification.
[0100] Thereafter, in the process of detecting minor damage, similarly to the process of detecting serious damage, processes S21 to S26 shown in Fig. 7 and processes S31-1, 2 to S35 shown in Fig. 8 are performed based on the imaging pattern for detecting minor damage (the imaging direction of imaging device 51a and the imaging direction of imaging device 51b) determined in process S41. Note that if a plurality of rotation stop directions (orientations) are determined for the nacelle 24 in process S41, processes S42 to S46 shown in Fig. 10, processes S21 to S26 shown in Fig. 7, and processes S31-1, 2 to S35 shown in Fig. 8 are performed each time control is performed in each rotation stop direction.
[0101] <Multiple shooting patterns> Here, the plurality of shooting patterns determined in step S41 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0102] (First shooting pattern) Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a predetermined wind turbine when the first photography pattern is selected. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle of the predetermined wind turbine is stopped for each photography in the first photography pattern.
[0103] In the first photographing pattern, when there is one other wind turbine, the rotation stop direction of the nacelle 24 shown in the new photographing pattern shows four rotation stop directions at intervals of approximately 90 degrees for each photograph.
[0104] For example, as shown in Figure 11, there is a case where another wind turbine (here, wind turbine 2b) is installed within a predetermined distance of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a to supplement the photography. In this case, imaging device 51a is provided on wind turbine 2a, and imaging device 51b is provided on wind turbine 2b. In such a case, as shown in Figure 12, by processes S1-1, 2, 3, and 4, the nacelle 24 is rotated by approximately 90° so that the front, left side, back, and right side of wind turbine 2a (blade 31) face imaging device 51b in succession, and with each rotation, imaging devices 51a and 51b photograph the blade 31. Note that imaging device 51a photographs the underside of blade 31 once.
[0105] (Second shooting pattern) Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a given wind turbine when the second photography pattern is selected. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle of the given wind turbine is stopped for each photography in the second photography pattern.
[0106] In this case, when there are two other wind turbines, a first wind turbine and a second wind turbine, and the installation position of the second wind turbine is approximately 90 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine relative to the specified wind turbine 2a, the rotation stop directions of the nacelle 24 shown in the second shooting pattern are two rotation stop directions for each shooting, spaced approximately 180 degrees apart.
[0107] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, there is a case where other wind turbines (wind turbines 2b and 2c) are installed within a predetermined distance of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a to supplement the photography. Here, the wind turbine 2a is provided with a photographing device 51a, the wind turbine 2b is provided with a photographing device 51b, and the wind turbine 2c is provided with a photographing device 51c (an example of a photographing device 51). In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the nacelle 24 is rotated by process S2-1, and the photographing device 51b photographs the front surface of the wind turbine 2a (blades 31), while the photographing device 51c photographs the left side surface of the wind turbine 2a (blades 31). Thereafter, the nacelle 24 is rotated approximately 180 degrees by process S2-2, and the photographing device 51b photographs the rear surface of the wind turbine 2a (blades 31), while the photographing device 51c photographs the right side surface of the wind turbine 2a (blades 31). Note that the photographing device 51a takes one photograph from below the blades 31.
[0108] (Third shooting pattern) Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a given wind turbine when the third photography pattern is selected. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle of the given wind turbine is stopped for each photography in the third photography pattern.
[0109] In this case, when there are two other wind turbines, a first wind turbine and a second wind turbine, and the installation position of the second wind turbine is approximately 180 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine relative to the specified wind turbine 2a, the rotation stop directions of the nacelle 24 shown in the third shooting pattern are two rotation stop directions for each shooting, spaced approximately 90 degrees apart.
[0110] For example, as shown in FIG. 15, there is a case where other wind turbines (wind turbines 2b and 2c) are installed within a predetermined distance of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a to supplement the photography. Here, camera 51a is provided on wind turbine 2a, camera 51b is provided on wind turbine 2b, and camera 51c is provided on wind turbine 2c. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, in process S3-1, the nacelle 24 is rotated, and camera 51b photographs the front surface of wind turbine 2a (blades 31), while camera 51c photographs the rear surface of wind turbine 2a (blades 31). Thereafter, in process S3-2, the nacelle 24 is rotated approximately 90 degrees, and camera 51b photographs the left side of wind turbine 2a (blades 31), while camera 51c photographs the right side of wind turbine 2a (blades 31). Note that camera 51a photographs once from below blade 31.
[0111] (4th shooting pattern) FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a predetermined wind turbine when the fourth shooting pattern is determined.
[0112] In this case, if the other wind turbines are three, namely a first wind turbine, a second wind turbine, and a third wind turbine, and the installation position of the second wind turbine is approximately 180 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine relative to the specified wind turbine 2a, and the installation position of the third wind turbine is approximately 90 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine relative to the specified wind turbine 2a, the rotation stop directions of the nacelle 24 shown in the fourth shooting pattern are two rotation stop directions per shooting, at intervals of approximately 90 degrees or approximately 180 degrees.
[0113] In this case, the nacelle 24 is rotated approximately 180 degrees as in the second imaging pattern, or the nacelle 24 is rotated approximately 90 degrees as in the third imaging pattern.
[0114] (Fifth shooting pattern) Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the positions and number of other wind turbines relative to a given wind turbine when the fifth photography pattern is selected. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle of the given wind turbine is stopped for each photography in the fifth photography pattern.
[0115] In this case, if there are four other wind turbines, namely a first wind turbine, a second wind turbine, a third wind turbine and a fourth wind turbine, and the installation position of the second wind turbine is at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine relative to the specified wind turbine 2a, the installation position of the third wind turbine is at an angle of approximately 180 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine relative to the specified wind turbine 2a, and the installation position of the fourth wind turbine is at an angle of approximately 270 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine relative to the specified wind turbine 2a, then the rotation stop direction of the nacelle 24 shown in the fifth shooting pattern does not indicate a value. 19, in process S5-1, the nacelle 24 is rotated, and the image capturing device 51c captures an image of the front surface of the wind turbine 2a (blades 31), the image capturing device 51b captures an image of the left side surface of the wind turbine 2a (blades 31), the image capturing device 51e (an example of the image capturing device 51) captures an image of the back surface of the wind turbine 2a (blades 31), and the image capturing device 51d captures an image of the right side surface of the wind turbine 2a (blades). Note that all of the images captured in process S5-1 are taken simultaneously.
[0116] In this case, the wind turbine 2a (blades 31) can be photographed from four directions in one shot, so there is no need to rotate the nacelle 24 and take another shot. The photographing device 51a photographs the blades 31 from below once.
[0117] <Detailed damage detection processing> Here, the process of detecting damage to the fine details in step S35 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In step S111, if damage is detected for the second time or later after the lightning strike is detected in step S11, it is determined to be "minor damage."
[0118] S115: If the result of step S111 is "details," the damage detection unit 97 determines whether all photographing has been completed for the photographing pattern determined in step S41. If all photographing has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S42 shown in Fig. 10, where the direction (orientation) in which the rotation of the nacelle 24 of the wind turbine 2a is stopped is changed, and photographing of the blades 31 of the wind turbine 2a is performed again.
[0119] S116: On the other hand, if all photographing has been completed in process S115 (YES), the damage detection unit 97 inputs all the specified photographed images received in process S33-1 and all the other photographed images received in process S33-2 into the trained machine learning model 90b, and thereby detects fine damage to the blade 31 by inferring whether or not there is fine damage.
[0120] S117: The damage detection unit 97 determines whether the blade 31 has minor damage (second level damage) that is less than serious damage (first level damage) and greater than a predetermined standard.
[0121] S118: If, in process S117, there is no detailed damage larger than the predetermined standard (NO), the creation unit 98 creates a detection result report indicating that there is no damage. On the other hand, if, in process S117, there is detailed damage larger than the predetermined standard (YES), the creation unit 98 creates a detection result report such as that shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a detection result report. A detection result report in the case where there is detailed damage larger than the predetermined standard includes an image showing the location of the damage within the entire wind turbine 2a, an enlarged image of the damage location, and text indicating the details of the damage. In addition, a frame is superimposed on the damaged area to make it easier to identify the damaged area.
[0122] [Major Effects of the Embodiments] As described above, according to this embodiment, the blades 31 of a given wind turbine 2a can be photographed over a wide range by not only using the given camera 51 installed on the given wind turbine 2a, but also using other camera devices 51 installed on other wind turbines 2b. This makes it possible to prevent failure to check for damage to the blades 31 of a lightning-struck wind turbine 2a.
[0123] 9, the damage detection unit 97 first detects serious damage (see S112), and if serious damage is found, the creation unit 98 can quickly create a detection result report, which allows the monitor at the monitoring center C to take prompt action.
[0124] On the other hand, even if there is no serious damage, by rotating the nacelle 24 of the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a and photographing the blades 31, it is possible to take a relatively long time to detect damage in detail.
[0125] 〔supplement〕 (1) Steps S112 and S116 shown in FIG. 9 may not be automatically performed by the damage detection unit 97, but may be visually determined by a user (monitor, etc.) at the monitoring center C. In this case, the user determines whether or not there is damage to the blade 31 by viewing the captured image displayed by the display control unit 74 of the damage detection device 9. The user then inputs the damage results into the damage detection device 9. This input is accepted by the accepting unit 92, and the creation unit 98 creates a detection result report based on this input. Furthermore, if the user determines that there is no serious damage in the initial damage detection, the user manually operates the damage detection device 9, thereby proceeding to step S41 in FIG. 10.
[0126] (2) In the above embodiment, the photographing device 51b of the wind turbine 2b closest to the lightning-struck wind turbine 2a takes photographs of the blades 31, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 21 , in a case where wind turbines 2A and 2B (an example of wind turbines 2) are installed on land and a transmission tower 4A is installed within a predetermined distance of wind turbine 2A, and transmission towers 4A and 4B are installed within a predetermined distance of wind turbine 2B, each of transmission towers 4A and 4B may be provided with a photographing device 51, a driving device 52, a lighting device 53, a driving device 54, and a photographing control device 8. In this way, even if wind turbine 2B is not installed within the predetermined distance of wind turbine 2A, the same effect can be achieved by processing similar to that in the above embodiment.
[0127] (3) Note that the imaging device 51, the driving device 52, the lighting device 53, and the driving device 54 may be installed on the ground instead of on the transmission towers 4A and 4B. In this case, the imaging control device 8 may be one installed inside the wind turbine 2A, or the imaging control device 8 may be installed in the monitoring center C.
[0128] (4) Each of the above programs can be recorded on a (non-temporary) recording medium and distributed, or can be provided via a communication network such as the Internet.
[0129] (5) The CPU 1004 and GPU as processors, which are hardware, may each be single or multiple. [Explanation of symbols]
[0130] 1. Power generation system 1a Wind turbine control system 1b Damage Detection System 1b 1c Imaging System 2a windmill 2b windmill 2A Windmill 2B Windmill 3. Wind turbine monitoring system 4A Transmission Tower 4B Transmission Tower 6. Wind turbine control device 7 Wind turbine monitoring device 8. Shooting control device 9 Damage detection device 60 Storage section 61 Communications Department 63 Lightning detection unit 65 Rotation control section 70 Memory section 71 Communications Department 72 Reception 74 Display control unit 80 Storage section 81 Communications Department 85 Shooting direction control unit 86 Shooting start control unit 90 Memory section 90a Shooting Pattern DB 90b Machine Learning Models 91 Communication unit (an example of a transmission unit, an example of a reception unit) 92 Reception Department 94 Display control unit 96 Decision Section 97 Damage detection unit 98 Creation Department
Claims
1. A damage detection device that detects damage to blades of a predetermined wind turbine that generates wind power, A damage detection device having a damage detection unit that detects damage to the blades based on a predetermined photographed image obtained by a predetermined photographing device installed on a predetermined wind turbine photographing the blades and another photographed image obtained by another photographing device installed within a predetermined distance of the predetermined wind turbine.
2. The damage detection device according to claim 1, A damage detection device having a receiving unit that is provided in the specified wind turbine and receives the specified photographed image transmitted by a specified photographing control device that has performed photographing control of the specified photographing device, and the other photographed image transmitted by another photographing control device that has performed photographing control of the other photographing device.
3. The damage detection device according to claim 2, a determination unit that, when a lightning strike is detected at the predetermined wind turbine, identifies the predetermined wind turbine that has been struck by lightning based on a lightning strike notification transmitted by a wind turbine control device that controls the drive of the wind turbine, and determines a predetermined imaging pattern for identifying the imaging direction of the predetermined imaging device and the imaging direction of the other imaging devices; a transmitter that transmits a notification of the imaging direction of the predetermined imaging device to the predetermined imaging control device and a notification of the imaging direction of the other imaging device to the other imaging control device; A damage detection device having:
4. The receiving unit receives a notification of setting completion transmitted by the predetermined photographing control device after setting control of the photographing direction of the predetermined photographing device, and after the other photographing control device receives a notification of setting completion transmitted by the other photographing control device after setting control of the photographing direction of the other photographing device, the transmitting unit transmits a notification of starting photographing to the predetermined photographing control device and the other photographing control device, the receiving unit receives the predetermined photographed image transmitted by a predetermined photographing control device that has controlled the start of photographing of the predetermined photographing device based on the notification of the start of photographing, and the other photographed image transmitted by another photographing control device that has controlled the start of photographing of the other photographing device based on the notification of the start of photographing. The damage detection device according to claim 3 .
5. The damage detection device according to claim 1, A damage detection device having a creation unit that, when a predetermined level of damage is detected by the damage detection unit, creates a detection result report indicating that the predetermined level of damage exists.
6. The damage detection device according to claim 5 , wherein the predetermined damage is a state in which the blade is broken or burned, or a state in which a crack has occurred in the blade.
7. when the damage detection unit does not detect first level damage, the determination unit determines a new imaging pattern for specifying a rotation stop angle of the blades of the specified wind turbine and a rotation stop direction of a nacelle of the specified wind turbine, as well as an imaging direction of the specified imaging device and an imaging direction of the other imaging device; the transmitting unit transmits a notification of the blade rotation stop angle and the nacelle rotation stop direction to the wind turbine control device via a wind turbine monitoring device that monitors each wind turbine and remotely controls each wind turbine, thereby causing the wind turbine control device to perform control in accordance with the blade rotation stop angle and the nacelle rotation stop direction. The damage detection device according to claim 3 .
8. 8. The damage detection device according to claim 7, wherein after the receiving unit receives a notification of rotation completion transmitted from the wind turbine control device via the wind turbine monitoring device after rotation control of the blades and the nacelle, the transmitting unit transmits a notification of the shooting direction of the predetermined shooting device to the predetermined shooting control device and a notification of the shooting direction of the other shooting control device to the other shooting control device based on a new shooting pattern.
9. The receiving unit receives a notification of setting completion transmitted by the predetermined photographing control device after setting control of the photographing direction of the predetermined photographing device, and after the other photographing control device receives a notification of setting completion transmitted by the other photographing control device after setting control of the photographing direction of the other photographing device, the transmitting unit transmits a notification of starting photographing to the predetermined photographing control device and the other photographing control device, the receiving unit receives the predetermined photographed image transmitted by a predetermined photographing control device that has controlled the start of photographing of the predetermined photographing device based on the notification of the start of photographing, and the other photographed image transmitted by another photographing control device that has controlled the start of photographing of the other photographing device based on the notification of the start of photographing. The damage detection device according to claim 8.
10. 10. The damage detection device according to claim 9, further comprising a creation unit that creates a detection result report indicating the presence of second level damage when the damage detection unit detects second level damage, the second level damage being less than the first level and greater than a predetermined standard.
11. The damage detection device according to claim 7 , wherein the determination unit determines the new shooting pattern based on the positions and number of other wind turbines installed within a predetermined distance of the predetermined wind turbine.
12. 12. The damage detection device according to claim 11, wherein, when there is one other wind turbine, the rotation stop directions of the nacelle indicated by the new imaging pattern indicate four rotation stop directions at intervals of approximately 90 degrees for each imaging.
13. 12. The damage detection device according to claim 11, wherein when the other wind turbines are two, that is, a first wind turbine and a second wind turbine, and the installation position of the second wind turbine is at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine with respect to the given wind turbine, the rotation stop directions of the nacelle shown in the new imaging pattern show two rotation stop directions for each imaging, spaced at intervals of approximately 180 degrees.
14. 12. The damage detection device according to claim 11, wherein when the other wind turbines are two, that is, a first wind turbine and a second wind turbine, and the installation position of the second wind turbine is at an angle of approximately 180 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine with respect to the given wind turbine, the rotation stop directions of the nacelle shown in the new imaging pattern show two rotation stop directions at intervals of approximately 90 degrees for each imaging.
15. 12. The damage detection device according to claim 11, wherein when the other wind turbines are three, namely a first wind turbine, a second wind turbine, and a third wind turbine, and the installation position of the second wind turbine is at an angle of approximately 180 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine with respect to the predetermined wind turbine, and the installation position of the third wind turbine is at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the installation position of the first wind turbine with respect to the predetermined wind turbine, the rotation stop directions of the nacelle shown in the new imaging pattern show two rotation stop directions for each imaging, at intervals of approximately 90 degrees or approximately 180 degrees.
16. 12. The damage detection device according to claim 11, wherein when the other wind turbines are four turbines consisting of a first turbine, a second turbine, a third turbine, and a fourth turbine, and the installation position of the second turbine is at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the installation position of the first turbine with respect to the predetermined wind turbine, the installation position of the third turbine is at an angle of approximately 180 degrees from the installation position of the first turbine with respect to the predetermined wind turbine, and the installation position of the fourth turbine is at an angle of approximately 270 degrees from the installation position of the first turbine with respect to the predetermined wind turbine, the direction in which the rotation of the nacelle has stopped shown in the new imaging pattern does not indicate a value.
17. A damage detection device according to any one of claims 2 to 16; the predetermined imaging control device; the other imaging control device; A damage detection system having:
18. The damage detection device according to claim 2, a transmission unit that transmits a notification of start of imaging to the predetermined imaging control device and the other imaging control device; After the predetermined photographing device and the other photographing devices have photographed, the transmitter transmits a notification of a rotation stop direction of a nacelle of the predetermined wind turbine to a wind turbine control device that controls drive of the predetermined wind turbine, via a wind turbine remote control device that remotely controls each wind turbine; After the nacelle stops rotating in the rotation stop direction, the transmitter transmits a notification of the start of next imaging to the predetermined imaging control device and the other imaging control device. Damage detection device.
19. A damage detection method for detecting damage to blades of a predetermined wind turbine that generates wind power, comprising: A damage detection method that detects damage to a blade based on a predetermined photographed image obtained by photographing the blade with a predetermined photographing device installed on a predetermined wind turbine, and another photographed image obtained by photographing the blade with another photographing device installed on another wind turbine installed within a predetermined distance of the predetermined wind turbine.
20. A program causing a computer to execute the method of claim 19.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
wind turbine
JP2014504342A