Throttle unit, wind turbine and use of a throttle unit with a wind turbine

Abstract

The invention relates to a throttle unit (1), in particular a 3-phase throttle unit (1), having: at least one leg (11, 12, 13) which extends between a first end (E1) and a second end (E2), wherein the at least one leg is surrounded by a coil (L1, L2, L3); a first yoke (21) which is coupled to the first end (E1) of the at least one leg (11, 12, 13); a first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) which is arranged between the first end (E1) of the at least one leg (11, 12, 13) and the first yoke (21), characterised in that the first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) has a fluid channel (40) or forms same, wherein the fluid channel (40) is designed to guide a temperature control fluid (F) for controlling the temperature of the throttle unit (1).

Description

[0001] Throttle unit, wind turbine and use of a throttle unit with a wind turbine

[0002] The invention relates to a throttle unit. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wind turbine. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a throttle unit with a wind turbine.

[0003] The invention is described here in particular with reference to wind turbines. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0004] A choke unit can also be simply referred to as a reactor. A choke unit is, for example, an electromagnetic three-phase choke coil. Such choke units are used, for example, to limit current particles in electrical lines, for intermediate energy storage, for impedance matching, and / or for filtering.

[0005] For example, such chokes can be used on the grid side at the output of an inverter to shape modulated current as sinusoidally as possible before it is fed into an electrical supply grid. In this example, the choke is preferably arranged between the inverter and the electrical supply grid into which the energy is to be fed. A corresponding choke and its arrangement are disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2016 122 435 A1. Furthermore, such chokes can be arranged, for example, on the generator side at the input of an inverter, between a generator and this inverter.

[0006] Particularly in wind turbines that have inverters, the chokes are provided between the inverter and the power grid. In a wind turbine with a three-phase system, a choke is typically used for each phase, or a 3-phase choke is used. The three chokes of a three-phase system can be combined to form a three-phase choke. For this purpose, a magnetic core made of stacked laminations can be provided, which roughly looks like the figure eight of a digital display. This creates three magnetically connected legs, each of which houses a winding of a phase. A magnetic field resulting from a current in a winding in the magnetic leg of this winding passes partly through the other two magnetic legs of the other two windings.As a result, the magnetic fields of all three windings and thus all three phases overlap.

[0007] Such chokes heat up during operation and reach critical temperatures. This can, in particular, minimize the choke's efficiency and service life.

[0008] The European Patent Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: US 2010 / 308951 A1 and DE 10 2016 122435 A1 .

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a throttle unit, a wind turbine, and a use of the throttle unit with a wind turbine that is improved over the known solution. In particular, the invention is based on the object of providing a throttle unit, a wind turbine, and a use of the throttle unit with a wind turbine that is technically less complex and more cost-effective to manufacture, while still ensuring reliable temperature control of the throttle unit.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a throttle unit of the type described at the outset, comprising at least one leg which extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one leg is encompassed by a coil, a first yoke which is coupled to the first end of the at least one leg, a first electromagnetic insulation unit which is arranged between the first end of the at least one leg and the first yoke, characterized in that the first electromagnetic insulation unit has or forms a fluid channel, wherein the fluid channel is designed to conduct a temperature control fluid for temperature control of the throttle unit.

[0011] The invention is based on the inventors' discovery that the electromagnetic insulation unit itself can have or form the fluid channel without the need to arrange tubes, heat pipes, or other separate fluid-conducting lines in the electromagnetic insulation unit between the yoke and the leg, which form the fluid channel. This has the advantage of reducing the number of parts comprising a throttle unit and thus a wind turbine, which minimizes the effort required both in manufacturing, particularly in work preparation, and in production planning.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention is based on the inventors' finding that the requirements for the electromagnetic insulation unit are reduced to the extent that a short circuit no longer needs to be prevented via the comparatively short distance between the legs and the tubes or heat pipes. In particular, this makes it possible to focus more on the thermal conductivity of the electromagnetic insulation unit, thus enabling improved temperature control of the throttle unit.

[0013] The throttle unit is particularly intended for use with wind turbines.

[0014] The throttle unit is preferably designed as a three-, four-, or five-leg throttle unit. A three-leg throttle unit has three legs, a four-leg throttle unit has four legs, and a five-leg throttle unit has five legs.

[0015] As stated, it is provided that at least one of the legs has a coil, wherein this coil is preferably a primary winding. The throttle unit preferably has a plurality of legs, each of which is enclosed by a coil configured as a primary winding. In particular, it may be preferred for the throttle unit to have five legs, wherein three legs each have a coil configured as a primary winding and two legs are configured as return legs. The return legs preferably form the outer legs of the throttle unit. The arrangement of the three coils configured as primary windings results in a 3-phase system.

[0016] The throttle unit described herein is preferably a 3-phase throttle unit.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the throttle unit has a second yoke which is coupled to the second end of the at least one leg.

[0018] Furthermore, according to a preferred development, it is provided that the throttle unit has a second electromagnetic insulation unit which is arranged between the second end of the at least one leg and the second yoke.

[0019] Furthermore, according to a preferred development of the throttle unit, it is provided that the first electromagnetic insulation unit and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit has a thermal conductivity coefficient of at least 0.001 m*K, preferably of at least 0.1 m*K, at 20°C, and / or at 20°C a

[0020] Thermal conductivity coefficients of maximum 50 — m*K , preferably maximum 3 — m*K .

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment of the throttle unit, the first electromagnetic insulation unit and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit are made of a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and / or silicone or comprise glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and / or silicone. These materials have a particularly suitable thermal conductivity for use in throttle units. A further advantage of these materials is that they are frequently used and therefore relatively readily available.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment of the throttle unit, it is provided that the first electromagnetic insulation unit and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit comprise thermally conductive additives, wherein the thermally conductive additives preferably comprise silicone and / or ceramic additives. These additives preferably increase the thermal conductivity. Furthermore, according to a preferred development of the throttle unit, it is provided that the first electromagnetic insulation unit forms the fluid channel as a fluid line or as a fluid tube and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit forms the fluid channel as a fluid line or as a fluid tube.

[0023] Furthermore, according to a preferred development of the throttle unit, it is provided that the first electromagnetic insulation unit and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit form a fluid channel wall of the fluid channel, which at least partially spatially delimits the fluid channel, wherein vortex generators and / or static mixers are arranged in the fluid channel, in particular on the fluid channel wall, which increase the surface area for heat dissipation to the temperature control fluid during operation and / or cause a turbulent flow of the temperature control fluid in the fluid channel, and / or a profiled surface, in particular a groove-shaped surface, is formed on the fluid channel wall, which increases the surface area for heat dissipation to the temperature control fluid during operation and / or causes a turbulent flow of the temperature control fluid in the fluid channel.

[0024] Vortex generators have the effect of increasing the turbulence in the flow near the wall area of ​​the fluid channel and thus the heat transfer coefficient. Static mixers cause the flow to mix, so that "colder" tempering fluid flows from the interior of the fluid channel outwards to the wall of the fluid channel, and "warmer" tempering fluid, which has already flowed along the wall of the fluid channel, is guided inwards away from the wall of the fluid channel. This improves heat transfer. Finally, a profiled surface enlarges the surface area of ​​the wall of the fluid channel, allowing the transferable heat to increase preferentially.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment of the throttle unit, it is provided that the tempering fluid is guided for tempering in the fluid channel during operation of the throttle unit.

[0026] Furthermore, according to a preferred development of the throttle unit, the temperature control fluid (F) consists of water and / or glycol and / or oil and / or a gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or Flutec PP9 and / or the temperature control fluid comprises water and / or glycol and / or oil and / or gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or Flutec PP9. In this case, a water- and / or oil-based temperature control fluid has a higher heat transfer coefficient than gaseous temperature control fluids. However, the use of a liquid temperature control fluid is disadvantageous in the event of leaks compared to a gaseous temperature control fluid.

[0027] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the throttle unit, it is provided that the fluid channel has a circular and / or a polygonal, in particular a quadrangular, square, rectangular or trapezoidal, cross-section.

[0028] According to a further preferred development of the throttle unit, it is provided that the fluid channel is designed for a volume flow of at least 0.5 l / min and / or a maximum of 5 l / min.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a wind turbine of the type described above, comprising a throttle unit according to the first aspect or preferred embodiments of this throttle unit. The wind turbine preferably has two, three, or more throttle units.

[0030] In a preferred development, the wind turbine comprises an inverter, wherein the choke unit is coupled between the inverter and a grid output connection of the wind turbine, wherein the grid output connection of the wind turbine can be coupled to a supply grid. Preferably, the wind turbine comprises at least two inverters.

[0031] According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by using a throttle unit according to the first aspect or preferred embodiments of this throttle unit with a wind turbine.

[0032] For the advantages, embodiment variants and embodiment details of the second and third aspects of the invention and their further developments, reference is made to the preceding description of the corresponding features of the throttle unit.

[0033] Embodiments of the invention will now be described below with reference to the drawings. These are not necessarily intended to represent the embodiments to scale; rather, where useful for explanation, the drawings are schematic and / or slightly distorted. With regard to additions to the teachings immediately apparent from the drawings, reference is made to the relevant prior art. It should be noted that numerous modifications and changes to the form and detail of an embodiment can be made without deviating from the general idea of ​​the invention. The features of the invention disclosed in the description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential for the further development of the invention, both individually and in any combination.Furthermore, all combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the description, the drawings, and / or the claims fall within the scope of the invention. The general idea of ​​the invention is not limited to the exact form or detail of the preferred embodiments shown and described below, nor is it limited to a subject matter that would be limited compared to the subject matter claimed in the claims. For the sake of simplicity, the same reference numerals are used below for identical or similar parts or parts with identical or similar functions.

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. They show:

[0035] Fig. 1 : a schematic three-dimensional view of an exemplary

[0036] Design of a wind turbine;

[0037] Fig. 2: a schematic first side view of an exemplary embodiment of a throttle unit; and

[0038] Fig. 3: a schematic second side view of the device shown in Figure 2

[0039] throttle unit;

[0040] Fig. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of a network circuit of the wind turbine shown in Figure 1 with a throttle unit shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a wind turbine according to the invention. The wind turbine 100 has a tower 102 and a nacelle 104 on the tower 102. An aerodynamic rotor 106 with three rotor blades 108 and a spinner 110 is provided on the nacelle 104. During operation of the wind turbine, the aerodynamic rotor 106 is set into rotation by the wind and thus also rotates an electrodynamic rotor or rotor of a generator, which is directly or indirectly coupled to the aerodynamic rotor 106. The electrical generator is arranged in the nacelle 104 and generates electrical energy. The pitch angles of the rotor blades 108 can be adjusted by pitch motors at the rotor blade roots 109 of the respective

[0042] Rotor blades 108 can be changed.

[0043] The exemplary embodiment of a wind turbine 100 schematically illustrated in Figure 1 comprises an inverter 200 and a choke unit 1, as schematically illustrated in an exemplary embodiment in a first and second side view in Figures 2 and 3 and described below. The choke unit 1 is arranged between the inverter 200 and a grid output connection 300 of the wind turbine, wherein the grid output connection 300 is coupled to a supply grid.

[0044] The choke unit 1, shown schematically in Figures 2 and 3, has three legs 11, 12, 13, each extending between a first end E1 and a second end E2, wherein the three legs 11, 12, 13 are each encompassed by a coil L1, L2, L3. The three legs 11, 12, 13 are each coupled to a first yoke 21 at the first end E1 and to a second yoke 22 at the second end E2. In this case, it is provided that a first electromagnetic insulation unit 31 is arranged between the first end E1 of the three legs 11, 12, 13 and the first yoke 21 and a second electromagnetic insulation unit 32 is arranged between the second end E2 of the three legs 11, 12, 13 and the second yoke 22. By means of the first and second electromagnetic insulation units 31, 32, the three legs 11, 12, 13 are magnetically decoupled from the first and second yokes 21, 22.

[0045] Both the first and the second electromagnetic insulation units 31, 32 have or form a fluid channel 40. The fluid channel 40 carries a temperature control fluid F for controlling the temperature of the throttle unit 1. The fluid channels 40 each have a rectangular cross-section. This can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, in which the first and second electromagnetic insulation units 31, 32 are shown in section. In principle, however, the fluid channels 40 can also have a different polygonal cross-section or a circular cross-section. Regardless of the cross-section of the fluid channels, the temperature of the throttle unit 1 can be adjusted or regulated to a specific temperature or a specific temperature range using the temperature control fluid F. This temperature or this temperature range is selected so that the throttle unit 1 achieves the longest possible service life.Preferably, the fluid channels are designed with regard to their cross-section for a volume flow of at least 0.5 l / min and a maximum of 5 l / min. The first electromagnetic insulation unit 31 and the second electromagnetic insulation unit 32 form a fluid channel wall W of the fluid channel 40, which spatially delimits the fluid channel 40 orthogonally to the flow direction of the temperature control fluid F. In order to improve the temperature control of the throttle unit 1, it is provided that the fluid channel 40 of the first electromagnetic insulation unit 31 has vortex generators (not shown) and static mixers (not shown) on the fluid channel wall W. These, on the one hand, increase the surface area for heat dissipation to the temperature control fluid F and, on the other hand, cause a turbulent flow of the temperature control fluid F within the fluid channel, which improves heat dissipation from the throttle unit.Furthermore, in order to improve the temperature control of the throttle unit 1, it is provided that the fluid channel wall W of the fluid channel 40 of the second electromagnetic insulation unit 32 has a groove-shaped surface (not shown), which increases the surface for heat dissipation to the temperature control fluid F during operation and can also cause a turbulent flow of the temperature control fluid F in the fluid channel 40.

[0046] In this respect, the fluid channels of the first electromagnetic isolation unit 31 and the second electromagnetic isolation unit 32 are designed such that, during operation, the temperature control fluid F flows through the respective fluid channel 40 to set the desired temperature in the throttle unit 1. A temperature control fluid F consisting of or comprising water and / or glycol and / or oil and / or a gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or Flutec PP9, for example, can be considered as the temperature control fluid F.

[0047] In this preferred embodiment of the throttle unit 1, it is provided that the first electromagnetic insulation unit 31 and the second electromagnetic insulation unit 32 have a thermal conductivity coefficient of at least 0.001 m*K and a maximum of 50 m*K at 20°C. However, it may also be preferred that the electromagnetic insulation unit 31 and the second electromagnetic insulation unit 32 have a thermal conductivity coefficient of preferably at least 0.1 m*K and a maximum of 3 m*K at 20°C.

[0048] The first electromagnetic insulation unit 31 and the second electromagnetic insulation unit 32 are made of a material that has insulating properties. In particular, the first electromagnetic insulation unit 31 and the second electromagnetic insulation unit 32 may contain thermally conductive additives, wherein the thermally conductive additives preferably comprise silicone and / or ceramic additives.

[0049] Figure 4 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a grid circuit of a wind turbine 100 according to a preferred embodiment with a throttle unit 1 shown in Figures 2 and 3. In this preferred embodiment, the throttle unit 1 is arranged between a generator G of the wind turbine 100 and an inverter W. It is coupled to a supply grid V via a grid output connection 300 of the wind turbine 100.

[0050] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0051] throttle unit

[0052] 11 , 12, 13 at least one leg

[0053] 21 first yoke 22 second yoke

[0054] 31 first electromagnetic isolation unit

[0055] 32 second electromagnetic isolation unit

[0056] 40 fluid channel

[0057] 100 Wind turbine 102 Tower

[0058] 104 gondolas

[0059] 106 aerodynamic rotor

[0060] 108 rotor blades

[0061] 109 Rotor blade roots 110 Spinner

[0062] 200 inverters

[0063] 300 mains output connection

[0064] E1 first end of the at least one leg E2 second end of the at least one leg

[0065] G Generator

[0066] L1, L2, L3 coil

[0067] V Supply network W Fluid channel wall

Claims

CLAIMS 1 . Throttle unit (1), in particular a 3-phase throttle unit (1), comprising - at least one leg (11, 12, 13) extending between a first end (E1) and a second end (E2), wherein the at least one leg is encompassed by a coil (L1, L2, L3), - a first yoke (21) coupled to the first end (E1) of the at least one leg (11, 12, 13), - a first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) arranged between the first end (E1) of the at least one leg (11, 12, 13) and the first yoke (21), characterized in that - the first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) has or forms a fluid channel (40), wherein the fluid channel (40) is designed to carry a temperature control fluid (F) for temperature control of the throttle unit (1).

2. Throttle unit (1) according to the preceding claim 1, comprising a second yoke (22) which is coupled to the second end (E2) of the at least one leg (11, 12, 13).

3. Throttle unit (1) according to the preceding claim 2, comprising a second electromagnetic insulation unit (32) arranged between the second end (E2) of the at least one leg (11, 12, 13) and the second yoke (22).

4. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 3, wherein the first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit (32) has a thermal conductivity coefficient of at least 0.001 - m*K, preferably of at least 0.1 - m*K, at 20°C, and / or a thermal conductivity coefficient of at most 50 - m*K, preferably at most ■l 3 - W . . m*K, at 20°C.

5. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-4, wherein the first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit (32) - is made of a glass fibre reinforced plastic and / or a silicone or - glass fibre reinforced plastic and / or silicone.

6. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-5, wherein the first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit (32) comprise thermally conductive additives, wherein the thermally conductive additives preferably comprise additives made of silicone and / or ceramic.

7. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-6, wherein the first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) forms the fluid channel (40) as a fluid line or as a fluid pipe and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit (32) forms the fluid channel (40) as a fluid line or as a fluid pipe.

8. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-7, - wherein the first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) and / or the second electromagnetic insulation unit (32) form a fluid channel wall (W) of the fluid channel (40) which at least partially spatially delimits the fluid channel (40), wherein - vortex generators and / or static mixers are arranged in the fluid channel (40), in particular on the fluid channel wall (W), which increase the surface area for heat dissipation to the temperature control fluid during operation and / or cause a turbulent flow of the temperature control fluid in the fluid channel, and / or - a profiled surface, in particular a groove-shaped surface, is formed on the fluid channel wall (W), which increases the surface area for heat dissipation to the tempering fluid (F) during operation and / or causes a turbulent flow of the tempering fluid (F) in the fluid channel (40).

9. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-8, wherein the tempering fluid (F) is guided for tempering in the fluid channel (40) during operation of the throttle unit (1).

10. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-9, wherein the temperature control fluid (F) consists of water and / or glycol and / or oil and / or a gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or Flutec PP9 and / or the temperature control fluid comprises water and / or glycol and / or oil and / or gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or Flutec PP9.

11. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-10, wherein the fluid channel (40) has a circular and / or a polygonal, in particular a quadrangular, square, rectangular or trapezoidal, cross-section.

12. Throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-11, wherein the fluid channel (40) is designed for a volume flow of at least 0.5 l / min and / or a maximum of 5 l / min.

13. Wind turbine (100) comprising a throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-12.

14. Wind turbine (100) according to the preceding claim 13, comprising an inverter (200), wherein the choke unit (1) is coupled between the inverter (200) and a grid output connection (300) of the wind turbine (100), wherein the grid output connection (300) of the wind turbine (100) is coupleable to an electrical supply grid.

15. Use of a throttle unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-12 with a wind turbine (100).

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