Wind Turbine Backup Power Sensor Cross-Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of measurements in wind turbine backup power systems is a concern due to the need for regular verification to ensure safety and trustworthiness, as specified in guidelines like the Guideline for the Certification of Wind Turbines and International Standard IEC 61400-1, which requires weekly testing of backup and safety systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a wind turbine with a backup power supply, a first sensor unit, and a second sensor unit configured to measure voltage and current values at different locations, with a processor comparing these values to assign a level of confidence, allowing for the identification of potentially untrustworthy measurements and improving safety by verifying the condition of the backup power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single sensor unit is used to measure backup power supply parameters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement reliability cannot be verified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second sensor unit as an intermediary verification device to validate measurements from the first sensor unit. This mediator approach allows cross-checking of voltage and current measurements without fundamentally changing the primary measurement system, thereby improving reliability while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing measurements from two sensor units and using this comparison to assess measurement reliability. The feedback mechanism enables the system to identify when measurements may be untrustworthy and trigger appropriate safety responses, resolving the contradiction between simple device structure and reliable measurements.
2Measurement precision
If measurements are taken at a single location close to the backup power supply, then the measurement accuracy is maximized, but the ability to detect transmission issues is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to measurements by placing sensor units at different locations in the electrical circuit. The first sensor unit measures close to the backup power supply for accuracy, while the second sensor unit measures at a remote location to detect transmission issues. This multi-dimensional measurement approach resolves the contradiction between local measurement precision and overall system reliability.
3Reliability
If the backup power supply condition is not properly verified, then the operational efficiency is maintained, but the safety of the wind turbine is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of backup power supply measurements before relying on them for safety-critical decisions. By cross-checking measurements in advance and assessing their trustworthiness, the system ensures safety without requiring continuous interruptions to operational efficiency. The verification process is integrated into normal operations rather than being a separate disruptive step.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wind turbine comprising: a backup power supply, a processor and a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit configured to measure at least one of a voltage value and a current value, wherein the voltage value and current value are indicative of the condition of the backup power supply. The first sensor unit is configured to measure the at least one of the voltage value and the current value at a first location in the wind turbine, and the second sensor unit is configured to measure the at least one of the voltage value and the current value at a second location in the wind turbine different from the first location. The processor is configured to compare the at least one of the voltage value and current value measured by the first sensor unit with the at least one of the voltage value and current value measured by the second sensor unit; and to assign a level of confidence to the at least one of the voltage value and current value measured by the first sensor unit based on the comparison.